Well... we’re down to the last month now and I really can’t believe it.

Sometimes when I think about my time here, it feels like it has flown by so quickly... at other times it feels like I’ve been here for years. Either way... I feel so lucky to have this experience. I have learned so much, had so many new experiences, and met some
really great people.

I’ve been taking an art class with some of my other foreign classmates. We’ve learned calligraphy, painting, stamp carving, and we’re going to start paper cutting soon. It has been one of my favorite things so far. I’m definitely at a disadvantage- being so un-asian, but it’s been fun experimenting with this different style of art.

My parents were able to come visit for a week in November, and Sarah’s dad was able to come during the same time. We got to show them around our city, and then Sarah and I left with my parents to travel with them to another city for some sightseeing. I can’t express how good it was to see them and to have them experience the sights, smells, and sounds of my life for the last several months.

I had my fears about being away from home during the holidays this year... but Thanksgiving was a wonderfully refreshing day. We spent it with our American friends- complete with turkey legs, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and apple cider. I am so thankful for the family I have here and for the times we get to spend celebrating together. My birthday was the week after Thanksgiving, and we celebrated at our supervisors’ house with a delicious birthday meal and a homemade guitar-shaped birthday cake. The morning of my birthday, I was surprised by a knock on my door. Three of my friends came bearing birthday gifts- a scarf, a hat, and a giant stuffed panda bear head. I was so surprised! Our home-stay family had us over for dinner the night of my birthday and cooked us a meal. I miss the days of home-cooked meals with that family! The birthday festivities continued into the weekend with a Gilmore Girls marathon, fajitas, chips and queso (a near novelty in this part of the world), and many hours spent relaxing on the couch- a much welcomed retreat.

Sarah and I also joined some friends to celebrate another birthday with Karaoke and Hot Pot. While I love that karaoke... the hot pot is NOT something I will miss when I’m back in America.

My days are busier now, working on papers for home and homework for school here... but soon we will drop our classes here so we can prepare to head back home. While I’m not at all ready to leave the friends I’ve made here... I will be ready to be back in the homeland in a few weeks.

I look forward to being back with all of you and sharing about my time here- obviously blogging is not my preferred form of communication, so let’s hang out and talk about it in real life :)

See you soon,

Anna

ps- I tried to do photos again... but I just can't get it to work. Sorry!