Easter has come and gone. Although we didn't have a ham our KFC friend chicken served as a nice replacement. We had some of the new teachers over for a little piece of home for Easter dinner. Afterwards the Easter Bunny (played by Wu and myself) hid some eggs in the park for Sam and Matty to find. Since Matty can't quite walk yet... Sam had the upper hand. It was a very nice and quiet Easter.
As we remembered the sacrifice of the Son I can’t help but notice the changing seasons all around me. The weather has had its flashes of both cool and warm days but has been generally a very nice beginning to the Spring. Flowers are blooming, what little grass we have is now green and whatever tree hasn’t been pruned to within an inch of its life is starting to sprout flowers. There is a general feel of optimism and change in the air. But with this new change will undoubtedly bring a new understanding of the word busy. As this week marks our mid-way point through semester I know that the school year will be over before I know it. So with that in mind… I am off to enjoy the rest of my semester in Siping! Spring, I’ve missed you. I can’t wait to spend time together outside on blacktops and artificial turf and pavement. Winter I am not sad to see you go, but am sure we will see each other before we know it.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Top 5 Flags
Oh yeah I forgot to show the winners of the flag competition. These five students get to go out to pizza with the foreign teachers! (I think they are excited...not sure)
Soccer tourney
Well basketball got canceled, but fear not I am still getting up at 5:45 to help coach. Although I am just assisting head coach Wu, so the pressure is off. (not that the pressure was ever really on) I am getting a flashback of those early morning practices at HIU. I remember just being exhausted in my classes, which is kind of how I feel now, but more people notice when I fall asleep in class.
In other news the building behind my apartment is being torn apart, which provides plenty of distractions from grading and lesson planning. Although I am about sick of the dust that has been constantly swarming out apartment building. Today's rain was definitely a relief from the constant dust cloud.
As this week of remembrance comes up i think of the passage in John:
Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion;
see, your king is coming...
In other news the building behind my apartment is being torn apart, which provides plenty of distractions from grading and lesson planning. Although I am about sick of the dust that has been constantly swarming out apartment building. Today's rain was definitely a relief from the constant dust cloud.
As this week of remembrance comes up i think of the passage in John:
Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion;
see, your king is coming...
Sunday, April 10, 2011
The Flags
13 colonies, 50 states... I remember the US flag lessons that included Betsy Ross and the Star Spangled Banner. Yet here i find myself teaching lessons about not only the US flag but also the Mexican, Spanish, French and of course Chinese flag. As we teach the meanings of the symbols, colors and shapes of the flags we have our students take that knowledge and develop a flag of their own that represents China in their eyes. The results are as varied as one could imagine. The most popular color is of course red, and the most common symbol is a star yet I am always impressed by the creativity year after year.
Now to add a little intrigue we have students (and teachers) vote for the best flags in the class. The top 3 flags will be hung in the foreign teachers' Library. After all the top flags are narrowed down to a top 10, all of the foreign teachers vote on the best one.
The top 10 have been chosen; all that remains is choosing a winner.
I haven't voted yet and I am always up for suggestions. Feel free to tell me which flag you think is the best. I will let you know the final winner very soon...
Now to add a little intrigue we have students (and teachers) vote for the best flags in the class. The top 3 flags will be hung in the foreign teachers' Library. After all the top flags are narrowed down to a top 10, all of the foreign teachers vote on the best one.
The top 10 have been chosen; all that remains is choosing a winner.
I haven't voted yet and I am always up for suggestions. Feel free to tell me which flag you think is the best. I will let you know the final winner very soon...
Sunday, April 3, 2011
3 day "Holiday"
Yesterday was Saturday. Yet it was Monday... class wise. Over the last few years China has been pushing more Nationalistic Holidays. Qing Ming Jie 清明节 has always been celebrated in China yet in the last 3 or 4 years it has been instituted to have a national holiday. Now... the funny thing is that national holidays are not quite what they seem.
I was told we would have a 3-day holiday.
My response: "oh cool, when?"
Their response: "Sunday, Monday and Tuesday."
Me: "Who teaches on Sunday?"
Them: "Well we will teach Monday's class on Saturday."
Me: (no response)
So there you have it. Our 3-day "holiday."
So basically we get Tuesday off. And our weekend is messed up. Also... Tuesday classes are now a week behind the rest of the week. I am not sure the logic behind it, but I am going to wait until the next national holiday before trying to get my classes to realign.
In other news, the weather has been getting a lot nicer and the basketball courts and soccer fields have been filling up. However spring is also the time of insane winds in Siping. There is a saying in Siping, "The wind only blows two times a year. But each time it blows it lasts for half a year." Well, our Chinese version of the windy city has unleashed the wind's spring session. Yet despite the wind finally being able to say goodbye to the ice and snow has been warmly welcomed. (pun not really intended...)
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