Earth Week

Earth Day was April 22 but our school decided to make it Earth Week. Living here in China has really opened my eyes to our world and how we really need to step up and take care of this beautiful world we have. I've realized how bad I have been in the past. I used to think that because I recycled items that I was doing enough but that is so untrue.

How many times have I left a room with the lights, TV, computer, or stereo on? How many times have I left my house with the A/C on because I wanted to come home to a COLD house? How many times have I used paper plates, cups, plastic utensils, paper napkins, because I was too lazy and didn't want to clean up afterwards. How many times have I used paper towels to clean up a small spill instead of a cloth rag because I didn't want to have to do laundry? How many times have I jumped in my car and ran to the store just for a few items or to run an errand a few blocks away? How many times have I packed my kids lunches using plastic bags and paper sacks so that they could just throw it all away? These are just a few things that I have been guilty of.

I hate to say this but I've realized how wasteful I have been. In America I was living a life of consumption...in all aspects. One thing I have learned here is that I can live without more things than I thought. I'm not saying we need to live in the stone age but I know that I can eliminate or reduce my consumption. I enjoy the many conveniences that the 21st century has provided but we need to be careful and not abuse our Earth. This Earth was created for us to enjoy not to destroy. Let's all do our part and take care of it. Recycle, reuse, do without...we all can make some small change that will make a difference.

Nikki's Birthday

Sunday was Nikki's ninth birthday so we had a little party on Saturday for her. She invited a few friends, McCall and Kate, to go bowling. Yes, they have bowling here. It turned out that Jonny and Rachel both invited a few friends as well and we had a big party at the bowling alley. It was a very rainy day so it was a perfect choice to be inside.

Rachel and her friends joined us at the bowling alley. They ended up playing ping pong for a few minutes until a lane cleared out for them. It's a small bowling alley with only 6 lanes but at least we have one here. Is it any cheaper than the States? Not really, but it is still fun.

Vika enjoyed cleaning the area with the towel for us. She seems to always find something to entertain herself with.

This was Nikki's first time bowling so it took her awhile to get the hang of it all.

Nikki finally got the hang of it and did pretty well.

Vika actually got into the action. One of the workers there found the smallest shoes they had and put them on Vika, so she was ready to bowl. With a little help she was able to get the ball down the lane.

She wasn't sure what it was all about and would get excited regardless of where the ball went. She did pretty good a few times but it was fun to just watch her.

After bowling we walked to McDonalds. It was pouring rain and by the time we got there we were all soaked.

Interesting Choices

Gavin and I tried a new restaurant the other night and found these yummy dishes on the menu...NOT! The food we actually ordered was really good though. I had what I thought was the best Lasagna I've ever tasted and Gavin had a baked spaghetti. It just was funny to see these items on the menu as well.

Who would really eat this stuff??????? I guess somebody does.

Just for Fun!

One day I was playing around with my camera and got some interesting shots. It was kind of fun.




This is what our office looks like after a very rainy day. We opened up all the umbrellas to dry out.

Nicole had gotten two necklaces and these are pictures of the pendant with different backgrounds. The pendant is a clear glass with these flowers inside. They are pretty cool just by themselves but when I put them on different background it turned into more of an art piece then just jewelry.

I've always wanted to get into photography but just don't really have the time to play around with the camera. Maybe someday.

Switch Day

NO THIS IS NOT HOW I DRESS...at least not everyday. A few weeks ago we had spirit week at school and one of the days was switch day. The teachers came dressed as students and the students as teachers. Another teacher and I came dressed as the student standing in between us. He is from Norway and normally comes dressed with the bandanna head band, long curly hair going in every direction, basketball shorts, t-shirt, basketball shoes, and his glasses. I don't have to wear glasses all the time YET so I had to put that in as part of the dress up day. Ottar, the student, also is known for writing and drawing all over his arm, hence the markings on my arm. Obviously he came dressed very conservative as a teacher this day.

It was fun being in their shoes for a day but not really a look I want to keep.

Some of the other days were crazy hair day, twin day, switch day, mismatch day, and then school color day. Lots of fun!!!!!

BUSY

Sorry we haven't posted anything for awhile...it just has been a busy, busy few weeks. Last week grades were due, this week narratives for each student (which adds up as a Middle School and High School teacher) were due, next week is Book Week (displays need to be put up), the week after that is Earth Week (lots of planning), meetings, and on top of school stuff we've had sick kids, basketball games, soccer games, etc...Life has been busy.

So, this is just a quick note that we are still alive.

Funny quick story though...Last Saturday Gavin and I made a trip to IKEA. So glad they have one here. It was just nice to eat a normal meal and walk around and see normal things. Anyway, on our way there we took a taxi. CRAZY. The taxi driver didn't really seem to know where he was going and of course we can't communicate the best with him. He got on the freeway, which was fine, but as we passed IKEA on the left, he realized that he missed the exit. Of course instead of just continuing on to the next exit he stopped on a busy freeway in the middle of a lane to figure out what to do. Finally he pulled to the side of the road but started backing up onto the on ramp behind us. WHAT WAS HE THINKING???? There were a line of cars coming down the on ramp towards us and they all started honking and swerving out of the way. I thought we were going to die. We finally told him, through our broken Chinese, to just keep going straight and get off at the next exit. He looked at us like we were crazy but he finally did. Why was that so hard to figure out?

CRAZY!!!!!!!