Got some pics from New Years Day. It was really hot and sunny that day as you can see from the fact that I'm squinting in EVERY picture! The weather has taken a turn for the cool (11 degrees) and my hands felt like ice all day.

Had my last classes at one school today, and instated a new lateness policy which I think may just get results - 5 push-ups for every minute late. It works in my 2 hour, smaller classes where i can afford the short diversion, (I don't think I'd use it in my 50 minute classes, which end up being 45-40 minutes once everyone shows...another 5 minutes for punishment just isn't worth it).

They did some fun role plays today on the topic of holidays and inviting someone to spend a holiday with you. The highlights were a group talking about ghost festival where one of the people ended up being a ghost (the other boy screamed and ran out the door at the reveal), and one 10th grade boy turning down an invitation because he had a date with Charlotte. Should I be worried? LOL

My surgery is on Thursday, and my Chinese teacher is going to come by the hospital in the morning, in case I need any English speaker support. Everyone else seems to think it isn't a big deal going into surgery where you potentially can't understand something the doctor or anesthesiologist tells you beforehand, but it's a big deal to ME. I'm the one being cut open. So while really thankful for my friend Alice accompanying me and all her help lately, I was really stressing about not having someone with strong English there. I didn't want to ask my Chinese teacher b/c she has 4 kids and homeschools, so I didn't think it would be very convenient for her. But she said it is, the older girls have to go to the school for exams that morning. So big sigh of relief (i almost cried when she said she could come). Please pray for me this week!