Advertisement
Published: October 31st 2011
Edit Blog Post
We’ve been here for 5 days now, even though it feels like we’ve been here for weeks! This first week has gone by veeery slow, however it’s been the biggest learning experience of my life! I feel like I am already such a stronger and open minded person being here. I can’t wait to see what else is in store and how this experience will change my life from here on out.
Yesterday (Friday) Courtney and I traveled to her school to observe the Chinese English teachers in class and get some ideas about how to set up our own classes. It was fantastic, we first observed a grade one class and they were the cutest! All so interested and eager to learn English, it is truly amazing how badly they want to know the language. We then went onto a grade 6 class where we were both blown away by the level of English that most of the kids in that class were able to speak. One boy, whose mother teaches English, and therefore teaches him at home, spoke so fluently to us that I almost forgot that we were in China… almost.
After going to the school,
we headed back to our neighbourhood mall to pick up some necessities for the apartment and some snacks and fresh fruit. To compare this supermarket in the mall at home, it would be equivalent to our Zellers or Wal-mart back in Canada – you can buy anything from toiletries to food to clothes. There is even a large section for alcohol where (brace yourselves) you can get Budweiser cans for approx. 80 cents Canadian. I know right? I think I’ll be living like a queen here no problem! I couldn’t resist buying a bottle of Pineapple beer, which I have yet to try but am totally excited to do so. It cost me about 20 cents. We also spotted three westerners at the mall yesterday, which was mind boggling to us because other than meeting the other foreign teachers at Bond, we haven’t seen ANYONE. So that was kind of cool and we felt like the creeps for staring other than the reverse way, which we are slowly getting used to.
Last night (Saturday) we funnily enough got approached by a Chinese man in the McDonalds (yes, we fell into the double cheeseburger trap, which by the way
tastes the exact same as at home – makes you wonder doesn’t it?) and he was from Pennsylvania visiting family. It was so refreshing speaking English to someone instead of trying to attempt body language and hand signs! We start our Chinese lessons next week, thank goodness. I have a feeling that will do the world of good for us! We also met up with all of the teachers from Bond at a shrimp fishery BBQ area. That’s the best way I can explain it, other than the fact that it was like a little lake where people fish for shrimp, and then around it was all of these fire pits set up – it was actually really cool. Other than the fact that when I was dying to pee, I was sent to a tin shack to pee in a hole – haha I’m still getting used to that way of using the washroom. And note to self: ALWAYS bring tissues to use at the bathroom because they have nothing!
Anyways, at the BBQ we got talking to all of the other foreign teachers – two of which are from TORONTO!!!! YAY. (hence the title “it’s a small
world after all”). We have arranged with them to have TML Morning Streamings together, which we will wake up at about 7am our time Sunday in order to stream the live games at home, and at least make ourselves feel not so isolated from Leafs TV. And hey, we’ll be able to watch them make it big time in the play offs this way too! (Fingers crossed). It was so nice to meet all of the teachers, who come from all over the world. One guy is also from Montreal, which was awesome to see Canada being represented over here. There are a few guys from England, a bunch of girls from the States and another guy from the US as well. So we have a good mix! I’m really looking forward to getting to know everyone more.
Today (Sunday) we are going to the mall to pick up our new Chinese cell phones – victory! And walk around and get to know the lay of the land a little more! Im really looking forward to getting the cell phone working so we can get in touch with everyone here and start hanging out and going places – I
Pizza Hut!
A little more fancy than at home eh? wonder what kind of phones we will have? Haha, I guess we shall see! We are also going to Bond to observe their Sunday classes, which Courtney and I will be teaching for – the more I observe the more eager I get to start teaching and the more ideas I get – I can definitely say I’m moving towards the right profession which is such a great feeling! I cant wait for this adventure of teaching to begin ☺
Advertisement
Tot: 0.066s; Tpl: 0.012s; cc: 9; qc: 48; dbt: 0.0382s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1;
; mem: 1.2mb
Melanie
non-member comment
Aww Lauren, it sounds like you are having a fantastic time! can't wait to hear about your teaching experiences. read the note about the fish HAHA i think you learnt your lesson! I miss you!! Your apt looks super cute:) xo