The time is passing rapidly and we have been so busy with school, students, and school functions. Last week was truly a memorable one for me.
I only had one class all week long, as it was mid-term exams and there are no classes for one of the days. Also, there were 2 days of "Sports Day" for all
my Freshmen and Sophomores. On Thursday and Friday I went to the track and watched the sporting events and I really had a great time with the kids....
Some of my medical students participated and some did not. It was very strange how the entire thing was handled.
All students are required to attend the two day event - they have NO OTHER choice but to attend. There are several students assigned to each class that
take "roll" and record who is in attendance - every 30 minutes. They actually walk around with a paper and pencil recording who is there and who is not!!!!
I could not believe it. I went and sat by my students and they were so sweet to me and they explained the consequences if a student does not attend the
events. This is how it is: all the students are required to attend - if they do not attend they will be in very serious trouble and they will have "points"
deducted from their school record. There are no excuses accepted for someone not in attendance. It is a very serious offense to not be in attendance.
And ALL must cheer and encourage the competitors and write the competitors words of encouragement. Does this sound very Communist??????????
BUT, they are all so cheerful and happy to be there and they cheer and act as if there was nothing unusual happening in their lives - and I guess this is
not unusual for them....
When I walked to the bleachers they all cheered when they saw me..... Made me feel so special. And, they all wanted me to come and sit with them and
their class. Happy times and memories for me. I love to see them out of the classroom - they seem to be so much more relaxed. I took many photo's,
which I will attach.
Two nights last week, we walked down to "May 4th Square", ate supper, and walked among the vendors. There were people who were out for an evening
stroll or to watch the tide come in. It was amazing - so peaceful and relaxing. It seems like we never allow the time to take walks in Cedar City....I guess
we just allow too many"things" to prevent us from making it a priority in out lives. Here in China, life is so "laid back" and relaxing - it seems. Such a
carefree time for us, a time we will always treasure among these special people as well as the dear friends we have made in the Miller's, Goodrich's, Nona
and Victoria.
Saturday we were invited to go to a "tea picking" with my co-teacher, Aron and his wife and daughter. We discovered that Aron's wife, Linda, is also one
of Rog's co-teachers. We went to Yang Kou on a bus with about 15 different Chinese parents and children. The children all speak English - the parents
do not speak English. They were a delightful bunch of people and we had a wonderful day. We went directly to the tea patches and were shown how to
pick the tea. Then, we were served a delicious lunch of dumplings which were made of tea, flowers and unknown vegetables. It tasted great.
Then we went to the beach and the children played in the sand and the ocean. We were exhausted when we got home - but what a great day.
Yesterday, I had my class of Post Graduates come to our dormitory and I served them French Toast and taught them how to use a knife, fork and
spoon. They were so excited and they really did well with the utensils. They were something to watch. Most of them thought the homemade
maple syrup was too sweet BUT others wanted to drink the leftover syrup ! ! ! Such sweet people and I can honestly say that I love them with all
my heart. Some of the most intelligent people I have met and so kind and considerate. They each gave me a hug on arrival as well as a farewell
hug and kiss on the cheek. Melted my heart. Next year, after Christmas, they will be assigned to assist the Doctors in a local hospital and I will
not see them as much, but they have promised to keep in touch. I know that I will never forget them - they were the first class I taught at
Qingdao University and I was so frightened that day.
I have been teaching my classes - the past 2 weeks - facts, as well as trivia about Mother's Day. They celebrate Mother's Day here
in China and we had some good ideas and discussions on Mother's Day. I gave each student a piece of stationary and assigned them to write
their Mother's a letter of appreciation and to tell their Mother "I love you". This was a hard assignment for my Chinese students, as
the Chinese culture does not express feelings of love to each other....
Today in class, I ask if anyone had given their letter to their Mother and one girl raised her hand and said that she had given her letter to her Mother.
I then ask her what her Mother said. She said that her Mother read the letter and turned her head so that she could not see her crying as she read
the letter. The daughter (Natalie) said that when she saw her Mother crying, she started to cry also. It was a very touching moment, as Natalie got
tears in her eyes, as she retold the story. Natalie went on to tell me that she was thankful to me for making the assignment to write her Mother a
letter of appreciation because she never expresses her love to her parents and they do so much for her. Wow........
I love you all so very much.We are getting anxious to come home. We only have 6 weeks of teaching left and we are keeping busy so as not to
dwell on the fact that we will see you all soon. How we miss you dear family. I think our love and appreciation for each of you has grown in the
time we have been gone. Can't wait to see your dear faces.
Loves,
Mom
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