So happy anniversary from the university here in China! Blue Sky celebrated its 15th anniversary today, which sort of seemed like celebrating the founding of a country.
People have an amazing amount of respect and reverence for the president of this university, which has over 50,000 students. Apparently the president has a rags-to-riches type story. He was born poor and crippled, but started a business and became a millionaire. He is also one of the delegates to the government's People's Congress or something. In addition, he carried the Olympic torch when it came to Jiangxi, etc. The school and people in this area love him. For example, at the sport meet all the banners said something like, "Be like the Blue Sky president, and try your best!"
So he helped open the 15th anniversary performance at the new campus today, which was a spectacular and over-the-top event. When we arrived at the theater, we walked through a tunnel of police and military officers. They actually saluted when we walked between them. It was a very formal and special occasion. First we listened to the usual speeches from various officials for half an hour. We had to buy tickets, which didn't necessarily mean you got a seat, so there were lots of people standing along the walls and in the aisles.
The performances were quite unique. There were some amazing dances, songs, and costumes, most of which were very symbolic of something. There were dancers dressed as diligent students, singing the praises of the school. There were dancers who sang about the school and China, while very dramatic pictures and music played in the background. There were nurses who walked on stage while the blasting music made sure you felt how important and meaningful this noble profession was. Then there was what we called, "the army ballet." Some really good dancers in spandex army clothes danced. The stars of this piece were two comrades who had red berets and they helped each other get through every battle. There was also a dance honoring the spirit of the people during the Sichuan earthquake of May. Then they played music and showed pictures of disabled students smiling--two of which were my students. Those students have to struggle in a country where virtually nothing is handicapped accessible.
Once and a while during the three hour show, a very Western dance of some kind was performed, probably better than anybody in the West could do. After the army ballet, about two dozen guys dressed in baggy pants and jerseys break danced, and the crowd went wild. Then it was back to positive feelings about China and the university with additional dramatic dances.
During the whole event, there was plenty of banners, glitter, confetti, loud music, and smoke. And to wrap up the whole event, girls with university flags tied to their arms danced with lots of emotion. The gigantic video screen in the back showed a Chinese video at the same time with soldiers marching, tanks rolling through streets, and rockets being launched.
Well, this is probably my last blog entry for a few days. I leave tomorrow for the southern city of Xiamen. Thanks as always for your thoughts! Let me know if I can be thinking of you in a specific way.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Happy 2009!
Happy New Year, my fellow Americans!
There's not much to report in this blog entry for today. I just thought I would write because it's a special occasion.
Last night after roller skating on new campus, I ate lunch with one of my students on old campus. We had a great time and then we went and got some pictures taken at the very inexpensive photo booth place.
At night, my team, plus a couple of other guys from ELIC in Nanchang, and I hung out playing games until the new year arrived. Of course it was enjoyable. But then things got less enjoyable when my teammate Shannon went to unplug a hand-warmer thing from the wall in her bedroom. We just saw one huge spark and suddenly Shannon was on the ground. She got electrocuted sort of badly. One side of her left hand is black and there is a burnt hole. It looked so painful and terrible. It was sort of like a nightmare. Shannon, however, is an ex-cop and is pretty tough, so she is surviving quite well.
Today I just cleaned our apartment for 5 hours, since my roommate is off in a far-away province. Then Jodi and I wandered around the alleys in the neighborhood, visiting our favorite people, like the "watermelon lady", etc. We also got our hair washed for an hour at the same place as last time, for the low price of 8 kuai (roughly $1.15). Then we just ate some steamed dumplings at our favorite place for dinner.
So that is my amazingly uneventful day! I thought I'd wish you a happy New Year and share some pictures. The first picture is from today when we visited the watermelon lady, who actually just sells oranges and apples now. The second is when my team and I were served a lamb for dinner the other day. This is just half of the lamb--the other half was on the other side of the table. The third picture is an awesome one Jodi took when we went roller skating. The final picture is just one of the roller skating "rink" on new campus.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Reliving 1994
When I turned eight years old in 1994, I thought I had the best birthday ever. I spent it at Skate Away, the very lively skating rink in Topeka, where I loved to skate with my little friends. And honor of honors, Skate Away proclaimed this special occasion on their sign overlooking Fairlawn. I remember being so happy that all of Topeka could see this sign saying something like, "Happy 8th birthday, Laura!" And that was probably the last time I wore actual roller skates.
And today I had the opportunity to wear true roller skates again, 14 years later! I went with my students, Wendy and Karen, to the "skating rink" at new campus. This rink was amazing. It was actually just a gigantic room with concrete floors. There was a big set of windows that let in natural light. There weren't any crazy disco balls or flashing lights. It was still a lot of fun though.
I rented black roller skates for 5 kuai. They were black skates- size 42 men's skates. All the girls had brown skates, but there weren't any big enough for my American Midwestern feet. In fact, I barely made it in the men's skates. The biggest size for men was 44. Thank goodness my feet stopped short of that size, otherwise I might have never been able to skate in China!
The place was filled with energy. As the minutes went by, the room filled with more students skating in their China-y clothes, which reminded me of the good old days in 1994. There was some really funky music playing, and everyone had a great time.
There were some of the most amazing roller skaters I've ever seen. They blew the Topeka Skate Away pros out of the water. They went backwards so quickly, the air buzzed around them. Then they just hopped over our feet while we were resting on a bench. They also formed chains, holding on to each other's backs while skating at about 100 mph. It looked like a congo line. Some guys also could spin with their hands on the floor. It all was dizzying.
Wendy, Karen, and I skated hand-in-hand for over an hour. And of course some of the best skaters decided they also wanted to skate with us. It was so crazy, I thought I was going to die. They put me right in the middle of one of those chains. I couldn't move my feet fast enough to keep up with them, so I just tried to cling onto them and survive. It was so fun and scary at the same time.
But, at one point after about the fifth lap of this, my skate caught on the uneven floor and I collided with the floor and the other skaters in horrifying slow motion. Good thing I had so much long underwear on for padding. I fell on my right side going at the sound of speed, and then the several people behind me also careened into the ground. Thankfully, everyone tried very hard not to kill me. They were so courteous as they smashed to the concrete. I covered my head as everyone leaped over me and around me, barely missing me by 2 centimeters. So then our whole cool skating line was in a gigantic heap because I fell. It's pretty funny to think about it now.
Then everyone had to make sure I was okay, although they were more likely to be hurt than I was. I ended up breaking the wheels on one of my skates, so some boys with huge hair and amazing skating skills tried to fix the foreigner's gimpy skate. Alas, they couldn't fix it and I was embarrassed to attract so much attention, like usual.
So it was actually a really fun time. I realized it was great exercise that is acceptable for girls to do in China, unlike weight-lifting, etc. Perhaps I can invest in a pair of rollerblades and skate again with my students and new-found skating rink buddies.
Now it's off to dinner with one of my students. Everything's so busy, I've hardly stopped to think that today is the last day of 2008! What a challenging, but wonderful and blessed year!
And today I had the opportunity to wear true roller skates again, 14 years later! I went with my students, Wendy and Karen, to the "skating rink" at new campus. This rink was amazing. It was actually just a gigantic room with concrete floors. There was a big set of windows that let in natural light. There weren't any crazy disco balls or flashing lights. It was still a lot of fun though.
I rented black roller skates for 5 kuai. They were black skates- size 42 men's skates. All the girls had brown skates, but there weren't any big enough for my American Midwestern feet. In fact, I barely made it in the men's skates. The biggest size for men was 44. Thank goodness my feet stopped short of that size, otherwise I might have never been able to skate in China!
The place was filled with energy. As the minutes went by, the room filled with more students skating in their China-y clothes, which reminded me of the good old days in 1994. There was some really funky music playing, and everyone had a great time.
There were some of the most amazing roller skaters I've ever seen. They blew the Topeka Skate Away pros out of the water. They went backwards so quickly, the air buzzed around them. Then they just hopped over our feet while we were resting on a bench. They also formed chains, holding on to each other's backs while skating at about 100 mph. It looked like a congo line. Some guys also could spin with their hands on the floor. It all was dizzying.
Wendy, Karen, and I skated hand-in-hand for over an hour. And of course some of the best skaters decided they also wanted to skate with us. It was so crazy, I thought I was going to die. They put me right in the middle of one of those chains. I couldn't move my feet fast enough to keep up with them, so I just tried to cling onto them and survive. It was so fun and scary at the same time.
But, at one point after about the fifth lap of this, my skate caught on the uneven floor and I collided with the floor and the other skaters in horrifying slow motion. Good thing I had so much long underwear on for padding. I fell on my right side going at the sound of speed, and then the several people behind me also careened into the ground. Thankfully, everyone tried very hard not to kill me. They were so courteous as they smashed to the concrete. I covered my head as everyone leaped over me and around me, barely missing me by 2 centimeters. So then our whole cool skating line was in a gigantic heap because I fell. It's pretty funny to think about it now.
Then everyone had to make sure I was okay, although they were more likely to be hurt than I was. I ended up breaking the wheels on one of my skates, so some boys with huge hair and amazing skating skills tried to fix the foreigner's gimpy skate. Alas, they couldn't fix it and I was embarrassed to attract so much attention, like usual.
So it was actually a really fun time. I realized it was great exercise that is acceptable for girls to do in China, unlike weight-lifting, etc. Perhaps I can invest in a pair of rollerblades and skate again with my students and new-found skating rink buddies.
Now it's off to dinner with one of my students. Everything's so busy, I've hardly stopped to think that today is the last day of 2008! What a challenging, but wonderful and blessed year!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Christmas Day 3
The past couple of days have been quite different from the usual. Well, as usual as China can be.
Yesterday our team had a little retreat to just lift up our thoughts and study the Word. It was a wonderful time away from the craziness of life. We were able to momentarily forget about the rest of the world to spend time with Him.
In the evening I went out to buy a sweet potato on the street for dinner. Then I bought some oranges from the "watermelon lady." I gave her a scarf Mom had sent me in the mail, because she always looks freezing. I handed it to her with two hands, saying "Sheng dan kuai le!" (Merry Christmas). She looked so thrilled, smiling with her two teeth. And she grabbed my hands shaking them very excitedly. Then she gave me a couple apples for free. As I was walking away, I almost started crying, because I was just so glad that I could help brighten her day a little bit. She also always brightens my day!
Today, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. we had our Christmas party for our students. We had three different "stations" of activities for each class of students. We had a dizzy Santa relay race, where the students had to put on a Santa outfit, run to the other side and spin around, and then run back to the rest of their team. We also had singing Christmas carols and then acting out the Nativity story.
About half of my students came all the way from new campus in the cold and drizzle. Here are some pictures and a video from the day's activities. It was a great day to open our homes to them and share more about what we believe in a fun way.
The first picture is of some of my students acting out the Nativity story. The second is of me with a bunch of my students. The third is of the dizzy Santa relay. The video is of some of my students singing "The Twelve Days of Christmas" and they're so cute!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Christmas time
Merry Christmas to everyone in America!
Right now in China it is already the day after Christmas, so I'm thinking of all the family and friends who are currently celebrating Christmas back home.
Yesterday was a very pleasant day, for the most part. Our team ate a good breakfast together and opened some presents. We bought or made presents for each other that cost under 10 kuai. Then some of us watched "It's a Wonderful Life." Later we went and took pictures together at a little China-y photo booth place for fun. We also ate Christmas dinner together in one of the smoky, drafty Chinese restaurants. But it was good.
So I hope you all are having a wonderful, blessed day! Here are just a few pictures from the past couple days. The first is one of some really good cha-cha dancers at the worker's union performance on Christmas Eve. The second one is when I was dancing for the same performance. The third one is of me with some of my Christmas presents from students--a face mask for the cold and a huge stuffed dog.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Christmas Eve
Merry Christmas Eve!
I hope you are having a restful Christmas Eve with family, snow, etc. And I hope you are WARM!
People were right about Nanchang--the cold seeps into your bones and never leaves. It is particularly challenging and frustrating when you are supposed to dance ballet with it at 32 degrees inside a theater.
We didn't have to teach today, but we still had to go to new campus for most of the day. We went to the rehearsal in the morning for the worker's union performance, which turned out to be a big, fancy shindig.
During the rehearsal, I slipped on the super slick stage. All the performers before me had tracked in the rain and muck from outside. So then I was thinking about not falling and how my toes were so numb, I couldn't point them. While I was concentrating on that, I totally blanked out halfway through my dance and just stood there. I felt like I disappointed a lot of people, but I was glad it was just a rehearsal.
While we were sitting in the audience watching the other flashy performances, about a dozen of my students trooped in, expecting to see my dance. They had just got out of class and came over as soon as they could. I was sorry to tell them they had missed my dance. And students weren't allowed to come to the afternoon show.
They also brought a bunch of Christmas presents for me, which was unexpected. I left the place carrying an armload of gifts. They gave me a huge stuffed dog, really warm mittens, a face mask for the cold and/or pollution, some pretty cards, and a beautiful, miniature tea set.
Then our team and the foreign affairs office people who are in charge of us went to the cafeteria for an appetizing lunch of boiled greens and 20 times baked cauliflower. I didn't mind too much that there wasn't anything good to eat. We sat there with the cold wind gusting in through the doors, and I could tell we were all getting really run down. So Rachael and I decided to lift up our thoughts to Him like we were having a conversation, because our whole team has been struggling through the past few very stressful days.
After lunch Mr. Li and Amy took me to the school clinic, because two of my fingers on my left hand hurt really badly. They are currently very swollen, red, and achy. We barely made it through the door when a bunch of doctors and eager patients gathered around my hand. A lady doctor just squeezed my finger and looked at it for a minute.
I never found out what was wrong with it. Amy, the translator, said she didn't know how to translate it. I asked her, "Was it from the cold? Was it from a bug bite? Did I hurt it? Do I have arthritis?" She said she didn't know. Then they gave me some smelly oil stuff to rub on one of my fingers. They also gave me some sort of little plaster mixture to wear on it for four days, too.
Then we went to the performance and sat in the audience. We watched as lots of people poured into the auditorium, which seemed more like a damp, cold tomb. But it was hard not to get excited by the excited people around us. Everyone was bundled up, chattering away. Really tall military guys in green uniforms with their chests puffed out stood at attention in the aisles, by the stage, and by the doors during the whole performance. It reminded me of the "Sound of Music" when the Von Trapp family is singing on the stage and they escape soon afterwards. The Nazi soldiers then run out exclaiming, "They're gone! They're gone!"
So our team was all dressed up and we sang a song, half in English, half in Chinese. The crowd of several hundred people was enthusiastic. Then the music for my dance began. I leaped out onto the stage thinking how I should have gone to the bathroom before I started.
At first no one could see me, because the stage and auditorium was pitch black. Someone hadn't turned the lights back on. But I kept dancing. After a few seconds the lights went on and I decided just to have fun and entertain the expectant people. I also spontaneously added some more dramatic arm expressions and made sure to flash a smile every 2 seconds. The stage actually wasn't slick this time, and I just enjoyed dancing for the audience. Thankfully, I didn't blank out at all. The audience started clapping during the middle, just like if I had done 32 fouettes. I could have fallen and they would have still cheered. But I know that I did my best, and was thinking that all of those "Nutcracker" performances from the past weren't for naught. Who knew that we'd spend our Christmas Eve day this way.
And our Christmas Eve night has been quite wonderful. We met in Joelle's room with other Chinese brothers and sisters to celebrate Christmas. We decorated sugar cookies, read the Christmas story from the Word, sang carols, and lit candles. Afterward, we went outside and threw firecrackers on the ground and played with sparklers. We also wrote "wishes" on a big red paper lantern. One of our friends lit a light under the lantern, and we watched in wonder as it floated into the air and slowly sailed away. It was so meaningful to be with other brothers and sisters in China on such a special night.
This Christmas isn't really about getting lots of presents or doing Christmasy things or going to fellowship. It is more like having to totally rely on Him, otherwise you think you might not make it to tomorrow. It's also about remembering the important things in life and how life in Him brings true joy and contentment, despite circumstances or cultural barriers.
Anyway, Sheng dan kuai le! (Merry Christmas!)
P.S. I have received 49 text messages so far from my students wishing me a Merry Christmas. I have no idea how that many people got my phone number, but I guess word spreads quickly.
I hope you are having a restful Christmas Eve with family, snow, etc. And I hope you are WARM!
People were right about Nanchang--the cold seeps into your bones and never leaves. It is particularly challenging and frustrating when you are supposed to dance ballet with it at 32 degrees inside a theater.
We didn't have to teach today, but we still had to go to new campus for most of the day. We went to the rehearsal in the morning for the worker's union performance, which turned out to be a big, fancy shindig.
During the rehearsal, I slipped on the super slick stage. All the performers before me had tracked in the rain and muck from outside. So then I was thinking about not falling and how my toes were so numb, I couldn't point them. While I was concentrating on that, I totally blanked out halfway through my dance and just stood there. I felt like I disappointed a lot of people, but I was glad it was just a rehearsal.
While we were sitting in the audience watching the other flashy performances, about a dozen of my students trooped in, expecting to see my dance. They had just got out of class and came over as soon as they could. I was sorry to tell them they had missed my dance. And students weren't allowed to come to the afternoon show.
They also brought a bunch of Christmas presents for me, which was unexpected. I left the place carrying an armload of gifts. They gave me a huge stuffed dog, really warm mittens, a face mask for the cold and/or pollution, some pretty cards, and a beautiful, miniature tea set.
Then our team and the foreign affairs office people who are in charge of us went to the cafeteria for an appetizing lunch of boiled greens and 20 times baked cauliflower. I didn't mind too much that there wasn't anything good to eat. We sat there with the cold wind gusting in through the doors, and I could tell we were all getting really run down. So Rachael and I decided to lift up our thoughts to Him like we were having a conversation, because our whole team has been struggling through the past few very stressful days.
After lunch Mr. Li and Amy took me to the school clinic, because two of my fingers on my left hand hurt really badly. They are currently very swollen, red, and achy. We barely made it through the door when a bunch of doctors and eager patients gathered around my hand. A lady doctor just squeezed my finger and looked at it for a minute.
I never found out what was wrong with it. Amy, the translator, said she didn't know how to translate it. I asked her, "Was it from the cold? Was it from a bug bite? Did I hurt it? Do I have arthritis?" She said she didn't know. Then they gave me some smelly oil stuff to rub on one of my fingers. They also gave me some sort of little plaster mixture to wear on it for four days, too.
Then we went to the performance and sat in the audience. We watched as lots of people poured into the auditorium, which seemed more like a damp, cold tomb. But it was hard not to get excited by the excited people around us. Everyone was bundled up, chattering away. Really tall military guys in green uniforms with their chests puffed out stood at attention in the aisles, by the stage, and by the doors during the whole performance. It reminded me of the "Sound of Music" when the Von Trapp family is singing on the stage and they escape soon afterwards. The Nazi soldiers then run out exclaiming, "They're gone! They're gone!"
So our team was all dressed up and we sang a song, half in English, half in Chinese. The crowd of several hundred people was enthusiastic. Then the music for my dance began. I leaped out onto the stage thinking how I should have gone to the bathroom before I started.
At first no one could see me, because the stage and auditorium was pitch black. Someone hadn't turned the lights back on. But I kept dancing. After a few seconds the lights went on and I decided just to have fun and entertain the expectant people. I also spontaneously added some more dramatic arm expressions and made sure to flash a smile every 2 seconds. The stage actually wasn't slick this time, and I just enjoyed dancing for the audience. Thankfully, I didn't blank out at all. The audience started clapping during the middle, just like if I had done 32 fouettes. I could have fallen and they would have still cheered. But I know that I did my best, and was thinking that all of those "Nutcracker" performances from the past weren't for naught. Who knew that we'd spend our Christmas Eve day this way.
And our Christmas Eve night has been quite wonderful. We met in Joelle's room with other Chinese brothers and sisters to celebrate Christmas. We decorated sugar cookies, read the Christmas story from the Word, sang carols, and lit candles. Afterward, we went outside and threw firecrackers on the ground and played with sparklers. We also wrote "wishes" on a big red paper lantern. One of our friends lit a light under the lantern, and we watched in wonder as it floated into the air and slowly sailed away. It was so meaningful to be with other brothers and sisters in China on such a special night.
This Christmas isn't really about getting lots of presents or doing Christmasy things or going to fellowship. It is more like having to totally rely on Him, otherwise you think you might not make it to tomorrow. It's also about remembering the important things in life and how life in Him brings true joy and contentment, despite circumstances or cultural barriers.
Anyway, Sheng dan kuai le! (Merry Christmas!)
P.S. I have received 49 text messages so far from my students wishing me a Merry Christmas. I have no idea how that many people got my phone number, but I guess word spreads quickly.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
A Frozen Winterland
Welcome to southeastern China, where it never snows! But, alas, it snowed yesterday!
Yesterday morning I woke up to bitter cold in our apartment. As the sun slowly began to rise, it shed light on a still, white world. And it was about 25 degrees, with the wind chill lower. That might not be very cold to some of you hearty Americans, but it is much colder in drafty, unheated building. The temperature is the same inside as outside. And so many students don't have heavy enough clothing for this type of weather.
So I bundled up that day in my very unattractive China-bought winter clothing, looking more like a manly Eskimo than anything. I went to school and tried teaching 1 class, but it was pretty difficult because of the cold.
Most of the students were so excited to see snow, because it was the first time for many of them. But that excitement quickly faded as people became more numb by the second. For class, we stood the entire time, because I'm pretty sure they were going to freeze to death, especially without gloves. One girl brought in a snowball for me and I set it on the podium up front. It didn't even begin to melt during the 2 hour class, since it must have been below freezing in the classroom.
The whole time, I was thinking, "this is ridiculous!" Nobody can learn in this type of environment, especially without good socks or any gloves. After a while, I just gave up and let them go early. But they didn't really have anyplace warmer to go.
Anyway, I got home at lunch time not being able to feel my toes--they were so numb. I looked at them and they were a very waxy white, which scared me a little, especially when they refused to warm up. I guess according to the Internet and other people, I was starting to get frostbite. The feeling in my toes finally started coming back after soaking them in lukewarm water for 30 minutes...
Today I taught 2 classes and it was slightly warmer. It was about 35 degrees in the classrooms. It didn't feel quite as bad today, because the wind wasn't gusting through the windows and doors. But my students still looked miserable. I asked them if they liked winter and they all screamed, "NO!"
Since today was the last official day of the semester our classes, we didn't do very many productive things. I had them jump up and down to stay warm, and I also taught them the "hokey pokey," which they loved.
We also had a "free talk" where I asked them questions and they asked me questions. I found out a lot more about their lives. It costs 8,000 yuan ($1,200)/ year to attend this university, which is pretty expensive for China. Their parents or villages support them. And the majority of their parents work in factories--shoe factories, plastic factories, or clothing factories. Their parents migrate to big cities to work endless hours in these factories so their children can have a better life than they've had.
A lot of my students also have siblings, which isn't all that rare, despite China's "one-child" policy. They all said that their parents were fined a certain amount for them, if they were younger children. I told my students I think they were more than worth the money. :)
I also had them anonymously write an evaluation for my class, so I can try to do better next semester. They wrote about one thing they liked, and one thing they would change or would like to learn. Most of them didn't follow the directions, and just made it whatever they wanted to say to me indirectly. Some of the responses just about made me cry, not because they hurt my feelings, but because I feel like He has actually been using me to touch their lives by being a good teacher.
Here's a little sampling of some of the sweetest or most outrageous ones. Prepare to laugh. Or prepare a Kleenex!
"It's really lucky that I could have the chance to learn from you. Salute to our wonderful teacher!"
"My love of oral English class: Although it is very chilly today, we still sit down the room J2-105. However, we would rather stay here which is warmer than outside. Most of all, we're excited about the special class that Miss Laura teaches us oral English. In other words, as soon as she came in, we are boiled. Also this is the last class in 2008.
I always want to say 'I really appreciate Miss Laura, her teaching is very helpful, and so humorous and generous she is, we all love her.' Time lefts just like the water follows in the river. But we aren't regret."
"Our English teacher (Laura) is funy, and her English is very wonderful. Her beautiful voice is much better than any other English teacher. She is so beautiful, just like a superstar. I want our English teacher teaching us until we graduate."
"I think we have a good and kind English teacher in our class. She is very helpful and beautiful English teacher. She teaches me how to study English and make every students happy in her class."
"What I liked about the class is Miss Laura often let us discuss and talk free. So that we have time to be creative. I think this is one point different from Chinese education."
"I like the class. Because it makes me feel relaxed and happy. The way of you teach us is easy to understand. I like the classmates. They are interesting activity fellow. I like the teacher. You are easygoing and always bring happy to us, never be angry to us. You are our teacher, also you are our friend."
"How time flies! Many things become a part of my memory. I find I fall in love with my teacher. I love her humor, her lovely expression and teaching skills. I find I learn many things from Miss Laura. I understand what is optimistic. I also know much more knowledge on America. I really think it's the best memory of my life. Thanks Miss Laura sincerely!"
Wow. I could have included many more, but those were the most memorable. :) I hope you enjoyed them! Good thing I had them leave their names off the papers! I don't want to know who has "fall in love with my teacher."
I just wanted you to read some of those comments I received, since you are a big part of what's happening over here, too. I think that I have earned a lot of respect, and the students can see that I'm different. It is a great transition to eventually be able to speak of the Father's love and how He has helped me teach this way and be this kind of person.
Merry December 23rd! Have safe travels and stay warm!
Yesterday morning I woke up to bitter cold in our apartment. As the sun slowly began to rise, it shed light on a still, white world. And it was about 25 degrees, with the wind chill lower. That might not be very cold to some of you hearty Americans, but it is much colder in drafty, unheated building. The temperature is the same inside as outside. And so many students don't have heavy enough clothing for this type of weather.
So I bundled up that day in my very unattractive China-bought winter clothing, looking more like a manly Eskimo than anything. I went to school and tried teaching 1 class, but it was pretty difficult because of the cold.
Most of the students were so excited to see snow, because it was the first time for many of them. But that excitement quickly faded as people became more numb by the second. For class, we stood the entire time, because I'm pretty sure they were going to freeze to death, especially without gloves. One girl brought in a snowball for me and I set it on the podium up front. It didn't even begin to melt during the 2 hour class, since it must have been below freezing in the classroom.
The whole time, I was thinking, "this is ridiculous!" Nobody can learn in this type of environment, especially without good socks or any gloves. After a while, I just gave up and let them go early. But they didn't really have anyplace warmer to go.
Anyway, I got home at lunch time not being able to feel my toes--they were so numb. I looked at them and they were a very waxy white, which scared me a little, especially when they refused to warm up. I guess according to the Internet and other people, I was starting to get frostbite. The feeling in my toes finally started coming back after soaking them in lukewarm water for 30 minutes...
Today I taught 2 classes and it was slightly warmer. It was about 35 degrees in the classrooms. It didn't feel quite as bad today, because the wind wasn't gusting through the windows and doors. But my students still looked miserable. I asked them if they liked winter and they all screamed, "NO!"
Since today was the last official day of the semester our classes, we didn't do very many productive things. I had them jump up and down to stay warm, and I also taught them the "hokey pokey," which they loved.
We also had a "free talk" where I asked them questions and they asked me questions. I found out a lot more about their lives. It costs 8,000 yuan ($1,200)/ year to attend this university, which is pretty expensive for China. Their parents or villages support them. And the majority of their parents work in factories--shoe factories, plastic factories, or clothing factories. Their parents migrate to big cities to work endless hours in these factories so their children can have a better life than they've had.
A lot of my students also have siblings, which isn't all that rare, despite China's "one-child" policy. They all said that their parents were fined a certain amount for them, if they were younger children. I told my students I think they were more than worth the money. :)
I also had them anonymously write an evaluation for my class, so I can try to do better next semester. They wrote about one thing they liked, and one thing they would change or would like to learn. Most of them didn't follow the directions, and just made it whatever they wanted to say to me indirectly. Some of the responses just about made me cry, not because they hurt my feelings, but because I feel like He has actually been using me to touch their lives by being a good teacher.
Here's a little sampling of some of the sweetest or most outrageous ones. Prepare to laugh. Or prepare a Kleenex!
"It's really lucky that I could have the chance to learn from you. Salute to our wonderful teacher!"
"My love of oral English class: Although it is very chilly today, we still sit down the room J2-105. However, we would rather stay here which is warmer than outside. Most of all, we're excited about the special class that Miss Laura teaches us oral English. In other words, as soon as she came in, we are boiled. Also this is the last class in 2008.
I always want to say 'I really appreciate Miss Laura, her teaching is very helpful, and so humorous and generous she is, we all love her.' Time lefts just like the water follows in the river. But we aren't regret."
"Our English teacher (Laura) is funy, and her English is very wonderful. Her beautiful voice is much better than any other English teacher. She is so beautiful, just like a superstar. I want our English teacher teaching us until we graduate."
"I think we have a good and kind English teacher in our class. She is very helpful and beautiful English teacher. She teaches me how to study English and make every students happy in her class."
"What I liked about the class is Miss Laura often let us discuss and talk free. So that we have time to be creative. I think this is one point different from Chinese education."
"I like the class. Because it makes me feel relaxed and happy. The way of you teach us is easy to understand. I like the classmates. They are interesting activity fellow. I like the teacher. You are easygoing and always bring happy to us, never be angry to us. You are our teacher, also you are our friend."
"How time flies! Many things become a part of my memory. I find I fall in love with my teacher. I love her humor, her lovely expression and teaching skills. I find I learn many things from Miss Laura. I understand what is optimistic. I also know much more knowledge on America. I really think it's the best memory of my life. Thanks Miss Laura sincerely!"
Wow. I could have included many more, but those were the most memorable. :) I hope you enjoyed them! Good thing I had them leave their names off the papers! I don't want to know who has "fall in love with my teacher."
I just wanted you to read some of those comments I received, since you are a big part of what's happening over here, too. I think that I have earned a lot of respect, and the students can see that I'm different. It is a great transition to eventually be able to speak of the Father's love and how He has helped me teach this way and be this kind of person.
Merry December 23rd! Have safe travels and stay warm!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)