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Published: March 17th 2007
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When we first arrived at Buckland Teachers College we were taught a few Chinese phrases to get us by like 'how much?', 'too expensive!', 'Hello, how are you?' and 'I am a teacher, I have no money' so shopkeepers dont think just because I am a foreigner that I have lots of money. Soooo.... I have been happily going along saying..wo shi lao shi saying it exactly as it reads, but the first shi is pronouced shi and second is prounced tsi.. instead of saying I am a teacher, i have been saying... I am a mouse........!!! Chinese have 4 tones and the only difference in the 2 shi's is the second is a very quick tsi. Yep, i have been walking into shops trying to bag myself a bargain telling people that I am a mouse!!!........Silly me!!
Thursday 8th March
Well, I have finished my 1st four days as an English Teacher. Tomorrow is Friday and that will make it a week. I have taught 14 classes already - can you believe it. I had one class in particular where everything went exactly as planned (and my senior teacher was watching) I felt the most amazing high at the
students playing table tennis
The foggyness isn't pollution.. its the humidity.. end of it that the students really 'got' what I was teaching...
Today was Womens Day. Since China turned into a Socialist country they are sorry for the oppression of women in the past, so one day a year is dedicated to Women. Now, 'Both Men and Women hold up the sky"
So a group of us lovely ladies / teachers were able to swap our afternoon lessons for morning ones and head off for an afternoon of "fun".. I was not sure what this was going to entail.. but we were dropped off at New Centry Square which is the huge parkland and we walked to a new Shopping Centre.. we window shopped at clothes shops and tried on outrageously expensive clothes and laughed as if we all spoke the same language.. it was great fun.. then we went to a fast food store like KFC but less yunk foodish and had a soft serve ice cream.. They call it Chinese ice cream and were so happy that i liked it.. I didnt want to say that it is very popular in Australia too at McDonalds, Hungry Jacks etc as they were very happy with it being
girls dorms
30 girls per room. Clothes hanging out to dry. 'Chinese ice cream'.. then we went looking at the most expensive furniture in town which was very modern and compared to Chinese standards very expensive.
Later that night we were taken to dinner. It was delicous... Every restuarant I have been to - or been taken to, serves a different style of Chinese food or a different flavour, you would be so suprised about what you are actually eating because the flavour is so divine. I ate prawns head tonight and they were delicious.. I think our minds get in the way of our taste buds too much.. There are so many delights to experience.
At the end of the meal they brought out a drink for the ladies and I thought it was alcoholic so i had a glass then i was told no its not alcoholic it is for good digestion.. it was a tinsy, tinsy bit ciderish with honey and a slight hint of ginger in it... They call it Vinegar Drink but was far from vinegar.
Today was so freezing that inside the restuarant (and inside my home) I was breathing frost (mist/fog) but we were served corn kernal juice warm... it was
like creamed corn but gentler and with no lumps and less thick.. mmm it was delicious.
Everyday I have so many things I want to tell but i am incredibly busy. For instance yesterday all my lessons were before 11am and i was supposed to have the afternoon off but the local doctors wanted to take me to lunch with some other people, then i came home did some quick lesson planning for about 20 minutes and I was off to dinner again with Education researchers that travel the world wanting to improve the Chinese Education System... (Students are in the class from from 7.25am til 9.20pm. They have 2 hours off for lunch and a nap, but most have to do homework and an hour off for dinner in the evenings.
There is so much pressure on the children to pass their exams to get into University... Enormous pressure.. more than I've ever felt and this pressure starts way before middle school which is at 13. The pressure for exams are to get from middle school into a good high school and then to get from high school into a good University.
But my classes are
interactive, fun mostly and the students can relax a little. I am really enjoying teaching and learning so much from the other teachers who have been so generous with their time, resources and experience. I love the creativity of it. I love being on 'stage' and the planning that it takes to run a lesson where the students feel safe to express themselves and take a chance with new things.
I know I have said that it is really cold here, but right now, I have 2 thermal tops on, a jumper, my coat, a scarfe, long johns, pants, thick socks up to my knees and slippers... but i am still f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-f-freeeeeeeeeeeezing... I need a body ugg boot!!!
Saturday 10th March
Today I caught a bus by myself from my home to Liz's home and walked by myself all the way to her house. I was very brave.. nah!! it was quite easy actually.. hee hee... 😊
I went through my weeks worth for lesson plans with Liz to see if she can give me some ideas. This week we are talking about the seasons. Next week about different countries.
Some of the classes are afraid
fresh fruit in juice or vinegar
My favourite is fresh pineapple with chilli to talk so I have to be very creative with the ideas that i have to 'trick' them into talking while we are playing games... I wish it was 3 months in the future so i had 3 months experience as a teacher. Having said that, it is a wonderful journey and i am enjoying every minute of it.
I had dinner with Liz tonight then we went to a coffee bar which was pretty cool. every time we go out we have a special VIP room to ourself. this is very popular in China. They prepare the coffee from scratch even crushing the coffee beans in front of us...
Friday March 16th
Time is flying. Today I finished my 2nd week of being a Foreign English Teacher in China.
It seems the weather has suddenly turned warm and humid overnight and everything has turned wet. The outside windows, walls, even wooden doors. I am lucky I am on the bottom floor of this housing block as the inside of the house is very cool and seems to have stayed dry. Only thing is, I am next to what seems to be a mini rainforest and I
Chinese Medicine Tea
on every street you can pick up a cup of Chinese Medicine Tea... I often get the one for a sore throat.... pity it tastes like boot polish! have to be careful when opening my front door or a big swarp of mosquitos will try to make my home their home and my body their dinner...
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Before I go I would like to say a BIG congratulations to my cousin Candice (& Elvis) who had their 'Australian' wedding in Melbourne this month and a BIG congratulations to Aunty Pam who again became a grandmother to a beautiful grandson named Cameron. And to send much love to those affected by Ray's passing... I am thinking of you all and wish I could wiggle my nose and be there for some big hugs.. XXX
Keep in touch.
Dani.
Follow your dreams & stand tall doing it.
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Aunty
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Danni it all sounds great. I can't wait to see it all when we come across. Little Cmaeron is just beautiful - I can't believe that Ray missed out on meeting him by so few weeks..or perhaps he really hasn't. Your accomodation looks very good - much better than we had in Korea. Is the computer yours or did it come with the job? Lots of love. Remember, laugh lots, love like there is no tomorrow.