Halfway Through

I've hit the halfway mark of my time here in China.  I have to admit that last week, I was ready to cut it short a week.  My cats are unhappy back in Thailand and it seemed like I had  left a bigger job than planned for my pet sitters.  I'm extremely grateful that they are willing to pick up after my cats and put up with their 'presents'.  
I decided to stay my original planned time here.  I felt like I hadn't heard God confirm that I should leave and I really wanted to hear that before I changed anything.  I won't deny that I do miss my home in Thailand.  I've been gone for most of the summer already and it was harder in the second half than I had originally thought.  I think part of it had to do with what I'm doing and where I'm at.  I'm in Shenzhen now after spending my first week in China in Dongguan.  The two cities are about an hour and a half by bus apart.  I had thought that Shenzhen would be easier because I've been to this Social Welfare building before and I know a few people in Shenzhen.  I also know a little about how to get around.  But now I'm staying at the Social Welfare Center and that is challenging.  Its a small room that I'm in with 3 bunkbeds.  There are 3 rooms total in our little apartment.  We share 1 shower and one toilet for all the rooms.  If all beds are filled, then its 10 women.  We have a sink outside both the shower and toilet rooms with multiple faucets which is helpful.  I wash all of my clothes by hand and hang them outside our bedroom.  Its not the cleanest and or nicest of living areas but it doesn't cost me anything and its convenient to my volunteering location.  I've spent the weekends so far at the Bauer's and at Amanda's house-my 'boss' at Bao'an-Shenzhen.  Its a nice change to have a bedroom of my own on the weekends.  Its a luxury now.  I eat all my meals usually at the center also.  I've been able to get away on one and soon to be two occasions during the week to have dinner with an old friend and her family.
Volunteering isn't easy I will admit.  Its easier doing a short stint and I chose to do 4 weeks.  I've had to completely rethink how I teach because what I have done in the past doesn't work here.  The kids don't have the structure from the school year but they do need things to grab their attention.  So I've been doing a lot of games and music during English class.  I don't have to think as much for the cooking class since its planned a little more in advance and doesn't meet as often as English.
The kids are adorable of course and I think a lot more have warmed up to me.  I remember some from my last visit.  It can be challenging to know how to engage so many different personalities and adapt to disabilities  that are so diverse and most of them don't know any English.  I'm trying to find ways to engage the students that the teachers typically put in the back of the class and ignore.  Those kids light up when they are included.  I'm hoping that in the time that I'm here, I can show them ways to keep including all students, not just the ones who are less disabled.