Oh what ever, I’m frustrated, well no that is the understatement of the week.

I’M FUMING!!!

All I can say is this, substitute where you feel appropriate, I trust you get the gist.

I have no idea why I ever feared Middle Earth would take over the world. Yes their short program is wonderful. All flash and show but lets face it their long program stinks. Or to be honest, they have no long program. They are incapable of a long program. They can’t figure out what’s going on next week let alone next month. How hard is it to look at a calendar at the beginning of a school year  map out holidays, vacations, school events and in-services? Huh, obviously  not that hard as ever backwoods school in America has seemed to figure that one out. Heck, in Argentina as a foreign exchange student I had a better clue what was going on then I do here as a teacher!! I am tired just tired of being told of schedule changes the day before they are to happen. Why on earth did I turn in a teaching schedule at the beginning of the year. I was told last week my classes have been rescheduled or canceled for next week. The week I’m suppose to give finals! Umm am I suppose to just skip finals then? Well, umm, anyone, anyone?

ARRGGG, what is a holiday you have to make up on the weekend!! Do Saturday mornings mean nothing to these people! Obviously not.

Okay after I hit publish I’m sure I’ll reflect on this post and blush a little for the dramatic flippancy with which I wrote but I refuse to retract. GET IT TOGETHER PEOPLE – This is no way to live!

The Shandong Vegetable Festival

The decorations around the exhibition halls were all out of vegetables.

So some signs are great because of the poor wording, this one well the water is less than a foot deep you figure it out.

 

Between the vegetable beds were long covered trellises.

As I walked from exhibit hall to exhibit hall I could only think of you Dad. You would have loved it. I’ve never seen such thriving plants. The trellises were spectacular. It was like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Vegetable Version.

A piano made of egg shells.

  

Mr. Cheung, Mr. Kobayashi, Me, Kelly

The overhead decorations looked leathal.

 The overhead veggies were a little too large for my taste. Seriously some looked pretty ripe and a little to close to falling off the vine.  

Some of the art was large and intricate.

The mosaics were composed of corn kernels, beans, and chili peppers.

My zodiac - the Bunny

Another sculpture

These looked like sleeping bats to me. Not exactly something I was thrilled to walk beneath.

Never really considered corn kernels optimum mosaic material but I've been wrong before.

Nothing like a vegetable house, Hanzel and Gretal - healthy version.

The pumpkin patch was a collection of the largest pumpkins I've seen in real life.

Life is complete! I've found a tomato tree, I'll take two.

 There were a number of plants shaped into trees to optimize the fruit bearing surface area. I believe the tubs were filled with water rather than soil.  

Rotating Hydroponics, innovated.

There were a dozen different methods of planting being shown off.

More amazing murals of kernels and chili peppers

This is a model of the China Pavilion at the World Expo 2010.

So these two random strangers asked to take a picture with me so I insisted on a picture with them.

 Living in China you have to get use to being stared and pointed at, but being asked for a picture is not something I will ever get use to.

Kelly and James showing off their new purchases

At the Festival vendors were selling the spidery metal head scratchers all over. They were a huge hit. People were walking all over with them resting on their heads. Kelly and James couldn’t resist the urge.

The Festival was wonderful. It reminded me of home and the Central Valley.

As I’ve began the job search I asked James to write a letter of reference for me in Chinese that I could pass along with my resume when asked. As it was in Chinese I was curious as to what it said. I put it through a translator, then another translator finally deciding I would just have to wait until my Chinese is better. If you think you can do a better translation job please be my guest.

Chinese Version:

证 明

相关部门负责人：

您好！

Ms. Kayte Reagan(凯特·里根女士），是我院2009——2010学年聘请的美籍教师，主要教授英语口语工作，她在我院工作期间，认真备课，教学认真，除了完成学院规定的教学任务，还利用自己的个人时间帮学生辅导，深受学院师生的喜欢。

特此证明。

山东经贸职业学院外事办公室

孙嵬 科长

二〇一〇年四月二十一日

Google Translate:

Proof
Relevant department heads:
Hello!
          Ms. Kayte Reagan (President Reagan Kate) is a hospital 2009 – 2010 school year to hire an American teacher, mainly teaching English spoken work, she is in my hospital work, careful lesson preparation, teaching seriously, in addition to teaching required to complete college tasks, but also use their personal time to help students to counseling, college students and teachers well liked.
       I hereby certify that.

 Foreign Affairs Office of Shandong Economic and Trade Vocational College
                                    Sun Wei Chief
                                                April 21, 2010

World Lingo.com:

Card Bright
Related department people in charge:
You are good! 
         Ms. Kayte Reagan (Kate · Reagan Ms.), is my courtyard 2009–2010 school year invitation American nationality teacher, main professor English spoken language work, she in my courtyard work period, prepares a lesson earnestly, the teaching is earnest, except completes the teaching task which the institute stipulated, but also uses own individual time to help the student to counsel, deeply institute teacher’s and student’s like.
            Proved specially.

Shandong economics and trade professional institute foreign affairs office
                                    Section Chief Sun Wei                                     
                              A two 〇 〇 year on April 21

So after that all was typed and translated, humm which version do I prefer? Being a hospital or a courtyard?

I guess I’ll just have to learn Chinese faster.

Another term has started. The first year is suppose to be the hardest, or so they say. I sure hope so. Well one more semester to go and never again will I have my very first  year of teaching. I”m looking forward to being able to look back and say I did it. I have one year under my belt and a full foot in the water of teaching.

This semester I’ve lucked out with a decent schedule. Three morning classes and the rest right after lunch.

I must admit I did not think I would enjoy teaching as much as I do. I could never understand my parents enthusiasm but I’m beginning to understand a little. I’m still not ready to make this my career but I’m thoroughly enjoying my time as a teacher.

This semester I’m excited to use the pronunciation text I’ve brought back. I’ve learned the vital importance of textbooks in lesson planning. Oh how naive I was last year to think freedom from assigned curriculum was a good thing. Ha, well you live and learn I guess.

Cheers to the upcoming semester!

Nothing Screams Practical like TP and Laundry Detergent!

I’m becoming more and more like my mother everyday, which is a very good thing! One such thing is the belief that practicality really wins the heart!

Like all recognizable holidays in China the faculty is presented with a gift.  For Women’s Day each female member of the faculty received 2 bundles of Toilet Paper and 1 bag of Laundry Detergent. With two females in our apartment it looks like we are set for the semester!

One must really admire the Chinese sense of practicality, last semester I received such gifts as boxes of pears, milk and dates. And to be honest I was going to run to the store today to stock up on Toilet Paper as we were running low.

Another trait I learn from my mother, one can never have enough Toilet Paper in storage, that and femine products, which again knowing I was coming to a country with limitations, I’ve got that base WELL covered.

China most definitely has its perks, one is its enthusiasm to celebrate just about any holiday deemed International. One such holiday is Women’s Day. I’ve heard about it, but as I’ve never considered myself a feminist, I’ve never really paid much attention to it. To be honest before last week I couldn’t even tell you what month it was in let alone the date. When James informed me Friday March 5th was Women’s Day he was shocked at my ignorance.

The school would be holding activities on the field in celebration and Kelly and I were invited to attend.  Due to bad weather Friday the event was rescheduled to today. Wendy came and got us at 2.

The event included an assortment of games and races for the female faculty. Each department contributed a team, we joined our department Applied Foreign Languages. The Department head Mrs. Liu asked if we would like to participate in any events. Thanks to Kelly’s more than obliging volunteering we both got roped into an event.

The events included the following (American Counter Part)

• Place the Mouth (Pin the Tail on the Donkey)
• Ball Pass (Over Under)
• Jump Rope
• Shuttle Cock (Hacky-sack)
• Relay Race

Yes this is for real!

The first Event was by far the most entertaining. Instead of Pinning the Tail on a Donkey they pin a mouth on a man.

The art students drew the boards. I loved the worker hats on the last easels.

Aren't those foreigners entertaining!

Want to know the perfect cheat free blindfold? A sports head band, lets just hope they were new.

Luckily the universal start signal is a whistle.

Over Under Ball Pass

Kelly and I landed safely in China yesterday. After 36 hours traveling I was relieved to finally get back to my apartment and pile my bags in the entry way, mind you half are still sprawled there as I dug through to get out the few things I needed. 

My trip home was worth all the trouble. It provided a much needed relief and a fresh start to the upcoming semester. With a roommate now and a new found determination to learn Mandarin it is already shaping up to be a great semester.

The trip began with me eating my words I gave the previous day to my friend Maria. When dropping her off at Bakersfield to head home I’d teased her about the Prop-Plane at the Airport. I’d never ridden in one and hoped never to have to. Everything comes back to bite you I’ve learned and sure enough before I knew it i was boarding a Prop-Plane to LAX. It was everything and worse I’d imagined!

Upon exiting the Prop-Plane my purse broke! I’d always made fun of luggage and bag stores in Airports, I mean come-on by the time you are getting onto the plane shouldn’t you already be packed!! But here I was stranded with a broken purse still facing another 24 hours of travel, I was willing to pay anything for relief! I found a tacky Hollywood bag at Hudson News and headed to my next gate to settle in for a long layover. Poor Kelly, we were to meet up at LAX and catch the same flight to Beijing together. She got stopped at every security check and pulled aside for further scrutiny. We tried to change seats to sit together but it was a full flight.

As they began boarding we ran to Starbucks for a last meal. Fiji water, blueberry scones and shrink-wrapped turkey sandwiches. I found my seat and was relived to find yet another window seat. I’m sticking with Expedia, since adding a window seat preference, that’s all I’ve scored on flights through them. I’m finally learning the trick to sleeping on international flights, oh another dozen and I should be a pro! Flights went smooth. In line after costumes I ran into the Sorensons, the BYU teachers from Jinan. I had ran into them going through security at LAX when flying home in January. We all had breakfast then headed to our domestic flights.

The puddle jump from Beijing to Qingdao was quick and James was waiting at the luggage carousel. It was intriguing watching Kelly’s reaction to Mainland China on the two hour drive home. I felt relieved to be done with flights and back into a normal routine. Qingdao to Weifang seems to be practically a Tulare – Visalia run most weeks.

James took us out to lunch before heading to the apartment. Lunch was wonderful. I’m thrilled to no longer be the novice with chopsticks, knock on wood. Kelly is reminding me of all my first experiences that have now become casual everyday events. Lunch was a usual conglomerate of vegetables, meats and tofus, chopped, diced and sauced up! With a hot bowl of noodle soup for the main course.

Once back on campus and in the apartment I finally felt I could relax after 36 hours of travel.

It’s good to be home and settled back in!

Mixed emotions, okay not really, just plain relieved. I’ve survived my first term. One more to make my first year and then Mom promises it only gets better.

Teaching has been surprisingly invigorating. I’ve enjoyed the challenges and am beginning to see real potential for travel opportunities in the future. I still find it odd some days that I have followed in my parents footsteps.

I’ve most definitely learn more about myself this year as I’ve had to confront my fears and frustrations on my own. I’m learning to explain things more clearly and simply. I’m learning for the first time in my life to go with the flow. If there’s only one lesson I’ll take from China it is the lesson of flexibility.

I’ve still not been able to drop my Americaness of needing to know WHY before doing anything but there are worst qualities to hold onto I guess.

Overall this semester has been a learning experience I wouldn’t try for too many things. I’m looking forward to next semester with eager anticipation.

A few weeks ago I was approached by a student about judging and English competition I figured I’d wait for Wendy to mention something before I made any inquires. I’m not going to lie, I was hoping the comment would come to nothing, what do I know about judging an English competition.

No luck, Wendy approached me last Friday and asked if I would be willing to participate. Of course, for Wendy I’d do anything. As the Foreign Teacher I was to ask questions for the practical application section.

2009 Business English Speech Competition. Yes, I know it says 2008 but "Welcome to China!"

The competition consisted of three parts. First: Read a provided text regarding business. [Students would be judged on pronunciation, intonation and fluency]

Second: Provide and explanation on a graph displayed. The topics varied and so did the graphs. [Students would be judged on content, clarity and explanation]

Third: My part, Answer questions from the foreign teacher using an advertisement provided. No pressure just direct the questions and confuse the poor nervous participants.

I’ve never participated or even watched a language competition before, so can some one please tell me how I qualified to be a judge. Yes I know I speak English but what qualification is that in the world today?

Some examples of the above stated advertisements.

Questions: What three services are provided by this company? Is this a convenient service for the customer?

Questions: To what group of people is this advertisement marketed towards? What are the selling features of this product?

Robinson and Roxanne hosted the event, their English was great! I'm not going to lie they are my top students.

During an intermission a few students sang songs, it took me about two verses to figure out these girls were singing in English.

Matinda took 1st! I felt it was well deserved. (She is my Chinese tutor, she teaches in English)

The panel of judges and winners.

After the competition the teachers presented me with a beautiful kite.

"Zhou Jing" one of the Seven Beauties in Chinese Literature

I walked into class feeling completely prepared with a min by min planned lesson. It never goes as planned, the children caught be off guard from the very beginning. I decided to make the board festive and drew a Christmas tree, I left it blank as I continued setting up for class.

Ke Xin the student I walk to class with proudly shouted out “Christmas Tree!”  “I decorate?”. I wasn’t expecting much, but boy did she knock my socks off.

First she added strings of lights, bows, bells, stars, candy canes and ornaments. I was shocked, well her English teacher in school was thorough. So my lesson was not going to be as planned at that point. I was thinking vocabulary lesson here but instead we moved to sentence structure and prepositions. I at least learning to think on my feet.

My favorite had to be the Primary song “Once There was a Snowman.” First we built a snowman on the board and sang the song and helped in melt.

While building they corrected me I had cut buttons for the eyes but they insisted using them for the body. They keep me honest that’s for sure.

Yes I’ve fallen in love with my children’s classes.