Today was awesome!

Today I went for another bike ride (my third one of the trip). Pretty much it was amazing. The sun was shining, the skies were blue, and I was happy. It is so cool to be able to ride around and see the local farmers and villagers. My friend and I explored a village that had a market going on. While it was mostly crap that was being sold, it was still cool. I really do love exploring random places and I enjoyed going down random dirt paths and getting lost in the different towns. Pictures will soon be posted. But, and this is sad, yesterday I managed to delete all my pictures from the trip. It was a sad moment on the trip, but I still have pictures from yesterday afternoon and today. I guess somethings you all will have to see with your own eyes (or through other people's pictures).

Yaks, yaks, and more yaks

I remember when my friend went to Russia and I saw her pictures of yaks and how jealous I became. How cool was it that she got to see a real yak (and not at teh SD Zoo). Well, travelling in Yunnan province (southwest China) I have not seen yaks, but yak is a common product on the menu. I apologize in advance for any vegetarians that are reading this or people who are anti-yak eating. Anyways, moving on, the first day my friend and I were in Lijinag we say "Yak on a Stick" and had to order it. I must admit, it was not that bad. Then for Easter, while the rest of the world is searching for eggs and eating ham or lamb, we we dining on all sorts of yak products. A guy who worked at the guesthouse we were staying at took us to a local restaurant and ordered for us. What apeared before us was a smogesborg (know I spelled that wrong) of yak products. We had fried yak meat, a yak butter-chesse type dip (think of blue cheese made from yak milk), yak milk tea, and to top it off (and Idid not realize this was what it was and truthfully did not eat much of it) a glutonous rice thing with yak blood (apparently the Brits call it Black Pudding but don't make theirs from yak blood). The food was not horrible, but my favorite dish was the local vegetables. This will defintitely be an Easter meal I will not forget.

Travelling in the Southwest

The past week I have been travelling in the southwest region of China (Yunnan Province to be exact). It has honestly been super mellow with not too much excitement, but good fun. The Yunnan Province is absolutely gorgeous with a balance of mountains and farmland. It has been wonderful getting out of the cement block of Shanghai and being able to just be in open land. I have spent three days hiking and two days biking, seeing amazing sights (I will post pictures when I return to Shanghai). Right now I am in a town called Dali. Of all the days, today has been the best. To start, it was warm. I was able to wear shorts and a shirt all day and sandels. How my feet have missed the sunshine. My friend, Claire, and I rented bikes and biked down to the is lake and all around these coutryside villages. It was amazing to get lost in the alleys of these villages and see the locals' daily rountines. There is a lot of farming aroung here and everything is done by hand, no machines. We were able to bike through the peoples' fields as they picked potatoes, green onions, and other vegetables. As I was on my bike looking at the farm fields with a snowy mountain backdrop I could not think of a cooler place to be. Never in my life did I ever think I would be biking through the countryside of China, but here I was. To top it off, I was able to wear my Rainbows! How I miss wearing sandels. I am convinced that moments like today will be among some of my top memories of China. While I love Shanghai (I cannot think of a better Chinese city to live) I also love getting out to explore.

With April about to start, I realize I only have four months of China left. Who knows, maybe I will return when I finish my Credential, but for now I just have to experience what I can while I am here. This summer I am going to do a bit more China travelling. I am debating between the Sichuan Province and Inner Mongolia. I know that both these regions have areas that, like today, have been untouched by the Western World's influence, and would be cool t check out.

Tomorrow is the last day of my holiday and I will either bike again or check out a minority village (not sure which). Pictures of my travels will be posted soon.

This is where I run...

Pretty crazy that this is where I run. Never thought my runs would consist of Chinese villages, but then again never thought I would be living in China for two years teaching at a British International School. I guess life is kind of funny like that, which also makes it kind of cool.

A brief update

I realize I have not posted in a bit, but life has been crazy over here and unfortunately I have not being doing anything too exciting or worthy of putting on my log. However, I have decided that I will have to resort to putting some not too exciting stuff on my blog just so that I can put a post up.

The past three weeks have not been the most fun of my life (I will admit) but have been getting better. Three weeks ago I had an incident with one of my students in which he went into a fit hitting and kicking teachers and throwing the tables and chairs in our play room for an hour and a half (it took that long to calm him down). Let's just say it was a very emotional and stressful day that made the week stressful too. Then the following week (two weeks ago) had to do follow up with the students and family and I was sick too. It was not a good combination. However, with the drama from that student being taken care of, despite being sick, it was a better week. Then last week,I got a terrible tooth ache and had to get a root canal and had two nights of parents' consultation. Despite these two things, my week was the best in the past few weeks. Who would have thought a a root canal and Parents' Nights could make for a good week? Yesterday I went on another Hash run to some mountains outside of Shanghai, and it was good fun. I am convinced that this week is going to be great. Oh, and after this week I get a week off and will be traveling around China (woo hoo!).

So I guess that is what has been happening. Despite it all, life is still good. Been running and playing soccer more, which is great! Meeting fun people and having a good time with my friends. Enjoying the fact that it is becoming warmer and the sun is shining more than it has been in the past. Sunshine is always a good thing.

My students are good and are a lot of fun. It is fun to see how much they are learning and have learned and they make me laugh. The last funny thing they did was we were reviewing the sounds "b" and "f". I had them share items beginning with these sounds, and then in their books they had to write three sentences saying "It is a ____" and fill in the blank with a "f" or "b" word and draw three pictures. One of my very cheeky students wrote (and had his table follow his lead) "It is a botim" and drew a picture of a butt and even colored it peach. So their whole table all had pictures of "botims" in their books. I really didn't know what to say because "Botim" does start with "b".

My Saturday Run

Here are pictures from the area I went for a run this weekend. We ran out in Pudong where the ocean and the Yangtze River meet. The pictures of the water are of the Yangtze River. The other pictures are of the village area we ran through. I must admit, the scenery is pretty cool. While I do miss being able to run at Mission Beach and Bay, I cannot complain about running through areas like this, definitely a cool experience.

Taikang Lu

In an attempt to make the most out of my time left in China I am trying to go out and explore the streets of Shanghai. Last weekend I spent a few hours walking around, with my final destination an area called Taikang Lu.

Hangzhou... always a good time

I have decided that one of my favorite places in China is Hangzhou. Hangzhou is a town just outside of Shanghai and has a lake, called West Lake. It is nice because It is super chill and you can just walk around the lake and hang out with friends. Every time I go I spend too much time in Starbucks, but Starbucks has just become part of the Hangzhou experience. Three of my friends and I went for Chinese New Year for three days. The first day it was snowing a bunch. It was fun walking in the snow, but got cold after awhile, so we went and played cards in Starbucks till we got kicked out because you are not allowed to play cards in Starbucks (who knew?). That night we stayed up to 4 am in the hostel playing cards and drinking and just laughing harder than i have in awhile. It is amazing how much entertainment can come from a deck of cards. The next day we slept in and walked around the lake again. This day it was not snowing and it was so peaceful and fun walking and talking and laughing. That night we went out to a Chinese restaurant and then to a Mexican bar for Karaoke and margaritas. It was fun because outside there were a bunch of guys being guys playing with fireworks and firecrackers (since it was New Year's). We just laughed as they acted crazy. I was impressed that no hands were lost. The next day we just spent it in Starbucks (again) and walked a bit more, oh, and we went to a silk museum. Even though we did not do much it was a great time and I have not laughed so much in three days as I did in Hangzhou. Here are pictures of the lake and us (mainly me) being stupid.

Just being happy

I love the moments when I just feel happy. I am not talking about when you should feel happy (i.e. Christmas, going home to San Diego, my birthday, traveling to a cool country...) but the moments when I am not doing anything special and I am just happy. This past week I have just been happy. Maybe it is because I have the week off of work, but really I think it is more than that. Last year I spent every moment of not working traveling and this is the first time I am not doing anything for the holiday. OK, kind of a lie, as I went to Hangzhou for 3 days, but Hangzhou is only an hour away by train so it is not that far. Anyways, while in Hangzhou I was in the best mood. I do love Hangzhou and just walking around the lake, but I think it is also that I realize how lucky I am to be in China. Sure China has its moments (the understatement of the year) when people are spitting everywhere and won't wait in line and my apartment won't heat up among other things, but there are times when I just stop and think, "wow, I live in China and this is cool." It is cool because I get to experience so many cool things that so many people do not. Half the time I forget I am in China because life has become normal, but now that I will be leaving in the next half year I am realizing that I need to experience as much of China as I can and appreciate it for what it is. I have decided to start exploring more, meaning I just want to get lost in the streets with my camera to take pictures of everyday life. I want to travel to places within China that I have not seen instead of always looking to escape to another country on my holiday. I want to go back to Hangzhou and rent bikes and ride around the city and I want to get a bike (or borrow one) to ride around the streets of Shanghai. While there are lots of things that frustrate me about China, I have truly been blessed by my experience here and this past week I realized this (although this is not the first time I have realized this). I also have been blessed by my friends here. Both my jobs have put me in the company of really good people, and that helps. As you well know I am the definition of an extrovert and without people I go insane. On the other hand, I have also learned to be happy being by myself. Living alone had forced me to do this, and I love it too... the best of both worlds. I know that I will get frustrated again with things here (probably starting with me going back to work next week... ugh) but for now I will just be happy.

Around town

I have decided to post pictures of around town. I am not traveling much right now so I figured I would show you the streets around where I live. These are all taken with a few blocks of my apartment.

Umbrellas are everywhere!

A love for umbrellas

Having lived in China for a year and a half now I have picked up on some odd things that the Chinese love. I guess they are odd for me (and other foreigners) but to the Chinese these things are probably not odd. For example, a food called cho dofu (translated smelly tofu). If you wonder how it got its name, the name explains it all. Literally you walk by where they are cooking it and you are bombarded with a stench. Another thing they (mainly the girls) are mixed match patterns and glittery clothes. Anything article of clothing is almost guaranteed to have glitter on it or have been bedazzled. However, they have a deep and devoted love to umbrellas. Considering it does rain quite a bit I would expect there to be umbrellas out and about quite often, but even when it does not rain they manage to emerge and make themselves present in the street. This wouldn't be so annoying, except that dodging umbrellas has become a regular routine that I am not too keen on. Today it was cold enough to snow. I will admit that I like it better when it snows over the rain because I don't get all wet and the streets are not as muddy, but I found it very peculiar that even in the snow the Chinese have umbrellas out. I am convinced that their deep devotion to them enables them to justify using them 365 days a year. I realize that there is a justification for using the umbrella so the snow does not fall on your head, but never in my life have I been out on a snowy day with hundreds (that really is not an exaggeration, maybe only a slight one) of umbrellas all around me. Oh well, such is life. Even after a year and a half of living here I have not picked up this daily commitment of umbrella usage, but then again I enjoy the sunshine on my face and collection of snow flakes on my head and jacket.

Freaking freezing

Right now China is freaking freezing. Now, I love the snow (as can be seen in my earlier posts) but the problem with Shanghai is that inside apartments are cold. You may be saying in your head "Sarah, turn your heater on, stop being so cheap" but my heater is on and it is still cold. It is set for 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit) but it is still cold. I am sitting here with my pj pants, socks, and a fleece and my feet are numb. I attribute this to the fact that there is not central heating (only one unit per room that don't work super well) not to mention the zero insulated walls, and the fake hard wood floors (that are cold). Man, it is not fun. Oh well, such is life.

Right now it is snowing outside. The snow is melting when it hits the ground, but it is snowing. Someone said this is the coldest it has been in 10 years, and I believe it. I am bummed because I have a week off the week after next and I decided not to go to Thailand based on how much tickets were, now I am wishing I could be on a beach with the sun and warmth. Such is life and I know that I will get through it. I can now say that I have lived abroad and in a place where it snows. I am just going to have to think warm thoughts for now and drink warm beverages, but considering I love coffee that is not such a bad thing.

Little things

One reason I love Shanghai is because of the little things that make me happy. While I have access to a lot of "western" items, the options are still limited. While it can be annoying to not have a Trader Joe's or huge super market, it makes getting certain items really exciting. Earlier this week a mom in my class told me that she was going to HongQiao (an area in Shanghai) to the City Shop (a western market chain). Well, there are City Shops even closer, but she was going to this one because they have Flavored Coffee Mate creamer. Now you may be thinking, "so what?" but, this is the first time I have heard of it being in China as I have not seen it in any of the shops I go to. To make things even better, she said that she would pick me up some. So, on Friday, her son brought me a bottle of Vanilla Coffee Mate. I was so excited to be able to make coffee at break that day and use (and share) the creamer. Mmmmm, it was so good, ah, the little things. Then, yesterday (Saturday)I went to the Post Office to pick up a Christmas package from a friend. Getting packages is so fun and I was happy to get Christmas jelly beans among other Christmas goodies. If I were home these things would not excite me as much, but I am realizing more and more that it is the little things that make me happy.

When I was home (in San Diego) little things that made me happy were:

• Watching the sun set over the ocean (always a good thing)
• Being able to get in my car and drive. Did not have to be anywhere special, but just being able to drive.
• Being able to run and not be bombarded by tons of people, pollution, and crazy drivers
• Going to the grocery store knowing that they would have what I wanted
• Mexican food... nothing beats carne asada
• Good beer on tap
  
• Of course, friends and family, but seeing people is not a "little thing" in my eyes since I have to travel across the world, but nothing beats being able to call someone, make plans, and actually get to hang with them. I do miss being able to just go out for coffee to catch up and talk and catch up. That is something I do miss. While it is nice to have a phone and my blog to catch up, doing it face-to-face is always best.
  

Back to life, back to reality

After three weeks off of school and being back in California for the holidays, I am now back in Shanghai. While I cannot complain about having the time off, it does make it that much more difficult to get back into the swing of life. For now it is getting used to waking up at 6 am five days a week, lesson planning, being with kids all day, dealing with crazy taxi drivers and people who spit everywhere and the craziness of China. Oh well, all good things have to come to an end and so it is back to the daily grind for me once again.

Winter Wonderland

Over New Year's I went to Lake Tahoe to snow board and to just hang out. It was an amazing time with new and old friends. Over the past year and a half I must admit that I have done some amazing traveling and have seen some amazing sights, but it is good to know that places as beautiful as Tahoe exist so close to home.

Class Xmas Party

Today was our Christmas Party. I must say, it was a ton of fun. The class moms were excellent and took care of everything. One of the highlights of the party were the pinatas. Each class (3 in total) had one pinata. My class got to go first to break their pinata. Each child took turns swinging 3 times. After all had gone, not a dent was made in the pinata, so... Round Two of pinata whacking went on and still no damage done. Knowing that we had to break the freaking thing open, I decided to give it a go. On my second swing the stick cracked in two, causing one end to fly at my students, nailing one if them in the arm. I felt horrible, but what could I do. I looked over, and to my luck, one of my parents had video taped me hitting the pinata, breaking the stick, and hitting my student. Just my luck. I had to think fast so I just gave him th stick and told him to take a turn. Thank God all was forgotten after he got a couple swings in. I learned a valuable lesson: make sure you face away from students when hitting a pinata. Despite this event, the party was a ton of fun (even the parents had a blast). Tomorrow is a half day and then we get three weeks off!!! I am so excited. Christmas in San Diego and New Year's in Tahoe... life is good!

Funny kidz stuff

I realize that people wonder how the heck I can work with 4-5 year olds all day long and stay sane. At times I wonder this myself as I ave been known to not be the most patient person on the planet, but somehow I manage. I think what keep me going is how cute and innocent the kids are. They are so sweet and are always good for a laugh. While I know my story-telling abilities are usually shite, bare with me as I tell some of my favorite stories so far.

"The Elephant with Four Eyes"
One of my assignments I had my students do was identify and color their favorite animal. Basically it was an easy task of choosing a coloring sheet, coloring it, and then cutting it out and gluing into their Topic Book for "Favorite Animal". There was no creating the animal, or gluing anything to the animal, just pick it put, color it, and cut it out. This assignment was done during one of my free periods, so another teacher was supervising my class. When I returned to the class students were shouting to me "Miss Fudge, look, I like cats!" "See my tiger!" "Miss Fudge, I like dogs" and so on. As I walked around the classroom I went up to a boy John who said, "Look, Miss Fudge, I like elephants." As I looked at his elephant, he had strategically drawn on a piece of paper a line with to dots to each side (looking very similar to a penis) and had glued it (even though nothing was told to get glued to the picture) where the genitals would be. A bit shocked and puzzled as to why he had done this, I pointed to the line and two dots and asked, "John, what are these?" "Eyes. My elephant has four eyes." I wasn't quite sure how to respond but I also did not want to explain to him that those were not eyes, so now John's elephant has four eyes.

"F,f,f.... fish!"
Part of our curriculum is teaching phonics and words that begin with all the letter sounds. For example: c,c,c, cat and d,d,d dog. One day (of course when a parent was helping out) I was teaching the sound 'f'. I asked the kids to shout out words that begin with this sound. So began the shouting of words "f,f,f, four!" "f,f,f, five" "f,f,f, fox" "f,f,f, Miss Fudge" "f,f,f, F*#@!". As I heard the word come out of little Andy's mouth I could only look up to the mother looking at me wondering how I would handle this.. "No, Andy, give me a new one." "Ok, f,f,f, fish" he replied. "Great job," I responded, as I tried to move on as if nothing had happened, praying that none of the other kids would pick up on this 'f' word.

Love at the Age of Four
My friend Sheridan and I team teach a lot, so our kids all know each other very well and they know both Sheridan and I well. What this has resulted in is students wanting to go into each other's classrooms to share with both the other students and with Sheridan and I. This also has resulted in some very close friendships between the two classes as well. What four year olds do not know is the crushes begin at this age and they are very apparent. One of these crushes that has formed is between one of my girls, Cynthia, and one of Sheridan's boys, Jason. One afternoon Cynthia came up to me, "Miss Fudge, can I go to Miss Potter's class?" "Why?" I asked. "To give Jason a high five," she responded. "Why do you want to give him a high five?" I continued to questioned. "Because we're in love." Ain't four year old love cute?

Thanksgiving!!!

Being in a British school has left me outnumbered. Out of about 85 staff there are only 2 Americans (including myself). As a result, there are many American things that people just don't understand. So as November rolled around and Thanksgiving came up of course other people hadn't given two thoughts about what they would be doing on the fourth Thursday of November. However, seeing that I have yet to miss a Thanksgiving, asked Colter (the other American) if he would want to do anything. What started out as four of us going to dinner turned into a group of about 15 of us. The was a buffet dinner at a restaurant called City Diner, so we all went there. It was fun because for some it was their very first Thanksgiving dinner. Now, I will admit it was not as good as a home-cooked Thanksgiving and there were no mashed potatoes (I know?!?) but over all it was a good time had by all. It ended like any other traditional Thanksgiving dinner with people eating and drinking just a bit too much, we just didn't have any leftovers the next day. I have come to enjoy Thanksgiving because it is a time t bring people together to eat and drink a bit too much, but just have a good time. The best part of having it at a restaurant was no one had to cook or clean up.

Britsh lingo

I never thought I would change my vocabulary, but working at a British School now has me changing the way I talk. I do not have a British accent at all (actually, many think I have the strongest accent in the school) but it does have me picking up words and phrases. Some of these are:

Take the piss- Make fun of
Football- Soccer
Jumper- Sweater
Trousers- Pants
Biscuits- Cookies
Bloody hell- What the heck?
Tidy up- Clean up
Rubbish- Trash
P.E. Kit- P.E. uniform
Mum- Mom


These are just some of them. I know there are more that I have picked up but I cannot think of them off the top of my head. I will add to the list as I start to adapt more British words and phrases.