I guess I've got a few more in me

Today the middle school faculty and students spent the day at the CNPC compound. CNPC is a Chinese oil company, and we teach many of their students. We all have our political opinions, but the reality for our school is that we educate their adorable children, and they share a small tidbit of their wealth with the school.They invited the entire middle school to their compound to enjoy their beautiful pool for the day, and we finished it with an elaborate full-on Chinese buffet. All on their dime. Not a bad way to end the year! (Politics still aside.)
All year long, I have been amazed by the diversity of our student body. This was reinforced today when we got to the pool. We had girls in bikinis, tankinis... all the way to full length (to the the ankles and wrists) bodysuits. Some even had a matching swim cap! It was amazing to see the girls come out in all kinds of different swimming costumes- and everyone- everyone- was respectful and fine with it! Very cool to see. Some of the girls that usually cover their hair let their hair down, while others were careful to keep their caps on. Overall, it was just amazing to see them all (and in the end they ALL did) get in the water and splash around, having a good time.

Several of them are used to swimming at only boys' or only girls' pools, so it was also really great to see them all swimming and playing games together. (Do their parents understand they all swam together? That I can't confirm.) But it was really refreshing and amazing to see them all share one clear goal- dunking the teacher! Ha!

We will spend a half-day tomorrow hanging out with the kids, and then SHAZAAM! It's over!
Wow.