My newest interest.

Being in China opens up a whole new world of sitcom watching. Basically you find people who have bought box sets of DVDs and borrow them, because there's not a lot to do sometimes. Back in the fall I watched all of the Arrested Development. This week I watched all of The Office, well up through season II. And this is my newest discovery...I am going to marry Jim. I know, that's an awfully bold statement to make. I've decided that this is how it has to be though. I haven't quite figured out the logistics of it, but I know it will happen one day. Until then I will be cheering for him and Pam. Basically I laughed a lot this week. Dwight is stinking funny. My roommate said watching the show made her never want to work in an office, I however felt quite the opposite. I want to work in an office. Or really I just want to work and be around people who would make me laugh the whole day. Oh wait, that is kind of my job. Being in a classroom full of 17 5th graders is close to working in an office. Basically I could create my own sitcom. I have all the different personality types, maybe even like a few of the characters from the office. Let me ponder this one for a while; I may be on to something.

Chinese class has been going well for me. I have a test tomorrow...I'm moving right along. Well that's about it for today. Oh, if you are leaving me a comment I can't view it. So, if you really feel like leaving me a message please consider the following: option a- facebook; option b- myspace; option c- email -- kirasparks_4@hotmail.com option d- it's not really worth it. Hope all is well!

Oh The Sights You Will See.

I've been out of school for juat a little over a week now. I traveled to Beijing last Friday to get my visa for India. I just love traveling. I love taking the train. Maybe because it's so different than any way I traveled growing up. I took the overnight train to get there, but was able to take the new "bullet" train to come home. The overnight train takes about 10 hours to get there. The bullet train only takes six. I think by the time the Olympics come they're hoping to have that down to about 2 or 3 hours.

I've been able to spend some good time at the beach after my Chinese class. It's so fun to live right next to the ocean. Almost everytime I've been to the beach I observe some very interesting sights. Once I saw a white man with about 7 Chinese women with him. He was explaining Hidden Valley Ranch Chip dip to them and how in america we eat chips and dip. I new what he was saying because he was obviously talking loud enough so we would 'overhear' him.

Another time I say a man walking around in his long johns. The fact that a man is walking around in his long johns was a bit awkward, but that he was doing it at the beach didn't really make much sense. Seeing as how the beach tends to be a sunny warm place, and this man was dressed for winter.

Yesterday I saw the usual. Every man in a speedo, women fully clothed, and children running around in the buff. Now I understand if you are changin your child who is maybe 2 or 3, you might just change them quickly on the beach. However, it is quite uncommon, at least from my own personal experiences at the beach, to see a child anywhere from the age of 2 to 7 running around completely naked playing in the sand. I've also heard that it's not only the children who do this, but I have yet to see anyone else and I hope it stays that way.

My Chinese class is going well. My teacher is moving me through pretty quickly. It's a lot to cover everyday, but I really enjoy it. I've started learning some characters now and even started to practice writing a few. I really wish I would have taken Chinese while I was at JBC. I'm sure it would have been so beneficial. Oh well.

Meet Brandon

Here you will find me (on the left) and Brandon. He is now heading to 6th grade, but was a student this year in my class. Brandon has the ability to make many people laugh. I would love to share more about Brandon, but a post is probably not the best way to do it. So if you ever see me again in life, you can ask me about him and I'll fill you in. He's a barrel of fun and a constant in my interceding.

Today I began my "intensive" chinese lessons. I'm really excited, but hoping that my chinese teacher refrains from bringing any more food for me to try. I really came close to being sick today, but I'll spare you from the details. I then continued packing my room and getting ready for the 'move'. My school is moving to a new location and I'm ultra excited about that. Although I will be loosing the ocean view, it's an exciting time and I'm looking forward to the refreshment of a new place. I'm learning that I sometimes thrive off of new beginnings. I'm not sure why that is, but they also seem to make me happy. I know they are at times scary, but I think I like the adventure in it.

Well wode pengyou (my friends) that's all for today. I hope this week will be relaxing and full of fun surprises.

Zai Jian.

I'm Through!

And so my first year of teaching is complete. I have succesfully finished my first year of teaching with a few minor cuts and bruises. It's been one crazy year and I know that it's only the beginning. I wonder how long I can really do this. I'm looking forward to the summer. I'll be studying Chinese for a month and spending my afternoons at the beach. This is the life. Who knows what else I'll find myself getting into. I'm up for visitors, so hop a plane and come on over.

I'll be teaching a workshop on using games in the classroom this summer for 3 days, 2 hours a day. I'm excited to be able to do that. And then hopefully I'll be able to help out with an English camp. Maybe I'll do some hiking and camping too. You just never know.