Christmas Eve - Christmas was different for us this year and still wonderful! Evening classes were cancelled on Christmas Eve - good news for Jack! We met with some of the other BYU teachers at a German restaurant for a very delicious dinner. We watched our annual A Christmas Carol movie - one of us fell asleep and didn't finish it, but then again, those who know me know I usually don't get to see it all in one sitting anyway! The waiters would come around with long skewers of meat and serve us. Everything from roasted bananas to chicken hearts. Most of it was really good!
The buffet line - more Chinese than German food - and in the straw dispenser were green chop sticks 
Jack with Richard and Carolyn
Charlene with Kurt and Fran
Cute Chinese girls dressed in German outfits with Santa hats on! They are always so willing to let us crazy American's take their photos!
Christmas Day - Jack did have to teach his afternoon classes. My gift to him was to go with him instead of staying home. It was a real treat to see him teach and be in his classes. They love him! As we walked in the room(s), me after him, there was an auditable 'ooohhh' that I would come to class. Then, all in unison, Merry Christmas was said to us both.
After class we went to some of our other BYU friend's apartment and played games, watched a movie, and ate way too many snacks. (or snakes as the Chinese usually say) :) It was a great day.
Gifts - Christmas Eve is a time to give apples. The Chinese word for apple is very similar to the words meaning 'peace' and 'comfort'. We received a lot of apples as gifts - a very meaningful gift from them to us - and other gifts. I turned the apples into apple crisp - yum! We also received several Merry Christmas text messages, WeChat messages, and emails from our students and other teachers. 
Silk Scarf and Chinese knot hanger
Porcelain card holder, thumb drive and pen
Lessons - We enjoyed sharing some of our family traditions about Christmas. The food, the gatherings, the gift giving, and the service. All the students enjoyed seeing and hearing about our traditions which included many of you! They were touched by the service we give at Occidental Park, most have never heard of this kind of activity/service before.
Phone Calls - We were able to talk to our children, grandchildren and parents. Having Skype and Google Hangouts is great! All the technology we enjoy is a blessing in our lives. I can't imagine being here 25 years ago with no internet, cell phones, etc. Truly and amazing day and age we live in!
Foreign Teachers Christmas Dinner - We met with some friends at a neighboring university. They organized a Christmas dinner potluck, white elephant exchange, and singing. A delightful time!
New Year's Eve - isn't such a big deal in China. Their real party will be in Feb. during Chinese New Year. We taught our classes this day and Jack even had is night class, or so he thought. We wondered but everyone said there would be class. So, he went to set up and no students came. Apparently classes were canceled and he didn't get the memo. It worked out great though - he was able to have some one on one time with a couple of students. As he was leaving he found the rest of his students involved in celebration, games, and fun on the different floors of the teaching building. He was able to join the fun, which the students loved!
After he got home (around 10pm) I tried to stay awake until midnight - but that didn't happen either. I remember hearing some muffled sounds of fireworks but was too tired to get up and look out the window.
We did have New Year's Day off as a holiday and the next few days there were no classes. However, when classes are cancelled, but not part of the 'national holiday', they have to be made up. So, Jack had to teach on Sunday to make up for Friday's class. It was nice to have a 3 day break and get some rest in without thinking too hard about classes.
The parents taking pictures just kept on taking pictures and didn't even bat an eye!
Christmas with English Corner - We had a fun time teaching the students 12 Days of Christmas song. Jack had a good time being the partridge in the pear tree :) He even did 'Santa Says' in place of Simon.
Jan 2nd - to Market to Market
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This is the Cultural Market near our house. Most of it is covered. Today they had a lot of venders with booths in the walkway - Very interesting to see all the goods and crafts. Even demonstrations on kitchen tools, just like the fair! .JPG)
Frank, Jack, Christie, Darrell, Me
Catherine, Amily, Irene, Cindy and Ester
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There is a little court yard we have to walk through to get to the market. Today the kids were out playing and having a good time - even in the chilly but sunny weather!
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