I made it through my first week as a teacher. It was less stressful than the rest of the year will be, since it was mostly syllabus reading and introductions. My Friday classes were very kind and nice, but a little shy. I will have to work on gaining their trust and building their confidence. That will be my challenge.
Thursday night we also had a welcome banquet with the President of the university (I think) and the Dean of the College of Foreign Languages. We went to a really nice hotel that had a restaurant attached. The food was delicious. It is a Chinese custom to make toasts and so the President made four, the Dean made two, each Chinese teacher in attendance (six) made at least one, Andy did one, Rowena, the Russian teacher, and I each made one toast. So in total, at least sixteen toasts were made in two hours. And for each toast everyone either had a small shot of baijiu, which is rice wine, or a glass of beer. I alternated between the baijiu and peach juice. The baijiu was very good, it was sweet and crisp. Overall, a very filling, delicious meal with good company.
Last night, Matt, Mike, Jeremy, and I went out for food and for drinks. We went to a noodle restaurant that Mike had been to last year, but they had changed the menu, so we all had to point at a random option. Mike and Jeremy got very spicy noodle bowls, whilst Mat and I got tamer dishes. The bowl I got was brought out with only the broth, but also with a tray of things to add into it: chives, pork, quail egg, spices, cabbage, a prepared egg dish, and fish. I added all the things in and it was very good. After we all finished our bowls, we walked around looking for a bar. Ultimately we ended up at the international youth hostel in Qufu. We got some drinks, sat around with the bartender who is a student at Qufu, and talked some more. However, the bartender had to ask us to leave so she could close up. We left and caught a taxi back to school.
Today (Saturday), I graded essays and thought about what I should do for my first real lessons next week. I still have no idea what I am going to do. But I have to get something together for Monday, since they switched around my schedule. So, here is my new schedule:
Monday:
8:00-9:50 - Speaking
10:10-12:00 - Speaking
Tuesday
8:00-9:50 - Extensive Reading*
10:10-12:00 - Writing
Wednesday
8:00-9:50 - Extensive Reading*
10:10-12:00 - Writing
I NO LONGER HAVE MY MID-WEEK BREAK.
Thursday
8:00-9:50 - Speaking*
10:10-12:00 - Listening*
Friday
8:00-9:50 - Speaking
10:10-12:00 - Speaking
*These are my Chinese language classes that I will be attending. So basically, I am in a classroom every day from 8am until 12pm.
This evening one of the other American teachers, Jason, arrived in Qufu. As a nice gesture, some of us took him out to eat at one of the restaurants outside the North Gate.
Tomorrow morning I am going to go look for an e-bike (electric bike) with Matt. I hope to find one, since they seem so nice and convenient. I will be keeping my regular bike for exercise and to get from the apartments to the college building, but the e-bike will be nicer when I have to go shopping or when I want to go into town. Then I do not have to pay for a taxi or bus all the time. Granted, those are only 7 yuan and 2 yuan, respectively. But it would just be more convenient that I can get anywhere I need, whenever I need or want.
More updates on the e-bike tomorrow!
Below: what else went into the bowl