Some things change and others don't.

Here is a recent family picture. Usually one of us takes the picture so we don't all get to be in it.

This is Sarah. She was the one who took the family picture for us. She was also very thoughtful when she heard it was my birthday. She will be leaving Ivy this week, but will stay in Jiamusi to study Chinese at the local university and live with her boyfriend.

Deb and Suzanne got me a lot of different Chinese games we can play. I just need to learn how to play them now.

This is the T-1 class at Ivy. They are the most advanced class at Ivy. I have them every saturday and sunday from 7:15 to 8:15 in the evening. They are all high school students. From left to right is Eva, Ruth, Joy, Michelle, Meg, Sorrow, Lily, Bill, Suzanne (she came to visit), Yan (she is the teaching assistant), Teddy, and Ariel.

It is amazing how much things both change and stay the same in a years time. Last year, Ivy throw a big birthday for me and all the staff gave me gifts. This year, nothing. Last year, they were all warm in welcoming me to the Ivy family. This year, nothing. Last year, it seemed as though I was going to be pretty good friends with George. This year, my family and I have received a very cool shoulder from not only the Maxey's, but also anybody they are friends with, including the Alexander family and even the new teacher from England. I am not sure how all this started, nor do I care. I am very happy not being friends with people who feel that I am not good enough to be in their little circle. I will welcome anyone to be my friend, if they will also welcome me. Last year was a nice birthday, but this year was more honest. Thank you Sarah, Deb, Suzanne, and Destiny. Destiny told me "Happy klajfpiqurhg."

Mid May update.

She really likes spaghetti.

Here comes the spaghetti monster.

Dirty face and still cute.

Mom's shoes fit.

A cool rainy day on the couch.

Trying to stay warm while doing school work on the computer.

A balloon mom and dad brought home for DJ.

They really do love each other.

A new kite I can try this summer.

The girl on the left is Roxanne and is the newest teacher at Ivy. She is from Scotland and dual citizen of South Africa. The girl on the right is Sarah and will soon be ending her contract with Ivy. Sarah will stay in China and go to school at the local university and has plans to marry her Chinese boyfriend and settle down in China.

Roxanne will be taking some of my classes at #5 middle school and I will be taking on some new classes at #2 high school while also getting two days a week off except for one Ivy class in the evenings. This will be the first time since I started with Ivy that I have not had to work seven days every week.

This is Sarah's future husband. He drives a taxi. He doesn't speak very much English so it is a good thing Sarah is very good with Chinese.

Sarah invited us to dinner with some of her boyfriends friends to help them celebrate his Chinese birthday.

He liked her but she didn't know what to think of him.

This is the boss of Sarah's boyfriend.

The future happy couple.

Groundhog Day and New Years Eve.

We were invited to share in Chinese New Years Eve dinner by my boss Mrs. Mei Han. She also invited a good friend of hers and family and Sarah. We had a very good dinner. It was a real honor and a pleasure to share this with them.