My Lacking

I know I haven't written many blogs lately. It's been hard since my internet doesn't allow me to be connected to the vpn for very long. Here is an update on my life...

I have two days left of school. They are just final exams, so I have no more planning to do for this semester! 4 days after my exams I will be flying out to Harbin. What's up there? Well... first of all, there is snow!!! and very very cold weather. The first thing anyone says to me is "Why are you going there? It's too cold!" It's 11pm right now and it's -13 F in Harbin. It's supposed to be -33 on Monday night! So, yes, it's cold. Quite cold, but Nicole and I will survive. We will see the amazing ice and snow sculptures!!! I'm super excited.
Bad part though... taking a 27 hour train back on hard seats... yeah, that won't be fun :(

After Harbin I'll spend some time in Wuhan and then continue on my journey. This year I'm doing Sanya (Hawaii of China), Malaysia, and Singapore. I'll return to Wuhan for the spring festival, then off to Hong Kong for the retreat! I'm excited for the traveling, but I know I always get a bit stressed out about making flights on time. Pr-y that everything works out ok! :)

Chrstmas Gifts

 Chrstmas in China is very different than America. This is a gift I received from a friend. Can you tell what it is? It's an apple. Let me explain. Chstmas Eve in Chinese is Ping an ye (means peaceful night) Apple in Chinese is ping guo. See the first "word" This pronunciation in Chinese is the same. So, many Chinese people give apples as a gift. They sell these little boxes that fit an apple perfectly :)

Here is a gift from one of my students... Can you tell what it is???? :) :)

It's snowing!!!

I was told last night (Christmas Day Night). That it was snowing. Nicole and I looked outside and saw nothing. This morning, Nicole sent me a message saying it's white outside. Sure enough!!! It snowed in Wuhan last night and continued throughout the morning. I have pictures!

I had to tutor this morning. I bike 30 minutes to get to the place we meet. Today was a very interesting bike ride. It was slightly sleeting on the way there and snowing quite heavily on the way back. I was wearing my helmet, so by the time I got home, I had a small pile of snow built up in the crevices of my helmet. No matter, it was still and interesting experience biking in the snow!

I wanted to add more photos, but my internet doesn't work very well. :(

The courtyard at 9:00am

Courtyard at 1:00pm

Chrstmas in the Classroom

I taught my students all about the First Chrstmas. We even read the story directly from the NIV. It was sort of a happy/sad moment for me. Happy because I know some of them had no idea what Chrstmas is all about, sad because of some of the responses I got/heard  during class. Here is what some of the students said.

I was explaining who Mary and Joseph were, one student said something like "I heard something like G-d was the father, so then who is Joseph?" I then explained how Mary got pregnant. One student said, "Wow, that's amazing!" Another responded right away, "It's just a story." I was heart broken. I didn't know how to respond.

When two students were talking about the First Chrstmas, one student asked about J-sus and Zeus, "I always get them confused..." Hmm... I guess there names are similar???

Another student said, "Thanks for telling us about the first Chstmas, most Chinese people don't really know what it's all about. Now we do." Yuppers! "Now you can tell your family and friends." (This time I knew what to say. :)

At E-ster I will talk about the next great holiday :)

Halloween Pictures

 I am at a friend's place tonight and they have AMAZING internet! so I'm taking advantage of it and posting more pics!!!

Girl from "The Big Bang Theory" and Buzz Lightyear!

 

odd monster

yes, it's a man.. and the joker

bear and a cat

our pirates!!

bear pajamas... so cute :)

girl from a book, I forgot which one, sorry Lisa! and I am "A Dark Night" clever, I know :)

And Old Lady, Nicole again, a butterfly, and another pirate type person...

Wedding Pictures

Adam (groom) is talking to Linda (bride) before we go and pick her up.

They don't use Limos in China, instead they rent black cars and put pink ribbons on them.

Random picture as we were in the car. Notice what this man is doing as he's "driving" That tells you how bad traffic is...

Adam is putting hong bao (red envelopes) under the door. This will get the bridesmaids to open it

The view once the door is opened... beautiful!

Lead car... I drove in this one on the way to Linda's home.

Adam carried her down to the car!

Afterwards we went to a hotel to have dinner, we are waiting for the ceremony to begin.

Kelsey and me in my new qipao (Chinese dress) This one is a bit warmer than my other one.

Oh the horror! You asked for what?!

Here is a text message conversation I recently had with one of my students...

7:25pm Me: Can I have your email address??

7:26pm Student: My horror. celia****@sina.com

8:03pm Student: Sorry! I just wanted to say it is my honor.

8:04pm Me: Yeah, I figured :)

I didn't realize that asking for an email address would cause such a reaction. :)