Droppin' Low in the 20s

Yesterday morning I stepped out of my apartment and was hit by a freezing lash of wind. My eyesight went blurry as I tears formed in response to the non-californian weather.... I looked ahead of me as my vision cleared and saw a thick sheet of ice laying solid and intimidating ahead. I locked eyes on it as my only thought was quick, turn around and sprint back into my warm, safe and comfortable! There is NO way I am going to class in this weather. Who functions in this weather?! Well, apparently I do now, I braced myself with what little gumption I could muster and continued marching against the biting wind toward my first class. It's only October... and they say it's supposed to get COLDER?! I honestly don't know how I am going to survive the winter.... only He can truly get me through it!

Yesterday was a full day of classes, beginning with one of my Chinese co-workers observing the first class of the day and of this week's lesson plan. I tried to warn her not expect much because the first class with the new lesson plan is always the guinea pig! She was gracious though as I've come to enjoy about the Chinese people. At the end of the period, she made a joke with her observation, "you should encourage them to remember their English names". I laughed, yes, my sweet little freshman picked their own English names about 2 weeks ago- names from all ends of the spectrum... a few examples: Belly, Cheese, Leader, Michael Jordan, Seal, Monkey, Westnboy are among the most unique! Yet, they can't seem to remember their names! Sweet things! Anyways, the day was over before I knew it. Our program leader, Matt, was in town for a visit to check-in with us and see how our team at Hua Qiao is doing. We met with him for an hour and then he blessed us with our first American meal out since leaving Beijing! We dined at "Grandpa's Kitchen" where they offered an assortment of delectable American dishes.... burritos, pasta, salad, burgers, milkshakes... you name it they offered it! So, knowing it would probably be awhile before my next American meal (it's so expensive) I went big and I went all-American! I ordered a peanut butter-chocolate milk shake with a bacon cheeseburger! And let me tell YOU- I have never eaten so fast and with such pleasure as I did last night! It was a treat to say the least!

This morning began not so easily as yesterday. I officially have my first cold of the season. With the extreme change/drop in temperature, my immune system has taken a little hit. Originally planning to wake-up and workout early with Emily, I hit snooze when my alarm sounded. I couldn't get up; everything ached and I could hardly breathe. It was going to be a rough day. Fortunately, I found the energy to make it to my first class. Unfortunately, the first class went reallll rough! My head seemed to be locked in a fog and I couldn't hear the answers my students were giving me to the questions I posed. I gave it my best shot, but I walked out of class this morning feeling discouraged and disappointed. The students did not receive my best teaching efforts. I shuffled back to bed and "took a rest" as they would say here. I fell asleep until my team met for "thoughtful time". At this we all gathered to go before the Father. It was one of the more special times of "thought" that our team has experienced. I believe it is because everyone on our team for the most part had a situation/struggle that they needed to lift up.... we all seemed to be in the same place. It was a special time to come together in those circumstances. With that I was off to prepare for my English Corner at 3 pm.

I have come to love my English Corner. English Corner lesson plan's are awesome because you can choose a topic to cover and basically provide questions about the topics for the students to practice in order that they may practice their English. I co-teach with my teammate Colby and this is also turning into quite a blessing to have someone to support you on days like today when you are feeling sick! So as I walked to class I felt my head feeling less "fog-like" and more clear. I grabbed a hot green tea on my way (which by the way Dad, you would LOVE because they put like lemon and honey in it and it SO good... and I don't even like tea!!) This tea gave me the extra boost I needed to sustain me in class. Today's English Corner was on "Values". This was an awesome topic! I got to learn so much about the Chinese culture... I had incredible conversations with the students on what they value, and what they have been taught to value as they have grown up. In Chinese culture, there is a very heavy emphasis on Family. And yes in America we emphasize family, but not like they do in China! Chinese parents provide for their children financially for a long time. When they get down with school, if they have a son, they will buy their apartment and car for him in order that he may get a wife. And when the son gets older, he will provide housing and finances for his parents. It is very interesting how they seek dependence on the family unit, while in America, teens scream for independence from their family.... anything to get away and "do your own thing". As we talked about values today, the students primarily shared how honesty and diligence are two of the most important values to learn as you grow up in this society. It is obvious in the educational structure of China.... everything is based on your test scores and once you take the tests necessary for certain educational advancements, you won't take it again- you get one score and that score places you in life and ultimately in society. Parents also can't always buy their way into or out of things if their child tests poorly. Other cultural differences I have seen, the policemen don't give tickets for reckless driving (aka I have about died and gone to heaven in a taxi like a hundred times so far) and because of the "one-child" law, friends treat each other like siblings. It is not uncommon in my class to see male students holding hands or being touchy because it is culturally a part of displaying love to one another. I personally think it is so precious to see- they care for each other as brothers and sisters and their gentleness is very evident in their actions. When I did an English Corner on love and discussed the love languages, about 95% of the students in the class listed physical touch as their love language.... and so I have seen myself (who is NOT a touchy person in the least bit!!) become comfortable in putting my hand on someone's shoulder or holding their hand as I talk to them. This simple gesture shows love and respect. Anyways, tonight I enjoyed a very hot soup with two of my students Amber and Gemma. I got to talk to Amber alot because Gemma showed up late. I found out that her father owns a company that produces motorcycle parts and her father travels all over the world. He encourages her in her studies of English and Spanish so that she might be a beneficial asset to the company when she graduates. I thought it was so cool to hear more about her story. I love learning the back stories to the faces I see daily! I can truly say I love my job here and love my students- even when I have a rough go during illness.... He has new mercies for us every morning! Be encouraged today- I am thinking and lifting you up!!