em and ell in china

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Vietnam

During Chinese New Year, the whole company got a vacation and we went to Vietnam! We went with a friend who speaks Vietnamese and grew up there. We had an amazing time in Saigon and at the beach. Here are some photos in no particular order...

At our favorite breakfast place that was like a jungle!

Date night

On a 3 hr bus ride sitting on the floor

At Ho Coc beach!

My very Vietnamese picture

the Reunification Palace

At a New Year flower show

We rode (not drove) on motos all week!

cute family friend baby

we went to see our friend's childhood home

Notre Dame cathedral--sister of the one in Paris

delicious Vietnamese food--and the ICED COFFEE!!!!

dragon dance at the Chinese New Year festival!

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

A Very Chinese Chistmas

We have actually found quite a bit of decor for our apartment. Plus, my mom sent us a fantastic package full of decorations and fun Christmas things! Here's what our place looks like this Christmas!

Santa

Our first ornament!

It says "Emily & Elliott 2008"

Our tiny tree

Advent calendars from Aunt Susie!

Our cards we made for eachother with kits from Mom :)

Poinsetta and stockings to be stuffed!

the set-up

A funny little dog we saw!

XinXin Migrant School

Many of the Real Life teachers volunteer teaching English at the XinXin Migrant School. It is an illegal elementary school for undocumented workers' children. A lot of it reminds us of Kenya but it's right here in Beijing. The kids are so cute and well-behaved. I teach Classes 3 and 4 and Elliott teaches 5 and 6. Our school is running a Christmas drive to have a shoebox project for this school.

Decorating the School for Christmas!

These are some photos of my Junior Academy. The kids and I have been doing a lot of decorating. Photos to come of our upcoming Christ-less Christmas concert!