Maui, Hawaii In and around our resort-

We stayed in a beautiful spa and resort- complete with swans, ducks, parrots, fish, and flamingos! There was also a waterslide and some waterfalls! The best feature, other than the soft beds, was that it was right on the beach which is where we spent most of our time!

Helicopter Ride

one of the first "adventures" that was planned for us was a 45 minute helicopter tour of the island.

Surfing lessons-

Snorkeling...

Waiting at the airport...

To pass the 3 hour wait we had at the airport I took out my camera and made everyone pose w/ me!! My battery died shortly after...

Last minute school things not included in the May update....

At our school all students and staff are broken up into teams named after M's that made an impact in China- Taylor, Liddell, Morisson, and Goforth. I am a Liddellan... Throughout the school year we have school events that the teams compete against as well as Character Coupons that the students can earn to win points for their team. Sadly, Liddell did not win again this year, but I have hopes of us coming back strong next year...

Pictured below- 4A Goforth reps-Louise, Sara, Maria, Ms. Wu, and Chris....Watch out next year!

Every year on the last day of school there is the traditional staff softball game! This will be our final year playing on the soccer field, but I am sure we will continue this tradition at our new location! My highlight of the game was making an outstanding throw to home plate to get an out, only to find out that I was supposed to be on the other team! Aiya!!! I switched teams and ended up on the winning team

Christy took a break from packing to come down and watch the game for awhile... Ning~Ning and I decided to wait our turn in the batting order taking pictures :)

Before flying home I made a "practice run" to the airport, not for my own flight, but to say good bye to Heather and her mom, Jennifer. I think we (Maravic) and I succeeded in surprising them! They were supposed to arrive at the airport around 12:30, but when I called to check on their location, they were out eating! We did manage to eventually meet up at the airport and said our goodbyes. I am hoping to visit them in Korea sometime during the next school year... I am definitely going to miss both of them!

MAY update
Hi everyone!
Yesterday was the last day of school... the year seems to have passed so quickly! A lot has happened since my last update.I've been to Japan and back, my roommate tore her ACL :(, I purchased my ticket home , Shelley, our friend from Beijing, came to stay with us for a few days, and sooo much more! I apologize for being so long in between updates!

In 4 days I will begin my trip home for the summer! It is going to be a busy summer! As soon as I return, my brother, sam, graduates from high school and then we as a family will fly out to Hawaii for a week! I also have a few roadtrips planned to see my friends in IN, OH, MI, and KY, as well as show Sam Indiana Wesleyan University! Hopefully I will find some time to just relax!

At our school, we have a Grand Farewell where we say good bye to every student and then lift up the students that will not be returning next year. This year I had 2 former students leave, and 2 students from my class leave (a part about teaching in an international school that I am not fond of!) I am going to miss each of them, but I do have plans in the works to hopefully visit Heather in Korea! I also had to say good bye to Heather's mom, who has been such a blessing to me while I have been here. She was my room mother my first year here, and helped out in my classroom this year. She is also the one who taught me how to cook Korean food! sigh...

I will also be saying good bye to my roommate, Christy, and my Yarp partner, Heather. I will be the only single lady left from my group that I came to Qingdao with. It is strange to think that I am the one that is staying, but I know He has a plan for me.

JAPAN!
Over May Holiday, Christy, Lisa, and I went to Tokyo to visit Christy's aunt and uncle. In less than a week, we were able to see Mt. Fuji, visit several starbucks, eat great Japanese food like sushi and octopus balls, ride the 3rd biggest ferris wheel in the world, make a new chinese friend in Japan, see several sights of Tokyo, and sooo much more!

Chinese pics

Last update I shared pictures of Christy, Angela, and Lisa, and me wearing chinese clothing. This month we were able to pick up our albums and pictures! I have included a few... more to come!

This week, to end the school year, I took my fabulous fourth grade class to Forest Park for a picnic lunch with their moms. I have such great room mothers! almost all of my room mothers attended and wow! they definitely brought a lot of food! It's a good thing that I didn't bring my own lunch! They brought all of my favorite korean foods to share with me! I stayed up late the night before to make 4 apple crisps! (which was a hit!... phew!) I didn't have any leftovers! After lunch, the students had a chance to go on the rope course, play soccer, and ride the rides! I think everyone had a good time!

Beautiful Moms of 4A

below are a few pictures from the last month of my class. This week was also beach day which is a day that the difference houses compete in various games to win points. My favorite being tug of war! A picture of our students playing tug of war actually appeared on the front page of one of the local newspapers!

Also pictured below is a class pictures of my students across the street from our school. In July our school will move to a new location... I am going to miss our school by the sea, but our new school will allow us to continue to grow and reach more children, which is why we are here (14 made decisions this year! PTL). Another exciting thing about our new school is that I will be teaching softball to the girls next year as an after school activity, which is something I have missed since coming to China.

YARP requests-
- that i will be able to say my good byes well to my student and friends that are leaving
- that I will be able to finish all the needs to be done before going home- packing classroom, packing to go home, cleaning the apartment/preparing the apt for the summer (we have to wash everything and find ways to keep our clothing from molding... :(
- that I will be able to find quiet time with Him these next few days
- a safe flight home! and energy for when I arrive


See many of you soon!
Love.
Erica
Psalm 62:11-12