Ants On a Log

Let me just say, I barely made it through class today. I loathe celery and I don't quite understand how anyone eats it. Well, raw, anyways. I can tolerate it when it's cooked. The smell of it is so overwhelming! Oh, the joy of living in a country with limited edible substances (by my standards). I could have given my kids pickled chicken feet and I'm sure they would have been happy as hippos but I definitely would have hurled at that.

So, we made "ants on a log" today in class. It was easy and I could actually buy all the materials at the store. The kids thought it was the greatest thing ever, but get this- none of them had ever had raisins before. And, if it wasn't for ILP, none of them would have ever had peanut butter either. So strange to me. The food here in China is not something I will ever get used to. Is it obvious?

I got a little upset today in class. When my homeroom came in, I immediately noticed that Ricky was missing. I asked the other kids where he was. "Ricky.... *imitates Chinese teacher yelling*....." Great. Not two minutes later, he came in with big tears rolling down his face. Ricky is not "good" most of the time, and I know it. But he's good in his own way. It bothers me that he gets in trouble for that. He's one of those kids that can't and won't conform to the norms of what everyone else is doing and I love him for it. I could not stand watching him cry. I tried everything to cheer him up. The other kids all surrounded him and took turns wiping his tears with their own sleeves. I am amazed at these seven-year-olds. They are such good little people.

Fun Fact: Ricky can wiggle his ears :) and, he tells me that he loves me. Every. Single. Day.

My girl :)

I love him so much.

Krew and Angela

Aaron and Jason. Can you tell they like to eat in class??

Jake, Ronnie, and Apple.

Angela :)

Apple!

My loves <3

 Everyone loves to eat in class, so it really didn't take long for him to cheer up. Every day now, they ask me to take pictures. Well, okay, but only because they're so darn cute!!!

After teaching, Megan and I went out for food and milkshakes. We're so cool :) I love this girl so much! She keeps me sane, and in stitches :)