Guangzhou Take 2

So this week has passed and I feel like I'm bracing myself for a storm. Things at work have gotten insanely busy. Our classes are moving up and getting ready for a new school year. My baby class will be moving to an upstairs classroom this week which means I'll be decorating and helping them adjust to a new routine. I also happen to be moving apartments this week. Since some other teacher's contracts came up I'll be moving in with another girl. 

It's a bit bittersweet. On the one hand, I really love living alone, I love my balcony, and I'm gonna miss my little one room home. On the other hand, I'll be getting a better place, with a kitchen, living room, better bed, and I do really like my new roommate Laura. 

Speaking of Laura, here is a look back at our first little weekend trip together. Laura was the first teacher I observed. We both teach baby classes and our desks are right next to each other at work. I'm lucky she's so nice and fun to be around. Laura is about the same age as my little sister Emma, so I think of her like another little sister in some ways:)

This is me, Laura, and Dani: A cute recent high school graduate we met on the subway on our way to Guangzhou. She speaks great English and wants to be a teacher herself. She ended up spending the day with us around Guangzhou. 

We visited the Chen Clan Academy. A historical ancestral home turned museum. It was really beautiful and full of amazing Chinese artwork.

Dani was awesome to have around because she could tell us a lot of things we couldn't read and was nice enough to take pics of us (like the one of me above)

These carvings were magical and incredibly detailed. 

Me and Laura

This was the well at the ancestral home

Dani helped us order some lunch and we had some lovely noodles. 

We also visited some famous temples in Guangzhou. Dani told us about how to worship and what most Chinese believe in terms of religion. 

It was a pretty amazing day and we were so lucky to make a new friend! We hung out with Dani again a few weeks ago to celebrate her acceptance at a university up North:) She's an awesome girl and I hope we can stay friends for a long time.