Well, the cold weather has begun. I'm almost embarassed to say that to Iowa people since it is still in the upper 20s to low 40s but I have to say that cold weather is different here. When its cold outside, its cold a lot of places that are inside and we spend a lot more time outside here. So lows in the upper 20s and highs in the 40s this week. It has made me want to wait until afternoon to go anywhere on my bike.
The heat came on last Saturday. Before that we had heat from our little unit that serves as our air conditioner in the summer and supplementary heater. The rest of the dorms didn't have heat until November 15th. It got pretty cold too but the students never complained. They just put on more layers. When people come to our apartment to visit they take there coats off but when in class, the students leave their coats on. I'm not sure why. The classrooms are warmer now but not always comfortable if I were sitting. I take my coat off and manage to stay warm most days but I move around a lot.
We are going to have a Thanksgiving meal next Thursday night at Naomi's. She is inviting all the American Baha'is for dinner - no foreigners she doesn't want to have to explain anything, she just wants to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal with friends. My students are aware that it is Thanksgiving but I'm not sure what else they know. I'll try to do a short presentation.
Life is good. We're planning a trip to Beijing next weekend. We're having Julia's family over this weekend. I have to play ping pong with her father. Wish me luck. I have practiced some and I'll do ok unless he's a real pro.