Chinese Hicky

Today was a good day. Perhaps its because yesterday was as low as one can get but either way, today showed improvement. I got up and got all my stuff together for my lesson and headed off to the gate. We got there and arrived at the school. Usually we have some sort of escort to take us to our classes but we didn't today and I kinda liked that. We got off and headed off to our classes and got all set up. I don't know if I already wrote about this but today was Topic 2 which is school. So to prep for my lesson I wrote out a paper that said “things I see at school” and numbered it 1- 10. this school is a public school and they only get to see us ILP teachers once every two weeks so the teacher in charge asked me to send him words and phrases that I use in my lesson so that they can quiz the kids on them and practice during the two weeks I am not there. So I started my lesson by passing out those papers and asking “what is this??” we learned “Paper” and then the phrase “i use paper at school” I wrote it on the chalk board and then we moved to the stack of pencils I brought. I pulled it out and we did the same thing as the paper only we went over “i use pencils at school” I then passed out the pencils and on the numbers they wrote down the phrases that I wrote on the chalk board so that they could follow the whole “Look, see, say and do” model. I used the picture of a teacher and myself and “We listen to the teacher” “we throw balls” “I can't wear hats” and we reviewed all the objects once another one was pulled out of the magic bag. I really love teaching this class and having such a big class. I don't know why other teachers don't find it manageable and I don't know why I like it. I hate being in front of a crowd but I feel so at home when they come through the door and say “good morning English teacher!!” one by one. We had our little break and Rachelle and I went out and played basketball again and I don't know if its the Chinese rice or chicken foot that I ate but I must say, im ballin! ;) I would make my former jr. Jazz coach giant of a dad proud ;) After we taught our last class I again found myself wishing I had three more classes after lunch.. or at least more time with the kids! Me and Rochelle headed to the lunch room.    We had dumplings and these stuffed rolls that I like but then we got an onion. Like a legit onion strand I saw Sam just take a big ol bite out of it and chew it so I followed... brain on fire! Oh my gosh how can people like those things?! I felt like my sinuses and my brain had been injected with acid and it took everything in my power to keep a composed look on my face as I was jamming into the back of my throat and swallow... it probably looked like I was hiving a mix between a stroke and a heart attack and wouldn't be surprised if someone told me I actually had both! Oh man. This girl right here? Not an onion fan.  Haha we went back to the school and I was in a great mood. Despite my early afternoon stroke/heart attack I was in high spirits which has been rare these last two weeks. My nose is clearing up but I have developed quite the cough and a ringing in both my ears... rats. But no worries its going to be a good day.

 After dinner, Hannah, Maddie, Ben, Josh, Crista, Me, Sam and Rachelle all met Kelly and her husband at the gate for a massage. The other people in our group went to get one earlier this week and 3 of the boys got a “cup massage” that left what looked like giant hickies on their backs but what was cool was how they said it was done... fire, cups, rubbing alcohol, … I want in on this! So I went with the group. We had to be in 3 rooms Ben and Josh were in 1 room me and Rachelle were with Kelly's husband (Kelly sat in there with us but didn’t get one because she got one with the other group before) and the other 4 girls were in another room.

 I was the only one who got the cup massage and everyone else got the essential oils one. I loved it. It was so relaxing! The guy who gave me my massage was super strong but it felt really good and if I wasn't so excited to see what was going on I would have fallen asleep. We got to wear these cute pajama things that I totally want to find and buy for myself and we got our own chair and it was just really fun. I love Rachelle, she is so crazy but awesome.

We got our arms, legs and feet massaged and then we turned onto our backs and this is where the fun began Rachelle was getting the rub down while I was watching the alcohol and the lighter get pulled out. The guy lit the cup on fire on the inside and then stuck it to my back and when the fire went out, it would suck my skin up into the cup! I don’t know if anyone else did but when I was a kid... or still sometimes do, I would put the cup over my mouth and breathe in and it could suction to me. It didn't hurt or feel good but it was cool. And that's how this was. It was pulling on my skin but not so hard that it hurt. At first, he was having a hard time getting it to stick to my lower back, he would get one on and I would laugh or twitch and it would pop off, so I had to be really careful to stay still.
 
 But finally he got them all on and then I got a blanket over my back and I could sleep. He came back in and I got them off and had my very own Chinese hickey! Or 9 ;) we took pictures and laughed and then changed and headed home. Im not supposed to shower because the water here isn’t good and my hickeys are open right now so ill get sick if the water gets into them so ill have to wait but its not like I shower very often here anyways. Now that I have waited a little and look at them... they are pretty dark.

 But not nearly as dark as what the boys were... when he was pulling them off Kelly made a noise that scared me but then she told me “you are so healthy!” I guess what it does is suck toxins out of your body and the healthier you are the lighter they are... dang I wanted em to look cool! Haha o well, I didn't get a home visit so tomorrow I get the morning off and alone time so that will be nice. I am super duper tired so I am off to bed, night!