maybe Shanghai/ banquet pics

So we are not going to the place in the picture I　ｐｏｓｔｅｄ　ｅａｒｌｉｅｒ．　Ｉｔ　ｅｎｄｅｄ　ｕｐ　ｔｈａｔ　ｔｈｅｒｅ　ｗａｓ　ｏｎｌｙ　ｇｏｉｎｇ　ｔｏ　ｂｅ　ｏｎｅ　ｓｔｕｄｅｎｔ　ｇｏｉｎｇ　ａｎｄ　ｔｈｅ　ｐｌａｃｅ，　ａｌｔｈｏｕｇｈ　ｖｅｒｙ　ｂｅａｕｔｉｆｕｌ，　ｉｓ　ｏｎｌｙ　ａｂｏｕｔ　４　ｈｏｕｒｓ　ａｗａｙ．　Ｔｈｅｒｅｆｏｒｅ，　ｗｅ　ｃａｎ　ｇｏ　ｔｈｅｒｅ　ｏｎ　ａ　ｌｏｎｇ　ｗｅｅｋｅｎｄ．　Ｗｅ　ｗａｎｔ　ｔｏ　ｔｒｙ　ｔｏ　ｕｓｅ　ｔｈｉｓ　ｔｉｍｅ　ｔｏ　ｇｏ　ｓｏｍｅｗｈｅｒｅ　ｆｕｒｔｈｅｒ．　Ｉｔ　ｉｓ　ｓｔｉｌｌ　ｖｅｒｙ　ｄｉｆｆｉｃｕｌｔ　ｔｏ　ｔｒｙ　ａｎｄ　ｐｌａｎ　ｔｒａｖｅｌｉｎｇ　ｓｔｕｆｆ　ｗｈｅｎ　ｗｅ　ｄｏ　ｎｏｔ　ｋｎｏｗ　ｈｏｗ　ｔｏ　ｄｏ　ａｌｌ　ｔｈａｔ，　ａｎｄ　ｗｅ　ｄｏｎ＇ｔ　ｈａｖｅ　ｔｈａｔ　ｍｕｃｈ　ｈｅｌｐ　ｏｖｅｒ　ｈｅｒｅ．　Ｗｅ　ｗｉｌｌ　ｌｏｏｋ　ｉｎｔｏ　ｉｔ　ｍｏｒｅ　ｔｏｄａｙ．　Ｇｅｔｔｉｎｇ　ｋｉｎｄ　ｏｆ　ｔｉｒｅｄ　ｏｆ　ｉｔ　ｒｅａｌｌｙ．　Ｉｔ　ｄｏｅｓ　ｇｅｔ　ｋｉｎｄ　ｏｆ　ｓｔｒｅｓｓｆｕｌ．

　　Ｙｅｓｔｅｒｄａｙ　ｗｅ　ｈａｄ　ａ　ｎｉｃｅ　ｌｕｎｃｈ　ｗｉｔｈ　ｓｏｍｅ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｆｏｒｅｉｇｎ　ｔｅａｃｈｅｒｓ　ｆｒｏｍ　ｏｕｒ　ｂｕｉｌｄｉｎｇ．　Ｔｈａｔ　ｗａｓ　ｖｅｒｙ　ｎｉｃｅ．　Ｍａｎｙ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｄｉｓｈｅｓ　ｌｏｏｋｅｄ　ｑｕｉｔｅ　ｓｔｒａｎｇｅ　ａｎｄ　ａｆｔｅｒ　ａｓｋｉｎｇ　ｗｈａｔ　ｅａｃｈ　ｏｎｅ　ｗａｓ，　ｏｎｅ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｔｅａｃｈｅｒｓ　ｊｕｓｔ　ｆｉｎａｌｌｙ　ｓａｉｄ： "just try it!"　I can imagine their bemusement at us questioning each and every dish that comes our way. 　Ｉｔ　ｉｓ　ｆｕｎｎｙ　ｔｈｏｕｇｈ　ｔｏ　ｓｅｅ　ｔｈｅｍ　ｔｒｙ　ａｎｄ　ｔｒａｎｓｌａｔｅ　ｗｈａｔ　ｗｅ　ａｒｅ　ｅａｔｉｎｇ．　

Ｔｈｅ　ｏｔｈｅｒ　ｄａｙ　ｗｅ　ｗｅｒｅ　ｅａｔｉｎｇ　ｄｉｎｎｅｒ　ｗｉｔｈ　ｔｗｏ　ｏｆ　ｍｙ　ｓｔｕｄｅｎｔｓ　ｆｒｏｍ　ｃｌａｓｓ　ａｎｄ　ｔｈａｔ　ｔｒｉｅｄ　ｔｏ　ｏｆｆｅｒ　ｕｓ　ａ　ｃｌｅａｒ　ｓｏｕｐ　ｗｉｔｈ　ｓｅａｗｅｅｄ　ｉｎ　ｉｔ．　Ｓｈｅ　ｄｉｄｎ＇ｔ　ｋｎｏｗ　ｔｈｅ　ｗｏｒｄ　ｆｏｒ　ｓｅａｗｅｅｄ，　ｓｏ　ｗｅ　ｔｙｐｅｄ　ａｗａｙ　ａｔ　ｈｅｒ　ｔｒａｎｓｌａｔｅｒ　ａｎｄ　ｐｒｅｓｅｎｔｅｄ　ｍｅ　ｗｉｔｈ　ｔｈｅ　ｗｏｒｄ　＂ａｌｇａｅ！＂ Or with the meal yesterday, the mushrooms that I　ｗａｓ　ｅａｔｉｎｇ　（ａｎｄ　Ｉ normally don't like mushrooms, but these were good) were called "fungus！“　Ｉ　ｂｅｇａｎ　ｌａｕｇｈｉｎｇ　ａｎｄ　ｔｏｌｄ　ｔｈｅｍ　ｔｈａｔ　ｆｕｎｇｕｓ　ｉｓ　ｗｈａｔ　ｇｒｏｗｓ　ｉｎ　ｂｅｔｗｅｅｎ　ｓｏｍｅｏｎｅ＇ｓ　ｔｏｅs
Ｔｈｅｎ　ｌａｔｅｒ　ｏｎ　ｔｈａｔ　ｅｖｅｎｉｎｇ，　ｍａｎｙ　ｏｆ　ｔｈｅ　ｆｏｒｅｉｇｎ　ｔｅａｃｈｅｒｓ　ｆｒｏｍ　ａｌｌ　ａｒｏｕｎｄ　ｔｈｅ　Ｈｕｎａｎ　Ｐｒｏｖｉｎｃｅ　ｗｅｒｅ　ｉｎｖｉｔｅｄ　ｔｏ　a celebration dinner. The 4 foreigners who had contributed the most of the success of Changsha received an award. The president of the Hunan Province was also in attendance, along with performers and good food. I was plesently surprised to find that the food was not that bad. I know that sometimes at banquets, you can be presented with exotic and bizarre food.

However, I did end up eating small blackened／　ｃｒｉｓｐｅｄ　anchovies　ｏｒ　ｓｏｍｅ　ｏｔｈｅｒ　ｓｍａｌｌ　ｆｉｓｈ．　Ｔｈｅｎ，　Ｉtried another dish and after it was already in my mouth, did the other teacher tell me it was pig ear! Oh well.

It was nice to see our other teacher friends from the other schools that evening also. Furthermore, we got to talk a little deeper with our helper at our school and learn more about the family situation that he is going through. Keep him in your thoughts. It was good to learn about it and the possible dvrce b/c it developed more of a compassion for him. I know that it has been hard to not critize the lack of help with some things.

It is good to relax and get everything situated this week. It is funny to even see the chinese teachers just really burned out after just one month of teaching! Teaching is hard whether it's in America or China. But definitely my passion! Love you all! -Shane and Lisa

possible travels

Hello dear friends!


This week is the national holiday. Many people travel during this time as it is a week off from work for the entire country. Lisa and I　ｐｌａｎ　ｏｎ　ｔｒａｖｅｌｉｎｇ　ａｓ　ｗｅｌｌ．　Ｈｏｗｅｖｅｒ，　ｗｅ　ｊｕｓｔ　ｄｏｎ＇ｔ　ｋｎｏｗ　ｗｈｅｒｅ　ａｓ　ｏｆ　ｙｅｔ．　Ｗｅ　ｋｎｏｗ　ｔｈａｔ　Ｂｅｉｊｉｎｇ　ｗｉｌｌ　ｂｅ　ＶＥＲＹ　ｃｒｏｗｄｅｄ．　Ｓｈａｎｇｈａｉ　ｗａｓ　ａ　ｐｏｓｓｉｂｉｌｉｔｙ　ａｓ　ｗｅｌｌ　ｓｉｎｃｅ　ｏｕｒ　Ｂｒｉｔｉｓｈ　ｎｅｉｇｈｂｏｒｓ　ｄｏｗｎｓｔａｉｒｓ　ａｒｅ　ｇｏｉｎｇ　ｔｈｅｒｅ．　Ｈｏｗｅｖｅｒ，　ｔｈａｔ　ｍａｙ　ｂｅ　ｃｒｏｗｄｅｄ　ａｓ　ｗｅｌｌ．


　　Ｉ　ｋｎｏｗ　ｔｈａｔ　Ｌｉｓａ　ｗａｎｔｓ　ｔｏ　ｄｏ　ｓｏｍｅｔｈｉｎｇ　ｂｉｇ　ｌｉｋｅ　ｔｈａｔ　ｓｉｎｃｅ　ｗｅ　ｆｉｎａｌｌｙ　ｈａｖｅ　ｔｈｅ　ｃｈａｎｃｅ．　Ｈｏｗｅｖｅｒ，　Ｉ am somewhat leery as to the crowds and our still being new to everything.

Some of our students invited us to a place about 4hours south to go to for a couple of days.　Ｉ think that would be really cool to go with them and spend more time with them. The above picture is that of the place where our students want to take us. Here are some the highlights of the place:

the ziquejie qin people's terrace ,which was claimed to have a history of more than 2000 years and it is the largest and highest terrace in the world the national virgin forest park of the big bear moutain ,as you can see literally ,it is a virgin forest and it have many waterfalls there the meishan dragon palace ,it is a big and fantastic underground solution cavity,which has 9 layers

Ｗｈｅｎ　Ｉ　ｌｏｏｋｅｄ　ｕｐ　ｔｈｅ　ｐｌａｃｅ，　ｉｔ　ｉｓ　ａ　ｃｉｔｙ　ｏｆ　ａｂｏｕｔ　４　ｍｉｌｌｉｏｎ．　Ｃｈａｎｇｓｈａ　ｉｓ　６．６　ｍｉｌｌｉｏｎ．　Ｔｈｅ　ｓｔｕｄｅｎｔｓ　ａｒｅ　ｏｎｌｙ　ｇｏｉｎｇ　ｆｏｒ　ａ　ｃｏｕｐｌｅ　ｏｆ　ｄａｙｓ，　ｗｈｉｃｈ　ｉｓ　ｎｉｃｅ．　Ｉ do not think there will be a whole lot to do there besides these sites. You never know though.

Tonight we are having a very important dinner with the president of the Hunan Provence. I　ｊｕｓｔ　ｆｏｕｎｄ　ｏｕｔ　ｔｈａｔ　ｏｕｒ　ｆｒｉｅｎｄｓ　ｆｒｏｍ　ａｎｏｔｈｅｒ　ｓｃｈｏｏｌ　ｍａｙ　ｂｅ　ｇｏｉｎｇ　ａｓ　ｗｅｌｌ！　Ｔｈａｔ　ｗｉｌｌ　ｂｅ　ｖｅｒｙ　ｅｘｃｉｔｉｎｇ．　Ｉｔ　ａｌｓｏ　ｔｅｌｌｓ　ｍｅ　ｔｈａｔ　ｉｔ　ｍａｙ　ｂｅ　ａ　ｖｅｒｙ　ｌａｒｇｅ　ｆｕｎｃｔｉｏｎ　ｗｈｅｒｅ　ｙｏｕ　ｊｕｓｔ　ｓｅｅ　ｔｈｅ　ｐｒｅｓｉｄｅｎｔ　ａｎｄ　ｔｈｅｎ　ｓｉｔ　ａｔ　ａ　ｔａｂｌｅ　ａｎｄ　ｅｎｊｏｙ　ｙｏｕｒ　ｍｅａｌ　ａｓ　ａ　ｇｕｅｓｔ．

Ｌｉｓａ　ａｎｄ Iｈａｖｅ　ｂｅｅｎ　ＶＥＲＹ　ｂｕｓｙ　ｉｎｂｅｔｗｅｅｎ　ｔｅａｃｈｉｎｇ　ａｎｄ　ｔｈｅ　ｍａｎｙ　ａｃｔｉｖｉｔｉｅｓ　ｔｈａｔ　ｗｅ　ｈａｖｅ　ｂｅｅｎ　ｄｏｉｎｇ．　Ｋｅｅｐ　ｕｓ　ｉｎ　ｙｏｕｒ　ｔｈｏｕｇｈｔｓ　ｔｏ　ｈａｖｅ　ｔｉｍｅ　ｗｉｔｈ　ｅａｃｈ　ｏｔｈｅｒ　ａｎｄ　ｔｈａｔ　ｗｅ　ａｒｅ　ｇｏｉｎｇ　ｔｏ　ｔｈｅ　ｓｏｕｒｃｅ　ｏｆ　ｓｔｒｅｎｇｔｈ．　Ｗｅ　ｈａｖｅ　ｂｅｅｎ　ｓｏ　ｆｏｒｔｕｎａｔｅ　ｆｏｒ　ｔｈｅ　ｍａｎｙ　ｆｒｉｅｎｄｓ　ｔｈａｔ　ｗｅ　ｈａｖｅ　ｍａｄｅ　ｔｈｕｓ　ｆａｒ．　Ｉｔ　ｃａｎ　ｊｕｓｔ　ｂｅｃｏｍｅ　ａ　ｌｉｔｔｌｅ　ｔｉｒｉｎｇ　ｗｈｅｎ　ｙｏｕ　ａｒｅ　ｇｏｉｎｇ　ｆｒｏｍ　ｏｎｅ　ｔｈｉｎｇ　ｔｏ　ａｎｏｔｈｅｒ．　Ｗｅ　ｗｉｌｌ　ｈａｖｅ　ｔｏ　ｔｒｙ　ａｄｎ　ｈａｖｅ　ａ　ｗｅｅｋｌｙ　ｄａｔｅ　ｎｉｇｈｔ　ｓｏ　ａｓ　ｔｏ　ｅｎｓｕｒｅ　ｔｈａｔ　ｗｅ　ａｒｅ　ｍａｋｉｎｇ　ｔｉｍｅ　ｆｏｒ　ｅａｃｈ　ｏｔｈｅｒ　ａｓ　ｗｅｌｌ．　Ｗｅ　ａｒｅ　ｈｅｒｅ　ｌａｂｏｒｉｎｇ　ｔｏｇｅｔｈｅｒ　ａｎｄ　ｎｅｅｄ　ｔｏ　ｂｅ　ｕｎｉｆｉｅｄ．　Ｗｅ　ｌｏｏｋ　ｆｏｒｗａｒｄ　ｔｏ　ｈｅａｒｉｎｇ　ｈｏｗ　ｅｖｅｒｙｏｎｅ　ｂａｃｋ　ｈｏｍｅ　ｉｓ　ｄｏｉｎｇ　ａｓ　ｗｅｌｌ．　Ｄｅｐｅｎｄｉｎｇ　ｏｎ　ｗｈｅｒｅ　ｗｅ　ｔｒａｖｅｌ，　ｗｅ　ｍａｙ　ｎｏｔ　ｈａｖｅ　ｔｈｅ　ｉｎｔｅｒｎｅｔ　ｆｏｒ　ａ　ｃｏｕｐｌｅ　ｏｆ　ｄａｙｓ．　Ｗｅ　ｗｉｌｌ　ｔｒｙ　ｔｏ　ｋｅｅｐ　ｅｖｅｒｙｏｎｅ　ｕｐｄａｔｅｄ　ａｓ　ｂｅｓｔ　ａｓ　ｗｅ　ｃａｎ！　Ｌｏｖｅ，　－Ｓｈａｎｅ＆Ｌｉｓａ

Healthy!

Just a quick post- I so dearly appreciate some of your concern:) I wanted to let everyone know whatever stomach issues I had for a few days have passed, so much thanksgiving! After our medical exam, found out i had another minor infection of something else, but the doctor gave me more medicine and I am feeling better. So thus far, health in China has been quite an adventure for me, but today is a good day! Thank you all! I need to keep my vitamins, in the past couple of days there has been over a 40 degree drop in temperature. (But no loss of humidity- so we went from a wet stiffling heat, to a wet chilly cold). I am grateful I packed my winter clothes instead of having them shipped.... I am wearing them now!:) I love you all and more later!

Dreaming of US food!

Just a quick blog, even for no one else's interest I can remember this myself. I am still ironclad in my resolution to be here- and there have already been many encouraging encounters to keep that hope! But just as well, physically China's been quite rough on me. I feel I'm a "hypochondriac" or whatever its called, one of those people who always think they are sick. I am finally finished with the cold/virus thing I have for 3 weeks from CA though China, thanks to a variety of medications and people lifting me up. But this weeks seems to be the week of stomach problems. Today Shane is out with the British couple who live in the apartment below us, I didn't go because I've been sick to my stomach at least 5 times today and didn't trust myself to leave home. Still don't like the food(when I can keep it down)- if any one sends care packages, nice safe stuff like pretzels and fat-free popcorn would be most welcome! Today my dinner was a teeny bag of pretzels I found in my bag from the airplane flight. It was amazing to me how delighted I was to find them. And Jennifer's Dove Chocolates she gave to me have been sustaining me! Besides the food, pollution, and heat, China is quite delightful! Taking an Irish phrase from our Irish teacher friend, my students are "quite lovely." I hope some of you can visit and meet them, visit some of the neat things in the city, and bring over american food for your dear friend lisa:) Hey- we even have an entire guest bedroom! Well, I best finish planning for tomorrow's class. Post some comments- we'd love to hear from you!!

-Lisa (&Shane)

Rule enforcement :)

So Lisa and I have devised a way to enforce one of the rules that Lisa has for the house. We were only given two keys for the apartment (one for each one of us) and so as a way to never lose our key (like one of our friends here did), I have put to use my newest toy that I picked up in Los Angeles. It is one of those old school fake gum shockers!
Whenever someone forgets to put the key back in its spot, they have to succumb to the gum shocker. ( I know, we are somewhat messed up people. How did two people like us ever find each other!)

Here you can see that darling Lisa forgot to put her key away one day! (Needless to say, I have also forgotten once since this rule was established! Ha-ha. The worst part of it is the anticipation of the coming shock. It's just a little jolt, nothing serious at all, but still always surprising.

The weather here has FINALLY cooled off as spotty showers have come and gone. It hadn't rained at all prior to last night. It feels really nice now. Around 70's, and with a cool wind. I suppose winter is coming? I don't know how much a fall they have here. I will have to look into that.

Tommorow we have to go to the doctor's to get our physical examination, bloodwork and all that. They even do an ultrasound on guys! We have to see if we packed our medical stuff and if they will accept it and forgo some of the tests. We have to cancel one of our classes to go tomorrow morning, but will then have to make it up at some point. I hope that everyone is doing well! Love, -Shane and Lisa

everyone loves a Chinese baby!

This is a picture of a Chinese baby that we saw and giggled with at a Chinese restaurant that we ate in right after having hiked up a very famous mountain in Changsha where scholars used to teach at.This baby was adorable and was laughing and pointing, encouraged the whole time by our large group of Americans. It can be absolutely adorable to see some of them with their little fuzzy hair and riding the little tyke cars and all.

We have even seen these wooden/woven baskets that some women wear on their backs that the babies stand in. Kinda cool looking. Whatever works right? We haven't had too many of them run up to us and point and say: wai guo ren, which means foreigner. Or lao wei, either one. The one funny thing though is that many of them have holes in the back of their pants, so depending on how many babies you see, you can end up seeing a lot of cheek! They don't wear diapers. They just have the hole there so they can pee/poop whenever/wherever they need to! :)

There was a little school girl that just decided to come over to us while we were eating at one of the dining halls on campus and just stand/ sit near us. She would just kind of twirl and try to get our attention by dancing and all that. (She did end up telling me that I had a big nose!) But, the school children like her all, along with college students all have a two hour break in the afternoon. Almost like a Spanish seista. So, you may just end up seeing some of the little elementary kids hanging out in the dining hall in the afternoon.

Speaking of the dining halls though, you definitely DO NOT want to go there around 12 noon! It is absolutely crazy. I seriously walked into one and then walked right out. There was no way that I was going to deal with the mad house in there. The dining halls are only open on this campus at certain times, and so all of the students, especially the freshman when they had finished their military training all swarm there. And, they just don't have lines. It is basically a system of crowd around, squish into each other, get in front of each. Basically whoever can get there first and get their order for rice (fan) and then whatever food you want to accompany it. I got kind of irritated with people getting in front of me as I was trying to order a dish. (Be prepared if I arrive back home and just go directly for what I want. It's a survive policy here in China!)

The streets and driving work the same where. You just go whenever and wherever you want. And, their isnt' really a rightaway for anything. It's just basically whichever vehicle is the largest and will win. You feel somewhat safe (as far as surviving) when you are in a bus. (gong gong qi che= public public gas vehicle) However, the taxis really are crazy. I mean, we were going into on coming traffic and then back over again and all sorts of stuff. Crazy stuff.... It's like you are on a go-kart track and can do whatever you want. Surprisngly though, all of the cars that I have seen are clean on the outside (you wouldn't think so with the acculumating dust) and don't have any dents on them. Most of them are newer. (They probably don't last long with the crazy traffic) The most part though, are the motorized scooters. Those are really beginning to bother me. I suppose several years ago there were just bikes. But now those little boogers drive EVERYWHERE. You will be walking along, and then suddenly get honked at and have to move out of the way so you don't get hit. People (since there are so many don't have the right-a-way.) It is given to the bigger, faster moving vehicle that is baring down on you.

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!!

Our angel lily

This is a picture of our friend Lily who we have met here. She already holds a very special place in our hearts. Continue to yarp that this relationship is one that bears fruit. We found out that in middle school, a lot of the students study Marxism and materalism. This is a belief that she holds to. Although, she notes that when times are tough, having something of a mustard seed is good.

May we become a sweet aroma and something that is attractive and compelling. May the former beliefs we left unsatisfied.

Tonight, I am taking a couple of my students to an English corner at a great little coffee shop downtown. It is run by "family-members" and so of course, the English corners are a great way to meet students, practice with them and develop relationships. This will be my first time going, so it should be fun and also nice to meet up with other foreign teachers. It was so great to first be introduced to this coffee shop. For one, they have western toilets, so that is always a plus! I have yet to have to well... complete the buisness in a squatty potty. Some of them really smell and there is water, (or some other substance on the floor.) Good thing I am a guy. Ha-ha.

Although, speaking of which, the students here all pretty much live 5 students to a dorm. And I am talking about one SMALL room, with only one bathroom that can be utterly disgusting. I have yet to see one, but all of the students have told me about the conditions and complain. Right now, it has been VERY hot, and so many of the students have not been sleeping at night. It should finally storm tonight and bring the temperatures down. We have been averaging about mid ninties with horrendous humidity. Maryland doesn't even come close to the humidity here, with the thick cloud cover. It really was true what our guy from JourneyEast said when he mentioned how you will have to take 5 showers a day. Although, when you become lazy and go outside-sweat, come inside-dry off so to speak, then go back outside-sweat, and come back inside. I guess the sweat just layers on your skin! ha-ha! Gross I know.

Have to eat and prepare to leave for the English corner. With more to come in the future...

Love you all! -Shane and Lisa Miller

Our new Blog!

Greetings friends and family!





I hope that this works! I just set up a blog, but did so entirely in Chinese! So.... we'll see if this blog is successful or not. Hopefully this will keep many of you informed quick and easily.


We want this to be something accessible to all of you and will help limit time emailing back and forth.


When it comes to needs and yarps, we will DEFINITELY send those out to keep everyone informed.


We are so very excited to be here. I am glad that our apartment has A/C as well! It is about 97 right now and very humid! Some of the classrooms do not have A/C, or it is broken. But you do get used to it. Every now and then there is a breeze that comes through or a fan.


We have heard though, that it is unusual to have it this hot this late in the year. The forecast calls for it to drop down to 84, and then 73 on Friday! Yay! However, with the cloud cover/ haze over the city, it doesn't even really cool off at night. It only gets a bit cooler. Looks like your lows are about 50! That sounds nice. I love the fall weather.



We have heard that the fall can be very beautiful here as well. The surrounding area does not have too high of mountains, but the one that we hiked up with other JourneyEast people and students was very nice. I'm sure it will become VERY beautiful in the autumn. (However, many of the trees stay green here all year round!) One of our friends from ELIC was telling us that when it snowed, she kept wondering why it looked so weird up in the trees, and that was when she realized that the tree branches were still green!

More will be coming soon!

Love to all! -Shane and Lisa Miller