I literally wish I could explain and tell you all everything that is happening right now here in Kunming, China but I shall give you the highlights :) First of all, as many wise people have told, it has become easier and easier to be here with each passing day. Not that it was terrible or anything but I never thought I would get to the point where I could order something at a restaurant, count to 20 in Chinese, or ride down the street by myself to buy apples. It's the little things.
I went to church for the first time on Sunday at an international worship service that is actually run by government (strange, I know) that is specifically for foreigners. Some people however, meet with friends just in homes for Sunday morning church. I believe I will stick with going to regular church. I also had to get my bike fixed on Sunday because the chain completely broke off! We found a guy on a street with a cart who was fixing bikes.. it cost me 4 RMB. That is less than a dollar in America :)
My students completely fill my life with joy as I knew they would. Although they never sit still, they always tattle and they always have some kind of boo boo which needs a bandaid, I couldn't ask for a better group of kids. I'm hoping to get pictures up soon of them so you all can see the smiling faces I get to see everyday! There is one student in particular who has become of special interest to myself, my teacher and the special ed. teacher. Knowing my background, my teacher had me test her on Monday on letter sounds and recognition and writing. I looked at all the data collected and we had a meeting with her mother after school. I presented everything that I found to her mother and then we created a plan to help her get to know where she needs to be for Kindergarten. This was HUGE to me because I don't feel like many student teachers have an opportunity like this in the states let alone a completely different country... God is good! I get to teach 21 kids along with some intervention as well!!
This week at school is spirit week- it's a lot like what school's in the states have. Everyday is something different to dress up as. Monday you were supposed to wear bright colors, neon, etc. so I wore my bright red pants and aqua shoes with an aqua shirt. I looked insane but it was fun. Tuesday was "Tasty Tuesday" and you were supposed to dress up as your favorite candy, sweet, whatever. I was a sour patch kid. I dressed in all red, wore a sour patch kid package around my neck and then gave one to each of my kids at the end of the day. They thought it was the coolest. haha.
Last but not least, I have some exciting news for my spring break which is March 30-April 7. I have planned and booked a flight to Tianjin where I will spend the week with Cindy and Rick Harvel (they used to teach at MVNU). They invited me into their home for Easter and are going to take me to Beijing so I can see the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and other places that typical tourists go. At first, I was very hesitate about this but after much prayer and thinking, God kept confirming and showing me that this was a good thing. Not just because I get to see all the things I want to see but because being with Cindy and Rick will give me a piece of home that I am missing already. I'm so excited and blessed beyond belief.
Things I've Learned:
5. China has no laws against domestic violence... I learned that when literally witnessing a fight inside a restaurant against a man and a woman. The restaurant didn't kick them out and no one called the police.
6. The government controls EVERYTHING. Including water and electricity. I was warned that they can go off any time without notice.
7. There are people that still live villages who come into the city (Kunming), search through trash, pick out things to take to landfills and get money so they can provide for their families :(
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