Wild China

I just watched one of the most fascinating documentaries (yes, I'm nerdy - I adore nature/travel documentaries): Wild China



I'm wowed. The scenery is spectacular, especially the rice patties.  The Chinese have carved entire mountains into elaborate terraces of rice paddies. The paddies have been in place so long that the wildlife has adjusted around them. Egrets have colonized the area because the wetlands are home to so many frogs, fish and insects.

Ever since we visited DC two years ago and viewed an art exhibit of Chinese landscape photography, China became a top member of my travel list. Of course, almost every where I want to go is dangerous and crazy expensive, but I don't care. Where do I want to visit? India (yes, the whole country - there's a lot to see!), Turkey, Morocco, China (especially Southern China), Mongolia (I was in the process of applying for a veterinary externship in Mongolia before I left vet school), Afghanistan and New Zealand (might as well throw in one safe one). I'm really attracted to harsh mountainous climates with a lot of poverty and political turmoil. To my parents: Aren't you glad I married someone who wants to stay stateside?

I think my favorite part (so far - there are 6 episodes) is the 70 year old fisherman who have trained cormorants to fish for them. The fishermen tie a string around the birds' necks to keep them from swallowing the fish. Then they let the birds do their thing. The cormorants swim underwater and catch fish and bring them back to the fisherman on the boats. So neat. Every trained bird I've ever seen speaks a couple of useless phrases and poops all over everything!

If you have netflix, you can watch it online. If not, it's well worth the rental, especially if you're fans of Planet Earth or Blue Planet.

We're Back!!!

What a sweet time with our family and friends in K'town. I can't believe how much we crammed into a few short days. We visited with all 4 great grandparents who, of course, believe Gwennan is developing faster than any baby their siblings ever had. I don't know about that, but she is certainly entertaining.

I took my first solo parent flight yesterday, maneuvering the airport with infant, car seat, diaper bag and coffee! If you're thinking that it takes 4 arms, a slight mutation would have made things easier.

In all honesty, I couldn't ask for an easier trip. My mom helped me get to security where a guy in line carried the car seat to the check point. Gwennan slept through both flights, allowing me to play several games of hearts on my iPod.

The only hiccup occurred in Orlando (my connection) - well, it actually occurred at the ticket counter in Knoxville where the clerk didn't complete my itinerary and only checked us to Orlando. While it was sunny and warm, I didn't want either of us or my gigantic bag (1 lb under the limit after I took my study Bible out) to stay there. Fortunately, I realized the mistake before they unloaded my bag from the plane, so my "adventure" was really uneventful.

Like I said, could not have gone better, that is until a "stranger" picked us up at the airport. Tim shaved his beard while I was away. I'm not sure that I've ever seen him clean shaven. Gwennan didn't bat an eye. She knew Daddy! I, however, was in shock. Good thing his beard grows quickly!

I'm really not sure why we buy toys for her car seat. This kept her occupied for at least 15 minutes while I ate lunch.

Gwennan and the Knoxville Airport bears. Knoxville has a thing for bears. Artistically painted bear statues used to reside all over down town Knoxville. They were actually set up for a scavenger hunt. Someone decided that they were not sophisticated enough, and one by one they came down, but the airport still has a bear statue. We have a picture like this of Tim, Em and Sarah that they took when I left for Kenya.