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| The "food" AirChina fed me :( |
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| My first sight of the California coast :D |
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| 11am service at First Baptist Church of Stockton |
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| Visited the family my mom used to work with - Dania was hanging the little white elephant ornament I gave her :) |
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| Such a sweet family |
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| For all those who think California is 'warm and sunny' all year round |
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| Our Christmas Tree |
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| 11pm Christmas Eve service at FBC Stockton |
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| Dad loved the picture I got for his office of the Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai |
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| And Mom loved the temple and two monks-in-training picture I got for her (among other things) |
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| Showing Dad how to tie his new fisherman pants lol |
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| More of that "warm" California weather right there.... |
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| Talking with my Grandpa |
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| Christmas Dinner |
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| Grandpa, Grandma, brother David, Aunt Robin, Dad, and me (Mom took the picture). My grandma unfortunately passed away the day after Christmas, but I was blessed to have been able to spend that special day with her. Rest in Peace, Grandma. I'll miss you. |
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| Lucy, my favoritest pooch in the whole wide world |
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| Waiting for Geoffory to arrive for our date |
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| Geoffory planned a lovely date, and we had a wonderful evening. I only wish I could have seen him more while I was home. |
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| At the McEfee's home in Georgetown for their winter party |
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| hahaha me and a surprised Mr McEfee |
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| Me and Tami McEfee |
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| Oh..well..I guess there was SOME good weather... ;) |
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| UM..cutest cupcakes ever. And most delicious, I might add. |
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| Dave's Retirement party at El Camino Baptist Church in Sacramento |
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| Line Dancing at the Davis Grad Saturday night |
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| Sunday morning service at El Camino |
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| Praying over Dave and Andrea since it was Dave's last Sunday |
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| David and Andrea, and me :) |
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| Line Dancing at the Grad on New Year's Eve (my friend Daniel next to me..and girl-whose-name-I-don't-know on the left there) |
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| Jen, Christian, me at the Grad |
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| My favorite bouncer, Jessie |
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| Jordan, the nice guy I gave a ride home to, who put gas in my car to thank me haha |
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| Last but not least, this was the "cute" little guy who sat next to me on the flight from SF to Beijing....cute, until he sat and squawked for 3 HOURS while everyone ELSE tried to sleep. There should really be a special class for people with small children. With soundproof dividers. |
My trip home was...not what I expected. It was full of emotional ups and downs, hellos and goodbyes, excitement and disappointment, and although I was glad to see/be with my family for the holidays, for the first time I felt like California was part of my past. A past that I plan to visit when I can, but I don't really feel like that's where I belong anymore. Thailand feels much more like home now, even though I've only got a few months left; looking forward to the next chapter in Australia. Thanks to those of you who made my visit home as good as it was.
