International 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 ...

Today was a big day, but a tiring one. Each member of our group visited four classes; Math, Physics, PE and English. I made the mistake of participating in PE: calisthenics, shooting free throws, running laps, and tai chi. In the afternoon, we were invited to participate in gym time. The boys played basketball against the Chinese and lost by 16 points. The game was ugly! Mr ...

... students were exposed to their first round of toasts. The adults toasted to friendship and hospitality, paying honor to each other for bringing and allowing the students to come to China. In the afternoon, we toured the Jade Buddha garden in Anshan. It holds the largest Jade Buddha in the world, carved out of one piece of jade. Students enjoyed this tour, and we coincidentally ran into the Discovery group. The younger students were excited to see their American co-travelers, but ...

... have been the most tasty yet. Then we convened at Haicheng Senior High School to meet the host families. Every student was introduced to the host, and enthusiasm and smiles filled the room. Both students and hosts were delighted by the meeting. Group picture ( of course) and then home. My host is quite gracious and her husband is a wonderful cook. I am writing this morning before I meet ...

So, I know I've been, like absolutely awful about posting on here, but it's just that my life has really settled into a routine here in China, and so there's not a whole lot to write about that's terribly interesting. Or maybe, I'm just becoming a little Chinese, so what seems normal to me really would be entertaining to you guys....who knows? Anyway, life has been going really well. Like I said, I have a pretty normal routine going at this point ...

... 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.

... ve had in the past week. School is still exhausting, I come home at the end of the day and want nothing more than to collapse on my bed. I don't do much more than read...I'm almost through all of my books I brought and terrified by the speed at which I'm devouring them. I've gotten fairly competent at taking the bus, but had a slightly rough experience last week. I was on my way home from class and ...

... with me in a few short days, it is a little tiring, and makes me slightly uncomfortable, but besides Ana, he is the only English speaking friend i have here, and i cannot afford to burn bridges and i guess ill just have to learn to live with having an overattentive guardian angel. I can't think of much else to write right now, but i am sure more will come to me....and now that i have the Internet i wont have to wait so long in between posts!

... beautiful. One girl said, "I can ask my father to stop smoking because it's bad for his health and it pollutes the air." The teacher divided the room into four teams, using rows to form the teams. "Team 1, you are to write slogans about ways a middle school students can help the environment. Team 2, you are to write slogans about how to make the school better. Team 3, create slogans about how to make a cleaner China. Team 4, your slogans should be about a green Olympics ...

... Students applauded). I asked her to step out for a moment and gave her a small gift. She immediately pulled out her carved pen case with two wooden pens and returned a gift to me with the words, "I hope for you a happy visit." The Chinese students I have met are carefully instructed in etiquette. Late in the afternoon, we drove back to Anshan (about 30 minutes) to attend a performance at Anshan No. 51 Middle School with 4000 students. We were greeted ...