Reunion

This past week I had 3 friends, Maverick, Jessie and Keshia come down to visit me. I met them all during my first year of college and we've managed to visit each other and keep in touch quite well. It was really fun to see them for a couple days. Here are some pictures from Maverick's camera.

China Art Projects

Just for fun (and to keep myself busy :P ) I decided to make a recipe book

One side I will put together some simple "American" dishes that I could easily cook in China- I've spoken with a couple people who have some dishes they made themselves while living in China that they've recommended...then on the back, and upside down is where I'll collect Chinese recipes. My students will be old enough, and living in the same apt building- it is quite possibly I could learn from them how to cook traditional meals, and take pictures doing so- in the end, it'll be a recipe scrapbook of my time in China.

The American Recipes Side:

This is me trying my best to write "RECIPES" in Traditional Chinese

Chinese Side- Full View

I've also spoken with Sara, who will be my roommate- she and I are planning on cooking a little as well, and she'll actually be celebrating her birthday while we're M.I.A.- it'll be fun (and quite comical) with the two of us cooking together. We have both had some major laughs while learning from our mistakes when it comes to cooking.

I also made a journal, I'll keep a typed journal on my laptop of what I do each day, class improvement etc (more of a diary I guess...) but this journal is specifically for thoughts, and insights/ things I learn etc. It's been a lot of fun making them- pretty easy too!!

The Front (which to we Americans would actually be the back...)

The Back (or to Americans- the front...) complete with a bow :)

Trying to stay busy and having way too much fun

Time is flying by! I'm getting things organized for China but still trying to stay focused on life here, instead of how life is going to be there...I've been able to talk with a lot of different people to get a better idea of what to expect.

Monday night (FHE had been earlier in the afternoon so I had the evening free) it was my turn to be in charge of our "surprise date" I took him to a city baseball game (a friend got free tickets from work and gave them to me :D and Ogden won!) We had super good seats right in front of home plate. Brian was so surprised and excited- what a goof. Afterwards we went to a breakfast place called Village Inn where we had coupons for a free piece of pie with any entree dish. I'd been planning on also watching a movie, but it was getting kinda late so we decided just to play a couple games of uno (he has never won me yet- so its starting to get less exciting, so we changed up the rules- playing face up so the opponent can see both players cards, there's a lot more strategy when you know who holds the draw 2s and wilds etc...) I had also written a funny poem, and gave that to him as well with 2 small bottles of body wash I got for super super cheap at Bath and Body Works. (they smell SO good!) Brian is in charge of the next surprise date night- and I'm starting to plan my next one already. It's so fun!!

Tuesday I was able to hang out with my previous neighbor Lorraine- she and I had a blast. I miss living close to her!! She showed me some things from when she taught English in Japan back in 2004. It was so fun to see her pictures, and hear stories!!! She and Aunt Linda get along great!!!

I'm hoping to be able to switch around my work schedule so I can go down to Cedar City to help Grandma and Grandpa Jones move this weekend- but since we get our schedules so late, I'm not sure if that will be possible. But I'm crossing my fingers still!! I'm not sure if I will be able to visit them much in August as I'll be working much more hours and have so many other last minute things to take care of, in addition to a couple family weddings etc. crazy!

4 Weeks and 5 days until I leave for China!!! (and I have since learned that Sara and I will be staying an extra week after other teachers- how cool is that?!!?) My new return date is January 7th- I'm waiting for my visa to process and other than that things are pretty much settled.

Changyi, Shandong Province

I got my teaching assignment to teach in Changyi, Shandong Province. Its on the Eastern side of China, about 10 hrs south of Beijing and 14 hrs north of Shangai. I will be teaching at a Private Boarding school (my apt will be on campus as well) Sara (my future roomie) and I will be the only 2 China Horizons teachers in Changi, though there will be a couple in various surrounding areas (for example Weifang, which is just half hour or so ish away). There are two different branches that are fairly close, or I'll be able to watch a broadcasted version from my apt. One branch is East of Changyi, and the other West. In addition to that, I will also be returning instead of December 31st, on January 7th so Sara and I can both fly out of China to Korea together. Below are some pictures of what my apartment and school will look like. Did I mention I'll be teaching 11- 17 yr olds? I have already started on some basic lesson plans, and will fill in the spaces after meeting the students and have a better idea of how much they know etc. I am required to only speak English in class (if the students know I speak some Chinese, they will try and use it as a crutch) I am also starting to collect magazine material, photos, post cards etc- to share some American Pop Culture with the students. I have also decided that once a week, we'll take a break from the normal routine (whatever that will be!) and learn a specific value or quality necessary to become a good leader. I plan on being creative and playing lots of games, activities, etc to keep things fun and interesting for me and the class. I want everyone to enjoy learning. If any of you have good ideas or suggestions from your own school classes or experiences, I'd love to hear them! I am very open to get help in any way I can to be best prepared.

Zai Jian!!

CHINA...is a GO!

Ni Hao!!!

I found out last night that I got accepted to teach English in China this fall. I'm leaving between April 16-20th sometime and will be flying out of SLC. I'm pretty excited. I'll find out what area specifically and what ages I'll be teaching later this month, though nothing is set in stone until after I arrive- so things may change. I'm anxious to leave, but I also feel kinda nervous. It hasn't quite set in yet, but as I focus on preparing lesson plans and becoming familiar with Chinese culture (and watching Mulan in Mandarin Chinese half a dozen more times!!!) I'll become even more anxious to go. It'll be quite an experience to say the least!!

http://www.flixxy.com/chinese-bicycle-acrobatics.htm

I will also be able to spend 3 days in Hong Kong, where we'll live in temple housing and do one baptismal session in the Hong Kong China Temple for each of those 3 days.

Summertime? Yes Please!

I had a fabulous weekend! It was good to see my family again- the weekend went by fast, but was a good vacation. Eric and Hannah's wedding was a lot of fun- my cousins are hilarious. I had a good time attending church with my dad- one of his old college roomies had a son giving his homecoming talk on Sunday, so we went to that. It was a great talk and he seems like a cool guy. We met up at their house following sacrament meeting and enjoyed some delicious food and good company.

On Monday, my friends Caitlyn, Tang and I went for a hike to Waterfall Canyon. It was a killer up hill hike- but so worth it when we got to the top and felt wind push some of the water from the falls in our direction. It was gorgeous. I think we're gonna start going on weekly hikes from now on- the weather is finally acting like summer!! I love waking up in the brisk morning air, going on a good hard hike and getting back just as the sun is getting hot. I'm looking forward to getting familiar with other hiking spots in this area.

Life has been crazy. I am really enjoying working at Noodles and Company- these last few days we've been beyond busy during mornings. It's ridiculous. Yesterday we even ran out of silverware for our guests, and instead of our food being a quick 4 min wait, we had a line out the door and an additional half hour wait (at one point, it was even an hour wait on food) but still the customers came non stop. It was nuts!! Our chief was loosing his mind. It went on for hours upon hours, I had the best job...just smiling and greeting each customer acting as if the kitchen behind me wasn't any different than usual. Corporate had come in for a visit from CO, and ended up getting their own aprons and helping in the kitchen with their nice business attire on. It was fun. Today we had the same thing, except with less people working- after the unexpected rush my manager bought us smoothies from Jamba Juice for being so awesome :) However, I am still not getting the hours I want. I'm barely working 20 hrs this week, instead of full time as I was promised. Kinda frustrating. I am starting to look for yet another job, since this one looks like it'll be part time from now on.

Asparagus Linguine with Shrimp

Delicious.

I have come to learn that I absolutely love asparagus...and shrimp. I get a free meal for every day I get training at work- tough choice but always fully satisfying in the end.