Good morning...
I am in Changsha, having a great time-- this is a much more fun town that I thought it would be--something about the provencial capital of Hunan didnt sound like it would be the most fun place. I am staying at a fellow Cougars nice pad--she is teaching at a middle school here in Changsha, which is pretty cool. I am quickly learning that I have it pretty good where I am and that I am teaching at the University level--things at the lower levels really range with the students you are teaching. At least where I am the students are working to earn their degrees-- where the majority of students at the lower levels probably won't even go to college, so their concept of learning English is not really there.
Anyway, there are many plans for today--the biggest and most exciting thus far is going to the Brazillian Steakhouse where it is 80rmb for dinner and beer--all you can consume. So it might be the night that I pass the kidney stone!!! Wooo-hooo.
(Dont worry mom, I am taking it ez.)

Anyway, go cougs-- we are both here rooting them on during my first homecoming as an Alum.
I already have some awesome pictures to display-- so look out for those!! Read more!

Off to Changsha!!!

I will not be posting to the blog for the next three or so days as I am headed off to the provencial captial to spend some time with some Americans (one of them is a Cougar--!!! Thanks Dr. Staab!!!) something that I am sure will be pretty legit as I have not even seen an American in almost two months!!!
I have a lot to talk about-- I am in the process of getting an entire new bridge in my mouth, thanks to the Chinese!!! The total cost of the bridge will be about $150.00 for a three tooth bridge, which I am promised will not resemble Austin Powers, so it should turn out just fine.

Go Cougs--!!! Hopefully they will win this weekend as two Chinese teachers will be together on homecoming weekend cheering on the Cougs!!!

Hope your all well. Read more!

*Remember--you can click on the images to make them larger*
This is just a fraction of the thousands of people that were here to see us perform.












My personal favorite event-- the Asian Cowgirl Dance!!! Wow is about all I can say about this little number.






Two of my students--dressed like Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee--but not intentionally!!!

This was quite amusing to watch--and a nice confidence booster for our performance....











Me as the MC. I was a little more into the even than my co-workers. I had a great time performing for all the students--the others looked like they were about to piss their pants..!









I know. I know. Read more!

Freshman Performance... with pictures!

Last night was the much anticipated Freshman Welcome Concert! at the Uni--a quite amusing showcase of all that the University has to offer the new freshman class. We were asked to perform in front of the entire freshman class and thousands of other students as the Foreign Teacher Song! It was one for the books and I am happy to report that there is no video taped recording of the howling that took place as all of the foreign teachers decided to perform what is probably the hottest Chinese Pop Song right now-- a lovely little cheesy ballad called "Two Butterfly's" I will see if I can find a link online so that you can listen to it personally, but lets just say that it pretty much tops any cheese ballad from 1986 or later.
(I don't think anything will ever be able to top any rock ballad by the now defunct band Firehouse)
We decided to throw a little twist into the song by performing the song in both pinion Manderin (which I dont know all that well and certaily cannot sing) and translated into English (which the students had never heard before). Although I thought it was just funny and kind of silly--all of my students in all of my classes asked me to sing it to them again in class!!!!
Thank you, but no.

Anyway, here are some pictures from last night--it was good fun.
Thanks to everyone for asking about my health-- I am happy to report that I feel much better--but I still havent passed the stone(s)--so well see what happens in the next couple of weeks....
It was very nice to get calls of concern from the parents and Ms. Heather Holben--it is always so good to hear famillar voices from back home!!!!

Well, as usual, the photos are not fucking loading... So, Ill try to add them in another post... Read more!