OH BoyS!

Well, it looks like winter is leaving us alone and spring is popping its head in, but I did slip on the ice the other day, so who knows. It was one of those comic moments where your feet keep walking, but you don't go anywhere and then...BLAM! down on your tush you go. I got up and wiped off the mud and my pride and started on my way. An older lady came out of the apartment building and asked,” 你晒到了吗？” (Ni shuai dao le ma?" Have you fallen down?) I assured her I had, and kept going.

Today, I taught my second group of students. I gave the first group their final exams last week, and it seems strange to now begin with a new class. I got to know the first group well, and four of the girls have been coming over to my house. SO much fun.

Today's class was special. As the students came in, I was amazed by the large number of them who were boys. Up until now, most of my students have been English majors. Not many guys choose that field needless to say, and a majority of the students are therefore girls. Not so with my non-English major students who are primarily engineering graduate students. Out of 32 students only about 4-5 are girls! What a dynamic!!

They were a lot fun. Their English level seems pretty high and they are VERY active. I think it will be an interesting four weeks. I plan to have the lonely girls over to do girly stuff just to give them a bit of a break. :)

I'm Dreaming of a White Easter

Christmas in Harbin wasn't white, but the weather has more than made up for itself the past few days. The fluffy white snow falling and actually sticking has been quite fun.

Yes, I know it is March and we should be turning our down coats in for lighter layers and pastel colors. With such a mild winter behind us, I can't help but feel giddy watching the snowflakes fall. :)

Olivia enjoyed "cleaning off" the slides at her preschool. :)

 

Snow angels in March. Who'd a thought it?

Back in the Saddle

Well, I have a wonderful husband. He is thoughtful in so many ways. It is 1:51 am and I cannot sleep because well... you need to be able to breath to do that. I just read his last blog. Thanks for those of you who have been thinking about us. We still need it! In fact, a number of our teammates are suffering with sickness now too.

Today I taught my first class and it was so much fun. The lesson wasn't all that special- introduction lessons rarely are - but it was great to meet the students and hear their timidity and hope come out for the class. I am teaching masters degree students who aren't English majors. That means that even though they have had English in the past, they have not had many opportunities to use it. Their focus was probably writing and reading more than listening and speaking. So, what fun it is to be able to give them those chances to speak and encourage them along the way.

Olivia is also back in school. It seems she didn't understand why she couldn't sit on the floor. "We sit on the floor at home" was her response when Steve was getting the low-down from the teacher. In general, Chinese people are afraid of being cold or letting cold in you. Drinking cold drinks, not wearing enough clothes, and sitting on the "cold" floor all bring a fear of the dreaded ganmaole 感冒了 or "cold". So, it is no wonder that her teachers were fit to be tied when she decided that she would sit on the floor in school today. Who knows, maybe there is something to their theory. She does have a cold. Then again, she is 3 and I hear she will have quite a few episodes of it before she is 5.  怎么办？(Zenmeban?) What can be done?

See ya' later! 再见！