Two months ago today, (really two months already???) we landed once again in the blessed U. S. of A.!
It was so awesome to get home after a hectic hectic HECTIC flight, that included missing our flight in Korea (s-t-r-e-s-s-f-u-l), ridiculous taxi time sitting in the plane on the runway for at least an hour each flight, and lost baggage in San Francisco. But when we landed and got to see the Grimes family for the first time, all of the stresses were gone and I was so happy to be back with family!
We drove straight to the car lot to visit my brothers, another awesome moment. I missed them sooo much! Then home to my momma who I also missed sooo much and she missed us soooo much :) Unfortunately we had to wait until the next day to see my dad due to his own travels.
I will talk about life after China in my next post. Now I want to finish the final chapter of China in honor of it coming to a close 2 whole months ago!
Joey's crazy hair... straightened!
Globe trotters in China. Soo random.
The super tall guy gave my student, Mike, his head sweatband. Mike was thrilled!
The performance of a lifetime :) We worked for months on this!! These kids were singing Old Time Rock n' Roll.
Surfin U.S.A.
The "Never Say Never" group. They rocked it.
One of many Chinese teachers -- Julia
Our 2nd graders!
Field day with the 4th graders. These activities were deemed "not safe" for the 2nd graders later that day which we had all planned out. oh geez...
Joe's giant water balloon. He dropped it from the 3rd floor of the building and the kids loved it!
The Chapel in Suzhou
Church in Suzhou. So pretty.
Final dinner with the group at Pizza Hut.
Our dorm building. We were on the 5th floor.
Classrooms
The DinNing Hall :)
The teachers eating area
BEFORE
AFTER -- Not much different eh? I'm so happy to be home now :)
Just waiting for the kids to come in and feast.
View from our dorm hall. There are people that live in that shack on the far right. And that is their garden.
Saying goodbye to mine and Joe's 4th graders. Sad day.
4th grade
We made dirt cups for all of our students -- complete with a gummy worm in each one. They were so excited!
Jenny & Jess
Minnie & Zena
Hannah & her dragon she won in our drawing
Mike and I, sad to say bye to that kid.
The first week of class he was nuts and I made him stand for like 20 minutes straight instead of sitting. From then on he was a changed boy in my class and I loved him!
Kevin
Joey & Mary
Our dorm! Those were wood beds.
Wood beds + plus sleeping on your side = bruised hip bones!
Our bathroom. Yeah. Gross. You NEVER go in there without shoes on... or really anywhere in China without shoes.
Squatter with a shower right next to it. Worst part, we weren't allowed to flush t.p. Even MORE gross.
Goodbye second grade!
Loved Susan. She was so sweet.
Getting ATTACKED by the 2nd graders for my bag of candy. It was madness.
And they ended up breaking the bag.
Chinese otter pops
Claire and her teddy bear she won
Joey getting SMOTHERED by kids for treats!
He was ready to pass out by this point. He had to run away and hide!
See ya later kiddos!!
Saying goodbye to the group. Sad. Joe and I left 5 days before the rest of the group. Amy and Emily went back to Shanghai with us as well to begin a whole new adventure.
Love these girls!
McKenna and I
Ryleigh & Micheala
That is our craaazy bus driver.
Shanghai, here we come! Then HOME!!!!
Final thoughts:
China will ALWAYS have a special place in our hearts. We loved the experience. It was absolutely crazy at times and I desperately wanted to get the heck out of there and GO HOME but I am so so so happy we went. Nearly 5 months of just being together, exploring a whole different country, was priceless.
And now as I sit here in our apartment in Nebraska (remember this post !), and Joey has begun his 10+ hour days at school, I long to be back in China.
But this time maybe just a quick visit :)
One day we will be back. Even if for no other reason than to visit Yangshuo .
If you EVER have the opportunity to go to China, Do IT!
Just bring your own food :)
I loved the pics. Great post.
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