The Crazy that is Called CHINA

Let me first start out by saying, this is the first trip I have ever taken out of the country, so I was immediately put in ultimate culture shock. And boy is China a heck of a different country to first experience. Although, the first words out of my mouth when asked about China is that it is absolutely crazy, it really was a great trip that I am very glad I was able to experience it. I only say that China was crazy because you are put WAY outside of the comforts of home, and basically everything that is somewhat familiar to you is nowhere to be found. Although I have always been grateful to live in the United States, my gratitude and love for my country increased 100 fold after this visit. My favorite phrase during my visit was, "Thank God for America".

Now, so all of you can get a little taste of our trip and maybe a better understanding of my introduction, I have posted A LOT of pictures and will explain things as I go along. So beware, this is going to be a long post.

This first picture is of The Great Wall. We rode an overnight train from Shanghai to Beijing to be able to see The Great Wall, The Forbidden City, The Temple of Heaven, and many other places. The Great Wall was absolutely amazing.

We took a ski lift up to a part of the wall. From there, you can walk on the wall as far as you like.

Notice in this picture, the steps are extremely slanted. You feel completely off when walking along these parts. The entire wall isn't like this, but a lot is.

There are a lot of places where you literally have to climb because the steps are so steep. This isn't really a place you would want to take your kids or elderly relatives.

So steep. Have to hold on to the railing.

All of us with our tour guide, Emmy.

To get down from The Great Wall, you can choose the option of taking a toboggan. You MUST take these. They are so fun! You can make them go as fast or slow as you want. The best is to let it go as fast as possible the whole time.

All of us kept having to slow down because the guy in front of Chase was going so slow and ruining our fun.

At the end.

This is our room on the night train. All the beds in China are hard as a rock.

Temple of Heaven

Chase and I riding on one of those carriage bikes. This is right before the man driving us dropped us off at the completely wrong place on purpose (but he told us it was the right place and we didn't know any better). We were lost from the Laytons for an hour with no money, no cell phone, and no clue how to speak the language. It was the longest hour of my life, and I was so close to losing it. Finally, after 2 trips to a tour guide booth and 2 attempts at understanding broken English, we finally came across a girl who spoke better English who showed us the way to the Forbidden City where we were supposed to meet up with the Laytons.

Here is that stupid man who totally took advantage of us. I so badly want to kick him in the face!

Forbidden City

Our authentic Chinese meal after visiting The Great Wall. What you see here was actually very good. Our tour guide ordered everything for us, and she did a very good job at choosing dishes that Americans will eat. Now, as far as everything else the Chinese eat, it is straight NASTY. They do not eat the kind of Chinese food we eat here in America. It is completely different, and it looks and smells HORRID. And that smell is everywhere. There is no escaping it. And they eat all that weird, nasty stuff for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Even at our hotel in Beijing, the continental breakfast had all that nasty food and the look of it makes you want to vomit.

The Birds Nest from the Olympics in Beijing

The Chinese Pavilion at the World Expo in Shanghai

Seth playing in his school band during the parade at the Expo.

Ok, so, being a female, I do not do well with the Chinese way of toilets. They are squatters. I am not. This is the bathroom on the night train to Beijing. Be glad I am showing you this cool looking bathroom, and not the straight nasty bathrooms that are everywhere else in that country. Every time I entered a bathroom, the smell was absolutely overwhelming. It is purely awful. SOO much worse than the worst gas station bathroom you have ever been to. They also do not have any toilet paper so if you want to use some, you carry your own. And it is very rare if the bathroom has soap. So germ freak as I am did not cope with this very well.

Right outside of the Layton's townhouse in Shanghai. I don't know why we forgot to take a picture of the front of it.

The living/dining room. This place literally is the haven away from the storm. I think one of the things that really surprised me about China was how poor most of the country is. This townhouse is the complete opposite of how normal Chinese people live. It is more westernized and is more comfortable to those living in China from other countries. It is also very expensive to live here, which is why if you are Chinese and live here, you are pretty wealthy.

The townhouse is 4 stories: basement with pool table, laundry, and storage, 2nd floor is living room/dining room, kitchen, and bathroom, 3rd floor is 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, 4th floor is another bedroom and office. We stayed in the bedroom on the 4th floor. From the basement, there are 60-70 stairs up to the bedroom (I counted, but now can't remember). Chase always joked about having to climb the Great Wall just to get to our room.

Kitchen. Very rare to have an oven in China.

Here is one of the places we went shopping. Shopping in China is awesome (except grocery shopping. I'll get to that.) Mainly, it is awesome because you bargain for everything. It is just a big game. We were told to offer 1/4 of what they initially ask for, and then don't raise from that price very much. Although, they would put up these big charades about how crazy we were for wanting to pay those low prices, not once did we not have them yell after us as we started walking away and give in. It's great because you are in total control (if you are confident and do it right). Always be prepared to walk away. It works like a charm:) This place was packed with a million little shops down every street. You just get turned around and lost in all the shopping.

The World Financial Center. We went all the way up to the very top- the 100th floor. It scared the living tar out of me. A lot of the floor is glass so you can see through the bottom onto the street. I just hugged the wall for a couple minutes and then had to go back down. And it didn't make it any better that you could feel the building slightly swaying back and forth.

Looking out from the top. And this is even zoomed in as far as the camera would go so that shows you how high we were.

Now, I'm getting to the part about the shopping- the good and the bad. First, we are starting with the bad- grocery shopping. The things in grocery stores are completely different than what are in ours. If we had to live in China, I would be completely stressed out as how to feed my family. You can find some stores that do sell some Americanized products. But you have to be willing to pay big bucks for those items. For example, a box of Chex cereal is 10 American dollars, a bag of chocolate chips is 7 American dollars, etc. It is outrageous.

Here is a grocery store with all Chinese stuff. There was not a single thing in here that I would buy for my family. Also, one of the worst things about the grocery store is the smell. It smelled of decay if you ask me. Just looking at this picture makes me sick to my stomach because I remember the awful smell.

Notice how none of the meat is wrapped. And would it surprise you if I told you that none of the workers cutting the meat wore gloves?

And how about the customers buying the meat? Nope, no gloves either. Everyone just starts digging in, touching everything, and picking out what they want. All the while coughing and sneezing all over everything. SO, SO, SO disgusting. And when they get what they want, heaven forbid they use sanitizing wipes to clean their hands, but no, they have to go around touching everything else in the store too. That was something I really had a hard time with is how dirty and unsanitary everything is in China. It's just how they live.

Ew. I don't even touch meat when I'm preparing it at home.

The smell of whatever all this stuff is was completely, overwhelmingly rank.

None of the food ever looks normal there.

This is the kind of stuff that's all over the place. And for some reason, they love it.

I can't look at these pictures without being sick to my stomach. I really wish I could adequately explain the smell.

I wish I had taken a picture of the tank of fish in the store where you get a net and fish out the fish you want to take home to cook. They just sit there with the net, scoop up a fish, pick it up, look it over, throw it back, scoop up another one, decide if that one looks good, and so on. And still no sanitizing wipes!!!

There are diapers for sale at the stores. Do many people buy them? No. Therefore, they need a dummy to show what these are used for. Even when I asked our tour guide at the Great Wall why the babies don't wear diapers, she did not know what the word diaper was. But she did tell me that they don't like to use them because they think it is bad for the skin and that the skin should be able to breathe.

So this is what the babies wear instead. Everywhere you go, you see babies butts. The entire crotch of the pants that kids wear is cut out. So the entire front of the child is exposed as well. I still don't understand how the mom's holding the babies aren't covered in pee and feces constantly. Somehow, I guess it works for them. But the reason they wear these pants is so that the child can squat down wherever they are and use the bathroom. Kids on the side of the road just start peeing (and grown men but that's a different story). We saw one mother holding her small child (I am guessing about 6 months old) in the grocery store over a trash can trying to get him to pee in it.

That is another thing about China that is difficult to get used to- the horrible smell. If you aren't smelling the nasty food, it reeks of sewage. The entire country (or at least Shanghai and Beijing because that is all we got to see) smells like sewage. And I'm sure people going to the bathroom everywhere doesn't help it. Another thing is everyone, and I mean everyone, smokes in China. And you are allowed to smoke anywhere you want. There is no getting away from it. I really think that just from 2nd hand smoke and all the pollution I breathed in from my week stay, I lost about 5 years of my life.

Now on to the good part of shopping- the bargain shopping. I already explained somewhat how to get a good deal. Here, I am going to show the coolest place- the Fabric Mart. This place is heaven. There are 4 floors of hundreds of booths just crammed in next to each other. Some of them specialize in different things, such as suits, dress shirts, coats, etc. They all display some of the things they make so you get an idea what they specialize in. The best part is, these people can make anything you want. You can bring in a picture and say "I want this", and they can make it. First, you tell them what you want and pick out your fabric. Then they measure you and you start talking price. We got some great deals.

Some of the shops specialize in ties, pashmenas, cuff links, etc. We got Chase several 100% silk ties (paid $1 for each) and several 100% cashmere pashmenas (I won't tell my dirt cheap price because some I am giving as Christmas presents).

Here is Chase's suit we had made. It's all wrinkled from being shipped to us. It is wool and super nice. Bargained and got it for $70.

Here is my beautiful houndstooth cashmere coat that I had made just for me. I can't even describe how nice and high quality this coat is. I am so excited about this purchase. I paid $60. And I even got a crimson cashmere pashmena to match:)

Trying to show how nice the cashmere is.

This is my "Coach" purse that I bought in the underground market. Let me say, we followed a few people back to their random hideouts where they sell bags and things, and you go back through some pretty scary alleys and such before you are lead into this random room with the goods. In one of the rooms, we ran into this man from Mexico who was in his 40's or 50's. Really nice. But he was hiding in the back while his wife looked. He told us he was so scared to be there because he knew the police were going to come any second. This purse we bargained down from 1250 RMB to 200 RMB, which is $30. I was so proud. I got a black one for my sister Kim, too. They have this exact same purse at Dillards for $500, and I still can't tell how mine is fake.

Another thing that is everywhere are real freshwater pearls. You can get them for next to nothing. I got several pearl jewelry Christmas gifts so I won't share my prices, but let's just say you will laugh.

Well, now that you've been reading this post for the past hour. That is basically a quick sum-up of our trip. I could go on and on about the weird stuff we saw, how crowded everything is, how there is no personal space and everyone is all over you, how insanely packed the streets are with cars, scooters, and bikes (don't get me started on those), and all the cool things we experienced. So glad we had this once in a lifetime opportunity!

Maisy Lane Messervy

My precious new niece was born today, October 28, 2010, at 7:45 am. She weighed in at 8 lbs 2 oz. and is 19 1/2 inches long. She looks just like Chris and exactly like Kate. We are so excited she is here! She is the first out of my nieces and nephew that I have been able to go see in the hospital.
(This is the only picture I got of her before my camera died. Grr. I'll have to post others later.)

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Matt Calderwood

I am very behind on posting a lot of events that have happened recently. I plan on trying to get them all posted within the next couple of weeks.


The first event happened last month. On September 18, 2010, my brother, Matt, and my new sister-in-law Julie, got married. It was a very joyous occasion and one of the most beautiful weddings I have ever been to. The details to everything were outstanding. I did not get a lot of pictures on my own camera so I stole a few of the professional pictures and hope that's okay!

The groom's cake was amazing! It was so,so moist and the icing was so creamy. Literally, one of the best wedding/groom's cakes I've eaten aside from my own. I won't tell why I'm biased.. And, yes, that is a chocolate computer on the top for Matt.

I loved these napkins. Julie only has a couple more years until she is an opthomologist so these napkins represent her very well.

Taken away on a carriage. So pretty.

These are some videos we took of Cade at the reception. When the DJ turned up the music, down the lights, and opened the floor to dancing, Cade automatically ran out to the middle of the floor and went nuts. When he first ran out, all eyes were completely on him wondering what on earth he was going to do. He excitedly started dancing and having a good ol'time. It was hilarious. Currently, his dancing is mainly jumping up and down to the music. The first video was taken after he had already been dancing about a minute. The second is after he was all tired out and enjoying a dance with Momma.

Mark Forester

Written by Chase

This post is breaking from our normal updates about the Layton household. In fact, we have held off on the normal updates and our trip to China post until a week or two from now. We didn't feel we could do any of that until we had properly expressed our feelings about the passing of one of our dearest college friends. Mark Forester was killed in combat in Afghanistan on September 29. He was a Senior Airman and Combat Controller, which is considered Air Force special forces.

On the night of Sept. 29, Kristin was out, and Cade and I were home alone. I had put him to bed, and I was in our room watching TV when Kristin came home. Kim (Kristin's sister) had called Kristin while she was at the store, and she immediately came home and delivered the bad news. When Kristin came into our room from being out, she gave me the bad news while crying. To be quite honest, I had a feeling for a couple weeks that this was coming. On Sept 11th, I heard a public service announcement come on the radio that suggested contacting and sending packages to our troops overseas. I felt it was a great idea, and so I decided to do that for Mark, since he is the only close friend I have that was currently serving actively. I have always been extremely proud of Mark for deciding to serve, and I always wanted to express that to him, but being a guy, expressing feelings seems to be hard I guess. Although I told him several times I was proud and grateful for his service, I never really felt he understood HOW grateful I was. So upon hearing the PSA on the radio, I decided this would be a great time to do that by sending a small package and a letter expressing those feelings. So I got on Facebook that day and Mark just so happened to be on at the same time. I needed his address, so I asked him for it. Here is the conversation that followed:

Mark: I'm still in Afghanistan. You wanting my address over here? How are things buddy?

Chase: Yeah what is your address over there. Things are good here. Big football matchups today so I am parked on the couch.

Mark: (Gives address) I'm pissed I don't get to watch hardly any football over here. I'm gonna try to watch some bright and early my time, which means it will be evening ya'lls time. hopefully I can catch the last part of the Bama game.

Chase: Yeah should be good. So if I wanted to send a package to that address, would it get there? You gonna be there awhile?

Mark: It's funny you ask. I was supposed to go home in November, the exact date I'm not sure. But literally 5 minutes ago, I got a message saying I may need to extend for 3 months, so I have no clue. Not sure how many bullets I can dodge, so I may be home much quicker, haha. Yeah, packages get here. We have to have helo's bring them to us, so sometimes it takes a while. Thanks tho buddy.

Chase: Cool. Well you better stay safe.

In Mark's last message to me, it is hard to explain, but I had an impression that something would happen to him. It was more than just a thought or worry. So going back to when Kristin broke the news that night, the first thing that came into my mind was an uneasy, "I knew it". I consider it little tiny miracles that lead me to have that last conversation with my dear friend. Even though he did not receive my package, he at least knew that we were thinking of him back home, and were grateful for what he was doing. I hope it brought a little comfort to him.

We met Mark quickly after moving to Tuscaloosa, but it was when our friend Michael put together an intramural flag football team that we really started to get to know him, as well as many other friends, much better. We will always be grateful for how that team started so many strong friendships. Kristin told me a story recently about something Mark had said to her room mate Debbie soon after we arrived to Tuscaloosa. Kristin and I were dating at the time and just broke up (which only lasted for the semester). Mark noticed us not sitting together at church and asked Debbie if we had broken up. When she told him that we had, he said something along the lines of "Aw, thats too bad". Contrary to what Debbie thought he was going to say next, he paused, and said, "I bet he needs a friend, maybe I should hang out with him." And he did. For the next 4 years. Mark was a great friend to me and to Kristin.

The last time we were able to spend time with Mark was at the beginning of 2010. His brother was flying into town in Huntsville, and we coordinated with him to come up early to visit before he had to pick him up. This was his first time to see Cade in person. It didn't take long for Cade to be comfortable around him, and before you knew it they were throwing a ball back and forth. We hung out at our house and then went out to eat at BridgeStreet in Huntsville since it was on the way to the airport. We are grateful we had that opportunity.

I just want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Mark's family, and to the rest of our armed forces who put their lives on the line daily for me and my family. I think with being so advanced technologically, and the way that we fight wars now, that we as Americans can easily forget what is really going on out there. We sit here safe in our homes with somewhat little cares, and seem to forget about those out there fighting for us to enjoy that safety and freedom. I feel truly blessed to have had a friend in Mark through college and beyond. He was and still is an example to me. We had so many great times together, whether it was playing video games, sports, working out, practicing to try-out for Alabama's football team as punters, or just hanging out at each others houses. He is a hero to me and my family, and we will always remember him. I cannot wait to see him again on the other side.

Here are a few pictures of his funeral services that our friend Michael took. If you haven't already, I suggest you visit his website to see a more detailed post of the services, and a ton of great pictures.

Here are two direct links. One for his tribute to Mark: http://www.michaelthemaven.com/?postID=1586&tribute-to-an-american-hero-mark-forester. The other is his post about the funeral services: http://www.michaelthemaven.com/?postID1597&mark-forester-air-force-burial.

This was a sight to see. We showed up right as it started at 2:00 and it was standing room only and we were in the doorway shown in the far corner of the gym. The placed was packed.



It was very touching upon arriving to Haleyville to see every single sign in town stating something about Mark. And then after the funeral we were moved even more by the vast amounts of people standing alongside the road that the procession was taking to stand with their flags to show support and love.

These signs were up EVERYWHERE. From local businesses to people's yards, there were hundreds of them.

Mark received full military honors for his burial. I was really proud to see how our country takes care of their own, especially when paying the ultimate sacrifice. I held it together fairly well up until the flyover. Four F-16's were in formation to fly over us, and then right as they came over our location, one broke off formation and went straight upward. My guess was that it was to signify a team-mate leaving and ascending up heavenward. The remaining 3 jets continued on, still in their perfect formation but now missing a man.

Here are some older pictures we dug up. We hope you enjoy them. The first two were taken in Mobile when we were down for Daylyn and Jill's wedding reception. Kristin and I were freshmen in college, so this was taken in the fall of 2004.

Intramural basketball. I want to say this was in 2007. We played against Tyrone Prothro's team and got spanked. It was a good time though, and we were all excited to get this picture with him.

This was at our wedding reception. Mark actually caught Kristin's garter.

He was quite pleased as you can see.

I love this picture.

Typical Mark. He probably wore that for the next couple of months. He told us that he had it hanging on his bed post for a while.

We love Mark and will miss him dearly. We cannot wait until we get to be with him again on the other side. Until then brother...