Olympics You must be enjoying the Olympics right about now. That opening ceremony was the most creative, spectacular opening ceremony I have had the privilege to watch (via TV). Walking horizontal to the ground, while being dangled from wires in the air - too much. And, that "box" routine, I thought it looked like a computerized program, the participants were so perfect in their performance. So, are you planning on staying in China and teaching another semester or year? I will be touring Japan October 20, for 12 days, with same company as the Tailand tour. Can't wait.
leaping tigers Wow, wow, wow!!! What amazing pictures and video. I loved the sound of the rushing river. It's so great that you two are finding "mamas" wherever you go. I'll have to look up the story of the "leaping tiger." Stephanie, the photo of you hugging the mountains is spectacular, but it makes my heart skip a few beats. So glad the summer is bringing so many wonderful adventures and memories to last a lifetime. Grandma is loving your letters. "I got something wonderful," she called from the mailbox when she got your last letter while we were there. Love you both so much!!!
summer travels Tiger Leaping Gorge, Jade Dragon Snow Mountains - how magnificent. Your photography could be in National Geographic!!! Love that photo of Stephanie "hugging mountains". How do you do it - leap on the steep ledge? As if 5 days of hiking in those high mountains isn't enough, you crossed that water fall in a storm. Love your mountain horse story. However, must have been a scare losing the path under such weather conditions. Apples won't be looked at in the same way again. The total eclipse was on TV news. So many experiences. So many memories.
leaping tigers! Your photos are absolutely amazing, beautiful, spectacular and so creative! The gorge pictures had both my hands and feet sweating.... Now a solar eclipse, camels, sand caves, the olympics, and more gorgeous countryside: your journey just keeps getting better and better! Thanks SO much for sharing it all with us---miss and love you both lots~
Hi guys! Hi Steph and Cody! I hope you're having fun on your vacation. I can't wait until you come back. I'm going to a different school next year. I'm going to Golda Meir. I'm buiding a playhouse in the back yard. See you soon. Love, Monae
You Guys Rock This is so cool! I am considering teaching abroad in Asia myself and the information you guys put on here is so informative and helpful. Keep up the awesome posts! Safe travels!
hiU r a great teacher dear friend ,I've changed my name into Ivy.U r ever ready to make ur class interesting and lively.U 've found so many materials and even recorded funny dialogues with Cody to let students practise.As a teacher here in China,I learn from ur devotion and i shall say 'thank u'
Thanks for the warm fuzzies! Hey there,
You don't know me, but I just found your blog by accident while doing research for a training on China I'm doing (I'm a cross cultural trainer in Chicago). I taught English at a Shanghai university from '04-'06 and your blog brought back many fond memories for me. Anyway, just wanted to thank you for that, fellow China-English-teacher! : )
Rebecca P.
oolong I was just in my car and caught a talk radio segment highlighting various tea's of the world. The majority of the segment covered Yunnan's oolong tea varieties. I listened because of ya'll. Yunnan oolong was noted as especially delicious but most difficult to cultivate. What do you think? Can you share your expertise?
What songs did you sing at the jazz bar? Did you hang out there all the time? Were there any Frenchies there? Christian is going to Quebec this August with his family. He has effectively learned one phrase from the phrase book so far, "J'ai le diarrhee." When you come back you will hear that often. Ethan has a special lady friend who, according to Bridgey and Aldeny, is very pretty and a good golfer. Graham has grown six inches and I have gained 23 pounds. It's hard being in Madison without you guys and sometimes (okay- a lotta time) cheese danishes soften the blow. we love and miss you both very very very very much.
Holiday at last! That fish looks so good!!! Can't wait to see the photos of Tiger Leaping Gorge. Happy traveling!!! You are always in our thoughts.
Love you tons!
teaching and the Chinese Stephanie, such an immense project - teaching 800 students a week who's language you did not speak! And, an awe-inspiring completion of this grand task. Having visited China, I found I love the beautiful people and country. As you discovered, they are warm, curious, loving - and left an indelible imprint on you, as you left on them. Sad to think of all the years of one's life the propaganda made them evil - instead of the regime. Happy continued travels Stephanie and Cody.
Yeay!! Steph- Congratulations on being done! This is a great post. Thank you guys for taking the time to fill us in on all your adventures. Happy travels! We miss you guys. Love, Pam
Cheetahs or Cheetos? Stephie- I'm so proud of you! You've been so creative with the games and activities which is quite impressive considering your lack of training and experience in the field. Did you find yourself spending all of your down time planning lessons? Is Cody still alive and well? I want pictures and stories about all of your other adventures. Check out Peder Engelstad's facebook for photos of our past weekend in Minnesota. We all miss you and Cody much.
teacher of the year All I can think of is the impact you had on those hundreds of kids, to say nothing of their impact on you. Good, bad, difficult, easy, fun, challenging--you did it, and you have changed many lives with your work there. You are truly a special lady.
nice work This is an amazing blog! I know you say you are an optimist, but with 60 kids a class, the fact that you share their successes and their character so intimately shows how you really personally connected with all those students! Even with a language barrier! I could read this blog over and over- it is very funny and touching. Thanks for including your "successful lesson plans" section :) Your activism concerning the earthquake is also touching and inspirational- you have really made your trip to China mean so much to many people, not just yourselves. You and Cody are beautiful people and I think of you often.
Love, Elycia
Congratulations on a job well done :) Stephanie: This was wonderful to read. Teaching is hard enough when everyone speaks the same language. It looks like you really made the most of your experience, and that you and your students benefited immensely. Bravo! Happy travels! Hi Cody! :)
Teaching with "heart" What a great blog, Stephanie! And such creative lessons. I loved the commercial idea and Get Out of Jail game. Great photos of the students. The Halfmann joke was extra funny because just a while before I read your blog Dad had asked me if I had ever thought of changing my last name because editors might find it strange. Well, at least it's always a conversation-starter--no matter what country you're in apparently. Have fun traveling. You deserve a vacation! Love ya!
We found ourselves a bit directionless and with wide open schedules after graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2007 with degrees in Psychology (Stephanie) and Spanish (Cody). So one sunny afternoon in July, we booked a couple of one-way tickets and found our direction -- China. We now sit in Hong Kong with objective one being get visas, objective two - navigate our way through the next month? year?two years? three? as we find employment, learn the language, soak in the flavors and ride the wave. Join us!... full info
Maxine
non-member comment
Olympics
You must be enjoying the Olympics right about now. That opening ceremony was the most creative, spectacular opening ceremony I have had the privilege to watch (via TV). Walking horizontal to the ground, while being dangled from wires in the air - too much. And, that "box" routine, I thought it looked like a computerized program, the participants were so perfect in their performance. So, are you planning on staying in China and teaching another semester or year? I will be touring Japan October 20, for 12 days, with same company as the Tailand tour. Can't wait.