"Duck, Duck, Goose"

(Sandy)

Once again I took my very lovely walk down the silk street to make my way to school. The locals were out sweeping their walkways, washing down stubborn stains, sipping morning soups and racheting open the huge locks set into place the night before. It is important not to mentally drift away too far while walking because VERY quiet motor bikes suddenly appear within inches of your body as workers scurry to their jobs. Pedal bikes are also whizzing by, but, not nearly as many as I remembered from my last visit in 2001.

First class this morning was Chinese painting. We were once again given books to look at and to copy from...to practice for our final work. I think I may ask her to demo for us and let us copy her technique stroke by stroke. We will all get much more from the class that way.

At lunch we were once again served some very interesting dishes...always a visual delight and most of the time a puzzle as to what some of it actually is. We all devoured the sweet mangos and worked our way around the meats that were served. I will admit that processed meats are not my favorite so I gave my skewered medallions to Charlie, Alex's host. He is a tall thin young man with an appetite like no other person I know. The host kids and some of their friends usually join us at some point during lunch, so instead of wasting the food we do not eat, we share it with them. It usually all disappears. Knowing that Alaina loves milk tea, her host sister always brings her a container at lunch. The look of pure satisfaction on Alaina's face is priceless! Lauren's host, Ning, is a delight and always shows up with hugs. Cassie's host sister always wears a great big smile...braces and all!

After lunch, I had two classes with William the young Chinese English-language teacher that came to our school a couple of years ago. As always, it was great fun and very informative for both the students and me as we exchanged questions and answers about many different things. In nearly every class I am asked about politics, American schools, and American teenage culture. The class questions and the "quiet conversations" that I have had with students has changed greatly since 2001. There is a greater desire for worldwide open communication and for personal freedoms and choices. In 2001 when I asked students what they hoped to be as an adult, they could not even comprehend the idea of having a choice...not anymore!

During last period, Cassie, Alex and I were again with William's class. Outside in one of the courtyards, the Chinese taught us a "tag" game that everyone appeared to enjoy very much on this beautiful warm day. Alex and Cassie then taught them "duck, duck, goose"...a very different game when there are over fifty kids sitting in a circle. At the end of the class, were were thanked for our participation and given gifts. Cassie and Alex received beautiful pieces of calligraphy painted by one of the student's fathers and another gift of personal notes from the students. Be sure to ask Cassie about hers, the quotes are priceless ! I received a floral brush painting by the same father. What a great bunch of kids all around!

In the evening, we all went to a birthday dinner for Derek (the teacher who will be coming to DS in April) and his wife and another special couple in their lives. It seems that "Rossi" was in university with Derek and actually introduced him to his future wife. Rossi is also a very fun guy...making balloon animals and large balloon machine guns and doing magic tricks with cards and ropes. After university, Rossi decided that being a teacher was not for him...he said that if he taught the way he wanted to he'd be fired. He and Alex spent quite a while discussing historical war facts...I think their acquaintance will turn into a friendship! The evening ended with taxi rides home for some of us, but I think Derek and Alex may have gone out shopping for videos for his senior project.

All the best, Sandy