Dong Shan Hotel Anshan

... for our return to Haicheng Senior High School. I taught English to two classes. One striking thing to me is that teachers teach bell to bell (or music to music) with no down time for student socializing at the end of the period. We gathered in the meeting period for a question and answer period with the Chinese students and teachers. Gabe answered a question about what it took to build a robot and Ms. Yakym was asked her adivce on how Chinese students could improve their ...

... danced to Aaron's mouth percussion.The high point was the sharing of Chinese painting, calligraphy and knot making, Each of us left with a beuatiful gift created by the students on the spot. We posed for pictures one after the other, but were glad to do so. All of us were overwhelmed by the affection. Spirits are still high for our students. No homesickness that I am aware of.

... later. We met the Secretary of the town and toured his elegant home. Next stop was a visit to a "typical" farmer's home. We didn't think it was that typical since it was a beautiful home, newly constructed. Then we took a walk up the mountain to look at the pear orchard. Citizens came out of their homes to look at the parade of Americans. A group of students asked to have their pictures taken with us. Back to the Mayor's office for a sumptious lunch. We feel that all we do is eat ...

When we got to the Shenyang airport, the groups were divided and taken to their respective schools. The Clay group will probably not see the Discovery group for several days, so I can only post news about our group. We were met graciously at the airport by the principals and other staff from both schools, and then taken by bus. The Clay group stopped in a town for lunch, which all agreed ...

... It's really sweet, a nice big beautiful Chinese apartment. Li yi fu (Uncle Li), usually makes dinner while Liu yi (aunt Liu) gives me Chinese lessons or we have a conversation, with me stuttering in Chinese and her coaching me, or peppering her conversation with random English words. Both Uncle Li and Aunt Liu know a little English, but not a whole lot, so most of the time we speak Chinese, which is great practice, and we've all gotten very good ...

... another home to go to besides my empty apartment. Monday the school took us to mount qianshan. It was stunning. climbing was exhausting but the views were absolutely breathtaking, and totally worth the trip. I love exploring in China, its much less safety coated than America. There were parts of the climb that were slightly scary, but the ascent was worth it. i felt like i was on top of the whole world.

... to turn on the water heater the night before, or my shower will be frigid. Most Chinese don't shower at home. They wash their faces, etc, but shower at gym or fitness clubs. Most Chinese homes do not have hot water, I am spoiled as a foreigner to have my precious water heater. After my shower I head into my "kitchen" where my only sink is located and brush my teeth in the sink with my dirty dishes, which i try not to let pile up, as it is very ...

... they can. Whichever student does not have a chair has to come answer my question. They are so eager to switch seats and run around shrieking. Some clever little ones would purposely not get a seat so that they could answer my questions. Some of these little children are so bright, it boggles my mind! At the end of class I am surrounded by little hands hugging my knees or rushing for their high fives. It is such a great experience and I love ...

... got to my apartment i hadn't slept in over 24 hours, and one of the foreign teacher coordinators from the school spend the entire hour and a half car ride talking to me....i don't' even know what i said....something about politics and George Bush being an idiot....i just wanted him to let me enjoy not being in a plane, ha ha. I was so tired I thought i would be able to sleep for days, but i spent a restless evening and woke at about 6 am. In the hard light of day i ...

... morning exercises. The activity was similar to what we had seen before: students standing in rows by class, led in a marching routine by a student. This was a little different because one part of the routine had kung-fu moves. One of the PE teachers had taught the moves to the students. The morning exercises are similar to a mid-morning recess. After another series of classes, students are dismissed for a two hour lunch, and the halls and classrooms are quiet. They may ...