Adventures in Flip Flops

Wordless Wednesday: The Mekong Delta (Vietnam)

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren {Adventures in Flip Flops}) — Wed, 23 Sep 2015 10:00:00 +0000

I've been holding onto these for awhile because I've been lazy. But, as I travel back to American soil, YOU can enjoy the views from my lovely little oasis along the Mekong river at a little family-owned "resort" called the Mekong Lodge. Honestly, it was made more for couples and families rather than a solo late-twenties traveler, but it was a way better experience than taking a day tour or being at a big hotel.

Great memories.

On Believing in Yourself

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren {Adventures in Flip Flops}) — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 16:28:00 +0000

This story goes back a few years to when I went to Israel on Birthright with Israel Outdoors. Unlike most people, I did not have a life-changing Israel experience. I don't know if I'd even classify it as a great experience. I actually left feeling less confident in myself and felt so alienated from Judaism that I didn't re-join the Jewish community until last spring. This is not something that I often share because there were several causes for it and I don't think it's necessarily a productive conversation, but I definitely had a tough time.

One of the real sticking points of my trip was the sunrise climb up Masada. We left at something like 5 in the morning to be on the top of the mountain for the sunrise. I was on a hiking trip, which I was assurred was not very tough, and this hike in particular was "very easy." Well, not to me it wasn't. I wasn't in the best shape and I was wearing the wrong shoes. I didn't make it for the sunrise, and I caused two others {the ones who had to wait with me} to miss it also. Although one of them was trying to reassure me, her words of, "well, I guess we're gonna miss it," just made it so much worse. After that experience, I swore I would never go hiking again.

{Sunrise NOT from the top of Masada}

Clearly, I didn't stick to that, but all summer I've been self-conscious of being the "slow one." I'm a slow-and-steady hiker at the best of times, and I was very nervous that if I went on a sunrise hike, we just wouldn't make it, and it would be my fault. But, as I did some hiking, I noticed that I wasn't really holding anyone back, that I was more fit and we always made it to where we said we were going. I also realized that I am NOT the person that I was 5 years ago, and that I had changed not only in my abilities, but also because I no longer allow people to make me feel inferior.

{Yoga near the Matterhorn}

So, one morning, a friend and I hiked to the top of a mountain for the sunrise. It was a glorious, clear day, and the mountains were simply breathtaking.

{Looking towards Niesen}

{Lohner, Nunnihorn and Wildstrubel at sunrise}

In honor of believing in myself and conquering fears, I greeted the sunrise.

Don't let your past determine your future.

Switzerland: The Beginning

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren {Adventures in Flip Flops}) — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 07:00:00 +0000

Hello everyone, from Switzerland! For those who don't know, I'm here volunteering with the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts {WAGGGS} at Our Chalet. Sometimes I get to lead hikes, and sometimes I clean bathrooms, but it's been so very rewarding. I'm working on several posts to document my adventures around Switzerland {and later Europe} but here are some pictures to tide you over:

Lai M

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren {Adventures in Flip Flops}) — Sun, 17 May 2015 04:40:00 +0000

In Chinese, "Lai M" {or 来M} is slang for "period." So, this is going to be a fun post for many of you. And, by fun I mean, maybe a little gross. It might push you a little outside of your comfort zone. BUT, keep reading.

About 9 months ago I was on YouTube and an ad for an Intimina Kickstarter campaign popped up. It was for a reusable menstrual cup called the Lily Cup Compact. It was advertised as a soft, collapsible cup that was comfortable, safe, etc. Now, I'd heard about cups before, specifically the Diva Cup, but I never really considered using one. I thought it sounded gross.

But, this campaign piqued my interest, and I became a supporter. My "prize" was a Lily Cup, and a Lily Cup Compact and it was scheduled to arrive well before I came home for Christmas. Of course, there was some sort of customs issue and they didn't come until about two days before I came back to China. I really wanted to try a cup though, I ended up buying a Sckoon cup while I was in the US as well.

{Source: Intimina}

Armed with 3 cups and no tampons {first time I didn't bring massive amounts back with me!} I headed back to Asia. I got the chance to test this the first day back when I was stuck in Hong Kong. And you know what?! It was amazing!

Now, let me say, I was not one of those women who had no learning curve and who couldn't feel it right away...there were some issues. I *could* feel it {I used the Lily Cup} though it didn't hurt. I was always worried it was leaking {it wasn't} and kept running back to the bathroom to check. Also, it was a bit messy at first as I got the hang of things. Yet, despite the hiccups, I still liked it better than tampons.

And now, after 5 cycles and another new cup {this time a Lunette, which I *highly* recommend} I am SOLD. But, why do I love mine so much?

{Source: Lunette}

Chemicals: Disposable tampons and pads are convenient, but unless you're buying unbleached organic cotton products {or you already use re-usable pads}, you're sticking something into your body which contains pesticides and bleaching chemicals. Yay? Also, this story just came out about how no one has done testing on tampons to monitor the long-term side-effects of dioxin. Double yay. Cups, on the other hand, are made from medical grade silicone, natural rubber, or TPE {thermo-plastic elastomer, also medical-grade}. These materials have been tested and approved for use in medicine, which means that they are non-absorbent, don't leech anything into anywhere and can be washed and sterilized after each cycle.

Waste: Pads and tampons {and their wrappers} end up in landfills. Even when you flush a biodegradable tampon, it goes into your local septic system and is removed with other solid waste. On the other hand, your cup is simply emptied, rinsed and re-inserted and you can use them for awhile. In order to gain FDA approval, most cup manufacturers tell you to replace every year. However, in other countries, they claim that you can replace every 10 years or as-needed {whichever comes first}.

Capacity: Tampons and pads can only absorb so much, before you have to change them. If you're a lucky lady with a heavy flow, that sometimes means running to the bathroom every 2-3 hours {6ish times a day}. With a cup it's different because it holds more. If you have a normal flow and depending on the capacity of your cup, you usually only have to change them 2-3 times a day. That's way more convenient, especially if you're not excited about dealing with period issues in public bathrooms {and let me tell you, public bathrooms in China are....fun?}. As a bonus, there's not really a risk of TSS with cups, so leaving it in for 12 hours isn't a big deal.

Traveling: I travel a lot, and I'm about to be "on the road" for about 5 months. Who wants to haul around that many tampons or *hope* something you like to use is where you're going? Not me. I pack in my three cups {depending on certain things I switch mine out, but many women just have and use one cup} and it's just not a big deal. It's also easy to simply carry a cup with you at all times and use it when you need to without worry that it'll be "enough" until you get home.

Comfort: Tampons, in particular, are made to be very absorbent inside your body. Because they work so well, they absorb your flow {good!} and...everything else {not great}. Ever wonder why it's really uncomfortable to insert or remove a tampon toward the end of your cycle? It's because all of your natural lubrication is getting sucked into the tampon {I did warn you about TMI, yes?}. That increases the chance for irritation and can also cause micro-scratches which are uncomfortable, but also leave you prone to infections. Cups CAN also be irritating, especially when you first get used to them, but most of this can be rectified by practice and over-the-counter water-based lubricant.

I'm not a cup expert, but when I was looking into this I DID get a lot of information from women who know a lot more than I do. Some resources I used were: Precious Stars Pads, Amy Nix, and Dirty Diaper Laundry. These are real women who are honest and speak frankly about their experiences. They also have some great information on how to choose a cup, what to look for, how to figure out your anatomy, etc.

It really has changed my life, or at least, how I prepare for "that time of the month." This particular solution won't work for everyone and not everyone is going to want to switch. But, if this sounds interesting in the slightest, I urge you to check out the links for more information.

Happy periods, friends!

**Disclaimer: I get absolutely nothing if you click the links. I just used these products and resources and like them or found them helpful. Your mileage may vary.

Embracing New Adventures

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren {Adventures in Flip Flops}) — Thu, 14 May 2015 03:07:00 +0000

Do you remember about 3 years ago {three years!!} when I was debating whether I wanted to come work in China, or if I wanted to take a dream job at home? Obviously, I came to China, and have had so many fun experiences. But, it became clear to me that I needed something else.

This was especially so after I led a few adventure trips with a local start-up company. I was so happy and relaxed after those trips and it was clear to me that I was ready to move on. However, I am a firm believer in making plans, saving, and waiting for the right opportunity to come along.

Finally, it did. I just left my job in China for a short-term, amazing, volunteer opportunity in Switzerland. Yes, Switzerland! I am excited, nervous, apprehensive, but ready to conquer something new.

Saying goodbye was difficult, one of the more difficult things I have done in awhile. I'll miss the friends and spectacular folks I have met in China, and can't being to tell you what an impact they have made on my life. Currently, I'm traveling before I head to Zurich. Look for those posts soon!

Hello new adventures!

Cambodia: Angkor Wat

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren {Adventures in Flip Flops}) — Fri, 01 May 2015 06:08:00 +0000

Back in October I planned a trip to Angkor Wat. I was originally undecided between there and Yunnan {a beautiful area in southern China}, and was persuaded to go by a few friends. I had to cancel that trip so that I could fly home and see my Nana. I absolutely made the right choice at that time, but I knew it was important to her that I still travel and see everything. So, when I made plans for Spring Festival this year, Cambodia was my very first stop. Angkor is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that extends 400 km {squared} and includes temples, villages, schools, dams, and a whole lot else.

Y'all I was blown away. As you'll see over my next few posts, Angkor is stunning. The idea that what was built so long ago {the 9th century!} is still here and still so relatively well preserved is astounding. And humbling.

The pictures below are of Angkor Wat, probably the most famous of all the temples in Angkor. It was originally built as a Hindu temple and gradually changed to Buddhist as the religious make-up of the Khmer empire changed. You can read about the history and architecture of Angkor Wat here {yes, I did just link to Wikipedia}.

What "wonders of the world" have you seen?

Book Review: The Martian

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren {Adventures in Flip Flops}) — Wed, 29 Apr 2015 06:06:00 +0000

Oh, hi there! Um, I haven't done a book review, or blogged regularly in awhile. Sometimes, life just gets a hold of you and you want to live in the moment. Or, you have a lot of intense things happening and you don't know what to say. Or you're lazy. Or, all of the above.

But, after I posted some pics of Hong Kong {and am preparing posts about my trip to Cambodia and Vietnam} I realized that maybe I was ready to blog again. So, here I am.

{Source: Goodreads}

The Martian, by Andy Weir, is kind of sci-fi, and kind of not. Astronaut Mark Watney is presumed dead and left on Mars as the 3rd Mars landing mission is aborted due to technical problems. The only thing? He's not dead.

That's maybe not a great thing considering that a) nobody knows this because his comm system fried itself, b) he has to figure out how to survive long enough for NASA to rescue him and c) he has to figure out how to get in contact with NASA in the first place.

This novel was awesome. I couldn't put it down. It hit all my sweet spots for novels: science, space, journals, NASA. I really enjoyed the characters and how Weir interpreted that NASA would handle this crisis, and I loved how it all played out via Earth, Mars, and the astronauts still in space during the ordeal. Reading the last few pages of the novel was tense....really tense. It was just like watching an action movie with everything going on. Timing was critical and Weir wrote it extremely well. I felt incredibly satisfied when I finished this novel.

I absolutely recommend this novel to anyone who: is an engineer, likes science, likes space, enjoys sci-fi, or just likes a good novel. You won't be sorry!

Hong Kong: Big Buddha

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren {Adventures in Flip Flops}) — Wed, 04 Mar 2015 01:43:00 +0000

Since I get to go to Hong Kong a lot, I try and space out my tourist-y visits over the course of each time I go. Sometimes I go to buy Western clothes or food, and sometimes, I just need a break from the mainland. But, one time in December, I went to see Big Buddha.

Y'all. He was so cool. You have to take a cable car called Ngong Ping 360 to get to Ngong Ping village and then walk from there and you have the option of a glass bottomed cable car {highly recommend}. It's a cute little touristy "town" with all kinds of things to buy (including Starbucks and Subway) and it's about a 5-10 minute walk to Buddha.

There is also a monastery nearby that will sell you lunch.

Enjoy!

Guangzhou

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren {Adventures in Flip Flops}) — Mon, 02 Mar 2015 03:49:00 +0000

In my excitement to post about places like Hong Kong and Qingyuan, I've been remiss in not telling you about the city I live in. Guangzhou is a big, bustling city that reminds me a lot of Houston. It has the same weather, the same types of sprawl, and is serious about it's ice {hallelujah, ice water is not a weird thing here}.

On the other hand, it's crowded. So many people everywhere, all the time. I went to my favorite hot pot restaurant on a Sunday night at 9pm. 2 hour wait. WHAT?! Who are all these people and why aren't they in bed?

Seriously though, this city has a lot to offer. It's the unique position of sharing a border with "the West." During the Boxer Rebellion and Cultural Revolution, many people escaped through Canton {Guangzhou/Guandong} to Hong Kong. Many people here speak at least 3 languages: Mandarin, Cantonese and English. The local food is what you might expect if you've only ever had Americanized Chinese food: sweet and sour pork or chicken, steamed vegetables, dumplings, egg drop soup, etc. I personally prefer 北京菜 or 四川菜 {Beijing or Sichuan food} but it's fun to have super easily available dim sum that is also reliably delicious.

One of the most iconic structures in GZ is the Canton TV Tower. It lights up like a rainbow at night, and can be seen almost anywhere in the city. I happen to live very close to it and the city center, so there is a lot for me to see an do.

Enjoy some pictures of my city. Despite how big it is, there are plenty of scenic spots, parks, and pagodas!

{The Guangzhou Tower viewed from a busy market}

{Pearl River New Town on a blue sky day}

{Chigang Pagoda. I see this everyday when I bike to work}.

What do you love about where you live?

Hong Kong

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren {Adventures in Flip Flops}) — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 05:54:00 +0000

One of the reasons I chose to re-locate to Guangzhou is because of the proximity to both Hong Kong and other Southeast Asian countries. I'll get to see parts of the world which were difficult for me to see when I was in Tianjin.

I'll be honest: I'm not really a fan of Guangzhou. It's bigger and busier than Tianjin and I feel like I have NO personal space. Despite my loathing of big and busy cities {and I moved to China? I know}, Hong Kong is one of my very favorite places. The character just oozes out of every building there. It truly is east meets west, and I think, what most westerners first picture when they think of "what China is."

I went for the first time with my friend Olivia, from Tianjin. It was wonderful. Western manners, lots of English, and Chinese food. I had a fantastic time and have already been back several times.

Some highlights from my first three trips: Victoria Peak {gorgeous}, Disneyland, a ropes course, the JCC, and shopping. Lots of shopping. Y'all, I can't get enough of this place.

What are your favorite places?

Qingyuan

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren {Adventures in Flip Flops}) — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 09:32:00 +0000

One of the nice things about working for a big company is that from time to time we get to do fun things as a "team building" project. Although I disagree on what they call "team-building" over here {sometimes, that just means dinner}, our trips are often pretty fun.

Last September {has it really been that long since I've been? Yikes!} we took a center-wide {my work location is called a "center"} trip to go "rafting." Well, it wasn't really rafting {no steering or paddle required}, but it WAS a lot of fun. Each person got into a "raft" with a partner, and you spent the next hour going down what is essentially a big water slide. The water was cool/cold, and surprisingly clean. I'm skeptical about the usefulness of the "safety equipment," {a dubious helmet and pfd combo}, but it was definitely a good time.

As a bonus, we got to eat a catered lunch on a river boat on the way to the rafting spot. The whole thing was reminiscent of Schlitterbahn {oh, I miss Texas}, and makes me want to be in the Hill Country again.

In October I returned to the same county to help lead adventure trips. The scenery is just beautiful, and it was so nice to be camping and biking again. It makes me crave more outdoor adventures! I have some plans in the works for Spring Festival (February) and also Christmas in the US. Whoop!

What adventures have you been on lately?

Book Review: And the Mountains Echoed

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren {Adventures in Flip Flops}) — Fri, 26 Sep 2014 10:00:00 +0000

Well, hello Book Club Friday, visitors. I haven't linked up in a looong while, mainly because I haven't felt like writing. But, never fear, I HAVE been reading. I picked up And the Mountains Echoed maybe a few months ago, and put a "starter" version of this post into my post list, but never finished it. So, here's the final entry for Book Club!

I was a big, big fan of The Kite Runner and and even bigger fan of A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseni. So, when And the Mountains Echoed came out I put myself on the wait list at the library immediately. I finally got tired of waiting and ended up buying it from Amazon.

{Source: Goodreads}

The plot of the story is split. The novel begins with a father telling his kids a story. We meet a brother and a sister, and learn a little about their lives in a small, rural town of Afghanistan. What follows is an extraordinary story. The kids are split and sent follow drastically different life paths. Meanwhile, war comes to Afghanistan and the people and places they knew are changed.

I have to say, I wasn't wowed. It was good. Hosseni is a great author and this novel had some good characters. But, at times, I felt like it moved slowly and I had a hard time staying with it at some points. I also got really confused, sometimes, about who was who, so then I had to go back and read to remember who everyone was.

That being said, if you enjoyed his other novels, you should read this one. It is powerful. As an American who has never been through the uncertainty that war brings it's easy to forget how simple our lives really are. This narrative is a strong reminder of how the world functions for many of it's inhabitants and how as humans we can be more aware of the impacts we make on others.

What books have you read lately?

To catch up on what I've been reading, visit me on Goodreads or my Pinterest Books board.

Also, here are the top 10 books that have stayed with me.

My Top Ten

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren {Adventures in Flip Flops}) — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 15:52:00 +0000

People often ask me what my favorite book is. That, friends, is an impossible choice. I like so many of them and so many have had an influence on my reading habits, and frankly, my life. So, when my cousin Samantha challenged me to list my top 10 books on Facebook, I thought it was a more manageable list than just 1.

In no order, here are the books that have influenced me the most or stayed with me in some way:

1. The Mists of Avalon; Marion Zimmer Bradley: This novel was one of the very first fantasy novels that I read where women were the heros and the strong ones. Still one of my favorite series.

2. Outlander; Diana Gabaldon: One of the kids I babysat had a mom who was a big reader, and when she found out I read some of the same stuff she did, she told me I should read this novel. I put it off for awhile and FINALLY picked it up last January. I ended up reading the whole series straight through {thank goodness the library had all of them for my kindle}. Now, I gush about this novel {and series} any chance I get. You can read my review here. Run, do not walk, to the bookstore to buy the whole series. Then ensconce yourself in a flurry couch with some coffee, and tell your friends you won't see them for a few months. They're THAT good.

3. The Red Tent; Anita Diamonte: Again, with the strong women! This is a biblical fiction novel about Dinah, a sort of foot-noted character in the Tanach. The story really illustrates the type of society we could have where women take care of each other. It was an awesome read.

4. The Giver; Lois Lowry: I love dystopian novels, and as far as I am concerned this one is the best. I read it twice before I *had* to read it in 8th grade. I couldn't get enough. It simply doesn't compare to other novels. It is the best one.

5. The Little House on the Prairie; Laura Ingalls Wilder: I secretly wanted to be Laura when I grew up. And, to some extent I have. I can bake bread from scratch {and cook for a crowd}, I love being in the woods, I'm practical with money, I'm a teacher. I'm not very good with livestock, but we can't have everything in life!

6. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows; JK Rowling: Let's be real, the whole series should be here, but the last one was the most poignant for me. I do re-read the whole series once every few years, and I'm due another re-read {the last one was when I first came to China}. Harry Potter is my childhood.

7. The Sleeping Beauty Series; Anne Rocquelaire: You know what I really love about this series? It's erotica written by a woman for women. It's intense and full of fantasy and wonderful.

8. Ender's Game; Orson Scott Card: I got this novel first from a friend in high school {hi, Ben!}. I kinda took his and he had to buy a new one. I've now read most of his series and they're pretty solid in the way of science fiction-y spaceship novels.

9. The Chosen; Chaim Potok: Reading this novel was the first time I laughed out loud at a novel {that I remember}. It was just so....Jewish! The mannerisms, the stuff I recognized from my own life, it was all there. I never realized how a novel could connect me so much to my own background and identity.

10. The Cry of the Kalahari; Mark and Delia Owens: I read this book as a freshman in high school and, really, I devoured it. The Owenses sold everything and made their way to Africa to study lions in Botswana. I read the sequel, also, and it was fantastic!

11. Flow; Mihayli Csikszentmihayli: Well, I cheated and added another one. Flow basically guided my entire thesis and it's not really about sex at all. Czikszentmihayli argues that a flow experience is one where we lose track of time and everything around us, and it's used quite a lot in recreation theory. It's highly readable, and fascinating.

And, of course, there are many more. So, some honorable mentions go to: The Time Traveler's Wife; Wuthering Heights; Shanghai Girls; Monique and the Mango Rains; The Host; My Life in France; The Boxcar Children series; The Babysitters' Club series; Into the Woods; The Lemon Tree; Ready Player One; The Queen's Fool; The Children's Book; The Uncoupling; The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society; Pillars of the Earth; Island of the Blue Dolphins; The Forgotten Garden; A Wrinkle in Time; The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.

And, let's not pretend this is all of them. Just what I could remember when I went through my Goodreads list!

What books have stuck with you?

Hong Kong: Disneyland

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren {Adventures in Flip Flops}) — Mon, 01 Sep 2014 14:47:00 +0000

You know it's part of my Bucket List to visit all the Disney Parks, right? I've knocked a fair few off having worked at Walt Disney World and then visiting Tokyo Disneyland last October. Now that I live in Guangzhou, I'm very close to Hong Kong, and thus, Hong Kong Disneyland.

This one is different than other Disney Parks because it is very small. Space is at a premium in Hong Kong, even more so than it was in Tokyo {which still had two parks and two resorts!} which means that many of the things I take for granted at Disney {Tower of Terror!} just aren't there.

Still, the parade was fantastic, Cast Members were wonderful and it was a fantastic, stress-free day. I'm gonna go back soon!

Have you been anywhere exciting lately?

Last Days in Tianjin

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren {Adventures in Flip Flops}) — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 05:09:00 +0000

I've been turning over this post in my head for days. Would I write it? Would I be able to? Would I remember to take enough pictures or be able to put how I feel about this city into this space? I've been pretty vague about my life here. I share a lot of adventures but not a lot about my personal life and work. Part of that is because, despite writing on this blog, I am a private person. I prefer to really control the information I put on the internet as much as I can. I'm not one of those passive-aggressive Facebook status-updaters and I don't really share my struggles electronically.

But, a lot has happened to me in Tianjin. I've made friends, I've lost them. Work was a battle ground, for awhile. I worked very hard for a promotion, then got it, but it didn't make me as happy as I thought it would {see above with work being a battle ground}. Being far away from my family has been hard for many reasons {illness, death, etc.} and I've thought many, many times of just coming home. I kept hanging on, though, because some of the best people I've ever met live here. I have had some crazy fun nights and I have grown more as a person here than I have anywhere in a long time.

And then, the decision to leave Tianjin was made for me by my company. I've moved to Guangzhou. When I first heard the news, I was OK with it for awhile, and excited for a new adventure. Then, suddenly, the idea of leaving was overwhelming. Time was slipping away and I realized that I might not see some of my favorite people for a long time, if ever again. Being an expat is not for the feint of heart, and especially not in a place like China where people come and go so frequently.

But, I also realized that I could preserve these memories and tuck them away. And that, in this age of easy travel {by train, by bus, by plane} that it really isn't goodbye. It's 再见 {zai jian}, which means, roughly "until we meet again." So, here are some pictures from my last few days and weeks in Tianjin.

Good memories!

Book Review: Ready Player One

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren {Adventures in Flip Flops}) — Fri, 23 May 2014 10:00:00 +0000

I love The Big Bang Theory. I love that this show has made being a nerd "cool," and I love that they portray geek-y stuff as just one of those things that people like. I'm sure part of the love is because I am also a geek, and though I don't know *everything* the boys do on the show, I follow their science jokes and Star Trek problems.

So, when I heard about the novel Ready Player One by Earnest Cline, I knew I had to read it. The novel takes place some time in the future, where there are increasing problems like famine, war, disparity, genocide, and, in the case of the US, corporate-ization of the political process {sound familiar?}.

{Source: Goodreads}

The one thing that everyone has to keep their mind off of all of these problems is OASIS a virtual reality world where you can choose your avatar and live the life you can't live in real life {IRL}. OASIS was created by a man named James Halliday, and when he dies, he announces to the world that he has hidden 3 keys and 3 gates in the OASIS. The first one to find them all gets his fortune and ownership of OASIS.

What follows is an engaging story about a teenager's quest to not only find the keys and gates, but also to beat IOI, a corporation who cheats their way through the game to acquire the rights to privatize
OASIS.

Y'all, I LOVED this novel. I loved the political commentary on how powerful corporations have and could become {and on the danger of living permanently online, all the time}. I loved that the protagonists were the quiet geeks, the ones that many of us pay no attention to because they like "all the weird stuff." I loved that to defeat the game, Hailliday required those working on solving his puzzles to know about what he loved: Star Trek, manga, science fiction movies, Monty Python, old video games, 80's bands etc. It kind of reminds me of being in high school in tech theatre.

If you are a geek, if you know a geek, if you just want a great novel and you kinda like Big Bang Theory.... read this novel. You won't regret it!

What have you been reading lately?

Qingdao: The Brewery

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren {Adventures in Flip Flops}) — Wed, 21 May 2014 11:17:00 +0000

Since I have come to China, I have come to really appreciate beer. The third-spaces for expats tend to be pubs {I've been hanging out with Brits and Irishmen too much!} and beer is usually fairly cheap and readily available. And, believe it or not, there are a fair amount of local breweries around, especially in cities with a large foreign/cosmopolitan influence.

One of the first cities to have an independent brewery was Qingdao {yes, Tsingtao}. Tsingtao hasn't been a a little independent German brewery in a long time, but I was very interested in going to see it and the city of Qingdao herself. The Olympic Sailing competition was held there in 2008, and I'd heard many good things about how nice the city is. So, I treated myself to a weekend away for my 28th birthday!

Qingdao is all about it's beer. You can buy cheap, "raw" {unfiltered} beer in little baggies from kegs that come straight from the production floor. I decided to take a tour first, and then wander around and find some lunch. I'm glad I went. There was a lot of historical information about the history of the brewery {it was owned and operated by Asahi during the Japanese occupation for example, and didn't start mass production and export until the 90's} and you got two free samples of beer from the factory.

This is a fountain in the outside courtyard of the museum. Reception, the museum itself, and parts of the old and new facilities are located in different buildings.

One of the old machines. I don't remember what it did, but it looked cool. And, that manequin guy was creepily life-like.

Another view from outside. Who doesn't like inflatable beer cans on their roof?

The wall of beer from all over the world. I looked valiantly for anything that looked "local" like Shiner, or Buffalo Bayou or St. Arnolds. Nada. Sad face.

Qingdao is also famous for it's spicy clams, so after I was done with my tour, I treated myself to a beer and a plate of them. The weather was warm and breezy, the beer was cool {ish...China is a bit spotty about cold beverages} and the clams were delicious. It was a good day. Have you been on any tours lately?

Beijing: Lama Temple

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren {Adventures in Flip Flops}) — Wed, 14 May 2014 16:58:00 +0000

You remember when I went to Shanghai a few months ago? Well, I flew in and out of Beijing for that, and on the way home, stopped to see a friend in Beijing. When she was at work, I knocked this guy off my Beijing Bucket List.

The Lama Temple is a working Mongolian-Tibetan Buddhist temple located in the Yonghegong area in northeast Beijing {for the record, Yonghegong is Chinese for "Lama Temple"}. This temple is fairly old; construction on it began in the late 1600's. And, a rare thing in China, it survived the Cultural Revolution due to the intervention of a government official.

The day I was there it was chilly and crisp, and only a little bit hazy. There were some visitors, but not enough to make the experience a hassle. At the entrance to the main part of the temple grounds, visitors can receive a free bundle of incense.

In all, it was a fun little excursion on the way to meet my friend for coffee and a pulled pork sandwich. What excursions have you been on lately?

Beijing: The Summer Palace

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren {Adventures in Flip Flops}) — Mon, 12 May 2014 02:42:00 +0000

Up until now, the Temple of Heaven was my favorite spot in Beijing. It is SO iconic and the park is beautiful. Then, I decided to spend a quick weekend ticking a few boxes of my Beijing Bucket List and went to the Summer Palace.

I only had about hours to spend, but I could have easily spent the entire day there, soaking up the trees and flowers. It was gorgeous. And, it was a great opportunity to play with the camera my family helped me buy for Christmas!

This park was once a place for emperors and his favorites to go to escape the heat of the Beijing summer. Now, it is one of Beijing's biggest public parks. The area is huge and includes a man made lake, a marble boat, and plenty of nooks and crannies to get lost in. I didn't really encounter many other people until I got close to the water, which was nice. It was a perfect three hours, and I wish I had time to go again before I move south.

This is Suzhou street. I'm not entirely sure why it was there, but there were a few little shops and restaurants along the way.

As I was aimlessly wandering, I encountered a sort of "backstage area" that was roped off. This being China, I ignored the rope and got this great shot of two fishermen. When it comes down to it, we are more alike than we think. How many of us have dad or grandpas that look just like this?

This was my favorite spot in the entire park.

Sometimes it's easy to forget that Beijing is {sort of} in the mountains with all the pollution. The day I was here was a bit hazy, but you could still see pretty far the higher you climbed. What have you seen recently?

Book Review: Ape House

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren {Adventures in Flip Flops}) — Fri, 09 May 2014 14:13:00 +0000

Can I be honest about something? I read Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, and loved it. I remember loving it. I don't remember what it was about, really. Oops. But, I knew when I was wandering around Page One in Sanlitun in Beijing {my once-every-two-months bookstore trip, y'all} that I needed to read Ape House.

{Source: Goodreads}

The story starts with a married reporter named John Thigpen who is writing a story about the residents of the Great Ape Language Lab. There, he meets Isabel Duncan, one of the research scientists at the lab along with Sam, Bonzi, Lola, Mbongo, Jelani and Makena. These 6 are bonobos, a highly intelligent species of Great Apes capable of intimate relationships and communicating via Sign Language.

After his return home, the lab is bombed, the bonobos are sold, and we follow John and Isabel as they not only work to locate and rescue them, but also to handle the myriad of issues in their personal lives.

The thing I loved about this novel was anything to do with bonobos. I find it simultaneously fascinating and horrifying that we have such intelligent creatures on this planet and that we treat them so poorly. I like Gruen's depiction of this particular research facility and the in-depth ways that she created the bonobos with personality.

However, I could have done without all the side drama such as: reporter job drama, and my-wife-is-moving-to-LA-and-getting-a-boob-job drama, etc. Yes, some of these side stories added to the bonobo plot line, but frankly, there was enough to follow with the potential terrorist angle, the bonobos being watched on a porn channel drama and I-have-a-skeazeball-boyfriend drama. The other little side tidbits could have been integrated a little bit better to make it less noticeable.

Overall, I did enjoy this novel. It was quick, well-paced and easy-to-read. It could use some work on making the plot a little more seamless, but in general it was a solid read. Out of 5 stars, I give it 3.5.

What have you been reading lately?

Popping Home

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren {Adventures in Flip Flops}) — Thu, 01 May 2014 03:42:00 +0000

Ah, being at home is always so bittersweet. It's wonderful to see everyone and catch up on American pop culture and drink iced coffee that I don't have to explain {China doesn't really do ice; many Chinese folks think cold things are very, very bad for you}. And so, about a month ago, I was home for a whirlwind of family, tacos, bluebonnets, babies and weddings.

Here is a recap of my trip, in pictures!

Book List: 2014 January & February Edition

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren {Adventures in Flip Flops}) — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 11:00:00 +0000

I've been something of a reading fiend this year, already. If I'm honest, I've been going through some challenging personal things, and though I'm always attached to some book or another, I read more when I have things I need to figure out. There is just something about being in a fantasy world that relieves a lot of stress and takes the pressure off for awhile. So, here's what I've been reading:

1. Outlander, Diana Gabaldon; Well, I loved this novel. I loved it so much that I'm busy devouring the series. Please don't mind me as I hide in my apartment for the next few months. OK, it's not *quite* that bad but I am definitely hiding in Starbucks and staying up late to read these novels.

2. American Savage, Dan Savage; I feel kinda bad saying this, but I don't like this one. I mean, nothing is wrong with it. I generally agree with most things Dan Savage says, but I bought this book after watching a lot of Dan Savage YouTube videos, and well, it's the same stuff. It's worth a read if you haven't really read or watched Dan Savage before {he's a sex advice columnist with some interesting opinions on sex and monogamy}, but there wasn't anything prolific inhere. Check it out from the library.

3. Dragonfly in Amber, Diana Gabaldon; The first novel in this series follows Jamie and Claire. This one follows Claire who is looking for evidence of people she knew at the time she came back from the past, and to a much lesser extent, her daughter Brianna. She discovers that Jamie survived the battle at Culloden, and goes back to find him. We're privy to the details of the search, the marriage Claire had with Frank, and Claire's final decision to go find her love. A wonderful sequel!

4. Voyager, Diana Gabaldon; Out of the four novels I have read in this series, this is my least favorite. Claire goes back to find Jamie, and they end up sailing all over the place, getting caught up in smuggling and other sketchy ventures, witchcraft in Jamaica, etc. I still loved the characters, it was still a fast-paced novel, but it seemed out-of-place for some reason. Jamie is such an earthy figure that it seemed really odd for him to be sailing around and running into trouble. I enjoyed the next book much more.

5. The Happiness Project, Gretchen Rubin; I reviewed this book here, and I wasn't sold. It had some nice ideas, but I thought the author was whiny.

6. The First Sinners, Kate Pearce; Just a run-of-the-mill erotic novel. This one is the prequel to a new series by Kate Pearce called The Sinners Club. Based on this book, the series should be interesting, though this particular novel didn't have a lot in the way of plot.

7. Sleeping in Paris, Juliette Sobanet; Where to begin? The idea behind this novel was great: an American moves to Paris and starts a new life after she finds out her fiance is cheating. I don't like the main character's attitude towards men, but I think that's part of the growth of this character and there are the requisite happy endings by the conclusion of the novel.

8. Weak at the Knees, Jo Kessel; I had mixed feelings about this one, and most of them are due to the attitude of the main character and infidelity. You can read my review here.

9. The Shoemaker's Wife; Adriana Trigiani; Oh, how I adored this book! It is everything I love in a historical fiction novel: well-written, great characters, a sentimental story. Yes, it has it all! We follow two characters who originally meet when they are young in Italy, but independently emigrate to the United States. It's a rich, complicated story that made it tough to put down. I definitely recommend this novel.

10. The White Princess; Philippa Gregory; Honestly? This one wasn't her best work. The story line works, but I felt myself growing annoyed with the characters. It reminds me of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenox. You know how everyone grew impatient with it because Harry was angsty and whiny all the time? Yeah, that was my issue with this book, as well.

11. One Night For Love; Mary Balough; Before I read this novel, I read it's sequel, A Summer to Remember. Both are great {even the second one can stand alone} and follow the usual historical romance plotline: lost love, someone wants to marry someone who is not their social equal, etc. Both novels are cute and easy to read. Solid choices if you read historical romance.

12. The Magpie Lord; KJ Charles; This is one of those novels that combines a whole lot of things into one. There's historical romance and fantasy {witchcraft and magic and the like} and intrigue and mystery. It moves pretty quickly {I read it in a day} and there are a few surprises along the way which keeps things interesting. A word of warning: this is a m/m novel, meaning that the pairing is of two men. So, skip it if that's not your thing.

13. 1984; George Orwell: Believe it or not, I did not have to read this in high school, and we didn't even touch it in my Science Fiction Literature class in college. Weird, I know. A lot of folks herald this as a prolific, well-written novel. I don't necessarily think it was an excellent novel, but I do think it is a powerful essay on information control and trusting our government. I happen to live somewhere that the media is state-owned, and you can definitely see the difference in the way information is disseminated. There is also a stark difference in how people regard the government and the things I know about their country that they simply do not.

14. Drums in Autumn; Diana Gabaldon: I loved this one! Claire and Jamie have settled in the new world and try to decide whether to stay with Jamie's aunt on her plantation or to start their own homestead with tenant farmers. They end up choosing the later and we follow their progress on that front. In a {sort of} parallel timeline, Claire's daughter, Brianna, travels into the past to find her mother. She is followed by her beau, Roger. This eventually creates a big mess, and the plot line gets very exciting. It was worth the last novel to get to this one. Jamie is back in nature, and it's really fun to watch how the characters progress.

So, what have you been reading lately?

Shanghai: Tea at the Roosevelt

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren {Adventures in Flip Flops}) — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 01:24:00 +0000

One of the perks of knowing people around the world is that when I visit various places, I get to see my friends. And, often, they have great perspective on good things to do. So, when I went to Shanghai, I met up with a friend of mine who used to live in Tianjin. The plan was to go find an old Jewish Synagogue {Shanghai has an old Jewish quarter as it turns out}. But, then, I called the museum, found no one who spoke English until they passed the phone around and someone said, "not open today, come Friday." This is normal for China {things close all the time for no discernible reason, with no advanced notice}, but then we were stuck. What to do?

My friend had always wanted to go to the old Roosevelt Hotel for high tea, and so we walked over there from the Bund, made a reservation, and then went to grab lunch. At 2pm we came back, and were escorted to a gorgeous patio with two glass rooms over looking the skyline across the river. How awesome is that view?

There were cute little cakes, delicious sandwiches, macaroons, and endless {good} coffee. Of course, the company was the best part. We munched on our treats all afternoon, chatting and staring at that gorgeous skyline. I could get used to this!

Shanghai: Night Eats

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren {Adventures in Flip Flops}) — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 14:27:00 +0000

Ever since my trip to Bangkok, I have adored food tours. We ate some of the most delicious food that I never would have found otherwise, and so when I planned my trip to Shanghai, I knew I had to take one. I ended up choosing UnTour, a company run by bi-lingual expats who have combed the city for all kinds of delicious fare. They have a lot of tour options, but I was there during Spring Festival which limited my choices a bit. Big cities like Shanghai and Beijing clear out for about two weeks because everyone goes back home to their families. So, some restaurants and vendors were closed and UnTours didn't run tours for a few days.

I had to wait until my very last night to go on the tour, but it was quite worth the wait. We walked through parts of Shanghai I never would have known about as a visitor, and I ate some of the most delicious food I've had since coming to China {that's saying something. I love Chinese food}.

In China, things tend to group themselves on streets, so you might have electronics street, or eyeglasses street, or linens street. We started at the seafood street, and boy, was it good. All of the restaurants were holes-in-the-wall, but the service was friendly, and the food was delicious. On the menu were spicy crawfish {Lousiana, y'all have a few things to learn}, garlic grilled eggplant {to-die-for}, and scallops cooked on a clam shell, also smothered in garlic. Delicious!

Then we walked through some of the older parts of the city to reach a street where there were several Muslim noodle places {a common scene everywhere in China}, stinky tofu stands {I didn't try it. That is a line I draw}, and lots of stir fry street food. This food was more familiar to me, but still delicious, and it was cool to watch the noodle restaurant guy hand pull the noodles.

I loved how knowledgeable our tour guide was, and how Untours gave a lot of information on what to do and where to go in Shanghai. It felt like I was chatting with a friend the whole time, not on a paid tour. If you ever find yourself in this wonderful city, please look up Untours. You won't be sorry!

*Disclosure: I wasn't paid or given anything in compensation for this review. I just really loved this tour and I like to spread the word to fellow travelers about great things to do in China.

FIVE on Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Lauren {Adventures in Flip Flops}) — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 04:21:00 +0000

I'm really excited to jump on the FIVE on Friday bandwagon. Sometimes I have little ideas or things happen that I want to blog about, but don't have enough for an ENTIRE post. Plus, isn't it great to talk about the little things from time to time? I think so.

I made this thai chicken curry soup for dinner this week. It was pretty fabulous, super easy, and the ingredients are very accessible if you know your way around the Asian market {or aisle}.

I've been sending a lot of money back to the States recently to start saving for a few pretty big goals. I'll talk more about it as it begins to take shape, but I have been bitten by the travel bug {and, um, the Scotland bug, thanks Outlander} and I'll need money to feed it.

Speaking of travel, for the first time ever, I've decided to book a getaway for my birthday. I live in a huge and gorgeous country, and travel within it is pretty cheap. So, you can look forward to a few fun posts around May or so.

AND, also speaking of travel, I get to be home soon! I'll be in the States for a dear friend's wedding, and I cannot wait to catch up with the family, meet some new babies {goodness y'all, give it a rest!}, and eat some great Tex Mex.

A little closer to "home," I'm preparing for my upcoming move by crossing things off my Tianjin and Beijing Bucket Lists and purging all sorts of unnecessary things from my apartment. This is, thankfully, fairly easy as all of the furniture in my apartment belongs to my landlord. So, a big clothing/household goods box will be up for grabs for my Tianjin friends, but no need to figure out how to move the couch!

What are five things happening in your life these days?