Each week my older students are giving writing assignments. The week of Thanksgiving, I gave them each the assignment to write about what they are thankful for. One of my quieter students wrote the below to me. It made my day. Note the end where she says "give me lots of candy." These kids learn at a young age how to butter people up and then ask for what they really want. Oh well, it is still really cute.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
China
The weekend before Thanksgiving I flew to Hong Kong to meet up with Laura and her boyfriend Matt and his family. (Background: Laura's boyfriend Matt's dad lives in China and they were visiting him) I was a little worried that I would be able to find them, but I waited at the one place I knew they would have to come to eventually, baggage claim. A few hours later (I was graded papers during the wait) Laura arrives. It is great to see her! We even did the movie scene where we ran towards each other. Classic.
After getting their bags we started out on the long process of going through HK immigration and then directly next China immigration. We were actually able to do it in the car. Drive-up immigration. It was a new experience for me.
Once past immigration, we made our way through China to Shenzhen. Where Matt's dad lives. His family was gracious enough to put me up for a few days.
The next day the girls set out for shopping and the boys went to the factory that Matt's dad owns.
Shopping was a unique and exhausting experience. Mainly because there was so much to see and everyone tried to get our attention and because Matt's stepmom was with and she is from China and she likes to negotiate. Everything was a process. I wanted a pearl ring, it was real pearl, they showed me their little scratch test. They wanted $12, with the help of Matt's step mom I talked them down to $5. After the ring, we set out to buy our fake designer hand bags. 4 hours later (not kidding) we each walk away with our new accessory.
Dining in China was also a new experience. Not because I was having authentic Chinese cuisine, but because I was washing my dishes at the table with the hot tea that they brought for us to drink. Matt and his family showed Laura and I how to wash our cups and chopsticks in the bowls they gave us. Interesting to say the least. But the food was great. I think my favorite was the smoked bamboo with ham. Yum.
Sadly, my trip to China was a short one and I would love to go back to see more someday. But it was an amazing experience to go and be guided through a city of 14 million people by the locals. I love locals. :)
The sign says, "no killer littering." Meant for the ice skating rink below.
After getting their bags we started out on the long process of going through HK immigration and then directly next China immigration. We were actually able to do it in the car. Drive-up immigration. It was a new experience for me.
Once past immigration, we made our way through China to Shenzhen. Where Matt's dad lives. His family was gracious enough to put me up for a few days.
The next day the girls set out for shopping and the boys went to the factory that Matt's dad owns.
Shopping was a unique and exhausting experience. Mainly because there was so much to see and everyone tried to get our attention and because Matt's stepmom was with and she is from China and she likes to negotiate. Everything was a process. I wanted a pearl ring, it was real pearl, they showed me their little scratch test. They wanted $12, with the help of Matt's step mom I talked them down to $5. After the ring, we set out to buy our fake designer hand bags. 4 hours later (not kidding) we each walk away with our new accessory.
Dining in China was also a new experience. Not because I was having authentic Chinese cuisine, but because I was washing my dishes at the table with the hot tea that they brought for us to drink. Matt and his family showed Laura and I how to wash our cups and chopsticks in the bowls they gave us. Interesting to say the least. But the food was great. I think my favorite was the smoked bamboo with ham. Yum.
Sadly, my trip to China was a short one and I would love to go back to see more someday. But it was an amazing experience to go and be guided through a city of 14 million people by the locals. I love locals. :)
The sign says, "no killer littering." Meant for the ice skating rink below.
The Apartment
I know understand why I would so often see a message on people's blog apologizing for having a big gap in their writing. It's been 2 months since my original post and I'm just getting caught up now. Unfortunately, it's not all because I've been busy exploring and trying new things. Dwight and I keep passing a cold between us and has taken forever to get rid of it.
Anyway, here are a few pictures of the apartment. As you can see it is what I would refer to as "retro" style. The apartment reminds me of a first apartment out of college. With it's floor to ceiling (yes, even on the ceiling) floral wallpaper. It is hard to add anything to the decor that would actually complement it. Oh well. I have adjusted a lot compared to the first week or so of being here. I just got a rug for the kitchen (the only room besides the bathroom that doesn't have floral wall paper.) 
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Namsan Mountain
Fitness equipment was scattered along the trail...in case the hiking wasn't enough
D & I on top of Namsan Mountain, we were trying to get the city in the background...
View of Chungju from the top of Namsan MountainUp and running
Hello!
My very first blog post, hmm, I have so much to say and yet don't know where to begin. I'll start at the beginning, a very good place to start.
We arrived in Soeul last Saturday evening. Exhausted and grateful to be off the cramped plane. We were met by a co-worker of Dwight's and my vice Principal's husband. They drove us back to Chungju and brought us to our apartment. Our apartment is a two bedroom, larger than what most teachers get, and is fully furnished. From some of the pictures of apartments I had seen on other teachers blogs I was hoping for a bit more modern in style, but we got space over style. Oh well, can't have it all...
We survived our first week of teaching. Dwight was teaching on day #2, I observed one of the other foreign teachers for 2 days before I was thrown before a class. The kids are great! There is such a lack of structure that I don't even know where to begin sometimes, but I'm sure in a few weeks I will be an old pro, or something like that.
Today we hiked up to Namsan mountain and say some gorgeous views of the city. I will post some pics for your viewing pleasure.
More to come, much more to come, but I wanted to get this up and running and get this first post out there.
Hope all is well.
Take care, SM
My very first blog post, hmm, I have so much to say and yet don't know where to begin. I'll start at the beginning, a very good place to start.
We arrived in Soeul last Saturday evening. Exhausted and grateful to be off the cramped plane. We were met by a co-worker of Dwight's and my vice Principal's husband. They drove us back to Chungju and brought us to our apartment. Our apartment is a two bedroom, larger than what most teachers get, and is fully furnished. From some of the pictures of apartments I had seen on other teachers blogs I was hoping for a bit more modern in style, but we got space over style. Oh well, can't have it all...
We survived our first week of teaching. Dwight was teaching on day #2, I observed one of the other foreign teachers for 2 days before I was thrown before a class. The kids are great! There is such a lack of structure that I don't even know where to begin sometimes, but I'm sure in a few weeks I will be an old pro, or something like that.
Today we hiked up to Namsan mountain and say some gorgeous views of the city. I will post some pics for your viewing pleasure.
More to come, much more to come, but I wanted to get this up and running and get this first post out there.
Hope all is well.
Take care, SM
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