A Little Sugar In My Bowl?

These black goats spooked me a little bit while I was taking a walk in the country side. I never realized how far set apart their red eyes were! Plus, they're red! They watched me with caution as I made my way pass them, probably as spooked as I was. I enjoy walking in the country and finding animals because it reminds me that we do share this planet with other amazing creatures.

Strolling down the streets of Wenchang, during the Happy Days celebration, people are jolly, shopping and eating, usually food in hand. Happy Days is a carnival promoting Hainan, when celebrities and important officials come to visit whichever city is hosting it that year. Scaffolding are covered up by billboards boasting the promise of sunny beaches and coconuts, while less attractive "hole in the wall" restaurants and stores visible from the main streets receive quick makeovers in the form of treated wood fences which transform them into quaint island cottages.

I spend some time at the studio experimenting with Chinese brushes to recreate masterpieces I find inspiring.

Pictured with me near her dorm is my friend Lydia from Sichuan province. She is wearing a traditional dress called 'qi pao,' which is close fitting, sleeveless, with a high collar. We are on our way to have dinner at a chain restaurant where many students work including our friend Nicole from northern China. At 'Bi Fen Gang Wan' we enjoy seafood on rice in a hot clay pot, lemon duck, white mushrooms and really rich icecream on top of fresh fruit.

Key to the Lock in My House

Pictured here is my newest creation. It's Chinese Squash with sparrow. My painting teacher wrote the calligraphy at the bottom, saying essentially that an American lady from his class painted this piece. He is extremely proud of my work and wants me to have a show at the Recreation Center.

I am really happy with the way it turned out. Learning traditional techniques has been fun, and the Master lets me skip the boring exercises and do what I like.

A Good Day For a Harvest

Are we having fun yet?

So Africans are dancing and singing, "We're in the White House! We are in the White House!"

Meanwhile, I'm sitting at the dock of the bay at Beauty Beach watchin' the clouds roll away.

Shrimp Fest

After attending my relative's shrimp harvest, I brought a kilo to my good friend, Nobuyo Tani who consequently tore the kitchen up and served three kinds of shrimp! I personally requested the tempura and we also had tempura sweet potatoes, taro and eggplant.

It was one of the best meals I've ever had. We also grilled the biggest shrimp, char-fried the heads and had miso soup to boot.

Hainan Halloween

Finished with my Jack O Lantern a la watermelon. We had trouble finding decent pumpkins so resorted to these nice round watermelons from the number one market. We proceeded to use the watermelon innards for a mean sangria at our giant Hallow's Eve bash via mi casa. Least to say it was an absolute smash- no, we didn't do the monster mash but we did dance until midnight.

Many came in costume, prepared to spook the faint hearted. I think it was the first time most had experienced such a holiday as this. Furthermore, my neighbors the Dicks came by to wish me well with homemade peanut butter cookies. Anne Maher said that her walls were vibrating. My friend Tracy kept the girls coming in like a true promoter, and DJ Bruce Lee kept the beats coming...