On the Road Again...maybe??

     So, as I approach the end of my contract (June 30), I have started looking for my next grand adventure.  I did this trip for the actual experience, but my next grand adventure is for the cash.  A dash for the cash, as it were.  I am looking at Saudi (I KNOW), Kuwait, and just got an offer from South Korea, although the last guy told me I was way too old...who knows!
     I am starting to wind down things in China and have started throwing out and giving away and posting for sale the stuff I do not want to carry with me or ship home.  I did the math, and it will likely be cheaper to mail home 2 large boxes of stuff then pay the excess baggage fees to take them with me.  This means tossing out my suitcases, but it means I will be able to travel about Europe with a single small roller and one large carry-on bag.
     I booked myself from Hong Kong to Berlin, July 12, Berlin to Paris, July 19, Paris to London (via bullet train and the chunnel) July 20, then London to Chicago July 25.  When I get home, I have a few appointments at the VA and then I will like visit dad in Arkansas and Holly in Texas....I realllly hate Texas...I hope she appreciates this!
     Now that things are winding down, I have actually taken the time to stop and enjoy China a bit more then I have.  When a person is in a constant state of "survival mode", it is hard to relax.  I am taking people up on the offers of mini adventures and have started a round of fine dining to beat the band.  The teachers at my school got together for Korean bbq and it was AMAZING!  I was even able to take home the leftover green stuff for Ernie :-)

     For the past two months at school, they have been having one competition after another.  The children all participated in a singing contest and the winners were chosen for each grade.  They also participated in a piano contest.  THE COSTUMES and make-up on the kids are......no words

This is the 4th grade boy who makes my life very difficult every class...unless I speak to him directly and then he pays attention and behaves!

     There have been a few festivals going on about China and these were taken at Window of the World shopping plaza.  Not quite sure what they were about, but the girls looked beautiful.

     As the school year ends, we find ourselves spending more time together.  It seems that more of us are spending time at the "beer table" and talking about what we plan to do next.  It is amazing how the people that wouldn't spend the time to say hello are suddenly waxing nostalgic.  The guy on the far left is the building manager.  He went from hating foreigners to raking in the money from selling us beer.  He loves us and will hate to see us, and our yuan, leave!