If anyone was trying to use this blog to see my adventures to China, I am sorry that I never stayed true. My blog was not accessible while using Chinese internet.
I have been in the states now for a couple months and have searched for what was to be my next move. I have a vague plan in place and will share with you all once I have made motions to do so.
Otherwise,
My China trip was an amazing adventure that I have considered continuing. I was offered a chance by the wonderful Mr. Chu that if I ever decided to come back to China that there was a place for me. It gives me confidence to know that my teaching wasn't horrible and I was wanted for my talent and abilities.
My students were my world! They made me feel so welcome and they made me feel like a rock star. Anywhere on campus it was "Carmen" "Hello Carmen" and kids running up to me to say hi and practice a bit of English outside the classroom. It has been the highlight of my life so far. The best was when Gwen and I were able to play basketball with the 7th grade boys on Tuesdays. They didn't think we could play. We then showed them that we could and it changed their outlook of me as a teacher. The boys wanted to work harder in the English classroom so they could better communicate with me on the court. I know it wasn't my initial teaching that got them interested, but I am happy to provide other means in getting their respect and inspiration to learn.
I had the opportunity to teach what I wanted to teach. I had full creativity in what I wanted to do. This was also a whole new level of exhaustion that I didn't think was possible. The connections I had to make to previous knowledge, building up on something new, creating a routine with my students, creating a whole unit, making my own homework and do this across four grades with 100 kids in each grade was a task. But it was the most fulfilling thing I can say I have ever done. I created lessons using simple Aesop fables where students eventually did readers theater and became part of the story. My 7th graders where able to actually get into groups and perform for me. The change of pace allowed them to be creative and use different multiple intelligences. My 4th through 6th grade students were able to work together and create the story within learning the text in one day.
My favorite lesson was when I taught my 7th grade students the lyrics and rhythm of "We Will Rock You" by Queen. The lesson was focused on fluency and with the lyrics being in slang terms allowed me a chance to teach a little bit about American accents and culture. The entire class would help students with the fluency by hitting the desk and clapping, making the unmistakable beat that one hears when listening to Queen. My students were so creative and did well practicing the lyrics.
My fourth graders I have to admit were probably my favorite. The English teacher for their grade was also one of the funniest people I have ever met. Patti created an environment were students loved making mistakes because they knew they were learning. They were also at that age where they wanted to learn and weren't afraid to try. Social nervousness hasn't set in yet and they were so excited for class everyday. I would almost say they spoke the best English because they weren't afraid to try and always took corrections with a smile and tried it again. You have to love those moments when a light is already on and then only gets brighter with a little help.
The staff was wonderful. Each grade has a set of teachers for each subject. Much like our high schools do, but in China it starts in the primary grades. The English teachers in each grade were so wonderful and helpful. They were wonderfully approachable and kind. So much so that I was involved in their end of year celebration where each grade had to create a performance for a school competition. I helped in grades 5 and 6. In the 5th grade performance I taught my fellow teachers the Chicken Dance and Cotton Eye Joe line dance. We even had fitted flannels made for the performance. Bringing a little Idaho and Montana to Hangzhou. In the 6th grade performance I played the character YinTai from a chinese version of Romeo and Juliet. The entire play was in Chinese including a couple lines I provided (with a little help of them being phonetically written on my hand before the performance). Of course I was the heroine of the story with my star-crossed lover. I was dressed in traditional chinese robes along with my lover. The performance was hilarious due to my constant facial expressions and body language being very readable and funny. The video of this performance will make you scream. I loved the chance to participate with the staff that I thrown myself into. Even though I couldn't communicate with most of them, they made me feel at home with just a smile.
The food was amazing, nothing was ever bad to me. It was all so fresh and found myself on many occasion so full that I thought I was going to die. In their culture, when dining with your host, they will feed you to the point of needing the vomitorium put back into practice. If you are not full beyond all reason, they think you are still hungry. What amazed me was the amount of food I ate, but I have lost weight during my stay there. That is a huge sign that their nutrition is very good and fresh. The next generation is growing due to their access to milk and I can already see the growth change in generations.
I also have to give a big shout out to Gwen, my fellow student teacher. Because without her I would have lost my sanity a few times. It was nice to have a fellow foreigner with me to go through the adventure with me. She is the only one that understands the ups and downs we went through. And the only one that understands the inside jokes we made about our time spent on the other side of the ocean. Especially Ace running... Only she would understand and I can say I am literally laughing out loud at the image those three words describe. She was also a modern day Elizabeth Bennet with her adventurous walking. The best is when she would share with me some of her discoveries. Especially when it came to new food places. She really branched out and took chances in this way, and I admired her for it because it gave me more confidence to go out there on my own as well. She was also a planner. In her lessons, in the way she does most things. This is one virtue I am lacking and she taught me to be better about it. It was also crucial that we were able to discuss our crazy bathroom adventures because there was a new one everyday. Even though we didn't pick each other for this adventure, I wouldn't go back and change a thing. She is an example of what a great, genuine, naturally beautiful, open-minded, smart, creative, funny, hard-working, kind person. I couldn't imagine the trip without her.
I was able to travel and stay in Shanghai and Beijing. It was so easy to travel throughout the eastern seaboard at least. Shanghai was a large city and walking was always an expedition. Every corner you turned you didn't know where you were going to be. Being such a large city it was very cosmopolitan and easy to get around. People were so nice and it was a chance to see more foreigners, especially compared to Hangzhou. Shanghai is to New York City as Beijing is to DC. This isn't only because Beijing is also the capital but because it is also relatively flat. I didn't see buildings taller than 4-5 stories and that was in the capital at Tiananmen Square. Where Shanghai is known for it skyscrapers and skyline of The Bund. Beijing was different because of it being spread out. Beijing was a wonderful trip because I was able to go with the 7th grade English staff, Rachel and Judy, and Rachel's son, Jerry (one of my 7th grade students). We flew up on New Years day and spent the first day of the new year on The Great Wall. It is going to be a tough act to follow for future new years. We went up on a ski lift, where Jerry was terrified. Climbing on The Great Wall is no joke. Some parts were so steep you needed climbing gear. It was an amazing thing to be part of. It was so high in the mountains. I couldn't imagine carrying up the supplies to build this wall. It was also amazing because it was a human structure that moved with the earth, the mountains, etc. It didn't block anything, cross anything, it was a part of the mountains. The best part was taking a toboggan ride along side the wall on the way down. It was awesome to feel like a little kid again going on a big slide! We also stayed in a hostel that was a stones-throw away from the Forbidden City. I felt like royalty. It was so much fun to see where the emperors lived for many dynasties. It was a huge palace and the names for all the separate palaces and buildings were so beautiful. I would to have loved to seen it all in its prime. The Temple of Heaven was also a sight. The details were so colorful and rich. There was also a huge park where I got to see my inspiring senior citizens dance. They always find the most random places to meet and dance. Either in pairs or in large line dancing groups. I even caught a group dancing to a Tim McGraw song while in Shanghai.
This is a general overview of my trip... There is obviously so much more but this is what I can manage for now.
The one fault I found over there was the starring. Most days I could handle it, but other times I found it so annoying. I know they can't help when they see a foreigner, but there were days when it got old. But that was every once in a while. The most interesting was when people from the community and the city would stop Gwen and I and stop to talk to us to practice their English. This takes a lot of guts and I was always amazed by their gumption. Im telling you, China is making the efforts to learn globally and are very smart and outgoing group of people. They will take over! But in a humble and hardworking way.
Just a couple insights.
I might go back , I might not. But stay tuned!!!
