BUGS!

I didn't get a chance to blog until now (liar) because the voice in my head told me it was time to take a vacation (LIAR!). No, really, I've been lazy. I meant to blog about Experience China Week, but we all know what they say about good intentions! And now that I'm in a disgusting internet cafe, typing on a keyboard that some slob spilled Coke all over (fingerlickin' fun!) I have found the time in my busy vacation schedule to write.

Experience China Week was an experience, that's for sure. I wouldn't say most of my experiences were related to China as much as they were to the psychology of whining 12 year olds. Oh, and I experienced bugs, and the impact they have on the volume of a twelve year old girl's voice (it's a positive relationship for those of you who haven't yet had the pleasure of experiencing it). The kids experienced China, and complained about almost every minute of it! They didn't like the food, they wanted a snickers bar or more pringles (I don't know whose genius idea it was to provide them these snacks in the first place...), they didn't like hiking and they definitely didn't like bugs!

Actually, the trip wasn't bad. I was absolutely exhausted by the end of it (and a little bit sick), but I really enjoyed getting to know some of the kids and I LOVED the hiking! The trails were not easy, but they were beautiful, and I saw some really neat things that I wouldn't have seen elsewhere. In general, it was just nice to be outside of Beijing for a week. I will post pictures of some of the places when somebody gives me some. I didn't take any myself because Dan's memory card was full and the usb cord seems to have gone missing between three apartments.

So, now it's October holiday. I have a week off for "National Day" which makes me really like this country. We have no plans. I thought about leaving, but then I took a smart pill. Dan's ankle is still recovering from an injury almost two weeks ago now, so he's still not up for much walking. Tomorrow we're going out to Chang Ping to hang out with the village people. Neither of us have seen them very much lately, and I'm starting to feel like a total loser for not being able to maintain contact with people so physically close to me! I don't even want to get into the dozen or so postcards that are waiting to be sent.