Quick Update

I survived my first week of grad school! I think it's going to take a lot of work, but I'm going to learn a lot also. Looks like I'm actually gonna do it!

The other news is, my sister (Julie) is engaged! This is the only picture I can find of her and Armando (it's from her facebook...haha).


She called me on Sunday right after he proposed to tell me to save for a trip to Puerto Rico, where they want to get hitched. :)

Recipe Request

I'm in a cooking slump. I've cooked my usuals too many times, and I need some fresh ideas. Does anyone have any easy, quick, and healthy meal ideas for us?

Must-See Videos

I was looking up the Iron Man competition today (just to see how long it actually is...not because I ever plan on doing it!) and I came across this video of a man doing the Iron Man with his son who has a disability and cannot walk. FYI, the Iron Man is a 2.4 mile swim, followed by a 112 mile bike ride, and finished off with a full marathon (26.2 miles of running).



And I think another video I saw said they've done it 6 times. In this longer video, the father talks about raising his son like any other kid. You should definitely check them out.

A Very Handy Little Tool

A few years ago I got "Miss Oops" deodorant erasers in my stocking for Christmas. Earlier this week I had those pesky deodorant lines on my navy t-shirt and once again pulled out my Miss Oops sponge and wiped them right off! It amazes me every time how well these things work, so I thought let some others in on them. It takes only a few seconds of wiping, and you don't have to use any water or anything. Plus they're reusable (I'm still using my originals - they come with 2 in a box). I know you can find them online, but I'm not sure what stores carry them, as mine came from the North Pole. Maybe Santa told my mom where you can find more, though (do you know, Mom?).

08-08-08

Many of you know that I read lots of blogs and articles on China. So I figured since several of my favorite Chinese bloggers have already made posts about it being 8/8/08 (Start of the 2008 Olympics in case you didn't know) that I'd make a post of my own with a link to a few of there blogs. I'm really interested to see how China does hosting the games over the next few weeks.

I read these guys blogs regularly and if you have any good China blogs that you read then send them my way.

James Reynolds' China - BBC correspondent in Beijing (personal favorite right now)
Ben's Blog - Young guy that worked as a English teacher for a couple of years and is currently traveling the Middle Kingdom.
Sinosplice - Linguist probably most known for his contributions to ChinesePod.
The Opposite End of China - A blogger that's lived in the remote west of China until recently. I've been reading his blog for a while because of the interesting melting pot of cultures out in west China. I hope to visit that area some day.