Dad in China

My Daddy came to visit me in China, and our time together was wonderful. It was so refreshing to have him here, and the extra little push I needed to end the semester well.

Our adventures began in Beijing.

We used the Subway to get around Beijing. Confession- I love Subways. :)

Look at those chopstick skills!

Forbidden City

Maybe my most favorite picture ever. The dragon was treating to eat his face. No big deal.

Next, we journeyed to the Temple of Heaven

One of the coolest things about going to the Forbidden City or Temple of Heaven is to walk on the Imperial Pathway. It is made of marble, and, at one time, only the Emperor was allowed to walk on it. Here is Dad on that pathway, walking where Emperors walked for centuries.

So handsome!

 After spending a day in Beijing, we took the train to Zhengzhou, where Dad stayed with me for two weeks. The first week, my school was holding their Sports Meet (imagine field day at a school in America)

ZhengDa Stadium

Some of my girls were given the honor of performing in the Opening Ceremonies. :)

While visiting, Dad also gave a lecture to my medical post-graduate students about Mental Health Care in the US. They loved him!

I Live Inside This Circle

In Evil Long I Took Delight

In evil long I took delight
Unawed by shame or fear
'Til a new object struck my sight,
And stopped my wild career.

I saw One hanging on a tree,
In agonies and blood,
Who fixed his languid eyes on me,
As near his cross I stood.

Sure, never 'til my latest breath,
Can I forget that look;
It seemed to charge me with His death,
Though not a word He spoke.

My conscience felt and owned the guilt
And plunged me in despair,
I saw my sins His blood had spilt,
And helped to nail Him there.

Alas I knew not what I did,
But now my tears are vain;
Where shall my trembling sould be hid?
For I the Lord have slain.

A second look He gave, which said,
"I freely all forgive;
This blood is for thy ransom paid;
I die that thou mayst live."

Thus, while His death my sin displays
In all its blackest hue,
Such is the mystery of grace,
It seals my pardon too,

With pleasing grief and mournful joy,
My spirit is now filled;
That I should such a life destroy,
Yet live by him I killed.

- John Newton

Zheng-Kai 5K

The journey began the night before, meeting some friends in downtown Zhengzhou. Getting to our meeting place was an adventure in itself, which involved playing 'frogger' across 8 lanes of traffic twice, leaping a median each time. Nothing to see here. Move along.

Theresa, Erika, and I stayed with our friends in the city that night, which was such a huge blessing for the next day. We awoke around 5:00am to make our way to our respective races. I was doing to easy 5K, while Erika chose to run the 1/2, and the amazing Theresa set out for the full marathon.

The race was crazy. There is no other way that I know how to describe it. Imagine 40,000 people running in a 5K AT THE SAME TIME. I know in my head that my city has a population of nine million, but this day, I actually felt it. I think that at least half of those people took my picture. Seriously. :)

As a side note, Chinese people are amazing. I was by myself, but quickly adopted by a group of college girls from another University in Zhengzhou. They helped me get where I needed to go, and stuck with me to get to the starting line. (I was almost at the front of the 40,000!) As I was nearing the 3/4 mark of the race, I was tired. I didn't want to run anymore. At this moment of weakness, a Chinese guy ran up next to me, waving the Chinese flag, looked into my eyes, and said, "加油; pinyin: jiāyoú", while pumping his fist. This phrase literally means 'add oil', but is like saying 'keep going'. This gave me to umph I needed to keep running and finish the race. Thank you random Chinese man with crazy hair. :)

My view for much of my time at the 5K

Some people wore costumes, and I thought these two guys were just charming.

SO MANY PEOPLE

Are you sensing a pattern? :)

I took this one right after this guy snapped my photo as he ran by. He was super excited!

Right before I left- more photos. :)