Just a little bit of fall in Chengdu

By the time we got back from our trip to Germany and Italy, we were well on our way to our countdown to heading back home for the Christmas holidays.

Joe and Kim with Gunny Sergeant

October passed quickly and soon it was November.  We attended the 2010 Marine Ball in Chengdu.  This was our third Marine Ball and it's something we look forward to each fall.  I love getting dressed up and spending the night honoring the brave Marine's serving our country and protecting the consulate here in Chengdu.  This year was even more special since Joe's company was represented by a full table.  There were people from here in Chengdu as well as from Nanchang sitting at the company table.  It was a fun night with good food and dancing too!

Great weekend with friends!

The following weekend Joe and I went with our friends, Kurt and Kim, to Beijing for a weekend of shopping.  It was beautiful weather in Beijing and we spent all day Saturday shopping at an outdoor market and the Silk Market.  Kim and I found some great gifts to take back to the states for Christmas.  Kurt and Joe even managed to get into the shopping spirit.  We had a great dinner on Saturday night at the Union Bar and Grill (great western style food).

Outdoor Market in Beijing

Outdoor Market in Beijing

Joe and I spent Thanksgiving day at Peter's Tex Mex with over 20 other friends.  Peter's served a traditional western Thanksgiving meal with turkey, stuffing and all the fixins, including pumpkin pie.  It was a great night with great friends.  A great place to be if you couldn't be with your family.

Thanksgiving at Peter's Tex Mex

The Saturday after Thanksgiving, Joe and I hosted company employees living in Chengdu to our house for Thanksgiving dinner.  We also had a few from Nanchang as well.  This is my time to get into the holiday spirit and cook for a group of people.  Hopefully it gave everyone a little bit of home feeling.  I know it did for me.

Before we knew it was November was gone and it was time to get ready for our trip home for the holidays!  Where did this year go?  We are two and a half years into our stay in China and hopefully heading into the stretch!

Love to all!