Mama, Dad and Chris HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!

Dad Hey Devinne,Merry Day After Christmas!!!We missed you hear at home, Chris didn't know what do to Christmas morning without you there to open the stockings with him.Sounds like you had a eventful (and different) Chirstmas. Enjoy your bus ride to Aswan.Love, Dad

Mom Five more days and you'll be home for a month! Can't wait to see you and hear more about your trip! love, Mom

Mom Devinne, Just finished looking at the new photos you posted today. Wow! You took some amazing photos! Wish I could see some of the places you've been to. love, Mom

Dad Wow Devinne, Great pictures!!! Sure seems like your making the most of your trip. Most of the experiences that you are encountering are things most people never get to. It's great to see you making the most of your situation. Continue to have fun and continue to be save. Miss you. Love, Dad

Mom Devinne - The garden is finished as of this weekend. We'll be getting frost and so we'll pull and clean everything out of it. Too bad you weren't here to reap the benefits of your labor! It has been COLD here this week! No, you will not get to see the kitten that I found at Kit's. It is going to one of my pottery students who lives in Exeter. It's about six weeks old right now and is a very friendly calico; but we already have the two cats and dog. It's nice to read your blog's. We can tell you're having a great time and will be ready to cook for all!

Dad Hey Devinne, Another great blog entry. Sorry to hear about the sleeper bus ride, I hope your next ride is better. That cooking class sounds pretty good, you were lucky to be the only one in the class. We sent camping with the Cushie's this weekend and they said to say Hi. Muma brought home another cat Friday (arrrr!!!), she says that she's going to find another home for it but I can see that she is already getting attached to it so you'll probally get to see it when you get home. I picked a huge zuccinni from the garden today. I'll take a picture for you. Good luck and have fun in Cambodia. Love Dad

Mom Hi! Sorry I missed your call! I really enjoyed the catalogs you sent in your package for me. I'll be sharing them at the studio with Kit and Jessica. The garden is almost past now. The weather is getting colder and we're losing leaves off of the trees. Glad to hear you're surviving the typhoons and that you're on the fourth floor now so you'll stay drier. Keep us informed about your travels. I really enjoy reading about them!

Mom Hi! Well, your first postacard from Beijing arrived yesterday! We'll be on the lookout for your next package. $90 to ship - Ouch! Too bad the shipping fees are so high to/from Asia. The leaves have been turning here as we're already into Fall! I hope you don't feel too cold when you get back after being in the heat and humidity. Mom

Mom Hi Devinne! I love your blogs! You make it all sound so interesting and make us want to be there experiencing it also. Your photos are great! I realize that it's not easy finding a place with a computer fast enough to download your photos; much less to do a video! I like the books on Chinese pottery you sent me from the museum. Have a good time in Vietnam. We'll be thinking of you! love, Mom

Ruth Ann Baker Hi, Devinne, I love reading your travel blog--and the pictures are great. I loved the video. It sure sounds as if you are having some pretty good experiences... as well as some challenges. I like the impromptu things you are experiencing... Wish I could be with you.... other than the long bus rides and the Chinese driving. My friend and I also felt as if our life would be snuffed out at any minute when our taxi driver decided to try and take us one more place before 1700. I tried to tell him to slow down--but my Chinese was limited to about 3 words, and that was not one of them! Take care, have fun. Enjoy Vietnam and the tunnels. Love, Aunt Ruth

Dad Hey Devinne Great blog enties and beautiful photo's. I feel like I'm traveling China without the hassle of the long plane, train and bus trips. Glad to hear that you got your package, I was worried that it would not arrive before you moved on to Veitnam. Enjoy your last couple of days in China, look forward to hearing from your adventures in Veitnam. Be Careful... Love, Dad

[email protected] Hi Devinne, Your blog is wonderful! Your title "Outside the Occident" is thought-provoking. You've mastered the art of communicating with your public (family and friends). Your images are beautiful and give a true sense of how you're experiencing China. You may want to ask someone to record a picture or two of you. Please let me know if there is anything I can do from here and whether you would like to share your blog with a broader public (my other former International Development students, for instance). You definitely have a career as a political scientist and international development expert who knows how to exchange knowledge in different ways (and across space and time in an instant!). Take good care of yourself (and avoid high altitudes). With kindest regards (from your former professor who's bursting with pride!), Renee Dankerlin

Devinne Haha, to the Morans and Nana, "hi" in Chinese is "Nihao" - it sounds like nee-how. You can take a look at some of my photos on the blog, I just posted a bunch more! And yes, the food has been fanstastic! Dad, yeah, Shangri-la was great and no more altitude sickness anymore! I would love to send the blog to Mrs. Hume-Howard except - I don't have her email address. Did you happen to get it when you ran in to her? For the Graces and Nana - I'm having a ton of fun! Yes, please post messages, it's nice to hear from people. Caroline - thanks for writing! Tell your mom and Nana that they should learn because it opens up a lot of opportunities!