A Summer of WOW!

I have no words…well, actually I have quite a few words…but I don’t have enough or the right kind of words to express how wonderful this summer has been.  I have been so blessed and spoiled by every person that I saw this summer.  I have never had so much fun in my life and I have never had such a full and active summer.  I’m headed home now for a much needed vacation from my vacation…oh wait.  School starts in a couple weeks…I guess I’ll just have to survive on exhausted.

         Ok, so before I tell you all the wonderful details of my trip, (well, at least enough details that you enjoy this post and not so many that you are bored) let me give you a few facts about my trip.

• My road trip was 44 days (6 weeks 2 days) long (if I include NM with my family, it was 55 days).
• I drove about 8,500 miles and it took about 140 hours to drive that far.
• I drove through 25 states and stopped in 14 of those states to see people.
• I saw at least 50 people I know on my trip.
• I went to several places I had never been to before, but the two highlights were Seattle and Washington DC.
• Washington and Oregon have the best roads to drive on...curvy mountain roads at 70mph.  Talk about a thrill ride. :)
• I only spent nine nights in hotels. 
• I slept on beds, floors, couches, cots, and air mattresses.
• I saw both the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean.
• I never made it swimming, I never burned (even though I have the darkest tan I’ve ever had), and I ate more fast food then I ever want to remember.
• McDonalds (for breakfast) and Chipotle were my two favorite restaurants to stop at when on the road.
• I made it back to China with two 50lb. bags and didn’t have to pay for either.

Ok, that’s enough random details.  Here come the highlights.  And if I visited you and you are reading this, THANK YOU!  You are the reason my summer was awesome.

• New Mexico with family – Well, spending time with family and mom keeping my calm through multiple panic attacks while trying to pack everything into two suitcases.
• Tucson with Mandie and Tim– A trip to the zoo :)
• Moreno Valley with Loraine and friends – Mission Inn, talking parrots, art museums, long lunches, and church
• Sacramento with Aunt Jeannette, Uncle David, Amanda, Clinton, and Jeremiah – Laughter, Panera, and amazing Italian food
• Seattle with me, myself, and I – Pike’s Place, King Tut Exhibit, and finally riding a dick bus
• Bellevue with the Herzog’s – Dinner with good friends
• Bozeman with Kari and Mike – Dinner with wonderful friends
• Minnesota and Iowa with Kelley and family – Stuffed burgers, old cars and ice cream, fireworks on the farm, and grandma’s cooking
• Baltimore with the Canner family – Brave, tours of Washington DC in 100F, and pickles ;)
• Sneads Ferry with the Doty’s – Catching up with old friends and drives on the beach
• Warner Robins with Ian – Dollar theater movie, homemade food, and Atlanta Aquarium
• Waleska with the Aldous’ – Stone Mountain, Spiderman, and a “Georgia worship” light show
• Maryville with the Moore’s – relaxation, wonderful 2 year-olds, birthday, zoo, attempted bowling, putt-putt, Pinterest, and wonderful friends for life
• Williamsburg with Tab – Dark Knight Rises, laughter with brothers, and touring a fire station
• Xenia with Terri – Hairspray and a wonderful friend
• Kettering with the Linden’s – Sleep deprivation, newborn babies, Cheesecake Factory, and baby whispering
• Denver with Kris – LAUGHTER!, Rick Springfield, gardens, and wonderful burgers
• Denver with Jon – Cheesecake Factory, great conversation, and watching the Olympics
• Phone with Anna - Good conversation with a wonderful friend!

Dear friends, I can’t tell you how loved I feel after this summer.  My heart is breaking to know that I have to leave you all here in America.  I can’t wait to see you again.  Thank you for making my summer so wonderful and memorable.  Thank you for asking questions about my life in China.  Come see me in China if you can.