8.11.2007
I'm home
Hey everyone. I'm home. I got back Tuesday afternoon, and all is well. My stomach is going through re-entry shock, and I still don't have normal sleeping habits, so that's bad, but aside, all is good. Thank you to everyone who has been reading and commenting. I greatly appreciate your thoughts and comments.
8.04.2007
Last Update
Aug 2, GXUN
Today was your average everyday Thursday, except it was the last class I would teach. We did an overview of the Olypmics, and it was pretty good. After that, we practiced our song* for the closing ceremonies. After class, I had lunch, then spent some more time with students until I had to be a judge in a speech competition. After the competition, the Chinese teachers and school officials took us to a 5 star hotel for dinner. This place was amazing. Not only was the food delicious, not only did they have foods from all over the world, and not only was it a buffet, but most importantly they had bread with a hard crust. Came back, went to bed, all is well.
*China fact 32: If the song has English words, it's from America. Yep, it's a true fact. There are countless English songs we heard that are "very popular and very famous" in America, yet I had never heard the song, nor the band before in my life. It was wierd, but cool at the same time. I've heard so much more music, it makes me pretty excited.
Aug 3, GXUN
Friday. The last day of Camp China. In the morning we practiced our song, then had an auction. In the auction, all the teachers contributed stuff (shirts, hats, etc (I donated a couple shirts, my now legendary aviators and my legendary headbands.)) and we gave them to whichever kids were shouting the loudest. It was insane. Then, we brought out one last thing: a bucket of water balloons. The kids had no idea what was in the bucket, so when we asked who wants it, they all started shouting. So we threw them at the them. Then we ran into the other part of the middle school, where 6 of the teachers had been filling water balloons during the whole auction. The kids ran right into the ambush, and the shock and suprise lasted about 1 minute. Then all hell broke loose and THERE WAS A WATER FIGHT! At first it started with just water balloons. Then came the buckets. Then the hoses. Pretty soon were standing in about 3 inches of standing water. No exageration. The teachers decided we had used the budgeted water bill for the month in about 45 minutes, and made us stop. I have yet to see an equal water fight. After getting dried off, we rested for a while, and went to closing ceremonies*. It was fun, and I got a little teary eyed because I know that is the last time my whole class would be together. After ceremonies, we came back, went to sleep, and all is well.
*China fact 17: People don't care about shows. Period. Movie theatre: people talk during. Play: people talk during. Closing cermonies: people talk during. It's kind of cool, and kinda wierd. On one hand, if whatever is going on is no fun, then you just talk to the person next to you. If whatever is going on is cool, you can't hear. Oh well. I had fun.
Aug 4, GXUN, City Center
Had a wierd wake up, but I'm over it. Got a late breakfast with some of the guys in my class, and then did some work. At 12, about 11 of my students and I went to City Center to go KTV (Karioke (sp?)). Words cannot describe Chinese KTV. Wait, yes they can. It was the most akward, amazing, wonderful, wierd thing I've ever been to. We were led to a private room where we had one wall that was just a couch, 2 big tvs, and 2 computers that we picked the songs from. It was intense, and amazing. I sang many real American songs and the students loved it. I had to leave early to get back to campus to begin packing. I got back, chilled*, had my last dinner at the place we always eat at, and now I'm doing a photo dump of everyone's pictures. When I get home, I'm just gonna host an FTP site for the team so people can rip at their pleasure. If you do not understand what I just said, it's ok. If you do, please point me in the direction of a free FTP program for Mac. This is it. I'm gonna finish dumping pics, and then pack, and say some more goodbyes. We will probably go for amazing barbeque one last time tonight, so I know that will be amazing. The next time you hear from me, I will be in the states.
*China fact 184: There is no such thing as "chilling" in China, as the word is used in the American language. Chilling implies any and all of the following: laundry, cleaning, saying goodbye, signing shirts, running errands, meeting parents, meeting officials, etc. In order for a teacher to "chill", he or she must be any or all of the following: dead, asleep, unconcious, paralyzed, or really really cold.
Xia Xian
Today was your average everyday Thursday, except it was the last class I would teach. We did an overview of the Olypmics, and it was pretty good. After that, we practiced our song* for the closing ceremonies. After class, I had lunch, then spent some more time with students until I had to be a judge in a speech competition. After the competition, the Chinese teachers and school officials took us to a 5 star hotel for dinner. This place was amazing. Not only was the food delicious, not only did they have foods from all over the world, and not only was it a buffet, but most importantly they had bread with a hard crust. Came back, went to bed, all is well.
*China fact 32: If the song has English words, it's from America. Yep, it's a true fact. There are countless English songs we heard that are "very popular and very famous" in America, yet I had never heard the song, nor the band before in my life. It was wierd, but cool at the same time. I've heard so much more music, it makes me pretty excited.
Aug 3, GXUN
Friday. The last day of Camp China. In the morning we practiced our song, then had an auction. In the auction, all the teachers contributed stuff (shirts, hats, etc (I donated a couple shirts, my now legendary aviators and my legendary headbands.)) and we gave them to whichever kids were shouting the loudest. It was insane. Then, we brought out one last thing: a bucket of water balloons. The kids had no idea what was in the bucket, so when we asked who wants it, they all started shouting. So we threw them at the them. Then we ran into the other part of the middle school, where 6 of the teachers had been filling water balloons during the whole auction. The kids ran right into the ambush, and the shock and suprise lasted about 1 minute. Then all hell broke loose and THERE WAS A WATER FIGHT! At first it started with just water balloons. Then came the buckets. Then the hoses. Pretty soon were standing in about 3 inches of standing water. No exageration. The teachers decided we had used the budgeted water bill for the month in about 45 minutes, and made us stop. I have yet to see an equal water fight. After getting dried off, we rested for a while, and went to closing ceremonies*. It was fun, and I got a little teary eyed because I know that is the last time my whole class would be together. After ceremonies, we came back, went to sleep, and all is well.
*China fact 17: People don't care about shows. Period. Movie theatre: people talk during. Play: people talk during. Closing cermonies: people talk during. It's kind of cool, and kinda wierd. On one hand, if whatever is going on is no fun, then you just talk to the person next to you. If whatever is going on is cool, you can't hear. Oh well. I had fun.
Aug 4, GXUN, City Center
Had a wierd wake up, but I'm over it. Got a late breakfast with some of the guys in my class, and then did some work. At 12, about 11 of my students and I went to City Center to go KTV (Karioke (sp?)). Words cannot describe Chinese KTV. Wait, yes they can. It was the most akward, amazing, wonderful, wierd thing I've ever been to. We were led to a private room where we had one wall that was just a couch, 2 big tvs, and 2 computers that we picked the songs from. It was intense, and amazing. I sang many real American songs and the students loved it. I had to leave early to get back to campus to begin packing. I got back, chilled*, had my last dinner at the place we always eat at, and now I'm doing a photo dump of everyone's pictures. When I get home, I'm just gonna host an FTP site for the team so people can rip at their pleasure. If you do not understand what I just said, it's ok. If you do, please point me in the direction of a free FTP program for Mac. This is it. I'm gonna finish dumping pics, and then pack, and say some more goodbyes. We will probably go for amazing barbeque one last time tonight, so I know that will be amazing. The next time you hear from me, I will be in the states.
*China fact 184: There is no such thing as "chilling" in China, as the word is used in the American language. Chilling implies any and all of the following: laundry, cleaning, saying goodbye, signing shirts, running errands, meeting parents, meeting officials, etc. In order for a teacher to "chill", he or she must be any or all of the following: dead, asleep, unconcious, paralyzed, or really really cold.
Xia Xian
8.01.2007
Update
July 30, GXUN, Downtown Nanning
Woke up, taught class, nothing eventful. Anyway, that afternoon we went to this big market and shopped alot. It was a good time. I bought many treasures and had a really great time. Then there was the KFC incident. I'm far to tired* to type the full story, so I guess you will have to ask me one day. Sorry this is not as fun as an update has the potential to be. I'm spread far to thin and just absolutely exhausted.
*China fact 141: China will make you tired. When you are moving, nonstop, from 6:30am-11:30pm with hot weather, high humidity, and rice, you get wiped out quick. I'm drinking about a gallon of water a day and probably peeing only when I wake up, and before I go to bed. Just figured I would share.
July 31, GXUN
Yay Tuesday. Normal day. Culture night: NBA. That's right, we had a professional NBA game here. It was the Mavericks (Teachers) vs. the Lakers (Students). It went pretty well. After that, we had our team meeting, then me and the other guy teachers (minus one) went to the amazing barbeque. I've honestly never had tofu or corn that comes remotely close to this delicious. We also had some beef and vegetables (which were just as amazing, but not the best I've ever had), and then polished it all down with a pepsi*. We came back late, went to bed, ready for the next day.
*China fact 40: Soda in Asia has no refined sugar in it. That's right, it's pure, unadulterated goodness. I still don't drink it (aside from when at the barbeque) cause I'd rather have a iced tea (mmmmm, I miss my mom's ice tea). Anyway, another tid bit: the Chinese word for pepsi sounds just like Pep Si, but translates to 100 something. That's right, 100 something (I'm not forgetting the word, it's litterally "something"). I just thought that was funny.
August 1, GXUN, Downtown Nanning
Wednesday. The last Olympic games. Italy did ok, we placed 3rd in a couple events, but not enough to warrant enough points to win for all of camp. After Olympics, another teacher wanted to go downtown for more shopping, and seeing as I'm a pro now, I went with her, along with 3 students. We had alot of fun, bought alot of cool stuff, bartered* with many peoples, and saw crazyness. Culture night tonight was Christmas, which was cool. I was incharge of making cards with the students. After a team meeting, I came to the computer to type this, and will shortly go to bed. Oh yeah, I had pigs feet for lunch.
*China fact 29: Price is always negotiable. Bartering here is crazy. Imagine any bartering you've done in Mexico, but 100 times more intense. It's amazing. And since many people don't speak English, it almost always boils down to the seller pulling out a cell phone, inputting a price he wants, showing you, you taking the cell phone, grunting, and putting a new price. This continues with many more passing of the phone and many more grunts, until you are happy enough to buy. That's how we roll ( this was one of my vocab sentances for my students (they wanted to learn slang)).
Woke up, taught class, nothing eventful. Anyway, that afternoon we went to this big market and shopped alot. It was a good time. I bought many treasures and had a really great time. Then there was the KFC incident. I'm far to tired* to type the full story, so I guess you will have to ask me one day. Sorry this is not as fun as an update has the potential to be. I'm spread far to thin and just absolutely exhausted.
*China fact 141: China will make you tired. When you are moving, nonstop, from 6:30am-11:30pm with hot weather, high humidity, and rice, you get wiped out quick. I'm drinking about a gallon of water a day and probably peeing only when I wake up, and before I go to bed. Just figured I would share.
July 31, GXUN
Yay Tuesday. Normal day. Culture night: NBA. That's right, we had a professional NBA game here. It was the Mavericks (Teachers) vs. the Lakers (Students). It went pretty well. After that, we had our team meeting, then me and the other guy teachers (minus one) went to the amazing barbeque. I've honestly never had tofu or corn that comes remotely close to this delicious. We also had some beef and vegetables (which were just as amazing, but not the best I've ever had), and then polished it all down with a pepsi*. We came back late, went to bed, ready for the next day.
*China fact 40: Soda in Asia has no refined sugar in it. That's right, it's pure, unadulterated goodness. I still don't drink it (aside from when at the barbeque) cause I'd rather have a iced tea (mmmmm, I miss my mom's ice tea). Anyway, another tid bit: the Chinese word for pepsi sounds just like Pep Si, but translates to 100 something. That's right, 100 something (I'm not forgetting the word, it's litterally "something"). I just thought that was funny.
August 1, GXUN, Downtown Nanning
Wednesday. The last Olympic games. Italy did ok, we placed 3rd in a couple events, but not enough to warrant enough points to win for all of camp. After Olympics, another teacher wanted to go downtown for more shopping, and seeing as I'm a pro now, I went with her, along with 3 students. We had alot of fun, bought alot of cool stuff, bartered* with many peoples, and saw crazyness. Culture night tonight was Christmas, which was cool. I was incharge of making cards with the students. After a team meeting, I came to the computer to type this, and will shortly go to bed. Oh yeah, I had pigs feet for lunch.
*China fact 29: Price is always negotiable. Bartering here is crazy. Imagine any bartering you've done in Mexico, but 100 times more intense. It's amazing. And since many people don't speak English, it almost always boils down to the seller pulling out a cell phone, inputting a price he wants, showing you, you taking the cell phone, grunting, and putting a new price. This continues with many more passing of the phone and many more grunts, until you are happy enough to buy. That's how we roll ( this was one of my vocab sentances for my students (they wanted to learn slang)).
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)