Sunday, January 6, 2013

Xin Nian Kuai Le

For New Years, we got a few days off of school.  We ended up being busier with a few days off than if we were teaching.  The kids were off of school too, so some of them wanted to hang out.  We also had a school lunch on New Year's Eve to celebrate with all of teachers from our school.  It ended up being a lot of fun and a whole day event, including a massage and KTV!  

New Year's Eve night we had dinner with Wang Hao and Wu Xia (hip hop teacher and wife), then headed to the brand new shopping mall for a party.  The new shopping mall is awesome!  It even has Pizza Hut.  Score!  Huangshi is getting with it!  haha  

Wang Hao and Wu Xia (he can never take a normal picture)

New Shopping Mall

We met up with Kevin and Aaron at the mall.  Their friend Betty is a TV reporter.  We ended up being filmed saying, "Happy New Year!  Xin Nian Kuai Le (Happy New Year in Chinese)!" and then we threw up the China peace sign.  Oh the things we do because we are foreigners!






Aaron, Betty, Wang Hao, Les, me, and Wu Xia


Wang Hao, Kevin and Aaron


My student, Anna, was at the mall too! Her English is soooo good!  It blows me away every time we talk.

Later on in the week, we headed over to san zhong (No. 3 high school) for their New Year's performance.  Brad was performing with one of his classes.  It included him speaking in Chinese and dancing to High School Musical.  We couldn't miss it!  He did a great job!

The stage in the background and Dawn and baby Leila. 



All of the students getting ready to watch the performance.  They looked like ants running around everywhere. 


One of my former students, Hatty Lee.  Please check out my awesome hat.  It was a Christmas gift. 


Brad speaking the Chinese.


Brad dancing his heart out to "We're All in This Together".

After our days off, it was back to the grind of things.  I ended up teaching about New Years in my class for the rest of the week.  I taught them about making resolutions for the new year and got each of my students to write at least two.  I made them display their resolutions on the wall, so that they could read each others.  Some of them were so embarrassed to do this, which made it all the more fun for me. The most common answers were about being taller, studying harder, or becoming more healthy.  I posted a few of my favorites below.

Class 15's Resolutions


My student Oscar wrote a novel for his resolutions.  It was two sticky notes filled with English!  I was so proud. 


I had just taken this students iphone earlier in class.  His resolution was, "I want I'm iphone4s teach I love you."  The translation being, "I want my iphone4s.  Teacher, I love you." After singing for the whole class, his resolution came true.


Cxy wrote, "In 2013, I want to study better and I also wish my families have better bodies."  
The boy next to him wrote, "And I wish Shi Hui Min love me because I am so loving she."  


King said, "In 2013, I want to play better in basketball than Linkin Park.  In 2013, I want to keep in good health.  In 2013, I want to be the master of Huangshi Yi Zhong."  
Translation:  "I want to play better basketball than the boy in my class whose English name is Linkin Park.  I want to have good health.  I want to be the master of my school." I mean his English name is King.


I thought this one was sweet.  Magic wants there to be, "no war, no hungry all of the world."


And my favorite:  "My resolutions are in my heart, I will tell you tomorrow."  His English name is Freedom.  Go figure!

Finally, we rang in 2013 back in our apartment.  It includes a new bathroom with a western toilet   Yay!  Now no one can use the "squatty potty" as an excuse to not visit me! Happy New Year!