Monday, November 30, 2015
Am I Still in China
I have gotten used to most of China. The loud honking that is constant. The need to not breathe for 30 seconds as you pass by a bad smell and try not to think of what it is. Not fully understanding what my students are laughing at during breaks in class. The constant amazement on peoples faces that I am taller than them. Also not being scared to cross the intersections.
The things that have thrown me off in the last couple weeks:
-Burger King opening up below my apartment building
-Realizing Starbucks and Burger King are actually the two closest places to get food from my apartment
-Being able to watch the new Hunger Games and The Martian in english at the movies
-Looking forward to playing N64 this weekend (friend had his shipped from Canada)
-Having chicken nuggets and fries for dinner from my toaster oven
Basically the things I am having a hard time getting used to are the things from back home. I think that is a good sign that I have fully adjusted to life over here. This semester has about 9 weeks left before I switch over to teaching English. I may also be teaching Economics, but there is some course shuffling going around so not 100% on that.
Big thing coming up is trip with Dad.
Dad- Look at these places and see which ones interest you
Hue- old imperial capital
Hoi An- old city and famous for tailoring
Nha Trang- Beaches and historical city
Mui Ne- Red Sand Dunes/ATVing
Halong Bay
Ho Chi Mihn City- viet cong tunnels and war remnants museum
In school I am attempting to teach them essays. I think Shannon would be shocked to learn that considering all the help she gave me with it. Attempting to teach these students how to write a thesis has become a daily struggle. At least 3 times a week I am meeting with students during lunch and usually 3 times after school also.
Have not been approached for a second year by the Principal but can tell he is already thinking I will be back next year. It is at the point where I feel the need to start thinking seriously about it. I feel comfortable here, the money is good, the cost of living is cheap and the students are great. I would say talking with the students is usually the best part of my day which i guess is good as a teacher.
So that is about all I can think of for now. If you have any questions about china throw them in the comment section.
Just got confirmation that my flight to Hanoi is booked. So see you there dad.
The China Kid
Sunday, November 8, 2015
Chinese Reportcard
Well guess I did it again. Let another month or so go past without a blog.
Life right now is a little busy. I am experiencing my first report card crush. Luckily there have been lots of other teachers who are helping me along. Just had about a 30 minute crash course on how to use the technology properly. The big problem is trying to access the database that is based in Nova Scotia. So to pass the time I figured I would give China a report card based on my experiences
Social- Living in China forces you to be social. Everyday, anywhere you go there are going to be lots of people. I mean like the bathroom of a hockey game in Montreal lots of people (figure no one is going to Leaf games anymore). Since being here my height and whiteness has not left me, so anywhere I go I usually have someone talking to me. At least they always try, sometime I simply am not in the mood and pretend not to hear them. The other teachers here are great, I may have mentioned that so far. Not that we hang out every night, but on any night you feel like going for dinner or simply playing a board game there is someone who is thinking the same thing. Overall I give it an A
Environment- I miss a blue sky. The last while has seen me spoiled in the places I have been. Whether it is off the Northumberland straight between PEI and NS, Cape Breton coast, the rideua canal near perth, or simply the beauty of Go Home, I have seen many beautiful skies. I have not seen a truly blue sky since I have arrived. The lack of true green space is also starting to get to me. I feel a bit like the character in Stan Rogers song "The Idiot" for those that want to understand my mind frame. It was warm here up until last couple days where it has dipped to about 14. Though the idea of using the sweaters and jeans I brought is nice, as I can finally switch my wardrobe. I have been getting hassled by my peers for wearing the same thing all the time. Not to lean to hard into that clothing tangent, I will give China a B- on the environment. The only saving factor is that is what warmer for a lot longer than i am used too. Thunder Bay would have me at freezing temperature right now.
Food- Still love it. I do not go eat as much as I thought but the food when I go out is amazing. New thai place opened up near me that I have frequented twice now. Easy to get cheap vegetables at the grocery store and the costco-like place is working out fine with providing me the little things i miss. Got a big craving for pasta and rather than attempt to make my own i bought some pasta and pasta sauce. Though in typical david-fashion, it was not until I was about to pay for all my groceries with 5 people behind me that I realized i also needed a can opener for the pasta sauce. Well 5 minutes later and now 7 angry people behind me I checked out with my can opener. Pasta is coming this week. Food at school is good. Lunch is either chicken curry or a fried chicken sandwich. Dinner is usually a bunch of veggies and either chicken or dumpling. I guess if I am talking about what I make for dinner I dont have anything else to say on Food. Will give it an A for combination of what I can make and what i can get close by.
Job- Best for last. Even as I finish up my first report card adventure, usually the grunt work of teaching I hear, I am happy with my job. I really enjoy interacting with my students and the best part is that the more I get to know them the more I enjoy them. I can really engage with them now and can joke around and have fun with them. They have gotten used to me giving them lots of writing assignments and always pushing them to defend their opinions when they speak in class. Recently I had my VP come in to watch my teach, it was informal and I had not been given notice, and the students behaved great. While I always think they behave well, it was obvious to me they were on their best behavior because someone else was in the room. I play basketball with a group of guys on fridays and frisbee with a group of other students on wednesdays. Having this report outside of the class really helps inside because they are quick to get the other students in line for me. We just finished up WW1 and for anyone reading this I dare you to think of the answers to the following questions without looking it up. 1) What is the importance of the Paris Peace Conference to defining Canadian independence? 2) How did the Treaty of Versailles lead to the rise of the Nazi party? 3) Compare and contrast Canada's entry into World War One and World War Two. These are an example of what my 14/15 year old Chinese students just had to answer, and they did pretty good. Next up is teaching heartland vs hinterland and ending on a debate about Free Trade. Oh, an getting them to write an essay....i think some of my HS teachers would be shocked to know I am now teaching it. Hell, my family is probably freaked out, especially Shannon as she saw how rough some of my essays can be during University. So for job i will give it an A.
Overall China gets an A-. I can not give a country a full A until I have seen a quiznos. Even in places I should see new and amazing things, it all comes back to quiznos eh dad.
Till next time,
The China Kid
Life right now is a little busy. I am experiencing my first report card crush. Luckily there have been lots of other teachers who are helping me along. Just had about a 30 minute crash course on how to use the technology properly. The big problem is trying to access the database that is based in Nova Scotia. So to pass the time I figured I would give China a report card based on my experiences
Social- Living in China forces you to be social. Everyday, anywhere you go there are going to be lots of people. I mean like the bathroom of a hockey game in Montreal lots of people (figure no one is going to Leaf games anymore). Since being here my height and whiteness has not left me, so anywhere I go I usually have someone talking to me. At least they always try, sometime I simply am not in the mood and pretend not to hear them. The other teachers here are great, I may have mentioned that so far. Not that we hang out every night, but on any night you feel like going for dinner or simply playing a board game there is someone who is thinking the same thing. Overall I give it an A
Environment- I miss a blue sky. The last while has seen me spoiled in the places I have been. Whether it is off the Northumberland straight between PEI and NS, Cape Breton coast, the rideua canal near perth, or simply the beauty of Go Home, I have seen many beautiful skies. I have not seen a truly blue sky since I have arrived. The lack of true green space is also starting to get to me. I feel a bit like the character in Stan Rogers song "The Idiot" for those that want to understand my mind frame. It was warm here up until last couple days where it has dipped to about 14. Though the idea of using the sweaters and jeans I brought is nice, as I can finally switch my wardrobe. I have been getting hassled by my peers for wearing the same thing all the time. Not to lean to hard into that clothing tangent, I will give China a B- on the environment. The only saving factor is that is what warmer for a lot longer than i am used too. Thunder Bay would have me at freezing temperature right now.
Food- Still love it. I do not go eat as much as I thought but the food when I go out is amazing. New thai place opened up near me that I have frequented twice now. Easy to get cheap vegetables at the grocery store and the costco-like place is working out fine with providing me the little things i miss. Got a big craving for pasta and rather than attempt to make my own i bought some pasta and pasta sauce. Though in typical david-fashion, it was not until I was about to pay for all my groceries with 5 people behind me that I realized i also needed a can opener for the pasta sauce. Well 5 minutes later and now 7 angry people behind me I checked out with my can opener. Pasta is coming this week. Food at school is good. Lunch is either chicken curry or a fried chicken sandwich. Dinner is usually a bunch of veggies and either chicken or dumpling. I guess if I am talking about what I make for dinner I dont have anything else to say on Food. Will give it an A for combination of what I can make and what i can get close by.
Job- Best for last. Even as I finish up my first report card adventure, usually the grunt work of teaching I hear, I am happy with my job. I really enjoy interacting with my students and the best part is that the more I get to know them the more I enjoy them. I can really engage with them now and can joke around and have fun with them. They have gotten used to me giving them lots of writing assignments and always pushing them to defend their opinions when they speak in class. Recently I had my VP come in to watch my teach, it was informal and I had not been given notice, and the students behaved great. While I always think they behave well, it was obvious to me they were on their best behavior because someone else was in the room. I play basketball with a group of guys on fridays and frisbee with a group of other students on wednesdays. Having this report outside of the class really helps inside because they are quick to get the other students in line for me. We just finished up WW1 and for anyone reading this I dare you to think of the answers to the following questions without looking it up. 1) What is the importance of the Paris Peace Conference to defining Canadian independence? 2) How did the Treaty of Versailles lead to the rise of the Nazi party? 3) Compare and contrast Canada's entry into World War One and World War Two. These are an example of what my 14/15 year old Chinese students just had to answer, and they did pretty good. Next up is teaching heartland vs hinterland and ending on a debate about Free Trade. Oh, an getting them to write an essay....i think some of my HS teachers would be shocked to know I am now teaching it. Hell, my family is probably freaked out, especially Shannon as she saw how rough some of my essays can be during University. So for job i will give it an A.
Overall China gets an A-. I can not give a country a full A until I have seen a quiznos. Even in places I should see new and amazing things, it all comes back to quiznos eh dad.
Till next time,
The China Kid
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