This week rocked me. I feel like I'm in one of those movies where there is some tragic accident where everyone dies except for the lead character. He wakes from unconsciousness, looks around him, notices his bruises and cuts, and can't really remember what happened. That was how this week left me. Last night I was dreaming I was trying to jump on a trampoline after taking horse tranquilizers. That is the perfect visualization for the exhaustion I've been experiencing. Can you imagine?
Despite the overwhelm, I had an amazing lesson this week. My students really came up with some brilliant, creative and hilarious things to discuss. This week in class I asked: Is love more important than money? Some memorable quotes:

"My parents give me all the love I need, but I have no money. So to me, money is more important."
"Yes. I believe love is priceless."
"I think if I have love, money is more important, if I have money, love is more important."
"Yes. I think love is like water to a flower. Without it we can not grow. If we do not grow, life is boring."

And my favorite moment was when I asked: Are boys better than girls? Every girl said NO! Every boy said YES! Until I asked a very shy boy in the front, who has never spoken in my class. He stood and proudly said:

"No. I think boys and girls are equal. Lewis thinks boys are more important. To him I would like to say something, ok? (turns to Lewis and points) YOU. ARE. FULL. OF. S---!! Boys are not better than girls, girls are not better than boys. And we need each other."

Now I normally don't encouraging swearing in class, but man was I proud in that moment. I leaned in and told him that someday he will make a girl very happy. He groaned, blushed and covered his head on his desk, totally embarrassed. I love my students.

Well now that the week is finally over, I'm off to Hengshan, a famous mountain in South Hunan for a WorldTeach get together. All 50 of us are meeting for a conference and partying. I can't wait. Rumor has it there will be snow!

Oh one last thing. I was speaking with my work colleague who said to me, "Maria? I think maybe you are not sleeping? You have the eyes of a panda!" I explained to her I haven't been able to sleep because I stay awake thinking thinking thinking and that I'm worried about what to do once my teaching contract is over. She perked up, smiled and said, "You know...It is said, All roads lead to Rome! No need to worry!"

This place is so cute.

A small sampling of photos from Cambodia are now up on my flickr page. Click here to see them!

Im not usually one for guns, but I figured it might be my only chance to shoot an AK47 so why not? There's not much to the video...I bought 10 bullets, Tara found me and recorded this video before I shot the last one. Enjoy. :)

On my adventures through SE Asia and China last month I completed 5 things on my 2009 list:

#19. Watch the sunrise (at Angkor Wat).

#12. Light a wish lantern (they float into the sky like hot air balloons).

#23. Learn how to make Chinese dumplings.

#22. Learn to surf.

And #20 ride a motorbike taxi.
I took one from the airport in Cambodia, luggage and everything! I did not take a photo (it was dangerous enough as it is!), but I enjoyed it so much I just may be doing it again. I'll keep you updated as I continue to complete my list!

I got back to Changsha on Wednesday, put my bags down, took a shower, and then went to teach my first class. I was on the road for 42 days total and could have kept going. I love exploring and experiencing new places, discovering new worlds. There are so many stories to tell: train rides, underground tunnels, shooting ranges, little girls on scooters, dogs dyed yellow, a deck to watch the sunset, moldy hotels, massages by blind men, two sunsets and a sunrise at the most beautiful temple ruins in the world (Angkor Wat), new friends that feel like old ones, slow boat rides down the mekong river, meeting my mom in Hong Kong, meeting Mike in Beijing, hiking the Great Wall, surfing in Hainan, a stolen bag with our passports in it, the overwhelming generosity of strangers...
I'm hoping to have the thousands of photos whittled down and uploaded by the time the weekend is over. They'll help tell the stories. Have a Happy Valentines Day!