We hit the ground running, after a weekend of touring and shopping. Monday night we had a talent show put on by the students and Americans. It was a lot of fun watching the students perform. We enjoyed acts that included singing, Tibetan dancing, skits and a crazy magic show put on by Josh and Jordan.

Tuesday we enjoyed an old fashion Hoe Down. Cindy had the students create a friendship quilt. They drew the most amazing pictures. Wish we could post a picture of it. I hope to post the pictures when we return. We taught the Red River Valley Square Dance and Sally Down the Alley. The students were shy at first but soon found it quite enjoyable. We drew a crowd of people that found a lot of joy watching us dancing with the students.

This afternoon, we had our birthday party. Our theme was monkeys. We began the party with the game pin the banana on the monkey. There was also a balloon stomp and Q-tip wars. Buddy was the target for Q-tip wars. He wore a white t-shirt. The students were given a McDonald's straw and a Q-tip with dye on the end. They blew the Q-tip at Buddy hoping to score by making a colored dot on his shirt. Buddy had a few stray marks on his neck and shorts. Sorry Carol, Buddy was wearing his white shorts. We finished our party by singing and enjoying cake.

Despite the hectic schedule there is still a little time for some antics. Some of the Americans find great pleasure in water balloon bombing those walking to and from class. We must watch out when going through the gate. You could easily get hit by water balloons from the 2nd and 3rd floor.

Tomorrow is the last day of classes. We will have a banquet tomorrow night with the school officials. This time we are prepared to sing at the restaurant. Friday morning we will be having the closing ceremony. We will clean up the rooms, do some last minute shopping and say some sad goodbyes to our students.

We fly to Shanghai at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday. I am not sure there will be time to write before Shanghai.

Please continue to remember us as we wrap things up here and return for some R&R in Shanghai.