Seeing My Way Through

Snowboarding Last Night

2012-02-24T21:21:00.001-05:00

Well this past Tuesday was my last day of Snowboarding. It was bitter sweet but I have to say I wont miss the all the falling, wipeouts, and hurting muscles.

The last night was amazing we did a warm up run with Bo our instructor and then started are final exam which was just going over everything we learned making sure we could do them. We had heel and toe side turns, traverses. and slides all which we did great and we all got A's on the exam.
After the exam it was a free ride until we wanted to leave. We started on the blue slope that was rather long then for the first time ever I did a black diamond and did not fall!! We snowboarded until they announced the park was closed and I only had one fall that kind of hurt a little bit.

I have had my fair share of falls in this class and have had more bruises then I can ever remember having, my tail bone has hurt like crazy, I have knocked the breath out of me more times then I can count but would I do it again YES!!! I have loved this class and it has really taught me I can do whatever when I set my mind to it. Now for what everyone is waiting for the pictures.

Charlotte shes so cool!

Lauren CLT and Miles

Dubald and Greenwood

Me and Miles

Lauren and Charlotte

The girls!

Our Class Charlotte, Lauren, Miles and Me!

Me and Lauren on the lift

Charlotte going down the mountain

RA interviews

2012-02-04T10:00:00.000-05:00

Since Wednesday I have been doing interviews for an RA position for next year. So far I have done 2 and have one more to go today. The first 2 have gone very well in my opinion. I am hoping to get one of the positions in the LLC which is where I currently live. They hold a separate interview process in which you interview with a staff member and student and then 2 current RA's. Wednesdays was fun with the two RA's and my would you rather questions. Yesterdays interview was with a person from university housing and another RA that is not in the LLC. My university housing person was the LLC coordinator which was ironic since you are not suppose to be interviewed by someone who knows you or lives within your building. It was much much more laid back with her then with 2 complete random people. The RA that was with her I have also met before so I think that one went great as well.

Today is my last interview and it is a group interview which I am hoping goes just as well and that this time two weeks I am offered a position somewhere on campus preferably a residence hall that has bathrooms in the rooms!

When you get knocked down just get back up...

2012-02-03T13:00:00.000-05:00

Life occasionally thorws you thouse curve balls. You know the ones that just completely knock you down and keep knocking you down almost to the point that you just want to give up and stay down. Well if there is anything that I have learned it is that no matter how many times you are knocked down you just have to get back up and go again.

Personal experience Snowboarding... It is one of the hardest thing I have ever done sports wise. I normally can pick things up fairly easy no big deal. Snowboarding on the other hand is a pain sometimes. Just when you think you are getting the hang of it BAM you hit a bump and completely wipe out and falling hurts horribly. After you have wiped out and fallen on your butt about a 100 times you are literlly at the point where you just want to say I QUIT no more get me off this mountain. Well see there is the problem you are up on the top of the mountain with only one way down.... In order to get to the bottom you have to get on that board and just go for it. So you do and 10 feet later you fall you get up and go again and then fall and you repeat this many times until you are at the point you are laying on your back and you are physically tuired of trying your wrist hurt from pushing yourself back up. Your knees are buckling and you feel as if you have tore something in your leg. No problem right I mean how hard can it be thats where you are wrong... So many times I would have loved to have just kicked off my board and walked because I was just so tired of falling it that dumb snow/ice. I would lay on my back or stomach for what felt like forever and finally I would just get back up. But you know what every run it seemed to get a little bit easier to go down the mountain and before long the only time I was falling was when I went to stop and over estimated how much to life my board.

Ok now I say all of this to say that no matter how hard times get there will always be the easy route out where you can just give up and quit never loook back your done! But, in my book what doesn't kill you makes you a much stronger person. That and practice makes perfect. Life is always going to throw you a curve ball that at first seems like it is way to big to counquer by yourself. Well see now that is the best part you are never really by yourself, God is always there to pick you back up even when the going get tough!

Snowboarding Take 2

2012-02-02T18:01:00.000-05:00

Tuesday's snowboarding class was much more fun to say the least. It was much easier to get the hang of things. At first it was a wee bit difficult just getting your snowboarding legs back.

Me, Lauren, Charlotte, and Miles had our hour of instruction time where we were officially taught how to snowboard with both feet in. It is so much easier when both feet are locked into the board then having one unlock and the other hanging free. After instruction we had free boarding which is my favorite simply because it tends to be a little more fun and more relaxed. I switched feet and have learned that I am much better at regular than goofy. I stopped falling after about 2 runs regular. I did tackle the intermediate slope that did me in the week before and well needless to say I went down on my back and bottom more then the board but it was much easier this week.

After the intermediate me and Lauren hung back and stayed on the easy slope just to get a better gripe of things and to learn how to stop without falling. That and I switched feet after the blue intermediate slope so I had to relearn how to do things the opposite way. Lauren and I each had our tumbles and HARD falls. Snowboarding uses those muscles you never knew you had really. We all had had enough by about 9:30 and packed it up to head back to campus after snowboarding I tend to sleep like a baby to say the least.

Thankfully this week I am not nearly as sore as last week. My ribs hurt really bad almost to the point if you hugged me I would probably cry. It hurts to laugh and those that know me know I love to laugh.

Me and Lauren on the Easy Hill after I switched feet!

Going up the magic carpet

Computer Update

2012-01-30T14:34:00.002-05:00

Well it appears my computer has more then a virus. Well to be exact it isn't a virus at all no one really knows what is wrong with it. But thank goodness for the lab in the building I live in it is much more bearable then having to walk across campus to the library for a computer. I am hoping it will get fixed soon but in the meantime my post will still be few and far between so continue to bear with me. Tomorrow is another snowboarding day and I am quite excited about that.
Now onto more news in my life I have been invited to interview for an RA positing for the building I currently live in for next year. I am really hoping to get that as it would be a huge blessing. I have received the internship that I applied for at the end of last year with freedom school partners. I am stoked to be working with them this summer helping children improve their reading and writing skills. Other then this not much has been going on lately I am still so glad that I do not have Friday classes that has been a massive blessing just to be able to relax and have a catch up day!

MIA

2012-01-27T19:03:00.001-05:00

For the next few days I will be MIA! My computer has a virus and is at tech support getting fixed so bear with me as it is fixed and hopefully restored to normal!!

Cupcakes!

2012-01-27T15:00:00.000-05:00

So two days ago was Kelsi's birthday and we all had cupcakes to celebrate with and needless to say I no longer enjoy cupcakes with PINK icing. It ended up on my face and hands along with all over Kelsi! It was great fun but cleaning it up not so much. I was pink for a few hours but now my skin is back to normal thank goodness since I have a dinner to the next night! I have to say though pink is our color. If it didn't wash off I was going to go for it was a flesh eating skin disorder!

Thankful Thursday

2012-01-26T15:00:00.000-05:00

Today I am thankful for a great roommate and awesome friends that I love!

I love you guys thanks for making my day just about everyday and keeping me laughing!! So blessed to have met you and no this isn't everyone that I love so sorry for those not included. Kaitlyn I love listening to your boy stories I just don't have a picture of you yet!!

Snowboarding...

2012-01-25T12:44:00.000-05:00

Well the good news I survived my first snowboarding class. Thank goodness! It was a ton of fun and not quite as hard as I thought it would be. I didn't fall as much as I expect but I still did fall a lot!

The class starts about about 6 pm with your assigned instructor. Thankfully I am with 3 other people that I know (Charlotte my suitemate, Lauren a friend and Miles the guy who is driving us) they let us stay together wen assigning instructors!! The class started out with are you regular or goofy. Well of course I would be one of those goofy's, then we learned how to walk with one foot hooked onto the board and glide. Finally came the fun of actually going down the slight incline. I had the hang of it until it came to stepping off I fell every time. I was told however that I am a graceful faller and just float down so that was kind of funny.

After we were done with the instructor at about 7:30 ish or so Lauren and I went in to change out her boots and take a short rest before all 4 of us went out on our own. We started with the magic carpet and the easy slope one step above the bunny we were on so that was an improvement on my scale. We all did pretty good and most and each only fell when trying to avoid another person who had fallen or when it came to stopping or turning. I did learn how to get back up with two feet in during this time so that was very nice cause I no longer had to pop my back foot out to stand again cause getting your feet out of those things were a pain!

Somehow or another I was talked into getting on the ski lift and going do an intermediate slope... The ski lift was very interesting to get off. It is so easy to get on but when you have 3 people who don't all snowboard the same way getting off is a challenge. Needless to say Lauren, Charlotte and I were the reason the ski lift stopped that run we all fell on our behinds. Now going down that slope proved to be very difficult. Needless to say half way down I took a hard fall and if I hadn't of been on the slope I would have cried cause it hurt so bad I was done after that, I did manage to slide down on my board another 5 feet before falling again this time I didn't even want to get up, my wrist and arms were hurting so bad from pushing my back up. I slid down on my butt for like 5-6 feet after that just so I could catch my breath and rest then I took my back foot out and tried to go down on one foot bad idea took another fall finally I just took my board off and let it finish the 3 feet down, I got it at the bottom and I walked back to the girls and Miles and called it quits. I only quite like 45 mins before the slopes closed so 3 hours and 15 mins of snowboarding my first time not to bad in my books that and everything I attempted I call it a successful night!

It was over all a very good night and I am looking forward to the next class. I am in a ton of pain from all that falling my shoulders and arms kill but I am stoked to be doing this class!!

Jacob's "Gotcha Day"

2012-01-21T00:43:00.004-05:00

January 21st doesn't hold special meaning for most people in this world at all. However, for my family it does! Jan. 21st 2010 was the day our family was complete through the blessing of adoption.

It was the day where 6 children 4 from the same orphanage were ushered into a small hallway in a Beijing hotel and handed over to people they had never seen or even heard about. Six beautiful and wonderfully made children left everything they had known and were given the chance at a new life with parents and siblings that loved them more then anything know to man. Their faces were no longer just pictures we had stared at for almost 9 months but they were there and the children we had longed to meet. He legally became ours forever January 22nd at the Civil Affairs office in Beijing.

One very scared little boy who had no idea what was about to happen learned quickly how fast pictures were taken. He was overwhelmed by all the new sights and sounds. He had no idea we were coming until an hour before we met him. I will never forget watching him Miss. K, Miss. M and Mr. A walk through the revolving doors at our hotel oh if only I had taken the camera at that moment. It felt like years riding up on that elevator to the 7th floor where he legally became ours after my parents signed a few papers and all I could do was stare at him and he looked at me like I was some crazy white person.

China was a very hard time for us and the last two years he has pushed us and challenged us more then anything. But, I wouldn't change it for the world. I love the young man he is becoming and love watching him grow. He has changed so much from that naughty, active, mischievous little boy we got in China he is now a loving caring big brother to the Princess and a wonderful little brother to me. Oh how I LOVE being the big sis to a little brother (hehe)!!!!

I love you to the moon and back Jacob and I thank God that he chose me to be you big sister. I cannot wait to see the young man you will become and I love watching you grow and change each day. Happy family day little guy! Their is such a difference in the little boy we got back in 2010 and who he is today the pictures are proof!!

In case you were wondering this was taken right before we got Jacob

it just shows how excited I was to get a little brother!

First picture with Jacob! (He was very scared on that day!)

He has told us since that before that day he didn't know

how to smile now he smiles all the time cause he is happy!!!

Halloween 2011

Late last year at dinner in TN

He really does love kisses!!

Beach 2011 Watching a movie with the

Princess just cause she wanted to

Christmas 2011 he was so happy!!

We also celebrate this day with four other families and we are forever woven by it! Happy Family day to the Rice Family, Glass Family, Perry and Yingling families as well. I have loved watching your children grow these last two years and cannot wait to see what is in store for them in the future. Can't wait to see you all again soon love you guys very much!

First Day of Classes 2nd semester!

2012-01-17T19:45:00.002-05:00

Well to say the least I am EXHAUSTED and it wasn't even a normal Tuesday. I have 5 yes 5 classes on a normal Tuesday and I might just die! I have class from 9:30 until 10 pm with a break from 12:15 until 2 for lunch and a nap since snowboarding starts next Tuesday and it is my late class.

Overall I couldn't have asked for a better day though it was just long won't lie. I have a feeling it is going to be a wonderful semester! My Sociology professor seems to be a hoot! I have the same Watauga teacher and Economics might be a wee bit boring but I have it with two close friends so it shouldn't be too bad!

I am really looking forward to tomorrow however only one class and it doesn't start until 3:30ish so I am sleeping in. Then only one more day left in the week and I am done so glad I do not have Friday classes!!!

Nothing New...

2012-01-08T22:16:00.002-05:00

Well I know its been a few days but nothing has really been going on around here! We head back to ASU Friday night which will be interesting to say the least! I miss Boone and all my friends up there classes not so much. I am looking forward to this semester and have high hopes for it!

Friday I had an interview for an internship that works with inner-city children helping them with their reading and writing skills. I am hoping to hear good news about that in a few weeks.

I have worked a day or two here and there at Dai Queen aka the Drama Queen. Place hasnt changed since I left in June last year. Can't say I have missed that place much but it is nice being able to work a few days and make some money.

This past weekend was mainly just relaxing watched a few movies. Fireproof is by far one of the best movies I have ever seen!! Loved every second of that movie! Cannot wait for Courageous to come out on DVD!!

New Years

2012-01-02T20:21:00.001-05:00

Yeah I know it's a little late but at least I got to better late then never I guess. My New Years Eve and Day were amazing! Quality time spent with family. We went up to the lake Saturday morning and spent a good bit of the day at my Maw Maws with Jeff's sister (My Aunt Leslie) and her kids. It is always quite fun when we are all together. Me and Claire brought in the New Year Watching Despicable Me, quite a good movie if I must say. We also watched Hangover two later in the day and that movies continues to crack me up.

I didn't take any pictures sorry... It was a relaxing weekend to say the least not much other to post but be sure to keep checking back often for updates I am going to try to post more often this year we will see how it goes so far so good.

My Awesome Amazing Roommate!!!

2012-01-01T23:54:00.003-05:00

So as many know I am rooming with only the most amazing person ever!! She is wonderful I absolutly love her! She is an International exchange student from Xi'an China. Literlly the Chinese version of me it's quite funny! But since most of my blog readers haven't met her I thought I would introduce you to Claire Chen. She is funny, amazing, smart, and all of the above! I love my roommate and could not have hand picked a better one. She keeps me and line and most importantly can handle all of my craziness which can be a little frustrationg to some!

New Years Post will come a day late sorry!! Tomorrow I will post about it Claire was more important!! I will add more to her post as well so youe can all meet the amazing person I love with!!

Taylor :)

Pictures as promised

2011-12-30T18:14:00.003-05:00

So as promised here are some of our Christmas pictures none of the Princess's Birthday they are on a different card. Our Christmas was wonderful we celebrated Christmas Eve with extended family at the yearly Christmas party. It is so nice seeing everyone and seeing how all the little ones have grown. Christmas day Started with Lily getting up way to early and then ripping into her gifts before I was even up she even opened Jacob's gift. She got everything princess a bike and now owns just about every princess gown ever made! Jacob got some electric race track thing a movie and some games and other things that I have no idea what they are called. We spent the day at our Maw Maw's eating way to much as usual but when you are in college home cooked food is amazing!

Jeff and everyone playing music Chistmas Eve at the family gathering

Jacob on Christmas Day waiting not so paitently to open his gift at Maw maws

Jacob opening his pesent

The Princess and he new nursey

Jacob with his new remote control thing

Eating Ice Cream in her new princess jammies!

The cousins Cameron and Lauren. (Ihad to threaten to take this one)

Jeff putting together Lily's present!

Home for Christmas

2011-12-23T22:35:00.001-05:00

I am home for Christmas and loving it!! I have missed the family! It is sad that my first semester of college is over but a sigh of relief has been felt! I have loved everything about ASU! I love where I live, my roommates, my floor, the people I have met, my RA is amazing and he is a UC kid!!

This semester has been wonderful couldn't have asked for better my professors were great and I even had some great grades to finish off with and made the Dean's list! So I cannot complain.

I am looking forward to Christmas this time of the year happens to be my favorite minus the cold (which the south isn't experiencing) knocking on wood. I am not a fan of the cold but that is ok gives me a reason to snuggle under a blanket and stay indoors.

The littles are doing great! The princess is happy that I sissy is home hasn't left my side since I got home last Friday! I love that little girl so much she is a darling and has so much attitude. Lily had her birthday last Saturday she is now 4 sniff sniff she is growing up I miss the little baby we brought home from China 3 years ago!

But on a more exciting note over this Christmas season 4 children have met their forever families. I know all 3 of the families that adopted these children and they all hold a special place in my heart. Please for those that have continue to pray and for those just reading this now please pray for the Cross family the Rice family and the Yingling family. The Yingling's arrived home tonight with their beautiful daughter Cami you can follow them here the Rice family also has a blog here. The Rice's and Cross's both arrive home New Years Eve so continue to pray for safe travels and that all the littles will adjust to a new time zone.

I think this is all for now I will post pictures of our Christmas and The Princess's birthday later. Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Years as well!!

I know Im Bad!

2011-11-28T16:29:00.000-05:00

Well since I can never find the time to really update I would do so now...

College is amazing I LOVE IT! I love all my classes and my professors are great as well. With the semseter coming to an end its a little stressful with exams coming up but they will be ok shouldnt be to hard! I am already looking forward to next semester and Snowboarding cannont wait for that class that and I start later then I do now which means I get to sleep longer and I have no Friday classes YAY!!!

But now back to this semester. It has been the best first semester of College anyone could ask for no lie! Monday Wednesday Friday done by 11 am and then only one late afternoon early noght class couldnt ask for a better start to college! I have made amazing friends that I love! I also have the best roommates and suitemates have had no problems or drama at all.

Football season is comng to a close which is a bit sad as I love football. We have a game Saturday which is my birthday! I am so excited about an App game on my birthday! We have had a pretty great season, rushed the field once and even had a streaker who thank goodness kept his clothes on. I am going to miss football season.

Hmmm... lets see what else has really happened we have had it snow twice thankfully it didnt stick we are suppose to get some tonight praying it doesnt stay long and it goes away I am not ready for snow yet!

Thanksgiving was great as well. So nice to eat a home cooked meal and not central food it was so yummy!!! The princess was very happy to see me as I was to see her! We sent Thursday to Sunday at the lake with me and my mom coming home breifly Friday so she could work and I could shop for a few hours in Monroe for a couple of things. Needless to say I have no idea why people camp out for Black Friday it is way over rated. I will spend a little more to not fight crowds and be pushed and shoved by people. Oh and another note Walmart before Thanksgiving BAD idea never go! They only have 5 registers open and the place is slammed with people wall to wall!

I worked one day over break at Dairy Queen and that was an experience business has slowed down quite a bit there so it was a LONG 5 hours at drive through. Thankfully though everyone was nice and there was nothing that went wrong and I picked up on the new system quickly.

I am so ready for Christmas. I love the holiday season and all the warm fuzzy feeling about this time of the year. Cannot wait for it and being home a month with the family and seeing friends that I haven's seen in a while. Claire will be coming home with me for Christmas so it will be nice to spend it with her! I am going to miss her when she goes back to China in May! I have already told her she is required to come back and teach here when she is done with school in China!

Well I think this about sums up my time so far. I am planning on getting better about blogging and hope to keep up unlike I have been doing recently! Now below is what I know most of you are wanting to see enjoy. Oh and if you really want to follow me more closely add me on facebook I update that more often.

Me and Frenchie(aka suitemate Charlotte)

Sam and Lauren goofing off in a store

Tailgating before a game it is crazy up here during games!

Charlotte Meghan Amy Sam and Me after a girls dinner

Student section at the Rock!

The football players

Duck on Duck Pond

Catherine, Megan, Johnna, and me on Black Staurday

The Cheerleaders ( No I dont miss it)

YOSEF!!

Outting with the princess!

2011-09-08T21:59:00.000-04:00

I went home for Labor day weekend and of course had to have a fix with the princess! We went shopping together both Saturday and Sunday and Saturday we had a gourmet meal at McDonalds (her favorite place to eat)! Loved being able to go home and see the faily have missed them!

Also monday was a big day the littles were suprised by the fact that we were getting two new puppies Lola and Jack. I will try to post their pics later they are on the phone but if we are facebook friends then you can see them there!

College week one!

2011-08-24T11:09:00.000-04:00

So far so good everything has been great and I am loving it at App! Move in day for me was a week ago and I feel mostly settled in, my roommate and suite mates are amazing and it is nice living with people from around the world! Our room is very diverse we are from the US-me China-Claire my roommate and my suitemates France-Charlotte has been living in Raleigh for the last year though and England-Alice. We all get along very nicely we and Charlotte actually have workout later today at the SRC. Claire has been great and is very nice love having her as my roommate, we get along well and even crash at aobut the same time. She is a morning person so makes sure I am moving before she in the morning. We have our first class together on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, World History! All my professors seem to be wonderful and very nice! I am actually loving my English class she is a hoot she speaks 4 languages and English was the last she learned she is a grammer freak which is ok my grammer needs help but our focus is a history topic which history is my favorite subject and Immigration is up there on the list of things I enjoy learning about! Now to back track to before classes started! App has so much going on for those that move in early it is amazing. Corey Smith did a concert free to all students and it was awesome! There was a hillbilly dance which watching international student dance like that is too funny!! There is always something going on! My RA is aazing he bakes us cookies! Actually all the RA's are great and very helpful! It was nice moving in before other freshman I got to learn my way around and have been asked several times if I am an upper-classmen! Well that is all for now I will post more and pictures later!

I havent fallen off the earth (yet)

2011-07-30T10:47:00.000-04:00

I promise I am still kicking haven't quite fallen off the planet yet. Jet lag has been a meany this time around I haven't slept through a night since being home. I am about as exhausted as one can be most days!! Now to sum of some of my stay at Starfish the last few days I was there since my last post was about the hospital. All my days kind of ran together so bare with me I don't remember what happened on a Monday versus a Tuesday. Most days we were with the babies and enjoyed going from room to room picking up and playing with those that wanted the attention. Megan finally after a month almost let me pick her up and carry her around she is the sweetest little girl after she gets familiar with you. She loved to walk and kept wanting to even after she wore herself out and couldn't hold her body up anymore needless to say my back didn't like that too much. I am so glad I took the ergo carrier Ethan loved to be held and once I picked him up there was no setting him down until he wanted food sleep or his nanny! The nannies were convinced I was bringing him home with me and asked me all the time if I was taking him on the plane with me! The Saturday before I left we made another trip to the Muslim market for me to pick up some gifts for friends and family. It is always an adventure to go out the amount of stares and foreigners you see that aren't American. We lost the Dutch girls after me and Tracy made a run to the Bank of China which was much nicer then the one close to us they all spoke wonderful English. We stat out by the exit/entrance for the longest time waiting on them and had given up when we were going to go find a cab I looked across the street and yelled at Tracy stop I stop I see white people (horrible I know) but long be hold out of a city of 8 million within the gates we found the two people we needed! Know that cab was a different story we had literally sat down on the side of the road and watched cab after cab go by full we tried the bud everyone of them slammed and it didn't sound like a good idea to stand for over an hour on a crowed bus to get back where we needed to be. We made the decision that IF we ever did get a cab just hope in and refuse to get out even if he had no idea where he was going we of course had to choose the hottest day to go to the market (bad choice)! Our cab finally came after about an hour of searching he wasn't 100% sure where he was going but we didn't care at this point we knew eventually we would get back even if had to call Apple (who is a hoot by the way!!). We finally did make it back and did a light dinner of noodles for dinner. Saturday night Jet and her family also came for their visit back to Starfish for Norah. It was weird to watch two Chinese children walk around speaking Dutch. Norah was too funny feeding Grace when Grace wanted to be done with her bottle Norah would just shove it back in her mouth like the milk it not all gone therefore you are not done! Sunday I spent all day loving on some adorable babies soaking up everything. Sunday night we went out to Indian food which I love! Monday was a travel day so I spent 24 hours of my life on planes and in Airports! Loved Korean Air they were great would fly them again in a heart beat!! The Seoul Airport was even better so clean way different then China. I got back to LA at about 4:30 pm. Immigration was way backed up but the people at LAX have it down to thread and are amazing at what they do flying through DC last year the line was about the same length and they took twice as long and we worried about missing our flight back to Charlotte. By about 5:15-5:30 I was through Customs and immigrations and on my way to Karen and Doug's. One of my great friends Ashton was also at Karen's so it was nice too see her again as well since I had not seen her in almost a year. I enjoyed my stay very much with Karen and her family they were amazing. Tuesday I had a full day in LA and enjoyed it with Karen and her family, Ashton left for home and while she ran for her plane in Atlanta I was shopping at a lovely mall not far form Karen's house yes Ashton be jealous!! Wednesday was another travel day back to the east coast 9 hours more of Airports that I do not care to see again in a while. After a small delay in Houston I made it home to Charlotte by about 11:15 and was greeted by my family and friend Hannah who had Bojangles and Diet Mt. Dew. I got home early Thursday morning at about 12:45ish or so gave the littles their presents which they liked the princess has asked everyday to wear her princess dress. Now getting back on schedule has been a different story normally I am back within a day or two sleeping til about 8 everyday after going to bed at about 10 or so not this time around I am a 9 to 4 type person I just lay in bed hoping to go back to sleep which never really happens. I think this about sums everything up. For my SF mommies I promise to get you all your pictures very soon I have started sorting them by your child's Starfish name haven't gotten far but hopefully by next week you will all have them. Now to go play with the princess who is wanting my attention!!

Taylor

Goodbye China Hello Korea

2011-07-25T04:59:00.001-04:00

I have offically made it safely from Xian to South Korea! I have a 4 hour layover which I am half way through then onto LA for a day roughly to see Karen and then Home late Wednesday night! The Korean Airport is Amazing so nice clean and they have Mt. Dew so I am in HEAVEN haven't had it in over a month!! I am ready to be home or at least back to the US where they speak the same language as me and there are no more stares or pictures!! I love China but can only take so much of hearing Mei Guo (American) every five seconds that and the Chinese attempting to act like they are not taking a picture rediclous I nkow you are taking it just ask and I will smile! I met some amazing people this trip and they know who they are I a so thankful for their new friendships and I will miss them along with the babies!! If you ever get the chance to fly Korean air anywhere take it they are simply amazing I have no complaints about them other then my flight from Xian to China the safety DVD is not in English but that wasnt a big deal I knew what they were talking about! I will update more about my trip when I get to Karens and post the pictures everyone wants. I am so ready to be home there is a little Asian Princess in North Carolina that I am missing!! For all my SF mommies I will email you all the pictures and videos I have of your babies when I am home and a little settled to go through them and name all of them. Everyone of your children are simply amazing!! Nava and Olivia's mom's watch out you are getting some little girls with attitudes!! Jack is a sweetie but knows how to get what he wants. Jane is too cute for words and also like Jack can get what she wants she is starting to walk and can do it well! Karl has trouble written all over him but at 7 am waking me up he is not so cute other then that he is adorable! Malin loves to be carried pack the ergo. Sally is a chubby monkey but so cute! I will post more when I am home my computer is dying and I cant charge it in Korea! I will add a video link later!!

Wireless is down

2011-07-20T07:31:00.002-04:00

Hey everyone everything is great wireless is down so this post will be very short!! We have had two massive groups here lately so things have been crazy!! The babies are as cute as ever I am still in love with Ethan!! Hate to cut everyone short just wanted to let everyone know I was still alive over here!! Dont know when my next post will be praying wireless comes back soon!!!

Taylor

Way Behind

2011-07-18T11:07:00.000-04:00

Hmmm... Lets see what all has happened the last few days I haven’t had internet.. A LOT!!! All but 2 babies are home from the hospital Alice who is due home any day and Joseph who is having heart surgery in Hangzhou. Starfish has grown by 2 there is now a Taylor ( I didn't name her) and an Iris. We rushed Seth to the hospital and I went because I happen to be the one holding him at the time. Hospitals in Chi*a SUCK!! They are dirty, nasty, gross, stinky, smell like urine, leaking roofs, people sleeping in the floor. We walked in and you know how most hospitals in the states smell TOO CLEAN total opposite here Amanda told us not to touch a thing or to sit anywhere and made sure we had hand sanitizer. She said you are more likely to catch something here than anywhere else in Chi*a. They are horrible!! Tracy and I were literally running with the baby amidst super crowded hallways, rooms, up and down stairs, just making or sometimes pushing our way through heaps of people. I’ve done this kind of thing before where I’ve pushed and shoved my way through a crowd just not while I was carrying a small child, but we had no choice. Seth wasn’t digesting any milk and whatever he drank was coming out of the hole in his stomach and this was an emergency (I thought and even commented that if it were a child bleeding to death, by the time we finish all the paperwork and wait for that number, he would already be dead. I know it’s harsh, but Tracy and I were kind of just frustrated at the whole thing…the whole system. Finally, after running through all those places, we rushed to the neonatal section of the hospital and got into a room, which was supposed to be a surgery/operating room. There were 2 beds inside and what I saw inside shocked me. Not that what we saw on our way here to this room didn’t terrify me just a little bit. By the time we reached the room, I was already in disbelief. This was supposed to be one of the best hospitals here. I won’t mention all the details I saw because…..anyway,…but yeah I will never forget it in my life. Inside the room, there were two huge trash cans of medical waste that were overflowing… ‘Medical’ waste means used syringes filled with a little blood, cotton swabs, used needles, surgical bandages, dirty gloves… And who knows what not. There were empty trays of surgical instruments from operations they performed earlier that morning which were still lying there on the counter…dirty…part blood maybe and part what looked to me like iodine. Watched horrified as the doctor came in, put Seth on the operating table and his bandages removed….while another mother came in and put her baby… who was about 3 months on the table beside us. In walked in a nurse too and the mother just left that crying baby there and left.. The room was really small. I watched as Seth began to cry and we were trying to comfort him, as stuff started to ooze out of the hole in his stomach. All the food he had eaten was coming out. As I watched that, rubbing my finger softly on his shin and calves, just to comfort him, the baby next to us started crying hysterically. I looked in horror as I saw the nurse inserting a long needle inside his head…on the top of his head….what she thought was close to the vein but what clearly looked like it was still a far way off……and now stuck inside the baby’s head. Finally when everything was over, we left, still shocked by all we saw. We stopped by another baby’s room Chris who was admitted to that hospital a few days ago for emergency surgery. I carried him some, sat by his bedside, played with him a little and then we left. Won’t mention what we saw while on the way to his room too much for one post!! It was really sad seeing the healthcare in a communist nation. I won’t say more because I can’t type everything on here, but this will definitely make for some good conversation someday with someone who feels equally very concerned by the healthcare that people get in some places... especially when kids are involved. I won’t post pictures of anything at the hospital while I am here just know that it was horrible!!

We have had many volunteers in and out lately Wei Jen has left us and it is very sad our only Chinese speaking person minus Amanda is gone :'(. Wei Jen got us around in Taxi's because no one knows where Chong La Gong is.

Today was kind of relaxing I played with my favorite Ethan I love that kid he is so sweet and reminds me so much of you Josiah Donna!! Ethan is a laid back kind of kid nothing really bothers him. All I have to do is walk in the room not say a word he is in my arms within seconds. The nannies know I am so attached to home when I walk in his nanny will hand him to me sometimes she even asked today if I was going to take him home with me!! Well YES of course I would if I could and would sit in Chinese prison for baby stealing!! We took a TWO hour bus ride today for Indian food and the 600 bus which takes us there was jam packed nothing in the states compares to it!! We were smooshed and the driver yelled at us to keep smooshing thankfully after a few stops me and Chloe got seats so it wasn’t as bad but it was the longest ride ever and HOT!! But it was so worth it for the food we ate I love that place it is amazing!! We took a cab home and as usual he pretended to know where he was going and didn't so it ended with a call to Apple Amanda's driver for directions we made it back to say the least and so did Tracy and Elisha who took the cab after us we hate splitting up because we never know how long it will take the people we had to leave!! I think this about sums everything up not much else to say!! I will attempt to maybe post pictures later if I can and internet cooperates with me it is still testy!!

2011-07-14T22:22:00.000-04:00

Taylor's mom again. Taylor still has limited internet access, so for those who are not on Facebook here is a picture of the new babies at Starfish.

Taylor Iris

NO internet!

2011-07-13T09:54:00.000-04:00

This is Taylor's mom. The Internet at Starfish has been down since Monday. Taylor will update when she has connection again.

Catch Up Post!

2011-07-09T10:45:00.000-04:00

The last few days have been an adventure! I have been sick, experienced Amanda's driving, and been to the Chinese version of a hospital. I was hoping I had gotten food poisoning but after much thought I believe I contracted the bacteria that the isolation babies had. Me and Tracy ventured out into the local town and had a nice look around it was very neat to get out and visit with the locals! I have also had Indian food and had horrible night mares after wards. Lets see what else have I done we went for an outing today with Amanda. We went to the hospital which I have to process some more before writing about too hard to put into words right now what all I have seen there in less then an hour. We picked up two new volunteers at the airport funny story on how Amanda remembered she had volunteers coming. After all that and we had the new volunteers back to Starfish we went to a Japanese restaurant by walmart for dinner and then shopped for items we needed before coming home to Starfish. Well I think that about sums up my last few days if I left anything out I will post an update to this post or add it in, in another post

No Post

2011-07-07T10:06:00.000-04:00

This is Taylor's mom and she is very sick in China. She doesn't know if she has the bacteria that has been running through the babies room or if it is food poisoning. She is taking her Cipro and Zofran and hopes to be better tomorrow. She will update when she is better!

Day 5

2011-07-05T08:48:00.000-04:00

Today was a rather hard day baby Jules passed away from the bacterial infection that is spreading through the issolation room. Lewis came home this morning but went back at about 8:30 tonight. Other then that we did a low key day hanging out with the babies, a large group of volunteers with some program are here for the next 4 days so there are a ton of people here. For dinner we went to the Indian place and it was as I remember wonderful!! Amanda droce and offered to let me drive which I declined ~~"mother"~~ so don't worry.! Well no pictures today really might post some in the morning I am off to bed for a much needed sleep!

Day 4

2011-07-04T05:43:00.002-04:00

Today we ventured to the city center for some shopping at the muslim market! As usual me and Chole were attractions for locals and our pictures were taken several time. We came back after a lovely lunch at Pizza Hut and on our way home we ran into a man who was homeless and we happened to box up the pizza we didnt eat to bring back for later but decided to give him the pizza and he was so happy and greatful! After our city adventure we came back and play with the babies! Now we are all relaxing and enjoying the the AC before dinner. Amanda comes back later tonight; Happy fourth to all my American friends out there!! Will post pictures later check the facebook group until then.

Geoff I think he is my favorite!!

A random merry go round outside of Starfish about a 10 min bus ride!

People wanting to take pictures with me and Chloe

Jack

Isabel

Windee, Xander, Kathryn

Xander

Mila

Tracy, Mia and Joy

Megan

Day 3

2011-07-03T21:01:00.001-04:00

Taylor's mom here; she is having trouble downloading pics to her blog. Here are just a few pictures of the babies she cared for today. It is already July 4th in the AM for her so she is on her way out to explore the city while the babies nap!

Day 2 walmart, babies, and downtown

2011-07-02T12:21:00.000-04:00

Today me and Tracey started out with a nice conservation at breakfast about where we have traveled and other things. Then me, Chole, Tracey, Wei Jao verntured to walmart for some items we needed for dinner and during the days we were here the bus is an adventure in itself it runs by the foster home about every 30 mins and is always slammed packed. Walmart is easy to get around in nothing to hard to do but very different then walmarts at home. Cannot get over how chicken just lays out. After Walmart we came in cooled off and then went to play with the babies. Mary Ann is adorable and would come home with me in a heartbeat she is always so happy!! I also walked out of my room today and Aaron came running at me and hugged my legs tightly. He is so sweet!! Tonight we had the lovely Mcdonalds for dinner and it was great!! After Mcdonalds we ventured around town and then asked 26 cab drivers for rides back to Starfish and all refused to take us back. Wei Jao speaks very good Chinese but was having problems explaining where exactly Starfish was so a really nice local helped us out and basically told the last driver to take us here or else so he agreed and we got back eventually then banged until Marie let us in the building! I am now exhausted and off to bed in a few after Legally Blonde!

Morning Skype with Taylor

2011-07-01T20:39:00.000-04:00

This is Taylor's mom posting. Taylor is holding one of the new babies! She skyped me at 8:00 am her time before venturing out to Walmart with the other volunteers. It is nap time for the babies, so she gets a little break for her own time.

Day one travel and babies

2011-07-01T09:21:00.000-04:00

Today has been a long day all of my flights were great! I slept quite a bit but air plane sleeping is far from restful! Olivia met me at the Xian airport but getting through immigration was a hassle the woman could not scan the right visa so I watched my bags go around twice. The ride here was nice I have missed China driving not crossing 3 lanes of traffic on the interstate no stoplight is not fun and quite scary. We drove through the small village that is right by Starfish and is neat to see. The babies are all adorable and they are the ones who are responsible for keeping me up this long! It is so nice to see some familar faces from last year and to meet some new little ones! There are 11 babies in the quarentine room and all are in need of some prayers for health! Well now what all of you have been waiting for the pictures of babies! I dont know all the names so only the ones I know I will name! Goodnight!

In Korea!!

2011-06-30T16:53:00.000-04:00

I am sitting in the Korean Airport waiting for my flight to Xian which leaves about 7:35 east coast time! My flight here was amazing no compliants at all. Korean Air is amazing would reccommend to anyone the seats are bigger and there is more leg room then most American Airlines! I slept 85% of the flight was up long enough to eat and watch Soul Surfer which is a great movie by the way. No pictures really for this post it was dark the entire flight and I slept most of it! I will however post the best sight in the world which is when that little plane is over the city where you are landing!!

On Her Way!

2011-06-30T07:50:00.000-04:00

{this is Ashton posting for Taylor}
{Post 1 : Thursday morning}
She is on her way. She left for China at 2:45 am EST last night. She will be arriving in Korea at about 4pm our time. She will then go on the final flight to Xi'an.{!!!!!} I am not sure how long her layover is from Korea to Xi'an but she should arrive around 10 pm tonight EST. So Friday in China.
Please keep her in your prayers as she is on a really long flight, alone. She is stepping out and doing what God so strongly called her to do. Please pray that she sleeps on the plane and has an easy, smooth flight all the way.
Please keep her in your prayers as she gets ready to
go to Starfish and love on those babies :)

{Update Thursday afternoon}
just got word Taylor has successfully made it to Seoul and will soon be off to Xiaab! the flight went well and it was very smooth. m

I will update as soon as she tells me she has made it to Xi'an :)

On my way in a few

2011-06-29T22:27:00.000-04:00

I am on my way to China in just a few hours an 11 hour flight to Korea then a 3 hour flight to Xi'an where I will be met by an amazing friend that I met last year while I was in China! Next post will be from China and I will be with some adorable babies!! Ashton will be posting pictures and updating you until I am able!!

California Bound!

2011-06-27T21:01:00.001-04:00

Hey Y'all, this is Ashton posting for Taylor.
She should be in the air right about now.

She has had a rough day already from delays and wrong gates.

Prayer Requests for Taylor
1) She gets to fly out on time, no delays, difficulties, etc.
2) All of her luggage makes it to SNA
3) Her LONG flight to China will be smooth and uneventful
4) Safe travels all together.

She should land in California at about 10pm {California time}
I will post as soon as I hear she has landed.

Thomas

2011-06-24T12:28:00.001-04:00

As I look forward to going back to Starfish and seeing some of the same babies I met last year something feels different. I know that many have gone to be with their forever familes and I am beyond thrilled for them but its that one little boy who I fell for that I wont see again that is getting to me. Thomas left this world a little too soon and I miss him. I looked forward to seeing him again for months and months and was so happy that I was going to Starfish again. But then the news no one likes to hear came Thomas passed away. I know he is in a much better place away from all the hurt, his heart is forever healed, and he is orphaned no more but it still hurts to know that while here he was an orphan. I can honestly say that while he was on this earth he was loved beyond belief by volunteers, nannies and Amanda. Even though he was loved nothing beats a family where you are the center of attention. I so wish that Thomas would have had a family to love him and cherish the little boy he was and still is in my heart! I ache for his birth family that has no idea about their little boy or where he is today. It will be so hard walking through the doors of Starfish knowing one of my boys isn't there. I am however thankful he is partying it up with all his other Starfish siblings that have passed away and they are all planning the arrival of Amanda and oh what a party it will be then when they are reunited with their mommy Amanda. Amanda has the hardest job of all of us not only does she get the joy of seeing her babies join families but she has to deal with the hurt of that those who have passed on. I miss you Thomas and it was a blessing to meet you last year. I prayed so hard you would have a family on this side of heaven but for reasons unknown you were taken too soon!!

My all time favorite picture I took last year Hannah hugging Thomas

Chinese New Year 2011

Me and Thomas playing on the floor!!

2011-06-22T14:07:00.000-04:00

I miss these faces and China. I cannot wait to be back soon with a new group of little ones and some familiar faces that I met last year!

JOSIE-HOME

NOA-HOME

JOSEPH, JAMES AND JOSHUA-ALL HOME

NAVA AND OLIVIA-Waiting for families to travel

LIBBY-HOME

Kicking it off

2011-06-21T19:45:00.000-04:00

Well I am on my way to China a week from tomorrow to volunteer at Starfish foster home and I cannot wait. Please follow along and see my day to day adventures in China. I will update hopefully daily either myself or through a friend who has volunteered to do so!!