Into the working world…..
Day 8 + 9 7/2/07
So I know if has been awhile since I have written but the past few days have been extremely crazy. Sunday evening ended with a great barbeque. Basically it ended up being me and about 20 Chinese people. It was good for me because I was forced to use my Chinese. Li Zheng and his family came over. (He is the one that found the position at the Kindergarten for me.) Of course they typically bring gifts to the house of invite, so I saw two of the biggest bouquets of flowers I think I have ever seen. However we are in China and dozens of roses can be bought for about $2. The menu served lamb and chicken with some vegetables. My contribution included a fruit salad for dessert. It was quite amusing watching the process to grill. I am convinced the gas grill is the way to go!
After the barbeque, I was taken to my apartment. Kim, my roommate had everything ready so I could move right into my room. Kim is one of the other teachers at the school and she is from Canada. It is nice to have a personal English source that has been her since September figuring everything in the area and in downtown Beijing out.
I had my choice of two rooms in the apartment. It was an easy decision though, because one room has poison on the floor to kill the termites…..yes you said it….Disgusting. I have my own bathroom, so it is nice to be able to finally unpack all of my things from my suitcase!
Yesterday was my first official day of work at the Kindergarten. I have to admit it was rough. The kids no longer have Sandy (the teacher I replaced) with me. They were unsure if I was a new teacher to listen too or the new friend that I had been for the past week. Another complication was the learning of 50 new names. I want you to know though, remember the names isn’t the problem, it is the fact that all 50 of them look the same and they all have brown eyes and black hair…….at least in the U.S. a different characteristic gives you a hint. The only thing you have to go by is their clothes and they happen to not be wearing the same ones everyday. To make it more realistic it is like a 5 year old wearing a different color wig everyday. It would confuse you just a little!
The kids however were a lot better today. I was more familiar with the teaching strategy I have to use and the schedule I have to follow. Also the kids have a better understanding that they need to listen to me, so they were better behaved! I have favorites already because some of them are just so cute you can’t help but to like them more! This little girl Rosana absolutely loves me and she has awesome English. She is helping me with my Chinese! Each of the kids come out with little saying that you wonder were they got them from. Larry told me today “oh my god.” I asked him where he learned that and he told me “Sandy.” This kid speaks no English any day, but he comes out with “oh my god” randomly. This little girl Jenny today pulled on my shirt and said, “Where is my bathing suit?” I didn’t even know she could talk and that isn’t even mentioning that “Bathing suit” was one of our words of the day today.
So even though the first day was rough, I am sure the days will only get easy and more enjoyable. Plus, one of my Chinese-English assistants speaks no English. (Don’t ask) So I have to do a lot of the explaining in Chinese before I translate it. It is good for me though!
I have taken some nice pictures to share with each of you, but you will have to bear with me, since my wireless is still not working at the apartment. No one seems to know where the network key went to. I am hoping to take care of that soon though……however it is China and I may never get it.
Happy 4th of July to Everyone and I will write again soon!
