you know it's a good day when you make a kid cry.

His name is Nigel and he deserved it. I took his jump rope from him, because we weren't playing jump rope... We were learning the days of the week. Pulling out your jump rope in class is basically telling me that that is more fun than my lesson, and we know that can't be true. I took the jump rope from him and when I dismissed them from class and didn't give it back (only because I was going to give it to his mother and tell her he can't be playing with his toys in class) he had a full blown melt down! Kids are so irrational, I'm so glad I'm not one anymore.

I teach five classes a day. All classes are 50 minutes. They vary from kids to adults, and many different levels. They are assigned a specific book, but the books are usually pretty useless. For example, my last class of the day was an adult woman at level 3. The school offers levels 2 to 6 for adults (don't ask me if they're at level 1?) The books have 30 or so topics within them. Each class is a specific topic, and they are in no particular order. Sometimes the topic is interesting and can lead to a rousing discussion or debate. Some times the topics are shit and provide no direction whatsoever. The topic tonight with Mona was "Press Conference." It provided a few interview questions and pictures of famous celebrities: J-Lo, Michael Jackson, Jackie Chan, The President, Angelina Jolie. So, more often than not I have to think of something for us to do for 50 minutes. Just like a Ben Affleck movie sometimes things go great, sometimes not so much.... Chinese (especially women) are so reserved. It is not in their nature to express any opinion or feeling. This is not the greatest quality when engaging in a free topic discussion. Sometimes I struggle to think of things to talk about. I know! Me, not knowing what to talk about!? Mona and I ended up talking about celebrity gossip, tabloids, and scandals... the important things. Don't worry, I filled her in on the Brad Pitt-Angelina Jolie scandal as well as Lindsey Lohan's downfall.

One of my earlier classes today was with four 6 year olds. The class is called "free topic." If you can't figure out what I have to do, you are no longer invited to read this blog. The kids are great and it's a fun class, especially because they are getting to know me. When I walked into the class they yelled my name and gave me hugs. I will expect this from everyone I know from now on. Honestly, there is no better feeling. And hugs from these darling Chinese kids... They made my week.

I have a student named Happy. When learning English they all just pick any name. Some of them are so random. I'm tempted to pick an new English name while I'm here just for kicks. Anyways, Happy is 13 and seems as if she is miserable. She must have the meanest parents or irritable bowel syndrome. Maybe they chose the name Happy as encouragement.

The other day in one of my adult classes we were discussing homes. Appliances, furniture, different rooms.... it was a hoot!! I was teling the two students that in the US (and any other place worth living) we not only have a clothing washer, but a dryer as well. In China, nobody has a dryer. My student then told me that she thinks it is good to hang the clothes outside and not use a dryer because "clothes need sun and it is good for the clothes." I had no idea clothes needed sun. I suggest you all throw out your dryer immediately. Your clothes should be treated like flowers.

found it!

Just found my bus pass in my boot! I don't know why I didn't look there first?

 Today is my "day off" but I am headed to work for some overtime dollas. It seems as if my wekkend schedule will now be at one of our schools other locations Saturday and Sunday from 9-5. The campus is in a great location. It's right next to the lake/ the beautiful/touristy area. It's also right next to a mall. I dont mind shopping on my break. The only problem is I can't find a lot. I feel like a diabetic at Cold Stone. My shoe size in the US is 9 (why do I have the feet of a woman that is 5'9".. who knows), that is bigger than most of the men here! I have not found a single shoe store that has my size. Ladies, can you imagine!? I will have to go to Shanghai to buy shoes. The school only teaches children. My campus tutors kids and adults. I love kids, but teaching them, especially the little ones that dont speak any English, is exhausting!! Some of these kids are so precious though, I can't be mad at them that they don't speak English or that they're all spoiled only children.

Tonight I have my first class with a Chinese tutor!!!

Thanksgiving

Yesterday was my first day off in weeks! I had a lazy morning, went and ran some errands then got ready for Thanksgiving. By the time I left my apartment it was 5pm and raining! I walked to the grocery store to buy tequila and Juice. That's what I was asked to bring, not my choice! I found everything I needed, including some Pabst Blue Ribbon, I figured nothing says Thanksgiving like some cheap American beer. By the time I got to the street it was 5:30, rush hour.... and raining. These are not good odds for getting a taxi. I found my place on the street and waited patiently. That ran out quickly. After a half hour I finally got a cab. I told the driver where I needed to go and he gave me a flat rate of 80 RMB which is equivalent to $13. I know that doesnt sound like a lot, but the distance I was going should have only cost 30RMB. This guy was ripping me off. I told him ok, becasue who knew how long it would have taken to get another cab... Then I called my friend Margaret and made her speak to the driver. She speaks fluent Chinese, this is quite helpful in a friend (it has become one of the prerequisites for my friendship). She told me that he was being a dick and ripping me off because he knew how desperate people where, but she got him down to 50RMB. I then spent the next hour in a cab with a driver that hated me. I'm curious if he took the most congested route just to spite me. The traffic here is awful. There are just waaayyyy too many people here. Josh's house is probably six miles from my house and it took an hour to get there. Is this what it feels like to live in LA? I finally made it to the Thanksgiving celebration at 7:00pm. It was really nice. A large group of foreigners and lots of food! It was the first "American" meal I'v had in a month. The only thing missing; a Costco pumpkin pie. That's all I want!! I had a good time, nothing like Thanksgiving at home, but not bad for Thanksgiving in China. The following morning I was able to Skype with my whole family while they celebrated Thanksgiving.... That was my favorite part of the Thanksgiving.

This little guy even popped in to say hello!

Made this with these little ones...

firsts in China

I cant' believe I've been here a month. It's safe to say I am getting settled in. Of course every day I experience "firsts". Last week I got my first cold in China. Nothing serious, I didn't need to go to the hospital, but I did need a fireplace and a mothers comfort. I can't believe my mom didn't fly me home so she could nurse me back to health. Luckily, the cold is fading and I am feeling better... I experienced the first object being thrown at me by a student. That was fun. I had two 5 year olds and no Chinese teacher as an assistant in my class the other day. These boys were the naughtiest I've had. There was no way to control them. One of them was trying to spit on me and the other continued to throw his books. Finally in an act of defiance he threw the book in my face! I almost beat the child. And today I will celebrate my first Thanksgiving away from my family :(

My coworker is hosting a Thanksgiving dinner with a large group of foreigners. It should be fun, but I will definitely miss seeing friends and family back home. I am getting more and more adjusted here each day. I'm also feeling better about my ability as a teacher. Minus the devil child that threw a book in my eye, I have some really great students. Some of the young ones that start at the school have never been taught or maybe even seen a foreigner before so they look at you like an alien at first, but I've worn a few of them down. Now I get hugs and kisses from some of them (which always makes a person feel better). 

In the tradition of Thanksgiving: I am so thankful to have friends and family that love and support me. Being so far only makes me miss and value the people in my life more... Happy Thanksgiving everyone. xoxo

address

Not because I expect you to send me Christmas gifts, but because a few people have asked for it. Christmas presents would be great though.... The easiest thing to do is to print this out and take it to the post office.

Chinese: 中国浙江省杭州市拱墅区潮王路219号红石中央大厦一楼博尔外语培训学校

English:  Power Language Training The First Floor of Red Stone Centre Mansion, No.219 Chaowang Road, Gongshu District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China

The US has a new what?

I heard there was some kind of election in the US the other night? You know, it's just so hard to keep up when I'm half way around the world. Who won what?

One of my American coworkers was very excited to go out and celebrate that night. After work we hopped in a cab and headed to a popular foreigner bar called Maya. I met her group of friends and we had a ball. When we were leaving the bar the shoe shine man, who I met the first time I went to this bar, had a little baby kitten. He offered to sell it to us for 30rmb (the equivalent of $4.84). It just so happens Alicia has been interested in buying a cat, so how could you turn down such a good deal. He must have just found this little kitten on the street and she can't be more than five weeks old. It is pretty awful that she was separated from her mother so young, let's just hope it doesn't lead to an adolescence of drug use and promiscuous sex. As soon as Alicia bought her (we cant confirm or deny that it's a girl, but we hope so and have named her Maya, if we learn otherwise it's name will be changed to Barack) I held her in my coat. I just kept her warm and close to my heart beat. I was very happy when the following morning I was not covered in fleas or any sort of rash.

The following day (Thursday) was my day off. It just so happened that the owner of my school was hosting an employee appreciation sort of event. I guess these usually happen a couple times a year, but it is most commonly for the Chinese teachers. Alicia and I, however, were asked to attend. Alicia has been working for the school for 3ish years and is close with the owner, I don't know why they invited me, but I'm glad they did, because it was at a KTV. I'm sure you have all heard how much the Chinese like karaoke. You will be happy to know it is true. They love Karaoke. They call it KTV (karaoke television) and they do not mess around. It's not like in the states where it's a big bar and the drunkest people get up on stage and butcher a song. A KTV is a building with tons of private rooms. Walking through the halls kind of makes you feel you're at brothel? Not that I have ever been to a brothel, but the whole maze of a hallway with who knows what behind the door... The rooms vary in size, so you can sing with just a few friends or your entire office. The room comes equipped with a TV, a computer, speakers, and lots of seats. When I said they take it seriously, I meant it. It's not like bowling, where you go maybe once or twice a year and have a few beers while you're doing it. It's like those bowlers that have a custom embroidered bowling shirt, and bring their own shoes, and ball in their custom made bowling bag; the ones that have an extremely serious look on their face, one that is far too serious for bowling. That's what KTV is like here. And because they do it so often, they are really good at and quite serious. Like close their eyes and belt out a song as if they are on American Idol. Needless to say, it was an amazing experience. Because it was my first time I was too embarrased to sing. Now that I know what it is all about I will find my go to song and practice my singing and choreography so that the next time I go to a KTV I will be prepared and leave them thinking I'm Katy Perry. Maya came to the KTV as well. She had a great time.

the canals at night.

A reflection of the trees in the canal on my walk home the other night...

What I won't be eating for dinner...

The Darlings

The darlings... Ricky, always on the iPad.

My landlords are the sweetest people. I dont know their names, so I call them the Darling family. It is a husband and wife, their son Ricky, and the husbands mother. The apartment we are renting is great. It is very clean and modern for a Chinese apartment. Except for the bathroom that is in the kitchen? it has its own door, but it is basically in the kitchen. And the shower isn't really a shower.. there is just a shower head in the bathroom. Other than that, it is a great apartment. The family is so wonderful. They speak very little English, but are so helpful with any problems we come upon. The grandmother even planted  multiple pots for us. There are 5 pots spread throughout the house, one is a lily, an orchid, some arrangement of succulents and I dont know what else, but the gesture was wonderful. 

Josey has the larger room with the laundry area attached. They dont use dryers here, so all your clothes must hang dry. Apartments have a small room with acces to a window for that purpose. Josey has lived in China for six years and acquired much more stuff, so I dont mind having a smaller room. Plus I'm working on being more of a minimalist. The only thing missing in my room was a bed. The Darling family bought me a new mattress (the mattresses in China a re lot harder than the US, probably better for the back). A week later the headboard arrived. The house is very simple and plain, which I like. It's white walls and all white furniture. The couch is a dark purple, but I can deal with that. I assumed that my bed frame would be very similar to Josey's, plain white and simple. I'm not sure if they think I'm a princess? They must, because they bought me a headboard for an 8 year old princess. I don't think I have ever enjoyed girly things, and I dont think that will change soon. Even if I sleep under a velour purple headboard with diamonds and flowers. They can not break me down! I guess the grungy attire and flannel I wear wasn't obvious enough.