Yesterday two of my students, Roxanne and Joy, asked if they could come over and cook me lunch. I was more than thrilled. The girls came over and kicked me out of the kitchen telling me they would call if they needed anything. I skyped home for a recipe as they cooked. They were both intrigued when Dad wanted to speak to them. They are both from my favorite class and are great students.

They were 30min into preparations when much to their horror they received a call saying their health exam had been moved up for their freshman class. Things were at a stopping point and they promise to return as soon as they were cleared.

An hour later they returned and finished. It was worth the wait. They made a string potato dish that was to die for and a sauteed cabbage dish. Sorry no pics this time around.

I made them promise to come again and teach me the next time. Really the recipe will be for Dad but perhaps I might be able to manage a dish or two on my own someday.

I am beginning to fall in love with Chinese food although I don’t know where I’m going to find good Chinese food in Tulare. Roxanne asked if there were any Chinese Restaurants in my home town. I could only think of two, the Mandarin House then the Buffet in the Albertsons parking lot.

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.

The students on the other hand do not get the same pleasure. They are confined to campus Monday – Friday and not just to campus during their free time. To prevent any possible breakouts, each evening from 7:00 – 9:20pm they are confined to their classroom. They can do what ever they like within the classroom they just have to remain there.

Then once they are released they have 20min to get back to their dorms for lock-up. And I thought a 12:00am apartment curfew was a pain, 9:40, really!?!

Any way to ease some pain I’ve brought my DVD player a few times and let them watch some films. Unfortunately the class across the hall who I also teach found out about movie nights so they want in to now. Not really quite sure off far my one DVD player can stretch. So I’ve come up with a new trick, a class will have to earn movie nights. Oh the power of being a teacher or I should say a foreign teacher with a much coveted DVD PLAYER!!! hahaha.  I think I will see an increase in lets see, homework, class participation oh and what else did I mention to them, ah that’s right practice! I have made the rule that if they are going to watch a movie it must be in English with English subtitles. No CHINESE is a rule I stick to in the classroom, during or after class time.

Bond...James Bond. Casino Royale movie night.

While out with the gang and some of Dantzelle’s students I purchased some great classics. I suggested to Dantzelle and Katie we should get together and have a girls night. Dantzelle’s students overheard me and the following day promptly asked when we would be getting together to view the films.

I decided to make a night of it and invited over some of my students, I have finally began to entertain my own students and not just Dantzelle’s. Anyway I crammed 10 girls in my apartment for a viewing of Penelope. I insisted that American culture dictated food and drinks were to be consumed during the film and was finally able to polish off a good portion of the fruit. Unfortunately some students were aware that popcorn was the norm but fruit salad was all I had to offer.

My students - Emily, Melody, Alina, Helen, & Carol

I also offered to take my DVD player to the classroom in the evenings so more students can watch a film. Last night my favorite class and I watched New In Town. Not really funny if your not a fluent American English speaker. I don’t think they got much through the Minnesota accent. Hopefully the next film will be better.

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?

My mom always likes to remind me that I am spoiled rotten and one day I’m going to get a rude awakening to the real world when it stops! Well it doesn’t look like China will be it, thank goodness!

I’ve been under the weather lately, I’m blaming the food and have gone on a little revolt but that is another post coming soon. The hardest part of living alone I have come to find out is that no one is here to wait on you when you are sick. If you want a drink you have to get up and get it your self. When you need medicine, well one you have to actually have it in your apartment, two you have to get it yourself and most important thing you  have to remember to take it yourself! Needless to say I’m still learning all the above.

Can I just say thank you to all my roommates in college who took such wonderful care of me when I was sick. Does anyone want to move in with me here in China. Heck you don’t even have to pay rent.

Luckily I checked in with mom last night and got the health check-up via skype. I finally took the medicine I needed and had a list of things to buy today. Healthy non-processed foods were on the top of the list. After going to the store today I was getting a little frustrated because I knew there was no way I could buy all the vegetables I wanted because I had no fridge space.

So here’s where I get spoiled. 20 mins after getting home, James gives me call, “Would you like a larger fridge?” I thought it was a trick question at first, I quickly realized he was serious and said I would love it. He told me some students would bring one up in the hour.

As promised with in the hour I looked out the peep hole to see three guys with a HUGE box. I figured it would be maybe one two shelves bigger than my fridge. Here’s the beauty herself!

My entire fridge was smaller than the top portion!

Adjustable Shelves, Drink Rack, Egg Holders, wipe a tear!

I still can't believe they got this thing up the stairs

 I just kept saying thank you because I didn’t know what else to say. I am so so grateful!

Luckily I had two students over who translated the whole exchange.

So I finally received my schedule today. I taught two classes this week but the full load doesn’t begin until next week! I have to admit I took one look at the class titles and about blew a gasket! Custom and International Freight, what the heck, that was not in the job description neither was Business English for that matter! After  a horrid look of sheer panic I threw at James. He assured me it was all Oral English and what ever topics I wanted to cover were fine. I just needed to get the students to talk and practice their English. Well, that was a relief.  So here it is 12 hours!!

Monday:

• Custom and International Freight 903 — 2:30-4:10pm

Tuesday:

• Business English 902 — 8:00-9:40am

Wednesday

• Custom and International Freight 901 — 8:00-9:40am
• Business English 902 — 2:30-4:10pm
• Custom and International Freight 902 — 4:20-6:00pm

Thursday

• Business English 901 — 10:10-11:50

Friday

• International Business 901 — 8:00-9:40am
• Business English 901 — 2:30-4:10pm

The breakdown is

• 2 Freshman English Classes 2x a week
• 3 Custom and International Freight Classes
• 1 International Business Class

So I really only have to Prepare 3 Lessons each week, 2 for my Freshman Classes and 1 for the other 4!