After the excitement of Teachers Day came the weekend....I still had not ventured into the city without my FAO (Foreign Affairs Officer) but Saturday night I was visited by many students who wanted to take me into town on Sunday afternoon - their only time off all week. Much laughter and hilarity ensued in my apartment as we made plans for the next day and I tried speaking more Chinese!!! The girls then wanted a photo with me with my hair down....needless to say ...

A slight delay in giving you an update due to several technological hitches - my computer wouldn't work and being so technologically challenged I couldn't do anything....and of course we work on China time so ho hum I've had to wait to get my netbook hooked up to the schools network (hope I got all that techno speak right Matt) Well I survived my marathon 22 classes this week with the highlight being Friday when China celebrated "Happy Teachers Day". What a day....

Was exhausted after 16 classes last week so heavens knows how I will be after a marathon 22 classes this week. I have all the Senior 1 classes this week. Had the first 4 this morning, we are now taking our siesta and then I have another 2 this afternoon. Working on china time....don't have my schedule for the rest of this week yet. Will be getting my China mobile number sorted out tonight. Crazy system here - you get your sim card for the province you are living...

As I reflect on my first week here I realise that this is what life is all about. Getting out of your comfort zone and giving the great unknown a go...

Heading off into the great unknown but full of excitement mixed in with a bit of trepidation...The bus trip was OK I got a sleeper seat for the long trip to Nanning (about 6 hours)- bit scary changing buses in Nanning where nothing was in English and I was the only westerner in the whole place. Anyway I found a nice little man who piled my luggage onto his trolley and took it to the bus and even put it on the bus for me. Think I gave him a weeks wages but it was ...