So many wonderful things have happened since our last post, and our time here in Chengdu is beginning to wind down.
Because the last post was a few months ago, I'll pick up from where we left off!
December & January; found us home for the Holiday's! This year, we had the good fortune of celebrating and traveling with our wonderful friends from Australia, Richard Margetson and his 9 year old son Max, for their first trip to the US! We enjoyed Christmas and New Year's Eve at the house in Arizona together, and took some day trips to Flagstaff and Tucson. We also managed to take our little group to Disneyland for three days, and had a terrific time! 
After our time in Arizona, we headed back to San Francisco for a few days prior to our return to Chengdu. I'd have to say that the California leg was the best part of coming home for the Fagan's because we were able to not only see our dear friends in the Bay Area, but also because we were able to drive to Sacramento! There, we meet up with not only my cousins, Ed & Dolores Hobbs, which is ALWAYS wonderful, but also friends that we had not seen in years! Needless to say, it was a real tear jerker! All in all, it was a wonderful trip, and we felt very greatful to be able to make it such a memorable time for all of us, and particularly for our dear friends, Richard & Max!!
February; brought a dream to life for me as I was able to take my first ever trip to France! As some of you may know, I have been wanting to go ever since I was a little girl, mostly because of my Father. One day, while sitting / posting on Facebook, a flight special advertisement came up. I clicked on it, wiped my eyes clear in disbelief, chatted with my beloved husband who was sitting right across from me, wrote to my wonderful girlfriend in France, (Miss Christelle Chêne!) and booked the ticket! (Yup, it happened THAT fast!) Then, a few days after booking, another girlfriend who lives in Germany emailed me about seeing her while I was "in the area." So, another ticket from Paris to Germany was booked and I was off, two weeks later! My trip lasted 10 days, but with a few twists along the way. My original plan was to fly Chengdu to Amsterdam, then Amsterdam to Paris... in 1 day, stay 1 night in Paris, then fly out to Germany the next day. Mr. Winter had other plans in mind though, and proceeded to "snow me out" of the Amsterdam to Paris leg of my journey on that first day, closing the Paris airport due to snow. 
Thankfully, KLM airlines was fantastic, and put me up in a hotel for the night, (they also gave me coupons for free food and beer for the evening in the hotels restaurant, and for breakfast in the AM too!) The next day, while sitting at the gate awaiting my flight to Paris, a second cancellation notice appeared on the screen... RATS! So, off to the KLM desk I went, and was advised to run and catch the train into Paris that awaited me and which resides beneath Schipold International airport. Honestly, it was the best train ride of my life, and with the free internet access I was provided, I was able to keep my family and 2 girlfriends informed of the events that were unfolding. Sadly however, I missed my connecting flight to Germany because the train arrived in Paris 2 hour too late. But a quick revision to the remaining schedule made for an amazing time in France with not only Christelle, but her wonderful family too! 5 days in Nevers in the french countryside south of France with Christelle and her family, and 5 days in Paris with Christelle... what a life! Truly, a trip I will never forget, and can't wait to share again with my guys!!!!!
March & April; Lisa was off again, this time to Thailand with our good friend Gavin Crombie. Now, I should clarify something here. I had decided on the Paris trip that while I had traveled without them before in the States, (Susan and I together,) I could not travel without them to new, more historical places without them! There was just too much wonder and beauty, and I knew they would have loved it as I did. So when the talk of Thailand began at a friends house one evening, I said "no thanks" to the offer. My husband, on the other hand, said "WAIT!" "Honey, it could be a scouting mission for a family trip!" Now, we have been trying to get to Thailand ever since we set foot in Chengdu, (three times to be exact,) but were always met with uprisings by the locals and airport closures to boot! 
This time was different, things were calmer now, and my travel companion was to be our dear friend Gavin who is like a father figure to us, and who vacations in Thailand at least four times per year. Long story short, I went, and had an another amazing time... so amazing in fact that our little family of three is all booked to go TOGETHER at the end of this month, (April,) and will be staying at the very same place Gavin and I stayed at because I was able to get to know the owners very well. The area in is Surin Bay on Phuket, an absolutely gorgeous area with a small, wonderfully friendly population and a stunning tropical setting! My favorite pastime was to hop on the motorbike I rented for the week and take off on photography rides, second only to the ride on an elephant thru the "jungle." More to come on Thailand upon our family's return in May!! ;)
Some of you already know that our son decided to play the bass guitar this year. He's really enjoys it, and has picked it up really quickly, (Mom's musical talent is in there!!!) Thanks to QSI's "Rock Band" activity for the "after school adventure," Harley was invited by three of his friends to join their existing band, Ze Puppies! 
Last friday night, (04.24.09) Ze Puppies gathered at the Bookworm to perform in their first show together! It was a fantastic event, and all of our friends who could attend had a terrific time watching the boys play songs by AC/DC, The White Stripes and The Ramones! Like his Mom & Dad, Harley was really proud of himself, and wants to continue playing once we return to Arizona. WAHOO!So, that just about brings you up to speed. Like I said earlier, our time here in Chengdu is winding down. Truth be told, we're in a bit of a panic because there are still 4 trips we need to take before we return, (S. Korea, Japan, Beijing, 3 Gorges Dam, hence the title of this blog,) but we're certain that we will make all of them, and are really looking forward to it all!!
Until next time, stay well and much love!
All the best,
The Fagan Family
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