Teachers on Tour!

WHAT A COUPLE OF AMAZING DAYS!

Yesterday we were taken into Xining at 8am where we visited 8 of 16 schools that will be involved in the project! So we actually met CHINESE CHILDREN!!! Was so exciting though! Each school was very different! We were taken to the school's meeting room where we met the head teacher, the English teacher and the 20 kids we will be teaching (the top performing, so usually more girls than boys)! After introducing ourselves, listening to a mandarin lecture, boom shi boom-ing and talking to a small group of students about everything from the weather, to England, to school, to the parents' jobs. Then we get bundled into a van and hauled to the next school, where the process starts again! This happened 4 times in the morning, then we went to a Dico's a KFC rip off but very tasty chicken! Then another 4 schools! In total yesterday, I met over 180 students, 8 head teachers, 8 English teachers and did 5 Boom Shi Booms! Safe to say I am knackered! However with comments like 'you're as tall as a mountain', 'you are very handsome', 'you have beautiful eyes' and 'I hope you are my teacher so I can see you again', it is certainly a pleasant experience. Just wish I could stay longer in each school!

Derek, Judie & Tim

Lewis, Mandy, Bill, Helen and Jason

Assembly and exercises

Fred, Suzanne & Jerry

Discipline to a whole new level!

Mary, Cindy, Wendy, Sarah and Zoe

Moshi and Steven

Dinner was an amazing way to end the day. Not only did I have my first experience of Báijiǔ (42% spirit, ganbei!), but I also has some of the most tender mutton I have ever tried. Other delicacies on offer was pork terrine (not to my tastes), honeyed fish (yummy!), delicious pork, a hell of a lot of spicy stuff (they sure do love their chilli here!) green tea, strawberries, some Xining yoghurt, lychees and, of course, good company!

Baijiu is not to my tastes...

Today was very similar to yesterday, except we did 5 schools in the morning and 4 in the afternoon. Needless to say I am exhausted again! Getting sick of being paraded around too! The primary school kids are very nice and some children's English is incredible (others remain incomprehensible). 

Steven, Jack and Flower

Jack, Dean & Alan

Lunch was very delicious and definitely plentiful, so much for me trying to lose weight! The food is so tasty though! It is nice to try some foods that aren't full of chilies!

A rice crispie square and a fajita had a baby. This is their baby.  Hen Hao Chi! (Delicious)

Yesterday and today made a nice to change to the day before yesterday where we spent the day on the complex. I planned a couple of lessons, did some washing (by hand!) and chilled out in the sunshine. Difficulties came in the evening though when we tried to get off site to find a pub, tempers rose and words were said in the heat of the moment but it is in the past now. Everyone seems to be in a much better mind set after the last two days and apparently we find out our age groups tomorrow so it can only get better.

Xining Parenting Tip Number 1- It is perfectly fine to wheel your small children across a busy intersection...