Good Lord!!! Girl you had better settle yourself! I never taught you to misbehave that badly in a public bar!!!! :>D I am glad you are having such an awesome time! No wedding drinking with the locals! We want you to come home someday for good!
Boy, that sounds like a hectic day. Also, what is wrong with these people and their pedicures?? I bet you'll be looking forward to a real one almost as much as an Awful Awful by the time you return. We'll have to get a burger to go for you so you can sit in a pedi chair while they work on (AND PAINT) your toe nails.
UGH!! Well, I feel your pain with the travel issues. They are always a learning experience. You sound happier and I am glad about that. Don't go anywhere without your passport. Take care girl! Miss you!
Shopping list please Okay, girlie. Send me a shopping list of things you really want me to send you and I will get it off to you. I also need a mailing address! Remember I send things to my hubby, so I have boxes to spare, and I can figure out what is not allowed to be shipped there by looking on-line! Let's check on white wine! Miss you!
Oh I so feel your pain! It's like shards of glass sometimes. I came across your blog because I was Googling "Homesick" and "China". Feel free to email me if you want to talk about the American red, white and blues :)
dude, i think mosquitoes like you cuz you taste like beans and rice. boom roasted!
why are you not naming your friends and just numbering them? i don't think they'd appreciate it...
i'm excited for you to be an explorer! you're right, slow down on thinking resident and enjoy being a tourist until you feel that you could not explore anymore (which might be impossible since China's a pretty big place but hey, you know what I'm trying to say).
still appreciate the food pictures. and it may just be me, but when i notice what you're wearing and recognize it, i miss you more? i'm weird.
Flowers Aww yay! They are so pretty =) Thanks for taking those! I haven't taken any photos of flowers since I house sat for Sally, but we are going to have Fall colors here pretty soon. That will make for awesome photos-which I will take for you! I took many photos at BM and Michelle and I were talking about how when you come back (if?) you should come with us, though it might be hectic trying to arrange for it right after you get back (but totally worth it!)... I told her my first day out there was for you. I wore some of your clothes for interesting outfits... You would have loved the art and I hope you'll go someday. As for me, I'm there every year if I can make it happen and it would be awesome if you could join me!
LOL Your pedicure experience is hilarious. I can't believe the cost of living is so low over there when they have so many people... idk, it just seems odd to me. Watch out for those massages! Holy cow. I would have been tempted not to pay, but then I know they probably would've beaten me up more! haha
Love your toe nails! love your toe nails! Sounds like school is much better! It was great you had some delights! Dance class and karaoke sounds like fun! It sounds like an adventure to get to the pizza hut!
proud of you! How old are these students?
Getting their attention and respect. Have they given you any ideas for getting all eyes and ears to be on you? Maybe touching your eyes and ears or pointing to them and then point to your eyes for them to look at you. and do the same for the ears
I know when my parents were in Japan they would try to talk to a child in an elevator,,, they would not say anything until my parents were out of the elevator... but they did respond after a while
Yes, just like subbing here or teaching preschool or adults... speaking quieter, or clapping softly... they will wonder what you are doing. or like in girls scouts... raising your hand for everyone to listen, Or sing... to get their attention. try whatever works If you can figure how to get their attention... maybe like Play chirades... act it out... they will have to pay attention to figure out what you are doing. Hopefully the translator will be back. I can not imagine 70 students! It will get easier...hang in there!
It reminds me when AShley was in South Korea in a classroom. It was if all the students (all male) has never seen an American girl before... which is probably true... that they wanted your autograph and pictures and to touch you! It is awesome about your new name... beautiful!
It seems like they have a very disciplined routine... like south Korea... they learn many languages, have long school days and are further ahead education wise than the USA.
It would be hard to order from a menu... I would need to use a droid all the time with google translate! In fact, I want to learn french and spanish and italian and maybe german.. Hopefully this will prevent alzheimers!
Anyways have fun and enjoy! we are so proud of you!
I think the best part might have been the 4 students at the end of that one class. Hold onto that part of your day because that's one of the reasons you are there--for kids like those that actually appreciate your presence and help. Oh, and yeah, their structure at break time weirds me out a bit... Had a rib at the cook off for you today and Mari and I reminisced about her fun b-day with you and me breaking it down on the floor ;-) Ciao, bella :-)
Teaching Okay, I have been in your shoes in a class that doesn't listen. It is impossible to teach and harder for those who want to learn. You need to get their attention. So there are things you can try. Stop teaching and quietly ask for their attention. If it doesn't happen, stand front and center in front of the classroom, not behind anything, and be incredibly silent. Clear your throat, and be silent. They will turn to look at you and you can raise your eyebrow and ask for silence in the classroom. If all else fails, tap something in a constant rhythm and loud enough for it to get irritating. Classes that size are difficult to handle, so you must get their attention. You could also get them repeating something or give them a short assignment that you want completed in 5 minutes. Just depends on what you are allowed to do.
Good luck girl, you are doing great! Miss you, but PROUD of your decision and positive attitude!
ummm I am glad you still are enjoying yourself. Just remember the temporary part of the resident statement. I agree you should use good judgement as a teacher when photographing. Probably best to not take photos @ school without admininstrative authorization. It is not much different in schools here. These are not your children and their parents may not want them photographed. There is usually a time when administration will allow photography of students, but then you should do it more like a class photo for your teaching scrapbook. Common sense and considerations will keep you in the right, and you are great at both of them!
Hmmm hopefully no one was self conscious about their weight or chest haha
Well, that doesn't sound like that horrible of a schedule. Thank God you don't have any super early morning ones ;-) You'll need time to recuperate from all of your "cheers!" haha
Pictures are good, but hearing a first hand description is pretty awesome. Write a book or notes about it now while it's still new to you... Put your journalism skills into use! I bet pretty soon you'll get used to it all and not even notice. Anyway, thanks for the updates :-)
reponse to terra oh there are lines in each office and for example, when we were weighed, everyone could see. when we did the ultra sound, we had to lift our shirts and everyone could see...it wasnt like we were naked though. one of the girls said she was a little uncomfortable. and the weekend thing...i dont really know my own schedule yet. seems like i'll be doing weekdays 8-12 and maybe two classes in the afternoon one day a week. and i think i'll only teach one class on saturday and sunday. we get a new girl later this week so who knows.
Ooo, I would be screwed with the booze. Two drinks and I'm happy, three drinks and I'm drunk for the rest of the night haha Enjoy ;-)
What do you mean by no privacy with the physicals? Did you have to wander around naked and such? :-/ Doesn't sound like the place for me... Seems like you made it through it though.
I can't believe how long your weekends are. That's evil :-( Hopefully there are more 4 o'clock starts than 1PM on the weekdays. Kinda chilly in Reno right now and it rained over the weekend. Nice break from the heat, I suppose. A lot of burners are coming through. Tis all going on here for now. Have fun and be safe :-)
You are awesome! I was soooo excited to see Julie post the link to this on your fb page. (Thanks Julie!!) I was thinking of you and missing you and went to look at your page. =D
I can't even start to imagine how different and amazing things must be there. SO glad you are doing this Blog. The pictures totally rock, too. I agree with Ronna about the blood. eck. Way to keep a good attitude. And the clothes and shopping....How fun. =D You can be the trendsetter in Benxi and start a Sunglasses Revolution. Lol.
Love you so much and can't wait to see another post. KEEP 'EM COMING. You rock. XO
kevin
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Sanya will be great, just like Hawaii, not many japaneses though but a lot of russians.