Happy Holidays from the Adventurers

Happy Holidays! 

We moved to Shenyang, China in April 2010.  Since then, we have experienced life, chaos, adventure, happiness, a little heartache, a little confusion, food, beverage, love and more.  Tim is working for Michelin, on a project to build a new plant about 10km outside of Shenyang.  The rubber and tires they produce at the current plant, and what they will produce at the new plant, will supply this huge consumer market in China.  We expect to be here through 2014.  And yes, visitors are welcome.  Julie stays busy with volunteer and teaching work, the International Club of Shenyang, and some typical activities of expat spouses.  That being, see as much as I can in the time we have, along with serving as blogger, housewife, travel agent, errand runner and temporary “summer” vacationer.

In 2011, we traveled to Harbin, Benxi, Beijing and Shanghai, China, as well as Hong Kong.  Tim got to experience Xi’an, plus France and Poland for work.  For our summer trip, we chose an Alaskan cruise that was absolutely awesome.  And we threw in a couple of trips to the US for family and friends too.  In December, while the temperature in northeast China starts to dip toward the winter high of -10C, we will be off to Malaysia for fun in the sun on Pangkor Island and in Kuala Lampur.  Can you see me smiling through the font?

In 2011, we saw Tim’s sister, Ann, graduate from Clemson. She came to visit us in China before heading off to graduate school at Washington University in St. Louis.  We met up with Purdue friends in Beijing for more than one amazing meal and great times.  We both celebrated our 40th birthdays. We experienced the flu, the Chinese fireworks event at the Hong Kong harbor with 20,000 of our closest friends, and the month-long fireworks celebration of the Chinese New Year in Shenyang.  We spent many dinners and activities with our friends here in China; everything from our hamburger tour of Shenyang, to the Green Mile Pub’s pizza, to gu bao rou, potato towers, baby cucumbers, July 4th, pumpkin goodness, ganbei, Thanksgiving and more.  In October, Julie had a family reunion of sorts with Mom, sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews in Indiana, and it was her first visit to the Covered Bridge Festival.  She also made the incredible trip back to Purdue for Homecoming and Alumni Band with Susan and many more friends.  As we look back on the year, there were challenges and some difficulty, but we put them all in perspective and move forward to find out what is next.

We wish you the very best this season and through the New Year.  Enjoy some images from our life and travels in 2011.

Julie & Tim