Just wanted to come out and say hey. Just one week left! The kids have been strangely well-behaved, maybe it's because they know we only have a few days left together. Most of them have accepted that I'm leaving after this year, but a few still tell me everyday not to go, (by tell, I mean moan in a zombie-like way "noooooo, don't gooooooo."
Anyway, this week has been mostly about reviewing for the final and signing yearbooks. Now, I'm not exaggerating by saying that our students have taken yearbook signing to a new level; it's basically an artform. Not only do they write messages, they form intricate shapes, draw amazingly fun pictures, and sometimes, even create entire new inserts when there isn't enough room left in the yearbook. I'll have a few kids sign mine and see what comes of it. I'm already feeling the pressure to make my messages to them meaningful yet visually interesting as well.
Our apartment is half-packed, as are our clothes. Everything is slowly coming to a close. Then, it'll be time for Japan again, then home, then hong kong.
Posting should be much easier soon, so the updates will come more frequently. Until then.
-d
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
With two weeks left, peeking out from the firewall
Hi there, I know it's been awhile, but lately it's been pretty hard to do anything internet related. With only two weeks left of teaching though, I thought I should post a mini-retrospective...in list form (because laziness is catching up with me).
Oh, did I mention that last Friday there was a hail storm? Yes, a hail storm in Shanghai in JUNE. I got one right on the noggin too, right in that soft spot of my skull that never closed, which might explain why most of my mental processes this year...have...um...what?
Right, lists, or hailstorms. No, lists.
5 Things I wish I knew before I came to Shanghai (also written in advice column format)
1. That I should have brought much much much less stuff. Really, pack as light as possible.
2. That the restaurant with the green sign across from the school? the one with the glowing fish--is awful, and they charge foreigners extra.
3. That I would end up worrying about my kids so much. Seriously, some of the things that have been happening this second semester are crazy. Hmm, I would go into it, but not really my place to broadcast these events.
4. That living in Shanghai, although challenging, really does dull the senses. Keeping outside interests is key, (and by that I don't mean going out to every bar) otherwise you might literally feel your mind slipping away.
5. That living with and working with those very same people takes some getting used to (what is this "being social" thing you speak of?)
Top 5 things I will miss
1. The kids
2. Hypocritical I know, but, working five minutes from where I live (with free rent)
3. Everything being 1/4 to 1/2 the price of things at home
4. The French Concession
5. Being with cole all of the time
Top 5 things I'm looking forward to during our one month stay back in ny/nj
1. Seeing friends and fam
2. Being understood when speaking/understanding when spoken to
3. People that don't look that similar to me
4. FOOD!
5. Being back in nyc/museums/concerts
Eventually,once we get further away from this firewall. Pictures of Korea and Suzhou (China) will pop up, along with some I've took of the kids and various outings we've had over the last few months.
Alright, sorry about typos, but at least I posted right?
Oh, did I mention that last Friday there was a hail storm? Yes, a hail storm in Shanghai in JUNE. I got one right on the noggin too, right in that soft spot of my skull that never closed, which might explain why most of my mental processes this year...have...um...what?
Right, lists, or hailstorms. No, lists.
5 Things I wish I knew before I came to Shanghai (also written in advice column format)
1. That I should have brought much much much less stuff. Really, pack as light as possible.
2. That the restaurant with the green sign across from the school? the one with the glowing fish--is awful, and they charge foreigners extra.
3. That I would end up worrying about my kids so much. Seriously, some of the things that have been happening this second semester are crazy. Hmm, I would go into it, but not really my place to broadcast these events.
4. That living in Shanghai, although challenging, really does dull the senses. Keeping outside interests is key, (and by that I don't mean going out to every bar) otherwise you might literally feel your mind slipping away.
5. That living with and working with those very same people takes some getting used to (what is this "being social" thing you speak of?)
Top 5 things I will miss
1. The kids
2. Hypocritical I know, but, working five minutes from where I live (with free rent)
3. Everything being 1/4 to 1/2 the price of things at home
4. The French Concession
5. Being with cole all of the time
Top 5 things I'm looking forward to during our one month stay back in ny/nj
1. Seeing friends and fam
2. Being understood when speaking/understanding when spoken to
3. People that don't look that similar to me
4. FOOD!
5. Being back in nyc/museums/concerts
Eventually,once we get further away from this firewall. Pictures of Korea and Suzhou (China) will pop up, along with some I've took of the kids and various outings we've had over the last few months.
Alright, sorry about typos, but at least I posted right?
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