I love "Reflection Sundays." I never know what emotions Sunday will bring and waking up to a lazy Sunday is the best medicine for recovering from a whirlwind week at Teacher Camp (my newly coined name for the school I work for). I spent the morning sipping coffee, devouring the NEW and OUTSTANDING We Like We Love magazine issue, while glancing up at Sex & the City on TV. Bri and I designed a "Things That Are Red" themed lunch, and then checked our emails and various networking agencies. I confess that I creep Facebook like a hacker on Sundays in order to catch up on things I missed in the week-but this only gave my unfortunate emotional spins for reasons I refuse to divulge on Hey Lady. Clearly it was time for a bike ride to unwind. I ended up in some kind of Driver's Ed training course and that was a scary experience, moreso when it started to rain and the crazy chinese driver's ed students started to panic and hit the gas and brake at the same time while staring at me through the windows. I mean, we've all commented on "Chinese drivers" at some point in our adult lives, let's be real here. And racism aside (Hah! What a ridiculous statement!), the drivers here are MANIC on clear days. Imagine being on a bike, in the rain, ON A CHINESE DRIVER'S ED COURSE! That would be like holding a baby while he had a knife in his grip. My lazy Sunday had very quickly turned into a Speed sequel. I made it home and Bri made me hot chocolate because she is the Liz of my life out here, and noticed that I look cold and unhappy, but too prideful to explain why. I sulked up to Trish's room and she baked brownies and watched Gilmore Girls while I straightened my hair and talked about why my feelers had been hurt. We resolved that my over analyzation and perpetual need to anticipate the future is bumming my life right out (not a shocking observation-my grade four teacher told me the same thing and yet this is a life skill I can't seem to balance). I just found this to be funny timing for an emotional spin, because I have been very chill since I have been here (except one spiral in Hong Kong but who is counting, really?). Sometimes old habits die hard, but I was just commending myself the other day for being so cool and lassez-fair about things that previously would have rocked me. I guess Lazy Sundays + a busy week at Teacher Camp with too much isolation on campus and perhaps even too much kung pao chicken = Spins Michelle.
Lesson learned.
These were the favourite moments from my week:
1. The treadmill was broken this week, so instead I danced like a wedding crasher in the gym (alone) to fulfill my cardio potential (Richard Simmonds can take a seat).
2. I played with Godzilla (the small boy with exposed genitals) at the restaurant in the alley-we threw things in the air and then let them hit the ground before racing to pick them up.
3. I Skyped with Dalyce AND Chad and that truly warmed my heart because everyone needs a reminder that they are loved.
4. I organized things in order of how good the texture feels to touch (most favourite to least favourite) around my room and desk at work. So weird-what the hell?
5. I finished 'Wild Things" by David Eggers and had a shower and a good cry.
6. I drafted ideas of where to travel for my month off in January/February and came to grips with knowing it would likely be a solo trip. It's cool. I can dig it...Any takers?
7. I caught up reading the family blog that Wesley writes-he is a genius; I love his dry wit and unprecedented perceptions of life.
8. I drank many a beer on a patio in downtown Beijing on Saturday with Bri, Maggie, and Aaron; it was a cool day that reeked of Fall, and our conversation was so fulfilling and honest.
9. I gave my classes a unit test on Thursday and Friday and it was friggin hard-and none of them 'gave up.' They all finished it and only one person cheated! SUCCESS!!!! Do you know what this means??? This means I have their respect and their fear, and it only took two months. Happy sigh. Let's hope it sticks.
These are my goals for the coming week:
1. Teach my students how to arrange their desks for group work in an orderly, non confrontational manner. Seriously.
2. Introduce a new way to silence the class and get their attention. My strategies are failing me these days and I get super bored of standing in front of them with one hand raised quietly waiting for their silence. It just feels lame-like they should throw tomatoes at me for looking like such a dick. I am going to play an alarm from my Macbook that shows a timer, so they can see when they are out of 'group work' time, and when the alarm kicks in it plays "Boom Boom Pow." This could work dramatically well, or cause a rave. We will see.
3. Do a photo-shoot with 11-11 and turn it into a writing project of some kind. Taking ideas...
4. Pull off some ridiculous Halloween costume to wear to class on Friday. I might try dressing in the school uniform, with big glasses, straight hair, and I'll just giggle the whole day. If I dressed like Lady Gaga the whole day-they would lose their minds and start tearing at my costume- Ra Ra Rararaaaaa Ra Ra RaRaraaaaaa. That could be exciting.
Time to bounce,
xox
PS. Thanks for listing me as 'teacher' in WLWL--it made my stomach flipflop when I read that!
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Teen Angst (Team Helen)
Helen got in two fights today. It made me so sad to see her so angry and then upset. When I turned around, I saw Bill push her and she pushed him back even harder and then he started to go after her and she ran, so I moved toward them to break it up (stupid first year teacher), and then Helen swung around kicked poor Bill in the shin really hard. So then I tried to hold Bill back but he was so angry (who wouldn't be?), and James stepped in and held Bill back. It was wild. I managed to talk Bill down before sending him for a walk-and he looked like he was going to cry. I kept Helen in the room but moved her to the front near me, and she was crying too. Last time Helen cried I could hardly keep my own tears back-it was so sad. She is such a fighter with a big head (literally and figuratively). She looks like a pokeman and I just love her the most.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Nenshi Bring Me Home...
I really don't want to make a habit of posting student work in jest-because I love these little critters. Though, sometimes it simply must be done so that the world may know how agonizing and hilarious my evenings filled with marking are.
This assignment was for my 11-11's; I gave them a beginning of a story and they had to write a climax and ending. Here is something one of my better 11-11's submitted:
--On the bus he meet a beautiful girl. He very happy and exciting. He wants to know the girl's phone number. And then he say: "Hello girl I want to make friend with you. Can you give me your phone number?"
"If you don't want to die please shut up!!"
"Why??"
"I'm a killer and SHUT UP!!!!!!!" The girl is a spy. She want to kill a leader and the leader is on the bus. She will go to a room and kill he. But he know that. He want to help that man leader guy. And then the guy tell the leader man. When that man know, he change him spot. The he go to house.
The beautiful killer is Machille angry. (WTF??? Maybe--Michelle) She tell that guy, "If you want to be dying with him, you can try." She shoting very loudly. And a woman listen it and she scream muchly. Finally, the spy go down and take the subway for dinner time. --
Well, I'm not even sure HOW to grade this (keeping in mind this is one of my better examples). I'm going to close my eyes and write 3/3 for IDEAS, 1/3 for SENTENCE FLUENCY, 2/3 ORGANIZATION and...forget about the rest of the 6 traits because IT DOESN'T MATTER!!!! I like the ending the best. A for Effort?
This is survival of the fittest.
xox
This assignment was for my 11-11's; I gave them a beginning of a story and they had to write a climax and ending. Here is something one of my better 11-11's submitted:
--On the bus he meet a beautiful girl. He very happy and exciting. He wants to know the girl's phone number. And then he say: "Hello girl I want to make friend with you. Can you give me your phone number?"
"If you don't want to die please shut up!!"
"Why??"
"I'm a killer and SHUT UP!!!!!!!" The girl is a spy. She want to kill a leader and the leader is on the bus. She will go to a room and kill he. But he know that. He want to help that man leader guy. And then the guy tell the leader man. When that man know, he change him spot. The he go to house.
The beautiful killer is Machille angry. (WTF??? Maybe--Michelle) She tell that guy, "If you want to be dying with him, you can try." She shoting very loudly. And a woman listen it and she scream muchly. Finally, the spy go down and take the subway for dinner time. --
Well, I'm not even sure HOW to grade this (keeping in mind this is one of my better examples). I'm going to close my eyes and write 3/3 for IDEAS, 1/3 for SENTENCE FLUENCY, 2/3 ORGANIZATION and...forget about the rest of the 6 traits because IT DOESN'T MATTER!!!! I like the ending the best. A for Effort?
This is survival of the fittest.
xox
Monday, October 18, 2010
Am I Smarter Than a Ninth Grader?
One quickie: My 14 year old brother, Wesley, started a family blog in response to Hey Lady! in order to keep me updated on life at home from his perspective (already loving it!). He called me out on something extremely valid that I need to address publicly. When I write blogs, I write them like diary entries, and I don't reeeaaaallllly pay attention to spelling and grammar. He noted that I mis-spelled the word "disgust" a few times, and I do that. It's a toughie! I should edit before submitting for public viewing, especially since I teach English to non-English speaking natives, the irony is draping all over this, I know.
I am not stupid. I can spell, and I use better grammar in formal writing and in class, I SWEAR!
However, he is right, I need to try harder stay on top of my conventions, thought organization, and use of cliches. I be better! I know I shouldn't start sentences with "and, but, so, or because." I know! I know I should use less commas and really pay attention to where I put the semi-colon (oh that is an ongoing battle-as a few of you know). I know I should organize my thoughts better and stick with a main idea instead of rampaging all over the page. I know I should learn how to spell discust-but really, that word needs to have a 'c' in it! I shouldn't mix past and present tense adverbs/verbs-that is just truly lazy.
So Wes-here's to you! You better get a decent grade in humanities this year-or you will have to write a retraction!
xox
I am not stupid. I can spell, and I use better grammar in formal writing and in class, I SWEAR!
However, he is right, I need to try harder stay on top of my conventions, thought organization, and use of cliches. I be better! I know I shouldn't start sentences with "and, but, so, or because." I know! I know I should use less commas and really pay attention to where I put the semi-colon (oh that is an ongoing battle-as a few of you know). I know I should organize my thoughts better and stick with a main idea instead of rampaging all over the page. I know I should learn how to spell discust-but really, that word needs to have a 'c' in it! I shouldn't mix past and present tense adverbs/verbs-that is just truly lazy.
So Wes-here's to you! You better get a decent grade in humanities this year-or you will have to write a retraction!
xox
Me = Mao?
This weekend I had the chance to go snowboarding at an indoor ski hill (Quiabo) with the snowboard club I help with at the school. I didn't really know what to expect, and luckily Mark wanted to come too, so we could face the confusion together. Keeping in mind that my mantra is "nothing is easy in China," I was expecting something catastrophic to happen. However, my pessimism greatly mislead me, because I had a fantastic time and having my students there made translation extremely easy (I could have cried).I think I might invite my students everywhere I go on the weekends, and then perhaps I can adopt that pathetic "make lemonade" mantra!
When we climbed aboard the bus (which left 45 minutes late because the Chinese run on the same "who cares about time" mentality that Mexicans do), we were given a bag of Chinese snacks; including spam in a squeeze tube, a coconut bun, and white bun with cream inside. I gave my Spam to Mark, and put a little aside for my brother Wesley to eat at Christmastime. My students LOVE Spam. When I can smell it in the classroom at break-time, I want to leave China immediately.
At Quiabo, we were suited up in rental snowboard outfits, and gear, and sent out to one of the two runs. Hah. One is a bunny hill, and the other is half a 'park' with jumps and rails, and half a steep incline. The funnest part was letting go of the T-bar and not having enough time or space to straighten out before plummeting down the steep hill. Loved it. Only a few students in the snowboard club can actually snowboard or ski, so mostly I spent the day helping them get going and then Tony taught me a few 'tricks' that I think are really neat. We ate lunch with our kids and they taught us Chinese phrases and laughed when we said them wrong, and then Mark and one of our students fought ruthlessly over the bill. In China, it is polite to only have one person pay the bill, and you shouldn't be seen accepting money from anyone else who ate at the table. This tradition makes it awkward at bill time when Mark and I are sitting with our students, "so...I guess we're buying lunch today so we don't lose face, hey?" Everything is about face here. Oh-the one-liners I could use on them if only they understood the term "in yo face."
Anyway, it was an excellent day and we are already planning our weekend trip to Nanshan mountain resort in December!
Oh-and one other thing-TRISH AND I BOUGHT BICYCLES!!!!! Bikes are so cheap here, and we each got a collapsable bike for 300rmb (roughly $45). There were some BEAUTIFUL antique-looking bikes at the store for the same price, but we wouldn't have any way of getting them back to the school other than the taxi cab or risking our lives to bike our way home through unknown streets and unspoken bike road rules. The good things is that maybe this way I can bring it home in a box! Trish and I pretended to be the Goonies last night and biked through our little country area and over dirt mounds and through the slums of our area. It was fantastic!
Pictures to come!
Seriously Missing: home, my warm jacket and long lulu pants, a hot water bottle, cuddles from my friends, and free hair cuts.
Listening To: Colbie Caillat (yes-seriously), Priscilla Ahn, Stars, Moby, and Katy Perry (uh huh).
Looking Forward To: buying a winter coat and gloves this weekend, going to 798 Art District, and Hot Pot Night next weekend.
Wish I Never: had to come down hard on my 11-11's today for being disrespectful lazy teenagers (GAH!) "If you don't want to learn English-you know how to walk through that door-so just leave already. You've really disappointed me today. Be better people." Sigh. They probably only understood two words of that lecture, and me standing at the door and then slamming it when no one chose to leave (me muttering, "dang...same amount of marking...maybe next time someone will leave").
And can I just say that already in my first two months as a teacher, it takes an ENORMOUS amount of practice to:
1. Never, ever yell at them for any reason, but to find other ways to show disapproval (it's kind of like a game!)
2. Never, ever poison them--like, actually. No. I'm kidding.
3. Leave my annoyance with one class before proceeding into the next class.
4. Start every class fresh, with a smile and some chit chat; regardless how how shitty they behaved 2 hours ago.
5. Not punish everyone for one or two people's deviance.
6. Be consistently loving and and affectionate with everyone; regardless of how often they act like LUNATICS.
7. Laugh at them when they are acting like animals.
When 11-11 disrespects me, it is really hard to remember that they don't mean to, they are very loving kids who behave like wild animals and get excited when I let the leash out a bit each day. I know I have to come down on them from time to time and I really hate putting that hat on, and I hate the silence that follows. I hate that learning disabilities/ADHD are not recognized or treated here and so many of those 11-11's are fighting to focus each day and they are always the ones I put in the hall to calm down when they don't deserve to be treated like "bad kids." I hate that the kids are not used to doing art projects and 'alternative' assignments so when I give them one they go buck wild and nothing gets done. Ugh! This system is frustrating! Communism! Man! Or maybe every educative system is communist... and I am Mao. Noooooooo!
I gotta run; marking, planning, eating....all must get done tonight
xox
When we climbed aboard the bus (which left 45 minutes late because the Chinese run on the same "who cares about time" mentality that Mexicans do), we were given a bag of Chinese snacks; including spam in a squeeze tube, a coconut bun, and white bun with cream inside. I gave my Spam to Mark, and put a little aside for my brother Wesley to eat at Christmastime. My students LOVE Spam. When I can smell it in the classroom at break-time, I want to leave China immediately.
At Quiabo, we were suited up in rental snowboard outfits, and gear, and sent out to one of the two runs. Hah. One is a bunny hill, and the other is half a 'park' with jumps and rails, and half a steep incline. The funnest part was letting go of the T-bar and not having enough time or space to straighten out before plummeting down the steep hill. Loved it. Only a few students in the snowboard club can actually snowboard or ski, so mostly I spent the day helping them get going and then Tony taught me a few 'tricks' that I think are really neat. We ate lunch with our kids and they taught us Chinese phrases and laughed when we said them wrong, and then Mark and one of our students fought ruthlessly over the bill. In China, it is polite to only have one person pay the bill, and you shouldn't be seen accepting money from anyone else who ate at the table. This tradition makes it awkward at bill time when Mark and I are sitting with our students, "so...I guess we're buying lunch today so we don't lose face, hey?" Everything is about face here. Oh-the one-liners I could use on them if only they understood the term "in yo face."
Anyway, it was an excellent day and we are already planning our weekend trip to Nanshan mountain resort in December!
Oh-and one other thing-TRISH AND I BOUGHT BICYCLES!!!!! Bikes are so cheap here, and we each got a collapsable bike for 300rmb (roughly $45). There were some BEAUTIFUL antique-looking bikes at the store for the same price, but we wouldn't have any way of getting them back to the school other than the taxi cab or risking our lives to bike our way home through unknown streets and unspoken bike road rules. The good things is that maybe this way I can bring it home in a box! Trish and I pretended to be the Goonies last night and biked through our little country area and over dirt mounds and through the slums of our area. It was fantastic!
Pictures to come!
Seriously Missing: home, my warm jacket and long lulu pants, a hot water bottle, cuddles from my friends, and free hair cuts.
Listening To: Colbie Caillat (yes-seriously), Priscilla Ahn, Stars, Moby, and Katy Perry (uh huh).
Looking Forward To: buying a winter coat and gloves this weekend, going to 798 Art District, and Hot Pot Night next weekend.
Wish I Never: had to come down hard on my 11-11's today for being disrespectful lazy teenagers (GAH!) "If you don't want to learn English-you know how to walk through that door-so just leave already. You've really disappointed me today. Be better people." Sigh. They probably only understood two words of that lecture, and me standing at the door and then slamming it when no one chose to leave (me muttering, "dang...same amount of marking...maybe next time someone will leave").
And can I just say that already in my first two months as a teacher, it takes an ENORMOUS amount of practice to:
1. Never, ever yell at them for any reason, but to find other ways to show disapproval (it's kind of like a game!)
2. Never, ever poison them--like, actually. No. I'm kidding.
3. Leave my annoyance with one class before proceeding into the next class.
4. Start every class fresh, with a smile and some chit chat; regardless how how shitty they behaved 2 hours ago.
5. Not punish everyone for one or two people's deviance.
6. Be consistently loving and and affectionate with everyone; regardless of how often they act like LUNATICS.
7. Laugh at them when they are acting like animals.
When 11-11 disrespects me, it is really hard to remember that they don't mean to, they are very loving kids who behave like wild animals and get excited when I let the leash out a bit each day. I know I have to come down on them from time to time and I really hate putting that hat on, and I hate the silence that follows. I hate that learning disabilities/ADHD are not recognized or treated here and so many of those 11-11's are fighting to focus each day and they are always the ones I put in the hall to calm down when they don't deserve to be treated like "bad kids." I hate that the kids are not used to doing art projects and 'alternative' assignments so when I give them one they go buck wild and nothing gets done. Ugh! This system is frustrating! Communism! Man! Or maybe every educative system is communist... and I am Mao. Noooooooo!
I gotta run; marking, planning, eating....all must get done tonight
xox
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Good Morning Monday.
Prep periods are a farce. I mean sure, I know I have about 20 per week--which is a hellofalot compared to most teachers. It seems that all of life's annoyances occur during prep though. For example, I sit down to do some marking, intending to listen to music and relax a bit while I mindlessly hand out grades, but then I notice that my desk has stains, dust bunnies, and food bits all over it. Naturally I have to clean it right away. Then my earphone cords get tangled and I have to untangle those. Then I remember that I have to photocopy something for my next class, so I attempt that simple task-but the copier gets jammed or runs out of toner. Finally I sit back down to staple the rubrics to the assignments I am trying to mark, and my stapler gets mega jammed and I have to hurl it across the room and then hide under my desk so no one knows it was me. Before I know it, I am frustrated and no longer feel like marking so I think, "I'll do it tonight over dinner" but then I feel guilty because all I ever do is go home at 5pm and do more work until 9pm because being here is like being on a commune and the lines of free-time and work-time are so easy to blur and justify. In my frustration I have a disgusting habit of immediately clicking on my email or facebook and trying to escape into other people's narcissism for awhile-but then the bell rings and I have accomplished absolutely nothing other than untangling my earphones, cleaning my desk and logging into websites I truly hate. As I put my coat on and move to my next class, I can't help but think-"this is the career I have chosen," and my inner spinster cackles a horrifying laugh.
Tell 'Em
These things I have noticed: it is easier to feel homesick when you are travelling abroad while living abroad. Living abroad is manageable--but travelling while living abroad is something else altogether. Every new city you enter offers much confusion, exhaustion, and agitation. But once you finally settle your backpack down, change your shirt and head out into the streets-it is like stepping into Narnia for the first time. When we entered Hong Kong, all I could think was how light I would pack for my Nepal trip in February. Oh the vows and promises to God I was making while I trudged the sodden streets of HK. Oddly, our budget hostel was fancy compared to Yangshou-and both cost about 90rmb (a little under $15)--and this came as a relief once we finally stepped into Chungking Mansion. Initially, we staved off swarms of Indian people trying to persuade us to eat at their establishment that night--but after settling in, we realized we needed some Indian grub (aka-we needed colon blow so badly--flying just bungs the ol' bowels right up). The next day we were ready to say hello to Hong Kong-however, our wallets were not, so we attempted a budget approach-which just does not exist in Hong Kong. If there is one thing I know about budget travelling it's that when in trouble, find digestive cookies and make due until dawn.
To be honest, Hong Kong was so reminiscent of Vancouver that it immediately grabbed my guts and churned them into tight homesick knots. I cried while touching a giant Buddha. I wasn't even sure what to ask of him.."Buddha--I have no money to enjoy this city. I want my Mum and my friends. I miss my students. No really, Buddha-I do. Especially Helen. I miss that head. Oh-and B--can you make me poop? I feel so uncomfortable..." He didn't give me what I wanted, but maybe I rubbed his belly the wrong way... Anyway, we made the best of Hong Kong-my favourite spot was this quiet beachside town on the island called Stanley, and it had the best market and view of the ocean. I even found a cheap creme brulee tart to eat while sitting next to the water. It was poignant. I managed to listen to copious amounts of The XX, Sleigh Bells, the Killers, Kevin Drew, Foals, and the new Hanson album (a bit of a let down) while munching my way through Hong Kong. I rocked hard.
These things I have noticed: I much prefer vacations in small places with laid back attitudes. Hong Kong wound me right up! I think I even asked my friends to stop bullying me at one point-haha! We all laugh about it now... And the amount of EXPATS in Hong Kong was unreal! I want to be an EXPAT! I want to have EXPAT children who grow up in Hong Kong and eat EXPAT food!
Even though today is Sunday, apparently we had to make up a day somewhere, so we taught today, and like I imagined, seeing my students was wonderful. 11-11 had lots of stories they wanted to tell in Chinese-and eventually I stopped yelling "IN ENGLISH!" at them and starting praying that the bell would go and I could eat lunch soon. Helen got a haircut by the way. She looks the same. Lots of boys got haircuts actually-so naturally I whistled and catcalled them. I showed my classes some photos from my trip and they were pretty keen on telling me which of my male coworkers I should date or marry. I should have known better. One student told me I looked like a boy in one of my photos and one student pointed out which of my friends are fat. These kids have no soul. Well actually-they do, but the Chinese are very liberal with their descriptions of people, and they just call it like it is. You should hear how many of them describe their parents as "big and fat but lovely faced." God help 'em when they get to North America. I did the same activity in every class (where they partner up and their partner tells the class what they did over the holiday) and it bombed in each class. I love it when that happens; by the last class, I should know better and change things up, but curiosity always kills me. One kid was missing from 11-4 and when I asked where he was, my class informed me that he got married. They were giggling, so I hope that means they are liars. I guess we'll see in a couple days. Maybe he'll have a haircut too.
Oh it is good to be home, and just in time to eat Dumplings for Thanksgiving with my bizarre and brilliant family out here. I've found that free-dancing to Sleigh Bells elevates my mood sizeably, so I am going to go and do that now and forget about turkey and patriots.
Missin' You
xox
To be honest, Hong Kong was so reminiscent of Vancouver that it immediately grabbed my guts and churned them into tight homesick knots. I cried while touching a giant Buddha. I wasn't even sure what to ask of him.."Buddha--I have no money to enjoy this city. I want my Mum and my friends. I miss my students. No really, Buddha-I do. Especially Helen. I miss that head. Oh-and B--can you make me poop? I feel so uncomfortable..." He didn't give me what I wanted, but maybe I rubbed his belly the wrong way... Anyway, we made the best of Hong Kong-my favourite spot was this quiet beachside town on the island called Stanley, and it had the best market and view of the ocean. I even found a cheap creme brulee tart to eat while sitting next to the water. It was poignant. I managed to listen to copious amounts of The XX, Sleigh Bells, the Killers, Kevin Drew, Foals, and the new Hanson album (a bit of a let down) while munching my way through Hong Kong. I rocked hard.
These things I have noticed: I much prefer vacations in small places with laid back attitudes. Hong Kong wound me right up! I think I even asked my friends to stop bullying me at one point-haha! We all laugh about it now... And the amount of EXPATS in Hong Kong was unreal! I want to be an EXPAT! I want to have EXPAT children who grow up in Hong Kong and eat EXPAT food!
Even though today is Sunday, apparently we had to make up a day somewhere, so we taught today, and like I imagined, seeing my students was wonderful. 11-11 had lots of stories they wanted to tell in Chinese-and eventually I stopped yelling "IN ENGLISH!" at them and starting praying that the bell would go and I could eat lunch soon. Helen got a haircut by the way. She looks the same. Lots of boys got haircuts actually-so naturally I whistled and catcalled them. I showed my classes some photos from my trip and they were pretty keen on telling me which of my male coworkers I should date or marry. I should have known better. One student told me I looked like a boy in one of my photos and one student pointed out which of my friends are fat. These kids have no soul. Well actually-they do, but the Chinese are very liberal with their descriptions of people, and they just call it like it is. You should hear how many of them describe their parents as "big and fat but lovely faced." God help 'em when they get to North America. I did the same activity in every class (where they partner up and their partner tells the class what they did over the holiday) and it bombed in each class. I love it when that happens; by the last class, I should know better and change things up, but curiosity always kills me. One kid was missing from 11-4 and when I asked where he was, my class informed me that he got married. They were giggling, so I hope that means they are liars. I guess we'll see in a couple days. Maybe he'll have a haircut too.
Oh it is good to be home, and just in time to eat Dumplings for Thanksgiving with my bizarre and brilliant family out here. I've found that free-dancing to Sleigh Bells elevates my mood sizeably, so I am going to go and do that now and forget about turkey and patriots.
Missin' You
xox
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Yangshou Shwangshou
If you ever have the chance to pass through Yangshou, China, please do. I wouldn't recommend it during the October holiday because it is a hotspot for Chinese tourists as well us the rest of us pond scum from around the world, but I bid you go. The stone streets make for excellent stumbling blocks late at night, the busy street markets are cheap and exhilarating, and the dumplings can easily be eaten for every meal (and they almost were). Jess, Trish and I stayed at Monkey Jane's hostel, and the rooftop bar is as famous as promised. Every traveller paid a visit for the beer pong tournaments, the spectacular view of the valley, and the pretty Canadian girls giggling in the corner by the vat of Snake Juice. I have learned that English boys are only looking for tail, Irish boys are only looking for booze, Americans are only looking for Asians and other Americans, and the Chinese boys just want to practice their English speaking skills--life lessons for seasoned travellers.
Because Yangshou is situated in a valley between Jurassic Park-esque mountains, farmer's fields, and free flowing rivers, there is plenty to do during the day. The first day we meandered through the town and markets and mostly talked about where we wanted to eat-haha! The next day we took a bus to a cave that I'm sure housed a family of dragons! The cave had little pools to swim in, a hot spring area, and a mud bath spot-it was unreal! It was disappointing to see the Chinese smoking inside the cave-but-this country is making big strides in other areas so I can forgive it. I guess. The next day we rented vintage bicycles for $3 for bought rice farmer hats (the triangular kind) and cycled outside of the town and found a swimming spot. The Chinese thought we were loco because apparently it is 'cold season.' The next day we rented scooters and took to the hills! This day made me ecstatic for life. I stand by that statement. I thought I would be a pisser of a driver, but I was excellent (Trish told me she felt very comfortable riding on the back of my scooter). Scooting around the mountain rodes and over bridges and through villages is the best way to see rural China. I wish I could do it everyday. We found a bridge for bridge jumping, and a clear spot for swimming, Jess even taught me some water polo moves! Yangshou is a magical place, and really lights up at nightime too. The rooftop bar became a competitive place as we girls took on the boys in beer pong tournaments, and while Tyler showed off his alleged manhood by slaying a snake and eating it's still-beating heart. I dreamt about snakes that night, and sided with every vegan in the world. There is nothing so barbaric that I have seen like watching a snake have it's head cut off with scissors and drained of it's blood. Tyler, I hate you for that.
The days and nights swept by and before we could say "gombay" one more time, our Hong Kong itinerary was beckoning us.
Missin' you
xox
Because Yangshou is situated in a valley between Jurassic Park-esque mountains, farmer's fields, and free flowing rivers, there is plenty to do during the day. The first day we meandered through the town and markets and mostly talked about where we wanted to eat-haha! The next day we took a bus to a cave that I'm sure housed a family of dragons! The cave had little pools to swim in, a hot spring area, and a mud bath spot-it was unreal! It was disappointing to see the Chinese smoking inside the cave-but-this country is making big strides in other areas so I can forgive it. I guess. The next day we rented vintage bicycles for $3 for bought rice farmer hats (the triangular kind) and cycled outside of the town and found a swimming spot. The Chinese thought we were loco because apparently it is 'cold season.' The next day we rented scooters and took to the hills! This day made me ecstatic for life. I stand by that statement. I thought I would be a pisser of a driver, but I was excellent (Trish told me she felt very comfortable riding on the back of my scooter). Scooting around the mountain rodes and over bridges and through villages is the best way to see rural China. I wish I could do it everyday. We found a bridge for bridge jumping, and a clear spot for swimming, Jess even taught me some water polo moves! Yangshou is a magical place, and really lights up at nightime too. The rooftop bar became a competitive place as we girls took on the boys in beer pong tournaments, and while Tyler showed off his alleged manhood by slaying a snake and eating it's still-beating heart. I dreamt about snakes that night, and sided with every vegan in the world. There is nothing so barbaric that I have seen like watching a snake have it's head cut off with scissors and drained of it's blood. Tyler, I hate you for that.
The days and nights swept by and before we could say "gombay" one more time, our Hong Kong itinerary was beckoning us.
Missin' you
xox
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