It just seems like it's been a while since I last posted an entry

Things are starting to heat up again here...

We have decided to try and implement a system of working on either language training or job search for the coming school year, or some combination of both. Jay is starting this week trying to put twenty hours a week into improving our current situation, whether we stay in Hangzhou or move to another city. Vikki will try to put ten hours a week mostly into language study, but will also probably help some with looking for an improved situation. This year we had planned to do ten hours of self-study a week on Chinese, and are just now trying to put that much time to use towards our purpose to be here - which at the moment is to learn the language.

Jay starts classes again next week. Currently he has twelve hours of teaching scheduled, though there's a rumor that four of those hours might dissipate. He'll have Mondays and Fridays off this semester which will help greatly if we decide to take any other side trips for the purpose of visiting schools.

Vikki's mother leaves early March. She has spoiled us so much since she has been here. She does all our laundry, has cooked several American dishes - tacos, hamburgers, spaghetti (yum!), and is a great help with taking care of the children. It will be hard for us to see her leave. Audriana will also miss her very much I'm afraid as her Grammy spends all her nights with her in her room.


(tacos with Grammy)
We've been scrubbing mold the last two days. We 'insulated' our windows in the house with plastic lining, thereby creating a bit of a greenhouse effect resulting in a lot more condensation. Quite a nice habitat for our moldy friends. We left for Shanghai without taking care of the problem and were gone for four days...that was a mistake! There is only one more balcony to do and it may be the least affected.

I'll have to try to think of some better things to say next time!