Li Zixiong

That's me.

Part of this whole experience is that we are each given Chinese names to help get by because they are easier for people to pronounce. Li is a family name (one of the most popular, it translates to Lee in the U.S.) and Zixiong means "hero." It is a good name and a lot to live up to as well. I'm not quite sure how they choose the names. Michelle's name is Li Yu Tong, Lee again and then the last two words mean rain and tree.

So today was a big one for us. The way training works is that all 61 of us are together for orientation week. Then, they split us up into groups and we are assigned a university within Chengdu for our studies. Whichever university you go to narrows down the province where you will serve. Today was our university assignment day. We will move in with a host family and stay with them for the next nine weeks beginning tomorrow. Imagine moving in with a family where you don't really speak their language and they don't speak much of yours. It will be interesting, but I have heard nothing but good things about the experience. Our family has a mother, father and eight-year-old son.

At any rate, we were assigned to the main campus of Sichuan Normal University. I don't know if there is a Sichuan Abnormal University, but I know a few people back home who could get a full ride scholarship there! This means that we will either serve in the Sichuan or Gansu provinces.

On another note, we are getting by quite nicely in Chengdu. We go out and eat by ourselves and went on a long walk to the city center, where we heard there was a park. It was all torn up and under construction so we had to turn around and walk right back. We grabbed a cab and made it back home in time for a 4th of July barbecue. The volunteers who will be going home in August set it up and we had as many skewers of meats and vegetables as we could eat. They just kept pouring the food on. It was amazing.

We are taking language classes during the day as well. This will continue throughout the next 9 weeks.

Oh yeah. If you have rabies, you can chew on my arm as much as you want. I have been innoculated. We were issued the first three of the 16 shots we will be receiving. Rabies, Japanese Encephalitis, and Hepatitis A & B are first.

Here are the pics that I have uploaded in order:

First is a photo of B.J. and Chandra. They are another married couple serving with us. We are eating at a Muslim food place.

Second is a photo of me enjoying a midday snack of chilled yogurt. Quite delicious!

Third is a mural in front of an elementary school. It stood out on the street because of the 3-d quality and the size.

Fourth is a bicyclist with one of the sun visors that many of the people wear here. This is very common on days with even a little sun peeking through. They remind me of a welder's mask.

Fifth is some fellow volunteers getting ready to cross a street. It shows well what we are up against. You can see other people waiting to get across the street too.

Sixth, they sell fun in China! That is Rob's head. He's a volunteer. He has a body too.

Seventh and last is the brush salesman. The only things on his bike were brushes and mops. Yes, that is a car on the sidewalk beside him too.

Finally, I filmed a short clip while we were getting lunch today. It took FOREVER to upload so you won't see many of these. There also won't be many pictures for awhile while we are with our host family. I'll still post and check the site though.

Take care!