Typhoon Nesat

This is a first:  no school because of a typhoon.  Think snow day, but South East Asia style.

My location:  Find the eye of the storm and then travel straight up until you hit the coast.    That's Shenzhen!

Everyone should have a birthday in China

The 10th anniversary of my 21st birthday consisted of the following:

1)  Waking up next to an adorable kitten that I found on the steps of my apartment building.  It ended up being more like a one night stand as I put him outside in the morning.  I have no business having a pet in China.

2)  A delicious vegetarian dinner where I was presented with a birthday gift of pretzels; my favorite snack which is nearly impossible to locate in China.

3)  EPIC KTV with about 30 of my friends, both American and Chinese.

Shane "wants it that way."

4)  Things begin to get fuzzy here.  Drinks and cake at a beer garten (Chinese beer garten = an old basketball court with tables and chairs and a lady pouring pitchers of unnamed beer).

Birthday cake

Shane, Connor and Chinese friend, Irene.

Many thanks to my friends in China for making this birthday one for the books.

There's more than just orange soda in there.  And Nina is oh so classy drinkin out of a plastic bag.

The Terrible Towel makes a birthday appearance on the metro.

Danielle, Jennifer and Christiane

My miraculous ability to be okay with the unknown in China

About a week ago, I was told by a teacher friend that I could chose one of four days to take off from work for teachers' day.  The deal was I had to reschedule my classes for one afternoon and the following morning.  Sounded great!  I was looking forward to an afternoon to do some errands and exploring and then sleep in the next morning.  A few days later, this same teacher friend reminded me about rescheduling my classes for the day that I "go and play with the other teachers."  Woah, woah, woah!  I thought I had the afternoon and morning to myself.  When I asked about what we were "playing" she just responded with, "you play."

A few days before I was to embark on the trip, I asked said teacher friend where we would be "playing."  She said East Shenzhen.  East Shenzhen is the size of Rhode Island.  I then inquired about what I should bring and her answer was, "maybe a hat."

Wednesday morning was the day I was to "play with other teachers in East Shenzhen."  I packed a pair of shorts and a toothbrush into my bag and hoped for the best.  After lunch, about 20 teachers and myself packed ourselves into a van and drove an hour to a resort on a mountain overlooking the sea.  We spent all day in an amusement park going on rides and looking at spectacular views from atop the mountains. Dinner was a banquet-like feast and afterwards we watched a dancing/acrobatic/fire and fountain show at an outside amphitheater.  After a restful sleep in a great hotel room and a breakfast buffet that had COFFEE and CEREAL!!!, we headed back to school in time for lunch.

The adventures continue. . .
Next up:  everyone should have a birthday in China

Happy Zhongqiu Festival!

Today is the mid-autumn festival aka Moon Festival aka Lantern Festival.  It's the day closest to the autumnal equinox when the moon is at its fullest.  Those in China are obligated to do the following:

1)  take the day off from work - check

2)  eat as much moon cake as possible - check

3)  including the tuna kind - unfortunately check

4)  and view paper lanterns flying into the sky - I saw a couple when I was walking home.  I guess that counts, so check

View of the full moon from my balcony.  There's only one moon in China.  My camera is weird.  

School Days

I started teaching last week.  Let's just get straight into the hilarity:
There are approximately 40 students in each class.  That is DOUBLE the students in an American class.  DOUBLE!
One of the first graders asked me why my eyes were blue.  It's quite apparent that I may be the first foreigner these kids have ever seen/interacted with.  My reply:  "Why are your eyes brown?"
A little boy was amazed and amused by the hair on my arms.  This is something I have become a bit self-conscious about so thank you sir for making note of it and then asking if I was a boy because of my hairy arms.  Lucky you, Asian kid, for having lack-of-body-hair genes.  Those who hail from Eastern Europe are not as blessed.  It took everything I had not to punch him in the face with my hairy arms.

I have a first grade student whose English name is Ivy.  I attempted to explain to her that Ivy is my Mom's name.  She was clearly confused, but after class she came up to me and asked, "Two Ivys?"  YESSSS!  The next day she handed me a note that said, "You Mother Ivy."

Speaking of English names, here are the most popular ones:  Angel, Apple, Jack, Tony and I have two Simbas.
Everywhere I go, I hear, "Hello, Miss Sheby!!" Yes, the /L/ is missing on purpose.