October

October is a busy month at SIS.

 Oct. 15- Reporting due.  At SIS we use a system of grading called standards based grading.  What that means is our students don’t receive points or a letter grade.  They are assessed according to a system of benchmarks and then are given a mark of proficiency for those benchmarks.  I don’t remember the last time I put a percentage on a paper and in this system an A means they are still developing.  While this is a great way of really knowing what a student can do, it is labor intensive.  Even with only 40 students, I end up spending hours and hours on writing reports.  Hours.  And Hours.  And some more hours.  It is exhausting. 

Oct. 19- Middle School Halloween Dance.  I am co-sponsoring Student Council this year.  My wonderful friend and co-worker Rachel single handedly planned and coordinated this middle school dance.  I was there to chaperone.  It was awesome, but exhausting. 

Oct. 25- Parent conferences.  I actually really enjoyed conferences.  I lost track of how many times parents asked, “What can we do at home to help (student) get better?”  Music to my ears.  Such lovely interactions with parents.  But a day of intensive talking from 8-5 is still exhausting.

Oct.  29- Nov. 1- Week Without Walls.  This year, I took on the role of helping to coordinate the trip.  You know, getting 60 some middle school students organized for a trip to another country for four days is actually kind of tricky? I had amazing help from my co-workers and the Dragonfly organization.  I’m looking forward to a great week… albeit intensely exhausting. 

In the middle of all of this craziness came an important deadline.  Oct. 23.  Early Renewal Decision Day.  When it came down to it, one of the easier deadlines this month. 

I skyped my family to let them know my decision.  My sister cried happy tears with me.  My parents just said, “Well, that’s what we figured.” And my friends squealed with excitement. 

I had decided to stay. 

China is still smelly and often polluted.  Busses still barrel down the street and almost hit me as I attempt to use the crosswalk.  I still have to pay attention to avoid puddles of urine and contagion.  Single men are still hard to come by. 

But then again, I still love my job. 

I have been challenged by my new role as a language arts and history teacher, but I have also been supported by my co-workers as well as administrators.  I have been given opportunities to take on leadership roles and attend professional development that I know I would never have had access to before.  Many of my teaching teammates will be returning next year and I very much look forward to working alongside them again. 

And let’s be honest, weekends in Hong Kong and vacation time in Thailand is not bad either.

So I decided to stay. 

After the initial two-year contract, I am able to renew for a year at a time, as long as I remain in Shekou.  This gives me a bit of freedom in the future to determine if international teaching is something I want to pursue or if returning to the U.S.  is an option.  

So, one more year.  At least.

I guess now is the time for me to put in my plug…come visit.  Seriously.  If you are reading this, you are welcome in my home. 

Yes, it’s far.  Yes, it’s expensive.  Yes, it’s China.  But hey, I’m here too!  You have a free place to stay and I’ll take you out for street noodles and an authentic Chinese foot massage. That’s gotta be worth 15 hours sitting upright in economy class, right?

Hiking Dragon's Back in HK

Ordered Chaos in Hong Kong- Here is the thing I love about Hong Kong.  All of these people are waiting to catch the number 9 bus to Shek-O to go to the beach.  Notice how no one is pushing and shoving!  There was a gentleman there to direct people to the bus and stop loading when it got too full.  Luckily, just as we were joining the queue, he called to us that we could do ahead and hop on the bus if we wanted to stand!  Woo hoo~ no waiting!

My goal this year is to hike all of the Hong Kong Trail.  

At least one section is complete!

My hiking buddies, Lindsay and Colleen.

I have no idea what these trees are called, but they are beautiful!

Speaking of beautiful!  Looking down on Big Wave Bay.

This is my Olan Mills senior picture shot.

I'm so glad I found this little cafe again!  Yummy lime ale!

It was a busy day at the beach!  There was only one water rescue while we were there... not me of course.

Because sometimes there are fires at the beach... always prepared. 

This is what we look like when we have to go back to China.  Sad, tired and usually loaded down with import groceries that we can't find in China.