Brrr Beijing!

My mom and friend, Amanda, came to visit me this past week and we sure did have a great time (at least I hope they had as much fun as I did!) What a busy week. I brought them to class with me, we had a big Christmas party together, I took them to a nearby wharftown, etc, etc. And then on Thursday we all travelled to Beijing together. Oh it was cold up there. We went to the Great Wall, aka Chang Cheng and the wind was blowing so hard you had to hang onto the wall to climb down! We also got to go to the Forbidden City and Tian'anmen Square, and although interesting, I wouldn't care if I never went back to those places again. It wasn't that they were bad, it was just one of things where it's great to see it once. Amanda and my mom also brought cards and stuff from friends and family, so a big thanks to those that either mailed them here, or sent here through them! This month has gone by in a big ole whirl. I didn't even write a post about the Dawgs winning the SEC Championship!!! Bad Dawg I am...bad Dawg. I do have my championship shirt here though, so just know the Dawgs are being represented well here across the world. We even flew the big G on the Great Wall! Shopping was also great in the Jing...Mom says I made out like a bandit, and I can't argue, but on that note, bargaining for stuff is a great big long argument that I just can't stand. Those of you that know me well also know that I'm a sucker. I can admit that. Amanda helped me though to hold strong on the prices we were willing to pay for all the oodles of things you can imagine we were buying, NorthFaces, Polos, scarves, vests, pearls, all kinds of Christmas gifts. We got to eat at TGIFridays and Outback in that city too, which was amazing to have GOOD American food. And guess what!? They have 7-11's in East Asia! I took a picture because I thought it was funny, I mean, we don't even have many of those anymore. The last night we all went to an acrobatics show and they did all kinds of amazing things, like 12 women balancing on one bicycle and spinning plates while doing jumps and somersaults and stuff, it was awesome! Anyways, it was a great week that I wish the rest of you could have been to experience as well, especially Dad, Kevin, Ken and Debbie. One week didn't really seem to be enough time to show them all that we do here in the midst of classes and all, but it must suffice, and so must this post to describe our adventures together.