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.