Too Tired to Think of a Clever Title

So Zac and I are starting to get into the swing of things here. A few things:

We're becoming more mobile. In fact, we've done something new every day this week! I'm more comfortable taking taxis and buses and walking, so we've explored a few new places: the Hot Pot (real name? Not sure) which is SO delicious. You choose a variety of delicious foods and they are brought to your table. Everyone shares, and throws the food into the steaming broth in the middle of the table, and when it's cooked you have your choice of dip. We've tried lotus, a yummy root that is popular out here, among a bunch of other things.

We've also discovered another market. At this one, we choose a bunch of food items and someone cooks them over a long narrow bbq. The food, again, was delicious, but extremely spicy, even for Zac. Coconut juice is just about everywhere, which we love.

I survived my 6 day work week and it wasn't all that bad. Actually, on the Monday, it was Teacher's Day, and they had a presentation for us! We each received water bottles that are marked with the school's information - I liked mine, but some of the guys wished they had colours other than pink :) The students sang "You Raise Me Up" by Josh Groban. Awww!

I went out with the teachers to a house party last weekend and then out for dancing by the Yangtze river while Zac had his first sleep over at the neighbours. It was super interesting and I was a bit nervous wandering so far from home, but I had some good people who have done this many times keep an eye on me so it was all good.

I've also been back to Metro - it's like costco and I was able to get burgers, and some other non-asian type foods. We came home so excited to make pasta only to discover the stove not working again! But it's all fixed up now...turns out I just had to push a button :)

This week the school clubs start, and Zac is welcome to go to all of them. There's probably about 30 clubs, so Zac will have more of a social life than I do! Tuesday I help in the Learning Centre, so Zac went to the Art Club and made me a cool card that says, "Thank you for bringing me" (to China). Yesterday he split his time between the bingo club and the basketball club while I worked with some of my students, and he'd like to go to soccer on Mondays. There's also a ping pong club, road hockey, etc etc. It's pretty great that he has all this available to him in his own backyard! Another mom and I are also looking into signing the kids up for piano lessons once a week :)

Next week is our last week until getting a week off from school, and it looks like we'll be going to Bejing where a friend of mine lives, and then maybe the Terracotta Warriers on the way back! I just need to figure out how to book this all and then we'll be set. Alright, back to this mountain of papers to mark...

Zac's 9th Birthday :)

Sunday was definitely an interesting day!!

Before I tell you about the actual day, let me just say that on Saturday, another mom watched Zac while I went out on my own to get a few things. I was pretty impressed with myself - again, I instructed the taxi driver where to go and arrived back in one piece with all of my items intact and the biggest grin on my face ever! Not only did I pick up a few other things needed for the apartment, I got some much needed flat shoes, birthday stuff, and most importantly, the CAKE! And I didn't drop it getting a taxi! :)

Buying things is still an adventure. I was in Walmart trying to buy paper plates. I thought I was so clever because I went to the kitchen section, held up a dinner plate in one hand and my piece of paper in the other, and proceeded to say, "PAPER...PLATES!" over and over again...but to no avail. GAHHHH! What else is there for me to do in that situation?? I also had zero luck in acting out wrapping paper. But at least a decent sized crowd formed around me as I tried to explain it. Candles were also a lost cause (in the end, the bakery gave some to me with the cake) - but I'm sure many people got a kick out of me blowing imaginary candles out over and over again. 

Ordering the cake was pretty funny too. The ladies thought I was trying to tell them my son was 29 years old! They looked a little confused. The cakes I got were so AWESOME! One for home, and another small one for school (it was a red angry bird. Zac loved it). 

Anyways, the actual day. In the morning, I gave Zac his presents (a cool robot clock and a small digital camera so he can document our trip) and Zac skyped with a variety of family and friends (who either did something in his honour, sang happy birthday, or baked him a pie! That he couldn't eat). Then we headed out to McDonalds for brunch. Not long after we sat down, a group of high school girls sat next to us and, clearly speaking about us, spent some time giggling and talking in Mandarin and looking at us before telling Zac they thought he was beautiful. They spoke English well enough so we spoke with them for awhile before they asked to sing Zac happy birthday. I got out my camera, expecting it to be sung in Mandarin, but they were showing off their English skills (though they couldn't pronounce his name). Next, they asked Zac to take a picture with them. Zac looked horrified and I thought it was hilarious. He agreed, and I took a picture of them taking a picture of him :P  However, I think from now on we will have to politely decline.

After McDonalds, we met with Sandy and her two kids and we all went on the look out for "the monkey park." Nobody at school knows the park's actual name, but many teachers recommended it and Zac wanted to go. We passed it and took twice as long getting there as we should have, but I was glad we found it for Zac. The park is beautiful, with plenty of walking trails and bridges and flowers. The monkeys were found in one specific spot, and the kids loved them. They had peanuts to feed them, and often the monkeys would take the peanuts right from their hand. Though there were cages, many of the monkeys were actually outside of the cakes, hanging around in trees. One surprised Zac by walking right up to him for a peanut!

I was immensely amused by one woman in particular who stared at Zac in fascination and proceeded to pinch and squeeze his cheeks...a lot. I couldn't help but laugh at the expression on Zac's face. Later, when the woman was coming back along the path, I gave Zac a warning and he bolted in the other direction. Bahaha! I told him that he was free to politely excuse himself if he doesn't want random people grabbing his cheeks. At the same park, it was my turn to get asked to take a picture. So strange. 

When we left the monkey park, it was after 4pm, which was a problem. In Wuhan, between 4-6 it's difficult to catch a taxi because they're all switching shifts. We waited for about 30 minutes before walking for another 20 and finally got a taxi so that we could go get some sushi! The restaurant was awesome - we had to take off our shoes and sit on pretty little pillows. The food was delicious, and Zac had squid for the first time (well, the first time he knew that he was eating squid, anyways!).

We went back to the apartment and had several people over for cake. Sandy and her kids came, as well as Vicki (Mandarin teacher at school) and her twin daughters, who gave Zac three fish. Zac was also thrilled to get a hamster (on loan - while we are here). Molly, her husband Derek (another teacher at Zac's school) and their son Eli (one year old) also came over. Zac and Eli have become fast friends, and it's adorable to see them playing together :) James, another teacher, also came by - Zac bonded with James on the flight over. The kids played, we sang happy birthday, ate cake, and Zac got a few presents. 

It was pretty great :)

Back to School Time!

So, I'm like a real teacher now! :)

First let me tell you about Zac. He has his first male teacher, and his classroom combines grades 4, 5 and 6 - which I love. Zac has been doing higher level math and I'm all for it! Zac is the only grade 4 in his class - and at the moment, he has a class size of FOUR students! This is a huge bonus. Zac is getting a ton of one-on-one attention. I'm really happy with the set-up. Zac likes his teacher and his classmates, and generally the whole situation. There are two other classes in the school, and they combine classes often for group activities, which is nice. This week we have a SIX day work week, because a National holiday is coming up and rather than getting a few days off, we'll get a whole week, which is great for travelling (still contemplating where to go). This is Zac's first time having a school uniform and he looks so darn cute in it! Pictures soon, really!

As for me, I am really enjoying my students. There are a few challenges but mainly I have some really great kids. I was pretty pleased with myself when a student came by my class and told me she overheard some other students talking about me. When I asked what they were saying, she told me they said that,"you are pretty and A REALLY GOOD TEACHER!" Yes, that's right. You heard it. If that's their opinion on the second day, you better believe it's true! ;)

I have discovered just how time consuming teaching is, at least in the beginning. I don't think I've ever had more than the last 10 minutes of my lunch to grab a quick snack, and there's always so much to do! I gave out my first writing assignment last week and am now in the process of marking 90 papers. What's worse, is they're writing another one today and a third by the end of the week. So awesome. 

A really fantastic discovery when school started up was that I brought about 7 pairs of high heels, and zero pairs of flat professional footwear (I have many blisters. Ow). HOWEVER - exciting part!! - I have recently discovered that I DO fit into Chinese footwear and clothing!! So SO exciting. This is something I was told to be worried about...and I was worried. They definitely do not have western sizes over here! I think I just squeezed by. 

So anyways, Zac and I are starting to settle into a routine, which is nice! I'm pretty tired, so I go to bed at the same time as Zac. Now I just need to make his bedtime earlier! ;)

Hope everyone is well! Some people have had a hard time figuring out how to post comments on my posts, so if any of the experts want to share their tips, I'm sure it would be appreciated! :)