Lan Tian Hotel Anshan

... book on Obama, a Clay High School yearbook, and a Clay Colonial blanket. Wang Yue, our event organizer, had a difficult time getting us out of the room and on to dinner. We had hot pot for dinner. Sarah got squeamish over the live shrimp being boiled alive, but everyone else enjoyed. The adult table of Chinese principals and staff would normally have had beer, but in deference to our custom of not having alcohol at school activities, they drank water. Tomorrow off to Shenyang.

... 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.

... 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 ...

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 ...

... wanted to stay home and rest. As soon as Liu Yi got home from teaching her singing lessons she called me, asked if I was ok, did I want to see a doctor? Did I have the flu? Was it a cold? Had I eaten? Should she bring some food over? I managed to assure her I would survive and that by the next day I would be ok. So tonight around 530 I got a phone call and was summoned to dinner. I arrived at the house and we left to have hot pot. A type of ...

... with classes, but with the family as well. On Friday it was a Chinese ballet dance class, which lasted an hour and a half and was mostly stretching....owie. Normally it wouldn't be too bad, but in China, teacher comes and stands on your legs or pushes on your back, to make sure your stretching to the limit...once again, owie! Sunday I went to have Chinese lessons with my aunty Liu, or Liu yi as I ...

... So different from our American counterparts. First, in order to load the water I turn a faucet located to the right of the machine on, and I decide when to turn it off, as much water as I like. I also dump the detergent straight in then load in the clothes, the machines are also pretty small compared to American ones. Instead of a cycle I choose how long I want the machine to wash my clothes, anywhere from 1-15 minutes. After the load is done, I ...

... and I get pushed in every direction on the bus, everyone else is as tired as I am, especially the students. i can't believe they have class until 4:40 every day! They work so ***********'t blame them for not wanting to pay attention in English class, so if anyone has any suggestions for me on how to make it fun AND educational, please feel free to offer advice! Well, I think that's all for now, no crazy hysterical stories....not yet anyway...

... the whole afternoon and helped me get a phone, sunglasses and some sweet dvds, then i went home talked to my momma and poppa who were relieved that i had a new friend and was no longer in constant tears and passed out, only to awake about a million times in the night....eh it happens. Today was my physical exam...i got xrays, ultrasounds and a blood test....ugh, i also met Anastasia the other new American teacher, her Chinese is a lot better than mine and she ...

... exercise, the students marched off by class to their buildings. Taian has two teaching buildings, a lab building and a cafeteria. As we moved from building to building, a light rain began to fall. When I exited the first building, Lihua's driver appeared immediately with an umbrella for my protection from the elements. My mother would have been exasperated: "A little rain won't hurt you." Our next stop was a primary school, grades 1-6. The translator told us these ...