First Half of 2013

I have been a pretty big slacker on updating this blog since I've come to China, and I apologize to those who like to try to keep up with the blog. Ultimately, life gets away from me sometimes and I totally forgot about blogging. Now that June is coming to an end, I think it's a good time to reflect on the past 6 months. 

I spent my first Christmas away from home last year and I admit that it wasn't very fun. There is something about the holidays (wrapped up with my birthday) where I just want to be at home, lounging around with family in my cow-print pajamas. YES, I own cow-print pajamas. Don't make fun of me. This year, however, it just didn't work out with my schedule, so I spent a quiet Christmas in Beijing. 

Then in early January, I got my first fever in years. I was very lucky and never got malaria any of the times I lived in Africa. But I got super sick here and learned the downfalls of living by myself. No roommates or family to help take care of me. It wasn't very fun, but at least it wasn't malaria!

In mid January, I was able to go on a work-related trip to Nanning and Beihai. It was cool to get out of Beijing and see how things worked in the field. Also, this was when the pollution in Beijing was at its worst, so it was very nice to get away. Beihai is on the South China Sea- the ocean air was so fresh. My lungs appreciated the change of environment!

I didn't leave Beijing for Chinese New Year. Instead I lived in what seemed like a war zone for a week. Fireworks all the time- morning, noon, and night. Boom boom boom! It was pretty cool though. In the US, I think we have the best firework shows for July 4th. But in Beijing, it was the MOST fireworks going at the same time. Some friends and I decided to light some of our own and almost took out a tree, pedestrian, and a bush. Oopsy. Luckily nothing bad happened. 

At the end of February, I went to Harbin for a long weekend for the Ice Festival. It was FREEEEEEEZING!! But lots of fun. 

In March, I went to Atlanta for the Annual Division of Global HIV/AIDS Meeting and a training. It was nice being back in the US for a short week and a half trip. I was able to go back to Wisconsin over the weekend. I always love going home and seeing family and friends. 

In April, I took a short trip to Shanghai after a stressful period of work. 

I had to reset my visa in May and did a trip to Taiwan. I went to hike a portion of Taroko Gorge while I was there. It's so beautiful and I loved the fresh air!! The rest of the gorge was closed at the time because of rock slides. 

In June, I got my first, non-relative visitor!!! It was tons of fun to catch up and travel a new part of China with. First we went to Hangzhou. 

It rained the whole time

Then we climbed the famous Huangshan. It was a ton of stairs- best butt workout of my life. And it was so worth the pain. Probably one of the most beautiful, if not the MOST beautiful place I've ever been. Utterly breathtaking. 

7.5km of pure stairs

They call it the loveliest mountain of China- I don't argue with that.  

Most breathtaking sunrise I have ever seen. (4AM wake-up, biting cold wind, I thought the wind was going to sweep us off the side of the mountain but it was worth it!)

I have to say that I highly recommend climbing Huangshan to anyone who comes to China. It's hard, but it pays off. We walked so much every day, did so many flights of stairs, but it was indescribably beautiful. The photos never do it justice. After our trip, we spent some quality time in Beijing and had fun hanging out. 

Great Wall on a super cloudy day

Eating a scorpion!

In short summary, those are the highlights from the last 6 months. I've probably missed a few things. Hopefully the next 6 months will be just as fun and eventful!