duibuqui

Wow...I apologize to my faithful readers (all two of you) for my lack of posts as of late. I don't even know where to begin...Christmas break was really good. It started out a bit slow, but ended on a very high note. I spent Christmas Day at the Allen's house. (They're from Tennessee.) They were four foreigners and a bunch of Chinese people. We had great food and played games until 1am. We played "Concentration", or Big Booty as some call it, for over an hour! There were at least 15 playing which made it so much fun. Then we taught each other cool rhythms, cup games, etc. It was such a good Christmas...so, so good.

I went to Shenzhen with Leko (the Brasilian) to visit a factory for his job. I was expecting something like 100 workers piecing together watches, but instead found under 10 people working. It was such a cool experience to see what happens in a factory in China where products are made and shipped to the States. EVERYTHING is made in China it seems so now I can say I've been to one of the many factories that produces America's products.

I spent New Year's Eve and New Year's Day in Hong Kong with Leko and Alex, a guy from London. The three of us had a blast! It topped Christmas which is saying a lot. We got up early, traveled about 2 and a half hours to the city, found our hostel (which was really nice by the way), ate at Outback Steakhouse...okay, let me pause here. An Outback Steakhouse does not exist in mainland China. To have real, American food for the first time in four months was a-maz-ing. Then we made it Disneyland! I've never been to Disneyland in the States so this was quite a treat. We rode Space Mountain and a few other rides, watched cool shows and everything else that goes on at Disneyland. We saw a fireworks show at 9pm then ate a REAL donut (again, cannot be found on the mainland), hot chocolate and watched it snow! It was fake or course, but amazing nonetheless. We watched the fireworks and counted down to the new year. I was ahead of you all by an entire year for 13 hours.

We went ice skating on our way home which again I had never experienced. I also got to go shopping at H&M for American clothes. Not to be redundant, but you cannot find good quality clothes on the mainland. It was so nice to spend money on clothing I knew would last. It was just such a good trip. There were too many things that happened for me to type. I know I'll remember ringing in 2008 for many years to come!

After New Year's, things calmed down a bit. I began teaching again an getting back into the swing of things. We have another two week break coming up beginning next Friday for the Chinese New Year. We're a bit spoiled right now, but we don't have another break until July so don't get too jealous.

I've taken up playing badminton in the park. They play so hardcore over here. It's lots of fun. Life is going really good here. I'm pr-ying about staying another year so if you'd like to join me in that feel free. I love the people I'm around and I love living here. I miss the States, but I'm beyond content. He is good all the time, amen?

Keep looking up.