Hey everyone!
I am now in the UK, and am going to start a blog about life here! Hope you like it! gingerinuk.blogspot.co.uk
10 Years ago today, Americans put their differences aside to mourn a series of horrific events that were supposed to break our nation apart. Instead it bound us together and made us stronger, reminiscent of when our country first began. Today, I look at the news and facebook and such, and all I see is stupid democrat this, or idiot republican that. But in the end, none of it matters. Terrorists, mother nature, they don't care who you are going to vote for. For one day, let's stop the stupid arguing about everything, and show the true qualities of the US- compassion, perseverance, and pride. Let's use this day to honor those who have lost their lives (both home and overseas), to support those protecting us today, and to hope for a bright and united future.
It’s so strange for me to think how someone who has been around for my entire life is gone. A staple of all holidays, always smiling and watching us crazy young kids make fools of ourselves. One of my greatest wishes is to be able to see those who helped raise us when they were younger. I know with Uncle Joe I would have met a fun-loving, sweet boy, because that’s how he was as an adult, and so much more. He built a loving family around him, and raised his kids into amazing adults that I am proud to say I am related to. Even in the last few years, as he became more distant from us, he was always there for a hug and a kiss and a beer.
I have been in China for 13 months now, and the most difficult part of being here is not being able to be home for my family when they need me. I know that being home would not have changed the course of events, but I am so miserable that I cannot be there to add one more hug to those who have been most affected by this. Today, my boss asked me if I would consider coming back to China after my contract was finished. I told him flat out no. I love my students, and the experiences I have had here, but neither of those can compare for the love I have for my family. While I might still teach overseas one more year, it will definitely be on the same side of the world, so if, God forbid, something happens again, I can be there.
I’m so glad for the time I was able to spend with Uncle Joe, and while I wish he could still be with us, I am glad he is at peace. I know he will be remembered and loved by so many, and I am honored to be sharing in those memories. We lost a wonderful man, but we keep treasured memories among us, and through that, Uncle Joe will never truly be gone.
I have been in China for 13 months now, and the most difficult part of being here is not being able to be home for my family when they need me. I know that being home would not have changed the course of events, but I am so miserable that I cannot be there to add one more hug to those who have been most affected by this. Today, my boss asked me if I would consider coming back to China after my contract was finished. I told him flat out no. I love my students, and the experiences I have had here, but neither of those can compare for the love I have for my family. While I might still teach overseas one more year, it will definitely be on the same side of the world, so if, God forbid, something happens again, I can be there.
I’m so glad for the time I was able to spend with Uncle Joe, and while I wish he could still be with us, I am glad he is at peace. I know he will be remembered and loved by so many, and I am honored to be sharing in those memories. We lost a wonderful man, but we keep treasured memories among us, and through that, Uncle Joe will never truly be gone.
I’ve decided that I am going to stay in Hohhot for an additional four months. This means I will be home at the end of November, ideally for Thanksgiving and UF/FSU weekend. As many of you know, I was toying with this idea for a long time. I miss everyone at home so much, and can’t wait to see everyone again. But if I stay here a little longer, I can save a good amount of money so I won’t be so hard pressed to find a job when I get home.
Many of you have asked me what I am going to do next, to be honest I am not quite sure. I’m thinking about a teaching position somewhere in South America. Reasons? Well, no crazy Hohhot winters for one, and being on the same side of the world as all my family and friends is a huge plus. A huge reason, though, is that I want something completely different from the culture and society I am in now, so I can compare and learn. I’m not going to start a job in South America until around next May or so, which will have be looking for part time work until then.
Yes, eventually I will be coming home to stay. I love the US, Florida, St. Augustine, Gainesville, etc. I just want to get as many experiences as possible before settling back down. As before, everyone will be more than welcome to come visit me!
Many of you have asked me what I am going to do next, to be honest I am not quite sure. I’m thinking about a teaching position somewhere in South America. Reasons? Well, no crazy Hohhot winters for one, and being on the same side of the world as all my family and friends is a huge plus. A huge reason, though, is that I want something completely different from the culture and society I am in now, so I can compare and learn. I’m not going to start a job in South America until around next May or so, which will have be looking for part time work until then.
Yes, eventually I will be coming home to stay. I love the US, Florida, St. Augustine, Gainesville, etc. I just want to get as many experiences as possible before settling back down. As before, everyone will be more than welcome to come visit me!
The post is about something I never thought that I would be doing as often as I do now: playing computer games.
Back home, extra time means going outside and reading a book on the beach, or, if the weather is bad, flipping through the TV channels to find yet another Law and Order. I am somewhat ashamed to say, now when I am bored I usually find myself playing a game on the computer. Why? Many reasons…it’s easy, it’s fun and addictive. Not to mention the fact that I have no beach, and no TV channels that I can understand enough to be interested. I am only somewhat ashamed of my new addiction because the alternative would be to plan lessons, and that no matter how many computer games I play, the average Chinese boy plays way more.
So what games are Sarah’s favorites? On the website primarygames.com, I play Dune Buggy, Wild Wild Taxi, and Monkey Go Happy (I also use this website for lots of games with my students, great learning games on there!). Thanks to Google Chrome’s new App system, I’m hooked on Bowman2, Zombie Drop, Robot Unicorn Attack, and of course, Angry Birds. I have finally been taught how to play Pants vs. Zombies, and can see why it is one of the most popular games in China (that and Crossfire). I have dabbled in a few others that are good, just not favorites, such as Use Boxman.
I realize though, that the playing of all these games stem from one certain game, that I proud have gotten most of the staff addicted to- Mahjong Solitaire. In this game, you have to get matching tiles. Yea sounds easy, but it is a little more difficult than that. You cannot collect a tile if it has tiles on wither side of it, or on top of it. Now, this is not the true Chinese Mahjong, pretty much a Westerner made it up because they didn’t understand the real game (which is like a poker game). I am still hoping to learn the true Mahjong, but have yet to have the time or patience to do so. For now, I will just stick to killing zombies and flipping dune buggies to fill my free time.
Back home, extra time means going outside and reading a book on the beach, or, if the weather is bad, flipping through the TV channels to find yet another Law and Order. I am somewhat ashamed to say, now when I am bored I usually find myself playing a game on the computer. Why? Many reasons…it’s easy, it’s fun and addictive. Not to mention the fact that I have no beach, and no TV channels that I can understand enough to be interested. I am only somewhat ashamed of my new addiction because the alternative would be to plan lessons, and that no matter how many computer games I play, the average Chinese boy plays way more.
So what games are Sarah’s favorites? On the website primarygames.com, I play Dune Buggy, Wild Wild Taxi, and Monkey Go Happy (I also use this website for lots of games with my students, great learning games on there!). Thanks to Google Chrome’s new App system, I’m hooked on Bowman2, Zombie Drop, Robot Unicorn Attack, and of course, Angry Birds. I have finally been taught how to play Pants vs. Zombies, and can see why it is one of the most popular games in China (that and Crossfire). I have dabbled in a few others that are good, just not favorites, such as Use Boxman.
I realize though, that the playing of all these games stem from one certain game, that I proud have gotten most of the staff addicted to- Mahjong Solitaire. In this game, you have to get matching tiles. Yea sounds easy, but it is a little more difficult than that. You cannot collect a tile if it has tiles on wither side of it, or on top of it. Now, this is not the true Chinese Mahjong, pretty much a Westerner made it up because they didn’t understand the real game (which is like a poker game). I am still hoping to learn the true Mahjong, but have yet to have the time or patience to do so. For now, I will just stick to killing zombies and flipping dune buggies to fill my free time.
Intensive is not fun. Would I rather be chewed on by a thousand ants while an elephant sat on my head? Nah, probably not. But still, intensive is not fun.
What is intensive? Intensive is three months during the summer and two months in the winter when, because school is out, we work a lot more hours and have a lot more classes. Remember, I work for a company, not for the school system. I’ve mentioned it before, but think of it this way: growing up, we went to piano or gymnastics or karate after school, yea? Chinese students go to English class (and for some very unlucky ones, extra classes for math and such). Personally, I have so many thanks to give for not being raised in the Chinese education system. Ten hours of classes, plus copious amounts of homework everyday? No thanks, I prefer to be seen as a stupid American.
Anyway, back to Intensive. We have extra classes for all grade levels, in addition to their usual ones. The students don’t have to do them, but of course they are “highly suggested”- think summer camp, a bit. They are called Life Club (we actually have these life clubs throughout the whole year for adults, but this is the first time we are doing them for kids). The topics are usually things that we don’t cover in the regular course, and in my eyes, are usually more fun. Nothing beats a morning of teaching adults how to play BS and poker ( Oh wait.. sleep does..).
Today, myself and another teacher taught a “Life Club” lesson for a group of 10 year olds. What life lessons do kids need to learn? Why, finger painting of course! That’s right, my “teaching” today involved a couple quick games on colors, and then painting. Ahh, this is the life. Other than painting, we are doing other cool things with the kids, like talking to the museum and making “dumplings” (which will be filled with chocolate and such). All in all, not a bad way to spend all your extra hours at school.
What is intensive? Intensive is three months during the summer and two months in the winter when, because school is out, we work a lot more hours and have a lot more classes. Remember, I work for a company, not for the school system. I’ve mentioned it before, but think of it this way: growing up, we went to piano or gymnastics or karate after school, yea? Chinese students go to English class (and for some very unlucky ones, extra classes for math and such). Personally, I have so many thanks to give for not being raised in the Chinese education system. Ten hours of classes, plus copious amounts of homework everyday? No thanks, I prefer to be seen as a stupid American.
Anyway, back to Intensive. We have extra classes for all grade levels, in addition to their usual ones. The students don’t have to do them, but of course they are “highly suggested”- think summer camp, a bit. They are called Life Club (we actually have these life clubs throughout the whole year for adults, but this is the first time we are doing them for kids). The topics are usually things that we don’t cover in the regular course, and in my eyes, are usually more fun. Nothing beats a morning of teaching adults how to play BS and poker ( Oh wait.. sleep does..).
Today, myself and another teacher taught a “Life Club” lesson for a group of 10 year olds. What life lessons do kids need to learn? Why, finger painting of course! That’s right, my “teaching” today involved a couple quick games on colors, and then painting. Ahh, this is the life. Other than painting, we are doing other cool things with the kids, like talking to the museum and making “dumplings” (which will be filled with chocolate and such). All in all, not a bad way to spend all your extra hours at school.
One of my least favorite situations to be in here is when people tell me they don’t like America because it is so dangerous. They watch movies and TV shows, and are convinced that all we do is go around and kill people all day. I’m not making this up, I had a student two nights ago tell me that she did not want to go to America because of that. Thanks to that, and rap music and music videos, (and I am not being racist whatsoever, I am just stating the facts) most Chinese people do not like black people. We recently had a teacher arrive from South Africa, and many Chinese staff members expressed concern when they heard the word Africa. Again, I am not condoning this in anyway, just relaying how it is here. We did, for a short period, have a black teacher from London. As far as I know, she never had any trouble with the Chinese people based on her skin color. The Chinese can be very quick to judge, but they are tolerant enough that they would still let a black teacher teach their children. Now, not all of the Chinese people have these beliefs. One student I had today expressed her feelings about the matter quite well. She knows that the movies are just movies, and that there are dangerous places everywhere in the world. To quote her, “Where there are people, there are problems”. She still felt a bit of concern about the places and situations depicted in some movies, but knows that there are as many good places in the US as there are bad. It is interesting to think, though, how much of an impact a movie can have on a person’s future education and career. And it doesn’t help that they don’t get much positive news from the West, just as they don’t really get any bad news about China.
