first day in china

a couple logistical things first. the best way to communicate with me for now is through email, one on one communication. i can get on facebook, but can only leave wall comments. i can't email or anything. twitter is still pretty normal, and i cannot blog. i am writing this is an email and sending it to my friend who is putting it up for me. we do have a computer wiz guy here, who may be able to help me out soon, but we'll see.
ok, yesterday was my first full day here, and we went and went the whole day. i experienced much in my first day in china. we went to wal-mart, very different here. we have a starbucks, haven't gone yet. we take taxis everywhere, i hope to get a bike. we were eating lunch, and the lady next to me had her purse stolen right off the back of her chair. it's too hard to explain, but we figured out how it happened. there were four people involved. one scoped us out, the other distracted us by asking for the time, and a couple sat behind us in the restaurant just for a moment until the woman asked us the time and they snatched it and were out of there. it was very frustrating.
the language barrier is difficult, but i am going to learn.
a woman told me i was beautiful, in chinese. and someone translated it to me, and i said, "how do you say thank you" and he told me, and then she chuckled. my translator told me later it's rude to thank someone when they tell you you're beautiful. instead you should say "no, no, no" and deny it and be humble about it....oops.
today i looked at an awesome apartment on the 15th floor overlooking the city. i have a few more to look at tomorrow. so, we'll see.
tomorrow starts "inservice" at school. we're getting our classrooms ready for open house this sunday and then school on the 31st. i talked alot with the principal's wife today about my students and the school, and an orphanage in town that we go to.
i went to church this morning, which was pretty amazing. it was kind of surreal to be worshiping the Lord in china. and we have church in a glass room basically, in the clubhouse at this huge apartment complex. i met a few chinese girls today and one family. they are all so sweet. i want to learn the language so badly.
for now, you can pray for the school year getting ready to start, that i would be prepared and be able to do a really good job. i haven't really worked with kids this age in an educational setting.
also, that i would have opportunities to share with my students, possibly my roommate, and with whomever the Lord brings for me to share with.
last, and on a more materialistic note, i need a laptop. if you could pray about that too.
thank you so much. i love and miss you all.