FantASIA 2015: Ningbo Neighbors

You may know by now that I love Ningbo, China, and all that comes with it. But I mostly love it because of the people. I have met so many amazing souls here and I can't imagine my China experience without them.

First off, my babies! How am I so lucky to teach the cutest humans alive? Everyday something adorable happens and I think, "How can I sneak 68 kindergarten students into America and make them my permanent children?"

Second off, Meili. She has been a godsend. We met Meili whilst buying armfuls of ice cream at the school store. She was just the friendliest cashier and thankfully didn't judge our overwhelming lust for sugar. Instead she became our friend and we have abused her hospitality more than a few times now. Since her husband is in England, Meili has converted her small apartment into our American sanctuary where she provides American food, American TV, and lessons on making dumplings!

The Church group. Church on Sunday has become one of the greatest blessings. Craig, Frances, Peter, Christina, Rebecca, and their wonderful children are the absolute best people to spend the Sabbath with. But it's more than church! They have opened their homes, fed us (spiritually and physically) and they have become our dear friends. Some of the best memories here have been at "ward parties" hehe. McKae and Peter's birthday at Indian food and KTV was all I've ever wanted. Let's just say Hungarians know how to party! And our Cinco de Junio party was so off the chain that I threw up from so much delicious food!

Which brings me to the Indians. This may be taking things too far, but the people that own the Ganesha Indian Food place are hands down the coolest people. During our first experience we were surprised with complementary dessert and so overcome by the deliciousness of the food that we vowed to return. The second experience far outweighed the first because we were treated to a private room were we all sat on the ground around one of those cool low table things. Complementary ice cream was of course given again but this time accompanied with two huge bouquets of flowers and presents for the birthday-ers! SHENME?! They actually went to the store while we were eating and bought shirts for Peter and McKae. And we are talking pricey stuff. THEN because the wait was a little long for food they gave us free transportation to KTV. Coolest people, right.

Michael, Magic Molecule CEO. It was by happenstance that we met Michael. We were on our way to buy train tickets when a lady on the street told us she wanted to take pictures of us eating free ice cream. Of course you say bing chi ling and we are there, no questions asked. So we followed her to a big office building and were ushered upstairs to what looked like Google headquarters but was just the headquarters of Magic Molecule (AKA the best ice cream place). This is where Michael entered and offered us some of his ice cream. We posed for pictures and then a camera crew came to video us eating ice cream. Michael not only offered us 3 scoops of the most delicious cranberry gelato but then he offered to drive us to the ticket station in his new BMW. But most importantly, he has started our modeling careers as we are now featured in the 50 Magic Molecule stores all over China.