Christmas Time in China!

When I was a little girl, my dad always wanted me to be an actress when I grew-up. In the depth, of my 7-year old, as I performed "Baby, Baby" for everyone in my family, I think I wanted to be a singer. Well, for now I am neither of those things, but in my current employment, I have to opportunity to practice my acting and singing skills on a daily basis! The latest practice came at the Christmas party we got to throw with the students and teachers on old-campus. We decided we couldn't let the season go by without throwing a proper Christmas party, complete with friends, a tree, food, dirty santa (white elephant, yankee swap), and of course the Christmas pageant. What better way to tell about the Christmas season than acting out the birth of Jesus?
Each of the team and our friend Cameron had a part in the play. Unfortunately, I didn't get to be the mother Mary, but I did get to play the part of the angel who shares all the good news to everyone! I think I like being the role that brings news of great joy. My hope is not only to do this when I am acting as an angel in a play. The students loved our play and enjoyed hearing the story of the birth of Jesus. The picture to the right shows us acting out the play.
So, now that my practice for acting is complete, it only leaves the need to practice my singing. Oh, but in China these opportunities are never far away. This past week's practice was especially wonderful though because it was singing Christmas carols in my class. I had the honor of teaching a Christmas lesson in my classes for these past weeks and of course, singing had to be included. I made the students sing the Twelve Days of Christmas and broke them into twelve different part for the days. Whenever it came for their turn they had to stand up and sing their part for the classes. Most students really liked it, although some were not loving the standing up and singing part. After working the students up by singing the Twelve Days of Christmas, I always calm them back down a little with Silent Night. Standing in front of my students as they they sang Silent Night always filled me with so much joy. Besides just singing in this class we also read the Christmas Story. Complete with the angels visit, Mary being a virgin, and Shepard's going to visit the baby Jesus! What a sweet time in class!
Not only have I been celebrating Christmas in class, but also with my IECS family here. The Baoding team knows how to do Christmas. We woke up and all came together for french toast and ham. Followed by a few hours of presents! It was amazing! Later in the afternoon the rest of the IECSers joined us here in Baoding! So fun! Em and me were in charge of the big dinner for everyone, so we spent the afternoon getting the food ready and had many helping hands from the boys. Ryan is quite the chef. We later opened even more presents with the rest of the IECS team. Reflecting on the day just reminds me more and more of how blessed I am!

Am I in Wal-Mart or China?

Standing just outside campus, Emily and I looked down the road in waiting and hoping to see the 27 bus. "Man, they usually come faster than this," Emily said as the 22 bus pulled in front of us. As the door opened, a college-aged girl came flying towards Emily with her arms-wide-open. She looked like a bat out of its cave spreading its wings to fly. "Hellooo!" She said and she warmly embraced Emily. A surprised expression crossed Emily's face, but also one of joy and delight. Emily chatted with her student for a few moments before Joy (yes, she lives her name out) ran off in the wrong direction, before running right back in front of us again a moment later. It is unusual for Chinese students to show so much excitement when seeing us. Often times they are really excited, but are also nervous, so they don't show their excitement always through their body language. This was a rare and beautiful experience.
Later, that evening, walking into the KFC for dinner, the first person I saw was two of my students. A girl, and a guy with the former name of Boobie until I made him change it, and now it is Alex. I said hello to them both and they offered me some of their food, which I declined. I think they were on a date because in China it is common for guys to take their girlfriends on dates to KFC. I think guys in the USA would love to hear this, along with their wallets. As I savored a huge gulp from my large cola, a boy came over and pulled the children's chair to our table and sat down. He looked to Emily and then to me. Emily then looked to me as if to say "I don't know him, he has to be your student!" Images of my students flowed through my mind as I tried to desperately local just who this boy could be. Before I could place it...."Hello, do you remember me?" Oh no, that is always the question! "Ummm, maaaybe....." I replied as I still shifted through the faces in my mind. "Do you know Jon Allison?" He asked as head did a sharp nod down, "We are his students. We ate lunch with you." Click and there it was! Jack and his friend chatted for only a moment more before leaving as abruptly as they came. We then finished eating and headed out to do our shopping for the night.
After making our way up and down most of the aisles in the store and examining the bake goods for about 20 minutes with no selection being made we headed for the check-outs. "Hello, Amelia!" I heard as I pushed my cart around the corner. Looking up I saw two of my students from my class that day. It was DeAnn and Jason! They are also both students who I had lunch with on Thanksgiving. I think I was as excited to see them as they were to see us. We chatted with them for a few moments before we all headed as a group through the bottom level, up the down ramp, past the toiletries, past the frozen food, past the boxed and bagged milk to the baking goods. "Is is this baking soda?" We asked as we held up a bag that had Chinese characters all over it and Saleratus written on it. After a consultation with their translators the students confirmed our guess. "Yes, we were right!" Emily yelled out. We all then went back to the front of the store and then left together to head back to our homes for the night. As I reflected on my night I couldn't help but feel joy at seeing so many people I knew. Over the past week, Emily and I have both felt a little homesick and it was nice to have an evening where even though we are in a still very unfamiliar country at times, their are faces popping up everywhere that we know. It reminded me of when you are in the US and you go to Wal-Mart and of course, run into somebody you know.
On another note, I decorated my room this week for Christmas and it is fabulous! Below are pictures of my Chinese Christmas tree!!!! Enjoy! I am so excited for Christmas.

This is my tree!

This is my desk all lit up!! Yah!!

A "Thankful" Everyday!

The Chinese have a funny little English saying here, "have a happy everyday" or just "happy everyday." I am under no impression this is possible, although I do believe we can have joy everyday. After spending a great Thanksgiving in China, I think the saying should be changed to "thankful everyday." Something I am learning each day in China is to be thankful and of course this can only be magnified by spending my first Thanksgiving away from home in China. Many of the events of my thanksgiving week allowed me to have both "happy everyday" and "thankful everyday" moments. I celebrated Thanksgiving a little longer this year, because I taught many Thanksgivings lessons in my classes and often told my Chinese friends about this great holiday. Thanksgiving week became a week of numerous "Thanksgiving" feast with different friends.

Out for a Thanksgiving feast with my students after class on Thanksgiving.

On the actual day of Thanksgiving, even though I was far from home it was hard to feel sad when I was getting a text from a student every hour or so. The students here all wanted to make sure we felt care for while here on the big holiday. Emily even received 40 text messages! That night, the Baoding team even got together to prepare a big "American" meal...although it was fajitas with a finish of chocolate-chip cookies! I am convinced nothing could have tasted better though.

A wonderful plate of cookies!!! Yummy!

Don't worry, I still had a lovely tradition Thanksgiving meal. This past weekend the whole team went to Lang Fang to meet the teachers there, Courtney and Wil, and even Newt and Claire who came all the way from the US to be with us. We had a great meal with turkey, green bean casserole, and even pumpkin pie. Better than the food though was being in the company of the team! I couldn't have asked for a better weekend. Often people will wish a holiday could be everyday, and I think with the case of Thanksgiving it should be.

Everyone on the team playing a little football in honor of the big day!