I’m back!
What can I say? School has started and taking the time to write a blog can be very difficult. To be honest I have spent an average of maybe 2 hours in my apartment, awake, the past ten days.
With that being said it is not as if I am crazy busy with work. The daily routine is just long and I fill my evenings with fitness, meals out, and walks around the area. I have been arriving at school around 6:45 and usually leave around 4:45. That being said I come home for my lunch and have a fair amount of break time. The biggest difference from my teaching schedule last year is I have, so far, done my marking at school. I have also managed to plan the next few weeks, to our fall break, and I have a week of photocopying done in advance so it is a rather stress free environment at the moment.
However, the Maple Leaf machine itself is a rather hilarious entity. The first day was an absolute… gong show. Basically, the first week usually fifty percent of the classes end up changed anyways. In this case it was made worse because they handed out incorrect schedules on Sunday night. Attendance on Monday was spotty to say the least. 5, 12, 8. All solid class sizes. Christy Clark would be appalled. This attendance issues did not immediately clear up and is only really just now starting to simmer down. As I have now had the same kids all three days this week in my SS 10 classes.
The next fun adventure for me. My ghost class! The English 10 blocks were looking fun and I was asked to teach an English ten to fill my fourth, currently open, slot. We agreed I would start the second Monday. I prepped the week and planned the next two. I check my attendance Monday, no students. Hence the ghost class. Well I learned one lesson in week one. If it is not a catastrophic problem that you have noticed or something more simple like two classes in the same room, do not say anything. It simply results in more work for you. That is what I discovered in week one when covering some classes during my prep blocks. Just shut your mouth Karl. If they need you they’ll ask. If you present yourself you will be used.
Student names. Where to begin? Well I should start by bringing up Law. That’s right Law is B.A. and the best part is he actually knows what it means. Bubble-gum, yes that is his English name, is a great kid, but eventually someone is going to have to fix that. Clark’s, Mike\s, Henry’s, and Patrick’s all very common. Gem and Reborn are two boys in my grade 12 homeroom. They do not even have the excuse of being in grade 10. My best name related story so far has to do with a name change. One of my two Harry’s says to me this Monday, ‘I change my name.” “O that’s cool, what is it now?” “Warlock.” “I’m sorry what.” “W, A, R, L, O, C, K. Warlock.” “Oh that’s awesome.” Interesting change of name! Caught me a little off guard. Granted one of those great things of teaching is that I can now hear pretty much anything and keep a straight face and at the very least reply with, “Oh, that is interesting…” The name is pretty cool, but he failed to pick up on several magic related puns today. “So its Warlock’s groups turn to share let see if they have any magic in there proposal.” Yes. This is one of the little things I enjoy in my day. Puns.
My students generally just call me teacher, I do not mind. I know one new teacher who will stop kids in the hall who say “Hello, teacher!” and make them call him sir or Mr… Pick your battles. Not to mention they are genuinely saying hello and in Chinese they just call teachers… teacher. Granted this fellow is also the one I have heard preaching over wanted to be called “doctor” one day. I think someone’s ego clearly needs some stroking. That or some small other thing isn’t getting enough of it.
I will say a couple other things about school. The boy’s campus really is dirty and man do the boys smell. The Maple Leaf School song may just cause me to take crazy pills by the end of the year. Especially if my latte is foamy (Name that movie). I am actually drinking some coffee now. Who would have thought China, where there is minimal coffee, would turn me into a coffee drinker along with my tea.
My co-workers are great. My department head Sheryl is unreal. She gets stuff done and is just a really nice individual to be around. In general the boys SS department is the place to be. Our office is called the dungeon, for many good reasons, but the people in it certainly brighten it up. Compared to the Girls SS department I certainly am winning. Not that there is anything wrong with the other side, just does not have the same fun, relaxed, and productive dynamic. It is an easy group to switch from talking about teaching, to making inappropriate jokes, to talking about sports, and then back to school. What other office could a student walk into with three teachers humming and slightly singing “I’m just a regular everyday normal guy,” or “America Fuck ya.”
I have not talked much about China live so I will switch to sate my rabid readers (all 5 to 10?). My apartment is awesome. I am so happy here. It is easily the nicest place I have lived in since moving out. It really does feel like home and separates me from the campus, which my school apartment did not. It is great to not have to walk in the school gate to go home. With that being said it is a ten minute walk from my apartment door to my office. That makes trips home for lunch time convenient. It’s also great as I have claimed a spot for my bike in the lobby. That’s sort of how many things work here, claim the space and it is yours. This really does apply on roads. Even as a cyclist, if you take the space it is yours cars will go around you. Even if you are crowding the lane. So I just put my bike in the lobby no one moves it. It has become mine!
I am eating dinner out most days. This is unusual for me. I do like cooking and actually did make a delicious vegetable medley tonight in my mini oven. However, it is generally cheaper to eat out and by the time I get home and back from the gym it is usually 6:30. The amount and variety of places to eat makes it hard to cook something at that point. Not to mention if you are careful it is reasonable easy to eat a half decent stir fry of some kind. I have a go to place for a salad and some other dish that really hits the spot. There is also this one place with candied sweet potatoes. They are cooked in honey. To. Die. For. So it is different than at home, but it is just so easy.
Other general tidbits about China. We just had Autumn Day. Which has some really cool history involving mooncakes. I was given about ten of them by students. Not a big fan… The regular ones are solid. They are filled with Red Bean Paste, but some of the fruity varieties were awful. The history relates to secret messages being past in the moon cakes during a rebellion! Pretty amazing history in China. If you want to know why China is the way it is… Well you can’t. Read over 2,000 years of history and it is still confusing, but it can certainly make you see how deeply engrained their culture is.
Last weekend I had two feasts! Friday we had our SS department BBQ. That was a lovely time and I thoroughly enjoyed the Chicken burgers! Sunday Kelli, my awesome tour guide from the start of summer school, hosted some people for a delicious Greek Style dinner. It was fantastic. However, it was partly for sad reasons. As one of my new good friends, Aliki, had a tragic family death back in Greece. This dinner was Kelli’s way of helping Aliki through a difficult time.
The last bit of news! I am going to go to Hohhot in Inner Mongolia, China for fall break. The trip would be September 28th to October 4th. I will give more details as they surface.
China has certainly been a good experience and has already made me ponder the future. Teaching internationally is just such an awesome opportunity. Whether I stay here next year or move on to another country it is just so fascinating. There is also the future opportunities to explore a master’s degree somewhere such as Berlin or Munich! Either way I am far from done this type of experience.
The biggest realization I have had here is that things are really good for me. Yes I have a sizable student loan, but if I keep working places like here it will be gone in 4 to 5 years. I can easily be under 30 debt free and with a career that allows me to work wherever I feel like. To be honest the only thing I need at this point is my better half (that statement does not mean I am bringing home a Chinese wife). When I was in high school I always thought I would be married by 25 (I know… wtf was I thinking), but now that I am 25 it is definitely the next step and one I am ready for. My sister is a great example in this regard (yes I called you a great example) she has settled into a great relationship and is starting what is sure to be a lovely family. Briefly meeting my nephew certainly creates a whole new level of passionate feelings and certainly shows one thing in life that is probably worth striving for over most if not all others. Family.
Until the next time!
What can I say? School has started and taking the time to write a blog can be very difficult. To be honest I have spent an average of maybe 2 hours in my apartment, awake, the past ten days.
With that being said it is not as if I am crazy busy with work. The daily routine is just long and I fill my evenings with fitness, meals out, and walks around the area. I have been arriving at school around 6:45 and usually leave around 4:45. That being said I come home for my lunch and have a fair amount of break time. The biggest difference from my teaching schedule last year is I have, so far, done my marking at school. I have also managed to plan the next few weeks, to our fall break, and I have a week of photocopying done in advance so it is a rather stress free environment at the moment.
However, the Maple Leaf machine itself is a rather hilarious entity. The first day was an absolute… gong show. Basically, the first week usually fifty percent of the classes end up changed anyways. In this case it was made worse because they handed out incorrect schedules on Sunday night. Attendance on Monday was spotty to say the least. 5, 12, 8. All solid class sizes. Christy Clark would be appalled. This attendance issues did not immediately clear up and is only really just now starting to simmer down. As I have now had the same kids all three days this week in my SS 10 classes.
The next fun adventure for me. My ghost class! The English 10 blocks were looking fun and I was asked to teach an English ten to fill my fourth, currently open, slot. We agreed I would start the second Monday. I prepped the week and planned the next two. I check my attendance Monday, no students. Hence the ghost class. Well I learned one lesson in week one. If it is not a catastrophic problem that you have noticed or something more simple like two classes in the same room, do not say anything. It simply results in more work for you. That is what I discovered in week one when covering some classes during my prep blocks. Just shut your mouth Karl. If they need you they’ll ask. If you present yourself you will be used.
Student names. Where to begin? Well I should start by bringing up Law. That’s right Law is B.A. and the best part is he actually knows what it means. Bubble-gum, yes that is his English name, is a great kid, but eventually someone is going to have to fix that. Clark’s, Mike\s, Henry’s, and Patrick’s all very common. Gem and Reborn are two boys in my grade 12 homeroom. They do not even have the excuse of being in grade 10. My best name related story so far has to do with a name change. One of my two Harry’s says to me this Monday, ‘I change my name.” “O that’s cool, what is it now?” “Warlock.” “I’m sorry what.” “W, A, R, L, O, C, K. Warlock.” “Oh that’s awesome.” Interesting change of name! Caught me a little off guard. Granted one of those great things of teaching is that I can now hear pretty much anything and keep a straight face and at the very least reply with, “Oh, that is interesting…” The name is pretty cool, but he failed to pick up on several magic related puns today. “So its Warlock’s groups turn to share let see if they have any magic in there proposal.” Yes. This is one of the little things I enjoy in my day. Puns.
My students generally just call me teacher, I do not mind. I know one new teacher who will stop kids in the hall who say “Hello, teacher!” and make them call him sir or Mr… Pick your battles. Not to mention they are genuinely saying hello and in Chinese they just call teachers… teacher. Granted this fellow is also the one I have heard preaching over wanted to be called “doctor” one day. I think someone’s ego clearly needs some stroking. That or some small other thing isn’t getting enough of it.
I will say a couple other things about school. The boy’s campus really is dirty and man do the boys smell. The Maple Leaf School song may just cause me to take crazy pills by the end of the year. Especially if my latte is foamy (Name that movie). I am actually drinking some coffee now. Who would have thought China, where there is minimal coffee, would turn me into a coffee drinker along with my tea.
My co-workers are great. My department head Sheryl is unreal. She gets stuff done and is just a really nice individual to be around. In general the boys SS department is the place to be. Our office is called the dungeon, for many good reasons, but the people in it certainly brighten it up. Compared to the Girls SS department I certainly am winning. Not that there is anything wrong with the other side, just does not have the same fun, relaxed, and productive dynamic. It is an easy group to switch from talking about teaching, to making inappropriate jokes, to talking about sports, and then back to school. What other office could a student walk into with three teachers humming and slightly singing “I’m just a regular everyday normal guy,” or “America Fuck ya.”
I have not talked much about China live so I will switch to sate my rabid readers (all 5 to 10?). My apartment is awesome. I am so happy here. It is easily the nicest place I have lived in since moving out. It really does feel like home and separates me from the campus, which my school apartment did not. It is great to not have to walk in the school gate to go home. With that being said it is a ten minute walk from my apartment door to my office. That makes trips home for lunch time convenient. It’s also great as I have claimed a spot for my bike in the lobby. That’s sort of how many things work here, claim the space and it is yours. This really does apply on roads. Even as a cyclist, if you take the space it is yours cars will go around you. Even if you are crowding the lane. So I just put my bike in the lobby no one moves it. It has become mine!
I am eating dinner out most days. This is unusual for me. I do like cooking and actually did make a delicious vegetable medley tonight in my mini oven. However, it is generally cheaper to eat out and by the time I get home and back from the gym it is usually 6:30. The amount and variety of places to eat makes it hard to cook something at that point. Not to mention if you are careful it is reasonable easy to eat a half decent stir fry of some kind. I have a go to place for a salad and some other dish that really hits the spot. There is also this one place with candied sweet potatoes. They are cooked in honey. To. Die. For. So it is different than at home, but it is just so easy.
Other general tidbits about China. We just had Autumn Day. Which has some really cool history involving mooncakes. I was given about ten of them by students. Not a big fan… The regular ones are solid. They are filled with Red Bean Paste, but some of the fruity varieties were awful. The history relates to secret messages being past in the moon cakes during a rebellion! Pretty amazing history in China. If you want to know why China is the way it is… Well you can’t. Read over 2,000 years of history and it is still confusing, but it can certainly make you see how deeply engrained their culture is.
Last weekend I had two feasts! Friday we had our SS department BBQ. That was a lovely time and I thoroughly enjoyed the Chicken burgers! Sunday Kelli, my awesome tour guide from the start of summer school, hosted some people for a delicious Greek Style dinner. It was fantastic. However, it was partly for sad reasons. As one of my new good friends, Aliki, had a tragic family death back in Greece. This dinner was Kelli’s way of helping Aliki through a difficult time.
The last bit of news! I am going to go to Hohhot in Inner Mongolia, China for fall break. The trip would be September 28th to October 4th. I will give more details as they surface.
China has certainly been a good experience and has already made me ponder the future. Teaching internationally is just such an awesome opportunity. Whether I stay here next year or move on to another country it is just so fascinating. There is also the future opportunities to explore a master’s degree somewhere such as Berlin or Munich! Either way I am far from done this type of experience.
The biggest realization I have had here is that things are really good for me. Yes I have a sizable student loan, but if I keep working places like here it will be gone in 4 to 5 years. I can easily be under 30 debt free and with a career that allows me to work wherever I feel like. To be honest the only thing I need at this point is my better half (that statement does not mean I am bringing home a Chinese wife). When I was in high school I always thought I would be married by 25 (I know… wtf was I thinking), but now that I am 25 it is definitely the next step and one I am ready for. My sister is a great example in this regard (yes I called you a great example) she has settled into a great relationship and is starting what is sure to be a lovely family. Briefly meeting my nephew certainly creates a whole new level of passionate feelings and certainly shows one thing in life that is probably worth striving for over most if not all others. Family.
Until the next time!