The dorm life for my students is very difficult. There are 12 students to a room (6 floors). All of their stuff has to be lined up, etc just like in basic training of the US military. Nothing can be out of place or the whole dorm is in trouble. There is a light but no electrical outlets and lights are out at 10:15, no exceptions, no excuses. The toilet is also in the same room where they sleep. A Chinese toliet is squatting over a hole, so the sewer line is open and the smell is horrible. There is no heating or air-conditioning. There are no washing machines or dryers (hand wash/hang dry). There is no hot water in the rooms. If you want hot water to bathe or wash clothes, you must take a bucket to the first floor and get the hot water and haul it to your room. For that matter, if you want a bath or to wash clothes you must do it during your free time: 40 mins at lunch and 50 mins at dinner. As all other time is spent in class of some kind and when the students are released at night to go to bed, they have 15 mins to get from class to dorm and in bed before lights are out.
We, and our childern, are spoiled. We have it made and still we complain and try to have more. Yea, part of my apartment is cold; but, I have hot water when I want it, I have heat in one room, I have a regular toilet so no smell, I have a stove refridgarator, microwave, and washer, I have electrical outlets that I can plug up an electric blanket or floor heater if I want and I have plenty of time to bathe, wash my clothes, eat, go to town, etc. Please forgive me for ever complaining.
A Teaching Adventure
Friday, December 9, 2011
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Guangzhou and the taxi ride from H_ _ _
Took a weekend trip to Guangzhou, the third largest city in China. It is close to Hong Kong. Rode the fast train (309 kmh), which I thought would be the most exciting part of the trip, boy was I wrong. Guangzhou has a metro system as well as a bus system and the metro was inexpensive and easy to navigate. Even though I only saw a small part of the city, I enjoyed it. To be as large as it is, I thought it was very quite, more quite than Changsha or Liuyang, and very clean. The cost of goods and services also seemed very reasonable, sometimes even less expensive than Changsha or Liuyang, which are smaller cities. Again, I hope to have pictures on my web site if I can get them to load.
Now to the excitement, although I am not sure the dictionary has enough words to describe the experience. Lucifer himself was driving the taxi I took from Changsha to Liuyang. It had to be Lucifer because he did not care about dying or who he took with him. Now the speed limit on the highway is 100kmh. Okay, that is about 65mph, not too fast, and one would assume that the speedometer in the car was also kmh since everything here is metric, right? So, the fact that the speedometer is showing that the car is going 100 - 120 should still be okay. WRONG. Let me tell you, we were NOT going only 65mph. It felt like 120 MILES PER HOUR. Add to that total disregard for any and all rules China does or does not have such as: using all four lanes, regardless of which way the traffic is supposed to be going on them; no turn signal/look to see if you can pass, just weave in and out/blowing your horn/I'm the only one with the right of way here; other vehicles stopping in the middle of the road/people walking/motor-scooters parked on the side/transfer trucks backing up down the middle of the street traffic; passing in the two lane TUNNELs. AND when he realized I was talking about his driving to my student and that he might be scaring me, he had the gall to tell me I should PRAY???!!!!!! Why did he think I was on my knees in the back of a taxi for???!!!! ADD to that him pumping the gas like he was keeping the beat or playing the drums so my head was bobbing like one of those bobble head dolls you put on you dash. Did he slow down when we got to town? Yea, to 80! in the middle of town. It was like driving downtown Winston during rush hour running 80. That is when I snapped. I ask my student if she knew any bad words in Chinese, she looked at me and said bad "words"? I said, yes, like Hell. She started to laugh, and told me what it was in Chinese and I told her to tell the taxi driver that I said to "SLOW THE HELL DOWN!" Of course by now she is laughing so hard she can hardly breath and we are almost to our stop. I told her that if he ever came to pick me up again I would walk before riding with him, that I would NEVER forget what he looked like and would NEVER get in a car with him again. By then she is bent over laughing and I am laughing too, hysterical, OMG, laughing on my part.
Now to the excitement, although I am not sure the dictionary has enough words to describe the experience. Lucifer himself was driving the taxi I took from Changsha to Liuyang. It had to be Lucifer because he did not care about dying or who he took with him. Now the speed limit on the highway is 100kmh. Okay, that is about 65mph, not too fast, and one would assume that the speedometer in the car was also kmh since everything here is metric, right? So, the fact that the speedometer is showing that the car is going 100 - 120 should still be okay. WRONG. Let me tell you, we were NOT going only 65mph. It felt like 120 MILES PER HOUR. Add to that total disregard for any and all rules China does or does not have such as: using all four lanes, regardless of which way the traffic is supposed to be going on them; no turn signal/look to see if you can pass, just weave in and out/blowing your horn/I'm the only one with the right of way here; other vehicles stopping in the middle of the road/people walking/motor-scooters parked on the side/transfer trucks backing up down the middle of the street traffic; passing in the two lane TUNNELs. AND when he realized I was talking about his driving to my student and that he might be scaring me, he had the gall to tell me I should PRAY???!!!!!! Why did he think I was on my knees in the back of a taxi for???!!!! ADD to that him pumping the gas like he was keeping the beat or playing the drums so my head was bobbing like one of those bobble head dolls you put on you dash. Did he slow down when we got to town? Yea, to 80! in the middle of town. It was like driving downtown Winston during rush hour running 80. That is when I snapped. I ask my student if she knew any bad words in Chinese, she looked at me and said bad "words"? I said, yes, like Hell. She started to laugh, and told me what it was in Chinese and I told her to tell the taxi driver that I said to "SLOW THE HELL DOWN!" Of course by now she is laughing so hard she can hardly breath and we are almost to our stop. I told her that if he ever came to pick me up again I would walk before riding with him, that I would NEVER forget what he looked like and would NEVER get in a car with him again. By then she is bent over laughing and I am laughing too, hysterical, OMG, laughing on my part.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Birthday party and Halloween Trick or Treat
First the birthday party: Everything started out great; the room was decorated beautifully, students sang, flower candle lit and wish made . . . We were in the middle of cutting the cake when the teacher that let the students have the room and was kind of supervising told them they had to pack up and move because there was going to be a meeting there. ???? If there was a meeting scheduled then why did he let them have the room to start with? Anyway, we started trying to get everything packed up and moved (balloons, cake, food, drinks, candles, etc etc) But were to go? The only room they could find open was the computer room. Geez, trouble just waiting to happen. I was not happy with the choice but they all moved in and we went back to cutting the cake and ran out of plates. What did they do? just took their forks and went to eating from what was left of the cake!! How did it taste, you ask. I don't know because I did not get even one bite of it!!!! Hahahahaha LOL I swear! Not one single bite! Then I made the mistake of hitting one of the balloons at one of the students and then they were all hitting them and they were falling in cake icing and then getting it all over the computers! Took me a minute to get them to stop and make them clean up. All I needed was them to spill drink or something on the computers. After I got them to clean up some of them decided to sing to me. They are actually pretty good singers. Then they decided we would go up to the gym where we would have more room. People were playing and we ended up on one of the roofs in the dark!!!
I got several beautiful hand-made cards, some candy, and a teddy bear. The students were soooo disappointed that they had to move rooms and were worried that I was disappointed. I assured them that all was okay, to not worry, that I was very thankful for the trouble they went to, that the room had been beautiful and the cake was beautiful. (I did not mention that I didn't get any).
Halloween:
I now know how employees feel when they first open the door on black Friday!!!!! I was afraid that someone was going to get hurt in the mob that descended on my office as soon as the bell rang for dinner! Everyone was pushing with out-stretched hands to get to the door like I was giving away 64 inch TVs or something instead of a couple pieces of candy!! I finally had to threaten to close the door and not give out anymore if they didn't stop pushing and line up down the hallway. Sill it was a little edgy until most of the crowd was gone.
I decorated my office door and window with bats, witch, ghosts, dead tree and graveyard, and a jack-o-lantern (they loved the jack-o-lantern). I dressed up in black, made a witches hat, and used some black cloth to make hair. I used green make-up powder to make my hands and face take on a green tinge. I am pretty sure the kids got a kick out of it!
Some of the Senior 2's saw me and came to see what was going on. They would walk up with their hand out and I would just look at them. Of course I was waiting for them to say "Trick-or-Treat" and they did not know they had to say anything because they had not had the lesson I taught my Senior 1's. I would grin. They would grin back. Then either someone would tell them what to say or one of my students would come up and say it to get their candy and then the Senior 2 students would grin again and say "Trick-or-Treat". It was sooo much fun!!! I bought six 5K bags of candy and I gave away at least half of it, two-three pieces at a time. So I had a great turn out!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Monster Mash
For the next two weeks I am teaching about Halloween to all my classes. My liaison is afraid that my dressing up is going to scare the students and no decorations on the walls outside the office because she is afraid the inspection team will come and think it is messy. She finally did agree to let me decorate the door to the office because it can be took down quickly. Soooo, I have bought paper and a pumpkin and I am going to decorate the door, carve a jack-o'-lantern, and make me a witches hat and long black hair. I still need to find some extremely cheep candy (I have 960 students) because I am inviting each class to trick-or-treat at my office Monday night, October 31. So I will dress like a witch, light my pumpkin, and hand out candy to all who come and say the right words. I haven't looked forward to Halloween like this in many years.
To finish off the lesson I am teaching on Halloween, I am showing a short clip on how to dance the Monster Mash. Then I show a full length video of the entire song. If there is time left, I restart the short clip and have all the students dance with it! I am not sure which is funnier, this or the answers I get to the question, "If you were dressing up in a costume for Halloween, who/what would you be? Why?" These kids never cease to surprise me. "I would be James Bond." (I am thinking yea, he's cool, lots of toys...) Why, I ask. "Because he has lot's of beautiful girlfriends!" Should have seen that one coming! Or the guy who said, "I wouldn't dress up." Why? "I think I am scary enough already." Hmmm.
To finish off the lesson I am teaching on Halloween, I am showing a short clip on how to dance the Monster Mash. Then I show a full length video of the entire song. If there is time left, I restart the short clip and have all the students dance with it! I am not sure which is funnier, this or the answers I get to the question, "If you were dressing up in a costume for Halloween, who/what would you be? Why?" These kids never cease to surprise me. "I would be James Bond." (I am thinking yea, he's cool, lots of toys...) Why, I ask. "Because he has lot's of beautiful girlfriends!" Should have seen that one coming! Or the guy who said, "I wouldn't dress up." Why? "I think I am scary enough already." Hmmm.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Oh, how He works!
While I was in Changsha for the dentist yesterday, I went out to the Metro which is kind of like a Sam's club. They also have some imported food and I wanted spaghetti noodles. I was dying for spaghetti noodles in the land of noodles, go figure. Anyway, needless to say, I was checking out everything on the shelves when someone spoke to me in English! I turn and there was a young African American woman. We began to talk: what are you doing here, how is your contract, where are you from. . . and that is when the light comes on and I actually become conscious of the fact that there are really no coincidences only arrangements by the One in charge. This woman is not only from America; she is from North Carolina. Not only from North Carolina though; she graduated the year after me from Winston Salem State University with me in Education and her in English. In China, in Changsha, in the Metro at the same time as me. For those of you who are still saying what a coincidence, you need to Skype me so I can introduce you to my God. Only He could arrange such a thing.
Dentist in China (well, at least Changsha)
Having checked out the hospital during my trip to China in 2006 with tonsillitis, my teeth must have felt left out; can you imagine? I had this particular tooth worked on in America before I left, costing me over $100 for the filling and a warning from the dentist that it might abscess. Well it did. I went to Changsha yesterday to see the dentist. I spent almost as much money getting to and from, adding the metro shopping side trip, in taxi and bus fare as I did at the dentist. Seriously.
11.50 yuan ($1.82us) doctor visit,
3.00 yuan (47 cents us) xray,
205.00 yuan ($32.39us) drilling into, cleaning out nerve, pack with medicine and close up the tooth.
219.50 yuan total ($32.39)
When have any of you went to the dentist, paying for the whole charge, and only had to pay $32.49???!!!!
The dentist said the return visit will be about 600 yuan ($94.79us)
So basically I am getting a root canal for $129.47 (not counting the travel expense). However, the travel expense yesterday was only $24.41 usd. (taxi from Luiyang to Changsha (one hour drive), taxi to and from Metro shopping, taxi to bus station, bus to Liuyang, taxi to school) which I will have to pay again for the next visit along with a hotel room for the night, but still. Now Luiyang is 46 miles as the crow flies, not sure the exact mileage, so I think this is a pretty good cost considering. Even with all the travel expense, I will be spending less than $200 usd on a root canal. In China, you pay the fee before the work is done. So I went in and paid to see the dentist, then came back and paid for the xray she wanted, then while the dentist started, my field director went back out and paid for the day's work.
The dentist was very nice. She explained everything and I had no pain (even without numbing).
Unlike American dentist offices though, you are not in a private room but in chest high cubicles with 4 or 5 dentist working at the same time with no assistants. The dentist held the water and mirror in one hand and drilled with the other. No suction; she would just stop and let me spit. In the xray room, the technician put a disposable glove over this thing he put in my mouth and used my thumb to hold it in place while he did the xray. No little bite down thingies, didn't remove any jewelry, no protective vest.
So, back to the room with cubicles, while others were waiting their turn, or waiting on family members, they were watching me while I was being worked on. Yes, you read correctly, while the dentist was working on my tooth there were other people watching the whole process. Maybe we will take pictures next time.
However, compared to my experiences with dentists in America, I had a great experience yesterday and I am not concerned about the follow up visit in the least. Would it be this way anywhere in China? Maybe not.
There are many things here that many of you would absolutely abhor, with this being the least of probably. I would say to you that sometimes you can rule, regulate, and nik-pik yourself into a corner from which you are left to live a very limited life. And contrary to what you believe, the Chinese people are thriving without all of your rules and regulations and they are a hard working, inventive society, who has a high regard for education and family. All of which America lost many, many years ago.
11.50 yuan ($1.82us) doctor visit,
3.00 yuan (47 cents us) xray,
205.00 yuan ($32.39us) drilling into, cleaning out nerve, pack with medicine and close up the tooth.
219.50 yuan total ($32.39)
When have any of you went to the dentist, paying for the whole charge, and only had to pay $32.49???!!!!
The dentist said the return visit will be about 600 yuan ($94.79us)
So basically I am getting a root canal for $129.47 (not counting the travel expense). However, the travel expense yesterday was only $24.41 usd. (taxi from Luiyang to Changsha (one hour drive), taxi to and from Metro shopping, taxi to bus station, bus to Liuyang, taxi to school) which I will have to pay again for the next visit along with a hotel room for the night, but still. Now Luiyang is 46 miles as the crow flies, not sure the exact mileage, so I think this is a pretty good cost considering. Even with all the travel expense, I will be spending less than $200 usd on a root canal. In China, you pay the fee before the work is done. So I went in and paid to see the dentist, then came back and paid for the xray she wanted, then while the dentist started, my field director went back out and paid for the day's work.
The dentist was very nice. She explained everything and I had no pain (even without numbing).
Unlike American dentist offices though, you are not in a private room but in chest high cubicles with 4 or 5 dentist working at the same time with no assistants. The dentist held the water and mirror in one hand and drilled with the other. No suction; she would just stop and let me spit. In the xray room, the technician put a disposable glove over this thing he put in my mouth and used my thumb to hold it in place while he did the xray. No little bite down thingies, didn't remove any jewelry, no protective vest.
So, back to the room with cubicles, while others were waiting their turn, or waiting on family members, they were watching me while I was being worked on. Yes, you read correctly, while the dentist was working on my tooth there were other people watching the whole process. Maybe we will take pictures next time.
However, compared to my experiences with dentists in America, I had a great experience yesterday and I am not concerned about the follow up visit in the least. Would it be this way anywhere in China? Maybe not.
There are many things here that many of you would absolutely abhor, with this being the least of probably. I would say to you that sometimes you can rule, regulate, and nik-pik yourself into a corner from which you are left to live a very limited life. And contrary to what you believe, the Chinese people are thriving without all of your rules and regulations and they are a hard working, inventive society, who has a high regard for education and family. All of which America lost many, many years ago.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Having something new to eat when cooking for yourself every day in China
Add some store bought rolls and you have chicken pie!
Friday, September 23, 2011
trip to town and shopping
 |
| buying groceries: 3 six packs of pepsi, 8 cartons of milk, at least 5 lbs of potatoes or more, 3 oranges, rolls, sweet rolls, zipper bags, 5 ears of corn, romaine lettice, green onions, two packs of soy beans, three chicken breasts, half kilo of beef, pork, 2 bottles of tomato juice, bottle of ketchup, jar of 1000 island dressing, bag of sugar, brown sugar, 10-12 tomatoes, 2 storage bowls, notebook, paperclips, jug of oil......all for $46 usd. |
again.... a trip to town and shopping is ALWAYS an adventure!! You never know what is going to happen or what you will see and experience! Had another little helper at the grocery store today. She followed me upstairs and pushed my cart for me talking to me in Chinese the whole time. As long as I said yes or something once in a while, it did not seem to matter that we could not understand each other!!
Got my own taxi home too! since all the road work was changing the bus stops. One lady evidently figured out I was waiting on the bus and she explained to me that it was not coming there, I would have to go down the street because of the road work. Did not understand a word she said but got the meaning. Got a taxi.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Shopping in China
Went shopping at the new Bi Yi Bi today. Shopping in China (without knowing any Chinese) is both a delight and a challenge. I am not sure if the clerks are glad to see me because they think I am going to spend lots of money being a foreigner, or glad to see me go so they can stop having to try to understand what I want to know from pointed-to-words in my phrase book and gestures.
While choosing food today, I picked up a little girl who was fascinated with me or seeing what I was buying, not sure which, maybe both. She followed me all over the food section of the store, through check out, and out to the door where she watched me pack my stuff in the little rolling cart I bought in the store. Don't have a clue where her parents were. Got my camera out to take her picture and suddenly I have two little girls (the third one did not make it in time to get in the picture)!
Like I said, a delight and a challenge.
While choosing food today, I picked up a little girl who was fascinated with me or seeing what I was buying, not sure which, maybe both. She followed me all over the food section of the store, through check out, and out to the door where she watched me pack my stuff in the little rolling cart I bought in the store. Don't have a clue where her parents were. Got my camera out to take her picture and suddenly I have two little girls (the third one did not make it in time to get in the picture)!
Like I said, a delight and a challenge.
THUNDER! LIGHTNING! AND FIREWORKS!
About a week ago, we were having a really bad thunder storm. Lightning flashing, thunder booming, when I heard a boom that did not sound like thunder...... wait, that sounds like....... Yes, really, they were still testing fireworks! During the storm.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
slideshow of school and surrounding area
I published a slide show of the school buildings and surrounding country side in the photo gallery on my web page. Check it out!
Teaching
By this past Tuesday at 11am, I had taught ten different classes the same lesson plan. During my 11th class, I find out that probably none of the other classes knew what I was talking about when I asked them to 'write' something down because I did not use the word 'copy' and these students did not know what the word 'assignment' meant so the other classes probably didn't know either! I am not sure yet what the Chinese call it when they are assigned class work or homework but I will try and find out before this afternoon's class.
I teach 10 classes each week, total of 20 in a two week rotation, with 16 of them being different classes. So, most of the classes I only see once every two weeks. I will also be involved in the English corner when the students get it going and that is considered part of my teaching contract. I have not set up office hours yet as I have been working on establishing a scheduled time for each student to visit with me three times during the year. Now that I have developed, printed and posted that schedule, I need to find out from the students what other times they are free to visit and I will establish my office hours for that time.
These students really need more time to just talk in English than the few minutes available in a 40 minute class. I am trying to come up with some sort of challenge that would make them want to participate in speaking English during their free time instead of Chinese. If these students committed to speaking only English during their free time to each other, their English would really improve over the course of the year. I am open to suggestions.
I teach 10 classes each week, total of 20 in a two week rotation, with 16 of them being different classes. So, most of the classes I only see once every two weeks. I will also be involved in the English corner when the students get it going and that is considered part of my teaching contract. I have not set up office hours yet as I have been working on establishing a scheduled time for each student to visit with me three times during the year. Now that I have developed, printed and posted that schedule, I need to find out from the students what other times they are free to visit and I will establish my office hours for that time.
These students really need more time to just talk in English than the few minutes available in a 40 minute class. I am trying to come up with some sort of challenge that would make them want to participate in speaking English during their free time instead of Chinese. If these students committed to speaking only English during their free time to each other, their English would really improve over the course of the year. I am open to suggestions.
11:20 am I have water!!!!
Yes!!! I have water! I am dancing a little jig and thanking The One who gave me what was needed to make my need known. To Him from whom all language comes, grant me knowledge and understanding of the Chinese language.
Getting a water bottle
The last time I needed a water bottle I called my liaison and she called for the water. When the man brought it, he took out his phone and motioned for a paper and pen so he could write down his phone number. Okay... I assumed that meant he wanted me to call him directly next time. How's that going to go? I don't really speak any Chinese and he does not speak English.
So here we are today. I need water. What to do? Now I have been preaching to my students that if they don't try to speak English then they can not really learn English. (don't you love it when something comes back to bite you on the _hum_?)
Therefore, I get out my Chinese notes and figure out how to say "I am the American teacher. I want water." Or at least I hope that is what I am saying! I call him on the phone and say my part and he says, "Oh, hao hao hao." Which in Chinese means "yes, okay." It is 11am. Let's see if I get the water!! LOL!
So here we are today. I need water. What to do? Now I have been preaching to my students that if they don't try to speak English then they can not really learn English. (don't you love it when something comes back to bite you on the _hum_?)
Therefore, I get out my Chinese notes and figure out how to say "I am the American teacher. I want water." Or at least I hope that is what I am saying! I call him on the phone and say my part and he says, "Oh, hao hao hao." Which in Chinese means "yes, okay." It is 11am. Let's see if I get the water!! LOL!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Slide show
A slide show of some of the activities we participated in during orientation.
http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMjk4MDUwNjgw.html
http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMjk4MDUwNjgw.html
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Schedule?
got my schedule around 8:30 this morning. My first class was at 10:20, AND
I see the same class first period tomorrow! Yikes! That means a
different lesson plan for in the morning! but Wait! My supernatural
source is in control! Some kind of announcements/ceremony during the 10
mins between class so the class did not start on time. I only had 15
minutes to teach! What does that mean???? No new lesson plan needed!
Will finish up the first one tomorrow! Thank you, thank you, thank
you!!!!!
First trip to town on the bus and by myself
So, I went out to the bus stop (a house/store) to catch the bus to town, only one comes by, the number 7. The owner of the store (most are family owned businesses) offered me a seat to wait, realized that she was sitting in front of the fan, immediately moved and offered me her seat. The bus came about 15 minutes later. According to the last volunteer who was here, there is not a schedule, you just go to the bus stop and wait. It could be 5 minutes or 45 minutes and the buses stop running at 6pm. After that, I would have to get a taxi to come back to school. That would mean getting them to understand where I want to go and negotiating a price in Chinese! I am not there yet. (if ever)
I got off at the bank and withdrew some money and then crossed the street to the Bi Yi Bi supermarket. There are two of these, old one and new one. The one I was at is the old one. Major stores, like chain stores, are more than one floor instead of being spread out like at home. Since I was by myself, I felt free to just wonder around and look at everything. Things here were a little bit cheaper than at the other supermarket I went to with Mrs. Zeng, my liaison.
Using my trusty Mandrin phrasebook where I can just point to words, I managed to make the store clerk understand that I wanted dish detergent and figured out they don't have paper towel like we have in the US, at least not that I have found and not at this store, and if I want foam to put on my bed, I will have to go to where they are actually building the beds because all they sell in the markets is bedding. In the stores here there are clerks everywhere waiting to help you. Of course, none of them speak English. I feel this is a big opportunity for forward thinking people as more and more foreigners are coming to China. They could draw even more business if they had a few people who could speak and comprehend English. I certainly would go to their stores before others with no English help. Now if I could just find a grocery that sells some western food items...
After purchasing several different things, I crossed the street to McDonald's and had a Big Mac meal for around $2.75. From there, I walked down "walking street" (which is shops on both sides of a paved area only for walking, no cars, but larger than a regular side walk). I was headed to the other supermarket which is at the last bus stop and easier to catch the bus from. My mistake was trying to follow the same route Mrs. Zeng took instead of going down to the river street, which was within sight. Of course, I got lost. Not too lost; I knew I was close but did not know which way to go; so I had to call Mrs. Zeng for help. She got a clerk from the mobile phone store to tell her where I was and point me to the river. She then told me to turn right at the river. And there I was, right where I wanted to be. It is about 1:30 now and VERY hot. I am worn out. I go and sit on the bus waiting for the driver to decide to come and do a run. After several other people get on, he comes out of the little building that must be an office, collects our money, and off we go.
I get back to the bus stop where I started this morning around 2pm. Exhausted. Hot. Sweaty. Mop bucket I bought full of things and the reusable grocery bag I took full of things. With about a half mile hike still to my apartment. I needed supernatural help to make it, so I went to the source to voice my need: All the way to my apartment. Since my source is Extremely reliable, I made it!
I got off at the bank and withdrew some money and then crossed the street to the Bi Yi Bi supermarket. There are two of these, old one and new one. The one I was at is the old one. Major stores, like chain stores, are more than one floor instead of being spread out like at home. Since I was by myself, I felt free to just wonder around and look at everything. Things here were a little bit cheaper than at the other supermarket I went to with Mrs. Zeng, my liaison.
Using my trusty Mandrin phrasebook where I can just point to words, I managed to make the store clerk understand that I wanted dish detergent and figured out they don't have paper towel like we have in the US, at least not that I have found and not at this store, and if I want foam to put on my bed, I will have to go to where they are actually building the beds because all they sell in the markets is bedding. In the stores here there are clerks everywhere waiting to help you. Of course, none of them speak English. I feel this is a big opportunity for forward thinking people as more and more foreigners are coming to China. They could draw even more business if they had a few people who could speak and comprehend English. I certainly would go to their stores before others with no English help. Now if I could just find a grocery that sells some western food items...
After purchasing several different things, I crossed the street to McDonald's and had a Big Mac meal for around $2.75. From there, I walked down "walking street" (which is shops on both sides of a paved area only for walking, no cars, but larger than a regular side walk). I was headed to the other supermarket which is at the last bus stop and easier to catch the bus from. My mistake was trying to follow the same route Mrs. Zeng took instead of going down to the river street, which was within sight. Of course, I got lost. Not too lost; I knew I was close but did not know which way to go; so I had to call Mrs. Zeng for help. She got a clerk from the mobile phone store to tell her where I was and point me to the river. She then told me to turn right at the river. And there I was, right where I wanted to be. It is about 1:30 now and VERY hot. I am worn out. I go and sit on the bus waiting for the driver to decide to come and do a run. After several other people get on, he comes out of the little building that must be an office, collects our money, and off we go.
I get back to the bus stop where I started this morning around 2pm. Exhausted. Hot. Sweaty. Mop bucket I bought full of things and the reusable grocery bag I took full of things. With about a half mile hike still to my apartment. I needed supernatural help to make it, so I went to the source to voice my need: All the way to my apartment. Since my source is Extremely reliable, I made it!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Home-made spaghetti
I also brewed tea so I had sweet ice tea with my spaghetti! Now if I could just figure out which green veggies I could eat raw for a salad!
My liaison just came by to check the light in my bedroom and saw what I was eating. She said, "Is that what you are eating for supper?" I said yes. She said, "I will have to teach you how to cook Chinese food." LOL I said, "Yes, thank you. That would be good."
Friday, August 26, 2011
Moved in!
Finished orientation! Learned more about lesson planning from this TEFL training than I learned during my BA. So sad. Anyway, taught 5 lessons this past week and it was great. Left Changsha Thursday with my liaison, Mrs. Zeng. We completed almost all the paper work for my residence visa and work permit before leaving Changsha. Tried to open my Chinese bank account but they needed my passport which is still with the police for my residence visa and work permit. Stopped at a supermarket and I bought some food for my apartment, some detergent, and some towels. Reached my school, TianJiBing, around 3pm.
The apartment was just built earlier this year so is very nice. Large open area with kitchen and living room, washer and clothes rod. Bath with western toilet but open shower, small bed room with single bed and desk, and bigger bedroom with air/heating unit. Very, very nice. Bed is hard as a rock though! I will have to go see about getting some sort of foam or something if I want to sleep this year!! LOL
I bought frozen dumplings at the store yesterday so I fixed dumpling for lunch. For supper tonight I cut up some pork I bought and stir fried it and onions. You can steam veggies in the rice cooker too, so I put in my rice and water then put the steamer on top and cut up cabbage in it. So when the rice finished cooking the cabbage was done too. So I had stir fried pork/onions, rice, and steamed cabbage for supper. I had mixed some vinegar/soy sauce/garlic stuff for my dumplings so I pored what was left of that on my stuff at supper. It was good and I have enough for at least one more meal.
Today my liaison brought me a cell phone to use while I am here. She had sent some of the students over to show me around but I did not hear them knock. I don't know what time they came. She is going to have them come back in the morning. They will show me around school and then take me to town on the bus I think. Also, the Internet plug end is too big to go into my computer so I am on someone's wireless that goes in and out. She said she would try to get the computer person to come fix it for me. With all I have to do this year on-line, I truly hope we can get it fixed. She also brought me the English books they used last year and the new ones for this year so I could look at them. I don't have to follow them but it will be good to know what the students are learning in their regular English class. I don't have a schedule yet but she said I would have Senior 1's. Of course that is not written in stone even after I start teaching. The only thing for sure, is there is nothing for sure. I originally thought school started the first Monday in September but she said she thought it was September 1. I will ask the students when they come.
As I said before, this city is the fireworks capital of China, so I got to see fireworks last night. Of course they didn't set them off one at a time but in a bunch. I guess for testing.
Until next time...
The apartment was just built earlier this year so is very nice. Large open area with kitchen and living room, washer and clothes rod. Bath with western toilet but open shower, small bed room with single bed and desk, and bigger bedroom with air/heating unit. Very, very nice. Bed is hard as a rock though! I will have to go see about getting some sort of foam or something if I want to sleep this year!! LOL
I bought frozen dumplings at the store yesterday so I fixed dumpling for lunch. For supper tonight I cut up some pork I bought and stir fried it and onions. You can steam veggies in the rice cooker too, so I put in my rice and water then put the steamer on top and cut up cabbage in it. So when the rice finished cooking the cabbage was done too. So I had stir fried pork/onions, rice, and steamed cabbage for supper. I had mixed some vinegar/soy sauce/garlic stuff for my dumplings so I pored what was left of that on my stuff at supper. It was good and I have enough for at least one more meal.
Today my liaison brought me a cell phone to use while I am here. She had sent some of the students over to show me around but I did not hear them knock. I don't know what time they came. She is going to have them come back in the morning. They will show me around school and then take me to town on the bus I think. Also, the Internet plug end is too big to go into my computer so I am on someone's wireless that goes in and out. She said she would try to get the computer person to come fix it for me. With all I have to do this year on-line, I truly hope we can get it fixed. She also brought me the English books they used last year and the new ones for this year so I could look at them. I don't have to follow them but it will be good to know what the students are learning in their regular English class. I don't have a schedule yet but she said I would have Senior 1's. Of course that is not written in stone even after I start teaching. The only thing for sure, is there is nothing for sure. I originally thought school started the first Monday in September but she said she thought it was September 1. I will ask the students when they come.
As I said before, this city is the fireworks capital of China, so I got to see fireworks last night. Of course they didn't set them off one at a time but in a bunch. I guess for testing.
Until next time...
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Karaoke and belly dancing in the park
Today was the second time I have been to a park close to my hotel to walk. Got there about 8:20am and you would have thought it was Saturday instead of Wednesday because the place was full of people! There were many groups practicing different kinds of dance: ballroom dancing, Tai Chi, Salsa dancing, and yes even Belly dancing! I saw several places where groups of people had what looked like sheets of music and a music stand like you might have for karaoke. Was it karaoke? I don't know. If not, then how did they become part of the group and what were they practicing and why? Could I join the belly dancers (I want my own spangles) or the Tai Chi groups? Not enough Chinese yet to ask. I wonder if I will find some of these groups close to my school?
Our group of volunteers are going to climb a mountain this afternoon. It is our day off and we don't have to do this so I am NOT going! LOL They aren't really 'climbing' the mountain, but walking on paved trails up the mountain. Still, it is supposed to be about an hour and a half walk and it is VERY hot today. I am not in good enough shape for this so I am going to Wal Mart. Yes you read correctly. There are three or four Wal Marts in Changsha!! Wish I had a camera to take pictures. Oh well.... I will let you know what it is like.
Until later...
Our group of volunteers are going to climb a mountain this afternoon. It is our day off and we don't have to do this so I am NOT going! LOL They aren't really 'climbing' the mountain, but walking on paved trails up the mountain. Still, it is supposed to be about an hour and a half walk and it is VERY hot today. I am not in good enough shape for this so I am going to Wal Mart. Yes you read correctly. There are three or four Wal Marts in Changsha!! Wish I had a camera to take pictures. Oh well.... I will let you know what it is like.
Until later...
Sunday, August 7, 2011
4 day in
I have been in Changsha 4 days now. The weather is not as hot as normal but there is still enough humidity to make me sweat when I am out and about. I let my Father know that I would like for it to stay this way! I got here a day ahead of the group which gave me extra time to sleep. That really helped me to acclimate!
The food is very spicy; therefore, I have not been able to eat everything served to us. We eat lunch at a retired teacher's house each day for lunch and the food is very good and not many spicy dishes. Last night the restaurant served us what we though might be duck eggs. The white part was a beet juice red and had a jello consistency; the white was a greenish black. Of course there was peppers on the plate too so I already knew I wasn't trying them; however, several of my group did. After a couple had tried them, the field director came by and told us they were old eggs buried and preserved somehow. Thank goodness for the peppers!!! Some of the others still tried them, but at my age I have nothing to prove! I bought my own breakfast of noodles yesterday and even managed to tell her I did not want spicy meat! Yea! I am going to try to buy dumplings this morning.
I start my Chinese lessons today. Everyone ask my Father for encouragement and help leaning this difficult language.
Time to go. See you later.
The food is very spicy; therefore, I have not been able to eat everything served to us. We eat lunch at a retired teacher's house each day for lunch and the food is very good and not many spicy dishes. Last night the restaurant served us what we though might be duck eggs. The white part was a beet juice red and had a jello consistency; the white was a greenish black. Of course there was peppers on the plate too so I already knew I wasn't trying them; however, several of my group did. After a couple had tried them, the field director came by and told us they were old eggs buried and preserved somehow. Thank goodness for the peppers!!! Some of the others still tried them, but at my age I have nothing to prove! I bought my own breakfast of noodles yesterday and even managed to tell her I did not want spicy meat! Yea! I am going to try to buy dumplings this morning.
I start my Chinese lessons today. Everyone ask my Father for encouragement and help leaning this difficult language.
Time to go. See you later.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Almost Time!
Gee, where did the time go?! Four days and I will be flying to China for a year!! I am excited and scared all at the same time. I can't believe the time is now.
I still have some packing to do and I have some books and such I want to scan into my computer. I had better get on the ball.
Leaving DC airport around 1pm Tuesday. Landing in Seoul, Korea around 4pm Wednesday. Fly out of Seoul at 9am Thursday to Changsha by 11am. The rest of the group will be there Friday. I may sleep until then!! JET LAG!!!!
I have had a really great time with my grandson Gabriel and my new granddaughter Aubrie. You should here Gabriel growl like a tiger, hiss like a snake, and curl up his hands under his arms like a monkey waiting on me to make the monkey sound for him. Then he just laughs and laughs! I am going to miss all the hugs and kisses from him. Skype is just not the same as hands on. Not to mention I will be a grandmother again in February and not be here. I told them to wait to get started so I would be back! LOL I am still trying to convince them to Skype me in during delivery!
Next time I post I will be in CHINA!!!!!!!
I still have some packing to do and I have some books and such I want to scan into my computer. I had better get on the ball.
Leaving DC airport around 1pm Tuesday. Landing in Seoul, Korea around 4pm Wednesday. Fly out of Seoul at 9am Thursday to Changsha by 11am. The rest of the group will be there Friday. I may sleep until then!! JET LAG!!!!
I have had a really great time with my grandson Gabriel and my new granddaughter Aubrie. You should here Gabriel growl like a tiger, hiss like a snake, and curl up his hands under his arms like a monkey waiting on me to make the monkey sound for him. Then he just laughs and laughs! I am going to miss all the hugs and kisses from him. Skype is just not the same as hands on. Not to mention I will be a grandmother again in February and not be here. I told them to wait to get started so I would be back! LOL I am still trying to convince them to Skype me in during delivery!
Next time I post I will be in CHINA!!!!!!!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
I am a Grandmother again!!
Aubrie Grace was born this morning at 12:46 weighing 7lbs 14 oz, 21 inches long.
Aubrie is my second grandchild and I have at least one more on the way. LOL Probably just one but until the ultrasound we can not be sure.
Aubrie is my second grandchild and I have at least one more on the way. LOL Probably just one but until the ultrasound we can not be sure.
Monday, July 4, 2011
School Placement
I will be teaching at Tian Jia-Bing Experimental Senior Middle School in Liuyang, China. My students will be the equivalent of sophomores and juniors here. I found a PowerPoint presentation online about my school: http://www.powershow.com/view/e4eb8-ZDM0M/Tianjia_Bing_Senior_Middle_School_flash_ppt_presentation
Liuyang is about 1 hour from the Hunan capital city of Changsha. It is considered a small city even though it has a population of approx. 1 million. It is also the fireworks capitol of China. Fireworks are produced and TESTED there every day.
Just a couple of weeks to finish preparing/packing then spending some time with my grandchildren and family before flying out on August 3rd. I am excited and nervous at the same time!
Liuyang is about 1 hour from the Hunan capital city of Changsha. It is considered a small city even though it has a population of approx. 1 million. It is also the fireworks capitol of China. Fireworks are produced and TESTED there every day.
Just a couple of weeks to finish preparing/packing then spending some time with my grandchildren and family before flying out on August 3rd. I am excited and nervous at the same time!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Would life be as interesting if things were simple?
There are sink holes in my road to China!! Wish there was more time to work on things. My fund-raiser was rained out and had to be rescheduled for July 16th. Should have a venue soon so stay tuned.
I may have to switch programs also. I have been looking at the new program WorldTeach is trying to put together for the country of Georgia and I am also looking at the Columbia program that leaves in January. Hope to know something by next week.
Lift me up each day as you think of me!
I may have to switch programs also. I have been looking at the new program WorldTeach is trying to put together for the country of Georgia and I am also looking at the Columbia program that leaves in January. Hope to know something by next week.
Lift me up each day as you think of me!
Saturday, May 14, 2011
How many students?
Nationwide, at the end of 2002, there were nearly 67 million regular junior high school students (grades 7-9) and just over 29 million regular senior high school students (grades 10-12). In Hunan alone, there were 3.8 million junior high and just over 1 million senior high school students enrolled in Hunan's nearly 4,700 secondary schools in 2003.
Some classes may have 80 students or more, but the ordinary class size in China is 40-50 students.
Some classes may have 80 students or more, but the ordinary class size in China is 40-50 students.
About WorldTeach
WorldTeach was founded by a group of Harvard students in 1986 and is a non-profit organization. It is affiliated with Harvard University's Center for International Development (CID), but is independent from both CID and the university as a whole. WorldTeach currently runs 23 programs in 16 countries. WorldTeach partners with governments and other organizations in developing countries to provide volunteer teachers to meet local educational needs, and to promote responsible global citizenship.
Friday, May 6, 2011
Busy, Busy, Busy!!!
Today, Friday, May 6th, was the BBQ fundraiser. I think is was successful. I did not meet my plate goal; however, with the help I had the 325 plates was all we could handle! My niece, Nicki, helped me sell tickets. My sister-in-law baked all my cakes (12 or 13). Laura, Jen, and Mom & Nicki helped me deliver! Plates were brought to me at 9am. Lucy, Jen and I had the cake and papers in them, sorted into routes, and ready to go at 10:15am. Awesome job Ladies!! Thanks soooo much for all the help. I could not have done it without you! Particularly since I worked an average of 30 hours a week and did some of my ESL observations!!
Finished my Master's class for this semester with an A! WooHoo! Learned ALOT!
Now I have to work the next 4 days and then observe at school on Wednesday. Hopefully I will finish my observation hours up then which will just leave completing my reflections.
Now on to the next phase!
The Carolina Faith Riders are planning a bike/car show with hotdog plates, games, door prizes, etc. to raise money for my trip. This will be on Saturday, June 18th. The time has not been set yet, nor the price for a spot to show your car, truck or motorcycle. As soon as we have all the details worked out I will post a flyer either here or on my web site! Stay tuned!
Also, Ladies, Shannon White will be holding a couponing class in the near future. The fee will be nominal and proceeds will go to my funding needs.
Anyone who would like to help with donations can help with the car show or go online to http://www.worldteach.org/ and click the 'donate now' button, please be sure to put my name, Tammy Simmons, and the program I am participating in, China program, in the "gift for" space so I will get credit for it; otherwise it will be credited to the general fund not my fund.
Thanks for following this journey!
Finished my Master's class for this semester with an A! WooHoo! Learned ALOT!
Now I have to work the next 4 days and then observe at school on Wednesday. Hopefully I will finish my observation hours up then which will just leave completing my reflections.
Now on to the next phase!
The Carolina Faith Riders are planning a bike/car show with hotdog plates, games, door prizes, etc. to raise money for my trip. This will be on Saturday, June 18th. The time has not been set yet, nor the price for a spot to show your car, truck or motorcycle. As soon as we have all the details worked out I will post a flyer either here or on my web site! Stay tuned!
Also, Ladies, Shannon White will be holding a couponing class in the near future. The fee will be nominal and proceeds will go to my funding needs.
Anyone who would like to help with donations can help with the car show or go online to http://www.worldteach.org/ and click the 'donate now' button, please be sure to put my name, Tammy Simmons, and the program I am participating in, China program, in the "gift for" space so I will get credit for it; otherwise it will be credited to the general fund not my fund.
Thanks for following this journey!
Friday, April 22, 2011
Sooo Much to Do, Soooo Little Time
Moving anywhere for a year is a major process; however, moving to another country for a year multiplies the process ten times. How much can you take in two suite cases? What will I forget to take that I can't get in China? What clothes to take? What shoes? What teaching materials? Shipping later would be verrrry expensive.
Work, Raise money, 25 hours of ESL observation/reflection, get new glasses, have a physical and required tests/immunizations, get meds for a year, get luggage, get house took care of, get dogs took care of, set up blog, web site, and wikispace, what to take....what to take, assign power of attorney, etc., etc. etc.
Work, Raise money, 25 hours of ESL observation/reflection, get new glasses, have a physical and required tests/immunizations, get meds for a year, get luggage, get house took care of, get dogs took care of, set up blog, web site, and wikispace, what to take....what to take, assign power of attorney, etc., etc. etc.
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