Ray's World: January 2007

Exactly 10 days into 2007 already and I finally get to make my first entry of the year. Started the year with sickness but I recovered very fast. So to me it's actually a good sign. Then I just started my teacher training but I already miss my students that I can't wait to go back to the classroom to be a better teacher. Last but not least I have to say Emilee, you rock! I finally got your YA DVDs which were almost 2 years in the making (or to be more exact, copying & burning, I REALLY REALLY appreciate it though) and I watched them all in one seating! They really made my day and brought back all those memories which all just seem like yesterday. Here are some of my favorites of the tour DVDs:

I laughed so hard!!! Emilee I do think you did hang out with that Jeromy guy too much. What's up with his "off-color" comments? Haha... :)
I ALWAYS look stupid on the video... :)
It's so funny Emilee always makes comments WITH her own face on camera.
I love the chapter titles: "To what city is this" (YAs, repeat after me, Quanzhou...), "Boo How Xiamen" (whenever you say that word in the video, I'm rolling on the floor), "Howdy Doo Hangzhou", and "Screw You Shanghai"?!
In the only real interview of Benji he asked why he's like a poodle... I think he's real mad...
You can see the YAs (including myself) were lipsyncing during the firesides...
The clip of the rickshaw ride was actually like the show "America (or China) Most Wanted"... not the riders but the rickshaw driver/runner.
Emilee, you captured parts of the tour that I missed: your bus ride upon arriving Hong Kong (I was on my way home!), you guys ended up teaching English at Nankai University (I was with the coolest group of local students), the train ride (I NEVER left my bed as you all said the "bathroom" was... ), etc.
Oh, the new meaning of "aim to please"!!! :)

Well it's all bittersweet experience becoming pure joy as I watched them. Those good ol' days. Here it is some more pics as reminders...

Of course there's the dragon song...

First meal in China (with Amy, Libby M., Katie, Jamie, Lee, Forrest, Emilee, and Jason)

Chillin' in Quanzhou (with Erin, Lars, and Chloe)

At the blind & deaf school. Using my very limited Chinese sign language, this kid taught me some more. I was very touched that day by what I saw there. Loved the kids.

The YA girls know how to strike the Chinese picture pose (with Heather, Taylor, Libby F., & Kami)

In Shanghai with Heather, Annalece, Taylor, Chad, Heidi, Stephen, Kevin, and Seidi)

Emilee, the latest spokeperson for NuSkin China... (Emilee, don't hate me for putting this one up but I think it is funny considering the situation at the time)