Odds and Ends

This is an update of life here of late. At times it seems mundane, but then you get perspective and realize how much you have grown since you've been here and how many pictures are on your iPhone that you haven'y posted yet and then life gets exciting and busy all over again. 

Halloween is very different here (as most things are). The kids know what it is (to an extent) but since the country as a whole doesn't celebrate it, they don't get very excited. However, us teacher could not wait!! Here are just some pictures from that day. 

The kids costumes were basically a compilation of anything and everything halloween-ish that their parents could find at the super market. Regardless, they were adorable and loved learning to trick-or-treat. 

Here's my life lately in pictures:

I come home in just over a month. I'm not gonna lie, I can't wait to see my family and mainly my puppy and also my car. The thought of being back in America is the only thing that gets me through the day sometimes. But I also have so much to do in my little time left. And I wouldn't trade this experience for anything in the world. 

-taylor janae

Goodnight, Sleep Tight

DON'T LET THE BED BUGS BITE.

This has to be the worst good night saying ever invented, because let me tell you, there is no stopping the bed bugs. The little devils come whether you choose to let them or not. I propose that saying be banished and never spoken of again. 

If you can't tell, I'm a little bitter. For about the past week and a half I have been sick with a cold and fever so teaching and doing anything has been really difficult. And to top it off, I woke up last monday morning and my arm itched so bad. Upon further inspection, I counted 15 "mosquito bites". I asked another teacher what is was. I bet you can guess their reply. 

BED BUGS.

So I then began to wash all my sheets and blankets and comforters. I also had to remove my mattress so that we could air it out and kill the demons. 

A little background- China does not believe in mattresses. I sleep on about an inch and a half of "mattress" (Its like a bunch of cardboard stuffed inside). Underneath it is just wood planks. So that is what i have been sleeping on. Wood planks. 

But hey! It has been a great experience and has made me grateful for not only my bed of heaven at home, but also my cardboard mattress. 

Come what may and love it right??

-Taylor Janae