Teachers' Day
Today was Teachers' Day in China. I had no idea until a little girl from one of my grade 3 classes came up to me with a pink rose and said "happy teachers' day" in her cute little voice. Oh I just melted right there, it was so touching. I had to compose myself to put myself into teacher mode. My next two classes also gave me flowers, awwwww. These kids are the best!!! These kids are honestly the cutest little kids that I have ever seen. Oh, they can be devils at times because some grade 3 classes behave badly as soon as their home room teacher leaves the room and then turn back into attentive students when they return. But for the most part, they are really good.
Josh also got a hard candy from a little girl for teachers' day. He was also really touched (I think he even cried... joke). She came up to him and asked "how do you say this in English?", holding the hard candy in her hand. Josh told her and she said "it's for you, happy teachers' day!". Awww, how sweet!!! Being foreign teachers here is a trade off because they like us a lot better than their regular teachers but their behaviour is not as good with us.
It was so funny because this morning Josh and I had to drag ourselves out of bed. We were up until 3:00am making lesson plans and we had to wake up for 7:00am. We were exhausted and just wanted the day to be over so we could start our weekend. I would not have missed a day like this for the world though! These kids completely brought our spirits up.
Today I taught four grade 3 classes the alphabet. They know the alphabet by song but Grade 3 is when they start learning how to write English. I showed flash cards and then drew pictures on the board (yes I drew pictures) for each letter (ie. an apple for A). I must say I am pretty handy with the chalk. They understood and laughed at my silly drawings. Overall this was an amazing day that couldn't pass by without sharing it with all of you.
Who knew I could be so sentimental!!! Talk to you all later!
posted by Jen @ 4:31 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Hi guys!
We're glad that you are having such a good time overseas. This is a really great opportunity for the both of you to be able to see that the North American way is not the only way to approach life. I (James) am proud to see that you're playing Go. Reading about your games has reminded me that I haven't been playing seriously since about March... So I have recently started again, but have been getting beaten regularly... When you get back, you'll have to show me all the things you have learned! I (Amanda) am very interested in learning firsthand about China's one child policy. Maybe you can get the locals' perspectives as well as find out the methods of enforcement for it. I (James, hehe) am about to be promoted at Blockbuster and got a super sweet TA position as the marker of the Arts Astronomy course! I (Amanda) get to start HIV rounds this week at Toronto General and I got a TA position at UTM in Mol. Bio. Things in my Masters are picking and I get to start growing my virus this week!
awwwwwwwww! TEACHER'S DAY! We don't have that on this side of the ocean... It seems as though teachers get far more respect. The food that you guys have been showing and describing sounds absolutely fantastic! Make sure you try everything, no matter what it looks like, even if you don't know what it is. Noone eats something if it doesn't taste good or would kill you... Drink lots of green tea because it is really good for you.
How is the Olympic fever over there? Have you seen any of it?
Have you been approached on the street with people trying to practice their English? hehe, they're terribly shy though, so they may just giggle and run away...
We just wanted to let you know what was going on over here so you don't feel so disconnected and also to leave you a few comments.
We'll post again soon!
Amanda and James
Hey guys!
Thought I would try out this whole blog deal.
It sounds like you're having such a fantastic time abroad. What a great experience. I'm always amazed at the architecture and lifestyle of the "east". It all seems like such a departure from what we are familiar with back home.
Speaking of home, life has been busy here. Since you left, I got that job I was telling you about (I was telling you about it, right?) and right now I'm conducting asbestos surveys and ozone-depleting substances audits. It's very interesting work...if people only knew the kinds of substances they're exposed to every day. I have an apartment in Milton with a view of the Escarpment, and am driving into Mississauga each day to work.
I hope you both had good Thanksgiving. Are turkeys at a premium in China? Adam and Danielle came down to Stratford from Ottawa, and my cousin and her husband visited from Rhode Island which was nice. It's always good to get home for some sweet, sweet Thanksgiving feasting.
Take care over there, you two!
John
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