Hopefully a post from me:)

Hello dear ones!
I don't know how Shane put up a blog (having never had a blog) with total Chinese instructions, but I"m just clicking things and I hope this works!! I"m glad two of you have already figured out how to post a reply- I wouldn't have:) Today we took a long bus ride to a store called "metro"- inside it resembles a BJ's or Costco, but actually its the place wealthy Chinese people go (which is obvious from the prices). The advantage is AMERICAN PRODUCTS! Ridiculously expensive, but they are there. We bought something resembling a swiffer (yayyyyyyyyyy) and even spaghetti sauce. They even had milk and cheese there, though with the recent milk scandal (6 deaths, thousands ill) in China, I think i'll stay away from dairy for a while. They had little things like peanut butter, bread, and things that looked like steak! They even had tostito chips (which were 50 Kuai!! or about 8.50 US, but we are on a Chinese budget). Its amazing how these little things can be thrilling, although I know we can't afford it all so they will just have to be special treats. I do wish I liked Chinese food.... maybe next time we'll spend a year in South America or Italy. :)

I adore my students- they are all very polite and well-behaved. (Of course, it is their first class, we'll see in the future). I have now had 4 classes, or half of my load. It turns out I am using SO much of what I learned in teaching or studying music, it is turning out quite handy in this classroom setting too! After 4 hours of class with no air-conditioning, then walking around all day in the heavy heat and smog, I opted not to go to the coffee house with Shane. The heat and humidity have worn me out, plus teaching took a lot of my voice away. I am glad though, that I have recovered from being sick. Shane has pointed out that recently the pollution has loomed even worse so its good to be mostly back to health if I have to breath that in. Instead I will watch Prince Caspian with a fellow foreign teacher from Ireland. Next week we may go to Beijing with her as well, during the national holidy.

Tomorrow we will have our medical exam and hopefully complete all these necessary visa requirements in time. Oh- Shane probably emailed this, but here is our mailing address:

Postbox:222
Hunan Business College
Tongzipo Road, Yuelu District, Changsha,
Hunan Province.
P.R. China 410205

I'll go for now but please keep in touch. I love reading from home!!