Even though I have only been here for about a month, it feels like it’s been so much longer! I have a lot of new things to tell you about! The title is what a bunch of 12-year olds shouted to us on our way to dinner. Haha it’s the only English that they know! We all looked back and could do nothing more than smile and laugh. :) There are a few people who speak English here, and when they do, its usually very broken English. But they are all so eager and interested in what we have to say.
The journey here
It took us twelve hours to get to our school! We were on a train for two hours, landed, then caught a taxi to take us to what’s called a sleeper bus. A sleeper bus is a bus that has very small beds in a very small amount of space. Actually it’s kinda like the buses in Harry Potter! We were on the bus for ten hours before we finally reached the school. The school campus is gorgeous and I absolutely love it! There are several new pictures of the school here on photobucket, feel free to take a look!
Food
The Chinese certainly love chicken feet! I’m getting used to the food more and more each day. I took a picture of a good lunch that we had, just to give you an idea! ;) A few interesting things that I have eaten or seen while here: chicken feet, the skin of an eel (that was gross), chicken head, and turkey neck. That’s to name a few but for lunch and dinner we usually have lots of rice, vegetables, and a little chicken leg or something of a very questionable nature, Haha. We have lunch at 11 and dinner at 5, and I teach from 2-5 every day. I also teach the older kids from 6:30-7:10 each day.
Culture
I have learned so much about the Chinese culture! We went to Karaoke with a bunch of friends and it was so much fun!! You’re in a private room and you just sing along with your friends. I loved it! I have never seen so many strong women in my life. I admire their strength, so many of them have the crummiest of jobs. They work so hard in order to provide their child with an education. They don’t have public schools like we do in the States, one year of school usually cost about 10,000 yuan.
Education is vital here. I have taught 16-year old kids in a fifth grade class. Why? Because their parents work so hard to give them an education, but sometimes simply can’t afford it so they have to drop it and then pick it back up again. All of the kids here live at their school, having class all day ever day! The only day off that they have is Sunday, and even then they have classes at night. I have grown such an appreciation for all the limitless possibilities that we have in the states. I am amazed at how little they have here, but how happy and content they are with what they have.
Teaching
The teaching is the hardest part about being here, but its also the most rewarding! Their teaching methods are very old school, they don’t use any technology to teach. They have chalk, chalkboard, paper and pencil. Words cannot describe the happiness I feel when they crowd around me to give me a hug, or tell me they love me. I’m learning to love each and every one of the kids. I will get pictures of each one soon and describe my homeroom to all of you. :) I teach about 70-100 kids every day! I am so worn out by the end of each day that I usually watch TV or Skype with family. Sorry I have not been keeping up as well as I should! I will get better I promise!! :) I love all of you and I miss you all!
-Amber Toy
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