Merry Christmas!

Naturally, this time of year we reflect on the past year. I found out that I would be moving to China about this time last year. So, it has been an exciting year!

I have now been in China for 6 months. I can already tell that time is going to fly by. I’m settled in my city. Here is a video of a tour of my apartment. It’s like MTV’s cribs. Except I don’t live in a mansion. And I forgot to show you what’s in my refrigerator. It’s mostly a bunch of vegetables and some precious butter that I got the last time I made the trek into the big city. I live in a very small community, relatively speaking, so you can watch the video and see how “small” you think it is.

It has been a long time since I have sent any updates of my adventures in China. I've only done two exciting things since my last blog update so I’ll fill you in on those. 

Megan might be as tall as his fingers.

A friend from another province came to celebrate my birthday with me. We visited an ancient village with the 2^nd biggest Buddha in China. I was just proud that we used public transportation and were able to successfully navigate rural China with our level of Chinese.

 

The temple in the village

We also explored the neighboring villages.

Are those tomatoes on my cake?
Why yes, they are.

The other big change in my life has been that I have started to learn the Guzheng. This was my Thanksgiving surprise from my friends and it has been the best and most unexpected gift to my life here. The guzheng a Chinese harp. Not only has it been a way to learn traditional Chinese folk tunes, but I feel like I’m learning even more about Chinese culture. Maybe someday I’ll record a song and send it out so you all can hear.

There are also 2 golden retrievers who live at this music shop.
Added bonus.

Of course, I don’t have Christmas off. It’s alright because this is my last week of classes before the long winter holiday. During the upcoming holiday I will be visiting the Chinese equivalent to Hawaii, Sanya. I will also be visiting my host family in Chengdu for the Chinese New Year. Who knows, maybe I’ll even venture into another province. I’ve had my eye on Yunnan for quite some time. I might even have time to slip some work in.

I hope you’re finding time to relax and enjoy this season. I’m thinking of all of you. I hope you’re safe, and happy, and healthy. I wish you a fantastic holiday and an adventure-filled new year! 

Don't be too jealous.

 I almost forgot to show you my Christmas present to myself! For months I have seen people walking around with different colors of cloth on their sleeves and I finally asked a student what it’s for. Since there’s not indoor heating, people wear their jackets at all times. So, the sleeves of jackets tend to get very dirty. Since it takes so long to dry things, it’s impossible to wash jackets, so people protect their sleeves and wash the sleeve covers instead. When in Rome…