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The Adventures of NoBS Member Sandy Puc

Esteemed NoBS member Sandy Puc recently took a trip to China with her two eldest children and got an unexpected surprise. A passenger on her flight was diagnosed with the swine flu and consequently several passengers, Sandy and her children included, were put into quarantine. She has humorously posted on Facebook about her adventures and has even developed some "Quarantine Grunge Brushes" to raise money for a Chinese adoption agency.

Here's a recent post from her Facebook with the link to buy the new brushes:

Hello Everyone,

As many of you already know, the Chinese government quarantined us on our trip to China. Someone on our plane had a diagnosed case of H1V1 and so they rounded up everyone that was sitting within 20 rows of that person. We were picked up less than 24 hours after our arrival and were taken about 1.5 hours away to a quarantine hotel. I was separated from my 15-year old son, but was able to argue an keep my 16-year-old daughter with me. It has been a very frustrating and difficult week for the kids and myself. We are not able to leave our rooms and the conditions are less than acceptable. We have been eaten alive by mosquitoes, it took 2 days to get food that we could eat, we have mice all over the room and the water that comes out of the sink and shower is brown.

All of this said we have had a very special week as well. We have created ways to entertain ourselves, we have found humor in the most unbearable conditions and we have become closer than we ever have been. To explain all that we have felt and gone through would be impossible, but I wanted those of you that have been following the story on facebook to know that your letters, PMs and words have been the highlight of my day. I have had a few times where I could not hold back the tears, and just hearing from you all made me feel closer to home. Thank you all for the bottom of my heart. Words can never really explain my gratitude but I needed to say it anyway.

Part of the reason we came to China was to shoot my daughters senior pictures. The plan was the Great Wall, not to be surrounded by four small walls!! But, in spite of that, yesterday we shot the “Quarantine Series” and we had a great time doing it.

It really pushed my mind, as I had neither reflector nor any decent lighting to work with. We laughed as we tried to sneak in the hall for a few extra shots. The other Americans watched for guards and we played around a bit. There are security cameras in the hall so it was not long before the guards came running. We all bounced into our rooms just in time. Our punishment was that a guard stood directly outside our door (with the door open) and stared at us. It was so bizarre and yet we found it funny too. I think these poor people do not know what to do with the crazy American on the third floor. We have pushed our limits a bit, but believe me we are aware that they have the ultimate control.

The other project I started to occupy my time was the Quarantine Grunge brush and texture collection. I can honestly say this is the grungiest collection ever! I know because I have been living in it. We have decided to create a collection that will raise money to help a Chinese adoption agency. I cannot say that this is the best collection of brushes we have ever created, but they are VERY authentic. We are having a good time playing with them and we hope you will too.

They will be available tomorrow at 12:00. You can find them at HYPERLINK "http://www.samsworlduniversity.com" www.samsworlduniversity.com in the shopping cart area. They will be available for only $20.00. (Again we will donate all of the money to a Chinese charity)

Although this situation has been a difficult and frustrating ordeal, I want everyone to know that I do not blame anyone. Not the Chinese government, the Chinese people or even our guards. This is just a crazy unfortunate situation and it is difficult or everyone involved. China is and will remain my favorite country in the world. The people are so beautiful and their spirit of endurance is beyond anything I have ever seen.

I am hoping that you will help me reach my goal of $2500.00 to be donated to a worthy Chinese charity. This means we will need to sell over 125 templates to do so. If you are on a forum, a photography group etc. please share this effort with your fellow photography friends. I know that times are still tough, and if you cannot purchase the brushes right now, please contact me and we will give them to you. They were created in the spirit of fun and I would love for them to be used by all.

I am so humbled that I have been giving this experience. I can assure you it has brought me closer to my family, my Father in Heaven and to my many friends around the world. I have so much gratitude today for my many blessings I have and I consider each of you a part of those too.

With so much love,

Sam

PS- ONLY 1 day, 18 hours and 14 minutes to go before we get out!! YEAH!!!

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