Sunday, October 13 through Tuesday, October 15
Hello! Been busy the last few days but not much to say really! I've just been doing a lot of prepping for my classes and putting together a bunch of materials. It's hard work being a teacher! I've had the students do some more projects and a lot of writing so I will have to put up pictures later! I also want to get a group shot of the class so that is also on the agenda. The students are getting to be soo cute and wanting to speak English to me all of the time...I love it! I feel so bad though when they don't know how to say something in English and I don't know what they are talking about! Like today, two little boys were crying and the kids were all trying to tell me what happened but I had no idea what was going on! I deduced that they must have bumped heads and then after asking if they were okay, I went on with the lesson and they were fine 2 minutes later. It's so cute when the other kids try to help out and tell me what happened. They're all so helpful! I've also been letting them use my pencils and erasers since moving to the new room for my classes and they LOOOVVEEEE to tell on each other for breaking the erasers so that's gotten pretty old pretty quickly. Also, they all yell "Becky, Becky, Becky, Becky" whenever they are done with something so I've been trying to break that habit also! So many things to work on with these little buggers! Oh well...it's a labor of love! A girl from BCC came to observe me today and she said she really liked my lessons and gave me some good pointers. The president of the company (Mr. Yao) also came with another man (English name was Lynn...I think) and watched one of my classes. It was towards the end of the day so the kids were a little crazy, but I still got everything done and they worked hard up until the end of the day. Overall, it's been a pretty good day and tomorrow is hump day! On that note, I'll leave you with this fabulous video and have a good Tuesday!
Hello! Been busy the last few days but not much to say really! I've just been doing a lot of prepping for my classes and putting together a bunch of materials. It's hard work being a teacher! I've had the students do some more projects and a lot of writing so I will have to put up pictures later! I also want to get a group shot of the class so that is also on the agenda. The students are getting to be soo cute and wanting to speak English to me all of the time...I love it! I feel so bad though when they don't know how to say something in English and I don't know what they are talking about! Like today, two little boys were crying and the kids were all trying to tell me what happened but I had no idea what was going on! I deduced that they must have bumped heads and then after asking if they were okay, I went on with the lesson and they were fine 2 minutes later. It's so cute when the other kids try to help out and tell me what happened. They're all so helpful! I've also been letting them use my pencils and erasers since moving to the new room for my classes and they LOOOVVEEEE to tell on each other for breaking the erasers so that's gotten pretty old pretty quickly. Also, they all yell "Becky, Becky, Becky, Becky" whenever they are done with something so I've been trying to break that habit also! So many things to work on with these little buggers! Oh well...it's a labor of love! A girl from BCC came to observe me today and she said she really liked my lessons and gave me some good pointers. The president of the company (Mr. Yao) also came with another man (English name was Lynn...I think) and watched one of my classes. It was towards the end of the day so the kids were a little crazy, but I still got everything done and they worked hard up until the end of the day. Overall, it's been a pretty good day and tomorrow is hump day! On that note, I'll leave you with this fabulous video and have a good Tuesday!
And....this little gem.
Wednesday, October 16
One month until I get to come home! Today was a pretty good day. I was observed again and talked to the girl (Ling...I think) and got some good pointers and ideas from her. I told her some more help with the curriculum and learning how to adjust to the Chinese students would still be helpful. There are also some things that I need/want for the classroom and it has taken so long to get them! Hopefully with her being here, things will get done quicker and I will be on my way to a successful classroom. Every day is a learning experience! I'm going to bed early tonight...long day again tomorrow. Here's a link to a website that tells you the air quality of the city I am in. It's purrrdddyyyy bad! I love the smell of smoke in the morning! I may have to join the club and buy a mask for the winter! I hear it gets even worse because of the coal!
http://aqicn.org/city/shenyang/
Thursday, October 17 and Friday, October 18
It's Friday and I've finally made it into the city! Well, let's start with yesterday. During the 6th class, I was observed by the vice-principal and about 6 other English teachers during my science lesson. Talk about pressure!! Thank goodness the kids were extra good and the lesson went really well. Earlier, we had gone out and the kids had picked up different colored leaves for the science lesson that I had planned. We then discussed sorting the leaves by their color and size and then the kids wrote small books saysing "This is a red leaf. This is a yellow leaf" etc. They did really well and I was so proud of them! Everybody who was there seemed to be very pleased and even shocked about how I could ask the students a fairly complicated question and they not only understood, but answered. I was so happy! We had a meeting later on and the woman from Beijing (Lynne actually haha) talked about ways we could improve the class and make it more "American". We are going to be getting a bunch of new things that will make the room more colorful and student friendly. Everybody is really positive about the classroom so that makes me very happy! In the evening, Joy and I went to the store and I bought some things for the classroom that I've been wanting and nobody seemed to know what I meant so I just bought them myself. We went to a store much closer to the school so I can actually walk there! Or be even more adventurous and try to take the bus. I may need to ask for some help for that. Or taxi would work also I suppose. It's just nice to know there's civilization around me!
Sooo Friday...I taught an extra makeup class this morning and then had my two regular classes. Everything went really well and the kids were so excited when they found out I was teaching 3 classes today and not just 2. I sent home a bunch of work that we have been doing so hopefully the parents are happy! I rode the school bus into the city with Hannah and the kids. Halfway through the trip, I checked to make sure I had everything and I didn't have my passport. OH NO!! My passport is my life here! You literallly can't do anything without it here!! I called Joy who was still at school and realized that she had it because she had used it to apply for my working visa. Hannah left to go home and I wandered around the area. Around 6 p.m, she came and dropped it off to me so I could finally stay in my hotel room! I'm so tired after yesterday and today! I stayed up late last night researching furniture for the room and getting price quotes for everything. While I waited for Joy to bring my passport so I could check into the hotel, I walked around a nearby mall. I came to the city to find some winter clothes and there's quite the selection! My back hurt from my bag being so heavy so I didn't want to buy anything today, but I definitely saw some promising items! Tomorrow is going to be my big day of adventure where I can buy all sorts of warm clothes! My friend just told me where she is it's snowing already! The big difference here is that they always keep the doors open and then heat is never on! People just dress super warm all of the time and wear leggings under their pants and such. I am definitely going to have to get some warm things! I'm definitely in the right area though. I saw this super cute/kinda ugly sweater that I totally want! Boots will be necessary too. So many things! Joy and her husband dropped me off at my hotel and helped me check in, which was super nice. Tonight I'm super tired though so I am just staying in my hotel room and resting for tomorrow's adventures. I'll be sure to take lots of pictures! Goodnight!
Saturday, October 19th and Sunday, October 20
Well, I'm back home after my weekend in the city! It was pretty good :) On Saturday, I just went out to Walmart for a little shopping and after an hour and a half, decided on a coat that is super cute and super warm! And it was only 400 Yuan....about $72. I also bought a new pair of gloves and boots and then a few odds and ends that I needed as well. There was a really nice old Chinese lady who came up to me (spoke no English) and kept trying to tell me if the things I bought were good or not. She picked up a pair of leggings that I had and put them back saying boo yao (don't want) so then I didn't get them! She was really nice and kept smiling at me so I trusted her! I wasn't feeling too well and it was raining so I pretty much sat in my room all day. I'm a bum....I know! The headache was just killing me all day though and the weather was super crappy so it was a day in!
On Sunday, I had to check out of the hotel by noon which wasn't too bad. It stinks because I had to walk around the city with my shopping bags but I survived! I still wasn't feeling well so I actually found a Dunkin' Donuts and had a delicious cup of American coffee! It was glorious!! Super expensive here but worth every penny haha. I think walked around for a little while and then Joy picked me up and we went to IKEA. We picked out some new furniture for the classroom so I'm really excited for that to come in this week!! I also got a new candle and some new bedding. I hated having white sheets! Now my room is becoming a little more colorful which is nice! Still making this place home! After IKEA, we went to the mall next store into the supermarket and bought some groceries. it was nice getting some actual food because the school food does get a little bit old after awhile. It's good, just old haha. I also got some dry beans so I can set up to play BINGO with the students and some other games. We then came back to the school after being in the city. Joy drove me and another teacher back, so it was nice not having to take a school bus. Once I got back to my room, I just did some laundry, cleaning, and put all of my new things away. I should be Skyping with some people tonight so I hope to hear from all of you soon. Enjoy my pictures!