Life here in Pengshan has been going slowly for the past week. Lots of grading, Neflix, and more grading, as I finished up the final exams. But in less than two days, it's about to get a lot more interesting as Nick arrives to visit!
Naturally, I'm already bouncing off the walls in anticipation of his visit, but beyond the whole 'seeing my boyfriend after months apart' thing, I'm also incredibly excited to be able to see China through the eyes of a stranger. Nick has never been to China before. In fact, he's never really been to a developing country before. He doesn't speak the language. He didn't major in Asian Studies in college. His knowledge of China has been greatly limited to what I've told him, and I cannot WAIT to see his reactions to this country I've become so familiar with. So many things have become second-nature to me, not even worth a second glance. Men working on powerlines using only a bamboo ladder? Yup, that's China. A child peeing on the street? Totally normal. Honking horns? That's my zen.
Now, I'm getting a chance to re-see this country through Nick's visit. For the first part, we'll be traveling to Kangding in Western Sichuan along with Brenna and James, which we will all be seeing for the first time. Then we'll be coming back to Pengshan for another week, so I can show him around the place I've been living for an entire year.
Updates will follow in the coming few weeks--including interviews with Nick on his thoughts on China. Two days seems impossibly close!
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Last Class
Hello Friends and Family!
I know it's been quite a while since my last post. I could say that I have been extremely busy, but that's really only what I've been telling myself. I've had enough spare time to watch both seasons of Orange is the New Black in the past two weeks, so I really did have enough time to write a blog post. Then, just this last week I finished with classes and only have my final exams to finish up. With all this free time, the "I'm busy" excuse isn't working even for me.
With that in mind, I thought I'd share a little insight into the minds of my students. In their final classes, I had them all do a short writing assignment, and the results were endearing, hilarious, and adorable.
First, my News English students. For this class, I closed the semester by doing a lesson on the more lighthearted parts of the newspaper, including the "Dear Abby" section. Each student wrote a letter to Abby about a problem in their life. I then collected the papers, mixed them up, and handed them back out randomly. The students would then give advice as Abby. I didn't have many of these to choose from, since most students took their letter home with them at the end of the day, but a few were left behind in the classroom, which I will share with you now:
Dear Abby,
I'm very glad to share you my problem. I don't know why I can't keep calm when I faced with things. Even it's just a little thing. I don't want to be a girl with bad temper, please give me some advice.
Sincerely, Angry
Dear Angry,
Thanks for your trust.
I think it is because you are young. You don't experience many things, so you can't see through the life and face life calmly.
Cherish your youth. This is a brilliant time. Maybe when you learn how to control your temper, you are already old!
Abby
_______________________________________________________
Dear Abby,
I have something need you help. I always be late for class and I know it is rude to teacher. But I can't control it. The second question is how to fall asleep in 40 degree C room. The summer came, our hell came. That's all. Thank you.
From, Suffer
Dear Suffer,
First it's not only rude to teacher but breaking the rule as well when you are late for class. What you should is checking your watch and making yourself being on time.
Second, getting small swimming pool and putting it in your room, and sleeping in it. I promise that you will sleep very well every night. Do not thank me so much.
Abby
_______________________________________________________
Dear Abby,
I'm lack of money! Please help me!
No Money
Dear No Money,
Money won't fall down from sky! Everyone think that they lack of money! Are you willing to rob a bank?! Find a job! Find a rich boyfriend!
Yours, Abby
_______________________________________________________
As for my freshman students, I had them write a letter to the incoming freshman of next year, and give them some advice about the year to come. There was a huge range of responses, varying in English level as well as the feeling behind them. Some of them were very upbeat:
Dear Freshman,
Hello, welcome to university. There will be many interesting things that you want to study and enjoy. I'm your older student, so I will introduce adequate information for you.
At first, university is a very happy and exciting place. When you come into my university, you become my friend, and you'll make friends with any other people.
If you worry about that you can't adapt to life of university, I want to say that it doesn't matter. University's life is interesting and easy. You only need to be yourself.
Although, university's course perhaps is difficult. You have to study all day. You can acquire man knowledge. You'll grow up like me. In university, you can take part in many activities such as basketball, vollebal, swimming, and so on. So you don't worry about you will be boring. My major is civil engineer. My favorite course is Auto CAD--computer design. Because it's very important to me.
In future, you'll come here. I'll welcome you. Whoever you are, I'll be your friend. Come, guys.
From, Panthon
_______________________________________________________
Dear freshman students,
Welcome to Jinjiang collage, it's a nice school. In the school, there are much funny things to be found by you. There is a natural pond, and you can bring a book and breathe the fresh air in the morning.
In class, math is the most difficult. You also have much others to learn. They are all boring except Listening and Speaking Course and Auto CAD class. Maybe you have a differend opinion.
I came here a year, I would share something with you. The first year morning is hard to pass, because of morning running. Study hard, you should have enough knowledge. And the last, er...that's all. Hope you luky.
Rick
_______________________________________________________
Other letters were a little more up-front:
Dear freshman students,
Even I hold exciting go to college like you at now. Dream is well, but the fact is bad. The college is a small society. We have to face more and more people. And we have no regularly time for study. We also can not find a good way to study. In other words, we are confuse when we are a freshman. So I want tell you, you must definite your gold. And you must understand what you want. Final, you should make full use of your time.
Yours, LeBron
_______________________________________________________
Dear freshman:
I'm a student from Jinjiang Collage. I want give your guys. Wish you can live a better collage life. First. Don't expect too perfect about collage life, collage is a place to learn. And you should study hard. Final exam will be difficult. Department life will be fun. I love English classes, don't know your favorite classes. Be yourself it's fine!
Yours, Zhuyi
_______________________________________________________
Dear freshman,
First, welcome to my college. I know that experience the pain of three years, I think you are very happy. But I want to told you: college is not "heaven".
The college just only is a new place you to study. In the college, you can get more time rather than high school, but you will face with College English Test Brand 4, Computer Test Brand 2, and other Professional Test. So you can't to waste time. You should useing the time to study Professional Knowledge. So don't waste time. This is my advice
Jack
_______________________________________________________
Hi freshman,
Welcome to this college. Maybe you know Jinjiang College not so good. But if you come here, maybe because you also don't study hard in your middle school.
Now, this is a new beginning. If you want to become a strong man, you can become very good if you working hard.
You can expect a love story. You can have a girlfriend or boyfriend in college. But don't think love is a game. Don't let the one who love you sad and cry.
Now. I will give you some advice. First, don't take much time in apartment. You can go out to make friends and travel. Don't play too much game. It will let you feel tired. And isn't good for you study. Then, you must study hard. This is very important.
Aaron Pope
_______________________________________________________
And last, some of them were just plain helpful and cute:
Hello freshman,
Welcome to SCU Jinjiang College. As a fellow studnet, maybe I could tell you abotu the college life.
When you come to Jinjiang, maybe you will start a new life. For from your hometown, your parents and your friends. Everything si new. You can do what you want. In the September, Sichuan will be very hot, but the dormitory and the classroom don't have air-condition. I think that's sounds terrible.
Don't escape from the class. That's not cool. If you do that, you can learn nothing in the school. And you should take more time to study. Not in the computer games.
Maybe you will have a boy or girl friend. That will be wonderfor. But you should take attention. Don't take the baby!
Longnius
_______________________________________________________
Write to the fresherman:
1. You'll be on your own.
2. If you want to join something, just do it.
3. Don't be shy if you love somebody. You can loudly speak to somebody.
4. College isn't always about freedom, many things you must burden.
5. Breaking your habit maybe difficult, but you can try it little by little.
6. No homework maybe you'll excited that. However, we all are students, we all must be study.
7. Course I most love: "Politic Economitic", "Advanced Math", "Listening and Speaking Course"
8. Advice: Having true friends and open-minded family are really essencial for you. They will always for you. And you can fight all! Just find true friends.
Yours, Alen
_______________________________________________________
Hello!
Good freshman, as your senior, who has something want to share with you. Firstly, welcome to our college. There will be a lot of fresh things which attracts you. You can enjoy the green of plants which are planted surrounded our buildings. In our college, there are many kinds of flowers and trees. Secondly, there are many trouble you need to struggle. For example: no light and internet after 11 PM, no hot water in your dormitory, and you need to go downstairs to collect water when ou need, and every morning exercise at 6:50 AM. So are you ready?
But there surely be a lot of exciting things waiting for you. You can use your spare time freely, and take more activities of which you are fond. There also have many interesting classes you can take, for example: history, liberalication , and psychology and so on. Finally, please take your own time properly and enjoy your college life in our college.
Sarah
_______________________________________________________
For me, it was a lot of fun to get an insight into the lives of my students. To hear about their worries and problems from the Dear Abby exercise, and to learn about the ups and downs of their freshman years from the letters. I'll be heading home in just a few short weeks, and I will certainly be missing my sweet students!
I know it's been quite a while since my last post. I could say that I have been extremely busy, but that's really only what I've been telling myself. I've had enough spare time to watch both seasons of Orange is the New Black in the past two weeks, so I really did have enough time to write a blog post. Then, just this last week I finished with classes and only have my final exams to finish up. With all this free time, the "I'm busy" excuse isn't working even for me.
With that in mind, I thought I'd share a little insight into the minds of my students. In their final classes, I had them all do a short writing assignment, and the results were endearing, hilarious, and adorable.
First, my News English students. For this class, I closed the semester by doing a lesson on the more lighthearted parts of the newspaper, including the "Dear Abby" section. Each student wrote a letter to Abby about a problem in their life. I then collected the papers, mixed them up, and handed them back out randomly. The students would then give advice as Abby. I didn't have many of these to choose from, since most students took their letter home with them at the end of the day, but a few were left behind in the classroom, which I will share with you now:
Dear Abby,
I'm very glad to share you my problem. I don't know why I can't keep calm when I faced with things. Even it's just a little thing. I don't want to be a girl with bad temper, please give me some advice.
Sincerely, Angry
Dear Angry,
Thanks for your trust.
I think it is because you are young. You don't experience many things, so you can't see through the life and face life calmly.
Cherish your youth. This is a brilliant time. Maybe when you learn how to control your temper, you are already old!
Abby
_______________________________________________________
Dear Abby,
I have something need you help. I always be late for class and I know it is rude to teacher. But I can't control it. The second question is how to fall asleep in 40 degree C room. The summer came, our hell came. That's all. Thank you.
From, Suffer
Dear Suffer,
First it's not only rude to teacher but breaking the rule as well when you are late for class. What you should is checking your watch and making yourself being on time.
Second, getting small swimming pool and putting it in your room, and sleeping in it. I promise that you will sleep very well every night. Do not thank me so much.
Abby
_______________________________________________________
Dear Abby,
I'm lack of money! Please help me!
No Money
Dear No Money,
Money won't fall down from sky! Everyone think that they lack of money! Are you willing to rob a bank?! Find a job! Find a rich boyfriend!
Yours, Abby
_______________________________________________________
As for my freshman students, I had them write a letter to the incoming freshman of next year, and give them some advice about the year to come. There was a huge range of responses, varying in English level as well as the feeling behind them. Some of them were very upbeat:
Dear Freshman,
Hello, welcome to university. There will be many interesting things that you want to study and enjoy. I'm your older student, so I will introduce adequate information for you.
At first, university is a very happy and exciting place. When you come into my university, you become my friend, and you'll make friends with any other people.
If you worry about that you can't adapt to life of university, I want to say that it doesn't matter. University's life is interesting and easy. You only need to be yourself.
Although, university's course perhaps is difficult. You have to study all day. You can acquire man knowledge. You'll grow up like me. In university, you can take part in many activities such as basketball, vollebal, swimming, and so on. So you don't worry about you will be boring. My major is civil engineer. My favorite course is Auto CAD--computer design. Because it's very important to me.
In future, you'll come here. I'll welcome you. Whoever you are, I'll be your friend. Come, guys.
From, Panthon
_______________________________________________________
Dear freshman students,
Welcome to Jinjiang collage, it's a nice school. In the school, there are much funny things to be found by you. There is a natural pond, and you can bring a book and breathe the fresh air in the morning.
In class, math is the most difficult. You also have much others to learn. They are all boring except Listening and Speaking Course and Auto CAD class. Maybe you have a differend opinion.
I came here a year, I would share something with you. The first year morning is hard to pass, because of morning running. Study hard, you should have enough knowledge. And the last, er...that's all. Hope you luky.
Rick
_______________________________________________________
Other letters were a little more up-front:
Dear freshman students,
Even I hold exciting go to college like you at now. Dream is well, but the fact is bad. The college is a small society. We have to face more and more people. And we have no regularly time for study. We also can not find a good way to study. In other words, we are confuse when we are a freshman. So I want tell you, you must definite your gold. And you must understand what you want. Final, you should make full use of your time.
Yours, LeBron
_______________________________________________________
Dear freshman:
I'm a student from Jinjiang Collage. I want give your guys. Wish you can live a better collage life. First. Don't expect too perfect about collage life, collage is a place to learn. And you should study hard. Final exam will be difficult. Department life will be fun. I love English classes, don't know your favorite classes. Be yourself it's fine!
Yours, Zhuyi
_______________________________________________________
Dear freshman,
First, welcome to my college. I know that experience the pain of three years, I think you are very happy. But I want to told you: college is not "heaven".
The college just only is a new place you to study. In the college, you can get more time rather than high school, but you will face with College English Test Brand 4, Computer Test Brand 2, and other Professional Test. So you can't to waste time. You should useing the time to study Professional Knowledge. So don't waste time. This is my advice
Jack
_______________________________________________________
Hi freshman,
Welcome to this college. Maybe you know Jinjiang College not so good. But if you come here, maybe because you also don't study hard in your middle school.
Now, this is a new beginning. If you want to become a strong man, you can become very good if you working hard.
You can expect a love story. You can have a girlfriend or boyfriend in college. But don't think love is a game. Don't let the one who love you sad and cry.
Now. I will give you some advice. First, don't take much time in apartment. You can go out to make friends and travel. Don't play too much game. It will let you feel tired. And isn't good for you study. Then, you must study hard. This is very important.
Aaron Pope
_______________________________________________________
And last, some of them were just plain helpful and cute:
Hello freshman,
Welcome to SCU Jinjiang College. As a fellow studnet, maybe I could tell you abotu the college life.
When you come to Jinjiang, maybe you will start a new life. For from your hometown, your parents and your friends. Everything si new. You can do what you want. In the September, Sichuan will be very hot, but the dormitory and the classroom don't have air-condition. I think that's sounds terrible.
Don't escape from the class. That's not cool. If you do that, you can learn nothing in the school. And you should take more time to study. Not in the computer games.
Maybe you will have a boy or girl friend. That will be wonderfor. But you should take attention. Don't take the baby!
Longnius
_______________________________________________________
Write to the fresherman:
1. You'll be on your own.
2. If you want to join something, just do it.
3. Don't be shy if you love somebody. You can loudly speak to somebody.
4. College isn't always about freedom, many things you must burden.
5. Breaking your habit maybe difficult, but you can try it little by little.
6. No homework maybe you'll excited that. However, we all are students, we all must be study.
7. Course I most love: "Politic Economitic", "Advanced Math", "Listening and Speaking Course"
8. Advice: Having true friends and open-minded family are really essencial for you. They will always for you. And you can fight all! Just find true friends.
Yours, Alen
_______________________________________________________
Hello!
Good freshman, as your senior, who has something want to share with you. Firstly, welcome to our college. There will be a lot of fresh things which attracts you. You can enjoy the green of plants which are planted surrounded our buildings. In our college, there are many kinds of flowers and trees. Secondly, there are many trouble you need to struggle. For example: no light and internet after 11 PM, no hot water in your dormitory, and you need to go downstairs to collect water when ou need, and every morning exercise at 6:50 AM. So are you ready?
But there surely be a lot of exciting things waiting for you. You can use your spare time freely, and take more activities of which you are fond. There also have many interesting classes you can take, for example: history, liberalication , and psychology and so on. Finally, please take your own time properly and enjoy your college life in our college.
Sarah
_______________________________________________________
For me, it was a lot of fun to get an insight into the lives of my students. To hear about their worries and problems from the Dear Abby exercise, and to learn about the ups and downs of their freshman years from the letters. I'll be heading home in just a few short weeks, and I will certainly be missing my sweet students!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)