Thrusday May 27th - Friday May 28th

Thrusday:
Classes were good today. They were the same ones we had on monday, different students though. Everything went really well. THis was a slow day with not much action though. That is ok though we got to meet new students and visit more with our roomates who cooked dinner that night for us.
Friday:
Friday was a good long day. We went to our first class which was really good. We learned more about he culture of China with differnt things. Talking with the students and answering questions was awesome. Both of the morning classes were like that and we got Jouzi (dumplings) for lunch, but we wern't supposed to tell, LOL. They were amazing and we all ate like 25 of them. The manager of the restauraunt came and helped us prepare the sauce, which made it all the better. We then went to take rest at one of the teacher's apartments. It was so nice of her to let us in her apartment to sleep a little before our two o'clock class. Next we went to another teacher's class where we got asked to add one more class to our schedule. THis class was really good and we learned about he World Expo which was in Shanghai right now. I wish I had known so I could have made a trip there. We saw video from the tents and such. IT was really good and it brought up really good questions. The questions were hard and it got into heavy political thingking. Also we were asked to teach a song "Three little birds" by Bob Marley and teach a dance. We taught a samba and a few hand motions. Many classes ask us to sing for them. Singing isn't my strong suit. After class around 5:30 we left for Shasher (outside of Jingzhou) to eat at a banquet with the teacher's who we had met all week. We also met the principal and main english teacher we will work with in the primary school next week. Everyone was there and watching the banquet atmosphere was very interesting. There truly is an order to how people sit. Around the table went the dean, Dr. Cavitt, Head of Foreign affairs, etc. toasting is a big thing! Everytime there is a toast you have to stand and accnowledge it. Toasts happen every 5 minutes also or as soon as you sit down. It was a great experience though and I enjoyed it. We did not have to Gung Bay though which is downing Rice Wine several times. We have been told it is a custom here and very rude if you do not. WE do not plan on doing it because of how intense rice wine is in it's alchol and you never stop until you are wasted I hear. We plan on just using excuses but it was awesome we didn't have to deal with that. I was very greatful that I didn't have to face that and be rude but I can't drink that stuff. After the banquet we left and said our goodbyes to some of the teachers we may not see. The teachers here are amazing and their students have great respect and love for them. Much like I have for my teacher's in the States. I was very blessed to have gotten the time too work at this school and in these classrooms talking to the many students. The students are texting us and emailing us and we hope to continue to hang out with eachother outside the classroom and have all ready gotten the oppurtunity this morning to hang out with a few.
So here is a rundown of the schedule we know so far for next week. Monday we are meeting at 8 am to go to the primary school and teach a few english classes there grades 3-6. We are super exited. Also monday night we are seeing a solo erhu performance. I can hardly wait, the anticipation is high for me. Also we will get to see the music building at south campus. Tuesday We will go to the primary schools in the afternoon to celebrate a major holiday here "children's day" with the kids. I am so very exited to play with some of the kids and such on this special holiday. Wednesday we have no plans yet, I hope we get some free time to hang out with some of the students we have met. Thursday at night are the only plans right now. First we are doing what they say is a "culture Experienc" with the college of engineering and technology, then we are doing a performance exchange. They want us to perform three different things and then they will. They wan tto find a French Horn so I can show them but luckly it isn't looking good since they need me to show them a picture of one. I guess playing is better than singing for me but I still am not too exited to get up and perform. We also might do a dance step. Also thursday night we are meeting with the english majors. Friday I think we may go dancing with the students at what they call a ball and then sunday we will go to a Senior Dance Recital.
All in All I look forward to another great week that doesn't seem quite as busy as it was this week.