a review

And so the second semester begins. I think I find great comfort in the structure of my Peace Corps experience. Serving in China as a University TEFL volunteer comes with a built in schedule. This is imperative for me, as it provides a very clear picture of what I need to do and when I need to do it. I know other PC countries operate on very different schedules, or no schedules at all, which leads me to believe that PC China is really ideal for me.

I start teaching again on Monday, February 23rd. I have been on “vacation” since just before Christmas, so getting back to the routine of the semester is going to be yet another transition. So what exactly have I been up to? After the holidays, I went to Chengdu, where I met with all the volunteers in China for a 4 day in-service training. It was wonderful to see other volunteers, the 14s I trained with last summer, as well as the 13s, who have been here since summer 2007. After training, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to go back to Minnesota for 2 ½ weeks. I got an awesome deal on a flight, and although I returned to MN just in time for the most frigid temperatures of the year, it was more than worth it. Being able to see my family and friends and step back into my old life was fantastic. Although now it all feels like a dream, like I imagined the whole thing. I came back to China at the end of January, in the middle of the Chinese New Year celebration. My campus was completely deserted. I mean, not one person was around. It was extremely lonely! The festival usually lasts for 15 days, so with a lifeless campus surrounding me, I decided to take a trip to a southern province, Guangxi Zhuang. I visited the cities of Guilin and Yangshuo, both famous for their landscape of karsts. It was beautiful. I went with 3 other PCVs and the experience definitely got me interested in exploring more of China. Now I am planning for summer travels!
Since coming back to my site, I have been spending most of my time relaxing and visiting with other volunteers. And suddenly my campus has come to life again. The students have returned, and a few new foreign teachers have arrived for the next semester.

It is beginning to warm up as well. I am trying to enjoy these mild, spring-like days, as many students have warned me that the scorching, humid, summer comes early (like the end of March). Something to look forward to, I guess.
Hope everyone is doing well!