In Memory of James Noel, Aggie Class of 1952

Note:Today's Post is a little different. It is all designed to be a memorial for my friend and (I believe) Brother, Jim Noel.
Jim Noel (white hat) passed away on December 31, 2006, age 76. He was my primary instructor and "flying buddy". This picture shows him doing two of his favorite things: being on the airfield and talking to people. "Blue Skies", Dr. Noel. I believe I'll see you again.



The next three pictures are of some of our "birds" during a flour bombing competition...

N6315M (15 "Mike") to the right, one of my favorite planes.

N93124 ("November Niner 3124") bombing to the left, and after a new paint job to the right. I also enjoyed this plane and many of my hours were flown in it.

Below: Open house on campus (nice short field landing!!!) in front of the basketball arena and across from Kyle Field, (to the right of the picture, whoop!) and new members checking out the planes at Easterwood Airport, Texas A&M. To the left of the members on the airfield is runway 16/34, which was the largest and most often used runway. All pictures courtesy of the "Flying Aggies" and Easterwood Airport.

City of Contrasts

Above, Left: Traditional costumes and songs at a restaurant area.

Traffic Adventures

Here are a couple pictures/videos of traffic in the city. The overpass to the right is the only one we have in our city since there are "only a few million people" living here. Still, crossing the street and riding a taxi/bus can be quite exciting. (also see the fireworks videos in "Birthday Fireworks in Asia?" for more traffic scenes). I hope these videos remind you to regularly think about the many people in our city (and me as I cross the street. Maybe I shouldn't mention that one of my friends here was hit by a bus last year, but she is fine :) ). Thanks!



The second picture to the right, although hard to see, shows hundreds of bicycles lined up in a little parking lot where you pay the attendants to watch it. This is a big shopping area, to the right of where the traffic videos are taking place.





Notice that not many people are using the nice expensive bridges (where I am standing). I understand why the cyclists cannot, though. Oh well, fun times.

Birthday Fireworks in Asia!!??

Yes, to the right I'm holding a chocolate cake with chocolate icing and filled with chocolate pudding. What a day, spending time with friends, getting cool gifts/cards, with fun new B-day songs, eating pizza hut, chips & salsa and chocolate cake with chocolate icing and filled with chocolate pudding...priceless...


See videos below:
This was about a week before the party. At first I thought they were celebrating my B-day early but then I remembered the big anniversary they are celebrating here this month. There is no doubt in my mind where fireworks were invented. They seem to always have different kinds going off in random places.
I'm sorry that they are SIDEWAYS. Dumb mistake, I didn't think about not being able to flip a video. Well, it's interesting at least. Also notice the traffic. Pretty cool...

Day at the Museum

A large monument was placed here (left) by the central gov. soon after my visit to commemorate a big anniversary.

Dinosaurs to the right really move. One dinosaur at the entrance moved and spoke in at least 3 languages!!! Impressive...

A friend explained these smiling statues for me. They are a minority group proudly moving to another land because the space program took theirs. Put another way, this is like doing a scene with the Cherokee singing and dancing during the "Trail of Tears". Having some Cherokee blood myself, we could only sadly laugh at the exhibit.

Kids of the City Part II

The kids in the first 4 pictures are playing with their pet bunny. You may recognize the middle boy in the second picture as the one who started the trend of calling me "ge ge" (gugh gugh, or older brother. See Kids of the City Part I...hmmm, it just hit me that he had bunny ears in that picture...). People have sometimes asked me about the split bottom pants that babies/infants will sometimes wear(really cute). I actually have not seen a lot of those pants in this city (but I've seen some) and these kids are too old for them. I've found it a little difficult to take pictures of kids in general because they are so active here, bouncing all over the place getting their exercise. It's unusual for them to pose like these 3 are doing. More common reactions can be seen below with them playfully hiding from the camera (green curtain) or running around. They're all very precious, and I appreciate you remembering them.

Above: Rollerblades

Kids of the City Part I

It is important to remember the kids, too. The block above is a video of a couple kids playing a game. Then I have some more pictures below. It's great seeing the kids here having good ol' fashioned fun, and playing less video games. I'll add some more pictures/videos in "Kids of the City Part II"



Bouncing ride at a park.







Above and right: My neighbors by my apartment. Behind them is an elementary school.














A couple more pictures from the legendary "Apricot Farm Adventure".




At my tutor's place. These young students often come over at the end of my lessons to practice their English. It is customary for them to call someone like me ShuShu (uncle) when they get to know them. The boy in the left picture (bunny ears) began calling me gege (gugh gugh, which means older brother) and now they are all calling me this! That's cool and I have gotten to meet some families through them!