Spring is on its way!

A while ago, L. Tom Perry came and spoke at devotional, so nearly the entire BYU-I Center filled. Also, this past Sunday Elder Cook came and gave a CES fireside, so we went and saw him. That's two apostles in one semester!

This was actually taken a month or so again. I just thought it was the cutest little snowman ever!

Last week we had a big snowstorm. The snowflakes were really big and fluffy and the wind was crazy. We got a lot of snow piled up that day.

Walking home today I saw this written in a patch of snow and it made me happy :)

It was a really nice and sunny day today, which was a very welcome break from the windy coldness of yesterday. There is hope for Spring!

My Weekend at Home

Being in China for a semester was a little easier because me and Chris's relationship has just started, so we didn't really know much different. But after spending the two weeks at home for Winter vacation, being away again was really hard.

I was losing concentration and having a hard time motivating myself to work on school because I was just so homesick. So mom and dad were kind enough to get me a plane ticket to come home for a three-day weekend. Chris and I didn't really do anything extravagant, we just hung out like we had over winter break. But even still, it was one of the best weekends of my life. I love spending time with him, even if we aren't doing anything.

On Sunday he agreed to go to church with me. Afterwards, we hung out at my house and watched TV for a while before we worked together on peeling and cutting potatoes. While washing the knife afterwards, I cut my thumb pretty deeply. That was kind of an adventure :)

So we all ate dinner together, and mom and dad got to officially meet him.

Ryan called and wanted to Skype, so Chris got to participate in that and meet Ryan as well.

After we left the house to go meet a friend, Chris commented that our family is absolutely adorable. I'd have to agree :)

Sadly I forgot to take any pictures. But mom brought out the camera on Sunday and got one of us together.

And now I've been back in Idaho for a week and I'm already facing the homesickness again. My heart has been left in Washington. I just need to find some way to motivate myself to work hard and get through the rest of the semester.

First Week of My Last Semester

I've been in school for a week or two or something now. I've lost track, but I don't think it's been very long.
I've been very very very busy this semester so far. Lots and lots of reading, lots and lots of homework, lots and lots of classes. But it's all interesting, so it's worth it :)

I really like all of my roommates. I think that this might be the first semester without any drama!
Still though, it's really hard to be away from home. It's probably a really good thing that I'm so busy, because it doesn't leave me as much time to think about and miss Chris.
So busy I will stay!

Also, it was 4 degrees today. So so so cold :x

Christmas Break

This has been the best Winter Break ever. I've seen Chris every single day since I've been home, and I've gotten to see a handful of other friends as well.
Life is good. :)

我一定想念我的班

Love My Class

Last Saturday we went out for a class dinner. Our hanyu and kouyu teachers came with us as well! We invited our tingli teacher as well, but for some reason she didn't come.

First Snow

We got our first snow in Beijing today. A lot of people in class were really excited about it, but I was just glad it waited this long before coming down. Rexburg has turned me into a snow anti-fan.

Louise and Sonia and I went to McDonalds and then to a shopping market. Oh man, the market was so crowded. After about an hour there, I was really ready to go. Crowds make me uncomfortable when people are always bumping into you and you're getting shoved all over the place.

I'm getting extremely excited to come home. I love China, but I'm just ready to be home now. Sixteen days!