Xin Feng 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.

... and I played table tennis with our hosts. Later, I taught an English class on common pronunciation mistakes. At the end of the day, we had a cultural exchange. We had been warned ahead of time to prepare a performance, so we sang Frere Jacques in four languages including Chinese. Aaron and Katie both sang solos. We sang the school song and taught the Colonial shuffle ...

... after we had to part company. Mr Howard told us that his host family found him a hotel because he was too tall. He was sorry to not have a host family, but he does have HBO. Tonight we had a "Western" dinner. Most of ordered pizza, which had a wonderful sweet crust. We are stuffed! Our students are very excited because tomorrow we spend the entire day in the school, attending classes, eating at the student canteen, and sharing art and sports activities. We are having a great time!

... group, so I must be brief. We are convening for a sightseeing trip. When we arrived at the school, it was full of students, on a Sunday. Our students were open-mouthed. The Chinese students were studying for upcoming exams. Music sounded (The Pachelbel Canon) to change classes. Katie asked me if I would change the bells to music. I responded, "If students come to school on Sunday I will."

... family, or whatever part of my family happens to be home at the time. Shuang Shuang loves this part of the week, she adores Jamie and Tracey and gets so excited she stutters when she thinks that she might get to go live with them next year (more on that one later) My Chinese family is wonderful, and they've truly helped to make me feel at home here in China. But it can get a little exhausting sometimes, my darling Chinese "mama" (aunt liu ...

... 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 ...

... For breakfast I usually have a piece of fruit or some bread (most bread is sweet here) and some tea or "coffee" aka instant ****. I've been told I can buy a coffee maker and the coffee shop downtown I love will sell beans, but I'm waiting to buy that for myself when I finally get paid. Then I chat with my mama for a bit, get my bags together and head off for work. Before I head to work, I have to stop a minute to tell you about my front door ...

... and 3 (6,7, and 8 by American standards). It is about how to improve their oral English skills, and some classes have such basic English that I need to have every word I say translated, but they'll look at me when I ask if they have questions with these blank stares, and say no....if I say understand? they all say yes! then ask Lulu wtf I just said. It is ***********ly to struggle to get my students interested in English, but also to do it with ...

... Teacher Coordinators" Fairy and Lulu were very nice and took me around to a few different areas in the city, including the city center, where all of the shopping was, including a nice big supermarket where i bought countless cleaning supplies, and also set up a Chinese bank account. They also showed me which bus line to take so that the next day I could find my own way to the city center. Then i went home watched ocean's eleven and passed out at about 730.....my ...

... were brought out. But I do love shrimp so into the hot pot they went. In the afternoon we toured the Jade Buddha Park. The Jade Buddha, over 200 tons, was carved out of a single boulder of Jade. It was a beautiful day to walk the park, but soon we left for Anshan Iron and Steel High School. This school showed us athletic talents of students. We watched a 3 match boys' volleyball game, a gymnastic demonstration and hip-hop. The students are remarkably talented ninth graders ...