Finished!

Yes, I am officially finished with my LIVETEXT Portfolio! The heaven's are singing, I am rejoicing! It is a good day! Yesterday, we all submitted our final project that will allow us to graduate! Thank God! It is one of those, "let's combine EVERYTHING you have ever learned about education and wrap it into 33  little papers." So, pretty much the worst week ever...just joking...the rain made it the worst week ever! Honestly, it has been a pretty decent week. Daily I am blessed by the people I live with. We all have our issues, don't get me wrong....I have the most :)  But, we all try very hard to respect each other, listen, and share our cracked pepper and olive oil triscuits! Last night we had a little celebration to commemorate our crossing the finish line of school...Juliette made us all cheeseburgers, mashed potatoes, and spinach...and, I helped! I have never loved a more random group...we are all so very different, but I see all of them and love them all for very different reasons! Well, dry your tears, I know....it was very heartfelt, and all very true, but on to my lesson this week. I taught my students a song...while I wish I had the opportunity to teach them music I listen to and love, I chose a ballad that would be easy for them to learn, pronounce and understand. I chose Brian McKnight's 'Back at One.' (I apologize in advance for getting that song stuck in your head, because it will be for the next few days!)  They ask me constantly to teach them about American music, and culture...so, I chose a song that is easy to learn and explains a bit of our culture. You might ask, "How is a love song sooo American?" Well, I asked my students who they say 'I love you' to on a regular basis...they said no one. Some of them said they tell their parents that they love them, but you don't tell anyone you love them til you are married, and after that not much at all. Sad, huh? As we broke down the song and I explained the idioms and culturally relevant parts they were so amazed at this kind of love, and then because they are so awesome they sang along! Ahhhh! They are so sweet! Just another amazing group of kids that just want to learn a language. Music can make all the difference! Next lesson I would like to teach them something much cooler, maybe a little Zeppelin, or Ray La Montagne...unfortunately they are really into 'pop' music...ugh!

Evangeline

Do you think I'm pretty?

So, my friend Angela and I have been having this discussion about how she thinks she wouldn't be considered 'beautiful' in America. She says that 'beautiful' in China is white, pale skin and large eyes. I know right? Angela is that...and she seems to think that American's like Asian girls to look particularly Asian. Oh, sweet friend! I told her she would be just fine because she ways all of 90 lbs and American's are obsessed with weight. All this to say...people all over the world are insecure and wonder if someone will think they beautiful.  Ok, deep thoughts are over. 

School today was a trip. I had my students present their vacation pamphlets. It was adorable. The second half of my class was spent discussing occupations. It was so awesome to hear students tell me they want to be reporters, designers, cooks, surgeons, lawyers, etc. We had a blast, and I have completely fallen in love with them! Before class I regularly stand in the hall and greet my students. It is the best feeling to watch students of other classes walk by and wave and smile! I LOVE IT!  I will then walk into my classroom and give a Seinfeld, "Hellooooo!"  This always gives them a laugh, and then I ask them how they are, they reply like the sweet little soldier ants they are, "I'm fine thank you!"  The best is when they feel comfortable enough to say..."I'm tired!" It has been a great week...although the weight of a portfolio is stifling my creativity!  Back to work! Love you all!

Long Week...but the boredom is OVER!

This week!

This week was rough to say the least! I was in bed for days!! I had a sinus infection and it went into my lungs...well, that is what the chinese dr. man said :)  All is well though, and I am so  excited to leave for the weekend in Shenyang!  The week ended with a bang as I had a great lesson. It is getting so much easier and I feel like I am getting the hang of it. I never have had issues with language barriers in my previous travels, but jeez, running a classroom is insane! I realize how much I need to provide for them in writing. I need to give them each clear directions as well as objectives that they are meant to accomplish! I realize that Chinese students have a clear need to succeed, so if I outline exactly what is required of them then they will succeed! This week they are designing pamphlets on a vacation spot of their choice. The way they came up with a location was like pulling teeth though! When I had them imagine where they would like to go on vacation, all they could imagine for a holiday is sleeping and not going to school! It makes me so sad to realize that the idea of leaving their hometown is not even on the radar of imagination for them...their only hope of holiday is to take a nap! Well, in spite of it all, I did get them to choose vacation spots!  So, I made a sample pamphlet and they loved it sooo I will be posting samples of theirs next week...wish me luck!