Reliving 1994

When I turned eight years old in 1994, I thought I had the best birthday ever. I spent it at Skate Away, the very lively skating rink in Topeka, where I loved to skate with my little friends. And honor of honors, Skate Away proclaimed this special occasion on their sign overlooking Fairlawn. I remember being so happy that all of Topeka could see this sign saying something like, "Happy 8th birthday, Laura!" And that was probably the last time I wore actual roller skates.

And today I had the opportunity to wear true roller skates again, 14 years later! I went with my students, Wendy and Karen, to the "skating rink" at new campus. This rink was amazing. It was actually just a gigantic room with concrete floors. There was a big set of windows that let in natural light. There weren't any crazy disco balls or flashing lights. It was still a lot of fun though.

I rented black roller skates for 5 kuai. They were black skates- size 42 men's skates. All the girls had brown skates, but there weren't any big enough for my American Midwestern feet. In fact, I barely made it in the men's skates. The biggest size for men was 44. Thank goodness my feet stopped short of that size, otherwise I might have never been able to skate in China!

The place was filled with energy. As the minutes went by, the room filled with more students skating in their China-y clothes, which reminded me of the good old days in 1994. There was some really funky music playing, and everyone had a great time.

There were some of the most amazing roller skaters I've ever seen. They blew the Topeka Skate Away pros out of the water. They went backwards so quickly, the air buzzed around them. Then they just hopped over our feet while we were resting on a bench. They also formed chains, holding on to each other's backs while skating at about 100 mph. It looked like a congo line. Some guys also could spin with their hands on the floor. It all was dizzying.

Wendy, Karen, and I skated hand-in-hand for over an hour. And of course some of the best skaters decided they also wanted to skate with us. It was so crazy, I thought I was going to die. They put me right in the middle of one of those chains. I couldn't move my feet fast enough to keep up with them, so I just tried to cling onto them and survive. It was so fun and scary at the same time.

But, at one point after about the fifth lap of this, my skate caught on the uneven floor and I collided with the floor and the other skaters in horrifying slow motion. Good thing I had so much long underwear on for padding. I fell on my right side going at the sound of speed, and then the several people behind me also careened into the ground. Thankfully, everyone tried very hard not to kill me. They were so courteous as they smashed to the concrete. I covered my head as everyone leaped over me and around me, barely missing me by 2 centimeters. So then our whole cool skating line was in a gigantic heap because I fell. It's pretty funny to think about it now.

Then everyone had to make sure I was okay, although they were more likely to be hurt than I was. I ended up breaking the wheels on one of my skates, so some boys with huge hair and amazing skating skills tried to fix the foreigner's gimpy skate. Alas, they couldn't fix it and I was embarrassed to attract so much attention, like usual.

So it was actually a really fun time. I realized it was great exercise that is acceptable for girls to do in China, unlike weight-lifting, etc. Perhaps I can invest in a pair of rollerblades and skate again with my students and new-found skating rink buddies.

Now it's off to dinner with one of my students. Everything's so busy, I've hardly stopped to think that today is the last day of 2008! What a challenging, but wonderful and blessed year!

Christmas Day 3

The past couple of days have been quite different from the usual. Well, as usual as China can be.

Yesterday our team had a little retreat to just lift up our thoughts and study the Word. It was a wonderful time away from the craziness of life. We were able to momentarily forget about the rest of the world to spend time with Him.

In the evening I went out to buy a sweet potato on the street for dinner. Then I bought some oranges from the "watermelon lady." I gave her a scarf Mom had sent me in the mail, because she always looks freezing. I handed it to her with two hands, saying "Sheng dan kuai le!" (Merry Christmas). She looked so thrilled, smiling with her two teeth. And she grabbed my hands shaking them very excitedly. Then she gave me a couple apples for free. As I was walking away, I almost started crying, because I was just so glad that I could help brighten her day a little bit. She also always brightens my day!

Today, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. we had our Christmas party for our students. We had three different "stations" of activities for each class of students. We had a dizzy Santa relay race, where the students had to put on a Santa outfit, run to the other side and spin around, and then run back to the rest of their team. We also had singing Christmas carols and then acting out the Nativity story.

About half of my students came all the way from new campus in the cold and drizzle. Here are some pictures and a video from the day's activities. It was a great day to open our homes to them and share more about what we believe in a fun way.

The first picture is of some of my students acting out the Nativity story. The second is of me with a bunch of my students. The third is of the dizzy Santa relay. The video is of some of my students singing "The Twelve Days of Christmas" and they're so cute!

Christmas time

Merry Christmas to everyone in America!

Right now in China it is already the day after Christmas, so I'm thinking of all the family and friends who are currently celebrating Christmas back home.

Yesterday was a very pleasant day, for the most part. Our team ate a good breakfast together and opened some presents. We bought or made presents for each other that cost under 10 kuai. Then some of us watched "It's a Wonderful Life." Later we went and took pictures together at a little China-y photo booth place for fun. We also ate Christmas dinner together in one of the smoky, drafty Chinese restaurants. But it was good.

So I hope you all are having a wonderful, blessed day! Here are just a few pictures from the past couple days. The first is one of some really good cha-cha dancers at the worker's union performance on Christmas Eve. The second one is when I was dancing for the same performance. The third one is of me with some of my Christmas presents from students--a face mask for the cold and a huge stuffed dog.

Christmas Eve

Merry Christmas Eve!

I hope you are having a restful Christmas Eve with family, snow, etc. And I hope you are WARM!

People were right about Nanchang--the cold seeps into your bones and never leaves. It is particularly challenging and frustrating when you are supposed to dance ballet with it at 32 degrees inside a theater.

We didn't have to teach today, but we still had to go to new campus for most of the day. We went to the rehearsal in the morning for the worker's union performance, which turned out to be a big, fancy shindig.

During the rehearsal, I slipped on the super slick stage. All the performers before me had tracked in the rain and muck from outside. So then I was thinking about not falling and how my toes were so numb, I couldn't point them. While I was concentrating on that, I totally blanked out halfway through my dance and just stood there. I felt like I disappointed a lot of people, but I was glad it was just a rehearsal.

While we were sitting in the audience watching the other flashy performances, about a dozen of my students trooped in, expecting to see my dance. They had just got out of class and came over as soon as they could. I was sorry to tell them they had missed my dance. And students weren't allowed to come to the afternoon show.

They also brought a bunch of Christmas presents for me, which was unexpected. I left the place carrying an armload of gifts. They gave me a huge stuffed dog, really warm mittens, a face mask for the cold and/or pollution, some pretty cards, and a beautiful, miniature tea set.

Then our team and the foreign affairs office people who are in charge of us went to the cafeteria for an appetizing lunch of boiled greens and 20 times baked cauliflower. I didn't mind too much that there wasn't anything good to eat. We sat there with the cold wind gusting in through the doors, and I could tell we were all getting really run down. So Rachael and I decided to lift up our thoughts to Him like we were having a conversation, because our whole team has been struggling through the past few very stressful days.

After lunch Mr. Li and Amy took me to the school clinic, because two of my fingers on my left hand hurt really badly. They are currently very swollen, red, and achy. We barely made it through the door when a bunch of doctors and eager patients gathered around my hand. A lady doctor just squeezed my finger and looked at it for a minute.

I never found out what was wrong with it. Amy, the translator, said she didn't know how to translate it. I asked her, "Was it from the cold? Was it from a bug bite? Did I hurt it? Do I have arthritis?" She said she didn't know. Then they gave me some smelly oil stuff to rub on one of my fingers. They also gave me some sort of little plaster mixture to wear on it for four days, too.

Then we went to the performance and sat in the audience. We watched as lots of people poured into the auditorium, which seemed more like a damp, cold tomb. But it was hard not to get excited by the excited people around us. Everyone was bundled up, chattering away. Really tall military guys in green uniforms with their chests puffed out stood at attention in the aisles, by the stage, and by the doors during the whole performance. It reminded me of the "Sound of Music" when the Von Trapp family is singing on the stage and they escape soon afterwards. The Nazi soldiers then run out exclaiming, "They're gone! They're gone!"

So our team was all dressed up and we sang a song, half in English, half in Chinese. The crowd of several hundred people was enthusiastic. Then the music for my dance began. I leaped out onto the stage thinking how I should have gone to the bathroom before I started.

At first no one could see me, because the stage and auditorium was pitch black. Someone hadn't turned the lights back on. But I kept dancing. After a few seconds the lights went on and I decided just to have fun and entertain the expectant people. I also spontaneously added some more dramatic arm expressions and made sure to flash a smile every 2 seconds. The stage actually wasn't slick this time, and I just enjoyed dancing for the audience. Thankfully, I didn't blank out at all. The audience started clapping during the middle, just like if I had done 32 fouettes. I could have fallen and they would have still cheered. But I know that I did my best, and was thinking that all of those "Nutcracker" performances from the past weren't for naught. Who knew that we'd spend our Christmas Eve day this way.

And our Christmas Eve night has been quite wonderful. We met in Joelle's room with other Chinese brothers and sisters to celebrate Christmas. We decorated sugar cookies, read the Christmas story from the Word, sang carols, and lit candles. Afterward, we went outside and threw firecrackers on the ground and played with sparklers. We also wrote "wishes" on a big red paper lantern. One of our friends lit a light under the lantern, and we watched in wonder as it floated into the air and slowly sailed away. It was so meaningful to be with other brothers and sisters in China on such a special night.

This Christmas isn't really about getting lots of presents or doing Christmasy things or going to fellowship. It is more like having to totally rely on Him, otherwise you think you might not make it to tomorrow. It's also about remembering the important things in life and how life in Him brings true joy and contentment, despite circumstances or cultural barriers.

Anyway, Sheng dan kuai le! (Merry Christmas!)

P.S. I have received 49 text messages so far from my students wishing me a Merry Christmas. I have no idea how that many people got my phone number, but I guess word spreads quickly.

A Frozen Winterland

Welcome to southeastern China, where it never snows! But, alas, it snowed yesterday!

Yesterday morning I woke up to bitter cold in our apartment. As the sun slowly began to rise, it shed light on a still, white world. And it was about 25 degrees, with the wind chill lower. That might not be very cold to some of you hearty Americans, but it is much colder in drafty, unheated building. The temperature is the same inside as outside. And so many students don't have heavy enough clothing for this type of weather.

So I bundled up that day in my very unattractive China-bought winter clothing, looking more like a manly Eskimo than anything. I went to school and tried teaching 1 class, but it was pretty difficult because of the cold.

Most of the students were so excited to see snow, because it was the first time for many of them. But that excitement quickly faded as people became more numb by the second. For class, we stood the entire time, because I'm pretty sure they were going to freeze to death, especially without gloves. One girl brought in a snowball for me and I set it on the podium up front. It didn't even begin to melt during the 2 hour class, since it must have been below freezing in the classroom.

The whole time, I was thinking, "this is ridiculous!" Nobody can learn in this type of environment, especially without good socks or any gloves. After a while, I just gave up and let them go early. But they didn't really have anyplace warmer to go.

Anyway, I got home at lunch time not being able to feel my toes--they were so numb. I looked at them and they were a very waxy white, which scared me a little, especially when they refused to warm up. I guess according to the Internet and other people, I was starting to get frostbite. The feeling in my toes finally started coming back after soaking them in lukewarm water for 30 minutes...

Today I taught 2 classes and it was slightly warmer. It was about 35 degrees in the classrooms. It didn't feel quite as bad today, because the wind wasn't gusting through the windows and doors. But my students still looked miserable. I asked them if they liked winter and they all screamed, "NO!"

Since today was the last official day of the semester our classes, we didn't do very many productive things. I had them jump up and down to stay warm, and I also taught them the "hokey pokey," which they loved.

We also had a "free talk" where I asked them questions and they asked me questions. I found out a lot more about their lives. It costs 8,000 yuan ($1,200)/ year to attend this university, which is pretty expensive for China. Their parents or villages support them. And the majority of their parents work in factories--shoe factories, plastic factories, or clothing factories. Their parents migrate to big cities to work endless hours in these factories so their children can have a better life than they've had.

A lot of my students also have siblings, which isn't all that rare, despite China's "one-child" policy. They all said that their parents were fined a certain amount for them, if they were younger children. I told my students I think they were more than worth the money. :)

I also had them anonymously write an evaluation for my class, so I can try to do better next semester. They wrote about one thing they liked, and one thing they would change or would like to learn. Most of them didn't follow the directions, and just made it whatever they wanted to say to me indirectly. Some of the responses just about made me cry, not because they hurt my feelings, but because I feel like He has actually been using me to touch their lives by being a good teacher.

Here's a little sampling of some of the sweetest or most outrageous ones. Prepare to laugh. Or prepare a Kleenex!

"It's really lucky that I could have the chance to learn from you. Salute to our wonderful teacher!"

"My love of oral English class: Although it is very chilly today, we still sit down the room J2-105. However, we would rather stay here which is warmer than outside. Most of all, we're excited about the special class that Miss Laura teaches us oral English. In other words, as soon as she came in, we are boiled. Also this is the last class in 2008.
I always want to say 'I really appreciate Miss Laura, her teaching is very helpful, and so humorous and generous she is, we all love her.' Time lefts just like the water follows in the river. But we aren't regret."

"Our English teacher (Laura) is funy, and her English is very wonderful. Her beautiful voice is much better than any other English teacher. She is so beautiful, just like a superstar. I want our English teacher teaching us until we graduate."

"I think we have a good and kind English teacher in our class. She is very helpful and beautiful English teacher. She teaches me how to study English and make every students happy in her class."

"What I liked about the class is Miss Laura often let us discuss and talk free. So that we have time to be creative. I think this is one point different from Chinese education."

"I like the class. Because it makes me feel relaxed and happy. The way of you teach us is easy to understand. I like the classmates. They are interesting activity fellow. I like the teacher. You are easygoing and always bring happy to us, never be angry to us. You are our teacher, also you are our friend."

"How time flies! Many things become a part of my memory. I find I fall in love with my teacher. I love her humor, her lovely expression and teaching skills. I find I learn many things from Miss Laura. I understand what is optimistic. I also know much more knowledge on America. I really think it's the best memory of my life. Thanks Miss Laura sincerely!"

Wow. I could have included many more, but those were the most memorable. :) I hope you enjoyed them! Good thing I had them leave their names off the papers! I don't want to know who has "fall in love with my teacher."

I just wanted you to read some of those comments I received, since you are a big part of what's happening over here, too. I think that I have earned a lot of respect, and the students can see that I'm different. It is a great transition to eventually be able to speak of the Father's love and how He has helped me teach this way and be this kind of person.

Merry December 23rd! Have safe travels and stay warm!

Winter is truly here

Happy Winter everybody!

It has been a wonderful and cold weekend. It is now Sunday night and I don't know where the whole weekend went!

On Saturday morning I finally got to read for leisure for a couple of hours. Later I also got to talk to some lovely family members on the best invention--Skype. Then Rachael and I went to Wal-mart on the 231 bus, which is always a fun excursion. Nothing notable happened, which was sort of a nice change.

We were walking by a tall apartment building that was under construction in the afternoon. There were workers up on the 8th floor, who yelled at us "HELLO! HELLO!" This usually happens when we walk by people on the street, but I was pretty amazed at the workers who were a million feet in the air and had spotted the top of the foreigners' heads. I couldn't help but look up and wave at the smiling workers looking down at us.

Then last night the girls on our team celebrated Jodi's 23rd birthday with another meal of... Chinese food! Then we watched "Air Force One" with Harrison Ford, and had a great time. It was such a suspenseful movie, but we were laughing the entire time. It was such a nice night!

This morning we did not have fellowship, but Rachael and I decided we still wanted to go downtown to Ba Yi Square to wander around. We thought that because it was freezing cold and extremely windy, the buses wouldn't be crowded. But, nope, nobody was deterred. The Chinese are never deterred by anything. Everything was just as crowded as usual. Several buses went by without stopping. So a senior student started chatting with us and it was pretty pleasant. Usually the Chinese are so friendly, so you never feel alone or hung out to dry. On the contrary, sometimes the attention can be suffocating. But today it was welcome.

We went to the post office, the eye doctor for contact solution, a DVD shop, and other random shops. The majority of shops in Nanchang aren't very interesting. About every third shop is a copy shop. Another third sells MP3 players and computer parts. The rest are either restaurants or parts for bicycles and mopeds.

It is also fun to go downtown, because once and a while you spot another foreigner, and usually we know them or have seen them before. In the DVD shop we saw a guy from fellowship. Then at a bus stop we saw another older foreign guy we had seen on another university campus. He pretended he didn't see us. That's how some of the foreigners are. They obviously see you, but they like to be by themselves like a Lone Ranger. Sometimes they also seem peeved that they aren't the only exotic foreigner in the city. I, however, love to talk to the rare foreigner, because it's like finding an endangered bird or species of animal.

Tonight we had a dinner and Christmas service with our fellowship at one of the university's downtown, just like for Thanksgiving. It's wonderful to meet with other Americans, Germans, Africans, Australians, Philippinos, Indians, etc. who are also brothers and sisters in Him.

At 8:30 we took the bus home in the bitter cold. It is the coldest it has been yet. It is 30 degrees, with the wind chill much lower. That's pretty cold for Nanchang, especially when there isn't any heat in most buildings. Today when Rachael and I were trying to cook, the propane on the stove kept going out because of the wind steadily blowing through our very drafty apartment.

Tonight it's supposed to be about 20 degrees. I worry about my students, because they don't have any heat in their breezy dorms. At least I have a little heater in my bedroom, which is more than most people in this city or university have.

So in honor of the first day of winter, I will share a text message one of my students sent me: "Today is the winter solstice. we usually eat dumpling in china. otherwise your ear will be frostbited. so please remember eat dumpling. hope you have a good weekend. :)"

Oh, no, I hope I can sleep tonight, knowing that I didn't eat a dumpling today. Hopefully I won't wake up with a "frostbited" ear.

Have a great Sunday!

News updates

Today I conducted my last final exam! I feel like the semester is wrapping up well. I still have to teach next week, but we'll just do fun stuff.

It was another strange day. After my class, two very glamorous policewomen interviewed me and my teammates individually through a translator. I recognized them from when a couple of us went to the police station a couple of months ago and when they took our pictures as we were teaching. The Chinese like to keep good tabs on their few foreigners.

So today was one of those little check-ups. Again, they wanted to know where else in China we've been and how this city compares to those cities. They also asked if we felt safe here, etc. I answered in a very generic, non-committal way to those questions, just like how they asked the questions. I said I felt safe and I love this city. I'm being treated well. I didn't mention that I fear for my life because of the traffic.

They recorded what I said in a notebook and then they had me sign it. Then they gave us a business card all in Chinese with a number to call the police station, in case we ever needed help. It was just a formality. Later my teammates and I were laughing that if we were in trouble and had to call them in English, it would be useless. They would just say "shenme? shenme?" (what? what?) I guess it's another inspiration to learn Chinese, in case of an emergency.

I also found out that our team and I will not be in the university's 15th anniversary performance like they had told us we would be. Apparently our performances last night at the "rehearsal" were "not formal enough." That's a little sad. I have a feeling that's not the real reason we won't be participating, but maybe next time I'll know to bring my elaborate tutu and headpiece.

It was just a tad bit frustrating, because I know I danced really well and that the crowd loved it. I have also been practicing for a couple months now and the university had said my dance was basically mandatory. However, they said we can perform next week on Christmas Eve for the "worker's union" at the university. Oh, okay. Whatever that means and whatever a worker's union is. Is that like entertaining the troops? Again, I can't take it personally, just like everything else that doesn't really make sense here.

Yesterday I received three packages, and my teammates also received some, too. Joelle let me borrow a very recent Newsweek she got in the mail. I was so excited to read it, but then I read the cover, which said "How to fix the world." Inside it said, "how Barack Obama can forge a global formula for peace." Then I realized that I'd rather be ignorant at this moment and just read filtered news from China. Or maybe I'd rather be reminded that there is only one true Peacemaker, and it's not Obama or any other fallible human being that might grace the cover of an American news magazine.

On a bright note, we found out today that our Thailand travel plans may be close to getting resolved. Thai Air has finally decided to reimburse us for our cancelled flights. And our travel agent found us new flights, although they are much longer and not as direct. On the way there we can fly to Guangzhou to Bangkok to Chiang Mai, and then go back the same way. So thanks for your thoughts on that. It was a good opportunity for me to trust Him. For some reason all the other way more crazy things that have happened here haven't bothered me as much. I finally just had to give it to Him, and of course it always works out! (Right, Andrea?)

I leave you with a cute note a student wrote about Miss Laura: "My teacher is very young. On the other hand, she looks after us very well." Yes, I sort of feel like they're my children now and I want to protect them and I want them to succeed and I want them to know truth.

Happy Friday!

Life's a stage

Hello, from the blog of ballerina Laura. The day has come when I've been able to dance in front of a Chinese audience.

Today after class, the FAO took us to the university's "small theatre" for a performance rehearsal. The university's 15th year anniversary is in January, and the foreigners will be a part of the crew who helps mark the occasion.

I was surprised when we walked into a really ornate, formal building that had a huge stage and seats. There was a random audience of students, teachers, and nurses gathered. Our team sang a song that Shannon and Joelle had written. Shannon played a drum and Jodi played the guitar. The rest of us sang, and we each had microphones. In addition, we each had a "solo"--a line each. And the song was half in English, half in Chinese. Everyone in the audience started clapping along.

I don't think they cared if we could sing well or not. They love the foreign teachers. And at the end we said, "Wo ai Zhongguo; Wo ai Nanchang; Wo ai Lan Tian!" (I love China; I love Nanchang; I love Blue Sky!) They went crazy, because they truly love their country and university above all.

We ran off the stage, and music immediately played for my ballet dance that I've been choreographing. Everyone was watching, enraptured, and I tried my best to dance well. I think all those many years of performing the Nutcracker, Swan Lake, etc. paid off. At the end I ran off and then ran back on for a curtsy and then ran off again. I was so glad to see that I could still dance. And I'm glad I pleased everyone. People gathered back stage were also glad. One tall guy went up to me, smiling so broadly. He put two thumbs up right in my face and it looked like he was going to kiss me. And another guy asked in Chinese if I was Russian.

Then we watched the other performances. Most of them were also dances, and they were pretty good. It was just so exciting. It was slightly less exciting when one of my students came up to me backstage begging for a better grade on her exam. I didn't expect to see her there. Yesterday I had to give her a zero on her final because she kept cheating on her exam, despite numerous warnings.

Anyway, I have come to the conclusion that China is a society which loves putting on a show. Students are constantly practicing for a performance on any given day. And our team's participation in this particular show is practically mandatory. Oh, well! It's sort of fun.

In other news, I've been conducting final exams and hanging out with students, usually for lunch. They have also been giving me Christmas presents that make me want to cry. One girl came to my office today with a box wrapped in paper. I opened it, and inside there were literally hundreds of tiny origami cranes and hearts that she had folded. It almost took my breath away. I will have to post a picture of it.

Then other students gave me lots of chocolate, since once upon a time I said I liked chocolate. I have enough to last me the rest of my life. A couple other girls gave me a pretty jar with about a hundred 3D paper stars in a million different colors they had folded. There were also little scrolls rolled up with little messages like, "We wish you a happy everyday!" and "We love you!"

I also went out to lunch with one of my students, who is interested in the Word. I paid for lunch last time, so I received a text message from her today that said, "Dear Laura-- you are in china. i'm landlord. you had the bill last time so i will foot the bill today. it's called "courtesy demand reciprocity" so i will do that today. it's my pleasure. :)" I just liked the part about "i'm landlord."

So as the semester is drawing to a close, my students are growing so much dearer. Today when I was watching over them as they diligently took an exam, my heart felt like it was going to burst. They are the sweetest kids and I want them to have hope in the Father so much.

Wow, that was a lot I had to say today. Thanks for reading. And thanks for lifting us up! There is so much happening right now, that I'm barely sleeping, barely eating, and barely stopping to breathe. Maybe you can think of me that I would rely on Him and not on my own strength.

China party

Today it was a bit warmer and I felt a bit better. My neck and throat are hurting now, but I had more energy and was able to teach for four hours straight without dying. So that was very welcome!

In class we have been reviewing for the final exams. I also have them journal about a special question I choose every class. This week's question has been, "Who is the most influential person in the world and why?" I have to admit I chose that question partially because I could predict what they would say. And I was about half right.

When I was in rural China 2.5 years ago, all the students had answered that question the same: Chairman Mao Zedong. So I was curious to see if it was true for a more urban part of China, 2.5 years later. About a third of my classes said Chairman Mao. They said he was a great leader, he unified China, and gave people food to eat, etc. Then about another third said Thomas Edison or other scientists. The rest said their parents or famous basketball players. I thought it was an interesting little survey in disguise... :)

After a quick dinner at home on old campus today, I ventured back to new campus by myself on the city buses. I haven't tried to get to the other campus by city bus. Usually we have a driver or I take the school bus. I had been very formally invited to a class party by three of my classes. So I thought it would be nice to attend.

I managed to get on the right bus and get off at the right stop. I also found the right building and the right students and the right party. One of the classrooms had been transformed into a party room of sorts. There were bright balloons and streamers hanging everywhere. I hardly recognized any of my students, just like I barely recognized the classroom. A lot of the girls had skirts on and makeup. Some of the boys had their hair all slicked back. All of my students were still very cute and innocent looking, though.

I walked into the classroom of about 100 of my students, plus a random Japanese class of about 60 students. It was a very well-planned shindig. All of my students absolutely screamed when they saw me, and I was so excited to see them, like usual. They were in an extra festive mood. Some of the quietest, most sullen students were being the most extroverted people ever. It was entertaining.

The whole classroom was lined with desks, where everyone sat with glow sticks, oranges, and sunflower seeds as party favors, I guess. I was talking to my students, and then they sat me all alone in the "VIP" seating. From that point on, I didn't understand very much. Other Chinese teachers came and sat next to me and the party was more like a performance. Several of the students were emcees, and some did little funny skits in Chinese. Others danced. I applauded and smiled a lot in appreciation, even though I was thinking, "I have no clue what's happening." Finally a couple students, Savannah and Reborn, felt sorry for me and acted as my translators.

Then a teacher borrowed my little purse for his skit. I was very confused, but didn't argue. He wore it and put a bunch of stuff in it. So during the skit, he was pulling out a harmonica, chalk, and a cactus from my purse. Yes, a cactus. And everyone laughed. Later I dumped out a bunch of cactus remains from my purse. All I could do was laugh.

After about an hour and a half, a very enthusiastic boy from the university newspaper and a few of my students pulled me out to the hallway for an "interview." The reporter was so nervous, and didn't write down a single word I said. There's no way he understood or could remember what I said. I know that a little article will appear in the newspaper, which will have me saying wonderful propaganda that I didn't say. Oh, well! Again, all I could do was laugh. Then he had me write a "New Year's message" for the whole university student body. I hope all 50,000 students will be encouraged by my humble New Year's message for good health and well-being. :)

By 8:15 p.m. the party didn't seem to have an end in sight, so I quietly left. It had been nice to see my students acting so care-free and happy. Reborn walked with me to the front gate to make sure I found the bus stop again. Then when the 220 bus pulled up, she got on and gave express instructions to the bus driver to drop me off at the old campus back gate. It was so precious of her. All of my students are always so hospitable and kind.

Now it's very late and I have a very full day tomorrow. Thanks so much for your thoughts!! I'm getting better and I still love China and my students!

Christmas cookies at the orphanage

The past few days have been a blur. Yesterday (Sunday) I didn't make it to fellowship with my team because of my fever and exhaustion, etc. I slept for 12 hours straight Saturday night.

Today I'm feeling a bit better, but I still have a slight fever and I'm still exhausted. Thankfully I just had to teach one class, and they were good students. I was worn out from just standing up there and talking. For most of the time I just leaned on the podium, hoping I wouldn't fall over.

On Saturday I could tell I was getting a bit more ill, but our team went to an orphanage that afternoon on the other side of the city. I didn't want to miss it for anything.

We hung out with about 25 kids at the "children's village." They ranged in age from 5 to 15, and they were all so precious, especially the 5 year-olds, because they looked like they were about 3. And I wanted to adopt all of them.

Our team brought Christmas sugar cookies to decorate with the kids. It was so funny, because they had never frosted cookies before, and sprinkles were very foreign to them. We had to basically frost all the cookies for them, but they loved to eat them!

Then we played games outside in the chilly air for about an hour. We couldn't really communicate with them very well, since our Chinese is so limited, but it didn't seem to matter. We still had a great time hanging out with them and playing with them. They were just so enthusiastic, and were bursting with energy. One 11 year-old girl said it was the "happiest day of her life." There were also a few girls who wanted to just hold my hand the whole time. Then there was one crazy, but cute little boy who just ran over to me and sat in my lap for a while.

Anyway, it was really wonderful, and hopefully we'll go visit them again next month. It was certainly a highlight of my weekend.

Please be thinking of us as we wrap up this semester--for health and for meaningful conversations with our students.

(I'm leaving you with some pictures of our team at the orphanage).

I'm starting to drag...

Another wonderful week has come to a close. And I am sick again, just like I am about every six weeks. Yesterday I went to bed really early, and today I've been so tired I can barely stand. I'm pretty sure I also have a fever, because I couldn't stop shivering and it's been a balmy 65 degrees outside.

I really hope I have more energy tomorrow, because our team is going to visit an orphanage!! I can't wait to see the little children. We are also going to decorate Christmas cookies with them, because we're bringing homemade sugar cookies. Little Chinese kids are always irresistable.

Since yesterday I've also been extremely frustrated and bothered for some reason. After living in China for 3 months, I'm used to having most everything out of my control. But, yesterday I couldn't handle it very well.

Yesterday I got an email that my return ticket from our conference in Thailand was cancelled. I used my alloted 6,000 RMB from our organization for that ticket. Now, I can't get any information about what to do next. Our travel agent in Beijing has said I can buy another return ticket on Thai Air for 5,000 RMB, but I can't return until February 10th, not February 5th. The problem is that I have nowhere near 5,000 RMB in my bank account. And we have to be back to Nanchang by February 8th. I'm just really frustrated, because I don't know what to do and nobody is being helpful. Apparently there is not such thing as a refund or rebooking. I just have to count it as a loss, according to this travel agent.

Can you please think of me? For some reason, this is sort of the straw that's breaking the camel's back for me.

On another more cheerful note, I got one last batch of cute Santa letters and Christmas cards in class:

"Dear Laura: Merry Christmas!! Happy holidays! Happy smiles always wear on your face!"

"Dear Santa, I am a clever girl. Please give me a lovely dog."

"Miss Laura, Christmas is coming. I know you are good teacher in my school. But you can't go America during the Christmas holidays, because the plane check is too expensive. I wish you will have a good time in China."

"Dear Laura: You're such a good teacher, friendly, responsible and intelligent. It's a pity that you can't spend Christmas with your family. But, all of us are your friends. May you happy in China."

My students never cease to make me smile, and they usually can brighten any dreary day.

Well, my people, I hope I didn't complain too much in this blog. I'm very blessed, so I cannot complain very often. Sometimes the stresses of living in an Eastern culture begin to wear on me, no matter how adaptable or resilient I try to be. And the unexpectedness of every day here is very exciting, but it can also take a toll on you physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Thanks as always for your thoughts!

Bing Crosby's not so cool in China

Today has been a pretty okay day. I think I'm on the verge of getting sick, and I'm feeling really tired lately. Teaching and being with students has still been going well, though.

Not much of note happened today, except for the usual classes. I thought I could share a few more things that some students wrote in class today, when I had them write letters to Santa and a Christmas card to anyone they wanted. They just say the most endearing things that are cute/encouraging.

"Dear Santa, I've been a good girl this year. I'd like a more clever brain to study well..."

"Dear Laura, Merry Christmas! I'm glad that you teach me. I felt happy every class. At the beginning, I think my English was bad, because I wasn't interested in English, but not now. From this term on, I like English and like having your class. Thank you very much, my dear teacher."

"Dear Santa, I've been a good kid this year. I'd like a photo of my teacher Laura. Thanks."

"Dear Santa, I'm a little lovely child. I'm looking forward to receiving your present such as candy, toys, beautiful clothes and so on."

"Dear Laura, You are the best teacher I ever have. Merry Christmas."

"Dear Santa: I'm a very very good kid. Please give me a new computer. I'll wash my stocking clearly and put it under the chimney. Thank you and your reindeers!"

Can anybody read all those and not love their students? I don't think so.

I also played the song, "White Christmas," by Bing Crosby. The students did an activity with this wonderful classic. However, no one liked the song! I was so sad...

Dear Santa and Miss Laura

Greetings from China!

The days just keep going by faster and faster! Once and a while I find myself a little homesick, especially with Christmas coming up. It turns out that we have to keep teaching until December 24th. Everyday they tell us something different. I try not to let it bother me.

Today we had a fun class activity. I had my students write either a letter to Santa or a Christmas card to anybody they wanted, and then I collected their papers.

They were all the sweetest things ever. And I thought I'd share a few. Their letters to Santa were so cute, and many of them decided they would write a Christmas card to me. They're very encouraging:

"Dear Santa, You're the most kind-hearted and lovely man, I know. I've been a good kid and behaved well the whole year and next year I'll be, too. I'd like cookies very much. Please give me much, ok? Thanks."

"Dear Santa, I hope you make me happier now. I know Miss Laura is in China. She doesn't go on holidays in America but I wanna you make her happy with us on Christmas."

"Dear Laura, Merry Christmas! I love you very much!"

"To Laura: Merry Christmas! I am very happy that you are teacher. I hope you happy every day live blessedness."

"Dear Miss Laura, The Christmas is around the corner. I'm glad to become your student the first year in the university. I like you very much. This year I learnt a lot of knowledge from you about learn English. Sometimes I was so shy that I couldn't raise my hands. But in your oral English lesson, you give me courage raise my hands. Thank you!"

"To Laura: Marry Christmas! I am very happy that I can make friends with you in the university. You look so beautiful and very mild. I hope smile with forever. I love you my teacher and best wish to you!"

"Dear Laura, Marry Christmas! I love you so much because you are so kind-hearted and you are my first oral English teacher and I can't say any bad words about you! May you a happy year!"

"Dear Laura, I am very glad you can be our teacher. I think you are a excellent woman because we learn very much from you. If you don't believe me, you can ask my classmates after class. I hope on Christmas you will have a good time in China. You know, Santa Claus will remind you wherever you be."

"Dear Miss Laura, I'm very glad that you are our oral English teacher. We are all happy in your class. Thanks for your devotion. The Christmas Day is on the corner, it likes our Spring Festival. Our family should get together for a meal, but you are in China, not America. But I hope you will have a different and wonderful holiday in China, too. Say 'Merry Christmas' ahead!"

And on and on they went. I think that I will indeed have a different and wonderful holiday in China. I guess it will be a great time to make new memories and traditions.

Anyway, I love all my students, and I'm thankful that He has helped me earn their love and respect. It is great to know that maybe I'm really having an impact on their lives.

Have a merry Wednesday!

Christmas in the Chinese classroom

Happy early Merry Christmas!

This week we've been talking about Christmas in class! And I think so far that this week has been the best yet of my teaching experience. I really put a lot of thought and effort into the two separate lessons about Christmas that I'm teaching, which I think helped make the lessons more successful so far. And above all, I know that there are a lot of people thinking about us in the classroom this week.

Christmas is a great opportunity for us to share truth a bit more openly than we can otherwise do here in China. I just am so thankful that my team and I get to be a part of it!

In my classes of freshmen, we have been talking about the true meaning of the holiday, and doing neat activities to learn about it. It amazes me that nearly all 190 of my students have never heard the story of Christmas. When I've shared about it, they see it through new, open eyes. We get to talk about the Son, Bethlehem, the star shining in the East, etc., and they are so excited. I think it has already opened some doors to be able to talk about Him, and more doors may open later because of this week.

Some other fun things happened in my classes during this lesson. I brought a miniature Christmas tree with lights that Mom had mailed me last week. They were fascinated by it and took pictures of it. I even passed it around so they could look at it more closely. I also passed around pictures of our decorated Christmas tree from home, which my sister happened to be standing by. They were much more interested in looking at Andrea than the tree. They thought she was so amazing. :)

My teammate Shannon has also come in a few times to play "Silent Night" on her guitar, because none of them have heard Christmas carols before. I was so excited because of their excitement. They were taking picture forever, and it looked like their eyes were going to fall out of their heads. You can tell I'm maybe a more confident person in China, because I was singing right alongside Shannon. I wrote the words on the board and they later sang with us, too. I don't think it's very often that "Silent Night" is sung in classrooms in communist China. My heart was so glad.

In other news, Jodi, Rachael, and I finally ventured to the China Post bank to get some money out. We brought our bank books, as well as Joelle's and Jonathan's, so we could withdraw money for them since they were busy. I think it's sort of funny that we can just go in and get out money from other people's accounts if we have their bank book. The only "security" feature is that we have to hand our bank books through the window, while remembering the last six numbers of the account. Rachael slid Joelle's bank book under the window, but couldn't remember Joelle's account number, so the lady wouldn't give her any money. Rachael just took the bank book back, and tried again about three minutes later after the rest of us had gone. This time she was successful in getting Joelle's money out for her.

Jodi rode her bike to the bank, so I rode the tiny bike back to our apartment, with Jodi on the back. We actually didn't crash into the side of a building and onto the pavement like last time! The bike is so rickety and old, and it's really difficult to ride with someone side-saddle on the back. It was hard not to scream, because we couldn't stop and we were zig-zagging all across campus. People were in shock as they saw the giant foreigner girl furiously peddling a bicycle twelve sizes too small for her.

Anyway, it's been a great week so far. I hope you're having a great week, also, and remembering the true reason for the season!

(About the pictures: Thanksgiving Day with my team; girl's night on Friday; at English corner with some of my students.)

It's beginning to feel a little like Christmas

It is a beautifully sunny and extremely cold Saturday. The temperature has been steadily dropping the past few days.

Yesterday I taught, like usual, and worked on Christmas lesson plans for next week. After dinner, several Chinese students and several people on our team hung out in Joelle's room. Christmas music was playing and there were some little desserts. Joelle and several Chinese helped her put up a little artificial tree. Then when there was a power outage, like there is sort of frequently, we gathered around some candles in the dark.

Early this afternoon I ventured out by myself to the other side of town to go to Wal-mart. I got in and out of Wal-mart fine. There were a million super tacky Christmas decorations in Wal-mart. It was like what Christmas would like in a bizarre movie, I think. I kind of cringed. But there was Christmas music playing over the loudspeakers in English! Songs like "Silent Night" played. I was probably the only one in the whole store who could understand, and I enjoyed it. I don't think that song would be playing in China if they really knew what they were singing about--the birth of the Son!

I got on the city bus #231 for the 25 minute ride back to campus. We were immediately ensnared in the most incredible traffic jam you could possibly imagine. We were on a main two-way road, which intersected under a gigantic bridge with traffic coming from all the other directions. Nobody was paying attention to the signal lights, which could have eventually erased the jam. There wasn't even an accident. In the midst of the chaos was a bus and a car, which were entirely encircled. Everyone else was trying to go around them, but all the buses and cars and mopeds just got into a bigger and bigger knot.

I had a nice view of it from the spot where I stood. Our bus got into the thick of that knot in the center, also. Our bus driver was a girl who was maybe 20 years old. I felt bad for her, because she was trying to go around but the jam just got messier with each move. Everyone on the bus was passively watching to see how she'd maneuver the bus next, and her brow just furrowed more and more with each passing second.

So we sat for a while in a gridlock, with taxi drivers yelling, horns honking incessantly, and pedestrians stranded in the midst of it all. For some reason I didn't panic. To me, it looked impossible to get out of the mess that worsened by the minute, but I knew that everything in China will work itself out somehow. By some miracle, we eventually got around it, ever so slowly. I wanted to pat our bus driver on the back. By this point many of the passengers were asleep when I looked back at everyone.

After that, our bus got more crowded, but I had managed to get a seat. Then a teenage kid hobbled onto the bus with crutches. I was surprised when nobody moved to offer him a seat, like they did for middle aged plus people or pregnant women. I was tired from standing during the traffic jam, but something told me to get up for the kid, and it turned out to be the highlight of my day. He gratefully accepted the seat, and the dozen or so people surrounding us smiled so brightly at me. A few people looked down, like they were ashamed that the foreigner with the ridiculously heavy shopping bags had offered her seat before they did. Then people suddenly offered me their seats, but I said, "no, thanks" in Chinese. When people slid by me to get off the bus they just smiled. It was a very small, but pleasant experience. It's often the little thing in everyday living that speak to people the most, rather than huge, momentous events.

Anyway, that's been my day so far! I have to prepare for my Chinese tutoring now. Then tonight I'm going to a "girl's night" for Chinese sisters in Him. It should be great. Happy Saturday!

Winter has arrived

Today was frigid for Nanchang! The wind is gusting at about a million miles an hour. The classrooms were even chillier and draftier than usual.

This morning I had a great class. My student I wrote about yesterday ended up getting 3rd in the speech competition! I was so proud of her.

In the office I worked on preparing my Christmas lessons for next week. I'm so excited for them, because I think they will be fun and interesting. We are going to sing some Christmas carols, I'll read them the story "Twas the Night Before Christmas," and I am allowed to talk about the true meaning of Christmas!

At noon I went out to lunch with my favorite student, the one I'm always talking about who is homesick. She is so precious. We ate at a crowded restaurant. When we first walked in, there was choking smoke from the kitchen that shrouded everyone in a hazy cloud. We requested to sit somewhere else, so they took us to the far back, where we could sit all by ourselves. I was very grateful not to be choking, but I was more grateful that I could talk to her without thousands of other Chinese around. It's hard to get any space in this country.

We ordered some good food, and we chatted for about an hour. She is the one who found out I was a believer. Because of this, she contacted a random aunt who happens to live in this city and who happens to go to Chinese fellowship. The aunt took her to fellowship and my student also got her very own copy of the Word, which is sometimes difficult to get in China. So we had some good conversations about that, although her English is somewhat limited.

Then we walked to class together, because I was teaching her class this afternoon. That class was also wonderful, and they are probably my favorite class to teach. In addition, it's my smallest class with about 37 students, so I feel that I can talk with them a lot more easily.

Afterwards, several of my students braved the cold, wind, and mist to go with me to English corner. They definitely all get "A"s for the semester! Now I never want to leave English corner because I love talking to my students about so many things we don't or can't talk about in the classroom.

I think I have won a very dear place in their hearts, and they have done the same thing in my heart!

So many packages!

Happy Wednesday everybody! I'm sitting at the desk in my room watching a few colored lights blink on my very miniature CHRISTMAS TREE! Today a package from Mom came for me, and one of the things she had so lovingly packed in there was a tiny tree with battery operated lights! I'm so content and happy.

So when it was time to go home from new campus at about 4:45 today, there were four packages piled into the van. We were all so excited and we were looking at them, reading the names: "Jodi, Laura, Laura, and.... Laura!" Three packages were for me! It was so wonderful. I had to conscript some of my teammates to help me carry them up all the stairs. I think I will award them with some chocolate that arrived in my packages!

At lunch time I walked to a restaurant with two of my students. My students always insist on paying for me, even when I obviously have more money and I'm the one that's supposed to be taking them out to lunch. We sit there and argue back and forth, but they usually win. I told them if they come to old campus, where I live, I'm definitely paying. They agreed.

One of the students I ate with has very good English for being a 17 year-old freshman. She is one of the 12 finalists in a speech competition that will be held tonight. The topic is as generic as it gets in China: "love." She wanted to practice it, so she stood up in the restaurant and recited this 2 minute-long speech, emphatically declaring what she believed love meant. I really don't remember what she said, but she had wonderful expressions and good pronunciation. And what better place to give a speech than in a little Chinese restaurant?

After lunch, I went with them to visit their dorms. They are much more spartan and cramped than American dorms, but they are still a lot nicer than other dorms I've seen (or lived in) in China. There were only 4 girls in this small room, instead of 6 or 8, and they all had their own desks. They didn't have any heat, much like most of Nanchang, and mosquito netting surrounded their beds.

In class today we practiced "introducing yourself in a business setting." We talked about eye contact, good posture, and firm handshakes. It was probably one of the best lessons ever! We did a lot of role playing. I also shook everybody's hands and had them practice with each other. Most of them had dead fish handshakes, or they would continue shaking each other's hands for about 2 minutes. My students bring me so much joy in such unexpected ways!

Overall, today was much better than yesterday. I have had to talk to the Father a lot lately, and I know I am loved unconditionally! Some days I get a little discouraged that I'm not a better teacher, friend, teammate, etc. But all I have to do is try my best, love others, let the Father love me, and to live a life that reflects the truth.

Now I'm off to a team meeting. I love you all!

Just a day in the life of a teacher

Where have the past few months gone? In just 2.5 weeks, we're supposed to be giving our finals! Our finals need to be finished by December 20th. However, we have to stay around until January 2nd, when we are participating in our university's extravagant performance.

The past week, with the exception of maybe Friday and Saturday, has been really difficult for me and I don't know why. Everything has been a constant struggle--interactions with my students, teammates, etc. And all of a sudden it truly feels like winter has set in and there's no escape. I don't think I would mind so much about winter, if there was heat in the buildings. Sitting in the freezing office yesterday morning almost made me cry, because I was just so cold and miserable. It would have helped if I had worn several more layers of clothes, but I'm still adjusting to this whole existence of living without heat. :)

Today I had two classes in a row and we talked about job interviews, which they all seemed interested in. Learning about that subject's very practical for them. I also brought some candy for my difficult class in an effort of trying to motivate them to speak more. It didn't seem to matter! I could have placed a million dollars on the podium up front and they wouldn't have spoken.

Between classes Jodi and I saw another Chinese English teacher who came to our Thanksgiving party. He was also waiting for his class to start, so he showed us the "teacher's lounge." I felt very hesitant to go into the lounge. All of the other teachers in there were about 43 years old and looked like real teachers in their suits and collared shirts. I'm just a 22-year old kid without much experience, yet they also call me a teacher. I never thought I'd ever sit in a teacher's lounge. But I did. We sat in these huge, velvety, light purple chairs, but it wasn't very relaxing.

In my next class, my wild class, Jodi came in for a few minutes. She's Chinese-American so people often think that she's from China. Jodi sat at the back of my class, looking like she was observing, sometimes like other random students do. I pretended I didn't know her. When my students were discussing in very halted English what they thought they'd be doing in 10 years, I had Jodi tell us her answer. She answered in her very fluent, American-accented English for a while. The whole class was abuzz with amazement. Then I told my students the real story. It was pretty fun.

And a photographer also came in with his fancy camera on a tripod to take pictures of me teaching, because they are taking pictures to commemorate the university's 15th anniversary. I'm sure a picture of me doing something very teacherly and American will appear in a brochure somewhere...

Now it's time to go to the supermarket. I also have to figure out how to withdraw money from the China Postal Savings bank. Have a great Tuesday!

Thanksgiving(s)

It is early Sunday afternoon and this is the first time in a couple of days I've been able to sit down and write a blog entry. We've been celebrating Thanksgiving for a million days straight now. And it was so wonderful.

On Friday, we didn't have to teach. In our contract, our team gets one day off for Thanksgiving. According to the university, that day doesn't have to be on the actual Thanksgiving day, of course.

On Friday evening we all cooked numerous American dishes for a big Thanksgiving feast in Joelle's apartment. We invited the people from the Foreign Affairs Office, other Chinese English teachers, and the other foreign teachers from Japan and the Philippines.

It was one of the best meals ever. We all did really well cooking good food with very limited resources. It was about as traditional Thanksgiving could get, even though we didn't have turkey or meat. And our guests loved it! They were taking pictures the whole time, and they were enthralled by everything--even the little paper napkins from America that said "Happy Thanksgiving!" They took some home as souvenirs. It was just a very pleasant evening and we got to serve them in a special way.

Then on Saturday at noon, we went to another university in the city for our international fellowship's all-day Thanksgiving celebration. We gathered in the "Foreign Experts" building on campus for lunch and dinner. In between the amazing meals, for which we all brought food, we played Frisbee, football, cards, etc. There were about 60 people there. The countries represented were America, China, Mexico, Germany, Indonesia, the Philippines, India, Nigeria, West Africa, and South Korea. So we ate food from a lot of different places. There was also good conversation, and I even got to use my very rusty German.

So that is about all we've been doing this weekend--cooking, riding on the city buses, eating, and hanging out with cool people.

I hope you all had a blessed Thanksgiving!

A Simple Thanksgiving in China

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Here's the scene of my Thanksgiving dinner that I just experienced: I went with my Chinese friend to her "apartment" near the back gate. The temperature was about 40 degrees. We winded through back alleys to get to her apartment, which is just one little room. She shares the tiny room and tiny bed with another girl. There is no heat, and the wind came in through the newspaper-covered windows. She poured some pork dumplings she bought for 40 cents into a miniature rice cooker perched on an ancient desk in the corner. There was one tin bowl and one plastic bowl from which we ate the steamed dumplings. I sat on a little plastic stool while she stood. Both of our noses were dripping from the cold. Afterwards she carefully washed the bowls with a little rag in cold water, but there wasn't any soap to be had.

My Thanksgiving dinner of 2008 was so simple and my host was so gracious. She offered me her best and I could have cried from all the thankfulness in my heart. We didn't have a big meal and there wasn't any table to sit at, but it was one of the best Thanksgivings ever. My Chinese friends don't have much in the way of material things, but they offer so much in their friendship and generosity...

As for earlier today and the past couple of days, I've been teaching my classes about Thanksgiving. I had them draw turkeys by tracing around their hands and listing things they are thankful for. One student drew a turkey with four legs! It was so entertaining.

For some reason they have taken this opportunity of an American holiday to give me tons of presents. And it's all candy. I mentioned that I like candy one day, so all of my students want to give me candy. One boy in my class remarked, "Miss Laura, you like candy so much, but you aren't fat!"

My students have also taken the time to text message me endearing messages on the occasion of Thanksgiving. Here's a sampling:

"I open my wallet, find no money; I open my pocket, find no coin; I open my life, find you, then I know how rich I am! Forever, my friend Laura. Happy Thanks-Giving Day!"

"I really appreciate for you teaching us so exciting class and thank you for remember my name! Finally, wish you have a nice day!"

"Use honesty to love, use perseverance to work, use thanks to your friends love gone with heart. Happy thanksgiving day!"

"Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day! Thank you for teaching me English! And also wish you happy and have a good healthy!"

After class this afternoon (yes, we still had to teach on Thanksgiving), we had English corner like every Thursday. I love my students, because they come out to cluster around me and protect me from aggressive and overly eager kids who aren't my students. Today we stood by the lake, with the wind and cold nearly numbing us. The students had the thinnest clothes on and some were shivering so much, yet they stayed until the end. I guess the teachers said that last year after they returned from the winter holiday, some of their students had frostbite because they couldn't afford gloves or warm clothes. I think I know what I'm buying people for Christmas...

Every week we talk about a million things under the sun and now I enjoy English corner more than most anything else, because we can talk so freely. I just want to hug all of them and be their best friends forever.

In other news, the 30th anniversary of China's "Reform and Opening" is this week, apparently. Thirty years ago, China opened up its doors to the rest of the world and worked to reform its economy. It was pretty successful, and so on the anniversary the students must perform and sing about it for two days straight.

In closing here is a Thanksgiving "poem" one of Jodi's students wrote. I laughed about it for a long time:

"I really appreciate my dog
it can give me a hug
I always bring it in my bag
it doesn't like a pig
because the pig is so big
but my dog is just like an egg"

The Chinese students have the craziest creativity ever. And I'm so thankful for all 190 of my students! Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you'll have a blessed day!

The skies are blue at Blue Sky

It is Tuesday afternoon, and I returned after teaching a couple of classes this morning. I'm pretty busy for the rest of the day, like most days. There's never an opportunity for boredom here!

The weekend was a little harried, but the Father's hand was in it the whole time. There are so many days when I just want to sit down and cry, not because I'm miserable, but because I'm so thankful for His love.

It's not always a party here, despite what the pictures may show you... :) It's still China-- foreign, Asian, communist, and still at the developing stage. But I've never been so content just teaching and loving and growing and learning.

So maybe it's too early to announce anything, but I'm seriously considering returning to China in the following school year. We just have to decide in the next couple of months. Perhaps you can lift that up?

I told some of my students about Grandma, and they seemed crushed by the news. I had mentioned her a couple of times in class and I had shown her picture. They had also been very impressed that she was born in 1913.

One of my students, with whom I've had some deeper conversations, came up to me after class with a very serious face and said, "I know that He is blessing her right now."

In other news, I've been choreographing a dance for the talent competition our team will be a part of in December. It isn't mandatory to participate, but we are "strongly urged to." Basically, it's mandatory. So I've been working on a ballet piece, and now the FAO of our university is adamant that I put Jonathan, one of my teammates in it. It was declared that "there must be a hero in your dance!" Apparently a hero can only be male and 6 feet tall and very American looking. Jonathan doesn't know how to dance, but I choreographed a couple very simple things for him at the end so he can look like the "hero." :)

Well, there's not much else to report from southeast China, but I've added a few more pictures to this entry. These are some more pictures of the sports meet that you can find on our university's website. It looked more like a national day parade than anything. Can you spot the flag-wielding foreigners? The pictures are courtesy of http://www.jxbsu.com/news/show.php?itemid=4196.

Have a blessed Tuesday!

A final letter to Grandma

Evelyn Harmon Freeze
1913-2008

Dear Grandma,

I'm so glad that you were surrounded by Andrea, Mom, Guy, and Aunt Dede when you went home just a few hours ago. You even got to hear my last blog entry I wrote to you when they read it. Andrea told me that today you faded from earth into heaven as peacefully as possible.

And now you are finally home, where you were truly meant to be. You are probably surrounded by a crowd of people, many of them you know, and they are welcoming you. I bet the first person who ran to you was your mother, whom you've missed since 1929. And then your daughter, Laurie, whom you haven't seen in over 50 years... The list goes on.

In that joyful crowd there are probably also countless people you don't know. But now they're sharing their stories of how you touched their lives with grace and love and kindness and encouragement while they were on earth.

And the biggest welcome of all came from the Father and Son. Your constant hope in Him has now been realized and I bet it's more glorious than you ever imagined.

Back here on Earth, there are also scores of people who miss you. There are scores of people who loved you and who have been loved by you. There are scores of people who were quietly and kindly directed to the truth and true hope by you. There are scores of people who were inspired by you to live a life worth living.

The Father's light shone through you in this fallen, broken world. And there are huge patches of light that will remain here on earth because of you, even as you reside in your amazing heavenly home.

I'll miss you, but I know we aren't separated forever. I'll see you again! I love you!

Love, Laura

One last conversation

Last night I called Mom and she held her cell phone to Grandma's ear. As far as I know, she's still in a coma and continues to slip away. I was so grateful for that one last opportunity to talk to her, though. I just told her again what a wonderful friend she's been and how much joy she's brought to everyone's life. It was impossible not to cry, like I had been doing for four hours prior to that. I don't remember what else I said, but it doesn't matter. I got to say one last time how much I love her.

Mom said that Grandma's shoulder twitched and her breathing quickened when I was talking. She also moved her mouth a little bit. I believe she heard me and that means more than anything. I was devastated that we hadn't talked recently, but the Father was so gracious and provided that special opportunity.

Overall, today was a little rough. I went to bed really late last night and barely slept. I taught my one crazy class this morning, and I was close to snapping. Thankfully I didn't. It is an impossibly large class and it always seems to be on the brink of chaos. I gave them a midterm today and I was constantly patrolling. They were moved so that there was a seat in between them, but that didn't stop them from trying to cheat off of each other in really obvious ways. I warned people, but many of them wouldn't stop, so I just took their exam away saying that they must be finished if they're talking. I should have just ripped it up. But I wanted to stay calm.

However, I've been having some super encouraging interactions with several other students lately, especially at English corner yesterday. I can't really write about what happened, but I just want to say that pieces are starting to fall together. Some students are starting to ask some very meaningful questions and I've been able to connect a couple with fellowship.

Thanks so much for your thoughts. I'm sort of struggling lately, but I don't walk through this valley by myself.

To Grandma

I got back from a wonderful day teaching late this afternoon. Life has been so good. When I checked my email I saw an email from my Mom to call her. Then I saw another email from a woman who said she was sorry about our grandmother passing away. It sounded like my grandma Freeze had died. I was in shock and immediately started crying a gallon of tears. Grandma was on my list of people to call for the past several days and I've either been too busy or too tired to call her. I had written her a letter from China, but I hadn't called.

She celebrated her 95th birthday on Monday. Then I guess she had surgery on Monday or Tuesday on her infected foot, which I found out a little bit ago. I got a hold of my mom, even though it was only 4 a.m. her time. Apparently grandma was feeling fine afterwards. How many 95 year olds can have surgery and feel totally fine? She's always like that. Just always amazing. But I guess her blood pressure went up and she had a stroke that night. Now she is in a coma and on oxygen at hospice. She isn't gone yet, but she is currently on her way to heaven.

Andrea flew home to Kansas from school in Florida. I'm so glad she can be there to say "see you again soon, Grandma!" And tonight, I'm going to call my Mom's cell phone. She will hold her phone to Grandma's ear, so I can talk to her like I had wanted to. Thank you, Father, for that opportunity!! She isn't awake, but I'm hoping she can hear. If she can't hear now, then she'll hear about it when she reaches heaven.

My grandma, even at 95, was still the sharpest, wittiest, and most charming person. Her faith in the Father and His Son was undying. Her faith and hope shone through in her kindness, encouragement, wisdom, humor, joy, and beauty. Before I left for college, she moved to Topeka, and I'll remember all the many hours we spent together talking, laughing, and just soaking in each other's company. And I'll remember the few summers and holidays when I came home from college, and how we were always so happy to see each other again and hug and hold hands.

And I'll remember the last time I saw her. It was a couple days before I left for training for China. We spent a while with each other in the afternoon. When I was leaving, we hugged and hugged. We said numerous times how much we loved each other. As I walked away down the hallway of the nursing home, I kept waving and saying I loved her. She sat there with her pretty smile waving back at me, saying the exact same thing.

Soon she'll be reunited with her family and old friends. Soon she will be age-less and whole again. Soon she will gazing upon the face and glory of the Son. It's hard to feel sad about that. I guess I just wish I could have seen her one more time. But I guess we'll have all eternity to hang out together in heaven!

I love you, Grandma!!!!!!!!!!! You were always one of my dearest, closest friends! And here are some pictures of you, Grandma, to share with everyone. You are so beautiful. The first is a recent one, where you still radiated joy every moment. The second is of you holding your first grandbaby (me, of course!). The rest are of you in your younger days. I have the black and white picture of you laughing taped on my wall right here in China. That's how I picture you laughing in heaven.

And lastly, Grandma, I know you've been reading my blog every day, because Guy has brought you paper copies of them. Thanks for reading about life here and about my passion and heart for China. I know that if you had been 22 in 2008, you'd maybe be doing the same thing I'm doing. China wasn't exactly open for you as a 22 year old in 1935. You may not be able to read a copy of this blog, but I think that's okay. In heaven you'll be able to find out the rest of the story... And I'm sure it has a happy ending.

Let's play pictionary!

Here are a few of my favorite pictures lately. The first one is of our drive back to old campus. It looks like this every day. There are millions of people on bicycles and everyone's driving in a hundred different directions. Those are some of my dear students working diligently in the classroom. The third picture is just one I like because I look extra sophisticated. :)

I'm not sure if the videos will ever work from my last post. They uploaded fine, but then they won't play. Are they playing in America? I wasn't sure if they were blocked because I'm trying to look at them from China.

Anyway, today was a pretty enjoyable day. I reviewed for the midterm exam for two classes in a row today. It feels sort of strange to be creating the midterm and have the grades of 190 students in your hands. For the review we played jeopardy and pictionary, which they have never heard of before. They loved the games and it was a good review. However, I had been warned that Chinese people as a whole cannot draw creatively. I brushed that off thinking it couldn't be all true. But I've discovered that it indeed seems to be true. Perhaps they just haven't had many opportunities to draw and doodle. They had the most difficult time even drawing stick people, or vocab. words like "ship" and "skyscraper." Their drawing skills are at about a 3 year old level, and I'm not saying that unkindly.

Later today I went to the market on the corner to buy some food with Shannon. Usually they have some good, basic things like eggs and bread and yogurt. I was browsing in the tiny dairy aisle, when a worker came up to me trying to suggest what yogurt I should get. I just nodded, because I know what kind of yogurt I like and it's not the really expensive kind. So I was standing there looking at it, when she starts picking up the food I had in my basket on my arm. She looked at everything out of curiosity, I guess. She wanted to see what kind of goodies I got. It was sort of awkward though, because I was thinking, "Um, this is sort of strange. How long is she going to look at the cookies in my basket and pick through everything?" Sometimes I've noticed that the Chinese are really curious to see what the foreigner is buying and they'll steal glances at my basket or cart. This woman was just more forward than others.

And this is going to scare people I love at home. I'm sorry. Today we walked with the other Chinese pedestrians across the busy intersection to the supermarket diagonally. I think it was peer pressure from Shannon. Or maybe we hadn't had enough excitement that day. I plastered myself next to a group of 4 Chinese girls and moved through the traffic when they did. Okay, that's my only scary story for today.

Last night I started a study of the word with a girl on campus. I can't really say many details, except that it went fine and I managed to connect her with other Chinese sisters. She is seeking and she really needs to be around other Chinese who can support her and explain things to her in her own language.

Thanks as always for lifting us up here!