Thursday

Guess what? Ronald actually did show up to go running today- awkward! It was okay though, because on the bike ride over he went Nancy's pace, and then on the run, he wasn't the fastest thing ever, but we went faster on the way out then we usually do, and then I ran back faster then them. Since they had each other to talk to, I didn't feel bad. So, at least I got a better workout because he came :o)

My first lesson of the day was about stretching, and so it felt good to get some stretching in, seeing as I never do that sort of thing. And in the afternoon we rehearsed the plays they will be doing for graduation. They did do better then Monday, but I counted it out with them, and we only have 4 days of class to practice. Yikes! Let's hope this works. Or, if I'm really worried about it, I will just save the other lessons I've already planned and use up other class times, not just the middle class. Yeah, that could work. We'll see.

We went to Tzu Chi today to volunteer. No, I don't think I'm ever going to actually get a picture of us in those outfits. I don't ever feel the necessity of it because I don't really want proof of the outfits we wear :o) While we were waiting for Director Tsai to pick us up, one of the parents was at the school talking to Yuling, she turned and laughed at us. Sad day. When we got there we watched a news clip about the food crisis that seems to be having a domino effect on many different countries, and then Director Tsai asked us to help the students with the vocabulary of the news report. Ooops. I was watching it, and I thought it was good information and it was pretty interesting, but I thought we were just watching it, I didn't know we were supposed to be taking notes or something. It worked out though, like always- it's not like this is the first time she's put us on the spot.

I'm sad that Nancy and I are going to miss it because we'll be in Green Island, but this Sunday is the Dragon Boat Festival. I heard a little bit about the background of the celebration today because we were eating rice dumplings at lunch. There was a man who wanted to save the country (of Taiwan?) but the king (?) wouldn't let him (or something) and so the man jumped into a river. The people were worried that the man's body would be eaten by the fish (so I wonder if the jump killed him) and so they all took boats out into the river and threw rice dumplings into the water so that the fish would eat the dumplings and not the body. Yeah, sorry, I told you I only heard a little of the story :o) So on Sunday there will be races where guys get into long, elaborate boats and race. I am so excited about Green Island, but I think that this is the only Taiwanese holiday that happens while I'm here, and I won't participate in it. Shucks.

But, part of that story was to lead into what I had for lunch today. It wasn't the greatest I've ever had (although I am way appreciative that they feed us when we go to volunteer, don't get me wrong), but I found out that last time and this time, the soft purple thing I are was eggplant. Huh, go figure, I've had eggplant. But, the rice dumpling that came with lunch was super good. But I guess they only make them around the time of the festival? Or Tzu Chi only eats the around festival time? I hope it's the second one, because I want to find those again, they were scrumptious!

My afternoon lesson was fun because I brought in a picnic basket with food in it so I could teach them what a picnic was and what you need. I was also proud of my craft. Although, that took way too long and the kids were way too wild so my throat got a little sore towards the end, but hey, it happens.

After class I had tutoring and then went with Nancy to pick up some food really quick. We brought it back and ate while she waited for her tutorie to come. And that's been the bulk of my day.