Remember that time it was 90 degrees every day?

I'm finally home. To welcome me home, my cat stole the loaf of bread that I had just purchased and scattered it around my living room. And Sichuan, well....it's cold...I'm back to the land of blocked blogger, so bear with me if my captions seem jumbled. Upon arrival in Chengdu I hung out with two of my former students. Hungry for some Sichuan food we finally settled on KFC. Did you know that there's a thatched cottage memorial for Colonel Sanders in Chengdu. Ok, no not really...that's Du Fu.

After our meal we went to play with fire as per Chinese New Year tradition.

Derry's mom, Derry, and I made 饺子(jiao zi)-dumplings-for lunch the next day (another Chinese New Year tradition).

That night we went to the 42nd annual light festival in Chengdu. Here is money pouring forth from the money deity.

After 2 nights in Chengdu, I made it to my friend 晓丹's house for more Spring Festival festivities. It was COLD--hence the face. Her brother is standing to my right with family members (from her dad's side) looking on. I didn't stop eating the whole time I was with her. I felt like a whale--swimming through the day with my mouth open. Maybe I'll grow into the coat (borrowed from friends in Chengdu).

I finally made it back to Nanchong, and Holly is Sooo happy!!!

What's warm, sunny, and has a name that starts with 'Th' and rhymes with 'ailand?'

I'm finally going to leave Thailand on Sunday. It has been an incredible month filled with stress, joy, relaxation, good food, and wonderful friends. I will be sad to go, but I am feeling surprisingly good about going back to China. My trip here has been everything I needed to feel recommitted and positive about my work in China. Here are a few pictures of the highlights (sociolinguistics class, Doi Suthep [a temple], beetles, gardens, a bridge).