"No more Che, I'm on Sexican time!"

The above is only one of the gazillion startling slogans which appear on our students' apparel from time to time. A few other choice ones reference a "chunkily penis," the wearer's status as a virgin (or not), the "MOB (it ain't nothing to fuck with)", and so many others that make you stop and stare. I call them startling most especially because the clothing is invariably worn by our sweetest and most shy students. Keeps class fun. The English department gave me a tracksuit with rhinestones on it so that I could match the rest of the department on Sports Day. It doesn't have anything inappropriate written on it, but it is bedazzled. That's fun too :)

Last weekend the China 12s all went down to Chengdu for our COS conference (COS = close of service). We received lots of good info about paperwork, final obligations, $, saying our goodbyes, etc., and ate ridiculous amounts of great western food. It was a really low-key weekend, and fun, though bitter-sweet with many goodbyes at the end. Sweating through a long train-ride home was made much easier by a big hunk of lusciously rich chocolate birthday cake -- thanks, Ben!

My sister finishes her first year of college on Tuesday and has not only excelled but generally kicked butt all around. So proud of you, kiddo.

A few holiday days of laying low in Lanzhou have been lovely, but it's time for grading and I have to get to work. Miss you guys at home. Still savoring the little things at home here in China too.