Much to my chagrin this post is being written while Party Rock Anthem plays from the speakers in my classroom.
It, like Gangnam Style, is popular with the "under seven" set.
My students enjoy the beat, and I try to tune it out. It's easy enough to do, because I can hardly hear it over the rumbling of my own stomach.
I am starving.
Normally I would either eat lunch at the school, or venture out and procure sustenance. Alas, today neither was an option. The menu at the school was fish, rice, and stewed vegetables.
This doesn't sound so bad, right? The fish was more bone than fish. I honestly thought about taking a picture of it. The teachers had to pick the fish out of the bones before serving it to the kids, and even then some of the tiny, needle like bones were still being pulled out of the mouths of the children.
Now, I don't think I've spoken about this to everyone, so let me just amend that situation.
Spiders: Do not enjoy.
Heights: Not a huge fan, although definitely not a huge problem.
Fish bones: Thoroughly phobic.
That's right, world, I have pnigophobia. But not just any ol' pnigophobia. I am afraid of choking on a fishbone. Or even swallowing one.
It really diminishes my ability to enjoy fish, but even more so here in China where meat is considered healthier for you if it comes still attached to the bone.
Just thinking about it triggers that pre-gag reflex, where your face contorts into whatever your "Eww, that stinks" face is, and your shoulders hunch just a tiny bit. Yup. Fish bones are gross.
So, today the food was tainted by fishbones. Like I said, confronted with a plethora of inedible comestibles I would normally just go out and buy something more palatable. Today however the foreign teachers were sequestered in Classroom A, making easter baskets.
I'll have to take a picture of what my fellow 3-4 year-old teacher and I are offering up to our students.
It's pretty pitiful. But, in our defense, when you're only given an hour and a half to design and create 20 easter baskets... well, the product is going to suffer. Ours suffered more than other teachers, but I wasn't hired for my crafting ability.
And anyway, they're only going to be putting about five pieces of candy into these things at the end of the day so I don't care.
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Super Husband on TV, and Lions in the Classroom
It's been two weeks since we started our new... lives.
Now our schedules are more or less stable, and we've adjusted once more to living apart during the week. Adjusted, but maybe not accepted.
Super Husband has, in addition to being swamped by homework, picked up a few extracurricular activities to help him with his Chinese. He is now a voluntee r English teacher/tutor at a public school on Thursday evenings, as well as the cohost of the English music section of the university's TV channel, and the English editor for the whole broadcast.
Although all of these activities mean that he has less time to hang out with his lovely Wonder Wife, I am extremely proud of him. It's not every day someone becomes a TV host, even if it is a university channel. And I think he hopes that being around little Chinese speaking tots will help him with his Chinese, while he helps them with their English.
I am set to take over the Red Lions (all of the classes are a color of lion, red, pink, blue, grey, and even maroon lions) this week. They're a class of 3-4 year olds whose English is pretty good. I've spent some of this morning, and most of the lunch break today organizing my classroom, getting it sorted out and made pretty. I'm having some huge difficulties with the door, for some reason. Nothing will stay put. I think it's just old, not sticky tape, but I'm getting really aggravated.
Because Easter is coming up we're going to spend some of this week coloring, painting, and generally creating decorations for the windows, doors, and even ourselves.
I have some really cute ideas for paper plate bunny masks.
We're also having an Easter celebration on Friday that should be a lot of fun. Face painting, egg hunts, egg dyeing, egg-and-spoon races, all kinds of family fun. The parents will be invited out, and we're going to make a whole Fair Day out of it.
Last week the team I'm on for Pub Quiz won first place. It's my first pub first, and I hung my ribbon with pride over the collection of third places I've acquired over the months. I really enjoy going every week, and I've decided that we'll have to get a team together and find a place once I get back to Houston.
Now my break is over and it's time to cavort with some Red Lions.
Now our schedules are more or less stable, and we've adjusted once more to living apart during the week. Adjusted, but maybe not accepted.
Super Husband has, in addition to being swamped by homework, picked up a few extracurricular activities to help him with his Chinese. He is now a voluntee r English teacher/tutor at a public school on Thursday evenings, as well as the cohost of the English music section of the university's TV channel, and the English editor for the whole broadcast.
Although all of these activities mean that he has less time to hang out with his lovely Wonder Wife, I am extremely proud of him. It's not every day someone becomes a TV host, even if it is a university channel. And I think he hopes that being around little Chinese speaking tots will help him with his Chinese, while he helps them with their English.
I am set to take over the Red Lions (all of the classes are a color of lion, red, pink, blue, grey, and even maroon lions) this week. They're a class of 3-4 year olds whose English is pretty good. I've spent some of this morning, and most of the lunch break today organizing my classroom, getting it sorted out and made pretty. I'm having some huge difficulties with the door, for some reason. Nothing will stay put. I think it's just old, not sticky tape, but I'm getting really aggravated.
Because Easter is coming up we're going to spend some of this week coloring, painting, and generally creating decorations for the windows, doors, and even ourselves.
I have some really cute ideas for paper plate bunny masks.
We're also having an Easter celebration on Friday that should be a lot of fun. Face painting, egg hunts, egg dyeing, egg-and-spoon races, all kinds of family fun. The parents will be invited out, and we're going to make a whole Fair Day out of it.
Last week the team I'm on for Pub Quiz won first place. It's my first pub first, and I hung my ribbon with pride over the collection of third places I've acquired over the months. I really enjoy going every week, and I've decided that we'll have to get a team together and find a place once I get back to Houston.
Now my break is over and it's time to cavort with some Red Lions.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
A Long, but Rewarding Week
It has been a long week filled with changes to our schedules, and our outlooks...
Super Husband started his second semester of Mandarin here in China on Monday. He seems to like his professors for this semester better than those of last semester, but is still being buried under a mountainous pile of work. Even now, on Saturday evening, he's bent over the desk here in the apartment mumbling foreign words, pencil scratching out tiny characters. The pencil moving across the page even sounds different in Chinese.
It was strange to not see him all week after him being here in the apartment for the past two months during his break. We'll adjust to the new schedule again, of course.
And speaking of new schedules, I signed a one year contract with American House on Tuesday.
American House is the kind of school I wish I had signed with originally. It was founded in 2006 by an American man, Art, and his Chinese born American educated business partner, Shelly. I have yet to meet Art, but have met Shelly already on three occasions in the past week. She gave a training on Monday about the school's vision and expectations, and another on Thursday about active teaching for reading comprehension. Part of the school's standards, vision, and motto is using "best practices and newest research" to teach children. And both the teachers and students are better for it. These kids are really impressive. Entire classrooms of three and four year olds are reading. Of course they're not reading James and the Giant Peach out loud to their kindergarten classmates yet, but I only know of one person that can boast of that kind of early reading success. (Sadly, it wasn't even me.)
Another part of the "vision" is that the school, and company, provide a platform for those that are truly passionate about learning and teaching to become better teachers. I can't say it enough, I'm really hating that I didn't find this kindergarten before leaving Houston. It would have made a world of difference in not only the last few weeks, but the last six months.
The only down side to American House is that it's farther away than my last school. Or perhaps I should say that the downside is that my lease on this apartment doesn't run out until September. Either way, it's a 25 minute subway ride, and then a 5 minute bus ride to American House from my apartment. I'm not complaining, but I probably will be selling my bike. I've considered taking it over there some how and leaving it at the subway down there, then riding it from the subway to work, and back again. Right now that wouldn't be terrible, but as Beijing heats up... I'd rather not arrive to work dripping. Or battle the imminent dust storms.
I'm trying to get the school's website, but it's oddly hard to find. They're not hiding it, it's on the banner outside the front of the school, I just can't remember it. And multiple google searches yield results varying from architecture sites to a spelling and phonics website that some of the teachers are enrolled in. But not the school's actual website.
Never fear. I have my sources working on the problem.
I do have to say that while in the US I tend to look down on a company that doesn't have even a small web presence, but here I have had to change my way of thinking. While most Western run businesses have websites, it seems that only half, or maybe even less, of the Chinese run businesses I interact with have a discernible web presence. Maybe that's because I'm using google, and not SinaWeibo or QQ to look them up. Who knows.
Now it's Saturday evening, and while Super Husband continues to study, I continue to browse the internet for Easter themed crafts.
P.S.
Did anyone catch the hidden news in the first few paragraphs?
Super Husband started his second semester of Mandarin here in China on Monday. He seems to like his professors for this semester better than those of last semester, but is still being buried under a mountainous pile of work. Even now, on Saturday evening, he's bent over the desk here in the apartment mumbling foreign words, pencil scratching out tiny characters. The pencil moving across the page even sounds different in Chinese.
It was strange to not see him all week after him being here in the apartment for the past two months during his break. We'll adjust to the new schedule again, of course.
And speaking of new schedules, I signed a one year contract with American House on Tuesday.
American House is the kind of school I wish I had signed with originally. It was founded in 2006 by an American man, Art, and his Chinese born American educated business partner, Shelly. I have yet to meet Art, but have met Shelly already on three occasions in the past week. She gave a training on Monday about the school's vision and expectations, and another on Thursday about active teaching for reading comprehension. Part of the school's standards, vision, and motto is using "best practices and newest research" to teach children. And both the teachers and students are better for it. These kids are really impressive. Entire classrooms of three and four year olds are reading. Of course they're not reading James and the Giant Peach out loud to their kindergarten classmates yet, but I only know of one person that can boast of that kind of early reading success. (Sadly, it wasn't even me.)
Another part of the "vision" is that the school, and company, provide a platform for those that are truly passionate about learning and teaching to become better teachers. I can't say it enough, I'm really hating that I didn't find this kindergarten before leaving Houston. It would have made a world of difference in not only the last few weeks, but the last six months.
The only down side to American House is that it's farther away than my last school. Or perhaps I should say that the downside is that my lease on this apartment doesn't run out until September. Either way, it's a 25 minute subway ride, and then a 5 minute bus ride to American House from my apartment. I'm not complaining, but I probably will be selling my bike. I've considered taking it over there some how and leaving it at the subway down there, then riding it from the subway to work, and back again. Right now that wouldn't be terrible, but as Beijing heats up... I'd rather not arrive to work dripping. Or battle the imminent dust storms.
I'm trying to get the school's website, but it's oddly hard to find. They're not hiding it, it's on the banner outside the front of the school, I just can't remember it. And multiple google searches yield results varying from architecture sites to a spelling and phonics website that some of the teachers are enrolled in. But not the school's actual website.
Never fear. I have my sources working on the problem.
I do have to say that while in the US I tend to look down on a company that doesn't have even a small web presence, but here I have had to change my way of thinking. While most Western run businesses have websites, it seems that only half, or maybe even less, of the Chinese run businesses I interact with have a discernible web presence. Maybe that's because I'm using google, and not SinaWeibo or QQ to look them up. Who knows.
Now it's Saturday evening, and while Super Husband continues to study, I continue to browse the internet for Easter themed crafts.
P.S.
Did anyone catch the hidden news in the first few paragraphs?
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Yonghegong Lama Temple
On Saturday Super Husband and I took the short subway ride to Yonghegong Lama Temple. Originally built as a royal residence, it now houses some of the most lovely Buddha statues I've ever seen. I didn't take any pictures of them because we weren't sure if you're really supposed to, and because it is an active site of worship.
It is a really lovely place. As long as incense doesn't bother you.
Small signs are posted all around, generally close to the entrance to the pavilions, explaining that three lit incense are used in prayer to Buddha. Through some guesswork we surmised that this is because there are three Buddha statues housed in each pavilion. In one pavilion, at least, the Buddhas represent the past, present, and future, respectively.
We wanted to buy a small statuette from one of the gift shops, but they're exorbitant. I'm not sure if there's some sort of prestige associated with purchasing your adornments from Yonghegong, but I don't believe we'll be forking over $200 for a four inch high statue of Buddha.
After the temple we went to my favorite market to buy some games and puzzles to play with the kids I tutor. We bought a chess/checkers set, five puzzles, a pack of Plants vs. Zombies stickers, and my personal favorite a Totoro backpack:
I now have a pair of Totoro gloves, a Totoro pillow that doubles as a muff, a Totoro backpack. This does not a complete set of Totoro merchandise make, but it is enough... for now.
It is a really lovely place. As long as incense doesn't bother you.
Small signs are posted all around, generally close to the entrance to the pavilions, explaining that three lit incense are used in prayer to Buddha. Through some guesswork we surmised that this is because there are three Buddha statues housed in each pavilion. In one pavilion, at least, the Buddhas represent the past, present, and future, respectively.
We wanted to buy a small statuette from one of the gift shops, but they're exorbitant. I'm not sure if there's some sort of prestige associated with purchasing your adornments from Yonghegong, but I don't believe we'll be forking over $200 for a four inch high statue of Buddha.
After the temple we went to my favorite market to buy some games and puzzles to play with the kids I tutor. We bought a chess/checkers set, five puzzles, a pack of Plants vs. Zombies stickers, and my personal favorite a Totoro backpack:
 |
| Totoro |
Today, Sunday, is a beautiful day and we've spent some of it lounging on a park bench, soaking up the sun.
Here's to hoping this is a fortuitous omen for March.
Friday, March 1, 2013
New Month, New Outlook
It's been a while since posting anything. The last two weeks have been pretty... lackluster.
Between finding out I wasn't going to have a job, to getting sick and having to cancel our long awaited trip to Harbin... It seemed nothing was going our way. Or my way, at least. Super Husband's woes have been purely empathetic.
But, after sending out what felt like hundreds, but was probably still dozens, of resumes and applications I have good news. I've been tentatively offered a new position with a well respected English school here in Beijing.
I'm excited. I did a demo class yesterday, and I was really, really impressed with the level of English that the 4-5 year olds understood, and spoke.
Now I'm just sad that I didn't find that kindergarten to begin with!
As my mother has pointed out, it's all an experience.
I just wish my bout of flu last weekend didn't cancel our Harbin experience. I was all set to be a trouper and see it through, but like a good husband Super Husband shepherded me back to our apartment when I turned a disgusting puce color and almost passed out on the subway. While we did loose the money spent on our tickets to Harbin we were able to get an almost 100% refund for the return ticket, which was a huge relief when we didn't know where our next paycheck was coming from. And even more so when your pay from January isn't forthcoming.
The school I worked for until Thursday at 5:30 is 15 days late with the January pay for four of its English teachers. For the past two weeks we've been hounding them, cajoling, and generally becoming rather fed up with the continuing lies about where the money went, and why it isn't in our accounts. It's really rather annoying, and also somewhat suspicious. There's a new administration making all kinds of changes, and one of those changes is that the English teachers aren't getting paid.
If we're not paid by next Monday Zach and I are going to go to the main office, which is a trip I don't want to have to make.
But now, it's time to make myself a mocha (instant coffee and instant cocoa... spare no expense for luxury, right?) and get ready for my tutoring student to get here.
Between finding out I wasn't going to have a job, to getting sick and having to cancel our long awaited trip to Harbin... It seemed nothing was going our way. Or my way, at least. Super Husband's woes have been purely empathetic.
But, after sending out what felt like hundreds, but was probably still dozens, of resumes and applications I have good news. I've been tentatively offered a new position with a well respected English school here in Beijing.
I'm excited. I did a demo class yesterday, and I was really, really impressed with the level of English that the 4-5 year olds understood, and spoke.
Now I'm just sad that I didn't find that kindergarten to begin with!
As my mother has pointed out, it's all an experience.
I just wish my bout of flu last weekend didn't cancel our Harbin experience. I was all set to be a trouper and see it through, but like a good husband Super Husband shepherded me back to our apartment when I turned a disgusting puce color and almost passed out on the subway. While we did loose the money spent on our tickets to Harbin we were able to get an almost 100% refund for the return ticket, which was a huge relief when we didn't know where our next paycheck was coming from. And even more so when your pay from January isn't forthcoming.
The school I worked for until Thursday at 5:30 is 15 days late with the January pay for four of its English teachers. For the past two weeks we've been hounding them, cajoling, and generally becoming rather fed up with the continuing lies about where the money went, and why it isn't in our accounts. It's really rather annoying, and also somewhat suspicious. There's a new administration making all kinds of changes, and one of those changes is that the English teachers aren't getting paid.
If we're not paid by next Monday Zach and I are going to go to the main office, which is a trip I don't want to have to make.
But now, it's time to make myself a mocha (instant coffee and instant cocoa... spare no expense for luxury, right?) and get ready for my tutoring student to get here.
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