Camilla's Perspective

Hello everyone! I'm writing you from MALAYSIA right now in a little town called Kota Bharu near the northern coast. Guess what's on my hand??? A diamond ring!!! UH HUH! We're engaged!

I will tell you guys all the details later, but suffice to say...Chris had the whole surprise planned out. He took me on a "surprise" day trip to Hangzhou (after a "surprise" massage with our friend Angelia) and proposed in a little gazebo near the top of a mountain in Zhongshan Park. Little did I know that 7 of our friends had followed us to HZ and unbeknownst to me, were stalking us like NINJAS taking pictures and videos the whole time. They jumped out in true ninja-like fashion from behind a screen of umbrellas when we returned to the gazebo to take some photos, nearly causing me to have a heart attack, but I didn't.

Next, they surprised me again when we got to the train station, ostensibly to return to SH, by whipping out a couple of backpacks. "We're going to Malaysia!" said Chris. From Hangzhou airport (which I was not expecting because international flights hardly ever leave from there!)!

So we flew to Kuala Lumpur, flew again to Kota Bharu, took a boat to the Perhentian Islands where we spent a few days on a BEYOOOTIFUL white sand beach. I got to surf, snorkel and eat shark for the first time =), and then we came back to KB to experience everday Malaysian life. Our next stop is Kuala Lumpur, and from there, back to SH!

More details later (such as the mouse that ate a hole in my backpack...or was it a gecko...I know you're dying to find out, but the mystery will be unveiled later!).

Engaged!

Chris and Camilla got engaged February 22nd, 2008 in Hangzhou, China in a Chinese pagoda atop the lone hill in Zhong Shan Park next to Xi Hu (West Lake).
What a discription, huh!

We then flew to Malaysia for a week long rest at the beach and exploring Malay culture. The beach was beautiful, the water was warm and clear and the weather was wonderful. We had an awesome trip and are back to work again, teaching eager minds!