A few words from Erin!

Hey everyone!

I've been letting Miles do most of the talking for us as we travel and now I feel as though I'm over due for a post!

First off, a special note to the men out there: if you ever want to score major points with your lady, just create a website for your friends and family to see and say great things about your lady and at the end tell her you love her! Seriously, it's magic! Because right now all I can say is, "How great is Miles?". And for those of you that know Miles well, you know this question can only arise a few times a year and even that is generous! (Just kidding babe!) All kidding aside, I can only reciprocate Miles' sentiments. Our travels have really brought us closer and reminded me why he is my absolute best friend and my partner in life forever! Miles truly helped me get through China. Unfortunately my experience there was more heavily influenced by the rude people and dirty conditions than it was by the handful of kind people and beautiful scenery. So, having someone to lift my spirits and get me to look at it all in different ways was essential for my survival.

I also wanted to add a post because I have a more personal update to share with you. I found out about a week and half ago that my mother is quite ill and had been hospitalized. She was diagnosed with pancreatitis and colitis. Thankfully she is doing better right now and out of the hospital, but she is still on an IV and a strict liquid diet and in a lot of pain. Family and friends have come together to try and help my father with the task of taking care of my mother while working and tending to my younger sister. So, after some serious prayer I felt that it was a good idea for me to head back to the States to help take care of my mother for a couple of weeks. After a few days of struggling to get a flight out of Shanghai, I finally made it safely to San Francisco. I will be flying down to Southern California tomorrow (11/17) and intend on surprising my mom. Hopefully my unannounced visit will lift her spirits and be a big help! So, just in case you were thinking about calling me over at my parent's house, please don't do it until Friday (11/18) as I don't want to ruin the surprise!

In the mean time my Miles is traveling all alone in Vietnam! )= Last I heard from him he is safe in Hanoi and has picked up with some fellow travelers. Miles and I plan to meet up with each other in the Philippines sometime in December, but you never know...plans always change!

I just wanted to thank all of you that have left comments on the blog and communicated with us via e-mail. You'll never know how much we cherish a few silly words on the internet! So, as Miles is out there alone right now please be sure to keep in contact with him. It really means a lot to both of us!

I wish you all the best and a Happy Thanksgiving just around the corner!
Sending much love, Erin