It's Not That I Don't Love You, I'm Just Really Lazy

I think the title says it all. I've been meaning to write another blog- honestly. But I just haven't had anything particularly interesting to write about. I mean, one or two things will pop up, and I think, 'By golly, I need to put that in the blog!'. But a one sentence blog isn't going to appease anybody. So I store up all these little things and finally, after a week (or two) have enough to say. Things have been going well- still teaching 6 days a week, still taking Chinese lessons, still going to the gym. Wow, that reads like a thesis statement and a decent M.O.D. Yay AP English!

Teaching- They've finally given me what appears to be my permanent schedule. The best thing about it is that my weekends have been reduced to 9-5:30 on Saturdays, and just 1-2:30 on Sundays, which allows for some semblance of a normal social life. However, I know new classes will start on Sundays, and they'll be given to me, so I'll enjoy this schedule while I have the chance. At this point I have classes I love, classes that annoy me, and one class I hate.

Oh, the class I hate. It's about 15 7-year olds. This was my second week teaching them, and they didn't get any better. They're all naughty- they like to poke at me when my back is turned and stick out their tongues rather than repeat vocab words. But we use a star system in Sunflower- good behavior earns stars, bad behavior makes them disappear. If they earn a certain number over the weeks, they get something stupid, like a Snoopy eraser. But they, especially the younger kids, go nuts for these stars. So with the naughty class, I just keep taking them away, which keeps them somewhat under control. But I have one kid- he just pushes me to the breaking point. Let's call him Billy-Bob, because he's fat and has the nastiest black teeth I've ever seen.

-A quick side note: In China, there doesn't really seem to be the same emphasis on 'Special Ed' or learning disabilities in schools. So every kids is placed in the classes, which means we occasionally get kids like Billy-Bob, who clearly need Ritalin or one of those leashes you strap your kids to.-

So Billy-Bob can't sit still. He's out of his seat every 5 seconds. Or under it. Or on top of it. Or chewing on it. He punches me in the stomach, he bugs the little girls, and on top of it all, he can't pronounce a word to save his life. He seems to have some ability to memorize the vocab, but can't say it. So on Saturday, we were playing a game that the kids love, called 'Wolf Wolf, What Time is It?', where I stand on one side of the classroom with my face to the wall and call out times, and they take steps forward, until I run around and chase them. Well, this was the first time this class has played this game, and they were loving it. But while I was standing with my back to the class, Billy-Bob runs up and pushes me into the wall. I had it with him. Both the TA and I grabbed him, and sat him down, and yelled "[Billy-Bob], no! Sit down!". And that was it. Not too bad, right? Well, during the break, Billy-Bob's mom comes in and tells the TA she and I are too mean to him. We need to exercise patience, and be his friend. I laughed. BB is a perfect example of the 'Little Emperor'. He's spoiled rotten. He probably weighs like 100lbs, and his mom still carries him. I just find it funny because I never thought I'd get complaints for being too strict! Generally, Chinese parents expect and encourage it!

It's not all bad though, as I said before, I have classes/ kids I just adore! I've also gotten to name some more. Dad- you'll be happy to know, I named one Jeff! I'll name them for all of you over time, I'm sure! Oh yeah, did I mention that no one here can pronounce my name? It's just so strange, coming from a country where it's super common. I notice it most often in the spelling- Richel or Rechal.

Chinese lessons are going well, although I need to devote more time for studying in between lessons. But I'm at the point where I ask everyone I know for help- the TAs at school, my trainer, Chinese friends, etc. Oh yes- I made some Chinese friends! The first night I went out with them, they took me for hot pot- which is where they bring a big ying-yang shaped bowl to the table filled with hot "soup"- one mild, one incredibly spicy. Then you mark down on a piece of paper what meats and veggies you want, and they bring them out to you. You put them in the pot, and eat up. It was very good, and Amy and Margaret were great company.

It was at that meal that I ate pig's brain. Yes. The brain of a pig. And yes, it looks like a brain. And has the texture of what you'd imagine a brain to taste like. I had a few bites and politely tried to hide it in my bowl. I went out with Margaret again tonight, and had a fantastic Chinese meal, free from all known strange animals.

Still going to the gym. Trainer is still adorable- except that this morning he made me climb up the stairs at the building next door. All 20 stories. On the upside, he did it with me- which I choose to believe is because he wanted to rather than didn't trust the lazy Mei Guo Ren (American) to not walk up like 6 stories, sit down and have a nice 20 minute nap. But I'm still motivated to go tomorrow, despite that, so all a good sign.

So I think that does it for me. Fairly busy week ahead- going to do some more site seeing during my day off tomorrow, and then teaching the rest of the week. Thinking of you all!

XOXO,

RDG

Your Chinese for the day: 瑞吉儿- Rui Ji Er, My Chinese name :)