My bags are packed, my classes are finished, my apartment is clean. Okay, my apartment isn't clean. But things are wrapping up here in China. I have officially been here for 334 days. I leave for home in 30 days. Surreal, to say the least.

On Wednesday I begin my final adventure wherein I will:

Visit the city furthest from any ocean in the world (Urumqi, china)
Ride a camel through a sand shifting desert (takla makan desert)
Sleep in a yurt
See Kashgar before it is leveled by the Chinese government
Take the highest train in the world (Qinghai to Lhasa. Highest point: 15,685 ft)
See the Potala Palace in all its glory
Sleep in a Buddhist monastery at the base of Mt. Everest
(maybe) Jump off the 2nd highest bungee in the world (if I have the guts)
Go canyoning on the Nepal border
Explore Kathmandu
And hopefully ride an elephant

Then back to Changsha where I hop on a plane back home! I'll be back in Utah on August 1st. We should have a party!


Also,

Dana's fundraiser was a total success! So many people came to support her and, thanks to you, she sold THREE TIMES the amount she sold last year. Needless to say she's so happy. Thank you for giving whatever you could. It really does make a difference. :)

See you soon!

I've got so much news to share with you, my readers! So many big things have been happening around here. I'll keep sharing as time goes by. But first! My favorite piece of news:

My Chinese teacher and good friend, Dana, is having her first solo show tomorrow night. There aren't words to describe how incredible Dana is and what a gift it has been to have her in my life. She's a photographer and every year she puts together an exhibition fundraiser to support a minority village in the Yunnan province. Each year she goes to visit the village and sponsors the children of the village to go to school. To put things in perspective: these families make 500 RMB a year. That's $74 dollars. It only costs $15 to send a child to school for an entire year, but these families can not afford it. So the children go uneducated, and often have to go to the city to work to support the family. (This is where child labor comes in.) Dana also gives 200 RMB ($28) to each family so they can afford food, and other basic needs throughout the year. This is Dana's third year donating her time, talents, energy, and money to making a difference for these villagers. The photos above are of her and some of the children and villagers.

She's selling her photographs this weekend for $50 a print. Essentially, buying that will pay for 2 children to go to school and put food on a family's table for an entire year. Plus, they are absolutely beautiful photographs! I know times are tough everywhere, but if you have the means, and would like to purchase a print to support the village you have your choice of these:

Third Eye Photography Exhibition Photos

If you'd like to see more of Dana's photos and pictures of the villagers she supports, check out her flickr page:

Danahh Flickr

Email me (mariaydavis(at)gmail.com), or comment on this post and I'll send you information on how to donate money.

Thank you! I'll let you know how it goes this weekend!

I wrote, directed, and am starring in my school's rendition of Sleeping Beauty. These are two fairies Selena and Angela perfecting the final act: a waltz.

I've had a cold lately so I decided to heal my symptoms the Chinese way: acupuncture! I wasn't expecting to have needles in my FACE but it cleared up my stuffy nose instantly.


They extended our lunch by a half hour, so now we have 2.5 hours to sit and hang out together, trying to find any relief from the sun. I've been having lots of moments like this lately. I'm really going to miss my students.

Happy Mothers Day to my moms: Viona, Theresa, and Kara. I am who I am because of you. Thanks for being you and for loving me.
I love you!

Hello out there! Life has been very full lately but I couldnt go another day without sharing some photos of my trip to China's Yunnan province last week. I visited Shilin rock forest outside of Kunming, Tiger Leaping Gorge, and Shangrila. It was my favorite place in China thus far. Enjoy the photos!

*update* I can't seem to get the photos any bigger than this, so if you'd like to see the album click here!

You know what they say...no paint, no gains.

Student: I think we should do a play about the famous piano player. Shopping.
Me: He played the piano shopping? Like, at the mall? I have no idea what that means. Is he Chinese?
Student: NO! He is an old man. You can see a movie about him. He played the piano. Shopping!
Me: ...
Student: ...
Me: Chopin?
Student: YES! Shopping!

I discovered this pagoda at Martyr's Park near my home. For 5 RMB ($0.75 USD) a woman will bring you loose leaf tea and an endless supply of hot water. I sat for hours people watching and drinking tea. This place is awesome.