August 18, 2010

This week has included all staff.  We started Monday by meeting with a "buddy".  We each got to chat with one returning teacher.  We learned a lot about each other and then the returning teacher had to introduce you to the rest of the staff in a meeting.  It was nice to hear about everyone.  Travis got a little embarrassed by his, but most of us thought it was funny!  His buddy told everyone that Travis loves to drink, which Travis never said to him.  He said he just guessed that he liked to go out!

We have had a lot of classroom work time this week in preparations for the students on Monday.  My school is finally coming together.  We have most of our furniture and all our other goodies.  But, there is still TONS to do!  Travis still has a lot going on in his building as well.  It seems as if we are stretching everything to the wire.  Many things are a little crazy right now, I don't have all my curriculum materials, my entire school doesn't have internet, and Travis' school does have air conditioning in some of the rooms, which is nice in 100 degree weather!  But, all in all, the schools are amazing, and although it is a little worrisome and stressful, we know it will all get done and be perfect when the kids come!  Oh, and we learned that the school has 112 busses that come daily to drop off students!  We saw them all lining up and practicing rounds today, it was CRAZY!  I don't know how they make it work.  These people that work behind the scenes are just amazing!

Tuesday night we had a BBQ at work on the campus.  We had a local restaurant cater for us.  They brought us hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken, veggie kabobs, salads, water, pop, and BEER!!!  It was very strange to see people walking around with a Tsingtao (Chinese beer) and Bacardi Breezer at work!  We hung out for a bit and then headed home.  Everyone seemed tired and it was an early night for all.

Today I got a lot of work done and Travis had a professional development meeting that he really liked.  After he was done he came out to my campus and saw my building and room.  He was very impressed with how cool our building is for ECE!  Then we headed to Hongmei Lu pedestrian street for a few beers and some dinner.

Friday Travis has open house and then the whole staff is having cocktails at a fancy hotel at a restaurant on the 65th floor!  Can't wait to see how cool that will be!  That is from from 7-10, and then there is an after party!  These people love to have a good time, we fit right in with them!  I have open house all afternoon on Saturday, so I will be taking it easy until our Happy Hour after that!

We are enjoying ourselves a lot...but I am hitting some low points as well now.  I am getting more homesick and missing things, but Travis is staying positive, which helps me a lot!  Although, I am really looking forward to the kids coming in on that first exciting day of school!  And happy and excited kids always make things better!

Oh, and we are really enjoying our teaching partners.  My school is so small that I really getting a chance to get to know them all very well.  It has been wonderful.  Travis has a very knowledgeable teammate that has given us important information on making life easier in Shanghai, it has been GREAT!