Wrapping Things Up

Sophomore schedule of remaining exams

The semester is quickly wrapping up. We will take a train to Beijing on Saturday and fly to Lexington on Sunday. We are excited to get home and a little tired from all of the year-end activities. Here are some shots of what has kept us busy in our final weeks in Qufu.

Dinner at a local student's home. . .13 dishes for four people, oh my.


Lots and lots and lots of exam grading


Cleaning out the library


Last dinners out with students


Getting my shoes fixed (for only 5 mao, basically pennies)


Hanging out with students from the local fellowship


Dinner with our Foreign Affairs Officers and their families


Foot massages with teacher friends


Goodbyes and grades at the office


Shipping winter clothes, kitchen stuff, bedding,
and books to Changchun for next year


Wading through the madhouse post office when we went to ship


Red Song Patriotic Singing Contest to celebrate the
90th anniversary of the Communist Party


Going away party for the foreign teachers


And because they make everyone smile, some student quotes from goodbye notes:

"I still remember the first time you came to our class. It was beyond my imagination. Because in my mind the culture teacher might be very serious and wear a pair of glasses, but you look very beautiful and sweet. We like to listen to your class and play with you."

"Your apartment is very beautiful and has many nice decorations. I really want to have such a softly fragrant home."

"Mallary and Chip are the most sweetie couple I have ever seen."

"You are always like the sunshine. I do like your smiling because it's so warm. I really want to know what kind of magic do you have that keep you be happy everyday."

"You are like a bubble full of candies, never depressed."

"You are the very special star in my Milky Way."

"You know what, I am always having a dream about you--that is to invite you to my home and my middle school because I have shown my parents and schoolmates your picture and told them how interesting you are and that you cooked delicious food for us. They are hoping to see you someday. I hope I still have a chance to achieve my dream."

"My first impression of you is that you are lovely just like a little girl. You always wear some decorations on your head. It's so cute."

"I never feel bored in your class even if the contents is a little dull in some degree."

"Chip, you are quiet, humorous, patient, kindhearted, and the most important thing may be that you can cook a lot of delicious food."

"I remembered the time you stayed in our dormitory in Lynn's bed. At first, we were afraid that you might be disliking our conditions. But when you came, I think you really enjoyed it. Did we snore? Or did you hear strange words? The next morning, we looked at your bed, but you had gone early. I believe that will be a good memory for both of us."

"I still remember when a freshman boy suicided himself, you told us that we can call on you if we have some life problems which we can hardly handle. To be honest, at these words I am almost moved to tears. (Believe me, I am not that sentimental). It's because no teacher in my life care about my psychological problems like you. It's because you always let me feel that you are my elder sister who can back me up when I am depressed."

And a few of these. . .

"I hope one day I can meet you in America, and I think at that time I can see the cute baby of you and Chip. Chip is a handsome, nice, and gentle guy."

"We are waiting for the birth of your cute baby."

"I do hope you can send us the photos of you and Chip's future baby."