Day two at school in Xizhou
Hello Hello!
All morning I’m having the kids shout numbers and letters and “Hello!” “How are you!?” “I’m fine!” “Thank you!” It’s so crazy because they say the numbers and colors and letters in Chinese first but I’m not learning any of it at all because they are SHOUTING! I can’t understand. Haha.
The little guy who lives below me saw me at school this morning and blew me a kiss! It was SOO CUTE. The kids are hilarious. The little kids did not have class this afternoon because it was so cold and rainy that they got to go home early. 
It’s quite a dismal day actually. I accidentally left my towel out on the balcony. Wha wha. I also feel a bit like a hobo because I’m wearing like all of the clothes that I have. Hahaha. Everyone else is doing it too so it’s okay.
Anthony went with me to the other kindergarten in Shaping today. We hammered out details and it sounds like I’ll be going there first thing in the morning now and then coming back here for lunch then going to the kindergarten here in Xizhou at 3:00-4:30. It is about a seven miles or so from my place to the school in Shaping. I’m THINKING it’ll be thirty minutes or less by bicycle. We’ll find out tomorrow! The head teacher at the school in Shaping said I can come even earlier and learn Chinese with the students as well. They have Chinese one hour in the morning before I will teach. I’m totally taking her up on that. The kids are defintitely ahead of me right now, but she assures me that they move very slowly and I should be able to catch up with no problem. Anthony says my goal should be 20-25 sentences while I’m here. This seems do-able AND should make my return trip to Shanghai flow more smoothly. Today I’m working on my name is Ray Ray (they can’t do the ch and the l so my chinese name is Ray Ray!) What’s your name, and see you tomorrow. I suppose these won’t actually help me in the airport but they will be useful in the class room!
November 3rd, 2010 at 8:02 am
Glad you are keeping busy and arrived safely, albeit late! What happened to the wonderful weather? Hope the gloom doesn’t stay around long. Does your little friend have a name? Now that you know your name in Chinese, you can ask him his.
Sounds like Chase Allen made a great entrance. Hope all of them are doing well.
Did you purchase a bicycle or do you have a loaner from the Center? Keep us posted.
We had a great visit in San Francisco. Weather was very nice. More later. Love you. Mom and Dad
November 3rd, 2010 at 12:06 pm
Hi Rach, I enjoy reading the blog. So good to know you are well. School sounds like a great opportunity. We had a good meeting in SanFrancisco. Look forward to your blogs. Take lots of pics Love dad