Chengdu This week was uneventful. Last Saturday night, a group of volunteers ate hot pot. One of the perks about going out with volunteers who have been here for a year (or two) is that they know what to order. After dinner, we went dancing. It was a first for me for going out in China. And what an experience it was! They played techno music. I had a great time. This was the first weekend of many weekends dancing to techno music. I asked all of my students to write me a letter, telling me about themselves, what they want to accomplish, etc. My favorite quote from a student was "I like your smile and voice. It's so beautiful and dainty." That just made me smile! I made a good first impression on some students, and not so much on others. Another favorite quote, "I will try to like you." Gee, thanks kid! Last Thursday was "Teacher's Day." 3 of my classes gave me cards! I also received a cactus. I also got some cough drops. It was really sweet of them. I am a strict teacher, but I think my students are finally getting the message. I don't play games. During one class last week, I took 6 cell phones in 1 class! Today I only took 2 cell phones. They are learning. (No cell phones, mp3/4/28 etc., or electronic dictionaries.) I observed the dean today. It amazed me at how respectful the students can be. I think next semester, I may incorporate the Chinese tradition of standing to greet the instructor. It really seemed to set the mood to respect the person at the front. My teammate (Moose) and I were planning on getting out of the city this weekend and going to the mountains, but the weather forecast is rain and more rain.
The 2 Kathleen's before Site Announcement Most of my stuff! How did I get everything over here?!
Family Appreciation Dinner
Mathide and me Peace Corps Staff
Denise (roommate in SF) and me
I started teaching this past week. It is so different being in the front of the classroom and not in a desk! As most of you know, I have a 50 minute commute to work each day. I tried talking to the other teachers, but it's either a)too early for conversation b)they are intimidated speaking English to me c)they can't speak English. I was hoping to make friends on the bus, but it looks like that is not going to happen. I have 1 freshman class and am going to enjoy teaching that class. My classes have (on average) 50 students. My freshman class is a class of 20. I came 20 minutes early to the first class and all my freshman were already there! I am working with some amazing people and feel so blessed to know them!
I began tutoring this week. My tutors' name is Joe, and he is extremely nice.
I currently do not have water. I was informed last night that our water would be cut from 11-5. Silly me, I thought that meant 11pm-5am. WRONG. 5 pm. So, basically, I am waiting for the water to get turned back on so I can shower! I could go get water from a nearby faucet place, but it really is a challenge carrying up the buckets of water 4 flights of stairs.
I finally got water! But this is what it looked like...
College football starts today! I will be cheering for my Auburn Tigers on the other side of the world! WAR EAGLE!
TIC! (This is China!) Oreos and Dr. Pepper?! I don't think I'm in Mali anymore...
This is hotpot. It's very famous in the Sichuan region.
Yes, that is blood (my mom ordered it to put in the hotpot)
The panda and me
Wen (my host sister) and me at the Panda place
My friend Becca (she was in Ethiopia) and me
Mom, me, Dad after our white water adventure (no paddles!)
I apologize for not updating sooner.Facebook and blogspot have been blocked, so I’ve had a few obstacles to jump through.
I, unfortunately, cannot be as open with my opinions.I refuse to sugarcoat anything, but some things may be omitted.
Let me back up….
America was WONDERFUL!I had so much fun!I put on 14 lbs in 3 weeks.I didn’t weigh myself week 4 because I really didn’t want to know.I saw a few friends, talked to all of my friends in the states on the phone, visited my brother and my sister-in-law, and ate way too much!My Dad had some surgery, so it wasn’t all play.I was chauffeur and personal assistant for a few weeks.
I sat beside a young professional looking guy at the airport in Dallas.After he pulled out his Peace Corps notebook, I asked him where he was going.Turns out, we were on the same flight to SF together.I prearranged a bus to take me to the hotel.It was a wonderful hotel!I wish we stayed there for a few nights.
The flight wasn’t bad at all.I requested a window seat.I sat beside a Native American who was on her way to study in China for a few weeks.I didn’t realize that there were 2 flights from Beijing to Chengdu, and I ended up missing the flight because I was in the bathroom, changing to “business casual”.I was a bit concerned about getting my bag, but TIC, and I had no problems.
The hotel was nice enough.My roommate is great.Her name is Denise and this is her second time doing PC.She was a volunteer in the 70s in Thailand.She brought her group picture.It’s absolutely priceless.The first week or so was a lot of protocol.Apparently (unapparent to me), appropriate shoes in Mali are not appropriate in China.
My home stay family is incredible!I had language classes in Chengdu University, but lived off campus.My Chinese mom and dad gave me their master bedroom because it had the western style toilet.I keep on putting myself in their situation and am continually in awe of their hospitality.My sister is going to LSU this November, and I am hoping that she will go to South Carolina and spend Christmas with the Cannons.
I will be teaching at the Sichuan College of Education in Chengdu.I really thought I would be leaving the city so I was quite surprised at my placement.When I went there for site visit, I was highly impressed with the staff there.The staff was professional, friendly, and helpful.
I also stayed in my apartment during site visit.While my apartment has accommodationssuch as a washing machine, refrigerator, hot water in the kitchen, tv, dvd, etc., there are aspects of my Malian apartment that I miss.I miss my wonderful porch, rooftop, and my Malian neighbors.
I begin teaching in September.Business Oral English and Writing are the 2 subjects.I will also be giving a lecture every other Monday on culture.If anybody has suggestions for appropriate culture based themes, leave a comment on the blog! I have this semester outlined for the cultural Mondays, but any suggestions for next semester would be appreciated.
Today we moved out of our homestay family and are staying in a swanky hotel! I'm pretty sure it's a 4 star. The beds are absolutely incredible! I am going to buy new sheets for my apartment!
More pictures tomorrow (En shallah! It's so funny because random French and Bambara words come out when I attempt to speak Mandarin.)
My month home was probably one of the fastest months of my life! I leave for San Fran tomorrow morning and then on to China on Tuesday!
Some highlights of my trip home include: visiting my brother and my fabulous sister-in-law and going to a symphony on a lawn, visiting my aunt in Texas, taking Kramer to the park (twice), margaritas with friends, hot chocolate with former neighbors, sending two packages to Mali for Sikasso Kaw, presenting a slideshow about Mali to my church and a community college, shopping with mom, dining and shopping (and ICE CREAM!) with gramma, shrimp and grits with my uncle...needless to say, I had a hectic and quite enjoyable trip home.
I will continue to update weekly, and hope that I will be able to continue to write about my life overseas.
Right off the airplane (my dad isn't photogenic...he looks this way in all of them, but i like to think he was smiling on the inside)
I leave for the airport in 30 minutes, and I have no idea where to begin. This day is finally here and now that it is, I don't know how/what to feel.
So, I just got a call and the plane is broken. TIA. So, I won't be leaving in 30 minutes, but hopefully I will leave tonight.
This past week has been a whirlwind of emotions for me. I hope I never forget the lessons I've learned or the people I've met.
the quote for Malians "Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some people move our souls to dance. They awaken us to a new understanding with the passing whisper of their wisdom. Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon. They stay in our lives for awhile, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same."~ Flavia Weedn ~
the quote for my amazing PCV friends "Truly great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to forget."~ G. Randolf ~
the quote for me Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.” ~Dr. Suess~
