Ah, The Holidays

Yes, yes, I know- It’s been a while. But have no fear, an update is here(in 500 words or less):

Thanksgiving 2011: Thankful for many things including (but not limited to):

Jesus, family, Peace Corps, friends, China, humility, grace, music, tradition, food, skype. Thanks was given to these things on that faithful day in November but also continually.

Over two different tables, on two different days thanks was given for these things vocally. Sharing the tradition with some of our Chinese friends, Danny and I cooked up quite the feast complete with roasted chicken (made by Danny) and pasta salad (made by me) and many other things. Apparently its encouraged to bring gifts to the host of thanksgiving dinner in China and I received not one but two turtles, a huge bouquet of lilies, a cactus and 2 bottles of wine (another thing to be thankful for, eh?). The second turkey day dinner was held at our good friend and frankly one of my personal heroes, Karen and 4 of her wonderful daughters. To sum it up: I had to crawl out of the kitchen… literally. I ate way too much.

our dear friend William crushing a chicken leg!

William, Sara, Henry, Jordan and I ready to feast!

Danny and the girls feasting

Christmas or Chrannukah:

Guizhou ren assemble! And that we did… in Zunyi, Guizhou. Danny and I made the trek but not before spreading a little Christmas cheer around campus. We threw a party for some of our students who will graduate soon. Fun was had, refer to pictures below. My Zunyi weekend was packed full with hiking, a honkin’ jacket, silly string, Peace Corps love, good eats, dirty santa, Jewish and Christian traditions and overall awesomeness.

Me and Danny with one of our students, Tina. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

ah yes, the bunny hop dance. My students find an excuse to do this dance anytime- What better dance to celebrate the birth of Jesus? It's a hoppin'n good time!Me and Danny with one of our students, Tina. MERRY CHRISTMAS!

This was my first Christmas away from home and spending it with others who are feeling the same sort of home-sickness as myself helped tremeendously. As I was traveling on Christmas day (China time), I was worried I wouldn’t be able to talk to the family.. but have no fear, skype is here. Talking to my family and opening presents via skype made it feel like I was at home with them, which was awesome and restored my holiday spirit. Love you Mom, Dad, Mol and G!

New Years- XING NIAN KUAI LE!

So, new years in China isn’t really celebrated until the Spring Festival which occurs on the first day of the lunar year- which this year is mid January. To celebrate the American New Year, I ventured to the province next door- Yunnan to a beautiful city called Kunming.  I met several other volunteers in Kunming, all have served in China for over a year already and will be ending their service this summer. I really enjoyed being around these people and hearing about their experiences of China thus far. I’ll let the pictures do the talking for the new years celebration but it was a great, low key, magical way of bringing in 2012 and I hope all of you got everything you wanted out of 2011! HAPPY 2012 my friends!

not a very good photo- BUT if you've seen tangled it was like that on a smaller and more life like scale. HUGE lanterns. Super magical.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

prayer flags at a temple we visited New Years day.

I literally JUST finished grading all of my exams and have submitted them to the school. Off to Thailand I go.