Sunday, June 10, 2007

A busy few weeks

It's been an eventful few weeks. A former student of mine at Mahtomedi, Kira Nelson, was in town for a business class, so she stayed with us for a few days before she flew to Beijing to travel with her aunt and uncle who are teachers there. We showed her around a little bit - she experienced the eyeglass market and bought three pair.

Last week was the athletic banquet at the company. All of the athletes from the middle and high school were there - great to see so many kids come out. Brian Bates, one of the physical education teachers, made a movie wrapping up the year. He did an amazing job with it.

Last Saturday was International Day for the elementary kids. Each class picks a country to research and they need to put on some kind of performance. Mandy chose Ireland (because we know that Irish people are the best). Her kids learned a lot and the classroom looked amazing. I wish I could have had Mandy as a first grade teacher!

Last Friday night Tim Kao, head of student affairs and math teacher, put on an acoustic show of his music in the school auditorium. I've seen him perform with his band before and was impressed, but this show was really great! He writes all of his own music and lyrics - a very talented guy. He brought up students to play and sing with him as well as members of the faculty. A great show. He's leaving SMIC after four years to live in the States - keep your eyes open for him, he's talented enough to make it in the music business.

The fact that we're going to be leaving in a few weeks is really starting to sink in. I'm excited to get back home, but leaving people here is going to be really tough, especially the kids. I started a facebook page so that I could keep in touch with them easier next year. I've had both of my classes for the entire year and have gotten to be pretty close to them. These are the nicest, smartest, most lovable kids I've ever met. I wish I could take them all to the States with me. I'm really going to miss them.


Very happy Americans. Dan Henderson made the trip with us.

I haven't seen Mandy this excited in a long time - if anyone knows her at all, they know that the key to her heart is through her stomach.

Mandy and Kira trying a new look at the eyeglass market.

Tim Kao performing one of his songs. It was an impressive show.

Mandy's class performed "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling".

Mrs. Taylor's classroom was transformed into an Irish castle on International Day.

Coach Rob Perdue talks about his varsity boys basketball team. They won the regular season championship and were a lot of fun to watch.

Heather Couch and Brian Bates presenting the awards at the banquet. Heather is leaving SMIC after three years as athletic director.

Three weeks and counting...

This week we're going on a trip to Yangshuo with our friends Brian and Bethany. Yangshuo is where they filmed the movie The Painted Veil (with Edward Norton and Naomi Watts - good flick!). From what we've heard it's one of the most beautiful places in China and Brian and Bethany have been there a couple times already, so they know their way around pretty well. Should be a fun trip. For our final weekend, we're going to Hainan - an island off of the southern coast of China often referred to as "The Hawaii of China". Sounds good to us! After that, we'll be back in the States headed for beautiful Hugo, Minnesota!