Blogs from Liaoning, China, Asia - page 12

Summer was great - family, friends, relaxing- all the things that summer should be. We spent most of the time in Calgary staying at the Baxendale hotel (Calgary location). It was good to be back golfing, getting a few rounds in with Mom and several with Rick. (game hasn't improved much!). We also went hiking in the Kananaskis, took in the Kensington Salsa Festival and the Chinatown festival, and had visits to Fairmont and Edmonton. Rick also flew to Minnesota to play golf with brother Fred and wife Dianne. We had visits with all the Baxendale siblings over the summer, Barb, Bob, Diane and Nancy; as well Rick got to visit with his brothers Dave, and Fred, sister Pat and sister in law Barb. It was wonderful to spend 3 weeks with Geoff in Calgary and, ... read more

We have only been here for less than two weeks and I feel like I have been here for months, so much has happened and we haven't even began teaching. We don't start our classes for another week! In spite of the sad atmosphere of a Grandmother's death everyone was happy that she was going to a better place and unlike American attitudes she even had a birthday cake, because on her deathday she was born into anther place. I wasn't sure if I was to keep my head down and be solemn but the whole family from all over China was so happy they had an excuse to gather than the vibe was mostly cheer, lots of dinners, speeches and toasts. Reasurance from the older members of the family to the younger members "we are ... read more

Approaching a year in China, my wife and I have suddenly found ourselves as the longest serving members of the teaching department. A role that has come at impressive haste, helped by the quick departure of three other teachers, whose contracts have all ended. Like independence from the British Empire, the departures have created feelings of a new beginning. It’s also made me realise how little time my wife and I have left before we move on to pastures new. I hope the very likeable new teachers that have arrived will have more success than the three previous new arrivals, all of whom were sacked within weeks. In the English teaching profession of Asia, there is the rarest kind of teacher that one wants to meet. They are as fabled and mysterious as unicorns, dragons and ... read more

So I just finished my second day of teaching at the first public school. All in all, it went very well. It is a little less structured when it comes to starting class on time, but I am learning to adapt to it. However, today I was watching the kids during their recess and found it somewhat entertaining. The boys like to play some game where they stand in a circle and clap their hands and then do some sort of hand gesture to each other until someone gets it wrong...or something. They also like to fight. Literally, fist punching in the face and in the gut, rolling around on the ground. And no one stops them. The little girls run around chasing each other. Either they're playing tag or they like to chase each other ... read more

Well, it's been a while since I posted on this blog. Mainly because I have been too busy to travel. Those of you who might still be subscribed to recieve e-mails on these blogs can remove their subscription at the bottom of the e-mail. I moved to China a little over a week ago. I have a job as a researcher/lecturer at Dalian Maritime University. This semester for the most part I am just doing research. I had a bit of a rocky start getting here, all of my bags (even my carryon) were lost by the airline. But it turned out fine because everything made it the following day. While I have been too busy to do much sightseeing, I have had a chance to wander around the campus. It is full of green spaces ... read more