Life

Hi Everyone!

We really enjoyed Warren and Tyler. We took them to the TV tower here, culture street, our favorite local food places and let them ride the electric bikes around. One night we had 3 cute girls from last year come to dinner and show them around campus. We had the boys come to our classes and let the students ask them questions. It took the whole time and the students enjoyed having someone their age to talk to . It threw the boys for just a moment when they were asked what their life plan was--and if they feel happiness in their life. Kids here have a life plan, and a list of requirements for their mate--top being a house, a job making lots of money, a car and then of course the perfect person. They asked about economy, Obama, the education system, good graduate schools, their reactions to China before and after being here, and of course dating and marriage. All told it was a good experience.

We tried to take the kids to the major sight-seeing areas as well as give them a flavor of the living here. We went to the Great Wall, a practicing Lama Temple, Culture Street, Tiananmen Square, Forbidden Palace, the Olympic Bird Nest, and a Hutong Village (this was a rebuilt one but was still pretty primitive and gave the feel of the smaller villages.) We also shopped in Beijing, ate Chinese food and dumplings. I felt like I had been on tour for a week. Oh and we went to the night market where they have little baby sea horses and scorpions on sticks--still live--You choose one and they deep fry it for you. Warren and Tyler ate some. I passed. We took pictures of it.

I haven't been sick all year and the day we headed off to sight see I came down with the worst cold I have had in 5 years. I just drug along. My ears plugged when we went up to the wall, and I still can't hear a thing. My eyes are red and run constantly so I can't read or see much. A real mess. On Sunday we came home early and skipped some stuff. I don't think the boys minded much because they were pretty tired to--though they could probably have done another day. We sent them off Monday and I spent the rest of the day in bed with a fever. I am still under the weather but teaching regardless.

I was able to send some things home with the boys which will help when we get ready to come home. I hope they made it through customs ok and the suit cases weren't too heavy. We only have five weeks until finals. I sure wish I had the same kids all year instead of for one semester. They make more progress. When I think of coming home I am torn between feeling trunky and just feeling tired thinking of everything we have to do. We are excited about the 4th of July. It sounds like everyone but Troy will be there. Brent and Kiley plan to come. Brent sold his house and they will be moving the week we come home. They will find a place to live in Oregon and then come over for the holiday. I am glad they sold their house so easily. I guess it was in really good shape with all the fixing up they have done. I am looking forward to hanging new pictures at home and planting flowers in the front. There is too much cement here and I am anxious to get outside. I have enjoyed waving at cabs though and just sitting back and letting them take me where I want to go. No worry about traffic. I will miss the students.

Well I think that is all for now. I hope you can enjoy some good weather and get outside. Have a Happy Day or Night!

Love,

Mom ReNee