Fashion Kindergarten

Wednesday 4-17- 13

Today is Grimm kindergarten day! I don’t know why but this school is still one of my very favorites! Instead of charades, I decided to go with a different approach; I stood up and started tapping on each child head. “duck, duck, duck, duck...” until I made it around to usually the student who seems to catch on quickly.. “GOOSE!” and started to run. Some needed a prompting to chase the teacher around the table, but others, I was fish tailing it around the table and burning rubber trying to get back to my seat in time! Then, I pulled out two animals. 

We talked about the Monkey and Elephant. Where they live, how they walk and sound, if they are big or small etc. then went on “monkey, monkey, monkey, …. ELEPHANT!” this time students had to hold out their trunk and stomp around the table like an elephant. That game seemed to be a much greater hit for the kids and lets face it, myself. Who wouldn't be thoroughly entertained to watch little Chinese Kindergarteners trying to run/stomp while holding their nose up to their arm as a makeshift trunk? Or perhaps run and scratch their arm pit and head and oooh oooh ahh ahhh! If you can't imagine it, trust me, it was good. Some classes didn't get to the actions and we worked on where they lived and how they sound with each animal after each round of chasing but either way, I really liked how this lesson altered.

After we got done teaching, we went back to the cafeteria and partook of the “candy mento.” if you don't remember, last week was the school that had butterfly mentos and now this week we bit into a roll that had a cinnamon sugar liquid with just the perfect 1:1 ratio of bread to sugary substance. HEAVEN! We realized today that our sugar and oil intake has hit a dramatic curve since being here. Almost like they took turns! We haven't seen butter here once and that’s because they just use oil to make everything not stick to the pan and why not add an extra dash to liven things up. Literally everything is dripping in oil and I don't understand why I didn't see it before and limit myself. Guh! China! You are so sneaky!

After Lunch we were headed out when I saw a girl with another duck sweater!!! I took some creepy photos of her and then Rachelle and I waved her over. She willingly wrote down the store and told me that its a Korean Brand... typical. Well we got the address and name of the school and then Lilly offered to go shopping. We totally would have but we had in-service today so we had to tell her no. we got in the car and she typed into her translator “we go shopping next week, ill take you” we told her we would get back to her on it and I gave her my QQ so we could ask the head teachers about maybe missing in-service.

We got back to the school in time for in-service. This week’s in-service was really really good! We talked about how it’s easy to forget why we came here and how much of an influence we are on these kids’ lives. We see Chinese teacher after Chinese teacher smack the kids on the back of their heads and yank them out by their collars etc. and signs all around that say “I must be the best” these kids are here Monday through Friday first grade through high school. I would die. I don’t know what I would have done if I didn't have my mom’s shoulder to cry on or after school snacks to come home to. We as ILP teachers have the chance to become some sort of love and comfort in these kids’ lives. It helps me have more drive to show these students that I love and care for them, Especially Leslie. I know that next semester she will have a whole new group of teachers, but at least I know that this semester she knows that I love her like a big sister. I try my best to plan each lesson for my kids so that they can learn the most English possible. My kids must take an English test to get into our school, only those who have the best English are allowed in. I want to leave China, knowing that I have taught them the best I knew how and that I have given them all the opportunities they need to get a good education and get further in their lives. There is not one student that I have that I wish won't succeed. It’s crazy to think that we have such a great influence on people's lives. I've always said I want to make a difference and now that I think of it, doctors heal people and the President leads us, but without teachers, where are the doctors or the leaders of our country? My teachers, my parents, Ms. Casper, Miss. Johnson, Miss. Adams, they are the people who shaped me and my foundation to the person I am today. I have always loved learning and going to school. Maybe not so much the students or people around me or the social games that happen as I grew older but I have always loved learning and I have now grown the deepest gratitude for my educators in my early years who helped me see the excitement in learning and growing and the only way I know how to show it, is by paying it forward. I am going to try even harder to love and teach these kids until the day I leave China.

Yesterday I had planned my lessons for next week. I knew today that I needed to get all my supplies for my craft next week. I am putting two Popsicle sticks in and x and then twisting a pipe cleaner up the middle to make a butterfly. If the kids are really quick with that, I will put beads on each end of the “entente”. In order to get all that stuff I had to go make a run to the supply room which is in the building where the most  of  ILP teachers teach and Kelly's office. So after in-service, I headed over. On my way up to the supply room, I just felt like I should go sneak to Kelly's office to see if she was there and say hello. I did just that, and Kelly was there! We talked for a little bit and I explained to her my problem with the whole Martial arts thing. I kept trying to find the class but I don't think I am in the right place etc. she picked up the phone and gave Lee a call. She gave him my QQ number and then asked about classes. Well come to find out, he moves his classes around everywhere. Sometimes they are in the gym, others in the room Ben showed me and then finally, the track. I talked to Kelly for a little bit more about the outing we went on Friday and then ran out to the field to watch Lee's class. I wasn't quite sure if I was allowed to take class or if I had to wait and watch, but either way, I was fine because I know I was getting my foot in the door.

In between his first and second class, he told me he wanted to learn words about family. I explained mother, father, and brothers etc. he had to start his next class so I ran upstairs to get a pen and paper to draw out his family so I could give him a visual of what we were actually talking about. I came back down to watch him nunchuk class and draw pictures and words for Lee to learn.

After Lee got done with his classes, I walked with him to put away his things in the room. And I continued to help him with words he didn't know. By now, it was dinner time so we headed up to the cafeteria. He asked me to follow him so I did and thought I was waiting to get his food but he got me a tray of food as well. I usually eat on the first floor and from the looks of it; the other teachers usually eat up on the third floor where we were. He showed me to a table and that’s where we sat down! It wasn't like we were alone or anything was inappropriate in the slightest, I just hoped that he could meet the other ILP teachers and get more English exposure. But that’s okay, it’s no problem, I taught him more words like carrots, cabbage and rolls etc. he started to say something to me that didn’t make sense, but after more and more gestures and guessing I figured out that he wanted to tell me things but didn't know how to say it so he is going to go home and write a letter and translate it so that I can read it. By that time we had finished dinner and we headed out to the first floor. I introduced Susan to Lee since she was the only one left ( it took a long time to figure out the letter) and then we parted ways.

I headed up to the apartment, got all my lesson plans ready to turn in for next week and then headed back to my room to find a QQ message from Lilly, our driver from Grimm. She asked if we wanted to go shopping so I told her we would love to go with her! After a few bad translations on Google translation's part, we got it all figured out that we would go next week at 11:00 after we are done teaching! I am super stoked! Maybe I will get my jacket! After I talked with Lilly, I got the insanity from Mark and have been consistent so far with my work outs! Even if I don't slim down from the nasty oil food I am loaded up with, I always feel much better after working out. Its so true what they say about it making people happier. I find myself sometimes wishing I could just be alone or leave the campus just for a walk to get some fresh air. I guess this is  a taste of what the missionaries must feel now, but after working out and getting some exercise in, I am always happier and content with my living situation.

After my work out, I hit the shower and wrote in my journal. Now its off to bed for Dell! Goodnight! Or should I say good morning to those reading this!