Today was a bit uneventful. I started the morning by being able to sleep in a bit because Mr. Feng had a morning meeting. I was able to have a bit more time to work out in my hotel room and then to wash a few of my clothes to make it through the rest of the trip. It was amazing to see how much dust had collected on my clothes from just wearing them here amongst this awful pollution. It is disgusting, but my boogers look like I have been sitting around a campfire. It is pretty nasty and I think you just become accustomed to it. It will be interesting to see how Beijing is and then to be able to tell the difference once we get back to the states.

He then picked me up and had a reporter with him from China Business Weekly. She was the first female reporter to interview the president of China a few years ago. Interesting. We talked for a bit and then went to lunch together. She didn't speak English, so mostly I just sat there and ate and listened to the two of them talk in Chinese. I feel like we have eaten so much since I have been here and by the time the next meal rolls around I still feel full. So many noodles, dumplings, buns, rice….it is pretty heavy. Tomorrow she is sending out a photographer and another reporter to the school to finish the interview, should be exciting. I will be interested to know when it comes out.

Then we went to visit a few different schools. We went to a K-9 school. It is always fun to be in a school with the small kids. They are adorable and so full of energy. I couldn't imagine teaching a class with 60 2nd graders though. Wow. The school was very nice and I had the opportunity to talk to a small group of teachers for awhile. It is amazing how every teacher that I have had the chance to talk to has talked about the importance of the principal in helping the school climate to be good has been the most important thing. They think of themselves as a big family and are all working together for the best outcomes…however, they are also in competition with one another. Every class is ranked, so they are competing with each other for that. It is an interesting system—we need more competition perhaps to help us to improve, but their system takes it to the extreme.

We then went to another primary school and they were outside doing exercises to get ready for a drill competition tomorrow. They had these routines where they had to stay in unison and march and then do different moves. It was fascinating to see these young kids do it and to focus so hard. There were probably 500 kids in the courtyard and it didn't seem like a single one of them was goofing around or off task. The principal was incredibly nice and friendly and I had a great conversation with her.

Finally we went to Mr. Feng's wife school and I was able to see her office, meet a few of her co-workers and talk with some of her students in English. It was fun to see her in her work environment.

Then we had dinner with just Mr. Feng and his mom. Porridge, eggs, and bread. It was actually very delicious. He then brought me home so that I had some time to get everything packed, but it was fairly early, so I went for a walk. I really have enjoyed getting to know this neighborhood and have bough a coke from the same lady for the last few nights. She is very kind. I love just walking the streets and being a part of the chaos of such a large city. Xi'an has been wonderful and I will be sad to leave it behind tomorrow.