Island Adventures--Chinese New Year 2013

Chinese New Year happen to come in February this year, if you have heard loud fireworks, recently--it's the Chinese. My birthday was the day before a three week journey of island hoping and relaxing on the beach. It seemed that everything was perfect, and it was. My birthday started out with an adventured filled day to the Andy Warhol exhibit the weekend before. I loved every second of it and here is a picture (that I wasn't supposed to take) of my favorite piece in the museum.

We ended the night with dinner and drinks at some pretty awesome Italian place. Blessed by some amazing people here in Asia--I can't get enough of them! This is a picture from that night!!

On my actual birthday I was greeted with a room attacked with balloons and glow in the dark dinasour stickers from Tayt, Camden and Rebecca and then I got Becca burgers The recipe for Becca Burgers--she's the best cook in the world. After dinner a bunch of us all got together and we went bowling! I, the newly 24 year old decided it was best to bowl in my dinosaur outfit. I have to keep it young some way ;)

The next day we had our in school Chinese New Year celebration and that night I was on a plane to Malaysia--I didn't waste any time. We arrived in Malaysia to warm weather, and it was wonderful. We went to a Muslim restaurant every day that we were there for dinner and that was probably one of my favorite things about Malaysia. I got to know the guys that were running the place and it always made me laugh when they would see us walk by (which happened multiple times) We went to an island for a few days to relax on the beach. The sunsets were beautiful, the water not so much--Jellyfish everywhere!
They were about the size of my head!! Malaysia taught me three major things: 1. I love traveling with my friends. 2. I love city life. 3. Malaysia is REALLY expensive!

After the adventures in Malaysia we were off to Bangkok for a couple days and I fell in love. Pad thai and BBQ chicken on one side of the road and then massages on the other side--living the life. I got to see the Kings Palace, temples and the Jim Thompson’s house. It was a rushed/exciting two days in Bangkok! I would definitely like to spend more time there and would love to spend more time getting to know the people. I am fascinated with Thailand at the moment!




We headed our way down to Krabi, Thailand and spent our time there for the first week and did some island hopping and checking out different beaches. The sunsets and the clear skies with stars at night were some of my favorite things that I did there. Memories that will be remembered forever and I have been blessed to share them with some great friends. I love the life of a beach bum and have always been obsessed with water--it has been hard to live away from it for 1.5 years.

The end of my trip was at MaiKhao beach--northern Phuket. It was pretty much deserted and we got to stay in little bungalows and it was so peaceful. The owner was the sweetest and I would definitely go back to this area again. We got visitors from Vicky, Anne, Ethan and Lauren on their last day and it was nice to hang out on the beach and relax!




That was the end of my journeys and the next one is coming up quickly--Japan!

Prayer requests:
That I am patient and listening to what God wants me to be doing.
For my friends and their adventures they are on.
That I can figure out a plan for next year.


With love,

Ashley

Food for thought

A journey to the other side of the world.

America is my home country, it is where family is, it is where friends are--it is where a huge part of my heart is.

I know this post comes almost a month after my visit, but never too late to talk about an epic trip!

I was able to FINALLY see my parents new house in Seattle, Washington! It was a great visit and I fell in love with a new city. I got to do a lot of touristy stuff while I was home, which was strange, but that was cool.

I saw family and that meant the world to me and it was amazing to see how much has changed in a year, and also what hasn't changed.

A short trip in Seattle and then I was off to LA...back to "home" for an even shorter trip. It was terrific to have In-n-out again--it should be against the law to not have that once a week. If there is one food that I miss, for some reason those animal style fries, are it. I saw friends that I love dearly and I got to see the beach, oh how I miss that place.

In a bittersweet goodbye with everyone, I was back to China to start the 4th semester of my life abroad. I have many adventures awaiting me and I can't wait. I turn 24 in a few short days and I leave for a three week long trip to Malaysia and Thailand :)

Here are some pictures from my trip back home!!

With love,

Ashley

Prayer requests:
Guidance as I figure out this job hunt
For my friends and fellow teachers--guidance, support, love, laughter, job hunting
Safe travels for my friends and I as we depart soon

Highs:
Going home
Seeing the family
seeing friends
american food
traveling soon :)

Lows:
Job hunt
discouraged about a lot of stuff

A good reminder.

100 reasons to visit home

Over the summer my friend Stephanie wrote up 100 reasons why we should give up living in China and move back to the homeland.

I carry this list in my pocket, every day. I have more than 100 reasons to go home--but this makes my heart happy.

In 25 days I embark on my adventure home--17 whole days at home. Family, friends, love, comfort, food, English TV, shopping for things that will fit me, hugs, DRIVING!....so many things waiting for me. I can't help but think that there are things waiting for me back in Asia. I am torn on leaving, I know I will be returning, but I can't help but miss my friends when I do go home. China has become a home to me and I have a lot of amazing friends, here in Asia.

We recently took our Christmas photo's together, 16 fantastic human beings, that I get to see once a week. Shout has made China home. God has shown me what it is like to have only a few to depend on and now he has given us an abundance of support and love, to carry out what we need to do. Blessed doesn't even begin to cover it.

We were able to come together for Thanksgiving. All of us sat at a table and enjoyed a traditional Thanksgiving meal. I could not see myself celebrating what to be thankful for in any other way, it was fantastic. Pray for us as we continue to work with students, friends, jobs and everything else that gets thrown at us here. Pray for guidance on future plans, what's next? Who knows, I am just glad I have amazing people to be here in the now as I figure out this big kid life and do God's work.

Prayer requests:
Strength to get through the next few weeks
Speaking at Shout tomorrow
Guidance in figuring out where to go next in my life.
That I can be a spiritual leader to my friends.

With love,
Ashley


The list as promised, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do :)


1. The Constitution of the United States of America.
2. George Washington.
3. The proximity of Southern California to beaches, mountains, deserts, and other desirable locations.
4. In 'n Out.
5. Frank Capra.
6. Smores.
7. Thanksgiving.
8. Long, hot summers and mild winters.
9. Girl Scout cookies.
10. Baseball.
11. Peanutbutter and jelly sandwiches.
12. James Madison.
13. Cortina's.
14. Cowboy Hats.
15. Barbecue.
16. The Grand Canyon.
17. "The Sandlot."
18. Jonas Salk.
19. Dunkin' Donuts.
20. Mike Tr..Tro...Trout. Mike Trout (agggghhh that was painful. You're welcome Dinkleman!)
21. The U.S.' cumulative 2,549 Olympic Medals in the modern games- the MOST of any country (Russia is in second with 1,204!!!)
22. The Beach Boys.
23. Fireworks. Especially on the Fourth of July!
24. Converse shoes.
25. College football.
26. John Wayne.
27. Apple pie.
28. The frontier.
29. Vin Scully (duh).
30. Watching "Die Hard" during the Christmas season with your Dad! (Ashley Turner)
31. James Stewart (because China has nothing on George Bailey and Jefferson Smith) and while I'm at it:
32. "It's a Wonderful Life."
33. Frank Capra.
34. Sun Records (for that American early rock 'n roll sound).
35. The Empire State Building
36. Vitamin C ("As we go on, we remember...all the times we [STUDIED] together....").
37. The Los Angeles Dodgers (c'mon! I gave you Trout)
38. "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" (The movie, not the outlaws. Eh- what the heck, the outlaws too!)
39. Route 66 (Road trip!!!)
40. Otis Redding.
41. Tailgating (see #25).
42. Hike to the Hollywood sign.
43. 1966 Ford Mustang convertible (seriously bitchin' ride).
44. Norman Rockwell.
45. NASA
46. Being able to say, "What does that have to do with the price of tea in China?" and be understood.
47. F. Scott Fitzgerald.
48. Nathan's Hot Dogs.
49. Las Vegas.
50. The 1980's USA Men's Olympic Hockey Team (how many miracles on ice does China have?)
51. The Velvet Underground.
52. "Kissing the War Goodbye." (great WWII era photo)
53. Atticus Finch. (greatest character written? possibly!)
54. Homeruns.
55. Superheroes! (What other country has Batman, Superman, Spiderman, etc..)
56. "The Brady Bunch."
57. Walt Disney.
58. "Cool Hand Luke."
59. Oversized food portions.
60. James Earl Jones' monologue from "Field of Dreams" ["People will come Ray..." classic. ](see #10).
61. Monument valley and the American Western.
62. Bourbon St.
63. Scott Joplin.
64. "The Jazz Singer." (You know, the first "talkie" film... No big deal.)
65. "Gone With the Wind." (An epic film. And how about films from Hollywood in 1939 while we're at it! Can China match that?!?! No sir-ree-Bob it cannot. Nor can it rebuttal with such an epically awesome phrase like "No-sir-ree-Bob." Ha!)
66. The Beatles American debut on the Ed Sullivan Show. Legendary.
67. Matt Marrujo's Mazda.
68. Disneyland.
69. "Casablanca."
70. "Friends."
71. Herman Melville.
72. Kerri Strug and the 1996 USA Women's Olympic Gold team (becoming the first American Olympic team to place so high in a non-boycotted came after Strug nailed her vault landing on a sprained ankle and was carried to the podium. AMERICA!!!)
73. The Wright Brothers.
74. The Interstate Highway System. (Genius. See #39 and #67).
75. Navy SEALS, Army Rangers, etc.
76. Fireside Chats.
77. Lou Gehrig's Farewell Speech. (This list could really begin and end with this, but I've never been one for brevity, so onward...)
78. "I Love Lucy."
79. "Saturday Night Live."
80. Jesse Owens at the Berlin Olympics.
81. Ben & Jerry's.
82. Otter pops.
83. Bobby Fischer.
84. Alexander Graham Bell.
85. Victory at Yorktown.
86. "12 Angry Men."
87. Henry David Thoreau (With whom I feel personally acquainted).
88. De Tocqueville was so intrigued by America he wrote some little book about it...
89. Vince Lombardi.
90. Steve Jobs and Apple.
91. "Rocky."
92. Trick-or-treating.
93. The Marlboro Man.
94. In God We Trust.
95. Arthur Miller.
96. Bruce Springtsteen.
97. The American Dream.
98. Louis Armstrong.
99. Matt Marrujo and me.
100. Family. Home.

This list is most certainly not exhaustive-- just a few thoughts. Not at all intended to entice you home...(or is it?!)

Falling in love again--India

I have been pretty bad at blogging lately, and figure I should bring it back to life. With a new remodel and a positive attitude, I think it will survive this time around.

I recently was on another adventure, I know not again...but my heart was aching for something exciting--familiarity. I ventured back to the "homeland," the place I left my heart. I was back in Calcutta, India. I have not felt that kind of peace since I got on that plane, two years ago. As many of you know, I spent two months traveling through India, back in 2010. I was the crazy kid who wanted to stay and ended back in the states with a heart on fire for travel. I have constantly been battling with these inner demons, where does God want me. I have always felt like something was missing, and have missed the people, the smells, the colors, the life that are, simply put--India. I got a second chance to fall in love. I don't think He gives us these all that often and I definitely took this opportunity to start where I ended--with the people.

This trip started with two of my friends, here in China asking if I would take them to India. How can anyone say no to that? exactly. So I went and I brought along two wonderful ladies, that I am blessed to call friends. They have made my China experience absolutely fantastic and I knew they would do the same with a trip to India. Needless to say it was a great experience, even though there were illnesses, exhaustion and lack of air conditioners, we survived. We survived enough that we have signed up for another trip together in February...yes the next adventure, but more on that later ;)

My first stop was to the local restaurant, Blue Sky Cafe, to see Sam and the other guys that work there. It was so good to be sitting at the same booth, ordering the same food and seeing people that I call friends. Everything was the same, the guys were just as funny and they took care of us while we were there.

I was also able to go back to Varanasi, the holy city to the Hindu's. I had been there before and dreamt of going back. Like before the smells, the people, the ceremonies, the every day life consumed me the minute we got off the train. Two years ago I had jumped into the Ganga, this time I decided upon a sit and watch tactic. We took the 5am boat ride and we took a night ride as well. I had an opportunity during the Puja's ceremony to journal and pray, something I really never thought I would do again.

I got to go back to the Wallaby School to see some wonderful friends! Oh how the kids had grown and were still as sweet as ever. I got to take my friends into homes, the homes of people I spent two wonderful weeks with. It was an experience of its own to sit there and see how they are and what they have been doing these past few years. Here are some pictures of the kiddos :)

India was an exciting reminder of what I feel called to do in life--serve. I was able to open my heart up to friends, I met two years ago, to my new friends I have made in China. It is refreshing to know that there are people all over the world that I have met. I guess the talkative gene my mom gave me, has come in handy ;)

It has been a month since I have returned from India and I am still humbled by that experience. What did I learn? I have a group here to serve, a group of fellow CUI grads and other recent college grads. A group that I love with all of my heart, they make the days not seem as long. They give me that laugh I need, the encouragement, the talking to when I need it. They bring me God, in so many ways. I am 100% Blessed. We are going to be taking a group photo in about a week, so don't worry you will get to see some faces soon!

Highs:
Travel plans.
Bex and Krae coming along on the Feb trip!
Fantastic friends here.

Lows:
Not knowing what I am doing.
Feeling called to other things.


Prayer Requests:
The strength to get through the rest of the semester
Constant encouragement to future changes.
Discerning God's plan for my life. Taking time to listen. To pray.
Being strong.


With love,

Ashley

China round 2

I have finally reached my one year mark in China. Obsessed is only a small fragment of what I have to say, for this place. I moved to China, I hated every part of it and wanted to go home. I went home with the hope of a better situation for when I got back to China and it definitely was.

This year has been fantastic and has had its ups and downs--but when do things not?

Here are a few of my highlights and not so favorite memories of my year abroad.

1. Christine arriving at my old job and giving me a hug, I was SO homesick. Definitely made my year better.

2. Going home to visit one of my Chinese friends parents and traveling with Christine and Jessica and the group last October.

3. Figuring out this city with Jessica and Christine and not being afraid to get lost.

4. Trips back home, Hong Kong, Beijing, The Philippines and random cities in China.

5. Community at BCIS

6. The kids. The joy they bring and the laughs they give me.

7. The many nights of wine

8. Hosting a summer camp and getting to see many CUI grads

9. Getting sick often, was not in my plan...but it happens--all the time.

10. being a witness.

There are many days where I don't understand why I am here and try to constantly figure them out, but that is ok. I really do enjoy it here and the children I work with and the people I work with are a huge blessing.

Here is this years school photo!

This year has started off nicely, I live with wonderful girls and have some great students...even with all their talking!


I recently got to fly up to Beijing for a total of 36 hours and got a nice 7 hours of sleep for the whole weekend. I got to see one of my best friends, Dana! and I got to see Adam, Karen, Ben and Josh and the ATW II semester students. It was SO refreshing and a huge blessing to get to witness what they are doing. They wowed me and reminded me of what I am doing in this world. Here is a picture of me and some of my favorite people in this world!

as for life in China, this is China and I enjoy it. I have a lot of exciting adventures ahead of me and I am looking forward to them!

until we meet again!

with love,

Ashley