where did november go? it seems that it was just beginning and now it's almost over. thats how life goes around here though. days seemed to go so slow when i was home working last year. now as a teacher the weeks just fly by. before i realize it, it'll be the weekend again. and with this weekend comes december. it's amazing how the year goes by so quickly in beijing.
november has been good but endlessly busy. we had a field trip the first week of the month and that was entertaining. the 6th grade all went to a local mountain to see the "fall leaves." pretty amazing that we can get a field trip out of that sort of thing. it was fun to be with the students and very interesting to be on a chinese field trip. the kids just ran wild and i couldnt help but wonder how different and controlled it would be in america. we didn't lose anyone and nobody got hurt so i guess it was fine that they had a lot of freedom up on that mountain.
the second week of november i went home for my brother's wedding. i had the "priviledge" of spending a night in newark (thanks continental!) before i got home. i did make it though and it was wonderful to see family and witness eric's wedding. i managed to not cry (which i wouldve blamed on jetlag anyway) during the wedding. it's still a little strange that eric is married, but i'm sure i'll get used to it eventually (thankfully i love mandi so that helps!)

i came back from my trip home and was thrown right into life here again. i had four classes to teach on the day after i returned and i managed to get through without jetlag dragging me down. something caught up to me though and i spent the weekend in bed because i was so sick. thankfully that happened after i went home and not before or during. i recovered just in time to enjoy three thanksgiving meals. a foreign teacher at school organized a huge potluck for thursday the 22nd. over 30 foreign teachers showed up! we had a lot of fun and it was good to share that experience with everyone. friday we had thanksgiving again with some local believers and that was pretty unique. saturday was one of the most wonderful days of the year so far. my team and i spent the day at our company headquarters in beijing. we enjoyed a feast with our friends and then stayed for the evening to play games and just hang out. there was a fire in the fireplace and football in the background. it was almost like home. this week has been busy so far as well. i experienced the "real life" of a teacher on monday because i helped cover someone's classes and i taught 6 of the 7 periods that day. i was a little worn out by the end of the day. now as november is rolling to an end, i'm trying to accomplish everything i have on my plate. this weekend i'm staying in beijing at our headquarters with most of my teammates. we're having a little christmas decorating party on friday complete with pizza, cookies, christmas music and movies. i'm pumped! it'll be nice to stay in beijing and get away from school for a few days. it's always nice to have a change of scenery.
december is looking busy for us as well. we're going to see "The Messiah" performance at the forbidden city, we have two team birthdays and lots of holiday stuff going on. i guess that means that january will be here before i know it too !
i put some new pictures in my photo album that you can check out too....