From "2 years in China" to 3

To all our readers:
So sorry that we have not been writing.  For many reasons--which I don't care to spend time writing about--last year was a very stressful year, and generally an unpleasant one.   

But now...it is our third year in China!  We began working our third year at Yew Wah with restrained hopes and caution: "We will wait and see..."  We knew that the school year would begin with a brand new co-principal, I would be back in Grade 1 instead of Grade 3, and Zach would yet again be given new responsibilities.  We are now almost two months in to the school year, and our outlook on "things" has developed.  
As for me, I have a large class of bright, bubbly Grade 1 students who are generally excited to learn English!  So far, these students' parents seem very supportive of the education of their children.  I am very happy to be these students' English teacher, and I don't mind teaching Grade 1 again because of them!  Zach says that he enjoys his new responsibilities, and still enjoys cheering on his lower secondary students.  I don't know how he does it!  As for the other things, the jury is still out.  

We are full of many hopes for this new year.  We hope that we can get back into studying Chinese.  We hope that we can learn to be even more independent residents of Yantai.  We hope that we can help other expats living here.  We hope that our school and foundation will make good choices.  We hope that we can continue to be good teachers for our students.  Cheers to Year 3!