Hey Guys,

Sorry for the lack of blog yesterday, I was so tired when I got home and figured I'd catch up this morning instead. Well yesterday we visited a Tibetan school in the morning and the River Water Projects in the afternoon. The Tibetan school was eye opening in that it made me realize the conditions people were in after the 2008 earthquake in Sichuan. This school was a boarding school for children that lost their homes in the event. Their parents are currently working to rebuild their lives and so the kids stay at the school for shelter, food, and an education. On the walls it says, "Safety is first, and Academics is second". They said this was to ensure the children that they would be safe here and that this was their main concern. As I walked in, it was not what I expected. The kids were all so happy to be there, happy to see us, and just all around positive. It was great, because it made you not feel so bad and more so just feel releived that they truely are getting the help they desserve. The class I taught sang a song at the end about brotherhood. It sounded like they were one voice, one beautiful voice. They also gave me a little stuffed animal doll. The doll happens to look like on of the professors that was on the trip in the beginning so we've decided to do a "flat stanely" type thing with her. We are going to take pictures with the doll at all the cool places we go and then send them to our professor. It should turn out pretty funny. Well, after the school we went to this river site. A couple other classmates and I decided not to go in but to shop instead. No regrets there. I saw everyone's pictures and as cool as they were, I like what I bought for my family better. :-) Well, going to start my day.

TTYS,

Tara