Bowling League & Xiaowulai

Sorry it has been so long since my last blog, but I have been pretty busy! I have a full schedule now so I have 11 classes a week. It's pretty nice but it keeps me doing lots of stuff. Between lesson planning, teaching, and having fun, there is not a lot time for other things. Haha.

On Monday we established a bowling league! It was a lot of fun! There are four teams of five or six players. We played a couple games on Monday - the first to establish a score for the draft, and then a second just to bowl with our new team. Well, my first game was probably the best I have ever had. Haha. I bowled a 130. And so, was a third round pick. Yeahhh buddy! Haha. Our team seems like it is going to be pretty good. It is me, Carly, Rooney, Jack (Taiwanese), Lily (Taiwanese), and Brian M. We have our first real round tonight! I think we decided that our name was going to be "Whoop! There it is!". Haha

Tuesday, we had a workshop. It was about the GEPT test that the students have to take. It was kind of boring, but it was informative too. The test is an English proficiency test that is analogous to the SAT or something. The better they do, the better schools and jobs will be available to them.

On Wednesday, Brian H, Ryan and I went to Xiaowulai. It is a really big, famous waterfall right around the Shimen Reservoir. It was about an hour and fifteen minute drive/scoot. The drive was gorgeous. It starts out in a lot of city but then pretty quickly it becomes countryside. We also drove through a really pretty valley. And then we went up into the mountains. It was so pretty.

We drove to Xiaowulai first but just to look. There is a lot of hiking around there but it has become a major tourist spot. It was super busy. There is a glass bottom platform that is over the pool at the top of the falls and it was crawling with people. The falls are gorgeous, but it would have been unbelieveable to see before they started developing the area.

After Xiaoulai, we hopped back on the scooters and went to a different waterfall. It was awesome. We were the only ones there and so we got to go swimming in the pool at the bottom. The water was freezing! Haha. But it felt great and we were swimming at a waterfall! :)

After the waterfall, we went to lunch at a restaurant that overlooked the reservoir. It was spectacular. I wish it had been sunnier, but it was still beautiful.

Thursday, I had my favorite class. This week, I taught Jarry "bust a move". He was dancing in class so I taught the whole class. Also, after class, Jarry said to me, "Teacher, you come with me. I be your taxi driver." Haha. He is a twelve year old kid and I own a scooter. Haha. He cracks me up.

Friday, we had another workshop. This one was by Josh Sanchez (from Hawaii). It was really good! We played lots of games and got lots of stickers. Haha.

Saturday, I had three classes. It is kind of crazy to have that many. But I have a pretty long break between the first one and the last two. During that break, Rooney and I went up to the Tiger Head lookout. It was really pretty - so clear!

Sunday, we had frisbee - like always! It was a lot of fun. I always look forward to Sundays because I love playing! And the group is getting bigger and bigger! So fun!

I miss you all!!