Photo Shoot...

So, I don't think I've mentioned some of the hilarious things that Chinese people wear, but I'm going to recap even if I have. First of all...a lot of Chinese people, usually women and children, wear these things on their forearms. They are usually nylon and have elastic on both ends and go from wrist to elbow. Upon further investigation, we found that they are used to keep the arms of your jackets clean, because you have to wear jackets everywhere, even inside, so they have many chances to get dirty. Also, working people and children wear these smock type apron things that tie in the back and usually have sweet patterns including cartoons or animals on them. Anyhow, they are somewhat ridiculous looking, but make for awesome Christmas presents...as well as some of the things that in America would look normal, but in China have fake designer things on them, or so many bows, ruffles, animals, rhinestones, etc. that you can't even imagine wearing them in public. Here are some examples...
While these aren't traditional gifts that Chinese people would give, some of the presents I received for Christmas weren't exactly what I would put on my list in America. I got a snow globe with teddy bears in it, a metal guitar player sculpture thing, a framed cross stitch of puppies, and a sketch of some flowers with real (dead) butterflies on it in a frame as well. Oh! And a heart shaped mirror with lace glued around the edge and a white furry scarf with stuffed hearts dangling from each end. There is more, but I need to just take a group picture before I go. One student did actually get me a really nice pink, wool scarf. So that was good. I'm going to try and bring some of the gifts back, but I'm not sure they will all travel well, and some of them are quite heavy!
Anyways, we're heading down to Nanjing for New Years, and we're meeting our friend Christine there, which should amount to a pretty fun girls weekend. It will be the last time we travel before the end of the term, seeing as though we only have two and a half weeks of teaching left after we get back. I can't believe it's going to be that close to the end!!!
I'm sure we'll have plenty to get settled before we leave, so that should help pass the time...