Dear Family
We are down to the last week in Qingdao and it seems unbelievable..... I seems like just yesterday we arrived. What a lifetime of memories in 10 1/2 short months!!!!
I never dreamed that I would fall so hopelessly in love with my dear students. They are wonderful.... I am sure that you are all so tired of my ranting on and on about them,
but they are very precious to me.
It has been so hot and humid here in Qingdao. As soon as we leave the apartment, in the morning, the sweat starts to roll down our backs. And, as we walk home or
uphill, on our way home, we are soaked in sweat. It has rained a every day, which is refreshing. However, yesterday, I went across the street to a little market
and as I ran home, hoping to reach home before the storm "hit" - I was caught in a cloud burst... When I got back to the apartment - I was soaking wet. My clothes were dripping wet and my shoes were full of water and my hair was stuck to my head!
As I go to my classes, for the last time - I really get emotional ! When I tell them this is the last class, their eyes fill with tears and so do mine! I feel so protective of them
and it never ceases to amaze me that I love them so unconditionally. Every single one of them.....
I have received some of the most tender notes of appreciation - notes I will always treasure. Roger's students are older than mine and they give him lavish gifts. Yesterday,
the class gave him a fancy photo album as well as a t-shirt with all their pictures printed on it! And tomorrow night 3 of this students will pick us up in a taxi at 6:00 p.m.
and take us to dinner. . . One of my girls gave me a little notebook she has had for 5 years that is her favorite. It was so special to her that she had never written in it - but
there was a note for me as she presented it to me. I was very touched. They have so very little - materially. Yet, they are so willing to share whatever they have with others.
They are a perfect example of Christlike love. As I have said before, they have taught me much more than I could EVER teach them. And, I have also learned alot about
myself during my stay in China. I have done things that I never dreamed I could do, I have eaten things that I never thought I would ever eat and I have been places that I
never knew existed. But, I know I am a better person because of my association with the Chinese.
We have missed all our family and friends. As the time to return back to the "good old USA" approaches, our hearts and thoughts are of each of you. And, with this week
being the 4th of July, we are thinking of the founding Fathers and the sacrifices that were made for the freedoms that we enjoy and cherish. We can hardly wait to set our feet
on the soil of freedom and all it stands for.
Much Love,
Mom
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Smile a Day - from a student
Mrs. Halladay , you know I love you very much . In fact , I'm not too shy to talk as you said . I haven't talk so much just because my English speaking is not very good, and I didn't want to bother you for I really care of you so much that I don't want you annyed with me. Love you forever!
yours, Frank
yours, Frank
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Time is Flying!!!
Dear Family:
I know that it has been a very long time since I wrote the Blog, BUT I have been so busy. There has been so much happening and I just hope that I can remember enough to give you a sketch of what has happened.
Did I tell you about the award the Medical Department awarded me? A student ask me to attend a closing program and brought me a nice invitation. He told me that we both had to attend and that there was a surprise for me. The night of the program, he met us at the door of the auditorium and I thought his class would be sitting together and we would sit with them. As we walked into the auditorium, a spotlight was on us and the audience stood up and cheered for us. We wondered what was happening....
There were about 2,000 people in attendance and I couldn't figure out what was happening. The program started and of course, we could not understand a word that was said! It was a talent show of sorts - as only the Chinese can perform. Half way into the program, one of my students leaned up to me and told me that I would be asked to go up on the stage. I told her " NO - I'm not going up on the stage". However, I was wrong . . . they announced several men which stood up and the audience clapped as they went up on the stage. Then, they said, "Mrs. Halladay, from the USA" and a student came and took my arm and led me to the stage. What a shock! Why were they taking me up on that stage????????????
Derek (my student) leaned over, as the Chinese were babbling on and on, and told me I was receiving an award from the Medical Department. All the award-ee's were handed a bouquet of fresh flowers and an official looking certificate. I was the first one awarded and they said something in Chinese and Derek told me to say something about my students.. What a shock!!!!!!! I got very emotional, thinking of the honor of being awarded by the students and I don't even remember what I said. Camera's were flashing and I felt like a celebrity.........
They made me feel like one - they are so generous with their love and praise.
All in all it was an award for the "Most Loved Teacher" in the Medical Department. I was speechless and very honored and felt undeserving. Later, one of the Post Graduates (Hancock) told me that they were especially excited for me because a foreign teacher had never been nominated before. I was the first!!!!!!!
Please know that I am not putting this incident on the Blog site to brag, but it is for my records. I am not a teacher by profession and I felt so honored and unworthy of the award. It also was very humbling for me - to think the students voted for me. Who ever thought?????
As I start to tell my students good-bye, I feel sad. I have grown to love them with all my heart and I will miss them. The Sophomores will go to another campus next year, for 2 years and I doubt that I will ever see some of them again. They have been a big part of my life here. There are tears shed as I bid them farewell and I pray that we will meet again someday.
Yesterday I cooked an American meal for my Post Graduates. We had pulled pork sandwiches, a green salad and apple crisp. All 30 students commented on the American food and how good it tasted. They could not believe that I had cooked meat for them! And they devoured the green salad and loved the Ranch dressing. Many thought the apple crisp was too sweet and couldn't imagine that I had cooked apples!!!!! They left our apartment, with tears in their eyes, as I bid them farewell. Even those big boys who were so shy and so afraid that I would talk directly to them, who could not even look me in the eye when I first met them!!!!
They have come so far and I believe there is no doubt in their minds, that I love them. I have made it a habit to sing to all my classes every time we meet and I think the music has had an effect on them. Today, "Lemon", in my class told me, "Mrs. Halladay, you always sing to us that we are Your Sunshine, and you are our Sunshine!"
What a great year this has been and what an experience for us! I am so thankful the Lord allowed us this opportunity. We have been so blessed by these special people. There is no place else, I would rather be, than in Qingdao China at this time.......
Many changes have taken place in our lives and one big change is the fact that Roger will serve as the Qingdao China Branch President!!!! He was called to serve on Father's day, June 14, 2009. President Steven Toronto is the District President for this part of China and he called us early Sunday morning and ask us to meet with him and Roger was called. What a nice surprise, I am sure he will do a great job. He is a great father, grandfather husband, brother and friend. The Lord knows his capabilities and has confidence in him. So do I....
We will be leaving China, to come home, on Thursday, June 9, 2009. We are anxious to see the family and spend time with everyone. We are especially looking forward to spending time with the grandchildren. We have missed them very much and can hardly wait to see them and get our hugs and kisses in.
Much Love,
Mom
I know that it has been a very long time since I wrote the Blog, BUT I have been so busy. There has been so much happening and I just hope that I can remember enough to give you a sketch of what has happened.
Did I tell you about the award the Medical Department awarded me? A student ask me to attend a closing program and brought me a nice invitation. He told me that we both had to attend and that there was a surprise for me. The night of the program, he met us at the door of the auditorium and I thought his class would be sitting together and we would sit with them. As we walked into the auditorium, a spotlight was on us and the audience stood up and cheered for us. We wondered what was happening....
There were about 2,000 people in attendance and I couldn't figure out what was happening. The program started and of course, we could not understand a word that was said! It was a talent show of sorts - as only the Chinese can perform. Half way into the program, one of my students leaned up to me and told me that I would be asked to go up on the stage. I told her " NO - I'm not going up on the stage". However, I was wrong . . . they announced several men which stood up and the audience clapped as they went up on the stage. Then, they said, "Mrs. Halladay, from the USA" and a student came and took my arm and led me to the stage. What a shock! Why were they taking me up on that stage????????????
Derek (my student) leaned over, as the Chinese were babbling on and on, and told me I was receiving an award from the Medical Department. All the award-ee's were handed a bouquet of fresh flowers and an official looking certificate. I was the first one awarded and they said something in Chinese and Derek told me to say something about my students.. What a shock!!!!!!! I got very emotional, thinking of the honor of being awarded by the students and I don't even remember what I said. Camera's were flashing and I felt like a celebrity.........
They made me feel like one - they are so generous with their love and praise.
All in all it was an award for the "Most Loved Teacher" in the Medical Department. I was speechless and very honored and felt undeserving. Later, one of the Post Graduates (Hancock) told me that they were especially excited for me because a foreign teacher had never been nominated before. I was the first!!!!!!!
Please know that I am not putting this incident on the Blog site to brag, but it is for my records. I am not a teacher by profession and I felt so honored and unworthy of the award. It also was very humbling for me - to think the students voted for me. Who ever thought?????
As I start to tell my students good-bye, I feel sad. I have grown to love them with all my heart and I will miss them. The Sophomores will go to another campus next year, for 2 years and I doubt that I will ever see some of them again. They have been a big part of my life here. There are tears shed as I bid them farewell and I pray that we will meet again someday.
Yesterday I cooked an American meal for my Post Graduates. We had pulled pork sandwiches, a green salad and apple crisp. All 30 students commented on the American food and how good it tasted. They could not believe that I had cooked meat for them! And they devoured the green salad and loved the Ranch dressing. Many thought the apple crisp was too sweet and couldn't imagine that I had cooked apples!!!!! They left our apartment, with tears in their eyes, as I bid them farewell. Even those big boys who were so shy and so afraid that I would talk directly to them, who could not even look me in the eye when I first met them!!!!
They have come so far and I believe there is no doubt in their minds, that I love them. I have made it a habit to sing to all my classes every time we meet and I think the music has had an effect on them. Today, "Lemon", in my class told me, "Mrs. Halladay, you always sing to us that we are Your Sunshine, and you are our Sunshine!"
What a great year this has been and what an experience for us! I am so thankful the Lord allowed us this opportunity. We have been so blessed by these special people. There is no place else, I would rather be, than in Qingdao China at this time.......
Many changes have taken place in our lives and one big change is the fact that Roger will serve as the Qingdao China Branch President!!!! He was called to serve on Father's day, June 14, 2009. President Steven Toronto is the District President for this part of China and he called us early Sunday morning and ask us to meet with him and Roger was called. What a nice surprise, I am sure he will do a great job. He is a great father, grandfather husband, brother and friend. The Lord knows his capabilities and has confidence in him. So do I....
We will be leaving China, to come home, on Thursday, June 9, 2009. We are anxious to see the family and spend time with everyone. We are especially looking forward to spending time with the grandchildren. We have missed them very much and can hardly wait to see them and get our hugs and kisses in.
Much Love,
Mom
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Thank you Letter
This is one of the Post Graduates that I fixed lunch for yesterday.
So sweet - this is SO hard to say good-bye... I love them..........
Mom
---------- message ----------
Dear Mrs Halladay,
How are you? Thank you for your treatment today, it is really delicious. And i am sincerely appreciated for your present.I enjoyed a wonderful aternoon today. I feel sorry we have to separate now, i will miss you very much. I want you to konw it is real my pleasure to be your student, though i don not have much time to talk with you, but i hope i could have the chance to visit you when you come back. You will always be my teacher and friend, i am sure i will miss you. Wish you a wonderful travel and holliday!
Best wishes for you!
Yours,
Sally
So sweet - this is SO hard to say good-bye... I love them..........
Mom
---------- message ----------
Dear Mrs Halladay,
How are you? Thank you for your treatment today, it is really delicious. And i am sincerely appreciated for your present.I enjoyed a wonderful aternoon today. I feel sorry we have to separate now, i will miss you very much. I want you to konw it is real my pleasure to be your student, though i don not have much time to talk with you, but i hope i could have the chance to visit you when you come back. You will always be my teacher and friend, i am sure i will miss you. Wish you a wonderful travel and holliday!
Best wishes for you!
Yours,
Sally
Monday, June 22, 2009
Hello!Mrs.Halladay! This is Frank. I have to thank...
Hello!Mrs.Halladay! This is Frank. I have to thank you for the things that your and Mr.Halladay have teach me. Without you, I don't know what the english will be like. It's you that make us english class active and full of joy. It's you that all the students love. It's you that teach us a lot of things in english learning. Thank you very much! I do believe all of us will miss you during the holiday.
---------- message ----------
My Dear Frank:
How very kind of you to write to me and say such nice things. I have grown to really love you and I will miss you when I go to the USA. I am happy that I will return next semester and I hope that I will see more of you.
Did you still need us to help you with your speech? Please let me know.
Much Love,
Mrs. Halladay
---------- message ----------
My Dear Frank:
How very kind of you to write to me and say such nice things. I have grown to really love you and I will miss you when I go to the USA. I am happy that I will return next semester and I hope that I will see more of you.
Did you still need us to help you with your speech? Please let me know.
Much Love,
Mrs. Halladay
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Thank you
Mis Halladay:
I am Peter. I send this e-mail just to say you are a good teacher. No, not just good, you are the best. It's no wonder that, you were one of the best 10 teachers. You desert it.
Your student and friends
Peter
I am Peter. I send this e-mail just to say you are a good teacher. No, not just good, you are the best. It's no wonder that, you were one of the best 10 teachers. You desert it.
Your student and friends
Peter
Monday, June 8, 2009
I love you
I just received this e-mail from someone unsigned.....
I looked and looked for the e-mail address among all my sweeties and saw that it
was my little "Dove". She is an especially sweet little thing. How sweet of her
to send me this..
Mom
---------- message ----------
Thank you for the sweet e-mail. You are so kind to me. I love all of you students and consider you my family!
Who is this???
Much Love,
Mrs. Halladay
-------------------------------------------------------
I just want to tell you that how lucky I am to be one of your chinese students, I really love you very much!
I looked and looked for the e-mail address among all my sweeties and saw that it
was my little "Dove". She is an especially sweet little thing. How sweet of her
to send me this..
Mom
---------- message ----------
Thank you for the sweet e-mail. You are so kind to me. I love all of you students and consider you my family!
Who is this???
Much Love,
Mrs. Halladay
-------------------------------------------------------
I just want to tell you that how lucky I am to be one of your chinese students, I really love you very much!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)