Random stuff

I can't figure out how to make my photos public, but I can give you my username. This way, you can see what I've been up to. Email me to ask for it, if you don't already have it.
My school has a website. http://www.sz2g.com/
Warning: it's in Chinese. Here is the school's picture page. http://www.sz2g.com/XXGK/phototype.asp?typeid=2
Isn't technology great?

Good Morning, Ms. Liz

Tada! The latest update of the Update.
Being a teacher in China has its ups and downs, from ill behaved students to interested students. Some of my students want to speak English in my class, while others don't give a rat's ass. It's discouraging when students don't seem interested in a lesson plan that you spent time to create. Those moments make me doubt my future as a good or great teacher. I want these kids to feel comfortable forming sentences in English. But if they do not want to try, what can I do?
But then there are moments that keep me going. This week, three students, all girls, came up to me and chatted. I only remember two names: Lilia and Sleepwalker. I'm starting a list of strange English names. They wanted to talk with me, and I didn't have to pull answers out of them. My favorite teaching moment this week was when Tony, a boy literally in the back row of the class, raised his hand and spoke for over 20 seconds. He spoke really well and loud enough so his classmates heard. He was really forthcoming with his opinion. I was blown away!
There is more to Chinese teaching life than school. Last Saturday I went to Window to the World (世界之窗). It was EPCOT Center on crack. I visited every continent except Antarctica. The organization was a bit off though. I got Easter Island, the Statue of Liberty, and the statue in Rio in the same photo. They even had DC :) (must represent the birthplace). There also were rides. We rode a log flume through the Grand Canyon. I must admit that the Colorado River was a bit big, and the American Indians nearby (statues) looked strangely Chinese. They must be from an unknown Chinese Indian tribe.

I'm Educating the Future

This week was the official start of my life as a teacher, and I could not have been more nervous. These are actual children and actual headmasters that I would deal with. My huge fear about teaching is making the students not enjoy English. I want them to enjoy class; I want them to grow confident in their oral English. I've told all of my classes that even native English speakers make mistakes, so I don't expect perfection from them. As long as they can speak well enough to get their point across clearly, I think they will grow stronger in their English ability. I hope.
Monday was the beginning of term and the celebration of Teacher's Day. We sat in the gym for about an hour listening to different school administrators giving encouragement. I couldn't understand most of it, but it was early in the morning. Then all of the teachers got lovely bouquets of flowers. I felt like a beauty queen, so special. What a fantastic way to start a possible teaching career.
Today (Wednesday) is actually Teacher's Day, and the student s all wish the teachers a happy day. Again what a great start!
My students are a combination of shy and slightly talkative. I’ve only taught the lowest classes so far, so they are not used to a native speaker at all. I teach high schoolers, Senior 1 and Senior 2 (these are the only classes), at Shenzhen Second Senior High (深圳第二高级中学) in Nanshan District (南山区)of Shenzhen. I did not expect to be placed at a key school with all of the dedicated students learn. It was quite daunting when I stepped into my first class. I think I did very well considering it was my first class ever. But I have noticed where I need improvement, so each class is better than the one before it. I can't wait until the year's end. I'll feel quite professional.
I should explain my living arrangements. The other foreign teacher, Ben, and I live in the dorms. The seventh floor is only for teachers, but most of them only stay there during the early afternoon siesta. A lot of them live elsewhere. We live at the end of the hallway, right next to the water heater/boiler. That water is scalding hot! All of the stuff in my room is new: sheets, pillow, mattress, tv, fridge. I even have broadband internet in my room, so I can chat with people off of work. The tv only has two English stations that I have found, both from Hong Kong. I don't want to listen to Cantonese ads, but at least I can watch "House"every Tuesday night. I also have a balcony where my washing machine, sink, and shower/toilet are. The shower and toilet are in the same smaller room, so the toilet gets wet every time I shower. Just a part of Chinese culture I have to get used it. I'm happy it's a Western toilet. All the toilets at school are squatty potties with no toilet paper.
I have yet to experience major culture shock, but this is my fourth time to China. I have encountered a bit of sexism though, which I should have anticipated. When Ben and I met our headmaster, he did not look at me. He only looked at Ben. I did not want to point it out, but I felt out of place, like I didn't belong in the men's conversation. Later on, however, when I met him in the hallway he looked at me in the eye and everything. One thing I was surprised by was how controlled the students' lives are. They have very little free time. Every morning they get up at 6:30AM for flag raising and breakfast. There's a speical flag raising ceremony every Monday. Then they have class; there is a morning break, which sometimes is the morning exercise. Then they return for more class before having lunch and a rest period, which last about 2 hours. The afternoon consists of several more academic classes and social (社团活动)and sports activities (健康活动). After the sports activities are done, it's dinnertime. Then they return to the classrooms for studying and homework, even eye exercise to keep them healthy. Lights out is around 10:40PM. One cool thing is bell for class. The school does not use bells like in American high schools. They play music; the signal for the start of class is a few meters from “Under the Sea” from The Little Mermaid. Of all the songs to choose from, I wonder why the school picked Disney. I've also heard Chopin and other classic European sounding tunes.
I've babbled on long enough. I just want to finish up with how nice my coworkers are. They try to speak English with me, and I try to speak Chinese. They are always offering to help me or take me shopping sometime. They may be just being polite, but I'd like to think they honestly want to be my friend.
And for those of you who are interested, I found out how to say Li-Li in Mandarin. It's pronouced li4 li4 (丽丽).

In Shenzhen!

I finally made it to Shenzhen. Sunday I move into my apartment and see my school for the first time. Yay! I'm teaching at a high school in Nanshan District (if that means anything to any of you).
Today we had our medical exams done. It was the first time I've ever had an ultrasound or an EKG. The 100 or so of us dominated the hospital. We took up about one floor so that we could get all the tests done. They took our blood and chest x-rays. Each test went by quickly; I was amazed at the efficiency.