International Day...

Last week we celebrated the many different cultures in our school. The event was held at the Korean Church. It felt just like being back in the states. The building was beautiful and looked just like a fellowship place back home. The students looked amazing in their outfits! There was a small program consisting of a hula dance, tap dancing, traditional songs, etc and then there was a feast of foods from around the world! Check out how great my students looked!

Just a couple of views from our balcony!
We had some really BIG waves our first month here!

Happy 17th Birthday Sam!

Melissa, Perry, Me, and Christy at ZhongShan Park

After this extremely exhilerating ride, we had bruises for at least a week, but walked away intact and with great memories!

Sailing, sailing.....

Lisa and I sailing along the Yellow Sea!

The plan was for the six of us to go sailing on a boat, but we were unexpectedly joined by a family of four... So our space was a little limited! It was a great day for sailing! see picture below! (Melissa is a little tied up!)

It's Friday, grades are in, and I had sushi last night and a massage today after school! The weekend is off to a great start!

Today was the last day in my classroom for one of my students. She will begin going to the 3rd grade classroom on Monday. I am sad to see her leave, but happy that she is ready to transition on. I really enjoyed having her in my class. Since I haven't had a chance to take a full class picture, I took my class out by the Yellow Sea today for a class picture. They are a great, but very talkative, (If only they would talk more in English!) group of students.

Sight seeing excursion....

Zhan Qiao Pier- Christy and me with the pier in the background (one of the symbols of our great city!)

Zhong Shan Park- Me and the penguins... with Melissa and some chinese children! Fun times at the park. The park was decorated with several large statues made out of fake flowers for the national holiday....

Me, Christy, and Melissa on the "speed" boat to see the pier and view thecity from the sea

From the top of Little Fish Mountain... postcard worthy views of the city!

SUSHI!
Another great place in Qingdao....
Here's to grades being done and sent! Christy and I will be celebrating the event by going to our favorite sushi place tomorrow night! mmmm I love sushi! and now Christy does too :)

Hello everyone! I decided to try this again! I started a blog before leaving for China, but for some reason I am unable to add to it since arriving in China! All is well in China. It has been a busy 2 months! My roommate and I have been taking lots of pictures which I hope to post on this site soon. If you want the link to see the pictures on shutterfly, send me an email! Be prepared to be at your computer for awhile... there are a lot of pictures!

Since I have a test tomorrow, I figure I might as well use this time to practice my Chinese!


Nimen hao! Nimen shi hao ma? Wo shi hao. Nimen yao bu yao wo de di zhi? Wo gei nimen wo de di zhi.
Wo shi laoshi. Wo shi xuesheng Wo shi meiguoren. Wo jiao Erica. Wo mei you zhonguo mingzi. Wo yao zhonguo mingzi.

Hello all! Are you all good? I am good. Do you want my address? I will give you my address.
I am a teacher. I am a student. I am American.My name is Erica. I do not have a chinese name. I want a chinese name.

That is about the extent of my chinese ability! I have sooo much to learn! Ni shi wo zhonguo laoshi. (this is my chinese teacher.) My chinese is limited to 3 verbs- to have, to be, and to want.... Maybe after my test tomorrow I will learn a few more! Stay posted to see how my chinese progresses!







One great thing about my city is there is a STARBUCKS very near by!
Anyone want to donate to the Starbucks fund??? 35 kuai buys you a grande frapp!






(my roommate, Christy, and me at Starbucks!)

Zaijian! Good bye! Hope to hear from you all soon! I miss you all lots! send me some emails!
~Erica