10 Things you can do in Wuhan

I decided to go back to my Chinese hometown of Wuhan for the October holiday. I had a lot of fun doing the things I can do there and did there for four years. Here is a list to summarize my trip back "home".

10. Watch "ants" work out and run back to their classes at Becca's high school. We also played a trick on them. That I would be their mean teacher after the break They were afraid!

9. Eat hot, dry, noodles AND Zhou Hei Ya (spicy duckneck),

8. Blind massage AND a massage with Rob all the way from Wuhan!- my timing there was perfect.

7. Lunch with smiley Renner, my buddy (otherwise known as bubby- there once was a misspelling in a text.) Also lunch with Elsie.

6. Ride a motorcycle taxi!- no picture of this one, but I was super excited. They are hard to find in Beijing since the gov regulates them a bit more here.- Maybe that's saying something,..

5. Ahao and Zhang!!! They have been awesome hangout buddies for a long time.

4. Coffee with Mouyee- well, I had coffee, she had wine. :)

3. Drink with Brian!!! Yes, his picture is an advertisement!

2. Hold Linda's baby, have a facial, and afternoon tea with her. What a blessing!

1. See countless friends, encourage people in their Walks with Him, be encouraged in my life, see the overwhelming love and blessings my great DAD has given me. I'm thankful for the time to go and visit.

Final Days

Here are some pictures from the last few days in Wuhan. I'm now back in America and when I return to China will stop my journey in Beijing!

Quick update

Well, usually I'm much better at doing blogs, but lately my life has been a little crazy. Since May 1 I I've been on at least 14 trains (kinda lost count), 3 airplanes, and lots of subway lines. I finished teaching April 26 and have been traveling pretty much every since. I've made a few trips to Beijing for visa and passport stuff, out east for an amazing retreat, a trip up to Qinghai with my roommate, another trip out east to travel with some buddies for the last time, and I will head up to Beijing again shortly.

I'm very thankful that I was done with school so early so I have been able to slowly transition to Beijing. I've attended one of their studies a few times and have gotten to know some of the Chinese. My apartment is rented, contract signed, bike bought, and visa in process. I've explored the area for food and shopping and have unpacked most of my stuff! My new life in Beijing is waiting for me!

However, before I leave, I have lots of good-byes to say here. I don't think I really understand that my time in Wuhan is so limited. I've seen a lot of friends the past few weeks and it's hard to think that it might be the last time I see them. Yes, I'm still in China, but Beijing is a bit far away and some of them are also leaving Wuhan.

On another note, I'll be celebrating the 4th in America this year! I arrive July 1st in Chicago. :) Grill-outs and fireworks, here I come!

Year 5??

When I first came to China, I was planning on staying for two years. Then, after a fun learning time in China I would return to America or maybe another country to continue teaching. However, my plans are not always HIS plans. I'm finishing up year four in Wuhan and have yet another surprise to my life!

Next school year I will not be teaching in Wuhan. I have truly enjoyed my time here, but it's time to move on to anther place. I know, a lot of you are hoping that the next place is America. However, I won't be going to America, but to Beijing! I will be teaching at a grade school in Beijing this August. I'm very excited about this new opportunity I have.

So... year 5? Yes! I will be in China for another year and after that HE only knows... I trust that he will continue to guide me in what he wants me to do. HE has been so good to me so far, I can't wait to see what else he has planned for my life!!!

My old complex

My window is facing the walkway in my complex. Compare it to a driveway but shared by about 1000 people. As I sit in my room I hear children playing and old ladies talking, cars leaving and garbage people shoveling up the garbage. I also hear people yelling, not out of anger, but advertising. I never really understood what they say and didn't really care much. Actually, it was more annoying than anything. But, then today, I discovered what this old man has been yelling for the past 6 months.

I was walking home from school and heard the familiar voice. Just before I got to him, I heard a lady say "Oh, do you have eggs?". He responded, yes, two different kinds. Eggs!! Really!? all this time he has been yelling to us that he has eggs for sale? That's where I live, people come around my complex selling eggs from a little basket. They yell loudly and walk slowly so we have time to come down and buy what they have. Now I know if I need eggs, I can get them from the guy with the strong voice.

Welcome Back

I never thought I'd be the one to have such a break in the blogging. I was doing so well with it and then, bam... silence. Here is a small update on my life.

I had two months off of teaching which resulted in lots of traveling and no routines. I went to America, Guangzhou, Bali, East Java, Jakarta, Hong Kong, and Shenzhen.

This past week I started teaching for the second semester. I have 50 days of class altogether and just finished 5 so only 45 to go!!

Coming back to Wuhan is a bit of a shock since it's still pretty cold inside. Currently it's warmer outside than inside which makes it a little frustrating ;)

Next week we'll start studies so it'll be nice to see friends again and catch up on their winter holiday breaks.

Besides that, nothing to fun, crazy, or exciting has happened (well... Indonesia was pretty fun, crazy, and exciting). I'll try to keep updating more and putting on pictures.

I'm Back!

I made it back to Wuhan without any difficulties. I arrived in Shanghai Friday night and after dropping my bags off at a fellow FoCer's house, I met up with an old Chinese friend. She didn't realize I was arriving from America, so she was a little surprised about how tired I was. Man, was I tired!!! I tried so hard to focus but sometimes when I was talking my words began to slur and I couldn't always focus on what she was saying. It was still really good to see her though!

Coming back to Wuhan was great because my friends Adam and Linda picked me up with their car. It was soooo nice to have them waiting there for me once I arrived. The ride back was great and I made my way into my apartment. Yikes, is it cold here! I don't like it at all, not after being warm in my house in America. I miss heat in the bathroom and living room. I spend most of my time in my bedroom now with the heater on, it still isn't as warm as I'd like, but.... BALI here I come!!!! I leave again on Saturday, I'll try to  keep you updated on my traveling! :)

Wuhan Traffic

Everyone in Wuhan will tell you how terrible the traffic is. I'm sure I've mentioned it before how traveling by bus or taxi there are headaches.  Buses are crowded, taxis are hard to get, traffic jams happen at all times of the day/night. However, regardless of the frustrations of crowded buses, the transportation system is awesome. You can get anywhere in the city for under $2 (usually about $0.30) And... the third subway line opened!!! Wuhan's subway is continually growing!!!

Enjoy these pictures of the impressive bus system in Wuhan.

The bus line outside my house before school. I'm very thankful I can bike to school every day.

buses looking the other direction

The "sidewalk". The actual sidewalk doesn't exist right now so we walk through here. Don't worry, the cars aren't really moving anyways.

More of the sidewalk

A New Life

I know I have been really bad updating you recently. I've been busy teaching, "studying", and preparing for my new life. This year of Foc is almost done, that means some current teachers will be returning to America and not return to China in the fall. My life will be very very different next year. I'm excited about it, but also very nervous. Here are my changes

1. Biggest change- Nicole got an assignment to teach Math at the WELS High School in New Ulm. I'm so excited for her to start this part of her life, but sad that she won't be here with me in China next year. She has been such a huge part of my life here and it will be quite the adjustment to not have her around next year. I am so thankful for the past three years we had together. There are so many good memories.

2. Getting a new guy! Replacing  Nicole next year will be a guy by the name of Dan. We are still looking for a job for him, but he will live near David, Andy, and me. This means, three boys and me! Fun times, I'm sure. However, no girl... interesting I'm sure!

3. Moving!  My school is making me move. So, I had the choice of moving in the provided apartments, or find one on my own. I decided to find one on my own. I will live with Leona, a Chinese friend. We just signed a contract for a new apartment. It's located right next to a big bus stop and about a seven minute walk to the subway. So, it will be convenient to get around. However, it's very very old. Not nearly as nice as my current place. But, with a little love, we will make it a beautiful home.

I think three changes are enough for now :) I'm very thankful for all the blessing I have here in China. Please keep my in your "thoughts" as I adjust to the new life I will have here in Wuhan. Change can be good, but can also be very hard. I teach my students about the joys of change in one's life, how you can expand your comfort circle... I have to take my own advice now!

Here are a few pictures of my place, I'll get more soon as we move things in.

My entryway

The kitchen- about three times the size of my old one!

Bathroom- about half the size of my old one :(

The living room- this closet might become mine

My room!

The second room- maybe my roommate's. There is also a third room, which is much smaller

It's official

I guess it's actually been official for a while, and to be honest, I forget if I already posted this... But I have signed up to return to China for a fourth year. I love my family and friends in America, but I just don't feel like it's time for me to come back.

I'm not sure what will all happen next year, but I plan to stay at my current school for year three. I will have to move since my school will no longer provide my current apartment. I may move in with a Chinese friend. In fact, I have mentioned her a few times in my blog; The "runaway". I'll keep you updated as I prepare for my next here serving HIS sheep across the ocean.

Bus in Wuhan

I took some pictures while I was on the bus from my part of town to another Foc part. I was hoping to capture the crowds of people that are always outside waiting for the bus. They were taken from my iPod, so they might not be the greatest quality.
One of the pictures shows the inside of the bus. I also included a picture of me with my friend Lyrica!

Jobs found in China

I've been wanting to make a post about this for a long time. Like over a year... I just haven't gotten around to making an actual list. So, I'm going to start. I may add to it in the future, but at least it's started. Here are some jobs that you can only (or more likely) find in China.

1. puddle sweeper- there are people who sweep the streets, part of that includes sweeping any puddles that have formed. This way no person, biker, or motor vehicle will have to cross the dangerous puddle.

2. pool ball setter upper- maybe we have these in America, but I've never seen them. When you go and play pool there is a person who will set up the balls for you after each game. How convenient!

3. bike watcher- riding your bike to the store? Don't want to risk someone taking it? Find a biker watcher. Pay them a mere 8 cents to watch your bike as long as you need!

4. cheerleader- this one I'm making up myself, but wherever you see workers, you almost always see too many. I think the others are there for moral support and cheering the team on.

5. theft avoider- shopping? thinking of stealing (hopefully not)? Even if you wanted to, it would be hard. As so you as step into an aisle in the store, an employee is right there beside you. It's like shopping with a friend :)

6. McDonald's delivery person- that's right! McDonald delivers. However, Pizza Hut does not... Things are a little backwards here :)

Shopping around

Yesterday I spent the majority of my day in Hankou. For those of you that don't know where it is, it's about an hour bus ride north, or east, possibly west or south (can you tell I'm not good with directions in this city). Anyways, it's where 6 other of our FoCers live. We need to rent a new apartment, so I have joined them in the search.

After sitting in hot offices, looking at three apartments, and not really wanting any of them, we decided to go back home for supper. The last apartment was nice and the landlords really tried to talk us into getting it, but the price and location wasn't really what we wanted- still an option though.

After supper I helped Nicole move her new roommate from Hankou to Wuchang (where she and I live). Her roommate isn't the typical roommate and the first taxi didn't want his hair in his taxi (yup, it's a boy, named Rom- short for Romulus). The next taxi driver was much nicer. We helped Rom get in the back seat and off we went! After some time, the taxi driver started talking to me and asking all the typical questions: where am I from, what am I doing in China, how much money do I make, and if I am married. I told him I was not married, but that I did have a boyfriend, a foreign boyfriend- even though I am single (I've learned from past mistakes- see post entitled "Just say 有 you"), that you sort of need a boyfriend if you don't want to get set up with their son/ or grandson. After that, I ran out of vocabulary, but he didn't run out of ideas to talk about. So the next 10 minutes I spent saying, I don't understand and sorry, what does ____ mean?

We got Rom back safely, rearranged Nicole's apartment a bit so that there was room for his cage (Rom is a rabbit if you haven't discovered) and I quickly went to bed. This morning I was up at 6:30am and ready for my day! Oh, what jet-lag does to me...