Shanghai Wild Animal Park - Field Trip

Teacher Halloween Party!

Every year, the teachers at SHSID get together and throw a huge Halloween party in the apartments. It's a great way to hang out and meet new teachers that work in other buildings across campus. This year there were some really great costumes. From cave-people, to Chinese tourists, Scooby Doo and Blind Mice, everyone certainly got into the Halloween spirit!

Trick or Treat - from 1st grade!

One of the best things about working at an international school in China is having the ability to celebrate holidays properly! The week leading up to Halloween was dedicated to all things fall, from making scarecrows and jack-o-lantern cut-outs, to Halloween noun chains. I taught my kids Halloween songs and dances and even dedicated one class to decorate pumpkins!
The Friday before Halloween, all the teachers and students dressed up in their scariest, prettiest, funniest, or cutest costumes. We spent the day trick or treating, eating yummy treats, making Halloween crafts and doing lots of (educational) Halloween activities!

Hey Seoul Sister (Korea!)

I knew I was going to love Korea as soon as I began walking in the airport and found the ice skating rink! What an ice skating rink was doing in the middle of an airport.... I have NO idea but I fully support it and loved every second! Before embarking on our journey I did lots of research (via lonely planet and asking friends)about Korea, yet I still had no idea what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised to find the city of Seoul was not only extremely westernized but among the BEST shopping I have experienced in Asia! OMG! It was incredible! The clothes were all SO CUTE and I couldn't get enough of the shoes and bags (and even socks!) All I know for certain is that it's a GOOD thing I don't live there because I would never be able to save any money with shopping as great as it was in Seoul! Unfortunately, the prices are very comparable to the states, so we weren't getting the good deals we're used to in China, but for a quick 5 day trip I certainly wasn't going to complain!

Among the amazing shopping, we also ate tons of yummy foods! I'm not one to typically eat street food (especially at home in Shanghai) yet for some reason whenever I'm traveling, I think it's a good idea to try everything! We ate lots of Kimchi, Seafood pancakes, and delicious Korean BBQ!

Although it may seem like we didn't do anything but shop and eat, I promise we got our educational experiences in as well. We visited both the Korean War Museum as well as the DMZ (DeMilitarized Zone)which separates North and South Korea. It was very interesting to see and experience the hope South Korea has for unification of Korea though the peace flags and video clips when visiting the DMZ.

a visit from my fairy godmother (and curt!)

Last week, I was lucky enough to have a very special visit from my fairy godmother and Curt! We had a great time walking around Shanghai! We went on a river cruise along the Bund, went shopping in the Old City, got massages, went to the pearl market, had clothes made at the fabric market, went to a comedy show, ate lots of delicious meals together, and even went to a Cirque de Sole show.... all in ONE WEEKEND!!! It was wonderful having them fly in for a quick visit!!!

back for round two!!

Over the summer, I honestly couldn't wait to get back to China, my friends, and my SHSID family. With that said, upon returning to Shanghai this year I can't help but admit that I was a bit nervous. Last year, I fell in love with Shanghai, a city I now call home, and everything about it; but a feeling of anxiety was still among me. I was worried that as soon as I arrived I would wonder what the heck I was thinking signing on for another year. Of my 4 best friends from last year, 2 are back in the states, while the other 2 now live off campus, it was hard to imagine what it would be like without having them around everyday to watch movies and have dinner parties together.

But with Meili'an by my side, I put my worries behind me and went full force into meeting new teachers, making new friends, and adjusting to round two at SHSID!

I couldn't be happier with my decision to do one more year here. I have a new co-teacher, Ms. Chris, who I absolutely adore and new students that never cease to make my days a little brighter. They are all precious angels and I am so excited to be given the chance to spend the next 10 months opening their minds to learning!

Indian Princesses!

After an incredible 2 weeks in Nepal; Rebecca, Tricia, and I were off to India while Camden headed back to the States. Having heard many mixed reviews of India we decided it would be best to book a private tour for our time. Our tour included a driver, guides in each city, hotel stays, and breakfast each morning. We visited Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra and had an absolutely amazing time! As always, I feel in love with the adorable little children walking around and have promised that I will one day return!

Paragliding in Pokhara

To say I was ready to get out of Chitwan, is an understatement! I honestly COULDN'T WAIT! I began dreaming of electricity, a hot shower, a meal without wondering if I was crunching down on a beetle, and internet. Thank you Pokhara, you not only answered my prayers but also got me back to normalcy and (literally) lifted my spirits for another 2 weeks of traveling!

Pokhara, Nepal can be best described as an outdoor adventurer's dream come true! It's not only breathtakingly beautiful, but it's lively, and offers just about any outdoor excursion you could imagine. From month long trekking adventures through the Himalayas and up to Everest, to paragliding, canoeing, biking, and airplane tours, the options are endless! We decided to embark on a paragliding adventure where we literally ran off a cliff and were lifted up in the sky by a parachute! Our 30min of flying was one of the most incredible things I have ever done!

Chitwan, and the famous Elephant Safari....

After being in the crazy city of Kathmandu for a few days we were ready (or so we thought) for the outdoor adventures of Chitwan and the Elephant Safari Resort. Chitwan is known for it's natural beauty, as well as being one of the BEST places in Nepal to see Rhinos.

When we arrived in Chitwan, it was POURING down rain. The owner of the all inclusive, $10/day, Elephant Safari Resort (where we stayed in Chitwan) met us at the bus station to drive us to our new home. When you're only paying $10/day for lodging, all your meals, an elephant ride, a cultural show, a jungle walk, a canoe ride, AND a village tour, you're expectations shouldn't be too high. Little did I know "not to high" actually translates to: electricity that turns on for 5min at a time, a trickling shower, and BEETLES in your meals..... Ok, so I could get past the beetles, the lack of electricity and water pressure, but when I start finding spiders and other bugs crawling on the walls of my room and on the bed I tend to freak out...

Now, the crazy thing about this experience is that in all honesty, if I were given the chance to do it all again - I MOST CERTAINLY WOULD!!! These are the memories that will last a lifetime, and to be spending them with friends like mine, it really was an amazing 3 days!

Namaste Nepal!!!

After an unforgettable first year teaching, it was time for some celebratory traveling with a few of the most amazing friends I could ever ask for. We packed our bags and were quickly on our way to Nepal where were warmly welcomed by the Nepalese. Our journey began in Kathmandu, a vibrant city with busy streets, and noise that could drive a person mad. In Kathmandu, we visited both Hindu temples and Buddhist stupas. We ate a variety of delicious curries, and dahls, naan. And had an absolutely fabulous time!

butt what?

I missed ONE, yes ONE and only ONE day of class my senior year at Meredith. Ironically, that Monday just so happened to be the day in "Global Needs of Families" that covered China. IF I had been in class on this very special day (instead of stuck in the Atlanta airport) I would have heard about the many customs and traditions present throughout this incredible country. I would have learned about the family structure, the family unit, common parenting practices, and even a few things on child development. And I would have taken very detailed notes on what to except with regard to culture shock! Which, within the past 9 months I have taken in full force! A few things in particular, the "squat pots," the burping, the slurping, the spitting, and oh wait.... the peeing???
That's right - even the peeing. Luckily, it's only among babies and toddlers but it's still pretty shocking the first time it's witnessed. Okay, so maybe it's not THAT uncommon to see a small child relieving themselves outside, but on the sidewalk next to a restaurant, or being held over a trashcan in the metro... now THAT'S not something you see everyday (or at least not everyday in America.) What makes this practice most interesting is not WHERE the children decide to relieve themselves (since it's practically everywhere) it's HOW they do it, and that's with what's known in Chinese as "Kaidangku" or "Open-Crotch Pants."
I'm going to be honest, the first time I saw that adorable little Chinese darling with a big slit in his pants I thought his pants must have been cut by accident or something tragic had happened. Little did I know those pants were actually meticulously cut and sold by the manufacturers with precisely the exact width and length for optimal function and usage. Those Kaidangku I once laughed at, have now become second nature. And actually, if you can get past the fact that it's not at all sanitary for children to just go around peeing and pooping wherever they see fit, these pants really aren't that bad - like everything (even the squat pots) they have their pros! (Imagine that, I made another pro and con list) Kaidangku are environmentally friendly - no diapers to dispose of that end up in our land fills AND if thoughtfully planned, having children poop outside could actually act as fertilizer (maybe a stretch for a pro but at least I'm trying...) I've also been told by numerous Chinese friends that it's actually easier to potty train children who have worn Kaidangku instead of diapers!
These are probably NOT something I'll be stocking up on and bringing home as gifts to future parents but pretty funny non the less! (And certainly something to look out for if planning a trip to China!)