Megan and I in Driver Liu's car on our way back from the pearl market!

This past weekend I flew up to Beijing to see my friend Megan from Atlanta! She was in China for the New Staff Orientation, but was unable to visit Qingdao, so I flew up to see her before she flew back to the states! We had fun times at the Pearl Market shopping, eating mexican food at Peter's Tex Mex, and just hanging out watching movies and talking.

After Beijing, I took my first train in China to Tianjin for a phonics training.

While in Tianjin I was able to meet up the M family. For a few hours there were 3 people from Aroostook County in one Chinese apartment! They served me a "county meal"- baked potatoes with fixings! It was nice to meet up with some friends from home!

I was also able to see 2 of my friends who came over to china with me last year! we had fun catching up and hearing each others stories.

Molly and I at one of my favorite places--- STARBUCKS! they actually had java chip mocha frappocinnos there! we don't have much for choices here in Qingdao...

Nicole, me, and Molly bowling at the hotel that I stayed at. I actually got to have a room to myself. I arrived at the hotel at 4pm... the rest of my coworkers didn't get in until 1am so they let me keep the room! It was like a mini retreat! Lots of down time to read and relax- no tv it was all in chinese....

Back in Qingdao- school starts in less than a week! Summer went by too fast! I will be teaching 4th grade instead of ESL this year. Should be a new challenge and full of learning opportunities! more blogs to come...