My Second Graders!

I love these guys!

(Yes, they drive me crazy but they are blessings in my life)

Nick's Last Day of School

Nick's last day of school.

It started out with a senior prank...

A great prank, I might add. There was no permanent damage, no one was hurt, and no ones' feelings were hurt in the process. And the younger students, including the second graders, greatly enjoyed the tangled mess!

I can't imagine how long it took the seniors to create this maze. Or how many it took. When asked if he was part of it,  Nick only smiled and refused to answer any of my prying questions. I can only guess that working the nighttime guard shift during Chinese New Year came in handy! Obviously, we need a dog to guard our front door at night!

The school day ended with another senior tradition- the releasing of balloons! 

Graduation is Thursday, May 30! 

Field Trip

I heard the whispers.

I heard the questions.

I wanted to do it, but I just didn't know how.

Confusion and denial accompanied me  throughout my waking hours.

Every class takes a field trip. Its the highlight of the year for most elementary students. The kindergarten class took two, or was it three? But those poor second graders. No field trip for them. First grade parents were concerned. When their children became second graders, would they be tripless also? Meanwhile, the second graders waited expectantly, patiently, hoping that their new teacher would somehow come through at the end.

Which she did. 

Barely.

Field trips aren't difficult.  But imagine trying to plan a field trip in a country you can't speak the language, or read it either.

My first stumbling block was where to go. All the good places already seemed to be claimed by the other teachers. You know- the zoo, The Flying Cow Ranch, the cardboard factory, and the old fashion train ride. I had no idea what was out there. And no way to find out. So I asked my parents for advice. Then waited for suggestions to come flying in. They didn't.

Eventually, one mom took pity on me and my quickly tarnishing reputation as a cool teacher. She did a little research, a little phone action, and boom. We were in business.

Now on to the permission slips, collection the entrance fees, renting the bus, ordering lunches, arranging for the first aid kit......

Finally the day arrived..

And there was great rejoicing!

What second grader couldn't smile at....

Animals

Butterflies

King size swings

Plants

Dirt

Then there was this little fellow. Cute isn't he?

Believe it or not....

I just couldn't pass up this once-in-a-lifetime
 (or maybe last-in-my-lifetime) opportunity!
The spider was actually spinning its silky web
 as it crawled up my arm!

By Land Or By Sea

Life, as it is for most breathing, heart-beating adults, has been action packed,  jammed full of  responsibilities, parental duties, and the occasional recreational diversion. Or in others words- 

 Life has been crazy! 

So much to share with you, but so little time to make it happen.   

Today's blog is a collection of pictures spanning several weeks, as well as thousands of miles. From the shores of Taiwan to the modern city of Seoul,  South Korea. 

First, by sea........

So, I really do live on an island! This is a beach close to Taichung. Once upon a time, it was a swimming beach. It was closed after several accidents were caused by the strong undertow. 

PFO (Pre-Field Orientation) buddies- Jennifer, myself, and Grace. Jennifer and her husband, Scott, teach at the Morrison campus in Taipei. Long time friend Grace teaches in Taichung and is Jacob's Chinese teacher. Jennifer and Scott came to Taichung to visit. One of our stops was at the fish market- definite proof that Taiwan is an island!

Our meal at the market- abundant with seafood!

And afterwards, a little shopping....

Squid and octopus!

Sea Cucumber

Assorted dried fish.

And now by land.....

 

Last weekend, I had the privilege to travel to South Korea to attend a literacy conference. What an amazing time of learning. Most of our time was spent attending the conference, but the evenings were free for a little exploration. One night, we found ourselves at a traditional Korean barbecue. Seated on the floor at a  low table, you chose from an assortment of meat (beef and pork) that you wished to grill. And... its all you can eat.

Now, if you know me, you know meat isn't one of favorite things to eat.... 

After going to the buffet to select the meat, you would grill it right at the table. Along with sauces, pastes, and other spicy condiments  (kimchee), the cooked meat was wrapped in lettuce leaves. I liked the sauce and it adequately covered the taste of the beef.

Neither Katie or I eat  meat on a regular basis, but we we survived our meat-eating binge!

The following evening, while exploring a trendy shopping area, we came across this interesting street offering.If you think that's a potato, you are right. Cut a little thicker than an American potato chip, it was quite delicious and satisfying.

This blog has been about food.

 Unfortunately, it is making me hungry........

Junior Senior Banquet 2013

It started several weeks ago.

  The planning. 

The buying.

The excitement.

Not a prom, but its equal, if not superior.

The Junior/Senior Banquet!

Caitlyn and Nick