Let the Class Begin...

Ok, it's official. I'm an ESL teacher.

It's getting into my system...

I'm paranoid about grammar, spelling, correct pronunciation, intonation, and representing my country well. I spend time on the bus marking papers and I'm getting critical of what the people here call 'Chinglish' - the Chinese version of English. I'm all social'd out by the time I get home [social'd...???!!!], and want to do nothing but embrace the couch..., oh yeah - and Michelle! I've got 'my students' and they're 'the greatest'. Call me Mr Taylor or else.

Just a tip: don't believe every word I say...

until now...

For the record - I'm loving it. I leave home at 7:15am, take 2 buses for up to an hour, start work at 8:30am... I have a morning class for 3 hours, followed by a one hour lunch break (Chinese lunch provided!), then another 3 hour class in the afternoon. Just after 4pm I get to head home, and by 5:30pm I'm saying hi to the couch. The two classes have about 20 students each, and I've got 'em for 2 months. But let's just say that I've learned how to make English learning fun. Fun for me, fun for them. And I really like the students. I'm teaching them general conversational English, and not-so-general English! The students are fresh out of Uni and are employed by a Civil Engineering Company that is sending them overseas soon - Dubai, Singapore, American and somewhere else in the Middle East. And I've discovered that once a youth pastor, always a youth pastor. I'm still loving young people and getting the chance to help them, listen to them, give advice, and model the good life as best I can to them. My gifts aren't going to waste and for that I feel daily satisfaction.

Speaking of satisfaction, here's a view from our loungeroom window that you might appreciate...


Well, back to business. Unlike me at the moment, Michelle is finding work a bit of a challenge recently and is being stretched as far as managing people is concerned. But all's good. No pain, no gain right? When things get tough the tough get going. And she's a toughy. Gee, I love her! She really lightens up my life! (and you're thinking..."what does he want?!")

So how's our social life? Glad you asked. We've been catching up with friends, going out for dinner, church on Sundays, going to the gym (on occassions!), still catching a flick or two at the cinema, riding our bikes, and more.

It's a hoot.

This is China

Dig it.

GRASSOLOGY

HELLLLLLLOOOOOOO from China!!!!
(From my 1st ESL Class and guest star Abby King!)

'Grass has life...please hold your foot'

Hi! Ni Hao! Meow-meow! (Just in case any cats out there feel they are missing out!)

Already I hestitate to even begin writing this blog because I know just how much has happened since the last time I wrote. But I know that a long blog is often short read. So I'm going to attempt to write in my own style of short-hand after a brief mini-intro, but let me add: happier are the speed readers. Here's a tip for the rest of you - focus on the key words.

Since writing last we have had the privilege of having our cousin Abby King stay with us for two weeks and we have had what some might call a BLAST...or even a HOOT! Now she's gone and we miss her already! I for one miss the fact that Michelle took Abby out clothes shopping instead of me. She was as great a guest as anyone could ask for. (The growing stash of cadbury chocolate and the big block of Aussie cheese in the fridge are evidence of this!). Well for the last two weekends we've headed out on some great Chinese adventures together...

On the 21st-22nd of July we went on a Great Wall Hike with Beijing Hikers. How would I describe it?

Great...Long...Gruelling...Stunning Views...Hot...Good company...Cows in the Wall Tower...Steep Steps...Exhaustion...Village Hosptiality...Donkeys...Authentic Chinese Food...Bonfire...Beer/Wine/Water...Just-like-home-Western food (great sandwiches and salad!)...sore legs...2000 year old crumbling wall...300 year old structurally sound wall...fascinating history...snickers bars...forest...scratched legs...thick grass and bushes...moon...stars...hard beds...great sleep!

Before we continue...here's another chance to meditate on Chinese grassology...

'Fascinating sweet-smelling of flowers...need your protection'

Well the following weekend we jumped on a train and headed to a nearby city to the north called Chengde. You can check it out on our Google Map HERE. It was a trip with many memories...

Sharing a 4 hour train ride alongside some happy-go-lucky Uni students...A Strict Train Attendant Lady...Taxi drivers that liked to use the whole road...taxis half the price of Beijing but in half the condition...a dirty city yet beautiful parks...Fascinating Rocks displaying great balancing skills...Tibetan Temples...The Biggest Wooden Buddha complete with 42 arms (The wood engraved Buddha in the Puning Temple, 22.28 meters tall, is the largest of its kind in the world.)...spinning-things-busker man...nice hotel room...Michelle's 31st B'day...A Chinese Restaurant feast...People gathering to sing the night away (and listen to singing) at a street corner pagoda...The Emperor's Summer Resort...Dressing-up for the fun of it...Deer's frolicking...a crazy return bus trip - huge traffic hold up, a packed mini-bus, busting for the toilet episode...and more...

I am trying to keep this short... Well why don't you think upon some more grassology for a little respite?

'Grass smiles...please walk sidewalk'

So there you have it...our little Chinese adventures - in short. But of course in-between we got up to a lot as well. Massages, shopping, eating-out, eating-in, more massages, bike-riding, exploring, Beijing Zoo and Aquarium (Aquarium was excellent!), checking out the night-life...

...And making sure not to tread on the grass!!!

Because... 'We should love the flowers and the grass'

Well now this blog is coming to a close...Phew! So just to keep you up to the latest, I have just started a new job that's contracted for the next two months. Once more I'm ESL teaching - two classes/day (6hours/day), 19 students each class. I'm up at 6:30am and back about the same. So I'm having to adjust to a new livestyle that's for sure. But I'm up for the challenge and enjoying it so far. Michelle is doing great at work, still enjoying the environment there and loving making our house a HOME, with the new addition of an oven, a new receipe book care of mum King, and a desk for kick-starting our little greeting card making venture.

Bye for now.

This is China.

Dig it.

Ps. Check out more of our pictures HERE