Bai Jou and Crazy Stuff Like That

I just had the most interesting meal. In celebration of China's national holiday, we were invited to attend a dinner party hosted by the city for all foreign experts including teachers, businessmen, and expats. On October 1, 1949 China become the People's Republic of China, and this day is very important here. There was a little program with singing and dancing very much like the teachers' day program. What was most fun was the meal. There were SO many different dishes. The first included pig tongue, liver, skin, and who knows what... Grace wouldn't tell me. I was the first to try one of the unknown things and the skin. Hey, when in Rome, eh? The others were shocked that little ol' Leah had such guts. It was quite fun. I tried it all.... al but the tongue. I just couldn't do it. The rest of the meal included things like jelly fish, fried sea worms, fish meat balls, prawns (yum), nice fish, clams, beaf, pork, chicken (head included of course), steamed bread, two kinds of soup, wine, pop, tea.... so much I can't remember it all. Another crazy thing I tried was Bai Jou. It is a famous rice wine... 56%! The had tiny little glasses for it. The bottle that they poor it out of literally looks like a transmission fluid bottle. The smell was enough to singe your nose hairs. So I tried a tiny glass. Yikes. Another interesting thing that happened was we were introduced to the Mayor of population 7 million Zhanjiang. He was a nice guy and greeted every table. The vice President of our school, Mrs. Liew, was with us and told us that his kids attend our school. So jokingly Martin said that since we have to hook up we should have dinner with the Mayor sometime. Some how it got around, and now we have a dinner date with the Mayor and we are cooking!! How cool is that.

If you're interested, you can read about the hurricane that JUST missed us here in Zhanjiang:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5306238,00.html

Tai Feng

Well, Hello there! So guess what, I survived the typhoon. We actually got hit by the northern tip of a huricane that caused a lot of distruction and killed a few people at it's eye in Hainan (the island south of us). School was cancelled monday due to the storm, but it was actually not that bad here. We just had a lot of strong winds and rain. Hainan had winds up to 125mph I believe! Amazing that it came so close... causes me to be reminded of what's going on in the States as well. In Chinese they call it Tai Feng, sounds similar to typhoon, this is where we get the word.

Class was fun today as I told them some origins of words in English. Then we played this game that I found on the internet (Dave's ESL cafe has a plethra of ideas, PTL!) called "Talk, Talk, Die." Crazy name I know, but it was a fabulous game that the kids loved and it got them talking a lot in English which is exactly my goal: to get them using the language. I call several students to the front by birthday, I give them a topic that they must talk about such as "animals." I point to a student and they must start talking, anything about animals and can't stop til I point at another student, etc. If they falter or stall or can't think of what to say the class yells out die! I spose I could have chosen a more pleasant word than "die." But they had a blast. It got even funnier when I let another student play me... got to dirrect the others. Such fun. I laughed hard.

Unfortunately I still struggle with one class in particular. They astound me with their lack of motivation and participation. I know that they know more then they let on, but I'm at my wits end getting them to speak up in class. I even asked them yes or no questions and no response. I just stand there listening to myself! Arg! So frustrating. It's a gift from the Father that there is only this one bad apple and the rest are fabulous to work with. But I don't want that to be an excuse to give up on them. I really want to get these kids working and motivated... I just don't have a clue how to do it. Any one out there with any good ideas... I could use all the help I can get with this one.

PTL! I discovered an encouragement: KTIS online! I can listen to MN radio online... it's so great. Makes me feel close to home, and it's good for my spirit to hear uplifting messages, encouraging music, and every hour the news. It's good to feel connected. But it's kind of weird listening to 494 morning traffic report at 9 pm.

I finally bought me a Chinese-English dictionary. About time, eh? So far it's been super helpful. I went to the post office today and actually had a positive experience thanks to the halpful little book. I got to mail my letters finally. But I still think their mail system is wack.

Tomorrow night we've been invited by the City to attend a dinner party for foreign experts in celebration of the national holiday... it's huge here. There will be a lot of business men and teachers. Hey, free food... I'm there. What else have I got to do?

Still workin on plans for our week off that we get for national holiday. We were planning on going to Hainan before the typhoon, but now we are not so sure. But how nice would it be go go to the Hawaii of China! Yeah... super nice. I still pinch myself to see if this is for real. I'm in China! How good is He!?!

Ya Shur

So yeah, my students just want to be entertained. but in a way I can understand why they want at least ONE fun class. Their schedule is much different than ours. The have school from 745am to 12ish, then have a break, then classes from 3-430 then a break then more classes from like 6-10pm. AND they have school on Saturdays. and this is only hight school!!! I am not required to give them homework or exams... so i won't. they have enough as it is. I told them what the schedule was like in the states and they were SO shocked. So if I hear any kids in the states complain about school... they're getting an ear full. Let 'em know how good they got it.

I hung out with my students yesterday and had a good time. We went shopping, shared some pictures, got them ice cream. I had one pick out some popular chinese music for me. She is unlike the majority of the girls here who are dead crazy about the Backstreet Boys, and any other boy band you can think of (they never tire of them, I don't understand it)... she likes more hip hop and rmb stuff. so she picked out for me this guy named Lee Hom. The first song is "Go Shorty, It's your Birthday" in chinese. Its kinda funny. But there's a variety, my favorite is a swing style song. Pretty fun. It was so nice to spend time with them and get to know them a little better.

Brenda and I are still trying to figure out where to go for national holiday when we have a week off. We don't want to spend too much money. I guess its smarter to save up for spring festival so i can travel for like a month. Right now, i just want a little change of scenery and see some things. We are now talking about going to the ocean and just chilling out.

We hung out with some other foreign teachers last night and met Liam, and older guy from Canada, originally Ireland, so he has a cool accent. And Eddie, aroung my age, and he's from Rochester, MN! So we got to talk some "ya shur ya betcha" stuff. Good times.

Oh, I must tell you about English Corner. It was completely different than what I expected it to be. There were literally over 300 students crammed into this lecture hall. Most of them were my students. I was expecting English Corner to be like a free talk time. But the way the room was set up did not allow for that. I am glad I had the help of Arthur and Martin. We were given microphones to use. Martin is the new guy, but he has a major take-charge personality, so we gave him the show. He ended up talking the entire time and leading the whole thing. I was like, go for it man. With a crowd that large, I get nervous and don't know what to do any way. He had a lot of entertaining stories. One thing that I did do was get a bunch of emails from students who would be interested in having a pen pal from the US. So if any one is interested in chatting it up with some of my students I can hook you up! My students are very excited about this, and I think it can be a great way for them to practice their English.

The day I hung out with my students, Ying Ying asked me how I thought English corner went. We agreed that it did not fulfill it's purpose. We need a larger space for people to mingle and use the language. It should not be a like another class or lecture. It should be fun, and a time to talk to eachother. So I am going to see what I can do to make this happen the right way. I have plenty of games that would be great, but not for a crowd that size.

I'm going to enjoy some of my oolong cha (tea) now. Keep in touch!

Shoo Bee Doo

It's hard to describe how I feel. I would love to come to this blog and be able to write all the interesting things that happen in my day, but some how when I come to write, things don't sound interesting any more. How can I make interesting things like, we went for a walk in the park tonight and saw a huge slug. So I took a picture. I suppose if i were a writer I could have made that a very interesting story. But you see my problem?
Maybe i could tell you that we took our Chinese liaison/friend Maggie to our usual restaurant for dinner. It's funny, cause she first took me to this place, and now we eat there almost every day. The food is cheap and good. Those poor waitresses, though. I feel so bad for them. The other foreign teachers give them such a hard time, and they are so picky and get upset if they their order is not right... I figure it's better to be flexible and eat what you get then expect them to understand what you want when you don't speak the language. Anyway, we took Maggie to eat. We have such fun with her. She is so sweet and friendly and a good sport. She puts up with all the crazy foreigners. I don't envy her job at all. Foreigners complain so much and expect you to give them royal treatment. Sometimes I am so embarrassed by their behavior. So arrogant and unkind. I have no others to hang out with, yet I don't want to be associated with their behavior. A student told me just today that I am the only foreign teacher that responded to her since school started. She has wanted to talk and get to know us, but has been ignored by the others. I hope I can be a testimony in this way.
They say another typhoon is on the way. The sky is so eerie right before a storm.
Peace be to all of you, and shout out a happy B-day to my big bro Steve (today!), Lil' Sis Eva, AND my Pappy. Love you guys!

Dear Abby

This week is going very well. Last week I only had to teach 4 classes, so I was afraid that it might be difficult to get back to teaching 16 again. It has not been bad at all. In fact I am happy to have some task to do.... last week I was a little bored with all that time on my hands. I am also a bit lighter in spirit because I recieved a new report about my being "strict." Nigel asked one of my students if she thought I was strict. She said, "No, just beautiful." So there you have it. I am no longer strict, just beautiful! Ha! I thought that was cute. It's the hair, I tell ya. One of the guys told me I should change my hair color becuase it sticks out too much and I get the most stares. I must be the only blonde for a thousand miles.

The week is almost over, and I am not getting too sick of my lesson yet. It is actually going very well. I am doing a "Dear Abby" scenario where the students read one of 8 little "Dear Abby" letters I made up; and they give their advice about what to do about some problem. For example:
Dear Abby, I am moving away to another city and will miss my friends very much. I am very shy so it is difficult for me to make new friends. How can I make new friends in this new city? From George

The kids come up with some really good stuff. I underestemated their knowledge...it's getting them to open their mouths and use what they know that's the hard part. The beginning of the week was harder, and so with each class I tweak the lesson. I have it now where I know it is going to work. But those poor students who are always on monday will always be my guinne pigs!

This Friday I am in charge of "English corner." The other English teachers think it's a joke and will not attend, but I think it is a good oportunity to get to know the kids better and I want to take advantage of it. Besides, what else do I have to do? English corner is like free talk. I will be more free to play games and hang out with the kids. I think it will be a good time.

This evening after classes, Brenda and I took Martin the new teacher to Normal University. (Normal because it is supposedly just a normal university.) Martin is a lifegaurd in the States and craves the water. So we went to use the olympic size pool there. Just getting there was an adventure. Brenda and I had never been there either. But we got on the right bus and found some people who could speak English and helped us get there. As Martin swam, two sweet Chinese girls who attend the university gave us a tour of the campus. Its huge and beautiful. They were so sweet, I hope I see them again. Martin said it was an aweful experience swimming there. Very unclean. We will try another place.

I teach at 745 tomorrow morning so its time to go. Know that every email I get is gold. Thank you for keeping in touch with me. I read them like a starving child. I love to hear from ya'll. Missing you so much.

Happy Mid-Autumn Day

My watch stopped the other day. It was such a simple thing, but I was very sad about it. Luckily it was simple and cheap to get a new battery put in it.

Saturday was quite the day. We received more moon cakes from the school, as is the special traditional treat to give for Mid-Autumn Day which was Sunday. So I had all these fancy moon cakes, there's no way I was going to eat them all myself. So I decided to send a big box home, how hard could it be, right? Wrong. No one at the post office speaks English so we went through a whole big deal finally figuring out they wouldn't let me send them because it's food. So then I decided that's fine, I just want to mail the letters then. So they sent me to another window and I show my letter. All I want is a stamp so they can send the tiny little thing to my grandma. The lady gives me this huge form to fill out. What? It's just a simple little envelope. So I fill it out. Well, it wasn't good enough cuz it didn't show through to the other pages, so she makes me fill another stinkin long one out, so by this time I’m all ready peeved so I made very clear markings. So she takes my little envelope and puts it in this huge envelope. Then tells me it costs 184 Yuan... about 24 USD.... for a stinkin letter. Man... it was so frustrating. They sent me to the emergency express mail window. How am I supposed to know these things? Come to find out the mail system here is quite different and picky. Nothing here can be simple. It was the first time that I was really mad here, the first time the culture, language, and the way they do things just plain ol made me mad. I think I was off the rest of the day. All cuz of a silly letter. I didn't mail it by the way. There's no way I’m paying that much. I've gotta learn this language.

I think I was also upset cuz one of the other teachers told me that my students told him they think I am strict! ME--Strict!! It's actually really funny, cuz it's so far from the truth. I think they say that because I actually try to teach them, not entertain them like others do. So they think I'm strict. It's also kind of upsetting to me, cuz I'm such a people please, and I really want my students to like me. It's only the third week, perhaps it will get better as I earn their respect and they find that I'm really not strict. I found it haunting today as I taught my first classes since I heard that news.

Well, on Saturday, after the post office incident, we took a walk to the park and watched a huge storm roll in. It was funny to watch young boys outside playing as the wind blew things around. Like some Chinese lanterns were blown off and the boys were carrying them all around, even across the street. The lanterns were as big as they were. We got a little stuck in the rain and the wind was ferocious. It hasn't stopped since. That night I hardly got any sleep cause the wind was so crazy. Many trees were damaged in what we now know was a typhoon: a small hurricane. It’s still raining and blowing around right now, but I think the worst is over.

The rain kind of ruined Mid-autumn day. Usually it is a very eventful holiday here. But the weather did not permit the many activities they usually have planned. I was bummed. But we did have some moon cakes. Since we weren’t able send them in the mail, we decided to eat one. It turned out to be really nasty. Moon cakes come in all kinds of flavors, and these ones had egg yolk inside. It was really weird.

The new English teacher arrived on Saturday. Martin is from Sandiego. It was funny to see his reaction to everything new here. He has never traveled outside the US, is a straight up city boy, and has little knowledge of any other culture. Everything shocks him. It’s quite funny. I was the first to meet him cuz I brought him his moon cakes from the school. Then the lot of us took him out for lunch at a nice restaurant. We had a wonderful meal there. Later we ate at a fast food Chinese place and I ordered something based on the picture that looked like good chunks of meat. It turned out to be pig feet. No thank you.

This week I have to get back to teaching my regular 16 classes. It’s almost like starting to teach for the first time all over again. This morning my first class totally bombed. Since last week was too easy, I thought I’d make it harder. I totally overestimated their ability and my lesson plan was way over their heads. Either that or I was talking to fast. And I was nervous, cuz I want them to like me! So second class went much better. I decided to use the same exact plan, but a different approach. Success! I'm realizing that just because I am teaching all same grades does not mean they are on the same level. The dynamics varry between all my classes. Some are so advanced, others can barely understand me. Some are so excited to learn, others are so unresponsive. The variety keeps me sharp.

I'm a little frazzled and a little "off" these days in many ways. But the students keep me on my toes, and I have the peace of knowing I am exactly where I am supposed to be. Please keep me in your thoughts. Please write when you can. I'd love to hear from you.

Bits of This and That

I wrote this on Saturday, but for some reason it didn't make it to my blog. Well, here it is:

I've kinda been in a weird state of mind. Very quiet, very kinda blah... I don't want to be. Brenda says its cuz I’m still adjusting and may have a bit of culture shock. Its’ weird too cuz I’ve only been here 2 weeks... I was in Thailand 5 weeks and never felt like this. I guess knowing that I won't be going home in 3 weeks changes things, and in Thailand I was constantly busy and had a huge group of close nit peeps with me. Here is different. I’m alone quite a bit.

I usually wear skirts to class. They look nicer, and they keep me way cooler in this hot weather. I try to dress nice. But other teachers seem to wear whatever they want. Some even wear jeans and t-shirts. Maybe when it gets cooler I will dress down a bit. But right now, skirts keep me the coolest. I wear whatever I want every other time. No one cares much what you wear.

When I shop I am usually with other people, but occasionally I go alone. But it is still a little scary. I don't know enough Chinese to feel comfortable. It actually can be very frustrating and a chore. It’s easier for me to go to the big stores where they have registers and I can see the amount, and know exactly what to pay, and no one has to open their mouth. But when I shop in the street, it gets more complicated. But I want to learn, this is the best way to practice… in real life.

It’s actually very modern and developed here. I can get all the convenient things that I need... except for random things you’d think they’d have like spaghetti noodles and sauce, mexican foods, coconut milk and curry paste... I really miss those things. I guess its mainly foods that I miss. But I’m learning to like these foods also.

My classrooms do not have air-conditioning, just fans. It is different in China because unlike the US where the students move from classroom to classroom and the teacher owns their room and can decorate how they like... here it’s the teachers that move and the students stay in their designated room. They are known by their grade level and class number. They stay with their class of about 60 all year, even thought there may be about 2000 in their grade. So I had to run all over trying to find where all the rooms were. Interesting, eh? The 3 liaisons that we work with teach English also. They are actually only a small fraction of the teachers. There were 80 new teacher's hired this year. The Chinese English teachers teach about 12-15 classes a week. Like I teach Sr. One...(Like grade 10) there are 28 Sr. 1 classes. I teach 16 of them. Each class also has a Chinese English teacher, I have met several of them, because they sit in on my class sometimes.

Most of my students come from this city and it's where they've lived their entire lives. But there is a small handful that are from the surrounding area who's parents scrounged up enough for them to attend this school. Most students do live in dorms here and are not allowed visitors till the weekend. Other students may live at home close by, or their parents are teachers and they live at home. Even the single teachers live in the teacher dormitories. That’s where I had that lovely meal with my friends. The school does own a bus, but it’s for the teachers, not the students, because many teachers who live in the dorms here are taken each day to the new campus. It was supposed to be completed last July, but the grounds are very much still under construction, even still they saw fit to start using the school. Most of the senior students already go there and live there, and I teach the remaining 16 classes here. Next term my students will be moved there, and possibly me... but I don't want to. The conditions are not suitable yet, and the students hate being there. When I say senior students I mean like 10-12 grade. They divide grades into: jr1, jr2, jr3, sr1, sr2, and sr3. So this old campus where I am will be only jr students next term. Its’ kind of a sad thing. Not as glamorous as it may sound. Our apartments will not be as cozy either. We will have squatty potties and be on the 8th floor. So no one is really excited about it.

I was asked if there are a lot of bikes here. he ha he. I will take a good picture for you. You should see all the thousands of bikes parked outside the school at night, and the morning. THOUSANDS! There are just as many motorbikes zooming through the streets and they also drive on the sidewalks. There is no rhyme or reason to the traffic. Then there are a few cars, but not as many. The food chain is backwards here. Pedestrians do not have the rightoway. The food chain is: Cars first, then motor bikes, then bikes, THEN peds. Crossing the street here, your life may flash before your eyes. It takes a little getting used to, but I think I figured out how to do it without feeling like I’m going to die each time. Keep in mind I’m in the most populated country in the world, it's crowded everywhere. And I'm in a city that is not known for tourism, so the stares take some getting used to.

I do not take many pictures, because I don't feel right taking my camera everywhere. I hate feeling like a tourist in a place that is now my home. I want it to feel natural. I don't want to make everything a spectacle... but at the same time I see things and wish I could take a picture... like the bikes. It just looks kinda bad when you whip your camera out for every little thing.... it's a weird feeling. Nonetheless, I will try to get some good shots for you.

I have not seen any rats, and ever since we got the poison we haven't heard Nigel scream anymore (he's got a phobia.) But I do see cockroaches everywhere… big ones. I don’t know if I’d rather have them or the rats. Another pesky thing is the fire ants. I get bit by one at least once a day. Any they hurt and burn worse then mosquitoes. Ouch!

Well, tomorrow is Mid-autumn Day. They celebrate it as the moon in full, kind of like a Thanksgiving type holiday where they get together with family and eat a lot. But the special things here to eat are moon cakes. They are kind of like little fruitcakes. I got so many of them as gifts already. There is a long folk-tale that goes along with the story of the full moon. Not exactly sure of the correct version.

Today the new teacher arrives from California. I guess his name is Martin. So it will be interesting to have a new person around. Now there will be five of us.

I’ve been convicted lately of not taking advantage of opportunities to share the Love with my fellow teachers. I chicken out easily and am very disappointed in myself. But then He showed me how much I focus on myself and my performance, and that all I really need to do is focus on Him and things will fall into place. PTL! Sorry if this doesn’t make sense. I want glorifying Him to become the norm. I will tell more when I return and can speak freely.

Toilet Water

It has been a most interesting couple of days. I have been waking up with terrible mosquito bites all over my feet so I was determined to get something to stop them, and to stop the itching. So, naturally, I bought "toilet water." At least this is the only English printed on the bottle. But it's this perfumey type stuff that's supposed to help fight mosquitoes. Why they call it toilet water is beyond me!

 

I have a Chinese name! My liaison, Grace, gave me one when I signed my contract. She picked LiAn because it sounds similar to my name. I am learning how to write it in Chinese. 'An' means quiet, so I guess it's appropriate. The first syllable is the surname, so some of you might find that funny.

 

There is a student whose English name is "Dream." (Many students choose their own English names based only on what they think sounds cool, not always knowing the meaning) Dream can speak English marvelously well. Almost better than the Chinese English teachers. She is well known for befriending all the foreign English teachers and knowing many things about what's going on. She gave me a little questionnaire to fill out to know more about me. It's kind of cute, but could also be a little bit of trouble.

 

Today we finally got paid! It's so nice to actually have some money now. I plan on saving as much as I can. Getting paid is quite the ordeal here. You never know when or if. But PTL, it came!

 

Well, the biggest news from today is that one of our fellow teacher/friends from our school, Arthur, became very ill this morning and brought himself to the hospital under much pain early this morning. We found out later that he had kidney stones. We spent most of the day at the emergency room trying to get a doctor to see him, trying to figure out what to do. It's not fun at all to be sick and in so much pain in a foreign country. He arrived at 6am and didn't leave til 7pm cause no one knew what to do! It was chaos. We couldn't find doctors, even though we had three translators, the stories were all different and nothing was being done. And since he is a foreigner they think they can charge him an arm and a leg for everything. Poor Arthur. So the next week or so is going to be miserable for him. Since it worked out that I have only 4 classes this entire week I volunteered to take some of his classes. He will have some test done tommorow to confirm the diagnosis, then they will decide what procedure to take. If he has to have surgery... it's not the most pleasant or sanitary thing to do here.  Please remember him. He is in a lot of pain.

 

Today I kind of shut down a bit. I felt helpless at the hospital, I felt others' helplessness, and I can stand only so much bickering and gossiping, and complaining, and swearing, and filthy language from the others. All I knew to do was sit back, observe and talk to Dad quietly about it all.

 

I am giving you my address in case some would like it and were not able to find it. It is located on the link I gave for the school. But I will also give it here:

 

No. 2 Middle School

No 134 Minzhi Road, Xiashan District,

Zhanjiang City, Guangdong Province, China
　　Zip Code: 524006

 

I would love to hear some news from home.

Lovely Flowers!

Go Teletubbies! (Right Steve!) 

 

Today was a lovely day. I slept in and had some lovely time with Dad. Then took a walk to McDonalds by myself. Wasn't quite sure how I was going to order once I got there, but I had a craving for chicken nuggets. Am I spoiled or what? When I got there it was so busy. And one thing that is very hard to get used to is the absence of lines. It simply works that the next person to be served is the one who squeezes their way the front first and get the attention of the cashier. I took a deep breath and made my way to the front. Then I spotted a student who I recognized. I remember her name is Tina, but I can't remember if she's in my class, how horrible am I?! But she helped me order and it was so nice of her. The people are very hospitable and kind to help. I also got to meet her mother. This is rare, as most of the students live on campus and only see their families on the weekends. I got my McD's, and on the way back I got some banana's from my favorite vendor lady. She is hunchbacked and somewhat disfigured, but she is so kind to us and always gives us a fair deal.

 

The rest of the day was spent talking with Brenda about this next week’s lesson. We both teach Senior 1, so our classes have to correspond. It's great to have a person to discuss lessons with and we can use each other’s ideas. Makes things very easy on me.

 

Later Brenda and I met up with one of the Chinese English teachers, Maggie. Maggie took us to a place where Brenda could get her hair cut, and afterwards Maggie took us shopping for dinner. Sometime I want to show you a picture of this market; it's wonderful! Many different smells, some good, some bad. Lot's of fish, many veggies, the meat is sold freshly butchered...no refrigeration. Just slabs of raw meat hanging around. Kinda crazy! Many different things I have never seen before. Maggie paid for everything!

 

We met up with another Chinese teacher, Maggie's roommate who teaches geography, and didn't speak English as well, but learning; and we went to their place to have dinner. It is interesting to see how the other teacher's live. Maggie lives in a small room with six other female teachers; there is a common bathroom for the entire floor of teachers, and a community kitchen. We helped them cook dinner there, and it was fabulous. They made a huge meal for us. We had a bean sprout/garlic dish, an egg/garlic sprout dish, mi fan (rice), cabbage/garlic/ginger dish, cucumber/garlic dish, pork/mushroom dish and pineapple and oranges for desert. It's a lot of garlic! But it was so yummy. It was good to see how they cook, I have really been interested in what they like to eat... what they serve in restaurants is not the same. We had lovely talks about Chinese and English and Geography. I think I get most excited about being a new place when I can see how the people really live, and experience what they experience. I absolutely love to know them on this level. I don't think I could ever genuinely love them if I never left my cozy apartment and had a taste of their real lives. I hope to visit them often. I learned a lot of Chinese just having dinner with them. The whole experience was fabulous.

 

I learned something very interesting just tonight (Sunday night, the night before the second week of classes begins). Most of my classes will be having military training this week, so I have only 4 classes this week! Leave it to China to not tell me till the night before, and I wasn't even told by the school, I was told by another foreign teacher who was told by some students he was hanging out with. Oh, well.... like I said, flexibility and a sense of humor. I'm going to have a lot of time on my hands! But I don't have enough money to travel since we haven't gotten paid yet. I think I might sit in on some other classes to see how others do things. As always, having a very interesting time. And it's good. It's very good.

 

 

Teachers' Day

Today was Teachers' Day. Here in China it is a very big deal. They had something special planned for all the foreign teachers, but no one was sure what it was. We had to meet bright and early (early that is for the weekend) at 8:15 where a bus took us about 15 mn drive to the Silver Sea hotel to meet up with other foreign teachers from surrounding schools. It was very interesting to see so many other Caucasian people! Then we all took another bus to a University that happens to be only a block away from where we live. How pointless it was for us to wake up so early... anyway. We had a little tour of a bunch of sea shells and pearls they collect from the ocean.

 

Our next venture was to the main Ocean University campus. It's HUGE. There are about 20,000 students. On the half hour drive there got to meet some of the other foreign teachers. There are some very interesting and colorful people here! It's so interesting to hear some of their stories. Many were from Canada, some from the US and some from UK, Uzbekistan, Bulgaria, Philippines, Australia, Germany.

 

At Ocean University they showed us their library, which is impressively huge, seven stories with collections including English novels and text books. They toured us through their "science museum," where there were many specimens from the ocean. Some pretty cool stuff, but you can only look at so many giant shrimp in formaldehyde before getting really hungry. So they took us to eat. Just a little detail about Chinese culture: Getting somewhere is not as easy as it sounds. We would arrive at a place, get out of the bus, follow the leader through many rooms and up and down many stairs before they tell us we are in the wrong building and need to go back. This is very typical. Flexibility and a good sense of humor are something you cannot afford to lack if you wish to live overseas.

 

Lunch was fabulous. It was the best meal I’ve had here yet. They had a whole buffet-type spread for us with all kinds of goodness. I had shrimp, steak, fruit, rice, and fried noodles. This may give you a picture, but there is no way to tell you how unlike it is from what you may think it tastes like. It’s no LeAnnChin.

 

After lunch we went to the school’s theater to have a program. We weren’t told about this before hand so we had nothing to contribute for talent. Other teacher’s sang songs or played instruments. Some even sang songs in Chinese and did Tai Chi. It was very amusing. A couple of the guys started drinking beer at about 10 that morning and of course had their fill for lunch. It made for quite an interesting program. My favorite part was the dancing from some Chinese students from a nearby art college. It was so beautiful.

 

It was a rare opportunity to have been able to be a part of this. I feel so blessed to be where I am, even though I do feel lonesome and desert-like in my soul sometimes. I know in my heart that I am in the right place. I have heard many terrible stories from the other teacher’s about some of their teaching experiences in other parts of this country, so it puts things in perspective for me. I have an ideal first-time experience here.

He Will Make You White as Snow

Father gave me a miracle. Well, that is if you consider bleach a miracle. I didn’t know if it would work, but I bleached my “pink” clothes, and it worked! They are somewhat white again. I am very pleased and I think maybe He just wants me to know that He cares even about the littlest things.

 

Today was the last day of teaching this weak, and all I can say is one big, “Whew!” I’m SO glad to be through with the first week. Today I had my most challenging class. The boys were very disrespectful and talking all through class and making many inappropriate comments. I was about ready to walk out of class and give up on them. I made it through the lesson, and a few of them approached me after class asking many questions and wanting to be my friend. I don’t know whether to think they were just being silly boys showing off, or if they are really troublemakers. So far, I am convinced they are troublemakers and wanting to butter me up so they can get away with their shenanigans. I have plans for these boys… he he he. It’s kind of fun to be the teacher. I will not let them make a fool of me. Still, I want to have the right attitude about this.

 

Tomorrow is teachers’ day. We will have different activities, not sure what yet, but I will tell you all about it.

Pink

I did a very foolish thing today. I can't believe I did it, it's so embarrassing.

So I thought I’d throw some laundry in and let it wash while I eat my dinner. I didn’t pay much mind to what I was putting in, and when I came to retrieve my things the first thought I had was… I don’t remember having this many pink things. It’s the first time I’ve ever done this. And the worst part of it is, most of my shirts were white and in there. For some reason my other shirts that I have are mostly long sleeved so I have only these few to chose from. I guess I didn’t realize how hot it would be all the time. I guess I have to go shopping now. It just makes me angry because it’s one of those stupid mistakes that you should never make. And I did. Maybe there are certain mistakes that each person has to make at least once in their lives… I can check this one off my list.

 

I am often exhausted. I think I am still trying to adjust, and perhaps experiencing a bit of culture shock. I’m tired all the time and a bit depressed. Things like this laundry episode don’t help much. I try to stay positive, but it’s hard. Especially when the other teachers complain so much. We have it so good, I wish they could see that and be thankful.

 

I am learning some good lessons, obviously. I will never mix colors with whites again. It only makes me crabby. I learned a new Chinese word today too. “Ga Cha” are these little freakish looking bugs that live near the sea, I think they feed off the bacteria that grows near the shore or that is deposited from all the pollution. They look like a combination of rolie-polie, scorpion, and beetles. It’s easy to remember the name because they “ga cha!” The ga cha’s gotchya! He He He… ok fear not, I’m done now.

Still Small Voice

If I don't keep myself really busy I get very lonesome...it's not that I wish I were home, but that you were with me. I like that I am here. I just wish I had loved ones to share it with.

So far teaching is going well. Some classes are better then others of course. I will be glad to move on to the next week. Since I have to repeat the same routine over and over it becomes very monotonous for me, and I strive to maintain the same level of enthusiasm for each class as if they were the first to receive the lesson... its a struggle.

It's hard to think that things there are beginning to cool down and you are preparing for winter... here every day is like sweat city. AT LEAST 80 every day.

 

I have a mosquito chasing me every night and I wake up with all kinds of bites on me.

There was some excitement last night as my neighbor, Nigel from the UK, discovered a couple rats in his apartment. He is deathly afraid of them, so he and Arthur went on a hunt to kill them, but they disappeared. We have each been given packets of rat poison since.

 

Tonight the four of us walked around a bit after having a nice meal costing the equivalent of about one dollar each. We like to go to Gua Mao, the super store; and to the Walking Street... which is just that...no cars allowed, and many people go there to shop. About every other store is a shoe store. Tonight there were many groups of elderly people doing Tai Chi. It was interesting to watch.  

I bought some bleach to clean with. My refrigerator has an awful smell to it, so for the past two days I have been trying to air it out and clean it many times to get rid of the smell... hopefully the bleach will help.

 

Please remember me as it is easy to forget who I am.... who I REALLY am. This place can make you easily forget such things, since there is nothing here to encourage me in the Way except for the things I have brought myself, and the still small voice. Please lift me up so that I do not become deaf to it.

First Day Teaching!

I had my first lessons this morning. It was way fun to finally get in there and teach. I asked Father that I might not rely on myself but only that he work through me. I think if I become arrogant I will fail. But if I can say so without boasting in nothing but him, I think things went very well, very successful. It was only introductions, but it was a lot of fun. I think I might have trouble keeping them quiet though, they are very talkative. I wish I knew what they were saying. The first lesson I thought I would have enough material to take up the time, but I ended up having to do some quick thinking so I wouldn't look stupid cuz I didn't know what to do next. So I just made them ask me a bunch of questions, I wrote them on the board, and instead of answering the questions I went around and asked them the same questions. Then after some time killed I answered them. It was a good time. But it is weird to think I will have to do this same routine 16 times. It might get a little old. But each class is unique, so I want to show them each the same enthusiasm.

 

This weekend was nice. Two other foreign teachers, Brenda and Arthur, and I went to a large state park that is famous for its lake which is a filled inactive volcano. Only one of two in the world. we walked around the entire lake, road on go carts for a bit, and got to see some of the country side. Very interesting.

 

Last night I had first tastes of cultural and langauge frustrations. Brenda and I were trying to buy a watermellon from a street vendor. It proved to not be as simple as we hoped. It was so difficultr trying to communicate, we didn't end up getting the watermellon because we coudln't figure out how much this guy wanted for it, and just too much effort... I was tired and just wished I could understand. Motivated me more to learn the language. I wish I had some formal or more consistent way to be taught.

 

Anything interesting going on in your lives? I am finding I have a lot of time on my hands, so I would love to keep in touch with you all.

 

If you are interested in knowing more about the school, here is an address you can check out:

http://www.anesl.com/schools/zj2ms.htm

 

I am teaching at the old campus. The new campus is not finished yet, but some students have already moved there, and two of the foreign English teachers are commuting there to teach everyday.

 

Pinch me

I met a Chinese-American man in LA who "mentored" me on what I should and should not do and say... it was very helpful. Also encouraging, as he knows my Dad. We talked with Him together on the plane ride. He tried to teach me some chinese and said that I have a good ear for a tones, better then most English speakers... I credit my Hmong lessons. (Hmong has 8 tones... chinese only has 4 so its much easier).

I strangely was not nervous as I traveled to this new place. I don't remember ever being nervous except maybe when I first arrived in Zhanjiang, but even that was short lived. Peace really does pass understanding! It can only come from one place and by one means! It is wonderful. Without it I would surely not make it. I was more nervous the week before, up til I went to the airport, but once I got to the airport I was calm... even when I learned my first flight was canceled...I knew it would be ok... even when I was selected for special security (was frisked) and had only 15 minutes til my flight becuase I spent most of the time outside the checkpoint spending last times with family... I was still calm. I made it just in time. Even when I arrived in Guangzhou and had to walk 30mn to my next gate not knowing where in the world it was... I was calm. Like the “net was cast”... every thing prepared for me in advance. I knew it was going to be just fine. And it was. Trust works so much better then worry, fear and anxiety.

I didn't watch a single movie on the flight over. I was blessed to find a row all to myself and slept most of the way. Besides sleeping I talked to my Chinese "mentor." We parted ways in Guangzhou and a smaller plane took me to Zhanjiang.

Mark and Grace are their English names, but they are the Chinese teachers who work as liaisons for the foreign English teachers. They are the ones who communicate with us about things that we need to know.

I still am so busy taking things in to be lonesome or what not. I do wish you could all be here with me...but I am glad to be here... so its all good. Miss you and wish you could see what i see!

Speaking of... I went to the sea today. Very dirty, but interesting. Nice little park there. Lots to see. Starting to get to know my way around. Bought some fruit and veggies at the market so I can cook for myself. I think its going to be a lot of fun. I wish you could see.

Haven't been able to figure out how to get my pictures together to post yet. Haven't really had time to take many anyway.

Keep in mind... nothing is private. Be careful. Please keep writing me though.. I love to hear from home!!

I just found out about the hurricane. How crazy and sad! Will remember that as well!

I don't start teaching til Monday. School did begin on the first, but my grade has military training this week. And they suggested that it would be best to begin English classes the first of the week anyway so the lessons for the week will all correspond, etc. makes sense to me! I am excited to begin teaching. I’m sure each class will have its own unique things about it.

It's hard to imagine cold weather right now. It is always around 80+ here. I don't mind it except when I have to climb the apx 6 stories to my apartment. It will be worse once teaching begins, because even though i live on campus, and my classes are in the same building... my apartment is in a separate stairwell.. hard to explain. so i have to go down all those flights only to go back up another flight connected to the main classrooms... does that make sense? And some classes are on the 8th floor... it feels like double because the ceilings are very high.

I'm not sure what the weekend holds quite yet. Probably will walk around the city some more and see what we can see. I would like to take some pictures.. haven't really had a chance to yet.

Sometimes when I write people personal email I think... a lot of this should go on my blog so I can tell others, and that way I can remember myself someday when I look back. So just know that I sincerely reply to emails... then post some of it!

Every morning when I wake up I have to remind myself where I am, or I wake up and think... holy cow, I really AM in china, its not just a dream!

Sometimes my tummy hurts a bit. Not sure why. Other teachers have told me their sickness stories and warn to be very careful about what i eat and drink, cleanliness is so vital! it is so not fun to be sick in a foreign place with little comforts. and the hospitals are very unsanitary. i learned that today when we went for our physicals. they took our blood, checked heart, took xray, ultrasound, etc. more then the physical i had in the states even.. but this time the school paid for it. Many people were there getting physicals, not sure why. I won't tell you how gross the conditions were. But i will not complain because I know it could have been much worse.

Every morning at 715 the school alarm rings and loud music plays, and the students have exercise. They live here also, so they're always scurrying around outside my window. So its very hard to sleep later then that. I guess I didn't need an alarm clock after all. Now I have TWO!

It is still too early for me to really miss any thing from the States

(besides all my friends and family of course!). I can get most things I need here. The food is very different. We might see if we could find an oven to buy so we can make cookies and pie and comfort food, just for fun. We will see! Lots of love!

Ni Hau

Hello!
I know more about the teaching situation. I will be teaching Sr. One (is like 10th grade). I will be teaching 16 different 40mn classes every week. Sixteen different classes with about 60 students in each! This means I see each class only once a week, which means I need to plan only one lesson a week and give in 16 different times! This is both good and bad. I don't know how much I can teach a class that I will see only once a week, and it will be more difficult to know any of them. But it will be easier to plan, and by those last classes I will have the plan all memorized for sure.
I woke up very early today since the students rise at like 7, and they have assembly right outside my window... its very noisy. Perhaps I should plan to go to sleep much earlier.

One very important bit of info for those who may want to post a comment on my blog... I am not able to actually see my blog becuase of the walls that the school network has up, and I cannot access the comments through this posting page. Therefore, if you want to write (which I would LOVE to hear from any one often) it would be best to email me. My email should be available as an option on the site under personal profile, if not please let me know and I will decide to give it to you here.

I'm in China ya'll!! How cool is that!? I have not been able to take many pictures yet, and perhaps I should before I forget what might be interesting to you. Already things are becoming familiar like seeing a million bikes parked outside the school, 5 people crammed onto a motorbike, donkey driven carts, people walking around with baskets of everything from bamboo, sugar cane, vegitables, fruit, and kids, and street vendors with oysters, chicken parts, pigs feet, and who knows what else. Many different smells. I have not yet seen the ocean. Soon Grace will take me to the park where I can do some "official" site seeing.

I would love to hear from anyone, remember to please email!

Seafood

I've found my alarm clock! I guess I will just have 2 now. But Im glad to
find it. It was in a random pocket in my pack that I didn't check before.
Today I signed a 1 term contract. That means I'm committed til at least the
end of February. After I had like a three hour nap (I didn't realize i
really was tired), we also got together for a meeting with all the English
teachers to discuss the schools rules etc. Tomorrow we go to get pictures
taken to apply for the working visa. The next day we are required to have a
physical at the local hospital... a bit angry because I realize now that it
was not neccesary for me to get one in the states because they make you have one here anyway, and the school pays for it! all that hassle for nothing. grr. oh well.
After our meeting I went with the three other foreign teachers
to dinner. Ordering food was quite the ordeal. I knew I wanted shrimp
becuase i had it the day before and it was so good. They cook it in salt on
a stick. I didn't know how to order so they took me to the back where all
the sea food was in tanks, still swimming. I found the shrimp and chose my "victims." Then had a good meal, walked around the city, and had good time getting to know the other teachers from Michigan, Britain, and Uzbekistan.
More later!

The Toilet Runneth Over

I'm having troubles getting a good connection to the net, so posts may be sporadic...
Hopefully today they will have fixed my toilet since I've been without this
entire time. And one of my locks is broke too and has to be replaced. My
neighbor is moving out in a month and I may get to move into that appartment which is much nicer I think. But for now, it is good to have place to
myself.