School Life

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It's been a while since I've written, and the reason for this is due to the frenetic pace of the classes (and marking) that we've had as of late. The classes are starting to feel more comfortable to me (despite the stress of the end of term and first report cards looming). I've finished teaching one full term of art and drama and now the kids in each respective section switch to whichever course (art or drama) that they haven't had and I teach the whole thing over again until next semester when I get a whole new group of kids. I'll be sad when I'm finished teaching (some of) these kids!

We had the halloween dance party for the students last night. I hadn't been expecting much (the kids had sounded somewhat uncertain about it all and many of my grade 10s hadn't bought tickets), but when we entered the gym, they had (homemade) carnival games, strobe lights, smoke machines, pretty decorations, a huge haunted house (performed by the drama 11/12 classes), and some pretty incredible costumes. There were also student performances of punk and indie bands and hip hop dance-offs. About 600 kids came, and I found it so refreshing to know they have an opportunity to show themselves outside of their uniforms and away from all the rather restrictive rules that guide them daily.

The weather has turned cold now (after one immense morning rainstorm) and I've taken that to mean it's time to buy tailor-made winter coats. In fact, tomorrow morning I'm heading into Dalian to pick up my custom-fit peatcoat along with my halloween costume and a smattering of new (hand-made) sweaters and skirts. I rather look forward to the cold months simply for this rather fashionably exciting enchancement to my closet's existence.

So, as I get absorbed back into marking papers, sketchbooks, and performance rubrics, and as the weather kicks me indoors (aside from jaunts out to go to my bowling league--I can officially bowl 67, which for me is pretty impressive--or to look for a new apartment in the city--which I'll give more details on next entry), I'll be here, planning for my next vacation (Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and the Philippines) and finding other small shenanigans to get up to.

Until next time....

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Photos

Old Building
Here's a view into the Old Building of campus, where my office is on the third floor.

My office
My desk is closest to the door.

Jinshitan beach
This is a 15 minutes walk from my apartment.

Comments

[candice]

cool!
Thoughs are some neat pictures, sounds like you are having lots of fun! Candice

[Melissa]

So FUN!
Hello Darling!! The Halloween party sounded great! We just had ours at the college with the ESL students, and there some great costumes, too! I love your Golden Pebble Beach shot; the sky looks amazing! :D XOX Melissa