qiezi!
I heard a lot of that on graduation day. One, two, three ... eggplant! (for some reason they say eggplant instead of cheese - don't ask me...)
We had to arrive at 7:30 am for photos, the ceremony started at 9:00, and when I left at 12:30 (I snuck out a side door) it was still going strong. They didn't call the students up individually and hand them their diplomas (certificates here). They just got them all up there as a group, said something, and then everyone applauded. And of course they had to make their vows to the flag and put their fists up in the air several times. It seems a bit unnerving but the students tell me they don't really take much of it very seriously... The rest of the ceremony was taken up with the graduating classes putting on skits. The skits didn't seem to have any common thread or underlying messages - just a bunch of random stuff (and all in Chinese). And of course there were speeches by several big wigs. I don't think a short speech exists in China. Hence my early exit...
Last Monday was Dragon Boat Festival. Not much really happens here as there is no large body of water in Xián. The legend that it's based on goes back a couple thousand years. A short version: A famous Chinese poet/diplomat became distraught when his state was taken over by another (China was not unified at the time). He committed suicide by drowning in a lake or river. People raced out in boats (they all had dragons carved in the front) to try to save and/or collect his body before the fish ate it. They threw food into the water so the fish would eat it instead of eating his body, and also medicine to ward off the evil ghosts. They beat drums in the boats to scare off the spirits. That's the nutshell version that probably has many errors but if you ask a Chinese you'll get a different version from everyone. So anyways, we ate these rice cone things that symbolize what they threw in the water, and bought several scent bags that contain the smelly medicine to ward off the evil spirits. So that, in addition to having the day off from school, was the extent of our Dragon Boat Festival!
Tomorrow begins our last week of school before the school year ends. It has been very painful for me these last few weeks as the students have completed their last exams back in May. This time is used to get a head start on next year. All of this material will get covered again in September, but it seems there is a race with the Chinese teachers to get as much covered as possible by July 4 (the last day of school). But the students know that what they are doing now isn't really important (since they'll get it again), so the motivation on their side is extremely low. And I'm sitting here thinking this is all really insane... Not all of the international schools here in China operate like the one I'm at - and some have already called it a year, but I guess I got lucky and landed at one that likes to do it this crazy way!
Ah well...
Sky's wedding is July 6. He's asked me to say some words and give a little toast. Since most of my talk will be in English (it has to be!), it will be short (I don't think most of the guests will understand it, but a few will...). I think I pretty much have my speech ready...
Then on the 7th I leave for Shangri-la in Yunnan province for 4-5 days. It is somewhat close to Tibet and promises clean skies and breathable air... Then back to Xián to return to Portland on the 14th.
The big question - will the Trailblazers have their roster set by then??
The Chinese were excited how well their women's soccer team was doing - but Sky says they simply were no match for the big and strong American women...
And, being a math teacher, I can't leave without saying Happy Tau Day! (Tau is the Greek symbol for 2 times Pi). 6.28!!
Saturday, June 27, 2015
Saturday, June 6, 2015
One (school) year (almost)...
So it all began at the end of August last year. Now the first year is almost complete. The school year ends on July 4 (sort of ironic, no?). For my former colleagues back in the US, this is their last week of the year. Am I jealous? Hmmm...
This last month will go by quickly. I hope. It is crazy to still be in school when all the AP tests were completed in the first 2 weeks of May. But for the Chinese, there is always another test on the horizon. The one that they just finished studying for was this weekend - the SAT II subject matter tests. I don't think most US students bother with the SAT II (unless maybe the college they are going to requests them to take it). These tests are how the Chinese differentiate themselves, however. The high school transcripts here are subjective and pretty meaningless, so these international tests are their ticket. I never witnessed a student in the US studying for the SAT the way they do here- so it's really no wonder that their scores are so high... The next test they are studying for is the TOEFL - this one tests their English fluency and is undoubtedly their toughest one. If they would practice their English speaking in class it would be easier for them, but many are too shy or reticent. Typical teenage behavior I think. As far as the math classes go, we have already begun with next year's curriculum...
How have my Chinese language skills progressed, you ask? It's embarrassing. I keep waiting for it to 'click' with me, but it hasn't happened yet. I remember learning Spanish long ago, and in the beginning I didn't get it at all. And then suddenly it 'clicked.' Hasn't happened yet. Occasionally I will hear something that I think I understand, but my speaking is terrible. It's a tonal language and my ear hasn't adjusted to it yet. Take the word chou, for instance. It has one pronounciation, but depending on where you put the emphasis it can mean one of 3 things - a slap, ugly, or stinky. Using the wrong tone can result in embarrassment! I am not the only person that experiences this difficulty - the other english staff have trouble as well. This week, one guy who's been practicing profusely read a sentence in chinese to a chinese staff member and he couldn't understand a word he said. The only ones who seem to have a grasp of the language have been here 5 years or more. I don't see myself being here that long... so hopefully I can eventually go in and order a meal and buy some things in a store or on the street (where the real bargains are)... right now, I get by with nodding and shaking my head most of the time...
My plans for the summer are firming up. The Chinese are impressed. They rarely plan very far ahead - maybe 10 days at the most. After school gets out on the 4th, Sky's wedding is on the 6th (they haven't even sent out invitations yet).Then, the following day (7th), I fly to Shangri-la for a quick 5 day visit (I originally wanted to go to Tibet but that proved too difficult and expensive - Shangri-la is close anyways...). Then I get back to Xián on the 12th, and fly home to Portland on the 14th. The Portland stay will be interrupted from July 23-27 when I fly to Philly to visit Dylan and Jackie. And then from July 31- August 7 I'll be on a trip to Glacier National Park with Mom and Jan. I am looking forward to the clean air and blue skies of Montana! (Although I must say, the air in Xián has been good lately.) And, finally, returning to Xián on August 19. And then it starts again...
Being here is like being on a roller-coaster ride. It's got ups, downs, and loop-de-loops that will almost make you sick. But it has also been mind-opening. It is a very different culture that I think most people in the US don't understand. It is thousands of years old. I don't pretend to understand. I was on a bike ride with Jake yesterday and we were commenting on how you just learn to accept things. Like people riding down the lanes (both bikes and cars) in the wrong direction. It is very annoying. It is dangerous. But it's the way it is. You accept it or you go crazy fighting it. There are some english staff here who rant about it all the time - and they are miserable...
Friday night we went to an outdoor bbq area and had a leg of lamb. Some of the best meat I've had here. This afternoon a Chinese staff member invited us foreigners for a bbq at his place - I think he plans on having some western cuisine - could be interesting!
We've been having a lot of wet weather, which they say is a little unusual for this time of year. It's kept the temperatures down which I'm grateful for. This week is looking dry with temps in the 90's.
The cap-sizing of the boat on the Yangtze has been in the news a lot. The Chinese won't be travelling on that river for a while... after an incident like that they will be very reticent to be on the river. Much concern about the ghosts of the dead and other superstitions... Someone will have to take the blame for it and it will probably be the Captain of the ship - even if his decisions were following normal policy. The end result will probably be safer travel for future vacationers, however, so that will be a good thing.
That's it for now - zai jian
This last month will go by quickly. I hope. It is crazy to still be in school when all the AP tests were completed in the first 2 weeks of May. But for the Chinese, there is always another test on the horizon. The one that they just finished studying for was this weekend - the SAT II subject matter tests. I don't think most US students bother with the SAT II (unless maybe the college they are going to requests them to take it). These tests are how the Chinese differentiate themselves, however. The high school transcripts here are subjective and pretty meaningless, so these international tests are their ticket. I never witnessed a student in the US studying for the SAT the way they do here- so it's really no wonder that their scores are so high... The next test they are studying for is the TOEFL - this one tests their English fluency and is undoubtedly their toughest one. If they would practice their English speaking in class it would be easier for them, but many are too shy or reticent. Typical teenage behavior I think. As far as the math classes go, we have already begun with next year's curriculum...
How have my Chinese language skills progressed, you ask? It's embarrassing. I keep waiting for it to 'click' with me, but it hasn't happened yet. I remember learning Spanish long ago, and in the beginning I didn't get it at all. And then suddenly it 'clicked.' Hasn't happened yet. Occasionally I will hear something that I think I understand, but my speaking is terrible. It's a tonal language and my ear hasn't adjusted to it yet. Take the word chou, for instance. It has one pronounciation, but depending on where you put the emphasis it can mean one of 3 things - a slap, ugly, or stinky. Using the wrong tone can result in embarrassment! I am not the only person that experiences this difficulty - the other english staff have trouble as well. This week, one guy who's been practicing profusely read a sentence in chinese to a chinese staff member and he couldn't understand a word he said. The only ones who seem to have a grasp of the language have been here 5 years or more. I don't see myself being here that long... so hopefully I can eventually go in and order a meal and buy some things in a store or on the street (where the real bargains are)... right now, I get by with nodding and shaking my head most of the time...
My plans for the summer are firming up. The Chinese are impressed. They rarely plan very far ahead - maybe 10 days at the most. After school gets out on the 4th, Sky's wedding is on the 6th (they haven't even sent out invitations yet).Then, the following day (7th), I fly to Shangri-la for a quick 5 day visit (I originally wanted to go to Tibet but that proved too difficult and expensive - Shangri-la is close anyways...). Then I get back to Xián on the 12th, and fly home to Portland on the 14th. The Portland stay will be interrupted from July 23-27 when I fly to Philly to visit Dylan and Jackie. And then from July 31- August 7 I'll be on a trip to Glacier National Park with Mom and Jan. I am looking forward to the clean air and blue skies of Montana! (Although I must say, the air in Xián has been good lately.) And, finally, returning to Xián on August 19. And then it starts again...
Being here is like being on a roller-coaster ride. It's got ups, downs, and loop-de-loops that will almost make you sick. But it has also been mind-opening. It is a very different culture that I think most people in the US don't understand. It is thousands of years old. I don't pretend to understand. I was on a bike ride with Jake yesterday and we were commenting on how you just learn to accept things. Like people riding down the lanes (both bikes and cars) in the wrong direction. It is very annoying. It is dangerous. But it's the way it is. You accept it or you go crazy fighting it. There are some english staff here who rant about it all the time - and they are miserable...
Friday night we went to an outdoor bbq area and had a leg of lamb. Some of the best meat I've had here. This afternoon a Chinese staff member invited us foreigners for a bbq at his place - I think he plans on having some western cuisine - could be interesting!
We've been having a lot of wet weather, which they say is a little unusual for this time of year. It's kept the temperatures down which I'm grateful for. This week is looking dry with temps in the 90's.
The cap-sizing of the boat on the Yangtze has been in the news a lot. The Chinese won't be travelling on that river for a while... after an incident like that they will be very reticent to be on the river. Much concern about the ghosts of the dead and other superstitions... Someone will have to take the blame for it and it will probably be the Captain of the ship - even if his decisions were following normal policy. The end result will probably be safer travel for future vacationers, however, so that will be a good thing.
That's it for now - zai jian
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