Back in China Again!

Well here I am, back at it again. I think the fact that I haven’t written a blog post yet is a testament to the great time I’m having. I can barely find time between working and fun times.  I have finished two weeks of classes already, and can’t believe how fast the time is going.

Teaching is much easier this time around. I can feel myself being more confident in my teaching, and I think that is rubbing off on the students. I have the exact same two classes as last time (now second and third year students), which has turned out to be valuable for both the students and for myself. They are accustomed my teaching style, and they know exactly what I expect from them. For example, they know that each class, I’m going to call on almost everyone, and really try to get everyone to contribute. Compared to the beginning of last semester, they are so much more used to talking. It’s such a great feeling to see some progress that is (at least I hope) a direct result of your teaching!

It’s also much easier for me, because I now know exactly the speed and pace that works for teaching them. I’m trying to incorporate a lot more in-class activities and assignments, both individual and in a group. This really helps to break up the class time, so I don’t have to stand and lecture for the whole time! I think the whole class, myself included, gets sick of the sound of me droning on after awhile. Also, it means everyone has to participate…even the sneaky students who sit at the back of class and play on their cell phones or simply sleep on their desk.

One of the courses I’m teaching, Food and Beverage Management, is the same as last time, so I’m able to use all the same materials. The two new courses, Holiday Tourism, and Front Office Management, are much more interesting and practical than Human Resources (the course I taught last time), so I’m finding the students are paying more attention.

The other thing that is much easier this time is the fact that I experienced virtually no culture shock. Of course, the second time around is much easier, but I must say the biggest thing has just been returning to my same great circle of friends. We have lots of fun together, and there is no time to even consider feeling lonely! On Sunday afternoons there’s volleyball at the International High School. My friends and I make a team, and then there’s the high school girls and boys teams, plus some teachers and parents that come out to play as well. It’s the highest level of volleyball that I’ve played since college, so it feels great! On other days we play basketball, or just kick a soccer ball and throw the Frisbee around. It feels great to be so active, and we have to take advantage while the weather is still beautiful.

Of course there’s still time to go out for drinks and lots of different interesting dinners. My favourite restaurant has to be the Beijing Duck restaurant. We normally go with a crowd of at least 8 people, and I just sit back and let the seasoned veterans do the ordering. They bring out 3-4 ducks, roasted to crispy perfection, along with mini crepes, delicious hoisin-like sauce, and sliced cucumbers to make little wraps. Then, there’s the most amazing spicy cabbage dish, sweet and sour pork (the real kind, not like Manchu Wok at home!), and delicious green beans. At the end of the meal, when you’re already beyond stuffed, they bring out all the bones from the duck, which have been deep-fried. Oh man, delicious! All this great food, combined with wine, baijiu (60% Chinese liquor) shots, and wonderful company make for a great evening…and then there are the epic dance parties at the Blue Marlin bar afterwards!

Next weekend I have plans to travel to Shanghai with some friends. The weekend after that is the National Holiday in China so everyone has a week off from work. A few of us decided that we really want a fun in the sun holiday, so we’re headed to Boracay, in the Philippines, for an amazing vacation. What can I say…life is rough here in China!

Mike and I at the PNE just before I left for China. Saying goodbye is hard, but I feel like it's much easier this time around, because I know we can do it, and three months really isn't that long.

 My students and I. Yes, these are second year students. No, they are not junior high school students.

 Hard at work after giving them an assignment.

 You may have noticed, in this class, the boys all sit on one side and the girls on the other. There is absolutely no mixing. Again, these are not junior high students!

 The sea of students walking back from class towards the cafeteria at lunch time.

 Ryan pushing his scooter after it broke down.

 The first year students have to complete a mandatory two weeks of military training. The last few days, I've been woken up at 6am to a bugle call, and then military chants and marching.

 Playing some basketball at Nichole's school, the college right next to ours.

 Eating dinner at the same time as all the freshmans.

 The best is the tiny girls in their oversized military fatigues. Somehow they still look cute.

 Brian and Ryan posing with some freshmen students.

 Watching a little football, streamed from Oklahoma.

Taylor's birthday was celebrated with a bottle of Maker's Mark, followed by Quiz Night at the local bar.