International Day

Last week we had International Day at school. All of the students were encouraged to dress up in clothing representing their country of origin. We had a great assembly with performers dancing, singing, and playing instruments from all over the world. At lunch, parents brought in lots of different international foods. Students (and teachers!) really enjoyed the feast.

Preston and Joshua representing Korea

Sebastian dressed as a German soccer fan, and Jessica dressed in a silk Chinese dress

Cute little Nikki, the youngest in the class

Ron and Brandon, goofing off as usual

Best friends Jessica, Nikki, and Penelope

The Feast

Quick Trip to Singapore

Nate had to go to Singapore a couple of weeks ago for a conference.  I had Friday off from school, so I decided to join him for a long weekend (since the hotel was already paid for by the school!).  Singapore was H-O-T!  From what I hear, there aren't seasons.  It's just hot.  

It was definitely fun to get away for the weekend and see somewhere new.  We had heard it has the nickname of "Asia Light."  I have to agree, after visiting.  Singapore seems to have been heavily influenced by western culture, much more so than Hong Kong.  They even have the Gap there... actually, a few of them!  

We had some great food while we were in Singapore.  We had to try the famed chili crab.  It was about the messiest food I've ever eaten.  They bring out a pretty large crab covered and surrounded by chili sauce, and you just have to go for it.  I was practically up to my elbows in chili crab.  They have a bunch of sinks in the restaurant so you can wash off all of the chili crab when you're finished, because it's much more than you can remove with a napkin or two.

Singapore has great plants and trees.  Very jungle-ish (well, if you ignore all of the buildings and streets).

The next few photos are from the orchid garden.  Singapore is known for its orchids.

Me sweating profusely during the 3 hour walk around the humid orchid garden.

A hip new kind of pedicure where fish eat the dead skin off your feet.  (I'm not joking.)

The next few photos are from a part of Singapore called Little India.  We had awesome Indian food there and enjoyed wandering around and looking at Hindu temples.

A gigantic Buddha at the Temple of 1,000 Lights.

Just saw this coconut tree on the side of the rode and thought I'd take a photo.

Nate in Chinatown.  Nate's comments: "We live in China.  Why do we need to go to Chinatown?"  Unfortunately, Chinatown was very touristy.  

More of Rome

Since we went to Rome over Easter weekend, we had the opportunity to attend the Stations of the Cross at the Colosseum on Friday night to see the Pope.

It was insanely crowded, so we didn't get extremely close to the Pope. This photo was the best we could do. It was dark, so the lens on the camera had to stay open a long time to get the photo- it's a bit blurry because I couldn't hold it perfectly still that long.

There was quite a crowd there to see the Pope.


This was at a market we went to. Click on the photo to enlarge and check out the suction cups on that squid!

(It was artichoke season.)

We really enjoyed seeing Ancient Rome. It's amazing to see anything that's up to 3000 years old. Unfortunately, our tour guide was speaking a mile a minute, so I can't remember a lot of what she said.

This is the main gate into Ancient Rome. It is where emperors marched the slaves they captured in war.



The Colosseum in the daytime.


Inside the Colosseum.


The Trevi Fountain- the photo definitely doesn't do it justice. As tradition states, we threw coins in over our shoulders so we can be guaranteed another trip to Rome.

Well, that's it. Italy in a nutshell (or, rather, in 4 blog posts). It was definitely my favorite trip I've taken so far, and there's so much I haven't even seen....yet!

Italy Part 3, Rome

Ah, Rome.  Our last and favorite stop on our little tour of Italy.  We had 3 nights in Rome, but could have easily spent a week or two there with all there is to see and do.  We have so many great photos from Rome that even after narrowing it down to my faves, I will still have to do two installments.  Remember- you can click on the photos to enlarge them if you want to see more detail.

We arrived in Rome around 4pm or so, dropped our belongings off at the hotel, and rushed out to start touring around town.  The first few photos are from the Piazza del Popolo

The obelisk below was brought from Egypt to Rome in 10BC.

The next two photos are of the Spanish Steps, which were unbelievable packed with people.

Across from the Trevi Fountain, there were locks covering the gates around a church.  Couples from all over the world have written their names and professions of love on the locks and thrown away the keys.  Unfortunately, I've read that since we left the thousands of locks have been removed.

The Pantheon (126 AD)

The next two photos are in the Piazza Navona.  The first is of the top of the church, and  the next shows part of the Fountain of the Four Rivers, designed by Bernini.

Castel Sant'Angelo

We had an amazing tour of the Vatican with the most knowledgeable tour guide ever.  It was one of our favorite parts of the trip.  

St. Peter's Basilica

The window the Pope speaks from on very special occasions

The baldacchino designed by Bernini (a mere 98 ft. tall).  Click on the photo to enlarge it and look for Bernini's signature bees on it.

A Swiss guard (I think he was looking at me when I took the picture!)

Walls going out from the sides of St. Peter's in an arch

"The Torso," a huge inspiration for Michelangelo

One of so many amazing ceilings we saw

View of the dome of St. Peter's from inside the Vatican Museum

TO BE CONTINUED...