thoughts while traveling

The other day I was traveling home from my visit with family. While I was driving through the mountains the sun began to set and the fireflies came out. It was so beautiful. I was never a big nature lover as a kid. I have never been terribly outdoorsy. However, the older I get I appreciate nature more and more. Perhaps it's because I'm now an art major and I'm learning to appreciate beauty and craftsmanship. Nothing we make can hold a candle to nature. Nothing we make as artists is not inspired by God's creation in some way, shape, or form.

I just feel more and more in awe of our God when I see how beautiful this place is. I've had dear friends ask me how I can trust a God who lets terrible things happen. I can't explain God's decisions or reasoning (Isaiah 55:8-9--while you're at it, just read the whole chapter. It's beautiful.). I don't want to downplay the suffering that happens in this world or the heartache that people experience. But I believe that God cares and loves. He has experienced true suffering and empathizes and helps us during our struggles. And when I look around at the world and see how delicate and intricate plant life and human life are and how so many little tiny things have to happen inside our bodies to keep us alive or at how diverse our whole world is...well then I see how beautiful it is and it helps me to trust God. I just can't believe that the One who designed, made and sustains us all does not love. He's given us the whole world to enjoy. What a gift!

I got to spend some quality time with my niece and new nephew this past weekend while visiting family. In fact I spent approximately 14 hours sitting between the two of them in the car while driving back and forth. 

I'm pretty sure they get cuter every time I see them. <3

Turn left down Memory Lane and stop when you come to the Asian market...

This past weekend I visited my parents and younger sister for Memorial Day weekend. It was really good to see them again. It was a short visit, and my younger brother couldn't make it, but altogether it was very nice. My dad and younger sister took me to the local Asian market. We have one up here too, but it is tiny compared to this place. I was on the lookout for loose leaf tea and lotus root and was able to find both! Success!

While there I couldn't help but photograph some things that really reminded me of my time in China. It made me miss it a lot. I can't help but get a little sad when I think about it.

 We drank so much of this stuff. It had creamer and sugar already mixed in. So trashy, but so addictive!

 These are very similar to the dishes from our studio dining room. And when you went to the department stores you could buy dishes like these.

 I loved this. It's so typical of Chinese copies. It's supposed to be Winnie the Pooh, but it's an elephant instead. Some things get lost in translation I guess. We saw so many hilarious mis-translations while in China.

I remember my teachers and classmates sitting around drinking tea and eating sunflower seeds. 

It's good to have some wonderful memories of my time there. And it was lovely to have a chance to walk down memory lane when I was at the market. It smelled like old fish just like the markets in Jingdezhen used to. I never thought I'd miss the smell of old fish. :) China was such a special place to me. So real...so down and dirty, but I met some very kind and hospitable people there. In my wildest dreams I'll go visit again someday. With friends and loved ones this time who I can share the trip with. It was lonely not being able to have a really close friend or family member along. It was really lonely coming back and not being able to share that experience first-hand with my nearest and dearest people. But it was a really wonderful experience all the same and I'm grateful I got to go. 

我爱中国！

Just thought I'd share...

 ...some gluten-free cookies and a picture of a cute kitty.

Happy Weekend!

I have a little thing for sunsets..

I just think they're beautiful. This was taken from my balcony. The first 2 are instragram so they have a filter, but that last one is straight from the camera. It was quite pretty.

Fro-yo

Two of my roommates and I went out for frozen yogurt at one of the fro-yo shops here in town. It was a fun little treat and I always enjoy outings with the girls. I had to laugh though because we noticed that both my roommates matched their frozen yogurt. You can't tell as well from the photo, but they definitely were matchy. It was cute. :)

A few of my favorite things...

- new sheets on my bed.
- handmade quilts in my house.
- dishes made by friends in my cabinet.
- getting real mail from a dear friend.
- spending time with friends.
- phone visits with my family.
- sitting on my balcony while the weather is so nice.

Those things make for a nice day. It's a wonderful life, friends. :)