Winter vacation is about to begin.  Having two New Year’s celebrations is great – if I forgot something on the first one, I can remember to write it down for this one – speaking of plans for the upcoming year!! 

School is half over for this year now.  The last three days of school were the semester finals.  And much like some of the students back home, there were some who studied.  Being in a different school system has shown me many things – and one of them is that people are pretty much the same the world over!  Imagine that!  

I had mentioned that a large percentage of my students are aboriginal.  A few weekends ago, I spent some time with one of the students and his family, who has a store that sells aboriginal art.  Here is a picture of my student and me wearing some vests his mom made.   

002

 Did you enjoy doing puzzles when you were younger?  It was a favorite Sunday afternoon pasttime for our family.  Well, I have been enjoying doing puzzles here – and have had help from a teacher and student as well.  I got to see some things I haven’t seen yet except as a picture.  Do you know where these are?  Have you been there? 

002   002

My Chinese class in Yilan has finished.  When I get back after winter vacation, I will begin taking Chinese lessons with my pastor here in NanAo.  At this point, I feel that my vocabulary is expanding, and I am starting to put sentences together!  The English Bible study is still going on – we will take a break during the vacation.  Here are a couple pictures from some times together. 

 003 002     

Just a quick update before I head off for vacation.  I think the Chinese New Year is very comparable with our Christmas season – families get together, and have special traditions they do every year.  I will tell you what all I learn, and share what I get to see and do. 

 Happy New Year - Simplified Chinese : 新年快乐 ;Traditional Chinese : 新年快樂 ; Pinyin : Xīnnián kuàilè