Peking Duck

Dear Friends,

Pretty sure this is an advertisement that Peking Duck is being served inside.

Love,
Heather

Lion

Dear Friends,

I came across this colorful lion when wandering the streets of Beijing.

Love,
Heather

Goat Trail

 Dear Friends,

I didn't want you think that the entire Great Wall 1/2 marathon was run on the wall. There are a variety of running adventures all packed into this event. This goat trail was one of the more challenging!

Love,
Heather

Great Wall Marathon

Dear Friends,

After over a year of anticipating the Great Wall Half Marathon, I FINALLY made it!  As you can see I wasn't exactly running the whole time. Was stopped at a bottleneck so it seem like a good time for a photo. It was an amazing experience!

Love,
Heather

Art Auction

Dear Friends,

Our ECE Art Auction was fantastic! The kids' artwork raised over $8,000 for Heart to Heart in Shanghai. All the work was definitely worth it!

Love,
Heather

Plum Blossoms

Dear Friends,

The plum blossoms are popping up all over town. Spring is really here!

Love,
Heather and Brad

Rick in Shanghai

Dear Friends,

This weekend an extra treat - our friend Rick that we met in Romania.  He was here for the weekend from Bangkok. It was seeing him and catching up!

Love,
Heather and Brad

T-Shirt Shops

Dear Friends,

Needless to say, we didn't purchase a thing at the shops along the Ft. Lauderdale beach.

Love,
Heather and Brad

Ft. Lauderdale Style

Dear Friends,

We tried to get Brad's brother to get one of these for his wife on his visit. For some reason he just wouldn't do it.

Love,
Heather and Brad

Florida

Dear Friends,

So much for our spending our break in Shanghai. After two days, we were on a plane to Florida for some warmer weather and fresh air.

Love,
Heather and Brad

Holiday Shopping

Dear Friends,

We were shopping at the market last weekend and came across this lovely purse. Let me know how many you would like as gifts this holiday season and we can pick the up for you.

Love,
Heather and Brad

Air Quality

Dear Friends,

As you may have heard, the air quality made history this week with the highest ever recorded pollution. After putting it off for over a year, we finally broke down and bought an air filter. They were not sure when it could be delivered so we went to pick it up ourselves. These filters were already sold and awaiting delivery or pick up.

Love,
Heather and Brad

Egg Man

Dear Friends,

Once again, we are perplexed by the purpose of this.

Love,
Heather and Brad

Walnut Season

Dear Friends,

We occasionally see these dried fruit and nut stands around town.  It must be walnut season as the stands are filled with beautiful walnuts.

Love,
Heather and Bradley

More than Toilet?

Dear Friends,

We are still trying to figure this out!

Love,
Heather and Brad

Sugar Cane

Dear Friends,

Every fruit shop in Hangzhou was selling sugar cane. We stopped to watch man peel and chop it for his customer. She was telling us how delicious it was (at least that is what we THINK she was saying).

Love,
Heather and Brad

Hangzhou Park

Dear Friends,

Loved this beautiful Chinese park in the middle of a big, busy city.

Love,
Heather and Brad

Oreos?

Dear Friends,

Just couldn't bring ourselves to purchase these peach/grape Oreos. Who came up with this flavor combo?

Love,
Heather & Brad

Finish Line

Dear Friends,

Running my first "organized" race in China was an adventure. From the celebrity like status of being some of the few foreigners in the race to the wide variety of running attire, there was plenty to keep us busy along the way. One of the more frustrating parts of the run was attempting to cross the finish, as many people thought this was a great photo stop. Look carefully at all the people around with cameras and yes, we are still on the route. The lady to my right is even posing.  I did finally manage to push my way through to the finish line.  Oh and don't worry, pushing is the norm here.

Love,
Heather

Hangzhou Run

Before 

Dear Friends,

It was finally time for me to get back to the running community. This weekend, a few of us hopped on a train and headed to Hangzhou. This run had several distances - full marathon, half, 13k, 6k and some family runs. I used the 13k as a training run for the Shanghai 1/2 marathon I have coming up in December. I wasn't sure how this was going to go on the tail end of a two weeks of bronchitis and after at taxi ran over my foot when we arrived at the hotel. Overall the run was great!  Fun time with friends and my wonderful husband. He was busy being the photographer which is why you don't see him.

Love,

Heather

After

Street Art

Dear Friends,

Saw this art in town a few weekends ago.

Love,
Heather

Koren Kimbap

Dear Friends,

About once a week, I find these kimbap in one of student's lunch box. Love that her mom takes so much time to make her lunch fun!

Love,
Heather

Purple Heart PJs

Dear Friends,

Roaming the streets in your PJs is common in Shanghai. We were surprised to see this guy in Seoul.  Yes, guy in the purple heart pajamas.

Love,
Heather and Brad

Strange Combination

Dear Friends,

When was the last time you had had a coffee with your hot dog?

Love,
Heather and Brad

Park Art-Seoul

Dear Friends,

Loved this piece of art in one of the parks.

Love,
Heather and Brad

Korean BBQ

Dear Friends,

We loved this Korean Barbecue place that was furnished with picnic tables, Coleman camp chairs and other camping gear.

Love,
Heather and Brad

The Foot Shop

Dear Friends,

Brad was happy to drop me off for a foot massage.  It was great but more expensive than those at home.

Love,
Heather

Dog Clothes?

Dear Friends,

Looking for that perfect outfit...for your dog?  Look no further...Coco Puppy is full of outfits just for your pooch!

Love,
Heather and Brad

Grass Hopper

Dear Friends,

Never did understand why someone would want writing across their bottom.  REALLY don't understand why you would want it to say this.

Love,
Heather

Ginseng

Dear Friends,

Ginseng anyone?  Lots of options for buying this at the Namdaemun market in Seoul.  Apparently, it has many health benefits.  Maybe we should have bought some!

Love,
Heather and Brade

Hanbok

Dear Friends,

I absolutely LOVE the Korean traditional dress!

Love,
Heather

Parking

Dear Friends,

We hadn't seen this parking ferris wheel before.  The cars go in and are rotated around. Great use of  space!

Love,
Heather and Brad

Subway Safety

Dear Friends,

The Koreans appear to be very safety conscious. Every subway stop had one or two of these cupboards full of gas masks and other safety equipment.

Love,
Heather and Brad

Taekwondo

Dear Friends,

While we were at the cultural village, we got to see this group of kids for a Taekwando demonstration. Check out the height on the kid on the right!

Love,
Heather and Brad

Seoul, Korea

Dear Friends,

This October break we headed to Seoul, Korea. What an amazing city - so much to see and do.  One our first stops was Namsan Hanok Village based on a recommendation from one of our Korean parents. This was one of many cultural experiences that could be found around every corner.

Love,
Heather and Brad

Dancing in the Park

Dear Friends,

Every park in town is an open dance floor. Day or night, people bring out the music and get to dancing. Quite often there are three or four different dances going on at the same time.

Love,
Heather

Pottery Cart

Dear Friends,

No need to go to Pottery Barn or Crate and Barrel. You can get you dishes and glassware on the street in Shanghai.

Love,
Heather

Chair

Dear Friends,

I guess they sell chairs at this store?

Love,
Heather

Water Delivery

Dear Friends,

This is the transport for the water bottles for the water coolers we have everywhere.  Maybe this could be my new workout.

Love,
Heather

Burberry Purse

Dear Friends,

Once again I realize I am not showing of my photography skills here. However it's not every night you see a man with a beautiful Burberry purse.

Love,
Heather

Canada VS The World

Dear Friends,

And so hockey season begins.  The first game to start of the tournament was a Canada VS the World.  Lots of fans and lots of fun!

Love,
Heather and Brad

Haagen-Dazs Moon Cakes

Dear Friends,

It is moon cake season again. Even Haagen Dazs has joined in.  Still waiting to try these myself.

Love,
Heather

The Cottage Shop

Dear Friends,

This  is one of my favorite shops in Shanghai. I don't need anything in there but love to look around at the antiques, bags and local fabrics they have inside. So fun!

Love,
Heather

Muscians

Dear Friends,

Pass this all the time in a moving car or on a bike. Was finally walking by on my way in from a run so I could get the photo. Love the sculptures and art work all over town.

Love,
Heather

Flood

Dear Friends,

After school on Friday we were hit with typhoon like wind and rain. The kindergarten classrooms and the admin offices were flooded.  Teachers, assistants and janitorial staff all pitched in to remove the 1/2 foot of water that found its way in.  Off to work today to help place things back in order before the kids return on Monday. Never a dull moment!

Love,
Heather

Morning Exercises

Dear Friends,

Our ECE campus shares a space with a local high school.  While we are out on bus duty, the high school kids are all out for their morning exercises.

Love,
Heather

Hockey Draft

Dear Friends,

Last night was the Shanghai Hockey Club draft.  A big night for the 150+ guys of the league. I made it for the first two hours of the all night adventure. Good thing these two went in the first round!

Love,
Heather

My Team

Dear Friends,

In my new role as VP, I have a new team to work with in addition to all the teachers.  I feel so fortunate to work with such a fun bunch that love the work we do with kids. And, no...that is not his real mustache.  Just a little birthday fun thanks to Maggie and Cissy with a little technical assistance.

Love,
Heather