Is it really already November?

I guess time really does fly when you are having fun... I cannot believe it is already November 6th and we have a new president-elect. Even if we disagree with his politics, he will be our president. We must think good thoughts for him.

Switching subjects rather abruptly, have you ever noticed how sometimes you do things and you don't know why, only to find out later that it was in the master plan?

Well, a little over a year ago, I started working out. I was 36 and had never been on a regular work out program -- except when I played football in High School and when I was in the Army. Why would I start running and working out now?

At the time, I thought it was because I had been in school for ten years and consequently had gained weight. Sitting at a desk day and night will do that to ya.

I think I know why I did that now. It was so I would have more energy when I finally reached China. But wait I only teach for 16 hours...

It seems that my schedule takes me from early morning to late at night. The pace is pretty fast. However, I don't know of anything that I would change.

During the week I teach 16 hours of classes. I though that would not be that bad, but there is the prep work, the actual energy required to teach a second language well, and all of the paper work that is required in keeping a grade book and planning speeches.

16 hours is a lot of work. Don't get me wrong, I love my job. But it is still a lot of work.

The past few months have flown by with busy-ness every day. I love what I am doing, but it is very tiring.

Just when I thought I had a break coming on Friday, I suddenly remembered that I planned on playing bad mitten with two Chinese friends and my friend, Carolynn. So this is how this weekend will play out...

On Friday, I get out of Chinese class at 5:20 p.m. I will meet Carolynn to take a bus downtown. We will meet our friends to play bad mitten (almost an Olympic sport over here - I never knew it could be so competitive). It is a great workout! :0-)

On Saturday morning I have a cleaning lady that will only come at 8:00 a.m. That means no sleeping in. Ahhhhhh!

I will take several engagement photos for some friends of mine that are getting married in February at 9:30 a.m. Then it is off to the orphanage to spend a great but energy expensive afternoon. I love the boys and would never dream of stopping going to the orphanage.

In order to really connect with young boys, you got to play with them. Does that change when boys become men? I don't know. But I digress.

After that my friend, Carolynn and I have a party to go to for the friends that are newly engaged. Shh it's a secret.

This will put me home at 10 to 1030 if I am lucky and disciplined. Of course there are the Sunday activities and then back to classes on Monday. Yeah... and that's just the weekend.

I think I will sleep in on Monday. I don't have class until 1010. Yeah!

Let's back track just a little; tonight is Thursday. There was a group from Dallas Texas that is returning home on Friday, so they threw a real Texas ho-down. I learned how to line dance. It is great! I met some new Friends at the party, and that was especially nice.

I also got some new phone numbers of potential new Friends. I was so tired. Thursday is my three class day. I start at 8 am and don't finish until 3:40. I did some administrative things which, of course, took way too long, so I only got a 15 min nap before heading off to the line dancing party.

As sleep depraved as I feel, I am so glad I went. It was amazing! And to see the love that these older people have for the young college students is amazing (I think the average age was 62 or more). And more than a few of them were in tears.

These relationships between that Texas teaching team and those students will continue for years to come. All because they gave up two weeks to come teach English in China. Amazing!

Just think...if I had stayed home and rested, I would have missed out on that divine appointment.

Love you all. Talk to ya soon. Feel free to write!

I miss you very much.

Love ya,

James :0-)