Let's do the time warp again!!!

This week, we had our annual Spring Conference! This year, it was at our site. Our co-teaching fellows observed my class, and Chris and I taught a dance called "The Time Warp," which is from the movie, "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." It was intensely entertaining for both students and our fellows. Check out the video. If it doesn't load (if you're in the States), click on the link below the video.








http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMjUzNDE3MzMy.html

Back in Xiuning

As soon as we returned home, I was eager to start cooking again. I made scallion pancakes (葱油饼), a mom-made favorite.


They turned out really well!


Rae-Rae has grown even in a month. She has more of a personality now and talks more than ever.



Sometimes she eats with the boys.

Check out these adorable videos of Rae-Rae. Youku.com takes a long time to load, but bear with it.
http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMjQ2NDAyNTcy.html

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMjQ2NTM2NTg0.html


I also made garlic knots! They're like breadsticks and perfect as appetizers.




I also told Doug about a cold dish that my mother makes with daikon radish, vinegar, and sugar. It's fresh and refreshing.


Aaron also made a side that resembles kimchi, the Korean pickled vegetables side.


Zoe also made chocolate pudding for dessert. Surprisingly, the ingredients are Xiuning-friendly. All it takes is a ton of milk and a lot of patience to stir it.

More to come! Welcome back to Xiuning!

Winter Break in New York

Sam J shoveling snow from the threshold of his Queens apartment.
(alliteration above!)


California endures throughout the cold of the East Coast.


We went to a huge warehouse-sized restaurant/supermarket called Eataly. It had everything you could want for Italian cuisine.




Fridge upon fridge of cheese...


Rows of pasta...



Cheese grater


We also stopped in the new Lego store at Rockefeller Plaza.


We went to see The Lion King on Broadway. This is the view of Times Square from the lobby above the marquee.


We also ate at Tao, an upscale Asian-fusion restaurant. My friend Jeff joined us for drinks and desserts.


I went to see Steve in Connecticut. This is Jenny's penguin present. He's eating a Bagel Bite. Steve looks really good. =)

Christmas Parties

Today, we had parties in our classes to celebrate Christmas. We watched "A Christmas Carol" by Disney. Then we opened our Secret Santa presents.


I gave my three secret people a Santa hat each.



From my three classes, I received a cell phone charger (charges any phone battery), hand warmers, and two lollipop musicians from Grubby (Iago from "Aladdin"). The stick on the right has a microphone stand. The guitar and mic are made from gum wrappers. So creative!


I also got a surprise package from Sam J. It's the Disney Duffy bear, complete with a China-themed costume! Thanks, Sam J! Another friend on the bed!


Merry Christmas!

Snow in Xiuning!

We had our first snowfall this winter. The students woke me up at 6:30 in the morning with text messages and shouts of glorious snowball fights.


The fresh layer of snow made the farming plots beautiful. This plot is next to our house.


These are freshmen having their first snowball fight of the year. I am sad to say that when Zoe and I ambushed our students, they retaliated... and destroyed us. I think in the future I will think twice before making such a huge mistake in warfare strategies; 2 vs. 65 just isn't a fair battle.

Thriller

Chris and I taught Michael Jackson's "Thriller" dance. It was AWESOME! See here:

Class 4 (best video):


Class 6 (with me):


Class 5:


Woot to American culture and zombies!

Annie

Hanging out

Zoe and I put up our Christmas decorations on Black Friday. It was a wonderful afternoon! Though the tree is small, it lends its festive spirit to the air. Since putting up the tree, Zoe and I have spent all afternoons and evenings in the living room. I can't wait to put presents under this tree.


We also went to Tunxi and roamed around for 3 hours exploring cafes and shops. We took a bicycle rickshaw to a movie theater. It was only $1!


On November 19, we went and saw Harry Potter 7 Part 1. It was amazing. They had salted butter popcorn! In China, sweet popcorn (like kettle corn) is much more popular than salted popcorn. You can only find salted popcorn in import stores. HP7 was such a refreshing break from all of our work with the students. So we decided to see it twice. After all, it was only 30 kuai, which is roughly the equivalent of $4.50. Opening night. HP7. $4.50. That's all I need to say.

This weekend we have started our acting workshops. We will use these workshops to get acquainted with the students. The students who stand out are the ones who will get called back for final auditions. Will report soon!