Thank you DHL

Well, it turned out that the quality of the scanned illustrations was not the best quality, so I had to send the hard copies by courier to the US. Fortunately, I was able to send them via DHL on Thursday and was told that they would arrive on Monday, October 31st. Turns out that it was actually 48 hours from Shanghai to Washington State. I'm also relieved to know that they arrived okay, as these are my original hand-made drawings! It wasn't cheap, but considering the time it saves us, and the personal value of the illustrations, it was worth it. So, the project continues! I don't think I also mentioned that in addition to a paperback edition, there will also be an Ezelweizer e-book. This is all the more reason why the quality of the illustrations is imperative, since the colorful pictures will be the main feature of the book. The two women helping me with the technical side of things are working on a proof copy of my book now, looking at the InDesign layout of the book. The first draft of the book has already been put together. It is a dream come true!

3-week deadline

I've got two other people helping me get my book self-published using Amazon.com's Create Space program. One is currently living in Ireland, the other one is in the US. They brought it to my attention that in order to meet my goal of publishing before Christmas, things need to be completed in 3 weeks. 3 weeks! That's not much time left! So what this meant was getting my hand-drawn illustrations scanned and sent to the lady in the US ASAP. She gave me a list of settings, half of which I was able to figure out with the scanner at work. So on Friday I scanned the drawings and today I emailed them to her. Fingers crossed that the quality will be good enough that I don't have to snail mail her the illustrations! Also the size of the book has been confirmed to be 9 x 7 inches (10 x 7 is my second choice). Stay tuned!

She's Baaaaack!

She's baaaaaack! It sadly has been way too long since I last posted, like 4 years, almost as long as I have been living in China. I had considered closing my blog, and teaching full time in Shanghai has taken up a lot of my free time. However, I have decided to re-commit myself to my writing and my blog is a part of it. Besides, my latest project is getting a book self-published through Amazon's "Create Space". This book has already been printed here in Shanghai and is called "An Ezelweizer Story", based on stories that my father and grandfather told at bedtime in my childhood. Stay tuned for more updates, coming soon!

Another update--Sept 2012

Just when you think you've got it all figured out, life throws you another curveball...

After my last post in April, it soon became apparent that things weren't working out so well at my school. Basically, I got burned out and it was time for me to make a change. I started looking for another job (while in the midst of continuing to teach, write reports and finish up the school year, a very busy time to say the least!) Plus, I knew that I was going to need to move, as I was living in staff housing. Even had I stayed at my school, I knew that I wanted to move because living 25 minutes walk away meant that I relied on taxis to get to work every day which was a real hassle. Fortunately, a fellow teaching colleague and friend who lived in the same complex was able to have me store my stuff at her apartment.

I was sad to leave my students, my wonderful Chinese co-teacher Juliet and many wonderful teaching colleagues. However, I knew that I wanted to stay in Shanghai, so that helped narrow my search. I knew in my heart that Shanghai is where I'm meant to be right now. I have some good friends here and I really want to get a good grasp on Mandarin. There are also a ton of international schools here in Shanghai. Although late in the game to look for another job in April (most schools start the hiring process in January), I knew that it wasn't too late. The last day of school was June 29th. That afternoon I had a job interview at another international school nearby. The next two days (June 30th and July 1st) I moved my stuff into storage. July 2nd I got a job offer to teach First grade at the new school. The next day I flew back to Seattle for the summer. I got home in time to celebrate the Fourth of July with my family.

I spent five weeks back in the states with my family, which included two weeks vacationing on the Oregon Coast and a week visiting my sister, brother in law and three-year-old nephew in Indiana.

I returned to Shanghai on August 11th and have now started my new job and have moved to a nearby neighborhood. I love the fact that I have found an apartment that is 10 minutes walking distance from the school. I'm also sharing the apartment with another teacher from the states. First grade is a big adjustment from Fourth grade, but I do enjoy that the planning is a lot easier. I have another Chinese co-teacher and 22 students from around the world.

It's another chapter in the Journey Called Life!

A long awaited update

Holy Kamoley! I just checked my blog and realized that it has been exactly a year since I posted last. So if I actually have any followers left, thanks for your dedication! Here's a long awaited update:

Last year I decided to stay in China, since there are actually teaching jobs here and managed to be hired on by a British international school. I started the school year in August (I went home for 6 weeks between jobs) and am teaching Year 5 students (4th graders in the American system). I have been so excited to *finally* have a real teaching job after the three agonizing years of subbing and trying to find work back home in Seattle. (And isn't it an interesting commentary of the US Economy when one has to leave the country in order to find a job?)

Here's an interesting comparison for my job-hunting experiences. For three years, I was applying and trying to find a teaching job in the states. I mostly applied in and around the Seattle area, but also filled out applications from Eastern Washington to Alaska. I was even looking into teaching in Indiana where my sister, brother-in-law and two-year-old nephew live. I didn't keep track of the number of jobs I applied to, but I'm sure it was at least 1000 from various school districts. From those applications, I had 10 job interviews, but no job. However, while in Shanghai, job hunting lasted 3 months. I sent out my resume to about 10 different schools and had 3 job interviews and got hired by one of them. I signed a two-year contract, which included my passage to China, health insurance and housing. I'm doing well financially, since the cost of living is lower than it is in the states.

My first year teaching at an international school has had a sharp learning curve as just about everything is new to me...the British curriculum, the courses, even the Mac computers that all of the teachers have been issued. I typically work 12 hours a day, although the school hours are from 8 to 3:30 Monday through Friday. I almost always go in to school one day over the weekend to prepare for the upcoming week. My colleagues tell me that I'm crazy to work so much and that I need to let things go. However, being a new teacher, I don't know that many time saving tricks and, truthfully, could really use more support. But I'm just trying to do my job...I've given up trying to be "super teacher". Next year will be easier, because it will be the same curriculum and I'll have a lot of the resources that I had to create this year that I can re-use. Plus I'll have a clue as to what is going on. This year has been really overwhelming and I have very little leisure time. However, I really enjoy my students and my Chinese co-teacher Juliet and that is what keeps me going.

As for learning Chinese, that has slowed down significantly because I don't have time to work with my tutor anymore. But I still try to learn a little bit here and there. I decided about a month ago that my goal is to learn one Chinese word or phrase a day. That seems to be going well.

For Chinese New Year, we got a week off of school. I chose to travel to Thailand at that time and had a blast and a half (I'll post about that later with some photos). For Christmas holiday I went home to visit my family, which was really nice however not relaxing at all. In January, I was under so much stress that my body kind of gave up and I had terrible back and neck pain. I was referred to a Chiropractor and fortunately that has helped a lot. But I still have a lot to do to make changes towards a healthier lifestyle.

Fortunately I have made some friends in Shanghai, mostly with other ex-pats that I do not work with. I see them almost every Friday night, so that is one way that helps me deal with the stresses of work that accumulate during the week.

Overall, I am very grateful for my job and the opportunities that living in Shanghai is giving me. I am definitely in the middle of a new adventure: LIVING IN CHINA!

stay tuned...

See China Right in Front of You

Five weeks go by fast! I can't believe I've been here that long already! Well, as some of you know, I was not able to access certain websites once I arrived in China, with Blogspot being one of them. The Chinese government censors certain websites that happen to be too political (yup, even Facebook). But fortunately one of my fellow American teachers happened to have a proxy, which allows me to once again be able to get back to this website and start blogging again!

As an update from January, I got my general science endorsement in late February, just before leaving for China. I was thrilled to finally get it DONE!!!

I also really enjoyed my ESL job teaching Korean exchange students. I wish it could have been a more permanent position. But it also reinforces to me that I enjoy teaching English and ESL, so perhaps after China I will look into those kinds of positions (although the Science endorsement can only help as well).

So much has happened, I'll have to backdate some of my posts...so, stay tuned and follow along on this crazy new adventure of mine...Teaching in China!

Arriving in Shanghai

February 27th

I have arrived safely in China. It is 12:30am local time and 8:30am Seattle time. Just wanted to let you know that everything is working out just fine. I was met at the airport by a gal named Helen who works for the Academy, where I am working. There was a van and driver from the school, who brought me to my new home. I am now in my little dorm "apartment" and delighted to discover I have internet. My dorm has no kitchen, so guess I"ll be eating out a lot. Tomorrow morning someone from the school is picking me up at 9:30am and I will meet the director of the school. It sounds like I won't start teaching classes until Tuesday (whew!). My dorm is 3 bus stops from the school. Someone will show me which bus to take, probably tomorrow.

One unexpected snafu was that I almost missed my connecting flight in Seoul because our flight was delayed in arrival and then I accidentally went to the wrong gate. I don't know if they displayed it wrong or if I misread it. (How do you misread gate 123 for gate 30?) I also misplaced my boarding pass twice, but that was definitely due to fatigue on my part. I slept about 6 hours on the 12 hour flight to Seoul.

OK. I'm exhausted and going to bed now. After I figure out what to wear tomorrow that isn't wrinkled. ;)

Getting Settled

February 28th

I'm doing great! There is so much to tell you! The important thing is that the school is taking good care of me, I am happy and warm and safe. My “apartment” is really is dorm room, it is small, but it is big enough for one person. It is about half the size of my Macedonian apartment. But, good news, there is a public washer and dryer I can use downstairs. The dorm rooms are above a restaurant; I just had lunch there. This morning I was told someone would come by at 9:30am to take me to school. They arrived at 9:15am, a very nice girl Nikki, from the nearby University, connected to my school. She shepherd me around today. The nice thing is that I didn't have to teach classes today, I will start tomorrow. Today was like an orientation. I met with the head of the English department, got my teaching schedule (only one 8am class on Thursdays and no classes on Friday). The school is much more strict about how I will teach the English major classes and much more flexible about how I teach the Engineering classes. I have to submit lesson plans for all of the classes (4 a week). Then Nikki and another girl showed me where my first class will be tomorrow, I think there will be about 30 students. Then they helped me buy a SIM card so that my Chinese cell phone (thanks Riley) will work. I have it now, but will wait for tomorrow to use it so that I don't have to pay for February, since tomorrow is the first of March. Then Nikki took me to a local bank and got me an account so that the school can pay me my salary through the bank. I also now have an ATM card for it. Then we had lunch and now I am relaxing in my apartment and finishing my unpacking. You would not believe the number of bicycles parked outside my building! The traffic here is crazy, I am so glad that I don't have to drive. My dorm is a short bus ride away from school. Nikki showed me which bus to take. Last night I met my landlady, Mrs. Huong, and tonight she will take me to dinner. Tomorrow another student will arrive in the morning to bring me to school.

My apartment has a heater/AC unit, a fridge, TV, water cooler, a double size bed, a window with a little bit of a view, a western toilet and shower and some closet space. There is no microwave or hot plate, so no real cooking here. Food seems to be reasonable priced.

It is cold here today so I'm wearing my long underwear under my clothes. There are many things here that remind me of Macedonia (or really any developing country). People stare at me a bit, I'm so obviously a foreigner, but it doesn't really bother me. I find it slightly amusing, at least for now.

One thing that is interesting is that it appears that Facebook is not accessible online. I don't know if that is true for all of China or just my server. I will find out more for sure.

OK, back to unpacking. Let everyone know that I'm doing well and thanks for asking about me. I'm a little nervous about teaching tomorrow, but it should be fine, the first day is really just going to be about introducing myself to the students (for an hour and a half?!) This is definitely looking like it will be quite the adventure. So far it feels like a very exciting dream...

Lessons learned

February 28th

I'm getting settled into my new home. My "kitchen" includes a fridge, toaster and tiny coffee maker, but no hot plate. I live on the third (top) floor of a dorm room which is unfortunately not a part of the school, but is a short bus ride away. I woke up this morning to Chinese firecrackers, go figure. I asked someone about it and was told it was probably celebrating a wedding or some other good news. Here are a few lessons that I have learned (or been reminded of) so far...

* Don't assume that sidewalks are for pedestrians only. They can also be used for bicycles, motorbikes and cars.
* Always watch where you are walking.
* Don't assume that everyone around you doesn't speak English or that they can't understand what you're saying.

When walking around, I am reminded of Skopje in Macedonia, only Shanghai is A LOT bigger. I haven't yet seen the heart of downtown with the huge skyscrapers, but I'm sure I will soon. I took an evening walk tonight and noticed that the buses are PACKED and saw interesting foods being sold by street vendors. I'm also slightly amused at how many people stare at me. I haven't really seen any other foreigners yet, although I'm sure they are hiding somewhere!

Also, I have found the biggest drawback to my dorm room (so far). The shower. It only runs two settings...icy cold or scalding hot. I will have to ask my landlady (via a translator) if there is a trick to getting something in between.

The Oscars here made Chinese news, which is kind of disturbing IMHO (is it really THAT important?).

Oh, another thing is that I have internet in my apartment (woot!). I think it's something like $10 a month, so not bad.

The bathroom situation

Tuesday, March 1st

Today was my first day of classes and it went just fine, other than the fact that I forgot to bring an adapter for my laptop computer so was unable to use the powerpoint I had planned to show. I managed to wing it and my students enjoyed looking at the photos that I brought of my family from back home.

But let me tell you about one thing that was really unpleasant that I was not expecting. THE BATHROOMS. I thought I had seen it all and I *have* been in some really awfully gross bathrooms before, but this was something that really threw me. I knew that the school had squat toilets, so I was expecting a little hole in the ground with cement foot pads and then a way to flush it all down. Well, what I discovered in the crowded girls restroom were stalls with doors that are about 3.5 feet tall, so people can see who is in them when standing, but not when squatting. I noticed girls were turning sideways, not facing forward before they would disappear when they squatted, which, in and of itself is a little embarrassing. When it was my turn, I tried not to speak out loud what I was thinking. Oh my god, no way. There was no hole in the floor. Instead there was a sideways trough that you straddle and pee into. Plug your nose and don't ask me what they do about solid waste. At one stall on the end is a cord that is pulled downwards to flush. Fortunately I found that in the administration buildings they have bathrooms that at least have doors that stretch up to the ceiling, so you can't see the person inside the stall when they stand up.

It is really cold here, especially with a biting wind. I am having to blow my nose a lot due to the cold. I'm going through tissue pretty quickly. In my apartment I spend most of my time on my bed next to the heater, which is reminiscent of when I was in Macedonia, in the winter. I am already looking forward to it warming up!

I am in e-mail contact with Andrew, another English teacher. I have met two other English teachers at my school, but they are both Chinese. I have seen a total of two other foreigners ("white people") since I arrived but did not speak to. I hope to meet up with Andrew in the next day or so.

The school is taking pretty good care of me. I met Madame Jia tonight, the one responsible for connecting me from Riley to getting this teaching job in Shanghai. Her assistant Helen has been very helpful and she assisted me in purchasing "coupons" (little slips of paper) to pay for my meals at the restaurant downstairs. I asked why I needed the coupons and was told it is a management system.

Today I had two big firsts. I crossed the street today by myself and I figured out how to take the bus home after school on my own. Traffic in this city is absolutely insane. Pedestrians have no right of way in China. In fact, there really is no concept of "right of way" here. Although most cars and buses follow the rules of the traffic lights, bikes, carts, motorcycles etc do their own thing. I've learned that you have to have 360 degree vision when crossing the street here. You have to look in all directions and just be super aware of anything that might be coming at you. I've also learned to cross the street when other people do and try to have them be a buffer between me and any oncoming vehicles!

Tomorrow I just have one class in the afternoon. I am all unpacked now and soon I will need to go to a supermarket to get a few things for my dorm like cleaning supplies, a hairdryer, an iron and board, and, of course, tissue.

Although I think that I am not having much aftereffects of jet lag, I am pretty worn out at night, I think it is due to a combination of all the energy I need to use for experiencing all of these new things and from all the walking and climbing stairs that I must do. My hips are sore at the end of the day! So, I am getting to bed by 10pm at the latest. It is just after 8pm now and I am getting sleepy.

I am grateful that I have already learned how to use chopsticks, since that is the only thing available to eat with. I will have to learn to be more dexterous with them. It was a challenge to eat a chicken drumstick using only chopsticks. I have had white rice with almost every single meal so far. I hope I don't get sick of it.

My students seem to be pleasant and eager to learn. In the English majors class they seemed to understand me pretty well. In the Navigation class they seem to struggle to understand me, but are receptive and also are very jovial and like to joke around with each other, so I tried to be a little more strict with them, at least in the beginning. Even so, in both of my classes today, we had some good laughs.

JOBS!

After two and a half years from graduating with my Masters in Teaching, I finally have a job that does not involve substituting! Just before New Years, I was happy to get hired by a private Christian organization that hosts Korean exchange students for 6 weeks to visit the United States. Starting January 14th, I will be teaching 11 students, grades 5-10, conversational English. I think that I will enjoy it, and even though it requires a lot of lesson planning and curriculum, I hear that these students are motivated and fun to work with.

Now, just after New Years Day, I learned of an opportunity to teach English in China. At first I didn't seriously consider it, because it started before my ESL job ended. However, thanks to some great connections, I learned that the start date was negotiable. So now, ten days later, I have been offered a teaching position at the Shanghai Maritime Academy from the end of February to the end of June. I've been told that Shanghai is a westernized city (with a population of a mere 20 million) and that it is easy to get around with English. They've got Starbucks there, so I know that I'll survive!

This has been a challenging two and a half years which also gave me the opportunity to do some soul searching. I really don't know what will greet me in the future once I return to Seattle this summer. I will continue to look for a job for the fall, however, I often wonder if traditional classroom teaching is for me. The teaching of students I absolutely love. It's the behavior problems that burn me out, as well as the politics and excessive societal demands that teachers deal with every day. While I would love to teach those students who really need it, the ones at risk, I don't know how I would handle it for more than a year. That is why I started looking into teaching jobs outside of the classroom and landed this ESL job. Although I am overqualified and there were only two open positions, I am very happy and grateful to have gotten hired. As for China, I am convinced that was divine intervention. I didn't even apply for the job, much less know about it. I got the position because I happen to have a relative who was over in China at the time who is a treasure trove when it comes to networking. The school had hired a teacher for a year and he ended up having to leave suddenly for personal reasons (sound familiar? It's similar to why I got the job a year ago at the Private Catholic School).

So off I go, into the wild blue yonder. I have a lot of preparation to do. Never have I had such little time to prepare (physically, mentally, emotionally) to go live abroad. Yet I am very excited to start another chapter in this amazing incredible adventure called life! :)

P.S. This fall I finally finished (hopefully) the last requirement for my general science endorsement, taking a mycology (botany) class. Now I am waiting for Seattle U to approve all the paperwork and then I will have the general science endorsement in my hot little hands!!!