Since our arrival….

1.  The Chinese children know how to chicken dance, cupid shuffle and macarena with the best of ‘em.  2.  We have had to re-learn how to shower–pictures coming separately.  3.  Melissa already has one of her beginner students saying, “I perform for choclate!” as he jumps around the room doing the best animal impressions.  4.  There are fishheads in the soup.   Needless to say, we are very thankful for our rice and watermelon three times a day.  5.  Joanna—no worries, we all three still intact (and thank you for the note).  6.  We are having a BLAST!  7.  We miss you, we love you and we will see you soon.  Love Mandie and Melissa

Hey Mom,

Camp is splendidlyumpshish!  The food’s not too bad and I am eating.  Nan Dai He is pretty nice, loads of shops and the beach is cool.  My class is awesome.  They’re so funny and great students.  I love our team…you guys rock! I miss you lots!  But I’ll talk to you soon enough.

Love you to the moon and back,   Claire

Hey Mom, Dad, and Zach.  I am having a blast! It is a wonderful experience and our team is really fun and uplifting.  I love the students; they are so fun and eager to learn and they are middle schoolers….go figure!  A quick funny…I am more popular with the locals than I thought so I  get stared at a lot.  I love you guys!  See you soon,..I miss you lots.  Oh, and please have my watermelon slushie ready!  Have a great anniversary, Mom and Dad!  Love, Can

Dear Jim, Allyson, Rebecca and gang!

Things are going well here in Nan Dai He.  I have a wonderful roommate, Charlotte.  Neither of us have snored so far :).  I’m teaching with two terrific teachers from South Carolina.  The art classes are progressing well.  It is amazing how focused and quiet the students are as they work.  Certainly not like our chattering American kids.

The only thing that has gone wrong is that I broke a table.  Yes, I broke a table and No I didn’t sit on it!  My hives are fine.  Thank you for all your thoughts.  I love and miss you all!  Donna

Today we are incorporating more activities outside for the beach starved Beijing students.  We will have a beach party with English games tomorrow afternoon and show an American movie tomorrow night.  Ah, tonight we receive thirteen more students and celebrate with more chicken dancing, macarena, and the good old American shuffle.  The sun is out today and it is heating up nicely–around 90.  One of the clases just walked through the markets on the seafood street saying all the seafood names in English.  We saw flounder, yellow fish, lots of crab and shrimp, octupus and lobster…. all fresh from the market.   One of the Chinese girls bought me a small ornamental cat, with real fur!!!!!Meow!   We have found lots of fresh fruit in the streets…bananas, pears, melons, kiwi, and lots of grapes.  Love from the entire team,  Jack and Bess