How's your Mandarin going? Hi Jacinta,
Thanks for another great post. I'm wondering how your Mandarin (language, not orange!) is progressing. Or are you talking to others mainly in English? Is Mandarin the main language of instruction, or a dialect? I'm assuming it's all English in your classes, but what about in your day-to-day interactions? When you go shopping for Mandarins for example?
so similar to my indonesian cultural experiences wow i thought i was back in singaraja bali for a few brief moments..... similarities include students embracing to a certain extent with roleplays 'out the front.... dissimilarity if there is such a word....some of the teachers loved the role playing and we had many laughs about the english books that we were having to work from!!! grammar that was built on the indonesian language model...fascinating....... look forward to an indepth conversation at some point. And the library?! the same.....Oh well its not soooo diff over here in the indonesian section.....great to read your blog......: ))) ps yes compulsory naps....so sensible really
Define Elderly Well women must retire at 55 and men at 60, so I am guessing that we are getting close to elderly! Grey hair definitely is an indicator.
Loving your blog! Thanks for your blog Jacinta - I'm learning a lot about China and it's a great way to keep in touch. You should know that you're getting an audience at school - I've heard your blog mentioned in conversations in the staff room!
Favourably? Glad you are enjoying the tales! I trust that the comments (except from Lorraine of course) are mostly favourable. Please send everyone my warmest greetings.
Loved these stories Jacinta...you are so perceptive and you write so wonderfully. You could make a living beig a travel writer.
Love the name you Dad gave you!
I await the next iteration...cheers..julie
Travel Writer So, Julie, are you offering to pay me my wages to travel and write? I could mention how wonderful Cowandilla is and put some spot advertising into the photos!
Randomness Well Jacinta, it seems you are settling in well and the locals are providing wonderful vegetarian delights! It looks like great fun, glad to hear you are keeping fit as well! We are both well and are beginning the big move home before the wet hits. So far so good. Is Toni there ? If so, much love to you both. Eddie & Tania
Home ward bound. Toni is in Adelaide, look her up when the road train drops you off. Aren't you finishing the year out? Are the dogs happy? Love to you both.
what an adventure what an adventure..... how is the vego option going?? I m loving reading about your adventures, hows the language learning and speaking.....not to mention 'cultural etiqettes'? Seems like its only when you are immersed in someone elses culture that one begins to realise how very different it can be. xxtrees
cultural etiquette from one well travelled woman to another, the cultural mistakes just keep rolling in. this is a shoes off, slippers on at the door culture, and when my uni girls came to visit, I bought what i thought were throw away shoe covers. was wondering why several went barefoot, until I realized that the throw aways were knickers, not shoes!!
Outstanding Observations So glad your expertise, skill and talent is being tapped and you are beginning to see the potential impact you can have there.
A few of my favourite things OH My, what a production! When I read your entry: fluffy white dresses ..., I started reading it to the Sound of Music tune, these are a few of my favourite - but this wedding sure beats making the entire family's clothing from curtains!
Film Rights With 2 mounted and 1 roving professional video camera, 1 photographer and a lights and sound team of 6, they could make a movie to compete with The Sound of Music.
Unfortunately I missed out on the job. I will keep looking as something will turn up. You don't need an assistant? Sent Ikuko and Kasumi about 6 pages of information and photos I found on the Himeji Garden in Adelaide. They were very pleased to be able to read the history, but said it may take a while for them to read. My Japanese is slowly improving, I can count to ten. We both hope you are having a fantastic time and adventure, hoping you and Toni can keep in contact everyday (Skype). Take Care...
So interesting The Chinese sound so different from the way the Japanese and us operate with their schooling. I am envious of your experiences as they are so different from the western world, it makes me want to be part of it. I love the wooden table you are sitting at pouring the tea. We are both loving your blog Jacinta. Take Care....
If Only ...you and I sold our cars, and perhaps all our bikes, we might pay for the tea table, carved Buddha and all. Some things here you would recognize from Japan, others, not! Did you get the job Rodney?
Following your moves with interest! Thoroughly enjoying your blog Jacinta! Looking forward to the next episode with interest. (As long as the pawn survives)
Chess Anyone Hey Big Sis...so far this has worked..glad to hear you are well and copeing with the chinese ways...sort of!!! I am sure you are being gracious and saying all the right things to the right people...sounds like your flying in high circles..What is your weather like?
Wisconsin, 1979, my final teaching practicum in a schoolyard thick with snow. Running away to Italy, when teaching in Whyalla got too much. Milking sheep in Israel, midnight shift turtle care in Costa Rica, head hunted for China. The pay has never been great, but the memories. Back to Himeji for another Japanese adventure. Join me.... full info
toni
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When do we get the Jinhua ABC?