Happy Anniversary

It was about one year ago this week that we arrived in China. We were carrying more than 80 pounds each, and barely able to open our eyes look out the bus windows after 24 hours of travel. We had no idea what we were in for.

Today, we are well settled. We're comfortable going through our lives here - we're no longer nervous getting to class, talking to other teachers, going shopping, eating out, doing laundry, etc. We surely do live here. I don't have any very nostalgic reflections right now, but I will say that the past year has been almost insufferably hard and incredibly rewarding. There's nothing to drive you crazy like the inability to just drive to the store at any hour to buy lightbulbs, or buying cereal for an easy breakfast. Conversely, there is nothing like students' enthusiasm after a women's health lecture, or the unexpected year-end gift of a notebook signed by all the students of a class (with an inscription including the comment "we like your beard").

The coffee, the students, and the great fiction we've been able to get our hands on has kept us going, and we will continue to increase in knowledge of ourselves and China next year. One other volunteer raised a question during a recent meeting: What will teaching in a post-Olympics China look like? I would say "the same," but after thinking, I'm not so sure. This year has been described by many (both Chinese and others) as pivotal, a tipping point, an inflexion point. In the first months it was described as disastrous and troubled, but the past 2 months have proved otherwise. Better weather, fewer disasters, and a brilliant setup for the Olympic Games. The earthquake disaster relief that reached the smaller areas in Sichuan Province is a larger example of what is happening all over the west of China. Dealing with the influence of progressive cities and modern technology is both arduous and inspirational. To me, the Beijing Olympics represents an era where every part of China is saying "things will never be the same again." The effect on us is minimal, but the effect on our students is great. They continue to learn slowly about the West, or even their neighbors in the East. Should they become teachers, they will bring with them ten times the English skill and techniques of their own secondary-level teachers. I want to come back in about 10 years, to this very town, to this very school, just to see if the ten-fold increase is still happening. My guess is it will be.

On that note, we're off to Chengdu. I'm psyched to meet the new Trainees, one of whom will likely join us at this school due to other school closings and provincial issues. After that we will do a teaching project for 2 weeks in the boonies, giving local teachers some continuing education in both English and Western teaching methods. In the beginning of August, we'll catch our breath before heading down to the city lights of Shanghai to meet up with Jill.