Resting

The past few days have been like a lost week. I'm living in a fuzzy world, where I can't quite see or hear or speak very well. I've mostly been trying to survive.

I have been able to go to class for the past 2 days. I have been using a microphone, but I can't project my voice. One of my classes (my crazy kids) were empathetic for about 3 minutes, but then they almost went wild. I didn't have the energy to bring order back to the classroom. It wasn't as bad as it sounds, but it was getting a little out of hand.

My other classes have been more understanding, even though I stand up front talking in my gravely voice like someone who is very lethargic and half-asleep. Then I have to pause to cough every 12 seconds.

Today during my class I received this special note from one of my students. I receive lots of advice on getting better, but this was pretty classic:

"Dear Laura, I'm very worried about you. You had better keep healthy. Here is some advice, I hope could make you better.
1.) Drink more water, that's always a good idea. It's good for your throat.
2.) Have a good rest, sleep early.
3.) Wear more clothes. I heard the weather will turn cold in two days.
I hope you will better soon and we will see a enthusiastic Laura again. :) Best wishes."

That about sums up the concern my students give me. They offer the same advice: wear more clothes (they tell me this as I'm sweating in 2 layers of long-sleeve shirts); drink more hot water (they tell me this as I'm busting full of water); rest more (they tell me this after I've just slept for 9 hours). Oh, and some tell me to get more exercise. How can I exercise when I'm resting? And then some suggest that I go to the hospital again. No thanks! I've already been there once and that's enough to scare me away forever.

They're pretty precious students. They are so little and innocent and often immature, but they like to act like little mothers.

So I haven't been going to my office hours much this week. I'm just trying to make it to my classes. Being sick in China is always a lot more draining and difficult than in America.

Despite being sick most of the time, I've made my decision for next year, which you probably already know! A couple days ago I committed to return with this organization in August. I don't know where they'll place me, but I'm looking forward to it. Thanks as always for your thoughts and encouragement!