From Shekerra - June 10

Ni Hao! Today was nice. I've been waking up at around 5:15am to go work out.

This morning I didn't get up. The bed was so lovely, so I caught up on some much needed rest, since I had been getting up very early the rest of the week.
On my way to class, I stopped to get breakfast. In class today, we talked about Pinying and writing paragraphs. After class, Terrance and I did get our workout in during the midday. It was very humid! Later I ate my favorite fruit while I'm here...Watermelon. I chilled in the room a while and then it was time for class again. This week is painting and it was kind of interesting. Next was English teaching. The class was fun.The students were very interesting and energetic! Lastly, Antonay, Terrance, and I went to eat at a restaurant that we normally go to. I enjoyed the day and hanging with my buddies.

From Antonay - June 10

Well, since everything has been pretty much going the same....I'll just tell you guys about my weekend.

Last weekend I didn't stay with my host family, but instead I stayed with the neighbor, Tami. She's 24 years old and was so much fun to be around. She, her mother and her friends made me feel excessively welcome.
We did karaoke, ate at a nice outdoor dinner, where they got me to try the fish that still had the eye balls and we just hung out. Just simply hanging out was refreshing because I felt so comfortable around them and they actually understood everything that I said and they were so encouraging when I spoke Chinese. I am really looking forward to this weekend and hanging with Tami and her family again.

From Marcus - June 9

This weekend was very educational. I learned the proper way to use chop sticks as well as how to play Chinese checkers.
My host father picked me up as usual along with my little brother. Together we went to Torch Park and I taught Solomon how to play Frisbee.
Later we went back to my host uncle’s house where we watched China play India in soccer. The next day we went shopping, and I bought a tea set and a jade cross. Later that day I went back to school.
---- By Marcus

From Terrance - June 8

Ni Hao, friends and family! I miss you all. But do not worry! Chinese people and culture is treating me well.
I did not have class or teach English today because we are celebrating Dragon Boat Festival, a 2000-year-old Chinese holiday. One of the Chinese oldest holidays began when a very patriotic poet drown in a river. In order to save his body from being eaten by fish, the people went out on dragon boat to through zongzi, rice rapped in corn leaves, into the water. This festival celebrates love and community.
Today I am with my host family to celebrate the festival. Thus far, we have been hiking, picking apricots, and eating traditional Chinese cuisine. Hey, have you ever seen huge buzzing bugs? I remember seeing them in Arkansas a lot. Well, the bugs get eaten here...lol.
They are actually not that bad. : ). Hope where ever you are that one day, some day you celebrate your community!
I love my people, thanks for making this trip possible!

From Krystal - June 6

This week was a very interesting week.
First off we came back from with our host family and we thought that one of our members was kidnapped and we got a little scared.
I got sick this week from the weather changing and all these mosquito bites, so I was a little under the weather.
We have been learning Chinese songs this week and they have been so lovely. I like singing about love and happiness, it makes us feel the same. We have been doing a lot of shopping and enjoying speaking and bargaining with the locals. Immersing ourselves in the culture has really made us appreciate what we have at home.
Being with my host family is not all what I thought it was going to be. I can't say that I enjoy it but I don't hate it. It has been a real experience.
We had our reflection today and we actually got some people to admit that they have been slacking and that was really responsible of them to do. I must say that learning Chinese in the actual country has been a Real rewarding experience and I am glad that I have the opportunity to do this. We have a holiday this week and we have a three day weekend so that we be something to talk about. It is called Dragon Boat Day and it is a boat race and rice eating holiday.
I am still coming back to my dorm on its regular day, I never knew that I would miss this dorm but being away from here makes me want to be here even more. It is nothing like coming to your own. We have lots of stories to tell our family and friends and I know that they will enjoy the trails that we have been through here. I miss my family and I can't wait to see them. Besides me missing my family I think that is the only thing that has me a little sad besides no shrimp fried rice. --- by Krystal