Another week of adventure

We enjoyed our five day weekend. It was relaxing and enjoyable and we got to spend a lot of time with some great people. Saturday was Dustin's (another American teacher) birthday so some of our Chinese friends took us to KTV which is a karaoke place. It is different than what you would expect, which is a good thing. You are in a small room with a tv and microphone. We had about 12 people in the room. It was a blast! Craig and I performed a duet to Take Me Home Country Road by John Denver. Who ever thought that we would karaoke to John Denver in China. We also sang more songs, but that was the most memorable. Sunday we had a Mid-Autumn party with some Chinese friends. We played games and laughed ALOT! They bought Craig and I a beautiful and yummy cake to welcome us to China and Nate and Jess got us a jar of peanut butter and some Miracle Whip! It was a great day and really made us feel more at home.
China is getting better. I still get homesick but I have decided in a way that is a blessing. I have been given such a great family and the best friends anyone could ask for and that is why I miss home so much. It is the people in my life that I miss the most. If I could bring them all here, I would be fine. Any takers?
Yesterday we got the best present ever, Katie brought us CHEESE! I know that may sound silly to you at home. We have not had cheese in a month and it something you don't think you would miss, but believe me you do! We are really learning how to cook here and what we can get and now that we have cheese the possibilities are endless! The only thing I need to work on is making tortillas. The last ones tasted like I fried playdough, but we ate them anyway because it was somewhat like a tortilla. We laughed while we ate them, just because they tasted so funny.
We are getting more used to the noise around us. We have a disco club in the back street behind us. They play some American music, I think I have heard the song Smooth Operator at least 40 times. One day they even played some Randy Travis. The only noise I will never get used to is the honk of the big trucks here. You can't even imagine the shrillness of these honks. When you see one coming you cringe, because 99% of the time, they will honk. Sometimes you just want to scream!
Our classes are still going well. We are starting our English Readings next week. We are very excited to start those and have our students over to our house!
We know the decision to come here was the right decision, though sometimes it is hard We are truly learning to be humble and appreciate what we have at home. I think a lot of times we take for granted what you have until you don't have it right there anymore. We know at the end of the year we will be sad to leave but so excited to see our family and friends at home. We have been blessed!
Don't forget to email us, we love to get notes from home! They really mean a lot!