Currently Reading Love & Respect: The Love She Most Desires, the Respect He Desperately Needs By Emerson Eggerichs see related

Hey Everyone!

Well, it's been forever since I've updated, but I've just been getting back into the swing of things here in the U.S. I really miss China and have been enjoying continuing my friendships with my friends there through emails and calls!

So, now I'm in Texas and getting things ready for our wedding! It will be November 11th, 2006 in Arlington! We're getting excited! I will be substitute teaching this semester in order to give more time for wedding planning!  I'll post an engagement photo soon!

Well, that's what's new here! Talk to you all soon!

Currently Listening Yellow By Coldplay see related

Saying Good-bye

So, I haven't posted lately cuz things have been SO crazy around here...

Today is my last day at school! :( It's so hard to say good-bye. So, we are just saying, "I'll see you later!" I look forward to returning to China again and seeing these amazing people.

Well, I guess I will go....gotta give lots of hugs and then go home and pack, pack, pack! I don't know how everything is going to fit in my suitcases! I'm going to have to leave all my clothes to make all my gifts fit! :) oh well!

See everyone in the states soon! Love you!

Currently Listening If Songs Could Be Held By Rosie Thomas It doesn't matter to the Sun see related

Random...

Hey...

So, I'm getting really sad cuz we just have about 4 weeks left in China. This year has been so great! So, I'm trying to squeeze in as much time with these people I love and still get everything done I need to....like the mountain of grading I'm living in! Aahh! Teaching is great, it's the paperwork that's not too fun.

Well, here's a picture of one of my classes recently. I did a unit on Love in my Oral English classes. Then, we discussed the differences between Chinese and American weddings and had a mock wedding. It was so fun! Everyone had a part...from the bride to the photographer!

So, I guess after planning this wedding, mine should be a breeze!

Here's the whole class! We have fun learning together!

And, here's a picture of hanging out at my friend/co-worker, Janet's house. She and Cindy-another co-worker made dinner for us! Then, we just acted silly! Janet has really become my best friend here.

Our friend, Jim, always makes us laugh! Food and fun--always a good combination!

So, we've been teaching Janet a lot of slang. And, here I'm teaching her how to walk "cool." She's so cute!

Well, that's it for now. Love you all!

Currently Listening A Rush of Blood to the Head By Coldplay Warning Sign see related

Fun times...

So, this weekend was jam-packed with fun! On Friday night, I went with some students to see the DaVinci Code. It was fun and sparked interesting conversation. Then, on Saturday, we went to an Amusement Park with some of the same students and one of my co-worker friends (Ting Ting). Here's some pics of our fun!

First roller coaster of the day--warming up!

By the way, the park has 4 main rides, but not enough electricity to run them all at once. So, sometimes you have to sit and wait on a ride unitl the others stop so your ride has enough power! Kinda funny!

Ok, here's the crazy ride! It's so fun! This is Lynn (one of my students) and I before the ride begins!

And during the ride! Aaahhh!!!!

And here we are AFTER the ride! (Needless to say, it made us a little sick!)

Despite the nausea, we had a great time! This is Ting Ting (She's in my office and teaches Calculus!)

On Sunday, I went and played Basketball with some of my other students. My team won! Hehe! It was great! I love my students!

Have a great week everyone!

Currently Listening Colors By Amos Lee see related

May Holiday!

So, last week was the national Labor holiday for China, so we got 7 days off of work! Tara (my team leader), Cindy (a friend/co-worker), and I went to Hangzhou, China. It is in the south about 3 hours from Shanghai. The big attraction there is Xi Hu, "West Lake." It was so beautiful and clean! Wow--I could actually breathe (unlike most of the time in Beijing)! :) We walked all over the city, saw the sites, and went shopping. The highlight of the trip was when we rode bicycles ALL the way around the lake!!! It was about 15 miles!!! Now, for not being in very good shape, I was pretty proud of us! We had a great time and it was so fun to spend more time with Cindy. She probably went insane spending so much time with us crazy foreigners!

Well, here's some pictures of our fun...

Here's me and Cindy at the top of a hill. We had just been on a train for 16 hours and then started walking around the whole city, so that's why we don't look the greatest!

This is a view from the lake to the LeiFeng Tower. It is a famous Pagoda.

Ok, she's just too cute! There were so many kids out and about!

We stopped on our bike ride to take a picture...it was great weather...so relaxing!

Well, that was our trip! It was a lot of fun! Now, we're back at school! Teach, teach, teach...fun, fun, fun....I love China...I love my students and faculty friends!

Have a great day everyone!