So. I am in Macau again! I am able to be online and write freely. :) **and facebook!**
I am very sad to leave China. God is doing some pretty amazing things here, and I am blessed to have been a part of it. I hope to some day return again...hopefully right after graduation, but we'll see what God says. I spend some time with friends last night, packed, got about 2 hours of sleep, and then took the bus to Macau. 2 friends came with me. We then went to Pizza Hut, walked around the town, got lost, and are back at the center awaiting the time for me to leave. I have a few things I have to do yet, so I will have to cut this short.
I am amazed as I said before about what God's doing. In a country so closed to God, He has found a way to be wanted. People are so hungry for God, and are willing to hear about him and actually listen to what you have to say. They are so excited to learn English, and through that, it's easy to have questions come up about God. That way we can share the love of Christ little by little in a friendly way instead of preaching to deaf ears. The church is growing every day, and is such a wonderful thing in the city. I am so shocked at what I saw, and so excited when I heard stories of those coming to the Faith. I had some of my friends tell me that they were starting to pray. It gave me goosebumps. I cant even immagine what it must be like to have no Jesus, and then to know Jesus. Since I've known Jesus all my life, I have no idea how amazing it feels to finally have that part of you filled that you may not have realized was empty until it was filled!
But right now it's time for me to do some debriefing, so I will get going. My plane leaves in about 4.5 hours-ish, and I leave Asia in about.....maybe 8 hours? I am very sad to leave Asia, because even though I've only been here for about 6 weeks, I feel like this is home. I feel this is where God is leading me, but time will tell if that's just my human discernment taking over or if it really is God's plan for me.
Please pray for the people of China; especially in my city. Pray for the church there, and for all the teachers as well. Please also pray for those working the harvest field all over the world! From our home congregations to those working new "soil".
Remember: God loves you so much! He is so wonderful to us, and has a plan for all our lives. To HIM be the glory!
In His Love,
Alissa
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
1/17
So. Life is continuing as normal, I guess. It's Sunday afternoon/evening...whatever it is at 6. I leave for America in a couple days, but there is so much to do before then. Right now I'm at the office just listening to the very loud Chinese conversations...not that I can understand them cause they're in Chinese, but I realized that when I get back, I will miss it. I like being surrounded by this culture, and I am thinking Dad for giving me this opportunity to be here. I guess we'll have to see if He has anything else in store for me here or if he has something prepared for me elsewhere. Only He knows, and He will reveal it in His time.
I had a good week of classes. Thursday and Friday I taught at the local boarding school. The kids were actually good. We played Simon Says and Head Up 7 Up. They really liked the games. I really enjoyed the time with the little kids, because they just cling onto you and don't let go. And they like to play!! It's great.
The free class yesterday went well. The kids were fun. We taught family words, such as grandmother, grandfather, mother, sister, father, brother, etc. It went well. Today, I taught morning classes. The teacher I am staying with is really sick right now, so I took over for her this morning. The kids were great. They were learning various things at various levels, but it was fun meeting them and getting to lead them in some fun activities. In about an hour I have classes again, and we'll have to see how those go. They're usually amazing. Last week we had a very large group and I hope we'll have a big group again tonight.
Anyway, as I'm preparing to come home, just think of me and the people here as I will be leaving them and they will continue on in this AMAZING job that Dad has put in place. I will probably write another update as I am leaving, but if not, I'll see you when I return from the future ;)
--Alissa
I had a good week of classes. Thursday and Friday I taught at the local boarding school. The kids were actually good. We played Simon Says and Head Up 7 Up. They really liked the games. I really enjoyed the time with the little kids, because they just cling onto you and don't let go. And they like to play!! It's great.
The free class yesterday went well. The kids were fun. We taught family words, such as grandmother, grandfather, mother, sister, father, brother, etc. It went well. Today, I taught morning classes. The teacher I am staying with is really sick right now, so I took over for her this morning. The kids were great. They were learning various things at various levels, but it was fun meeting them and getting to lead them in some fun activities. In about an hour I have classes again, and we'll have to see how those go. They're usually amazing. Last week we had a very large group and I hope we'll have a big group again tonight.
Anyway, as I'm preparing to come home, just think of me and the people here as I will be leaving them and they will continue on in this AMAZING job that Dad has put in place. I will probably write another update as I am leaving, but if not, I'll see you when I return from the future ;)
--Alissa
Saturday, January 16, 2010
1/12
Wow!! I cannot believe that it's been a MONTH since I've gotten here! The time has gone by way too fast. It's one of those feelings you get where you feel like you've been here forever, but for only a day at the same time. I am regretting making this trip so short! I really enjoy life here, and enjoy the work...a lot.
My friends from CUW are here. They take off tomorrow, but as for now, they're here. They have had some amazing experiences in Hong Kong as well as here in mainland. We spent some time together, and they invited me to do some of their activities with them, and on my day off I spent most of the day with them. They were very generous to me in offering to allow me to stay with them a couple nights and eat meals with them and such. It was nice being able to hear and make "western" humor, because it is often lost in translation here. I think they are all having an amazing experience, and I have heard 3 express vocally that they would like to come back to China!!! (Either here or Hong Kong).
My work here is great. I am making new friends every day, and had my first experience meeting a stranger and inviting them to come to English classes. One of my new friends and I were in the elevator, and I was saying, "Oh, we have to stop at 12 too." There was another lady who had just entered, and she was right next to the buttons. She said, OH! 12! and hit 12. I said, "Do you speak English?" And she responded with "a little." So I had my friend Kari explain to her that we have English classes that are FREE on Saturday and Sunday nights, and so hopefully she will be able to make it! She said, "See you Saturday and Sunday!" I really hope that I'm able to see her again.
I have to cut this email short because I am off to class, but I just want to add a prayer request for the people here. I pray for those who are not yet Christian that they may find God (or rather God lead them to Him...) and also for those who are Christian that they keep the faith and are able to reach out and help lead others in the same direction. I especially pray for those who are on the verge of Faith and are in their hearts ready to make a commitment, but their minds and their culture is holding them back. I have 3 friends in particular in this state, and these are just a few of the many who are in that same state right now. God has a plan for them, and will watch over them. I just hope that He reveals himself to them and takes away the barriers for them.
Well, I have to get going. I am teaching at the school again :)
Love,
Alissa
My friends from CUW are here. They take off tomorrow, but as for now, they're here. They have had some amazing experiences in Hong Kong as well as here in mainland. We spent some time together, and they invited me to do some of their activities with them, and on my day off I spent most of the day with them. They were very generous to me in offering to allow me to stay with them a couple nights and eat meals with them and such. It was nice being able to hear and make "western" humor, because it is often lost in translation here. I think they are all having an amazing experience, and I have heard 3 express vocally that they would like to come back to China!!! (Either here or Hong Kong).
My work here is great. I am making new friends every day, and had my first experience meeting a stranger and inviting them to come to English classes. One of my new friends and I were in the elevator, and I was saying, "Oh, we have to stop at 12 too." There was another lady who had just entered, and she was right next to the buttons. She said, OH! 12! and hit 12. I said, "Do you speak English?" And she responded with "a little." So I had my friend Kari explain to her that we have English classes that are FREE on Saturday and Sunday nights, and so hopefully she will be able to make it! She said, "See you Saturday and Sunday!" I really hope that I'm able to see her again.
I have to cut this email short because I am off to class, but I just want to add a prayer request for the people here. I pray for those who are not yet Christian that they may find God (or rather God lead them to Him...) and also for those who are Christian that they keep the faith and are able to reach out and help lead others in the same direction. I especially pray for those who are on the verge of Faith and are in their hearts ready to make a commitment, but their minds and their culture is holding them back. I have 3 friends in particular in this state, and these are just a few of the many who are in that same state right now. God has a plan for them, and will watch over them. I just hope that He reveals himself to them and takes away the barriers for them.
Well, I have to get going. I am teaching at the school again :)
Love,
Alissa
Sunday, January 10, 2010
1/9
WOW! I can't believe it's Janary 9th already!!! Time has surely flown.
I have to return to the USA in less than 2 weeks. I guess I'm having mixed feelings about that! I really enjoy life here.
I am running into new things every day. I helped out at the grade school again. This time I helped out in the Kindergarden class. It was so much fun! 2 things I have realized are the same in American schools and Chinese schools: a) kids will be kids...and be naughty... and b) school food is NOT good. But it was such an enjoyable experience. I read a book about a girl who lost her tooth. The kids all showed me their loose teeth at that point. It was fun. They also painted pictures. I painted one too, but theirs were better than mine ;) We also taught them a trick about refraction of light and how if you put a button under a glass-glass and then fill the glass-glass with water, you will no longer be able to see it when you look through the glass. it's kind of cool!! but if you put water on the plate (or whatever surface the glass-glass and button are on) you can see it again! They were amazed. I was too, to tell you the truth! Maybe that's what I should do with my life: go back to kindergarden! I enjoyed it so much.
I have begun to teach in my daily class. Instead of just observing, I will teach for the last hour of the class. On Wednesday I taught food and restraunt items. We role played and I explained the various food items. We had an Applebees menu, so you can just imagine how hungry we were after we role played!! Thursday we talked about our dream houses, and today (technically yesterday, I guess!) we talked about things in the bathroom, since that was one of the few rooms they have not covered yet. So we had interactive learning all the days, including drawing and rearranging paper houses and the like. It was fun stuff.
I went to a Szechwan restraunt the other day with some friends. We invited some university students, but for some reason the people here don't like spicy food as much, so they turned us down. One accepted. I was very happy she came, because she is a very wonderful girl. I hope that she was able to understand some things that we did. Before we ate we talked to Dad. She was just confused when we all folded our hands and bowed our heads and so we explained what we were doing, and she followed suit. She said she's never done that before a meal before. I don't know if that means quite literally before a meal, or if that means...well, ever. I'm not sure what it means, but I hope that it is a start to something bigger. I'll be thinking about her a lot. The food was good, by the way. I didn't get to eat all of it, because I had to get back to the center for class.
I was late for class. The restraunt was far away and I only had 10 minutes to get back to the center, and by bus it would take me probably 20...so I was daring. I had my Chinese friend go with me, and we set off to find...a motorcycle-taxi. It was half the price of a normal taxi, easier to find, and takes less time cause motorbikes can do...well...whatever they want to. I made it safely, on time, and without spending too much money! It was less than 1 USD. I enjoyed the experience, but I don't know if others really want me to be doing that, because it's supposedly dangerous...which I probably agree with, but sometimes what has to be done has to be done. :)
I am going completely out of order with my dates, but that's ok, I guess. Sunday was my birthday :) It was a fun time. There was a team that arrived from Wisconsin the day before, and I mentioned that we were going to go do some karaoke on my birthday. They were PUMPED, and so they, some of the chinese staff, some of the foreign staff and I went to karaoke. It was a really fun time. We will be going out for karaoke again with the next team (also from Wisconsin...who happen to go to my school!) on Wednesday. I'm excited for this next group to come......in about 14-1/2 hours!!
Monday I had the opportunity to exchange money...by myself!! I looked up the characters online and copied them down, and headed off to the bank. It took me about 45 minutes, because they have to take your passport, make sure you're legal here, and I don't know...they have a long process. But I successfully exchanged it, and rewarded myself with a bigmac. Haha. I had a coupon so I figured WHY NOT!! It was about 2 USD for a bigmac and a coke. I enjoyed it a lot. Then I went to the grocery store and went shopping, and came back for supper with the WI team, and for a social event that we had. We sang songs and talked with the team. The Chinese people really enjoyed it.
Afterwards, one of the Chinese girls came up to me and told me she wanted to take me somewhere...so I went. We went to the top of a hotel, where it's basically a circular room with glass all around it, and the floor moves. You can see all of the city where I am. It's very pretty. It was late, though, and they were closing, so I didn't see the entire city...only 1/4 of it. But it was still fun!! I got dizzy, though... But it was worth it. During the dinner (where I didn't want food but she ordered it for me anyway, being 'hospitable'), she told me that I'm her very first foreign friend. I was really happy cause she concidered me her friend.
Overall, it's a fun time. I'm enjoying the socializing with the Chinese, and I am enjoying the conversations that can be had through those friendships. Hopefully people will see something through me, and will start asking questions. That's the way Dad works here. And he's definately working! It's amazing to see what's happening and how amazing Dad is. I just love it.
I am thinking about you all and I thank you so much for your support as you are thinking of me as well! I feel so blessed to know that there is that kind of support out there. I know that it's needed. If you could just send out a thought in Dad's direction, too, for a few friends of mine. I've heard some sad news from multiple people at home, and just a thought for comfort and/or healing for them (depending on the person). Also I ask for thoughts for those lives here...for those who I come in contact with on a daily basis. Just for them to see what I'm all about...or rather WHO I try to be all about.
Well, that's all I have for now. As my computer is about to die, I will end my letter.
In Him
Alissa
I have to return to the USA in less than 2 weeks. I guess I'm having mixed feelings about that! I really enjoy life here.
I am running into new things every day. I helped out at the grade school again. This time I helped out in the Kindergarden class. It was so much fun! 2 things I have realized are the same in American schools and Chinese schools: a) kids will be kids...and be naughty... and b) school food is NOT good. But it was such an enjoyable experience. I read a book about a girl who lost her tooth. The kids all showed me their loose teeth at that point. It was fun. They also painted pictures. I painted one too, but theirs were better than mine ;) We also taught them a trick about refraction of light and how if you put a button under a glass-glass and then fill the glass-glass with water, you will no longer be able to see it when you look through the glass. it's kind of cool!! but if you put water on the plate (or whatever surface the glass-glass and button are on) you can see it again! They were amazed. I was too, to tell you the truth! Maybe that's what I should do with my life: go back to kindergarden! I enjoyed it so much.
I have begun to teach in my daily class. Instead of just observing, I will teach for the last hour of the class. On Wednesday I taught food and restraunt items. We role played and I explained the various food items. We had an Applebees menu, so you can just imagine how hungry we were after we role played!! Thursday we talked about our dream houses, and today (technically yesterday, I guess!) we talked about things in the bathroom, since that was one of the few rooms they have not covered yet. So we had interactive learning all the days, including drawing and rearranging paper houses and the like. It was fun stuff.
I went to a Szechwan restraunt the other day with some friends. We invited some university students, but for some reason the people here don't like spicy food as much, so they turned us down. One accepted. I was very happy she came, because she is a very wonderful girl. I hope that she was able to understand some things that we did. Before we ate we talked to Dad. She was just confused when we all folded our hands and bowed our heads and so we explained what we were doing, and she followed suit. She said she's never done that before a meal before. I don't know if that means quite literally before a meal, or if that means...well, ever. I'm not sure what it means, but I hope that it is a start to something bigger. I'll be thinking about her a lot. The food was good, by the way. I didn't get to eat all of it, because I had to get back to the center for class.
I was late for class. The restraunt was far away and I only had 10 minutes to get back to the center, and by bus it would take me probably 20...so I was daring. I had my Chinese friend go with me, and we set off to find...a motorcycle-taxi. It was half the price of a normal taxi, easier to find, and takes less time cause motorbikes can do...well...whatever they want to. I made it safely, on time, and without spending too much money! It was less than 1 USD. I enjoyed the experience, but I don't know if others really want me to be doing that, because it's supposedly dangerous...which I probably agree with, but sometimes what has to be done has to be done. :)
I am going completely out of order with my dates, but that's ok, I guess. Sunday was my birthday :) It was a fun time. There was a team that arrived from Wisconsin the day before, and I mentioned that we were going to go do some karaoke on my birthday. They were PUMPED, and so they, some of the chinese staff, some of the foreign staff and I went to karaoke. It was a really fun time. We will be going out for karaoke again with the next team (also from Wisconsin...who happen to go to my school!) on Wednesday. I'm excited for this next group to come......in about 14-1/2 hours!!
Monday I had the opportunity to exchange money...by myself!! I looked up the characters online and copied them down, and headed off to the bank. It took me about 45 minutes, because they have to take your passport, make sure you're legal here, and I don't know...they have a long process. But I successfully exchanged it, and rewarded myself with a bigmac. Haha. I had a coupon so I figured WHY NOT!! It was about 2 USD for a bigmac and a coke. I enjoyed it a lot. Then I went to the grocery store and went shopping, and came back for supper with the WI team, and for a social event that we had. We sang songs and talked with the team. The Chinese people really enjoyed it.
Afterwards, one of the Chinese girls came up to me and told me she wanted to take me somewhere...so I went. We went to the top of a hotel, where it's basically a circular room with glass all around it, and the floor moves. You can see all of the city where I am. It's very pretty. It was late, though, and they were closing, so I didn't see the entire city...only 1/4 of it. But it was still fun!! I got dizzy, though... But it was worth it. During the dinner (where I didn't want food but she ordered it for me anyway, being 'hospitable'), she told me that I'm her very first foreign friend. I was really happy cause she concidered me her friend.
Overall, it's a fun time. I'm enjoying the socializing with the Chinese, and I am enjoying the conversations that can be had through those friendships. Hopefully people will see something through me, and will start asking questions. That's the way Dad works here. And he's definately working! It's amazing to see what's happening and how amazing Dad is. I just love it.
I am thinking about you all and I thank you so much for your support as you are thinking of me as well! I feel so blessed to know that there is that kind of support out there. I know that it's needed. If you could just send out a thought in Dad's direction, too, for a few friends of mine. I've heard some sad news from multiple people at home, and just a thought for comfort and/or healing for them (depending on the person). Also I ask for thoughts for those lives here...for those who I come in contact with on a daily basis. Just for them to see what I'm all about...or rather WHO I try to be all about.
Well, that's all I have for now. As my computer is about to die, I will end my letter.
In Him
Alissa
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Happy New Year!
So. A new year. I can't believe it's 2010 already! In China it's 2010, but not the new year! That comes on Feb 14 this year. But I won't be here for those celebrations :( Oh well.
I have had a crazy week! I haven't done too much since I've last written--at least not teaching wise. On Thursday I had 2 classes: one from 2:30-5 like normal (which was fun as always), and one that is a free class on Thursday nights. This was my first time going to this class though. There were 4 ladies there--one just a little older than me and the others well over my age. We learned the names of certain countries, and also the names for some important things--such as shopping :) We went "shopping" with our fake American money. We were buying rings, earrings, coats, belts, purses, and some other things, and asking where they were from and seeing if it was good quality, and also trying to barter and see if the price could come down at all. It was a fun time! After the English lesson, we pulled out a story. Since it's a free class, we're able to incorporate stories that have a higher meaning, if you get my drift. We reviewed last week's story of Isaac almost being offered to Dad to show Abr'h'ms dedication to Dad. It was cool listening to them talk about the story. They knew the story in Chinese, but it was difficult for it to come across in English. Then, we read this week's story. It was the next in the sequence from the children's Book that we had, and it was about Jacob's ladder. We talked a little about that and I listened to the teacher explain some things and I was able to explain things when I was asked as well.
After class, the ladies gave me some (delicious) candy and sent me on my way. I am amazed at how hospitable people are here. I only fear that it's only hospitality offered to foreigners, and the same is not offered to their own people. When I taught at the school Wednesday I saw just how horrible they treat their teachers, unless they are foreign teachers. Our TA's were not allowed to join us in the front at the variety show that the kids put on. They had to sit in the back. Why? Not because they are TA's and not teachers--because they were not foreign. I was very dissappointed, as the TA is actually a friend of mine, first of all, and second of all, I felt very guilty for taking the place of honor when it was not offered to my friends who actually deserved it more than I did--I am just a substitute teacher and he's there every day, but because my skin is white, I was given a seat of honor. I was very dissappointed that this happened, and it just hurt me that the school treats their own teachers that way.
That's unfortunately the culture as I understand. I don't like that part of it. That's one thing I could not get used to--always getting treated special while others--my friends who are with me at the time nonetheless--are treated horribly. I don't want to be waited on hand and food. That's not why I came here, but that's what happens unfortunately. I guess I will have to make an effort to pull myself down a little and others up as well. I just can't be rude and refuse their hospitality either...that would not be a good thing to do. So what to do...it's one of the struggles I've found here.
But enough of the negative: the positive!!!
Thursday was New Years Eve! After my classes, I went to the office, made sure some of my friends were coming to the party we were having, and hurried home. I had cooked that morning before classes---I spent about 3 or 4 hours making tortillas from scratch, then making enchilladas out of them! About a week ago i made enchillada sauce from scratch, and I put it all together. So I was able to run down to my friend's apartment, put them in the oven, and wait for everyone to arrive. We made fun posters welcoming the new year, and ate a whole bunch of Mexican food (not the intention, but it just happened that way. She had prepared nachos, and I had prepared the enchilladas haha). Then, we played catch phrase and taboo. We had 6 foreigners and 5 Chinese people there, and so it was a nice mix. We turned on the TV with about 2 minutes to go to midnight and watched the celebration that they had in China. We could have actually gone to the park to watch them live, but decided to stay inside and eat food and stay warm instead. At the new year we all said happy new year...in 3 or 4 languages (not sure if both Chinese languages made it into the mix...and Spanish and English were the other 2) and then we talked for a little bit before all heading back to our own places.
New Years Day was crazy. I got up early and went to the fresh market (an outside market selling fresh meat, veggies, fruits, and other stuff). I saw some things that...well...you'll never see in America. We'll leave it at that. But we bought some chicken, veggies, meat, chopsticks, plates, and barbeque sauce. We went to the supermarket and bought some other things that we were unable to buy in the fresh market, ate lunch, and then went back to the apartment. We prepared the food (washed everything and put it in bags) and at 3 we left the apartment...we took the bus (carrying all the food...) and went to the park. It was crazy, because it took us at least twice as long as normal to get to the bus stop because of ALL THE PEOPLE!!! Everyone had a holiday on the 1st, so everyone was out shopping and doing stuff. The bus was crowded as well, but I've actually been on worse. Anyway, there was a barbeque park and so we rented a firepit. We got there early, so before we cooked the food we walked around the park. It was kind of like a mix between an amusement park and other stuff. Some of the activities included were: grass skiing, zip-lining, ferris wheel, karaoke, roller coasters, go karts, bumper cars, paddle boating, mahjong and some other things. We definately did the zip line. It was so much fun! We also flew kites. Then we went to the barbeque pit and cooked all the food and ate it. It was a great time! We then went back to the apartments and watched a movie and eventually we all left. It was such a long day and we were all worn out! But is was so much fun.
Well, today at 2:30 I have classes. At 3 the first team comes, so I will meet them. But I should go, because I'm not actually sure what I'm doing for my first and second classes. I have to talk to the other teachers and ask them what we're going do.
I will send more emails as new and exciting things happen.
Happy New Year!!!!
-Alissa
I have had a crazy week! I haven't done too much since I've last written--at least not teaching wise. On Thursday I had 2 classes: one from 2:30-5 like normal (which was fun as always), and one that is a free class on Thursday nights. This was my first time going to this class though. There were 4 ladies there--one just a little older than me and the others well over my age. We learned the names of certain countries, and also the names for some important things--such as shopping :) We went "shopping" with our fake American money. We were buying rings, earrings, coats, belts, purses, and some other things, and asking where they were from and seeing if it was good quality, and also trying to barter and see if the price could come down at all. It was a fun time! After the English lesson, we pulled out a story. Since it's a free class, we're able to incorporate stories that have a higher meaning, if you get my drift. We reviewed last week's story of Isaac almost being offered to Dad to show Abr'h'ms dedication to Dad. It was cool listening to them talk about the story. They knew the story in Chinese, but it was difficult for it to come across in English. Then, we read this week's story. It was the next in the sequence from the children's Book that we had, and it was about Jacob's ladder. We talked a little about that and I listened to the teacher explain some things and I was able to explain things when I was asked as well.
After class, the ladies gave me some (delicious) candy and sent me on my way. I am amazed at how hospitable people are here. I only fear that it's only hospitality offered to foreigners, and the same is not offered to their own people. When I taught at the school Wednesday I saw just how horrible they treat their teachers, unless they are foreign teachers. Our TA's were not allowed to join us in the front at the variety show that the kids put on. They had to sit in the back. Why? Not because they are TA's and not teachers--because they were not foreign. I was very dissappointed, as the TA is actually a friend of mine, first of all, and second of all, I felt very guilty for taking the place of honor when it was not offered to my friends who actually deserved it more than I did--I am just a substitute teacher and he's there every day, but because my skin is white, I was given a seat of honor. I was very dissappointed that this happened, and it just hurt me that the school treats their own teachers that way.
That's unfortunately the culture as I understand. I don't like that part of it. That's one thing I could not get used to--always getting treated special while others--my friends who are with me at the time nonetheless--are treated horribly. I don't want to be waited on hand and food. That's not why I came here, but that's what happens unfortunately. I guess I will have to make an effort to pull myself down a little and others up as well. I just can't be rude and refuse their hospitality either...that would not be a good thing to do. So what to do...it's one of the struggles I've found here.
But enough of the negative: the positive!!!
Thursday was New Years Eve! After my classes, I went to the office, made sure some of my friends were coming to the party we were having, and hurried home. I had cooked that morning before classes---I spent about 3 or 4 hours making tortillas from scratch, then making enchilladas out of them! About a week ago i made enchillada sauce from scratch, and I put it all together. So I was able to run down to my friend's apartment, put them in the oven, and wait for everyone to arrive. We made fun posters welcoming the new year, and ate a whole bunch of Mexican food (not the intention, but it just happened that way. She had prepared nachos, and I had prepared the enchilladas haha). Then, we played catch phrase and taboo. We had 6 foreigners and 5 Chinese people there, and so it was a nice mix. We turned on the TV with about 2 minutes to go to midnight and watched the celebration that they had in China. We could have actually gone to the park to watch them live, but decided to stay inside and eat food and stay warm instead. At the new year we all said happy new year...in 3 or 4 languages (not sure if both Chinese languages made it into the mix...and Spanish and English were the other 2) and then we talked for a little bit before all heading back to our own places.
New Years Day was crazy. I got up early and went to the fresh market (an outside market selling fresh meat, veggies, fruits, and other stuff). I saw some things that...well...you'll never see in America. We'll leave it at that. But we bought some chicken, veggies, meat, chopsticks, plates, and barbeque sauce. We went to the supermarket and bought some other things that we were unable to buy in the fresh market, ate lunch, and then went back to the apartment. We prepared the food (washed everything and put it in bags) and at 3 we left the apartment...we took the bus (carrying all the food...) and went to the park. It was crazy, because it took us at least twice as long as normal to get to the bus stop because of ALL THE PEOPLE!!! Everyone had a holiday on the 1st, so everyone was out shopping and doing stuff. The bus was crowded as well, but I've actually been on worse. Anyway, there was a barbeque park and so we rented a firepit. We got there early, so before we cooked the food we walked around the park. It was kind of like a mix between an amusement park and other stuff. Some of the activities included were: grass skiing, zip-lining, ferris wheel, karaoke, roller coasters, go karts, bumper cars, paddle boating, mahjong and some other things. We definately did the zip line. It was so much fun! We also flew kites. Then we went to the barbeque pit and cooked all the food and ate it. It was a great time! We then went back to the apartments and watched a movie and eventually we all left. It was such a long day and we were all worn out! But is was so much fun.
Well, today at 2:30 I have classes. At 3 the first team comes, so I will meet them. But I should go, because I'm not actually sure what I'm doing for my first and second classes. I have to talk to the other teachers and ask them what we're going do.
I will send more emails as new and exciting things happen.
Happy New Year!!!!
-Alissa
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