The Newer, Better Model

So after my first roommate left, I got Nini, who has been a joy to live with (even if only for 3 weeks). Today I spent time with her and her family. She is an only child (like everyone else my age in China - thanks 1 Child Act!), but her cousin (who she calls MeiMei - younger sister) was there too, along with Nini's parents.
This was the view from the temple we went to - very pretty. The sky was blue, the birds were singing...so maybe not that last part, but it was very pretty and peaceful. If the weather was better, we would've seen Beijing down in the valley.Happy Buddha! Many Buddhas are not as happy as this one - and not many of they are this fat, either. Behind him are good wishes from visitors - you write your name on one of the prayer flags, then tie it behind him.

Oh please, don't tell me you're surprised.MeiMei got into it too. Side Note: MeiMei was a lot of fun - speaking to kids is the best way to know if you are speaking the language properly or not, because they will honestly tell you if they don't understand. Yes - we ran into a few bumps, but all went well. MeiMei also told me that I looked like Snow White. Hey, who doesn't like being compared to a Disney princess? ...although my hair is totally the wrong color...)

After the temple we went to lunch (hot pot) and then after lunch we went back to Nini's house (they live in suburb-Beijing - I didn't know it existed either) where they promptly told me to take a nap. And I did.

In the evening, we went to NiuNiu and YeYe's house (that's Nini's father's parents - the names for grandparents change depending on whose side they are on. It's the biggest pain EVER.) where we made jiaozi (dumplings). Below is the video.

The ugly, misshapen ones are mine...

But as my grandmother says (My LaoLao - she is my mother's mother): they all come out the same end!