early thanks to all who give.

I don't know if anyone reads this anymore...but I will kept on posting because I know at least my sisters read it. So there have been some tough times here. Times where at that moment I wanted to give up and go home. I had it, and didn't want to do anymore. It's hard living in a crazy country with weird rules and ways of life. It's hard teaching abnoxious children for 4 hours a day in the blistering heat or the ice freezing cold. It's hard eating startch all day long and longing for a nice peice of chicken now and then. It's hard trying to communicate with someone when either of you have no idea what the other is saying. It's hard dealing with constant change and having to put on a good face no matter what. It's just plain hard.

What I have learned and gone through in these past 3 months has been like nothing ever before. I have learned so much about myself, my limits, and my strengths. Although there have been rocky times, there have been WONDERFUL times. Times where I have sat back and realized just how cool my life really is. I am in China. Period. That sentence alone says it all.

I love my kids, and without them I wouldn't be able to get through it all. Sure, they are insane most days. But it's the days when they come running up to me sceaming "Teacha Rachel!!!" that it makes it all better. They are so excited to show me new things, or give me part of their cookie, or communicate to me what they know in English. These past 3 months have been so rewarding. Seeing what they have learned and how far they have come makes me so proud. I wish I could bring them all home with me.

Lauren, Kim, and Lauren. Those three girls are what keep me going. The nights where we laugh for hours on my bed playing "Soulmate" or watch episode after episode of "One Tree Hill" or "Friends". We have been through many adventures together and have grown so close because of it. We have learned to travel around the most forgein country in the world all by ourselves. We have learned all the numbers in Chinese and are EXCELLENT at bartering. We are the dream team.

My parents are amazing. Have I ever said that? I seriously have the best parents in the world. I am so darn lucky. My mom is constantly there for me, always listening to me rant and vent to her about every problem here. She is always there to tell me that I can do it and that it will be ok. I called my dad bawling one night, and all he did was listen. He didn't tell me I was wrong or to just suck it up and get over it. He listened to me, agreed with me, and told me that everything was going to be ok. They both help me through the hardest times here and for that, I am so grateful.

Not only do all of these people that are close to me help, but the little things here help as well. Seeing our smiling noodle man once a week brightens my day. There is the cutest little white fluffy puppy that roams outside our apartments that comes running to me whenever I come outside. I love all of the cooks at our school and their senses of humor. My warm oven that cooks us yummy muffins. Receiving packages from friends and family is the best. The taxi drivers and their way of driving that never ceases to amaze me. Our Chinese representive, Kelly, that lives at the school with us, is now one of our best friends and helps us in so many ways.

Without all these things this experience would be nothing. So yeah, sometimes I complain, and I think I am allowed, but I really do love it. I wouldn't have changed any of it. This next and last month will be so bittersweet.

That's all.