APRIL 6
Students continue to hone their Chinese language skills and some of the students gave speeches about the festival in English class. Even Mrs. Belcher got into the act and taught two English classes today! Yesterday, the students had a music lesson and then outside for a KongFu, where they moved with grace and agility. Today, everyone continued to express themselves through art - panda painting!
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Back to School
April 5 and 6 Back to school after the holiday, and everyone has a story to share from trying hot pot to going to an amusement park. Each of the students enjoyed some family time with each host family. I was treated to quality time with some of the exchange students who travelled to NYC with me in November. Dave and Sam took a break from preparing to take the SAT’s to host a delicious introduction to Hot Pot with Jack, Eric, and Lee. Who knew beef tongue was so delicious! After lunch Lee showed me around the city and taught me how to use the city bus and the subway. On Tuesday, I rested and waited for the blog update to load onto the website, relaxing and enjoying the view of the city neighborhood, including the school. Around 5:30, Eric and his family, his mother, father and cousin, came to pick me up for dinner. What a treat. Eric’s dad introduced me to all of the scrumptious snacks of Xi’an. Then Eric’s mom drove us around the city to take in the city lights and witness the kite flying and fountain show. Qing Ming Festival The school week is extended due to the Qing Ming Festival, a special time to honor ancestors and elders by making a special effort to visit their graves. This mourning festival also serves as an opportunity for the younger generation to learn of the lives and contributions of their ancestors. Throughout the city people sweep the grave sites with willow branches and decorate the tombstones with fresh flowers. Often families leave offerings of food. Walking along the city streets in the evening, the small light from a sacrificial fire can be seen. Relatives burn money to send to relatives in the after life. Over one billion dollars will be burned by the end of this festival - not to worry it is fake money. This is also a time to relish family time, as the schools and most businesses will be closed. Everything is in bloom – the tree blossoms drift down and litter the sidewalks with soft petals to welcome Spring. Colorful kites dot the afternoon sky and illuminate the night sky like lanterns filling the horizon with twinkling stars. After a time, the strings are cut and the kites appear to rise toward heaven signifying good luck and the release of illness.
Saturday School on Sunday - April 2, 2017 Field Trip to the Small Wild Goose Pagoda Xi'an, as the ancient city Chang'an, was the capital city of the Tang Dynasty and the beginning point of the Silk Road. At one time this great city featured more than one hundred Buddhist temples; however, today there are only two that remain - the Small Wild Goose Pagoda and the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Large numbers of distinguished monks studied and translated scriptures at the Small Wild Goose Pagoda. Built in 707AD, it was fifteen stories high but stands only between twelve and thirteen stories today due to several earthquakes in the region. First ride on a city bus Kelly thought the climb to the top was too dangerous and difficult. We conquered the climb! Posing on the steps - Quite Popular Celebrity Status City of Xi'an Museum and Garden Park THE obligatory JUMP PIC then LUNCH!!! The sights at the museum - Wait a minute - is that a new exhibit feature?!? LUNCH!
UNIFORMS, CHINESE CLASS, and CALLIGRAPHY Uniform Day - We received our uniforms at the Welcoming Ceremony, so today is our first day wearing them to school. During our Chinese Class yesterday, we took an exam to measure our Chinese proficiency. Today we got the results...We all need to work on our writing and our tones - We are ready! Xi'an in APRIL
Our days are long and filled with activities, including meeting so many new friends. Our first day in the classroom was productive with the SHS students diligently working on their homework studies. After lunch and a rest, which just means these studious young people continue to complete school work, we prepare for our first Chinese Culture lesson - The Chinese Opera Masks! |
AuthorFortunate veteran teacher in Sharon, Massachusetts, who is traveling with the Chinese Exchange students from Sharon High to Xi'an, China. Archives
May 2017
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