To prepare for class I wiki-ed Halloween (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween). I didn’t have a firm handle on the origins of Halloween and its traditions and I wanted to be prepared. Intriguing article by the way, really sad that most reported cases of candy poisoning actually turn out to be the child’s parent’s fault.

1st class: I begin by explaining the origins of Halloween, the Celtic belief that on October 31st the Spirit world had power to cross into the real world and haunt the living . People would dress up to scare the spirits and keep evil at bay. Halloween began being celebrated in America in the 1840’s when the Irish, fleeing from the potato famine, brought over many traditions.

We still dress in costumes today but not all are scary. It is a time now to dress up in fun costumes that can represent anything.

Jack-o-Lanterns we originally carved into turnips and were passed of a fable about a man named Jack who tricked the Devil into the trunk of a tree and then was cursed to roam the earth with the only light he had at the time a candle.

2nd class: By the second class I had dropped the part about Halloween being brought over by the Irish and where Jack-o-Lanterns originated from.

3rd class: The Celtic tradition was gone by the third class, it was just getting to hard to explain and they really didn’t get it.

4th class: I think I finally had the structure down but trying to explain costumes to a culture who never dresses up is depressing. I would ask them to think about what they would be if they went trick-or-treating, it was liking pull teeth! For heaven sakes who doesn’t have a costume on the tip of the tongue? Even if that might not be really what you want can’t you just think of something, anything?

5th class: I had watered it down even further and just gave examples of what we did rather than try to explain why we did it. Costumes: Scary outfits most popular, Children often wear fun costumes. Parties: Bobbing for Apples, the String game (what do we call that game?), watch a scary movie or go to a haunted house. Jack-o-Lanterns a fun tradition to scare away evil spirits.

6th class: To be honest I’m glad I had watered it down because the last time I gave the lesson it was to my most difficult class. I had a hard time keeping their attention with this version. I can’t imagine if they had been my first class.

The blackboard by the end of the lesson.

they’re letting me teach an English class to children!

Wendy came to me a few weeks ago with a proposition, the English teachers on campus proposed an Oral English class for their children twice week if I wanted an extra job. Okay for those of you who know me, know my initial reaction, an absolute NO WAY JOSE! But if China has taught me one thing it is to hold my tongue until all the chips have fallen and even then it is just best to swallow and keep opinions to oneself. Besides the extra cash would be nice for traveling. I agreed to meet with the parents and see the students levels first before agreeing to anything.

Wendy agreed to do all the translating and help with the negotiations. 10 students between the ages of 6 and 10 years old. 2 nights a week for 1 hour. I’m too much of a Reagan to do much negotiating which will change next semester that is for sure. If there is one thing about the Chinese I’ve learned they will squeeze you for all your worth and still try and make you feel like they are the ones getting the bad end of the deal, but because you’re you and you seem alright, they will live with the decision although you really should understand they are the ones suffering here. So with that said, I have to work Friday nights and underpaid in the tutoring world.

From Left to Right: Xuan, Rose, KeXin and Margaret

I did request all the students be given English names as I know it would be pointless to slaughter their Chinese names class after class. When speaking to the parents they just suggested I name the children as I saw fit. Maybe I’m uptight but that just didn’t sit well with me. Naming children is the responsibility of the parents in my book and I told the parents I would feel more comfortable if they discussed with their child and selected a name. Of course this method left the door open and I still have two students who have insisted on their Chinese name so Xuan and Ke Xin it is and slaughtered each week they are.

I have to admit the more I teach the more excited I get about the class. I don’t know what is happening, I think the world is coming to an end and I am growing a soft spot for children. For the first time in my life I am beginning to understand my parents love for kindergarten. The absolute joy on the children’s faces when they understand a new word or get an answer correct. Then of course there is they’re sweet smile and burst of applause at any Chinese I use.

Preparing for the one hour classes is labor intensive and I put more time into that one hour than anything for my college students, sad to say, but then the return is so much more from my ten children than all 8 classes combined during the week.

My only real run-in when teaching this class is getting the parents to accept the fact that I am an American, born and raised with a Western Education with two amazing parents who do not encourage parroting teaching. I finally put my foot down and told the parents if they wanted a Chinese style class they would be better off getting a Chinese teacher. Chinese students are great readers and boy can they memorize, some of my students can knock your socks off with their vocabulary but get completely confused the moment you give them a complete sentence. The parents and I had a little disagreement on simple sentences and what was appropriate for their children.

What it really all boils down to is the definition of what an Oral English class is. Unfortunately, that is not a question I’ve been able to get answered by anyone in this country so far, not even for my college classes. The parents where upset with the simple “I have…” sentences I had the students practice when I asked them about their body. When I give a direct question they are able to answer but when given a simple instruction to describe something they freeze.

I’m slowly and at times painfully learning but all in all I am happy I took this job and who knows by the end of this semester I just might be able to say I like teaching kids.

I was on my way home from class the other day and I saw a noticed posted on the entry into my apartment building.

hummm...what do you think it says?

I’m hoping by posting this goal I will have more accountability with achieving it.

Drum roll please . . . Study Mandarin for 60min each weekday.

Yes I get the weekends off because lets face it if I don’t set a realistic goal I’m never going to reach it. Besides then if I do study on the weekend I will have an added sense of accomplishment. Yes it is like giving a two year old a cookie for using his manners but still I need that sense of accomplishment if I’m ever going to get this language.

So far 2 for 2!

So this week I have learned a few valuable lessons as usual. The most important is what Single means in China. It has two meanings to be exact, if you are single you must be 1) Lonely and in need of constant visiting and 2) Underfeed and in need of food!

I really must take a look at that bio the school put up because I’m really beginning to feel that my marital status of SINGLE is somehow bolded, underlined with a flashing Vegas lights border. Every student in school seems to know I’m single and wants to take pity on me. Let me just set the record straight…I AM SINGLE, HAPPY AND DARN WELL PLAN TO STAY THAT WAY FOR A GOOD MANY YEARS!!!

As for the Chinese definition the friendly students here plan to rectify the two injustices caused by my single status. Not only do my students come and visit me more than my anti-social and hermit loving self likes, but all of Adam and Dantzelle’s students ring up to my room first and visit me before going to see their teachers. If I am not home they voice their concerns to Dantzelle asking if I am lonely. Again let me set the record straight, Skype has done wonders for those living abroad. I know, I probably spend more time online in a week here than I did in half a year back home.

As for the second definition, well I guess I should be thrilled to have people offer to cook for me, goodness knows I hate cooking for myself. I’ve had three students now offer to come cook dinner for me some time. Early this week Matinda had offered to cook dinner for me tonight which I had forgotten about. When she mentioned this to Dantzelle, Dantzelle jokingly asked why she didn’t cook dinner for her, mind you Matinda is her student not mine. Matinda replied she’s single you have Adam. So what makes Matinda’s single status any different from mine or any of the other SINGLE students who have offered to cook for me I’m still trying to figure out.

To top off the apparent food crisis,  this evening I invited a few students over to chat. [This was the first group of girls I've  invited over and not just agreed after they asked to come.] Anyway I told them in class I had a ton of pears to eat through and I hoped they would take some off my hands when they came over. I hope my face didn’t display the horror I felt when I say all the groceries they were lugging up the stairs to see me. There was enough fruit to feed the entire Chinese Army I think.

I love Bananas but really they go bad so quickly here.

 In class they had asked my favorite fruits and drinks but I just figured it was curiosity as our topic today was home and interiors. Nope, they took notes alright and then provided me with a year supply of fruit! Yes I know perishables are not the way to go for food storage. So here I was hoping to pan off fruit on them and they just restocked me with more options. Oh and to top it off, they rushed off to a night class before I could give them any pears! So I did the only thing I could think of and sent half down to Adam and Dantzelle.

 Oh the ins and outs of being single in China! 

When we were out to dinner tonight Matinda did ask if I was planning on getting a boyfriend soon. Maybe I’m wrong and maybe this is one of the reasons I’ve never had a boyfriend but I didn’t know you were suppose to PLAN on having a boyfriend. Whoops let me just go get my planner, humm do you think the second Thursday in November would be a good time to pencil one in?

I have a standing lunch date with Wendy each day at 11:55, one of my highlights! I’m not just saying that because I know you read this Wendy, I truly love lunch together. I am learning so much about the culture! I really feel as if I don’t contribute anything to our friendship. Wendy just gives gives gives. You are AMAZING!

Well today I was late, I stayed after class a few mins to talk with a few students, my favorite class of course. Anyway Wendy was not at our usually waiting spot. I waited a few min and was afraid I had missed her. The Japanese teachers were passing on their way to lunch and I asked if I could join them.

Japanese Teachers

I had an absolutely delightful lunch! I have come to appreciate my classes after speaking with the Japanese teachers. My students all have prior English experience most having at least 6 years. The Japanese students on the other hand are in the first year of the language. Also I am beginning to like having large classes as there is more that I can do in groups.

Sitting with the two teachers was very informative. I asked tons of questions about Japan and fortunately for me they both speak English. The younger teacher was an exchange student to Florida in college and has very good English even if he insists he doesn’t. I learned the polite greeting to beginning and ending a meal.

I don’t know how to write Japanese characters but here is the pronunciation:

Before you start eating you say: i ta da ki ma su

Once finished you say: go chi sau sam ma de shi ta

I also learned unlike Chinese Pinyin there is no official Latin Alphabet translation for Japanese. Japanese characters are a lot simpler than Chinese as Japanese characters where taken from Chinese and then simplified.

 A wonderful lunch, the teachers here are all just so much fun to get to know. I look forward to getting to know the Japanese teachers better. They will both be here for the entire year as well.

I know I have kept promising an address so here it is finally. Hopefully you will understand why it has taken me so long to get it to you. So Wendy says the best way is probably to copy and print the Chinese Characters and put that on the envelope. We don’t know how I get mail so it will be sent to her office and then she will get it to me.

You can try the English but please only send something you don’t mind getting lost or better yet that I will never miss. So bad news, vegetables, you know non essentials.

Kayte Reagan
       c\o Zhao Jing
Room 407 Teaching Bldg #4
Applied Foreign Languages Dept.
Shandong Vocational College of Economics & Business
2789 Qingnian Rd.
Weifang 261011, Shandong Prvn.

CHINA

寄：中国山东省潍坊市潍城区青年路2798号

     山东经贸职业学院 应用外语系 4号教学楼407办公室

                                       赵敬

Okay so Wendy has kindly typed this up for me. Little bit of culture: USPS goes smallest to largest but in China they go largest to smallest. So the first two characters mean China.