more adventures

In the past few days we have been busy. Yesterday we went and got bicycles. It's a good thing we had Erin with us because none of us are really great at understanding (let along speaking) Chinese yet. I tried one bike and almost fell off. Everyone laughed at me but I laughed at myself too so it was all good. I finally found one that I liked and am happy with my purchase. Riding around is a little scary because there is so much traffic and so many other bikes. Everywhere we go people want to say hello to us. It is kinda cute really. Erin says the novelty will wear off after a while but I dunno I am pretty easily amused. Today we went and got our cell phones. Matt and Lauren each bought one but I am getting my old phone unlocked so I can just use that one. Just trying to save myself a little money. We also had our pictures taken today by the school so they can put them on the wall as you walk into the school (pictures coming later). We also met some of the students. They are all so nice. I am pretty excited to start teaching actually. Tonight we are going to a restaurant that serves donkey meat so that will be interesting. I think its pretty cool all the new foods I am getting to try. The sun was out today and the sky was blue so that was really exciting as there are not too many days like that. We finally got bed foam for our rock hard beds so hopefully tonight's sleep will be better than the other nights of waking up every few hours sore from the bed. The odd thing about this place is that I dont feel out of place even though I am one of like only 14 white people in the whole city. I know that sounds odd but I find myself really liking it here. Who ever said that change isnt a good thing. Although I do miss my friends and family at home. It is hard not being able to call and talk to them. Phone cards to call from China to the USA dont get very good rates at all. We all got our class schedules today. I will be teaching the senior grade 1's. I dont have any early classes which is way cool since I am not the most morning kind of person. I am thinking that my first few classes will be talking about myself and learning about the students. I meet with each of my 9 classes twice a week so that should take care of the first couple of weeks. After that we should be getting our lesson books that they want us to teach out of. I am happy to have it as I have never taught before and planning lessons will be much easier with some guidelines. I will write more as more happens and will be posting more pictures in the next few days. Until then hope all is well with all of you.