First Days of School

June 5, 2006

All of the host families brought the students to school at 7:40 as requested. We were met by Jane and Mandy who immediately assigned the students to classrooms, one per class. We were all told to meet on the playgroup area in 40 minujtes - after the first period. (here each period lasts only 40 minutes, then there is a 5 mnute break. The students stay in the same rooms all day, and the teachers move from room to room.

Then at 9:00 each of us had to give a mini speech in Chinese at the weekly flag-raising ceremony in front of the whole school. We had all practiced, but we were nervous. Then they took us to the Bank of China to change money. It took forever as each traveler’s check was scrutinized for several minutes, but we got it done – except for the 3 boys who had left their passports at home. (Jane had asked me to do this, and after I saw how easily they live them around I thought it was a good idea.)

June 6-8

The students settled into their classes, some of which they understand better than others. We have lunch at 11:40 daily in a cafeteria which is destined for the teachers and senior students. The food is delicious, and there is a wide-variety, with different items each day. We have all learned to ask how spicy it is. :) The rest of the younger students eat downstairs, but our students go there daily for drinks and ice cream (a big hit!)

On Tuesday afternoon we painted Chinese masks, on Wednesday we did paper-cutting and today we cooks! We learned to make two dishes including or favorite dumplings. I took pictures of the students cutting with a big cleaver - after being shown how to avoid hitting their own fingers. Then we taste-tested everything. Next we rolled out the dough for the dumplings, filled the dough with a meet mixture and then sealed them. Everyone enjoyed them!