In the Land of Confucian -- Foreigners in China

Hello all;
Well it is Christmas in Handan City and I'm the only westerner left on Campus. The other teachers apartments are empty and I'm here by myself just me and 8000 Chinese College students. After my class this morning, I went to KFC the people were shocked to see Father Christmas taking a break from his yearly run around the world. Then I went for a walk downtown. It is a pleasant day today, the sun is shining and it is clear. Today is the first time in a long while (3 months) that we can see the blue sky and a yellow sun. Most days if we can see the sun it is a grayish orange. Yesterday on my other UN day off I visited an elementary school that was fun but hectic.

My class today was their last class and we took the final exam. I have (had) 160 students in four classes. It is sad that it was the last class. Good that I didn't take off for Beijing. After next week they will start a 4 week break for spring festival, I will start new 21 day classes like a day camp for those that want to learn English. I will finish 4 more classes one Friday, and Saturday, and two on Sunday. I got a lot of small gifts and cards for Christmas, Yesterday a guy from the newspaper came by to take a photo and do a short story on me for the Friday paper. Then some teachers and students came by with a cake for a surprise party for me since I'm the only one left.

It was a sugar free cake. Some of the Chinese teachers went to Church last night. My boss Judy owed me a dinner It was her turn ( I cook her dinner then she buys me one) We had a hot pot, don't even ask...Later she went to Church and I came home. Some other Chinese teachers (female) stopped by (a surprise visit) and we watched Lord of the Rings...Boring! The movie lasted too long and the outside gate was already locked so I walked them back at midnight in total darkness and help them climb their fence.

Tonight who knows, My teaching assistant Anita said she would try to stop
by, but I'm not planning anything except doing the dishes. And maybe a movie. Life is good here, slower, friendlier, happier. I wish all my friends and Family a merry Christmas and a happy new year!

More Later...Tom

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