They're not extinct

So many people like to believe that the dinosaurs are extinct.... well they are not! They are in China!!
........Well sort of.
They have this amazing amusement park here in China in the city of Changzhou.  It is the dinosaur park! It is not very known to foreigners... but let me just suggest to EVERYONE that comes to China... YOU MUST GO!! It was one of my favorite things to do in China.
We started out planning to go with a huge group, but me, Hadlee, Jess, and Steph didn't have minutes on our phones so we weren't able to communicate with the rest of the group.  The weekend had been really rainy so apparently the rest of the group decided not to go.  We didn't know this until later, even though we thought this might happen.  So we start our day early on a sketchy old bus and when we get there we don't see anyone we know.

We found out it was more expensive then we were told and that the big roller coaster was shut down at least at the moment. We stood outside the park for a while but then decided we might as well just go in since we traveled all the way there.

We went in and the first thing we see is this little path way into the trees! So why not go in? It was this wonderful safari where we hiked through mud and crossed rivers on slick rocks. We were all just laughing and made the best of it.  Who wouldn't want to pay 200 yuan to go on a dino safari?

slipping in the mud

the river :)

do the creep...

just one of the many pictures we were asked to take with some random people (like always)

We then game to a playground type place and decided to play on some of the equipment.

Then we decided to keep walking and we found tons of rides that we had no idea existed.  They weren't wimpy rides either.  There were some that threw you all around, shot you up to the sky, and and awesome indoor roller coaster.

we're a little special... 

We found some great fried rice for lunch.

Delicious.

Then there was the best part of the whole day... all of the sudden we all stop and just stare. There was an elephant!!!!!! We went over to it and the guy with it could see our excitement.  He told us we could go pay about 3 american dollars to ride it. YES! So we did. Yes, we rode the elephant.  It was one of the coolest things I have ever done.

Cutest picture ever right? She's smiling!!!!!

The park also had a great parade.

What we thought might be a terrible day, turned into one of my favorite days in China.Who  would have thought that the dinosaur park in Changzhou, China would be so great.

These girls definitely helped making the trip completely worth it. :)

Halloween... a little overdue.

Halloween in china was a blast.  Me and the girls here in Yangzhong threw a party at our apartment and invited a few Chinese people.  We were expecting about 5 teachers and 5 kids..  but then a stampede of children come up the stairs!  Turns out word travels fast here in China.  But it was a blast we all dressed up and ate tons of food.  We had a candy walk for the kids and overall it was a successful party.  Here are a few pictures from the party.

China Horizons Girls

Me and Hadlee

These Cuties

Starling!! My favorite little boy

Masks

How many asians can you fit in a room?

witch and little mermaid

My favorite teacher, Orange (my chinese sister) and her son Starling

Paige and Kendall!

The night ended with us going out in all of our costumes and getting stopped by a drunk man trying to sell us lemons.  He was a true gem. 

When we got back to our school the gate man was asleep, so we had to hop the gate (this is completely normal for us...) but this wass the first time we had to do it in tutus... :) and it was raining.

The next morning we had a girls day and got our hair washed at our favorite salon and then ate some amazing noodles and potatoes

Matching sweaters 

Favorite noodle place :)

Proud to be an American

With the 2012 election, there have been many negative and disappointing comments due to the results.  Living in China has opened my eyes to a lot of things, but I think one of the greatest things it has made me realize is that I am so lucky to be able to call myself an American.

We have a really amazing teacher here named Diamond.  We have had many political talks with him because he is very interested in the way America runs their country.  It has really opened my eyes to how little I do know, and has made me start to do my research.  Along the way he has shared much of China's political ways.  Today he shared more than he has ever shared and I would like to share some of this with you, especially to those of you that may be disappointed in the outcome of the elections.  Diamond's eyes were starting to tear up as he told me he was happy that Obama won.  He looked at me and said, I know that you like Romney and agree with his policies more, and I actually agree with the way he does things too, but today you guys had an election. An election where the people, where the common people, were able to vote for who they feel is qualified for the job.  No matter the outcome, you have rights.  You were able to vote.  Here in China, we do not. We do not get to vote for our leaders.  The common people have no say.  We are brain washed from the time we are little to simply do as the leaders say.  There is only one political party in China, the communist party.  If you are not apart of this party, you do not matter. Diamond then shared that he does not believe in this party and the way they do things, so even though he would love to matter, he cannot be a part of it. He will not be a part of it.  He kept on going with more and more reasons why we are so lucky to live in America and have the system we have. One thing that I thought was just crazy was the whole baby thing.  As most people know, there is a law in China about the one child per family.  He went into more detail about this and there was a lot that I did not know. You must write a letter asking for permission to have a child. Whatever the government says is what you must do.  So some people are not permitted to have any children at all.  So that means you must plan out pregnancy.  If someone gets pregnant without ever "applying" to have the baby, they must have an abortion.  Everyday there are millions of babies killed because of this.  It breaks my heart.  Diamond continued.  China does not have the rights we do.  We are so lucky.  

I could go on forever about why we are so blessed, but I do not have the time. I would just like to say that yes, I am a fan of Romney.  I did want him to win.  But he did not.  Barrack Obama is our President and I do support him.  I have faith in him and my prayers are with him. Before we go bashing this man, I would like to remember that he is our President and we are to respect this man.  We are so lucky to live in America and have the right to vote. Sometimes the results do not come how we want, but such is life, right? Be grateful and remember we are all Americans and we are a blessed country. I heard some people calling America a third world country, or that we are doomed.  FALSE. we are so blessed in America, so please remember and especially in this wonderful time of Thanksgiving, remember all that you have and find the little things to be grateful for. God Bless America.

A Little Home Away From Home

China is fantastic.  There are new experiences around each corner.  But naturally, just like being anywhere away from home, there will be things you miss.  One of those things is family.  Me and my family are very close, even though we are all now spread out where we live.  When we get together there is no way we will ever get to be before 1 in the morning.  I love me family, so being farther from them then I ever have is hard. Luckily, the Nanjing Branch here is full of families that are so caring.  One of these wonderful families, is especially special to me.  The Westovers.

They are an adorable family of 6 gorgeous blonde children and an outstanding mother and father.  They sent an email out to all of the China Horizons teachers offering for people to stay at their house on the weekend.  Seeing as we live fairly far from church we decided to accept the invitation.  We expected at most just a place to sleep.  We had no idea what we were getting.  We were getting a family.  A true family.  The first day when we were on our way to their house we received a text from Sister Westover saying that she had dinner and snacks for us, breakfast in the morning, and a sack lunch for the next day all ready.  On top of that a wonderful memory foam bed. Seriously? She is the sweetest woman.  I was basically fighting back tears seeing such a great woman.  She reminds me so much of my own mom.  Always giving and giving.  We spent the night shopping with the 3 oldest daughters and eating way more amazing food than necessary.  They are incredible.  

 Their Chinese Palace

Our 2 new best friends: Tiana and Mikayla 

 modeling on the palace couch

the pro squatters: Treven and Brannon 

The family is here for the dad's work.  When they first got the offer they were told it would only be a year.  Slowly they keep adding years, and now they are looking at possibly 5 more years.  The oldest daughter is almost 17 and the next 14.  You would think they would be mad at their family for moving them during their high school years, but they are not mad at all!  They are so open minded and just look for the positive side of everything.  They are such inspiring people.  The whole family is wonderful.  I am so grateful for them and their willingness to always let us stay with them.  They always make sure each visit we get fed.  And not just Chinese food, but the most amazing Western food.  It's like being back home with my mother's wonderful cooking. 

The Announcement

So this is a little old news.. but like I said before, I am trying to catch up.  So as most of you LDS people know, there was a monumental announcement this year in General Conference, which by the way was an amazing conference.  So, like many other people, this announcement was huge for me.  I wrote a journal entry about it earlier, but this blog is kind of like my "China journal" so I thought I should share my journal here since this announcement was such a big part added to my China Adventures.
October 6, 2012
"I think my life just changed. Actually, I feel like my life just fell into place.  There was a huge monumental moment today for the church.  President Monson announced at the beginning of conference that the mission age has been lowered.  That means boys can go at 18 and girls at 19 years old. yes 19 years old.  So yes the missionary age was lowered, but the bar was just raised.
So here I am in China about to go to bed when I get on to check facebook real quick.  Conference came on at midnight for us, so we just planned on watching it later.  But then I see all of these posts.  Everyone posted about it and I started freaking out! I immediately ran to Bridget's room without even catching my breath.  This is where it truly hit of what just happened.  Tears started streaming down our faces.  My heart was racing so fast and chills came crawling up my spine.  THIS IS REAL! I cant believe this really happened.
I feel so much peace about going on a mission at  this point in my life. It makes sense.  I reread my patriarchal blessing and everything feels so right.  I am so overcome with the spirit right now.  I know I cant go making any hasty decisions because I need to make sure this is the Lord's will, and not just mine.  There is much prayer and fasting that will need to happen, but I just feel like the Spirit is telling me this is right.
Also by this announcement being made, the mission force is going to be doubled. yes doubled.  Which is what needed to happen in order to be prepared to send missionaries to China.  We are slowly making our way to this being a possibility.  I can't even put into words my feelings right now.  I am so full of emotion right now. Nerves, excitement, happiness, comfort.  All I know is the church is so true.  It really is."
October 7, 2012
"This morning I went to church after only sleeping for about 2 hours.  I was too excited to sleep.  But something that I just need to say is that no matter the stress, the money, or how tired I am, the Church is always worth it.  ALWAYS.  I need it.  I crave it. Being in China was such a necessary thing for me.  I have been growing so much spiritually here.  This is the best mission prep for me.  And to think if they made this wonderful announcement and I didn't come here?  I honestly don't know if I would have been ready to take the call.  I am not saying I am completely ready or prepared, but I am far more prepared then I was a few months ago.  I needed this experience in my life.  Today I felt so strongly that a mission is for me.  I am going on a mission.  It is not the convenience. It is not th excitememnt of everyone going.  It is not even me.  I am going for the Lord.  I want to spread the word.  I want everyone to have what I have.  I want everyone to have this gospel.  I am beyond excited to start my papers and join so many of the wonderful missionaries already out in the field.  The church is true.  I wouldn't be going on a mission if I didn't know this.  How blessed we are to have a living prophet in these latter days that can receive divine revelation."

And just as an exciting announcement.. I am just about to turn in my papers! So hopefully soon I will be able to tell all about that great day when I get the call!

The Holiday

So this is a little overdue, but I am trying to catch up on all the exciting things that have happened in China lately!  We have been having complications with the internet here, but hopefully I can get caught up!  

In China they have a week long holiday the first week of October that celebrates the Fall Festival.  Everyone gets the week off to travel to different places.  We decided to travel with our favorite Chinese teacher, Orange.  

We started out going to Zhenjiang to spend some time with Kendall and Paige.  We had a successful time at the night market.  It is probably my favorite place I have been shopping so far.

Then we met up with Orange, Hadlee, and Jess to head to xu'jou.  This is the hotel we stayed at.

The next day we went to many historical sites for the Han Dynasty.

That night we went out dancing in the streets.  Me and Jess got private lessons from this lovely old teacher. He was kind enough to set down his cigarette for us. haha

Also on the bus ride home there were so many people that they got stools out and just sat in the isles.  I am pretty sure that would break about 50 laws in America.

Unfortunately, I got very sick and wasn't able to go out the rest of the trip, but at least we had a great time traveling.  I am happy we had Orange to take us around and explain so much of the history.