Daqing Springs back to Life

Winter's true death grip on Daqing has been gone for sometime now, but a few lingering cool days reminded you that not too long ago this place was about as enjoyable as Siberia. But now, it's safe to say we're in full Spring, practically Summer if you ask me! And as the temperature has steadily risen, so have our spirits; here's a look at what's been going on this Spring here in the Daqing area.

The Yixi Market has been bustling lately, with no shortage of delicious fruit, vibrant colors, and the pleasant hum of bargaining as well.

Yixi Market

I've been staying out after class some days to play basketball, here's the group of guys I usually play with. The weather has been so nice it's easy to lose track of time and play late into the evening.

Daqing Bballerz

I managed to get-GASP-reasonably attractive pictures of Daqing, most likely the ones they show new foreign teachers who are on their way to teach here...

T.V. Tower + Wanda Plaza

Xincun Downtown

Never Forget, we are in DAQING

Aussie John and I taught the Choir class at the Longfeng and Yixi schools, and here are some pictures from our joint performance for Children's day.

Getting ready!

Our Adorable Host + Hostess

Showtime

And of course Glynn was chillin...

Glynn the Homie

We went to Harbin for Wayne's birthday Bash, here's a quick photo of St. Sophia Cathedral, a pretty cool Orthodox church waaaaaay out East.

St. Sophia Cathedral

For Ed's birthday we had a beach themed party with hula skirts and a limbo!

Wayne for the win...oooh nooo

And I've had the last two weeks off kindergarten so I've been in Ranghulu quite a bit, here's Ed and his epic bday cake (He's a recent Nuggets convert)

Manimal Jr.

Here I'm teaching Matt how to play Foosball, on Leo's less than regulation style table...seriously, there is this one dude who just spins around the whole game

The Legend of "Spinny Joe"

Also here's a couple of furry faces around town:

New Orange Bar Doggie, Hazel

Just chillin

Momo is Furious

Cat in a box, Harbin!

It's nice to be busy these days with friends and fun, it's a shame my contract is up on July 15th, because I've made some pretty epic friends over here. I'll be traveling a bit afterwards, and I'll make an appearance in CO when I get back on August 4th, SO MARK YO CALENDERS!

P.S. if you didn't get a postcard, or you did and you're greedy, shoot me an email @ jake.d.craney@gmail.com and I'll SEND YOU ONE! WOWZORZ! I'm still getting rid of the remnants of a confused bargaining situation that ended with me taking home like 30 Great Wall postcards...