Furlough Feedback

So, now that furlough is over, how

about a little Q&A with David & Jenni?

What did you think (after being out of the country for 2 years) was the same about the U.S.?
David: Family & friends, neighborhoods, shopping.
Jenni: I agree. Family & friends were the same. And the fast-paced lifestyles. Media overexposure. Americans are plugged-in ALL the time! But our family & friends are still the amazing, loving, supportive people we left in 2006!

What did you think has changed?
David: The prices! Like gas, etc. Not much else.
Jenni: The area where my parents live (Inland Empire). Growing up, it was not developed at all! Stores & restaurants that we would have had to drive to Los Angeles or to Orange County to find are all now near my parent's home! Makes for a convenient furlough!

Anything new/cool you observed?
David: Even though many Americans don't live overseas, a lot of our friends still have a good grasp about what our life is like overseas and have been very encouraging and understanding.
Jenni: I forgot how nice it is to drive on paved roads. Love those dishwashers and clothes dryers. It was sooo nice to have my dirty clothes washed and dried in an hour or so (as opposed to days). Oh, and it's so cool how the new ATM machines scan and print out the checks you deposit right onto your transaction slip!

Which businesses do you wish would open a branch in your overseas location?
David: Home Depot. Todai (a sushi buffet). Chick-Fil-A (for the kids)
Jenni: Target. Whole Foods/Wild Oats/Henry's/Trader Joe's. Yes, and that ever-so-kid-friendly Chick-Fil-A. And can I say Disneyland? Oh, and Toys R Us for the kids. And a Family Christian Bookstore.

Any other final questions for America?
David: Why are movie tickets so expensive ($10.50 in S. California)? And why aren't there any good movies being released anymore?
Jenni: Just who is Lauren Conrad and WHY is she famous?

Now, how about a few closing photos?

Thank you, Nana & Papa, for being such gracious hosts to us in Memphis and for letting us get a bit out-of-hand (like in the above video when we used up your shaving cream and food coloring). We loved being with you and we are more grateful than we can say for all you did to make our Tennessee trip so special!


One of our girls' Memphis highlights was playing with their cousins, Macy, Lily and Eden. We like telling them how they are (genetically) half-sisters ... since David & Daniel are identical twins. No, the 6 cousins may not look related but they sure do love each other. This was taken on our last night together with them.


And thank you, Halmoni, Haraboji and Uncle Jake, for making our California trip so amazing! You, too, are such generous hosts and we are so thankful for the time we had with you. You did so much to make this a very special summer! In the photo above, not to be outdone by her Uncle Jake, Annalise grabs her own Barbie laptop and "works" alongside him.


While in the States, the girls were absolutely fascinated by freeways and the trash pick-up trucks. Imagine the efficiency! They loved watching the trucks pick up the cans and dump all its contents into the truck with one fell swoop. One morning, they made us get up early to go outside and watch the truck move down our street (yes, still dressed in pajamas).


Where were you on 8.8.08? Watching the Beijing Opening Ceremonies? We had a lot of fun cheering for the United States and South Korean athletes as we stayed up (way too late) watching the Olympic Games. We did, however, miss the Opening Ceremony ... and for a very good reason. My freshman year roommate at UCLA (yay, Rieber 2 North!) got married and it was a beautiful ceremony at the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Niguel. Congratulations, Jon and Sabrina Ta!