7/31/2010

79. Early on this Saturday morning Diane says to Randall, "We're just going to the gym." By 3:30PM we still weren't home from our morning exercises. Somehow we found our way to the farmer's market, Old Navy, grocery stores and the frozen yogurt shop. 

7/30/2010

78. Finally ditching serenity for conveniene, I bought a cheap 'go-phone' to use while in the states for the month. Hanging out with Ashley in Provo by the pool was a bit more exciting during the day but I forgot to snap a photo.

7/29/2010

77. A short day in Provo involved: a meeting with Mike Harding about international volunteer work, Russia research at the Provo Library, and a 2.5 hour Mexican lunch with Danny Duerden discussing Cambodia.
Undaunted by the UTA transit system, I took my first bus ride in UT from Provo to SLC to attend 'The New Pornographers' play. And I saw who other than Carly Ostler (Taiwan hottie) within just minutes of arriving at the show.

7/28/2010

76. I serendipitously (Ashley's favorite word) left SLC after helping Katie organize her new apartment and went straight to Provo to hang out with my girl Ashley Williams. She has been convincing me for years to finally eat at Jay Dog's, a famous local hot dog joint, but I rarely ate red meat before Asia. Well, my diet has definitely loosened and I was able to thoroughly enjoy a Polish Dog. We finished the evening with a pie party with friends, the movie Inception and eventually some sleep.

7/27/2010

75. This picture exemplifies my babysitting capabilities. Alysha was the first to notice that Luke had put his shoes on the wrong feet after we treked from Sandy to SLC to pick her up at work. The rest of the day was less disorganized when I saw Dad & Lysh play at an old folk's home and an evening and sleepover with Katie Millar and her sister.

7/26/2010

74. We're pathetic! After making an earlier 2.5 hour drive from Duluth back south to Minneapolis, we of course had to stop at Mall of America again! Purchasing more than we needed to, we were getting close to leaving, and then I saw this store-American Girl. A blast from the past and a store that I only dreamed of when I was a young girl. They discontinued my doll which now makes it a collector's item. Neat that it's been archived, but it reminded me of my age and caused me to reminisce.

7/25/2010

72. What a busy day! Church in the morning, looking at Smokey and mom's old stomping grounds for hours, meeting up with my ex-aunt Claire, eating a delicious dinner at mom's bf's home, and then a late first and last stop by some of Smokey's family. Heidi my cousin is an absolute doll and I wish we had had more time to spend together.

7/24/2010

71. The reason why we came: the family reunion. It was a day full of rainstorms, food a plenty, porta-potty visits, meeting many people for the first and last time, singing songs with 16 year old lost cousins (?), long (genealogy) and short (banal jokes about 'better than sex cake') conversations.
For the most part I stuck to my mother, uncle Smokey (pictured) and their cousin Terry; they were great company for the 7.5 hour event.

7/23/2010

70. Getting lost, sharing childhood stories, being patient with illness, spending money, taking many bathroom breaks, feeling as though our cheap rental is going to fall apart, driving to Duluth, enjoying too much custard ice cream, meeting up with Smokey (my uncle), unnecessary second stops at clothing stores, cat naps, and just enjoying each other has just been some of the fun my mom and I have had together today.
I planned on snapping more photos today because I wasn't planning on using one of the goofy squinty-eyed ones, but I obviously forgot.

7/22/2010

69. I'm in Minnesota with my mother. We are here for her upcoming family reunion. We went shopping at the grandiose Mall of America and spent too much money. Unfortunately, I was feeling quite sick most of the day but especially in the evening when my mom's good friend Ginny joined us. They had a good evening together though, while I slept.

7/21/2010

68. A busy first day home (plus a lack of sleep...I don't know why I can't relax). I turned all my documents and paperwork into ILP for my Russian application and visa. Then Andrea saved me by helping make all the Asian dishes for my welcome home party. Most of my closest friends made the last minute notice to come and try Taiwanese food, look at pictures and catch up. Here's a picture of some that were able to make it.

7/20/2010

67. Long, long day! I left Taiwan on the 20th and arrived in SLC on the 20th. During that time I traveled for 16 hours. I expected to sleep really well on the flight because of my lack of sleep, but I was wired and watched movies most of the time instead. Upon arrival, Mom, Dad and Tara all came to the airport and then we met up with Lysh and Luke to get Mexican food and frozen yogurt. When we got home I gave them all their small gifts. It was the best way to be welcomed home!

7/19/2010

66. Back in Taiwan! I am staying with the Kuo family in Zhongli which is just a half hour away from the airport. They treated me very well. It felt like I stayed longer than I did because I stayed 2 nights and didn't ever sleep. Adrenaline was pumping! The only outing I did while there was an hour of shopping to pick up some goods for the family.

7/18/2010

65. My last morning in Thailand and how did I spend it? Wandering, again. Overall, I've really enjoyed the freedoms of being able to do what I want when I desire. But, I'm excited to visit again hopefully with someone who will also be whisked away like I was.

7/17/2010

64. My favorite thing about Bangkok was definitely the Thai food, but I also enjoyed leisurely walking around the city, shopping my heart out with my few baht dollars at the weekend market and kicking it back, reading and sleeping at this park with the locals.

7/16/2010

63. Flying solo again in Bangkok, Thailand. I wandered the city most of the afternoon and evening. I took this picture of the glowing Grand Palace, which sparked reflectional thoughts to occupy my mind for the rest of the night.

7/15/2010

62. Meeting this family was the best and worst part about Vietnam. They took us as if we were their own. Mama Hang made us feel comfortable by letting us stay for as long as we wanted, washing our clothes, taking care of us when we were sick, made us 5+ meals, let us borrow her scooters, and letting us spend three lovely days in company of her children. The worst part was convincing ourselves to say, 'see you later' rather than goodbye. I love these people. 

7/14/2010

61. A three hour scooter ride with Mike, Hang and her sister led us to another river city, Can Tho. We hung out with some of Mike's local friends who took us through their tropical orchard where we smacked down on some of the most delicious fruits followed by a boat ride through the canals.

7/13/2010

60. Bagging our cycling plans because of the prior day's unexpected events, Hang (the ultimate couchsurf host who's really more a good friend) took us around her hometown river city My Tho. At this  Pagoda, we ate a free vegetarian Buddhist lunch and stayed around to help and hang out for the next 2 hours.

7/12/2010

59. Day 1 of cycling (and the only real day of it) Saigon to My Tho. Bran and I weren't on our bikes until 9AM (when we had hoped for 5:30). Here is how the rest of the epic day's events happened: From 9-11AM: we were lost trying to leave the city. 12PM: flat tire 12:30PM: Bran's side bag is missing and assumed stolen (very important bike equipment, gone!) 1:30PM: Complete downpour 3-6PM: Cycling non-stop through flooded roads while avoiding zippy scooters and semis.
Here we are at the end at Hang's home, muddy as ever!

7/11/2010

58. After 2 hours at the Cambodia/Vietnam border topped with a 5 hour bus ride, it was fun to meet up with Brandon in Saigon. Without much downtime, we were already cycling our way over to meet our couchsurf host Thuy. Our activities from afternoon till early next day morning included: ultimate frisbee with her friends, eating Pho at a restaurant, cycling through Saigon, watching the Berlin Philharmonic play at the Opera House, enjoying drinks and appetizers, and a world cup soccer finale party.

7/10/2010

57. After barely getting my Vietnam visa, traveling alone all day visiting the historic sites where the Khmer Rogue left it's disheartening remnants, shopping at the Russian market, and walking for many miles, I was treated well by these massage therapists. At my couchsurfer Elma's spa, I got an orange scrub for one hour and a deep tissue massage for another for only $18.

7/9/2010

56. Traveling 5 hours south of Siem Reap, I reached the capital of Cambodia, Phnom Penh. Slightly more developed than the prior city, but here it feels like the Wild West where everyone is trying to make a buck or two and instead of horses motos and tuktuks are dying to provide you transportation. The only serenity I found in this city was at the National Palace.

7/8/2010

55. Exploring the majestic temples of Angkor Wat was a powerful way to understand the strength the Khmer Empire once had in Cambodia. Over the years, giant tree roots have engrossed the Ta Prohm temple and it was here that Angelina shot Tomb Raider.

7/7/2010

54. Feeling surprisingly refreshed after spending the night in the airport with Elma, before we knew it, we were riding in a tuktuk around the rudimentary streets of Siem Reap, Cambodia together early the next morning.

7/6/2010

53. Back in Kuala Lumpur, I climbed 272 stairs, which were filled with stealthy monkeys, up to the Batu Caves where Hindu temple shrines hid inside.

7/5/2010

52. I met Denny and his cute sisters while hiking in the Cameron Highlands. We spent most of the morning and afternoon together. What a cutie.

7/4/2010

51. I traveled 5 hours north of the capital by bus to the beautiful Cameron Highlands. I took a tour of the tea highlands, strawberry farms, insect farm, watercress farm, and butterfly park and overall just enjoyed the chill air far from the chaotic city.

7/3/2010

50. My first night in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia was a late night spent with my couchsurf host Cindy and her husband. They picked me up from the airport, we watched the German soccer team dominate Argentina and then we went out for a 2AM dinner where I ate frog for the first and last time. (I accidentally erased our photos together...tear.)

7/2/2010

49. Seriously, Eclipse! Didn't we just barely deal with the hype of New Moon? Well, of course I succumbed to watching it at our local Feng Yuan theatre. (2 of the only movies I haven't seen in 3D in Taiwan featured Robert Pattison and his awkward grimaces.)
I should have snapped a photo today with the new teachers but I just forgot. I've had a great time getting to know and taking them around the last few days. They've got a lot to look forward to just as I am closing off a chapter in my life. Tonight is my last night in Feng Yuan, and boy will it be missed!

7/1/2010

48. Back in Feng Yuan, but still feeling like I'm on vacation. The new teachers are here and us 'oldies' are bunking in the lounge for the next few days and we're eating out for every meal/snack.
It was nice to see a familiar face in the evening but I'm sad to say goodbye to my friend Lily Loo Hu. We're counting on our paths crossing sometime in the future as we both absolutely love travel.

6/30/2010

47. Day # 3 on Green Island. Waking up at 3:30AM to ensure we'd have a great spot, we headed for one out of the three natural saltwater hot springs in the entire world. Upon arrival, we found out the springs didn't open till 5AM. Oh man, we had a while to wait. Brandon and I weren't too hesitant to jump over a fence to lay on the white sand as we had to wait. Come to find out, we had broken into the 'hot spring area' and it was nearly 5AM when we were found by the staff. They decided to let us stay and not make us join the long line, so we ended up being there 1st after all!

6/29/2010

46. Day # 2 on the island. We watched the sunrise, swam in the ocean, snorkeled for about 1.5 hours, and of course, scootered the half-hour trip around the island a few more times. Driving a scooter on these windy, non-busy, scenic roads was one of my favorite things to do here and I had plenty of opportunities to do so!

6/28/2010

45. We're on Green Island! This small island located southeast of Taiwan is absolutely breathtaking.  We arrived on a ferry labeled 'The Barf Barge' and it did it's justice during the 1 hour ride...sorry Megan. We enjoyed scootering around the island twice that day. We used a lot of our time to learn about the old prisons which were used as an isolated spot and place for political prisoners during the Kuomintang single-party rule (especially during the White Terror). Here is a shot from the mountain side looking down on a portion of the historic prisons.

6/27/2010

44. After a six hour, but scenic, train ride to the port city Taitung, we were a little tired and a tiny bit disappointed by how boring the city was. We spent most of the time on the beach and shopped around the dirty shops where betel nut users wanted us to buy their products. At dusk while waiting for a bus to take us to our hostel, Amy and I wandered back to the water and snapped some photos.