Every wrinkle on your face, every speck in your eye, and every freckle on your skin tells a story of where you have been

Friday, January 11, 2013

Saying Goodbye


The end of my time teaching at Shazitang Education Group has come to an end. These past 5 months have gone by way too fast and I can't believe it's time to say goodbye! I have had the time of my life here and gotten so close to lots of my students and fellow teachers so it's very hard to leave. I have grown so much not only as a teacher but as a person in general. I remember first arriving in China being able to count to 10, say hello and goodbye and a few other words and now I can speak to people and actually hold a conversation in Mandarin. I had no expectations as to what China would be like and was so nervous that I would be calling this country home but now it definitely feels like home and I am so sad to leave! It feels so strange to leave behind my students who's smiling faces and enthusiastic attitudes have brightened my days and the amazing staff of Shazitang that have been like family to me when mine was thousands of miles away. It is really a bitter sweet ending as I know that I have many more amazing experiences ahead of me but it is so hard to say goodbye to the people who have been my family and have made China home. China isn't perfect but overall it is an amazing and people country. The people are so kind and warm hearted and the food is absolutely amazing. I feel so lucky have been given the experience to work and live here. I will miss my fellow teachers and students very much.

Zai jen wo de zhong guo jia ren!

This is China

Our Chinese friends are like 15 year olds when it comes to cell phones

Matching mother-daughter PJ's just walking down the street on a Friday night

Chinglish!

This sweater worn by an 8 year old says sleep with me..teaching them at a young age!
future Chairman Mao (imitating many Chinese people talking photo with statue of  Mao Zedong)
The toilet on the 90th floor of the Shanghai World Financial Center

My new hat and panda sweater! 

A Campfire in China

As an extra activity with my students about a month ago I showed my students one of Canada's favourite summer past times-having a campfire! We played some games and sang songs and even though we were inside with a fake fire and it was day time the kids still had an awesome time! 




















English Debate Team

Throughout my semester at Shazitang I have been working with the school's English Debate Team. There are 30 extremely bright students in grade 5 and 6 that are a part of this team. I had to help them prepare for a performance debating on whether Chinese schools or English schools are better. They did a fantastic job! Can you imagine debating in a second language at just 10 years old! These kids are amazing and so cool and it was awesome to spend so much time with them!