Schools out!! It has been quite awhile since I’ve written, I don’t think I’ve added to my blog since Thanksgiving. I wish I could say I have a lot to recount, but not really. Things here have been very normal.
Christmas was Christmas; there were tons of decorations throughout the city, my house and the office. The company threw a big Christmas party, it entailed karaoke, pie eating contests, musical chairs, and a myriad of other fun games. All the foreign teachers throughout the Jiangsu province that work for JESIE came in for the holidays as well. Within my small office we exchanged names and had a secret Santa gift exchange. So, it was a wonderful, though not white, Christmas with presents and carols and good times!!
I spent New Year’s Eve in Wuxi with my friend Alex. The schools had a few days off so I was able to spend time with her and the other teachers I hadn’t seen much of since training in August. There wasn’t much of a big deal for the New Year’s; obviously they save up all their vigor for the Chinese New Year which is right around the corner! There are red good luck charms everywhere as well as wishing trees in the center where people write their wishes on red ribbons and attach them to the tree.
Classes ended last week!!! Although I do have one last tutor session this Thursday, but then I am officially finished with teaching in China! Amazing that the time has flown so quickly. I really did grow to love the children, they are all so sweet. The picture I’ve posted is of me of my special, extra curricular class. They are all second graders and extremely smart. The other photos are from my oral classes at the school. As you can see they all love to be in the photo.
Mom and Dennis are visiting in less than a week!!! I fly to Beijing on Sunday to meet them and David. We are visiting Beijing, X’ian, Shanghai, and Nanjing while they are here; also my friend Alex is joining us on our travels and for the Chinese New Year which we will be in Nanjing for.
I wanted to give a quick run down of the news here in China, but I hope to write more on my reflections on teaching and my overall experience here in Nanjing!
I love all and can’t wait to see you in about 1 month!!!!!
