Busy Day

The past couple of days have been packed with many things. Yesterday I think I began to recover from this cold. I didn't feel icky anymore, just had a cough. During one class I got a tickle in my throat and couldn't stop coughing and the students were so concerned! It was so cute. I just said, here read this I can't talk! But since then, I've been feeling much better. I've been sleeping a lot! I did not want to miss my students' performances, though. Every semester each class puts on some kind of performance. Friday was my grades turn. I was so proud of them. They did an excellent job. There were Japanese, Indian, Mongolian, and traditional Chinese dances, songs, traditional Chinese instruments, and ofcourse Pop and Hip Hop performances including break dancing! Two things amazed me as I watched these performances. The first is that these kids love performing and being on stage, yet it is like pulling teeth trying to get them to speak English or standing up in front of class! The other thing is that, Those who were not performing from Senior 1 were in the audience... they were ALL my students! I had never seen them all in one place before! I teach ALL of these kids! Over ONE THOUSAND of them!! So many it's unbelieveable.

One student gave me a gift. She was so sweet especally since she is not my student. She is Senior 3, and their class has no foreign teacher. I guess I've been adopted! The others think I allow the students to get too close to me. They ask me things like, doesn't it bother you having them all want to talk to you all the time! Not at all. I know why they do. I don't want to be the typical arogant foreigner.

Today, this Saturday, was a busy day! I woke up bright and early to go with Brenda to the Kindergarten where she got a side job. Her first day was last Saturday, and I thought I'd observe to see if it was really as aweful as she made it out to be. Plus, the school is desperate for teachers and really want me to jump on board as well for the weekend. I could make some good extra cash. But after being there... I don't know! These kids were terrible!!! I'm not exagerating in the least. They were out of control! There were 17 kids ages 3-5. Sure they're cute for a while, but when you're trying to teach them and they're screaming, running around, hitting you, destroying your lessons plan, and tackling eachother the cuteness kind of fades away and you just stand there with out a clue as to what to do. I think its partially due to the fact that all these kids are only children and very spoiled, and that the foreign teachers before Brenda were guys who let the kids think they could behave like this for the foreigners. There is a Chinese assistant, but even with her there, the kids are impossible. I don't know if I could handle it. I am tired enough as it is!

I went home and took a three hour nap! It was so nice. When I woke up, my cold was mostly gone! PTL! Then I met some students at the front gate, as we had planned to hang out. I took more photos with them, their favorite thing to do. These girls were a riot. They laugh so much. And I am so impressed with their attemps to use only English so I can be involved in their conversations. For most of them, it is the first time they use English in a real life situation. As their teacher I was way proud of them. They treated me to McDonalds, I suppose they think I live on this stuff. It was a sweet gesture. And I taught them a game. We had a lot of fun.

Also tonight I got together with some of the Chinese English teachers and played volley ball. That was a great time! I think we are going to get together every week to play. I need to buy some good shoes, though. My flipflops weren't doing it for me, so I went barefoot on the pavement... ewe. You don't wanna know how dirty it is.

What a day, though. I'm glad to have so many things to do to keep me busy and happy, and to keep me from feeling too sad that I'm not with my family this week as they are all together in MN. It's all good... just don't forget about me too much!