Thailand or Bust

Nothing cool has happened the past few days. I really don't think I have taken my camera out of my bag. I finished my scarf, I've watched a lot of Scrubs, and I have been busy trying to get ready to leave for 2 months. I haven't had time to do anything awesome.

I could have taken a picture of all my clothes rolled up laying on my bed waiting to be put into my backpack. But then you all would have told me there is no way that I could fit everything into that tiny backpack. Well you are wrong! Okay, I had to take out some things, and I'm not bringing a coat. But I think I have successfully packed for 90 degree weather, and 20 degree weather in one bag.

I am looking forward to this vacation. I love China. I do. I really do. But I need to get out of here. I need the sun, I need the beach. I need a change. And when I come back, I will love China more.

I'm not sure about blogging while I am away.... I will try my hardest. But no promises.

I love you all. Send me e-mails so I know what is happening in America, who the Bachelor dissed, what is happening on Gossip Girl, who got married, keep me up on the scoop.

Until I have access to some internet... peace.

kisses.

p.s. I'm sorry this post is so BLAH.

School's out.... for... the holiday

FINALLY. We are finished. The rest of our team has been done for weeks, so these last few weeks have been lonely and kind of awful knowing our friends are out traveling the world. BUT WE ARE DONE NOW!

But before we could celebrate no school we had to take care of some business. Our organization, ELT Edge, gave 4 students some scholarship money for the school year. The school officials have been putting it off for months and finally they organized this shindig. We didn't know what to expect. This shouldn't have been a knew feeling to us, we NEVER know what to expect in China.

This huge banner was hanging in the conference room.

The students that were there supporting their fellow classmates.

Marty was there taking pictures.

The 3 girls who received the scholarships. The boy, Randy, was not present for the ceremony. I will say that 2 of the 4 winners were my students.

We had about a 15 minute awkward waiting time for Mr. Wu to show...

Mr. Yu examined my Carmex while we waited. He just couldn't figure it out.

Once Mr. Wu got there it was time to get that party started.

Mr. Wu made a speech. In Chinese. He doesn't speak English nor care to learn English. But he is cute and always bows.

We presented the scholarships, of course in an awkward manner.

And then it was time for pictures....

The teachers and the students. The Chinese do not smile... and apparently neither does Kevin.

Just the teachers. Notice the awkward hands and space between everyone.

ELT Edgers and students. Again, notice the awkwardness. My hands especially... what am I supposed to do, I'm all locked in.

We wanted a picture with our banner.... But when you give your camera to your student they don't zoom or move their body to get a better picture... and this is what you get.

My students from my favorite class, Thursday at 4. I cried when saying goodbye to them yesterday. The girl in the turquoise jacket also cried.

I said, FUN PICTURE! Please notice Marty. He is doing the "elephant sign". I taught them The Elephant Game in our last class. If I have taught them anything it is how to play The Elephant Game. Success!

After the ceremony we went to dinner with the 3 girls, and Elliot, a Chinese English teacher.

Our eyes were bigger than our bellies.

Elliot bought. He rocks. He is married and has a tiny precious 5 month baby girl. But better than that... he has a New Zealand/Australian accent. It is wild.

SCHOOL'S OUT! 2 MONTH BREAK HERE I COMMMEEEE!!!

kisses

MY FRIENDS ARE ZZZZZZZZ BEST

I received a package today.

From my besties!

They really know me.... In this box was the following... Goldfish, TAMPONS, a microphone, Oatmeal Creme Pies, sugar cookie mix with precious potholder and spoon combined, cookie cutters, naughty/nice stocking stuffed with letters for my students and me, The Charades board game to play with students, and last but certainly not least....

THIS LITTLE NUMBER!

I love it and might never take it off! Adult onesies are brilliant.

AND...Inside my letter from Cathy was a picture of Cathy on a stick/pen. Genius!

I have the greatest friends in the whole world. Their cards made me laugh and cry and miss them more than I ever thought I could miss them. They know the way to my heart. (And please note the Whitney English stationery used by Bailey... nice work Bai)

Thank you Bailey, Cathy, Emily, and Kori... my sweet and precious friends.

Okay, pretend this was just 1 picture of all of us together... I searched and searched my pictures and couldn't find one of just us. But I think a singlet of just Cathy is always something to make you smile. We sure know how to have fun!

I LOVE YOU!!!

p.s.... if you have ever wanted a blog post about yourself, it's easy. send me a package. i'm a sucker for gifts.

kisses.

Another productive day here in Chiner

While we were in Beijing and haggling at the market we came across the glasses booths. After some bargaining we left with some pretty sweet "Ray Ban". I have been wanting some crazy Chinese glasses so I will feel more Chinese. I think I found my pair. (they actually aren't that crazy.)

I needed lenses put in them, so Winter agreed to help me. Of course. They just took my old glasses and magically got my prescription and then got to work.

There they are, sitting on top of that dirty machine.

And this little (no lie, she was a foot shorter than me) lady made my glasses. She refused to have her picture taken. I showed her! Ha!

This is for Marshall.... Is 1 better or 2, 2 or 3? Look top right, okay look bottom left.

This is exciting too... American brand saline!

While Winter and I were walking to the eye place she said the greatest thing to me. She said and I quote "Heidi, you know besides your face you really look Chinese now" Isn't that the greatest compliment ever!

After the glasses she wanted to take pictures of me in my new glasses...

Her response to this picture "You don't look Chinese like this"

So I did the typical Chinese girl pose. No smile, Victory sign raised and all crooked like. She agreed that this pose was much more Chinese.

She was smiling like an American girl for me. We do smile a lot.

Still no classes today so what did I do with my time? Well, Kylie had class so I made her a little treat.

We don't actually have a cake pan, so cupcake style...

Thanks to my sweet momma, we have a little bit of heaven in a can.

So I got started...

And I don't have any pictures of the cupcakes in the pan... but you know what that looks like.

They said 15-20 minutes to bake... well that may be true in a normal oven... but apparently in our ghetto toaster over it mean FOREVER.

So I was productive during that FOREVER time...

I looked outside and watched the students walk to class. They looked cold.

I filed my nails. They are looking good now.

And I researched some hostels in Thailand. Have I mentioned that I am going to Thailand!? Thaightland here we come!

All while of course watching Friends.

The cupcakes finally were done. I don't have pictures of the finished product, because well Kevin ate them. And I'm not Kara. Her food is beautiful and perfect. Mine looks like a 4 year old made it.

But my bagged milk was a delicious addition to my day and my cupcake!

After dinner...

we started a new project

This one is for my Chinese boyfriend... Just kidding, Just kidding people. Only 1 boyfriend for me. They didn't have the color I wanted, so I got this random one.

p.s. I heard the new season of The Bachelor started. Man, I miss American trash television.

kisses.

who needs to go outside?

Since Marshall left we all have been very very lazy, it snowed Sunday and that makes walking outside to get food or supplies miserable. I only have 4 classes this week, and most of my finals are done, my students are studying and taking finals like crazy so they don't want to hang out.... so this is what my day consisted of...

Grading! Funny right...? Me, Heidi, giving college credit. What a joke!

And let's not leave out what I watch on TV..

I got the entire series downtown for 30 RMB... all 10 seasons, that is $4.39. I also got Seinfeld for the same price. I switch between the 2. They both are a little ghetto sometimes but I need noise and a little bit of home in this tiny little room of mine.

But you know what I love about that show? It still makes me laugh every time I watch it. Even though I have seen these episodes over and over and I know what they are going to say. I really do believe they are my "friends".

I need to get out of this dorm and get a life.

kisses.

Sweet Birthday Girl!

See that pretty little lady...

It's her birthday today. And if I were home we would be going and getting our nails done, and buying her something fancy. I'm sorry I'm not home.

I miss you and I love you soooo much! Happy Birthday Momma!

kisses.

Leaving on a Jet Plane...

Marshall left...

It was very sad.

I'll see him again in 7 months.

kisses.