Well, it seems like the past 2 weeks since I have checked in have flown by. Here is a quick recap before I get to the main part of the blog that I am most excited about. Our friends from the States, whom I was hosting 5 of the 8 girls, left on June 10 and moved on to their next venture. I loved the opportunities that I got to spend with the girls in my house and to pour into their lives during the short time that they were here. And they definitely left an impact in my life as well. Two days after they left I celebrated my 32nd birthday with the girls (the husbands stayed home with the kids) by eating pizza at Papa John's, ice cream at Dairy Queen, and walked around at the Big Goose Pagoda. I also wore a new skirt that day that I bought myself a few days earlier at H&M that just opened here. And the day after my birthday I celebrated again by having dinner with my Chinese friends at my favorite Chinese restaurant here - complete with sweet and sour chicken, rice, eggplant, and vegetables.
So, yesterday (Saturday), was my day to teach my once a week English class to 6-7 year olds. After class my boss and I were talking about words that I was learning in Chinese, etc., when she asked if she could inquire about an English word (side note: my boss has an excellent grasp of the English language and has a college degree in English). So, she writes the word "history" on the whiteboard and proceeds to ask if the word was really meant to be about "His story". She told me she had been watching some movie and was thinking about the main character and how it really represented his account/story of history. So, we had a chance to talk about it for a little bit and it was really good. If you could just keep my boss, Jo, in your thoughts and that we would have more opportunities like this one, I would appreciate it. Jo does not believe yet, but I can see a desire in her to know more and she is genuine is her questions.
Hope you are enjoying summer.
Monday, June 20, 2011
Saturday, June 4, 2011
My Life Lately
It has been a busy month since my last post, so to catch you up on what I have been up to. My laptop has crashed once again - actually the third time since I have been in China, but I am pretty sure that it has to do with this particular model of HP since my mom and brother have the same models, and the same problems too. Thankfully I am still covered under warranty and can get it fixed while I am stateside this summer. And I am also thankful for a friend who is loaning me his spare laptop to use in the meantime.
I have continued to stay busy with Chinese classes, mentoring, and teaching, and continue to love the opportunities that I get to spend with students. At the Little Ants Learning Club where I teach English on Saturdays, we had a presentation day last week for half of the kids, who have completed this semester of classes (they are now focusing their time on preparing for upcoming school exams). Four of the students are done until September, while I am still teaching five to six more students every week. The students who finished last week did a great job and were really excited to show their parents what they have learned. I hope to post a picture soon of me with the students - I am having problems uploading them tonight.
Last week my friends and I welcomed another group of friends from the company in the States, who will be here until June 10. They are another great group of students who have really taken initiative already. So far they have already been to an orphanage about an hour outside the city for three days this week to help with some Special Needs kids, and will be working with some other orphans here in the city in a few days. I have five of the girls staying with me at my apartment and I have really enjoyed getting to know them.
Also in five weeks I will be working at the Sunshine International Camp again and this year it is being held in Xi'an. And then hopefully the day after camp ends I am hoping to be headed stateside for a few weeks. I will keep you posted on those events in future posts.
Hope you are having a splendid summer!
I have continued to stay busy with Chinese classes, mentoring, and teaching, and continue to love the opportunities that I get to spend with students. At the Little Ants Learning Club where I teach English on Saturdays, we had a presentation day last week for half of the kids, who have completed this semester of classes (they are now focusing their time on preparing for upcoming school exams). Four of the students are done until September, while I am still teaching five to six more students every week. The students who finished last week did a great job and were really excited to show their parents what they have learned. I hope to post a picture soon of me with the students - I am having problems uploading them tonight.
Last week my friends and I welcomed another group of friends from the company in the States, who will be here until June 10. They are another great group of students who have really taken initiative already. So far they have already been to an orphanage about an hour outside the city for three days this week to help with some Special Needs kids, and will be working with some other orphans here in the city in a few days. I have five of the girls staying with me at my apartment and I have really enjoyed getting to know them.
Also in five weeks I will be working at the Sunshine International Camp again and this year it is being held in Xi'an. And then hopefully the day after camp ends I am hoping to be headed stateside for a few weeks. I will keep you posted on those events in future posts.
Hope you are having a splendid summer!
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