Christmas 2008

It's finally Christmas break!! Yep, I was still in school yesterday. Don't ask me about it, I'm still bitter. Over the weekend we had our staff party. In my classroom are 13 kids and 5 aides. Jackie (my FT aide) was gracious enough to host the party and we had a great time. Plenty to eat, even for me. I made a new salad that was good but not a hit for those who don't like beets. Yao filled up on turkey and ham. We left with a gift certificate to Cafe Rio and scented oil sticks (or whatever they're called).

Roasted Beets and Parsnips with Black Olives and Oranges
Serves 4 / Vegan / Gluten-Free / 20-30 min. prep

(Vegetarian Times magazine)

4 beets, peeled and diced (3 1/2 cups)
4 parsnips, peeled and cut into matchsticks (2 cups)
1 fennel bulb, cut into bite-size wedges (3/4 cup) (I substituted Anyse bulb.)
3 Tbs. garlic-infused olive oil
8 cups baby arugula (8 oz.) (I used mixed spring greens.)
2 oranges, peeled and sectioned, each section thinly sliced
1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives, coarsely chopped
2 Tbs. balsamic vinegar

1. Preheat oven to 450F. Place beets, parsnips, and fennel in large bowl. Add 2 Tbs. oil, and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper, if desired, and evenly scatter vegetables on baking sheet. Roast vegetables 20 minutes, turning 2 or 3 times with spatula. Increase oven temp to 500F. Roast vegetables 10 minutes more, or until tender.
2. Place arugula, orange slices, and olives in large salad bowl. Add roasted vegetables, balsamic vinegar, and remaining 1 Tbs. oil. Toss well to mix, and season with salt and pepper, if desired.

Saturday was out third anniversary. And Sunday we had a party with Ashley Phillips & fam and Renee Nipko & clan (6 kids but who's counting?). Yao built his first gingerbread house!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. More stories and pictures to come.

3rd wedding anniversary

December 20th is our wedding anniversary and yesterday made 3 years. We celebrated with reservations at the Melting Pot (although we were too full for dessert). Yao got a new pair of boots and I got to pick out an outfit at Anthropologie (my favorite store that I can't afford and don't have anywhere to wear the clothes). Anyway, lots of fun.

Yao's Olympic debut

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Yao got a job

Many of our friends and family know Yao has been job hunting since the Olympics finished (that was his criteria). He has been successful in his own small business ventures but had yet to be hired on with a company. Yesterday was his first day in training with UTA. He is a passenger counter on the Frontrunner while he pursues other possibilities such as: teaching Chinese for Davis School District or working for Zion's Bank.
BTW: Yao got his permanent green card last month. We'll both be happy when we don't have to give all our $ to the immigration department.

Summer Fun

Yao and I are trying to enjoy the last few days off we have together. We spent a fun-filled week with Mom and Alyvia before they left for Alaska. We rode the Frontrunner down to Salt Lake, went to Brigham City to swim, and spent the 24th at Ogden's rodeo. We also recently went to Timpanogos Cave and camping in Bear Lake.

Yao (gufu) and Alyvia on the FrontRunner

Grandma and Alyvia at Brigham City pool

Having fun at the rodeo

Timpanogos Cave

First time for everything

We are first time bloggers. It seems everyone is doing it and we didn't want to be left behind. Yao and I are in transition right now. We just got back from a 6 week trip to China. We stayed with Yao's family and also traveled around the country to see some of our old students. I've attached pictures of some of the highlights.
School starts back up for me August 25th but I have to go back to work on the 13th. So I'm trying to soak up all the extra sleep and fun I can in the next couple weeks. Then it is back to the grind. Yao is preparing to take the GMAT while looking for a job. His aspirations are to work for the Post Office j/k.
The last of my family has just left for Alaska and Yao and I are ready to enjoy a house to ourselves. As you know, there are certain perks to living alone. It was a lot of fun having everyone here for awhile though.
Stay tuned for more excitement to come.

The Golden Buddha in Hangzhou, China

Hong Kong Skyline

Yao's mother's cousin's grandson . . . or something like that

Torch bearer for the Beijing Olympics!!!

Yao's family in Xi'an, China