The fabric market is five floors of cloth merchants trying to get you to buy from them. They are all competing against one another for your business, so you are constantly hounded to look at their fabric. Once you decide on something, they measure you and make it in about a week. We've had some really good luck here, but I've also had some pants made that were a bit snug - the Chinese aren't into the baggy look very much. I'll keep them for a 70's party or something.

There are helpful signs like these all over. I would have forgotten to bump my head if I hadn't seen this one.

Mandy checking out some fabric. You should see her eyes light up when we walk into this place. It's tough to find clothes that fit six foot tall women (in China or the U.S.), so it's fun for her to have things custom made.

We stopped for some fried dumplings. They are usually stuffed with cabbbage, celery, cilantro and either beef or pork. One of our favorites.

We found this beautiful park just a few blocks from the subway station. There are signs all over the city stressing the importance of nature, but these parks are few and far between.

Congrats to the Zephs!

I was fortunate to watch the Zephs play over my break. They made it to the section finals for the first time in the program's history. In the past two years they have lost extremely close games to the eventual state champion (South St. Paul last year and Blake this year). Congrats to the team and to this year's seniors: Laura May, Callie Larsen, Wendy Wigstrom, and Jenna Viker. It was an honor to have coached them! I look forward to being back on the ice next season.

So Long...

Well, I'm writing this from the good old Holiday Inn near the airport. We fly back to Shanghai tomorrow at 8 AM. I just wanted to thank everyone who put us up while we were here and came to Sweeny's to see us. It's really tough leaving after seeing all of you. We only have four months left in China, so the time should go pretty quickly. Spring time in Shanghai is beautiful (I've heard), so a trip to China would be well worth it! We have plenty of room for you, and everything else is pretty cheap. Think about it...