Another long blog..you have been warned!

I have been getting some “comments” about how long my blog entries have been. Now I believe I have given everyone fair warning to grab a snack and get comfy..sheeesh!

I decided this morning to leave a bit later..830am. It was a typical morning except for the fact I experienced my first lock out. I was going to get milk for my cereal and realized when I tried to open my door that I had brought my subway/bus card, not my room card (easy mistake..not a blonde moment!) Ugh I was bummed, especially since I HATE soggy cereal! Luckily I was able to get my point across to the front desk and I was in my room in time to enjoy my cereal!

GREAT NEWS! I have BEATEN line 10! I forget how I came up with this idea, but today I got in the back car..it is a bit more of a walk but SO worth it! The back car has A LOT more room! Now I have yet to get a seat on line 10, but just to be able to not have to touch anyone was amazing! Oh I was so happy! When I made it to the bus I was a little nervous because I had no idea if it was going to take 20 minutes or an hour! Luckily, I was there in about 20! I was greeted by my friendly man and made up something to put in his column.

I then went to the teachers’ lounge, only to find a line of kids and a lot of doctors and nurses in the room! I did see Amy, so I went in and she brought me to put my bag in the headmaster’s office. She mentioned how I was early, so I just stood and watched the students for a bit! Then I heard the music, and knew what that mean..it was exercise time! I did even BETTER today! The boys didn’t laugh until the jumping jacks..but I’ll take it!

I hadn’t even seen Sophia yet, but after exercises Amy brought me to her. She handed me the book for 5th grade and we went to the classroom! She introduced me; they clapped and then sang me a song! I think Sophia said it was their National Anthem. As they were singing she was trying to explain what units they had done. And of course, I knew what was going to come next! She actually didn’t even say “teach!” She just sat down! So I was off! I used the book, although what is really hard is that I JUST saw it, literally as I got there, so I had no time to read it over to understand the level of English. Overall, it wasn’t as bad as day one!!! Since these students are older they know more so we were able to do more things. The class is SO big (I’d guess 40 students) which makes it hard to get everyone’s attention! (Teaching suggestions are HIGHLY welcomed!!!) I had them do some group things, repeating as a class, to try and gauge their English. I would call on them individually (I HATED this when I was a student..but it was my only way to know what they knew!) Sophia REALLY impressed me! I didn’t think her English was very good because at lunch she seemed to always struggle trying to talk to me! But I thought she was GREAT! She was able to translate for me when I wanted to change activities with the students. I’ve found that sometimes I want to ask them a question and have them answer, but instead they just repeat the question. But she was able to explain it to them. I am always AMAZED when people can take an idea from one language and get that same idea across in a different language.

For the next class we had 6th grade, who again knew more AND the class was smaller! Jackpot! I think this was the first class I really enjoyed. I was able to “talk” to them more and do more activities. They seemed to really like finding the pictures as I said the word. I was also trying to think of games we could play (I’m still learning the whole “teacher” thing) They were learning directions, so I had them all stand up and I would say, turn left, go straight, turn right. They really liked it and laughed a lot.

I was so excited to show everyone my new bowl and they seemed happy too! It worked GREAT except for that fact they still gave me a lot of food! (It never crossed my mind to get a TINY bowl!) I ate with Michael, Amy and Sophia. Sometimes they ask me questions about how to say things in English and I will ask them what exactly I am eating! Today was good! Rice, carrots and potatoes (I think!) and then some different thing I didn’t like as much! Michael has a hand held translator so he translated it for me and it said “starch” so who knows what it was!

It’s nice because I am able to talk to them (somewhat) and have conversations. Michael and I talked about the economy and I also learned that he learned English in primary school and continued through college. Now he is a guide for tour groups.

I was very confused about my phone, partly because it was in Chinese! I thought I was all out of minutes but since the message was in Chinese, who knew. I decided to ask them about buying more minutes etc. which became a little confusing (apparently we do it differently in the US) But Amy listened to the message and said I had no minutes left and then she was so sweet and said she would take me to get a phone card. So we walked down the street but I guess the places didn’t have them. I knew lunch was almost over so I thanked her and told her I could get one later!

I left after lunch and encountered my first “grab your friends and look at Julie!” I was walking to the bus stop and I saw this guy poke and yell at all his friends to look at me! I started laughing. Surprisingly that has never happened to me before!

Right before I usually get off the bus to get on the subway I had seen these HUGE buildings that said Outlets and a Decathlon sign! I decided that if next week I stayed later at the school, I should probably check out these places now!

In the first building, the first floor was a market! It was so overwhelming but I think I want to go back. I figured it was the place for bargaining (I HATE doing that) but I forgot what I should be aiming for and wasn’t in the mood so I checked out the rest of the building. It was just a MASSIVE store! Again, I want to go back because I think I could find some good stuff! I then crossed the street and hit fast food heaven! McD’s, KFC, Starbucks and PIZZA HUT! My first Pizza Hut! I WILL have you know I did not stop and eat, but I did get an ice cream at McD’s. The mall was HUGE and was a really nice mall! They had Decathlon and Sephora and a lot of stores you would see in America. They also had a Papa John’s and an ice skating rink! Crazy! It was very overwhelming but good to know I can find pretty much ANYTHING I might need.

I was ready to hit the road, but HAD to check out the supermarket and I am glad I did! There was a book section (the supermarket reminded me of a BJ’s) and I started looking and found ALL types of English flashcards and books! I must have bought at least 15 of them! I am SO excited to bring them into the school! They have a picture, the English word and the Chinese word, which I think will be really helpful! I am thinking I might use them for teaching, but more importantly, will be able to leave them with the kids when I leave! I hope they like them and will use them! I am a little nervous because I don’t want to come across as the “rich American girl” and I don’t want to offend them by bringing these things in, so I think on Monday I will bring in a few and see their reaction. I think they will be very helpful though!

I was VERY tired when I left (mainly because I could NOT find where to check out)! When I finally did it was a process. They love exact change here in Beijing and she was asking for something and I didn’t know what she wanted so I held out my money and she took what she needed! Then the printer wasn’t working so I think she was telling all this to me but I just smiled and waited and everything turned out fine!

I had just gotten on line 13 and all of a sudden this security guy came running through and opened the door to the next car, where I saw this guy laying on the ground. Another security lady kept hitting him but he didn’t wake up! Then the subway started! Geeze, I guess they didn’t want to get behind schedule! I was HOPING he wasn’t dead because that would really freak me out. The lady kept slapping him (not hard) and finally he opened his eyes and sat up! These are the times I REALLY wish I knew Chinese to find out what happened!

It felt so good to see the hostel but I didn’t have time to rest because I wanted to go to the bank! I figured it would be hard to bargain when I only had 100’s (high roller I know..the ATM only gives 100’s!) On my way out of the hostel I heard someone saying “Excuse me!” I turned around and it was a black man I had seen with two girls ALWAYS on their laptops! I actually did wonder what they were doing that they were always on their laptops! “T.K.” said he noticed I spoke English and wanted to know where I was from etc. He is from Zimbabwe and he and his two friends are looking for work! He said he got a 30 day visa but is trying to get it extended because the jobs he is applying for need him to have a longer visa. He wants to teach English. His friends were doing some translating but that ended so he said that’s why they are always on their computers, because they are looking for jobs! It was very interesting; to think they came from Africa to Beijing! I asked if he knew Chinese (he knows about as much as me!)

Now I am in Starbucks (I wanted to blog before I forgot everything) and I just met a man who is French and has been living here for 2.5 years. He said he is still learning Chinese too! My new goal is to just try and meet EVERYONE! I think sometimes I get a little shy although I have been trying to do better since getting here! Now, I am off to get dinner, I think at an Italian place :) Don’t judge!

Hugs and kisses from Starbucks!