Pittsburgh PA

I know it's been a really long time since I've blogged...but that's because I haven't really been traveling. I've been spending most of my time in Durham, NC. But this past weekend I took a short trip to Pittsburgh PA. Pittsburgh is a nice compact city (or so it seemed). Everything seemed to be really close, well at least in the heart of the city. Went to see Carnegie Mellon University, Mount Washington, and did some tax-free shopping!!! That is the one great thing about Pittsburgh... no tax on clothes!! It was great. too bad I didn't really buy anything. Plus another wonderful thing about Pittsburgh is they have H&M!!!! Man do I miss that shop! Here are a few pictures taken from Mount Washington. Enjoy!

Cable car up to the view:

Pittsburgh in the background
(my face was frozen from the cold!!)

Famous "postcard" view...(well minus the fence)

Toronto Canada

I know in my previous blog entry I said I wouldn't be leaving the country for awhile...well I guess I have to take that back. (or not, depending on how you view canada. HAHA). This past weekend I went to Toronto Canada to visit my aunt/uncle and cousins. it was a really last minute trip and super packed trip since we were only there for 3 days (including flying time). Apologies for not having too many pictures...but when you're strapped for time, taking pictures isn't exactly a top priority. Hope you enjoy anyways!

hotel in toronto:

bubble tea:

ms asia toronto paegant in the mall:

i met the terracotta soldiers:

i even met his horse:

mmm pig:

"stand by me..."

back to the motherland

My last trip out of the states for a long long time was this past few weeks...I went back to Taiwan to visit family and friends. It was a really GREAT trip, but the flight out there was SUPER long (almost 24 hours including layover times). My family and I visited quite a few cities during the 3 weeks, some of which include: taoyuan, hualien, jielong, hehuan san, taipei(of course), dansui, yilan, sanchong, tainan, and taizhong. If you ever have a chance to go to asia, taiwan is a definite MUST. There is so much happening there, and the food is AMAZING and SUPER cheap compared to europe!!! :) Here are some pictures.

Taipei city:

Night Market:

pink guava: YUMMM

Dansui:

Jumping picture:

HeHuan San:

Visiting a Bee Farm:

mmm honey:

Taipei 101:

yumm teppanyaki:

classic drink-bubble tea:

coke inspired bathroom (the stalls were coke cans):

hello kitty at the airport:

mango soda flavored kitkat in Tokyo:

The Sunshine State

Now that I'm back from Europe...it seems kind of sad to stop blogging since I'm still traveling all over the place. So I've decided to continue my blog..though the adventures will be "all over the world" (well this year...mostly in the USA).

Recently I went to Miami Florida for 1 week to work as a counselor for the UOTS Children's Cancer camp (in collaboration with the Miami's Children Hospital). What an amazing trip. I spent the week working with fellow dukies in Miami, taking care of 30+ children (all with cancer)... we went to Universal Orlando (both parks), swimming with dolphins, pool party in the Keys, campfire, bowling, disco cruise...etc etc etc. Of course the actvities were amazing, but getting to know the kids and realizing how we shouldn't take the little things for granted...that made the whole trip totally worthwhile. (well and seeing my dukies !!!! )

While I can't put any pictures of the campers online, here are some photos of me and maybe a few dukies throughout the course of the week. Enjoy!

Taking a break from walking at Universal:

NBA city- Kobe Bryant's hand print:

Dr Seussland; Green Eggs and Ham:

SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS!!!!!!

Squidword at Nick Hotel:

Campfire:

Dukies Reunion (Bob and TEEJ)!

"Camilla":

Jenny and I with our Fishbowl drink:

Relaxing at Jaguar post camp:

Delft Holland

My final stop before heading back to the US was Delft Holland. I spent about 3 days there visiting friends for one last time and touring a little bit more of Delft. Here are some pictures:

Oude Kerk:

Overview of "south holland" from the church:

Local Grocery Store:A Famous Bridge in Delft:

Eating Apples from the "park" at my friend's place:

Making "panekoeken" (dutch pancakes):

Save a Horse...Ride a Cowboy!!!

Ever ridden a cow?!?!?! well recently I went to visit a nice farm near Spakenburg Holland....and guess what I did........I got to ride a cow!!! It was really an amazing experience! And of course I got to see the milking process and pet the cows and other animals at the farm. very cool. And it was especially neat for me because I dissect cow tails in the lab!!! HAHA. here are some pictures! ENJOY!

Cow Milking Process:

Riding a cow:

petting the female:

fishing
super cute dutch baby Jaan (means boy in dutch)