Christmas festivities

This month has been full of interesting activities. After my sisters returned home, my vacation was over. My time begin to be packed with planning parties, memorizing script for a school play. I know some of you are interested to hear how the play went. Well the play as a whole was really good. The students loved the play they understood all the 'humorous' lines that left me thinking what did they say (听不懂)?!
I played the part of one Chinese ancient heroine, Hua Mulan. My lines mainly expressed the time when I(Mulan) defended my country and b/c of that our people can happily go about their lives in peace. The other characters in the play were also from the past. There was Jane Eyre, then Forest Gump( who would of guessed?!). The other two were Chinese famous characters, the monkey king and a well known author,Kong li ji.

I enjoyed the play and all the performances. I am honestly glad it is finally over and I can breath freely!


I also planned a Christmas party for friends in the countryside. Here are some of my good friends.
Everyone had a wonderful time as we had cake(Santa Claus on top) and sang Christmas carols and praise songs! After that we read the true story of Christmas. I am thankful to be able to spend this special holiday with friends here.
The kids especially loved the cake and sweets!

Sisters, sisters there were never such devoted sisters...

I thought those lyrics were fitting for this post.
Earlier this month my older sister and second youngest sister finally came to visit me on the East side. I enjoyed their company and encouragement immensely. I miss them but I can look forward to next summer when I will see them for more than 7 days!
I tried my best to show them around the town. We went to the places I visit regularly:
local open market, my favorite northeastern dumpling restaurant, stationary stores, friends' apartment, local parks, countryside, ...
They had the opportunity to ride local city bus, taxi, and train.
I have to mention the top 2 things that put them in culture shock were the huge amount of the people everywhere, and crowded public buses! Well using the squatty is a given culture shock for most people! It took a lot of persuading from me but before they left they could proudly say they used a sqatty potty!
They both enjoyed the food. I will even say that they are probably missing the true taste of chinese food. The chinese buffets have nothing on the local food here.
Even though their few days were filled with
traveling across the world,
sleeping on bunk beds w/o mattresses,
buying souvenirs,
riding bus on a bumpy road,
meeting my friends,
listening to me and others speak another language,
bargaining for the lowest price,
taking pictures with random chinese people,
being stared at all the time,
losing sleep,
smelling the interesting smells of china :/
ect...
I have report from them saying they would love to come back! I am glad to hear they love china or maybe it is just me!

Debra, me, Donna

The pictures were taken with a new camera given to me from some awesome people from Checotah, Okla! This is awesome gift, I appreciate your support for me and my family!