Spring is here.

Spring has arrived in Guangzhou, China and along with it flowers, fruit and fog. SCUT is popping with activity, 100,000 students have officially arrived back to school.  They have had a long break and seem anxious to get started.  It has been fun to watch the students return and breathe life onto the campus.  One observation we have made as the kids walk by with their supplies is the large 12 roll packages of toilet paper they all carry.  That is something that you would see only in China.  Everyone carries their own toilet paper with them.  The restrooms NEVER have toilet paper so if you need toilet paper you bring your own. BYOTP! Yes, I do carry a roll in my school bag everyday, you never know if you might need toilet paper.  It was nice to know the students had their priorities in the right place notebooks, pencils, pens, textbooks and toilet paper.

I have been buried in lesson plans trying to get a semester plan structured.  We have a perfect schedule this semester.  The University decided that Masters classes would not be scheduled after lunch so all of our classes are in the morning beginning at 8:00 until noon.  Craig has six classes, two each morning on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  I have six classes two each morning Tuesday, Wednesday and I teach on the South Campus, about a one-hour bus ride through the city on Thursday.  Our classes are smaller this semester than last, no more 38-student classes. We are looking forward to another great semester.

It feels like we are beginning the end and essentially we are.  This will be our last semester in China. Spring has officially arrived along with the students.  Most days are 75%-100% humidity and the temperature runs from the high 60s to high 70s.  Every morning the street and sidewalks are wet, the humidity keeps everything moist. The first thing I noticed is that it is nearly impossible to get any laundry dry.  Hanging laundry outside just doesn’t seem to get the job done.  I am still working with that issue and how to get laundry dry.  The hot weather is just around the corner we are told.  Spring has cool temperatures and high humidity then summer arrives late March or early April with hot temperatures and high humidity. Everything is lush and green outside but the humidity on my skin is the most noticeable.  I don’t really need any lotion here.