Babcock is a Leaf and I am a Teacher

Its 8:14 on Sunday night, I have one more week here to finish up my third placement. I have certainly faced some struggles adjusting, though some really good positives are coming out of it. Those who are doing this placement in the future will benefit from my struggles, which was the whole point of the trip.
This week is a short one as there are no classes on Thursday because it is a student sports day, and Wednesday is a half day because there is professional development presentation going on.
I am mostly done my planning for this week, just have to come up with an idea for a 40 min activity comparing the Ming and Qing dynasties.....any ideas?
I just put a lesson together on Zheng He, really interesting person. If you have a couple minutes check him out. Puts Christopher Columbus to shame.

This past weekend featured a few more new adventures. Friday night we ventured out to try a KTV. This is essentially kareoke, except you are in a private room and you buy a package based on how long you want to be there and how much beer you want. We opted for 2 hours with 24 beers for our group of 6. Lots of fun. One of the group cut their thumb pretty bad trying to open a beer, they have weird cap systems here. He has a tendency to pass out after seeing blood, so we had an incapacitated person with us all night. Made for a good laugh when 15 chinese girls came in and sang to us.

Saturday I did a big hike up Big Black Mountain (大黑山 Dàhēishān), which was amazing. Two teachers at Maple Leaf were going and invited me along. One of their local friends completed our group of 4. Really steep but gave me a great view of Dalian, Kaifaqu and Jinshitan. Put the whole place in perspective. Probably spent about 4 hours hiking around the different peaks of the mountain. Met lots of locals who were doing the same and once again became the subject of Chinese picture albums. After exhausting our inner mountain goats, we checked out a Buddhist temple and a Daoist temple that were on the mountain. We wussed out on the walk down and got a taxi. they only told me there was a road up after we had scrambles up the other side. I bought myself a new day bag for my time in South Korea and Shanghai. Very happy with it and all for the low cost of 90 yuan. 

Saturday night saw another excursion out on the town, which ended with countless matches of Foosball. I lost every one. Then proceeded to lose about 8 matches of connect four. The bartender of the pub we visited played our whole group and collectively won about 20 to 2 over us. 

Today (Sunday) I did some planning in the morning, did a big walk around the beach, and just finished another marathon planning lesson. The upside is that I have the best internet connection I have had since I was in China so I was able to utilize the internet to help.  The restaurant/cafe I am in is empty except for our group of teachers. 

As I look ahead to the upcoming week, I am staying positive about it amid some struggles and frustrations. There are three things that will help me with it. 1. Knowing I am going to see a good buddy of mine, Tim, I have not seen in a while and have him show me his digs in South Korea. 2. The group I am with from lakehead. They are an awesome bunch and have absolutely contributed to my enjoyment of this week. 3. The fact that I got an email from OCT confirming I am a certified teacher in Ontario.

I am gonna take some time and reflect on that last point. About this point last year I was waiting to hear back from various school. It was time to take some direction into life and build towards something. I am completely and utterly happy with everything that has happened this year. It was a big year for me and I still have lots more to accomplish. Next year will be even better as I transition into teaching. Thanks to those that constantly push me to grow and move on to better things. I am aware of my stubbornness and know I can be difficult, but hey I am a Berg. 

I have heard nothing but good things about the city I am moving to (Nanchang). If anyone is interested here is a website to look at cost of living (http://www.expatistan.com/cost-of-living/nanchang?currency=CAD). Dinner at an Italian restaurant with wine and dessert...$39. Not bad. 

Oh and Babcock to Leafs. Called it.  Now all we need to do is move Kessel for a high draft pick and prospects, try and move Lupul for a solid D to help even the burden and resign Bernier to 4 year 4 million contract and I am happy with the offseason. Should I put my name in for the hunt for a GM?

Guess if I am talking about hockey I have run out of other things to talk about. 

Next post will probably be from South Korea.

Dad- changed idea for dinner when I am home. Want to go back to the place we went before I left. Nachos have been on my mind. Again, I am clearly a Berg.