Ni Hao

This week and next week have provided us with a few unexpected vacation days . Every student in the university must work one week each semester. They have different jobs including sweeping the campus or being a guard. Our classes have had their work week either this past week or next week so we both have had a few days off.
Today we had planned to go out of town to a small town to go hiking and to explore in a cave, but the weather was cold and raining so we did not get to go. Instead, I spent the afternoon with my friend, Xiao Yu. We had an English lesson and then I taught her how to make pumpkin bread. I really enjoyed it. Later this week, I am having some students over to learn how to make it. They have never had pumpkin bread so I am making it for our English Reading Groups this week. I am hoping to find someone to teach me how to cook some Chinese food and I can teach them how to make some American food.
Tonight we went and had dinner at a teacher's house in town. We had a great time. We got to visit with her son and his friends. They are learning English and were very nervous about talking to us, but they became comfortable quickly. They had a rooftop garden with at least 100 bonsai trees. Her father had been working on the garden for 14 years. Craig loved it! We will hopefully get to go back in the day time to see it better.
Next Saturday, I am going to teach at an English school with my Chinese tutor. I am very excited! I will be helping her to teach ages 3-12. I will let you know all about it.
We are still enjoying our life here. It is hard to believe we have been here for 2 full months and we only have a little over 7 months until we go home. The time has gone by so quickly, but in some ways it feels like we have been here for so much longer.
I hope you are enjoying reading about our life here. I wish I was able to tell more, but I am sure you will here many stories when we return.
We miss you all!