"Just a little bit."

Major success. I think I (Paul) figured out how to communicate "Just a little bit" to a Chinese barber. I am not sure if it was the spoken Chinese. Very doubtful. Or maybe this one had some English skills. Doubtful - this is China. Maybe it was my pantomiming, or charades, or body language. Or something. But unfortunately I only got it half right. I meant, "Only cut a little bit." He understood, "Just leave a little bit." Shortest haircut since my 10 year old buzz cut. Communication really is an interesting challenge. Better me than Ann, right?

No photos this posting!

It is interesting to also note that in our circumstances, the blessings of the gift of tongues is regularly exhibited in effective communication rather than as an actual language skill - unless it is a Chinese understanding our English way beyond their normal ability. And alternatively, someone is constantly being placed in our path when we need assistance. Neither one this time though.

I am surprised to discover it has been 2 weeks since our last post. Time does fly. Things continue well with constant new adventures. Thanksgiving was a pleasant, enjoyable surprise. Monday our BYU supervisors were in town and took a group of 16 of us to a small local restaurant for a totally authentic American Thanksgiving. Then on Thursday a slightly different group of 16 of us went to a Westin Hotel for a nice dinner buffet. Not totally authentic, but still a delightful celebration. Ann says we had greyhound turkeys!

For a good number of the BYU teachers whose teachings schedules have Friday open, a Thursday-Sunday trip to Beijing was the order of the day over Thanksgiving weekend. For us, except for the special meals, the routine of he week was relatively normal.