Another one bites the dust...

And so my second year in China is nearing to a close. We have one more week of classes (and I mean that literally). Monday, July 4, is the last day of school. But you might say - "Wait, that's only 5 more days of school." But do not forget, this is China. In one of their typical last-minute moves, the Chinese education department said, "It is silly to have the last day of school be on a Monday. Why come back for just one day?" Solution - make Saturday and Sunday school days as well! Now we go straight from Monday to Monday for the last days of school. What are we supposed to do with those extra days? Another good question, as all testing for the school year has been completed. It doesn't make sense, but that's the way it is! So I'm trying to come up with some games and activities that might vaguely require some math... Next year, in Suzhou, this problem won't exist. They are in a different province and have a bit more freedom in their scheduling. In fact, they are already out for the school year. Maybe the grass is greener...

Clearing the way for the next school year...
So with school finished on July 4, I've got a couple days to put things in order here in Xi'an before heading back to the states on July 7. I've been giving away and throwing out a bunch of stuff - it is incredible how much you can accumulate in a short period of time.
About half of the foreign staff is leaving at the end of this school year - about the same as last year. At this particular center, if they retain 50% I think they consider it a success. There will be a new Center Principal and Head of Department next year, and they have their work cut out for them!
It has been in the 90's here pretty much every day for the last couple weeks. One or two days in the 100's. Thank god for AC. A transformer blew up a week ago, and we have had several power outages as a result since then. The longest one lasted 4.5 hours. My apartment was an oven. The locals say that the problem still hasn't been fixed. People seem to take it in stride here - there's no one to call or complain about it anyways...
Looking forward to the return trip and seeing family and friends!! I might get one more installment in before I leave but no promises!
Ggg

The Crew

One of our colleagues is leaving today, about a month early, so I requested we all get together for one last photo while we were all together:Here is the photo, and below are their names and countries of origin (as near as I can gather - some are a bit murky):

Front row (seated) L to R : Michael (Australia), Sean (USA - Arizona), me, David (the principal - Scotland), Virginia (Philippines), Catherine (Singapore/USA)
Back row (standing) L to R: Chris (England), Edward (England), Jake (USA - Colorado), George (Kenya), Benjamin (USA - N. Carolina), Peter (England/India), Guy (England/Australia - he's the one leaving early), Constantinos (Cyprus, Greece), Deka (USA/India), Lukas (Poland)

And there is the Gaoxin No.1 High School  in Xi'an, China foreign staff for the school year 2015-2016!!

The school year is winding down - our last day is July 4 (same as last year - I'll be wearing my patriotic t-shirt!). We are starting a 3-day holiday today for the Dragon Boat Festival (we have Thursday, Friday and Saturday off but we have to go back and teach on Sunday - go figure!).
I hope to travel to the Shaolin Temple on Saturday with Sky. You have to take a speed train to do it in one day. We'll leave at 6 am and probably get back around 10 pm. Hopefully the crowds aren't too bad! I will supply details later...
May your boat travel fast to save the drowning poet...
Ggg