My life in China just keeps getting busier! The life of a full time teacher is definitely hectic. I finally have my blocks settled - 3 classes of English 12, and 1 class of English 11. I will be doing non-stop marking until June! The kids are still wonderful though!
(I will do a post showing pictures of my classroom and office area another day.)
I had a fabulous weekend exploring the local areas, starting with a delicious meal out on Friday night. About 30 of us teachers went to a Japanese buffet place, and ordered about half the menu. We had two personal chefs cooking up the hot food in front of us, and about 5 waitresses delivering plates of cold food every few minutes. It was incredible! I am not even sure of what everything was, but I know I did have bullfrog, crab, many kinds of sushimi, duck liver, abalone, and sea cucumber. I ate a ridiculous amount, but I wanted to try everything!
Our Personal Chef
Delicious Sushimi!
The next morning Brad, Jonathan and I went and hiked Black Mountain. There was a little temple at the entrance to the trail, which we stopped to visit, and then we went up and over the mountain. It was beautiful, and we were all grateful to escape the city for awhile and enjoy a bit of peace.
The view from Black Mountain
Hiking on up
On Sunday I went to a make-shift church at someone’s home. They stream sermons from the States every Sunday morning. After church I went to the beach for awhile, but unfortunately it got quite cloudy and cold the moment I arrived. I didn’t last long! This week will be very long, as I am teaching six days in a row. Saturday school is in session, in order to make up for the days lost on our extended holiday. I still enjoyed my Monday though! Clubs start this week, so after school I attended the first Model United Nations meeting. I am very excited to be part of this club, and I will even get to attend a conference somewhere in China with the kids! They are avid learners, and super self motivated. The other club I am sponsoring is Japanese Dance Club. Need I say more?
Today was the start of Mid Autumn Festivals and so many of the students brought me mooncakes as a present today. They are little tiny cakes that are filled with various things. I have eaten one today with red bean paste, some with nuts, and some with pineapple. One of my students, named Apple actually, gave me one as a gift and when I asked him the flavor he said “sperm.” After a brief conversation to clarify - I believe what he gave me was a cake filled with seeds. I understand his mistake, but was a bit taken aback! I have yet to eat that particular cake...
Jenn and Jonathan atop the giant crab. Jinshitan decorates the beach with various giant sea creatures.
There was supposed to be a lantern festival down by the ocean tonight, but there was no one there. I am hoping that the ceremonies will be another night this week, but maybe we were just a little too early. The fireworks were still lovely (although I will admit that I am going to get sick of fireworks). In China fireworks are lit for every special occasion throughout the day (think birth, death, store opening, 11:11am, 12:34 pm, etc.) and it doesn’t matter if it is 7 in the morning when no one can see them in the bright morning sky - they will still be lit. It is starting to lose its magic.
Fireworks on the beach
Mark and I enjoying a good meal
Enjoy the update friends :)
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