Today, I beat my dad in bowling for the first time ever!  I scored a 188 in the first game, beating my dad by 45 pins.  I didn't do great in the second but I still beat him in the series by one pin.

My Summer Vacation

Wow, it has been a long time since I have updated.  I've been back in the states for almost two months now and if I want to post any pictures before I go back to China, I have to do it now because I'm leaving in about a week.

So, this summer.  I've seen a lot of movies, read a lot of books and seen a lot of friends.  In addition to this excitement this is what I have done so far this summer:

I spent about a month in Cleveland, Tennessee where, in addition to studying very hard (human development and Appalachian literature) I took part in some other activities.

First, since we were in Tennessee over July 4.  One of our professor's (Dr. Riggins) had us over for a bar-b-que.

I was involved in a very minor accident on the freeway on the way to Chattanooga.  (I was not the one driving).

Do you see the dent?  Look closer, its small.

Then, I went to a Chattanooga Lookouts (baseball) game with some of my Lee friends.

We ate fajita's at my professor Dr. Estes' house.

We also did some impromptu square-dancing at Dr. Higginbotham's house.

I also went hiking in the Cherokee National forest with some more of my friends from Lee and also my former teammate, Bethany!

These are what pass for mountains in Tennessee.

After Lee, I went to California to visit my sister.  The first day I was there we visited the local Kwik-E-Mart.  This was one of 10 seven-elevens in the country to convert in honor of the opening of The Simpson's Movie.

We enjoyed drinking our Squishees and Buzz Cola!  We also went and saw the movie.

Then it was off to Griffith Observatory.

We also went to Disneyland.  We got to go on the new Finding Nemo Submarine ride.  Yea for the return of the submarines!

When I got back to Oregon, I went to the Shakespeare Festival in Ashland where I saw "Taming of the Shrew" on the Elizabethan stage.

Well, this isn't everything I've done this summer, but it's a good overview.  Now I can feel good about not posting again for another 3 months.

Quote of the Day:  "Reality is a question of realizing how real the world is already." ~ Allen Ginsberg

So, this is the 3rd time I've changed my profile picture in a week.  I think I finally have one that I like now.  I still have no phone, though I do have Skype now.  If you like to Skype, you can look me up or email me for my screen name.

I went to the school today to get our schedules for classes, which start Monday.  You would think that with only two of us, that task would be pretty easy.  Yeah Right!  We had to change things around about 5 times.  The problem was that one of the other teachers in the department left and they wanted us to take one of his writing classes.  I didn't want to dump it on Susanna, so I was trying to make it work in my schedule.  But I've discovered that you just can't teach two content courses (one of which is 60 hours) and two writing courses and still have your teaching hours come out to 16 or less a week.  So, unfortunately I had to give the class to Susanna.  I'm sorry!  I really mean that.

On a totally unrelated topic, I was watching the movie Eragon a little while ago.  About 10 minutes into the movie, I discovered that it bears a striking resemblance to Star Wars: Episode 4 (A New Hope).  Below, I am posting a point-by-point comparison.  Disclaimers:  1) This is by no means an exhaustive list of similarities. 2) The events listed are not necessarily in chronological order.  3) This is in no way a reflection of my opinion of either of these movies.  4)May contain spoilers.  So if you have not seen Eragon, and may in the future, you may not want to read this.  If you haven't seen Star Wars, what planet have you been living on for the last 20 years?

Star Wars: Episode IV                                             

1. Begins with Princess Leia being chased by the evil Lord Vader, henchman of the emperor, because she stole plans that could lead to the end of the Galactic Empire.      
2. The plans fall into the hands of Luke Skywalker, an orphaned farm boy living with his uncle.
3. Luke meets Obi-Wan Kenobi who teaches him to use the power of the force and encourages him to join the Rebel Alliance against the Empire.   
4. After Luke’s foolish rescue of Princess Leia from Darth Vader, Obi-Wan is killed.          
5. Luke meets Han Solo.  Luke doesn’t trust him at first, but later, Han becomes a close friend and ally. 
6. Luke is forced to rely on his new powers in a crucial battle against the Galactic Empire.   

Eragon

1. Begins with Princess Arya being chased by the evil wizard, Durza, henchman of King Galbatorix, because she stole an egg which could lead to the end of Galbatorix's reign.
2. The egg falls into the hands of Eragon, an orphaned farm boy who lives with his uncle.
3. Eragon meets Brom who teaches him to use the power of the dragon and encourages him to join the group fighting aginst King Galbatorix.
4. After Eragon’s foolish rescue of Princess Arya from Durza, Brom is killed.
5. Eragon meets Murtagh.  Eragon doesn’t trust him at first, but later, Murtagh becomes a close friend and ally.
6. Eragon is forced to rely on his new powers in a crucial battle against Galbatorix.

    

I know, I know I have way too much time on my hands.  I'm a total nerd for even noticing this, even more of one for putting it on my blog.

Quotes of the day: "Cowards can never be moral."     "Love is the strongest force the world possesses, and yet it is the humblest imaginable."   ~ Mahatma Gandhi

Since Christmas I have been to the U.S., China, Thailand, India and back to China again.  It's nice to be home and not to have to live out of a suitcase anymore.  It's pretty quiet around Hohhot, most people are still gone for the Chinese New Year festivities and we'll start our classes next week.  Another reason that it's quiet is that my phone isn't working and it probably won't be fixed for a while.  It is really warm here right now, which is a nice change from back in December.  I just hope that it stays this way.

Classes and conference in Thailand went well.  I was only sick for a day this year, so it wasn't too bad.  I enjoyed the speakers at conference and it was a nice change to hang out with other westerners for a while.

India was also a lot of fun.  It was a little colder than we expected, but we got to see some cool stuff and meet many amazing people.  Some highlights include the Taj Mahal and the scenery in Southern India.  It took me about 37 hours of vans, planes, airports and taxis to get home and I was exhausted when I did, but it was a good experience and I'm glad that I went. 

Chad, Laura, Stuart and Vince, I would travel with you guys anytime!

Currently Listening A Classic Rock Christmas By Various Artists see related

I'm goin' home for Christmas!

I will go to the school this morning to turn in my grades, then I'll finish up packing and clean up my apartment.  Then, at 6 o'clock tonight I'll leave for the airport.  I'll be spending the night in Beijing before meeting Hal at the BJ airport on Thursday and flying home!  If all goes as planned I'll be in Portland before I leave BJ.

We had an awesome Christmas party last night.  It was the first time that all the teachers and students in the English Department had gotten together in one place.  There were toasts and performances, of course, all the usual Chinese stuff.  The food was really good, too.

Susanna and I taught the students some Christmas carols as well as sharing the Christmas story with them.  We sang "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen", "Silent Night", and we ended up with "12 Days of Christmas."  It was fun, but I was tired after all that singing, especially since we did the last verse of  "12 Days" at super speed.  I think the students enjoyed it though.

We we left the party there was an accumulation of new snow on the ground.  (Very exciting since we rarely get snow in Hohhot).  It was a perfect Christmas party, we couldn't have asked for any better.

Since my parents' internet connection at home is even slower than mine here ever was, I don't think I'll have the chance to update again before Christmas.  So I want to wish everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS! and a

HAPPY NEW YEAR! 

May the Father bless you during this holiday season.