Today in second grade English, the students were writing haiku poems. This little haiku refresher has unleashed some creative energies in me on this strange Tuesday evening. If you want to share some of your haiku's, please add them as a comment at the end of this post. :) (The basic structure for a haiku is 5 syllables, 7 syllables, 5 syllables, and the haiku's are usually but not always related to topics in nature.)
Lonely, staring out,
She sifts through all the answers
And finds life obscure.
Tailing up the tree
He gaunt eyes stare back at me
I stole his dried corn.
Sleet and trains on tracks
Empty, metal promises
that ting through the night.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Significant
Sometimes I wonder if you know you were significant to me and are still today. I cannot move forward without thinking back and wondering...what if things had been different? And if you, instead of being independent and proud, had been open and taken a chance.
Then maybe this memory of you would have been the start of something beautiful, and you would now be my permanent friend.
Then maybe this memory of you would have been the start of something beautiful, and you would now be my permanent friend.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Some funny moments
Recently, my colleague and I have had some funny moments in the office. She is from Taiwan and has been in the US now for about 5 months. The funny moments usually happen at the end of the day when we are tired, cranky, and sometimes mentally weary. There is something about exhaustion that makes every little mishap seems that much funnier, every misunderstanding that much more laughable.
About 3 weeks ago, I asked her if she wanted a lift home. In Chinese, I asked her if she would like a "da bian che" 搭便车 (a lift). At least that's what I was going for. But my first tone was a bit off, and instead I said 大便车 which literally means "poop car." So basically I asked her if she wanted to poop car home with me. Ugg. She looked at me with big horrified eyes, and then I realized what I had asked her, and we both burst out laughing.
But the cookie crumbles the other way too, (and that's how we both stay humble.) About two weeks ago, my colleague asked me if I was going to go to some "banks" after school. "Banks?" I said questioningly. "Like to rob them or something?" And she realized her error, and again we had a good laugh and joked about robbing some banks.
And in general, I have been so blessed by hanging out with my colleagues. The last 2 week-ends, I've hung out with different groups of them on Friday nights. Yes, we're tired, but there is also something really necessary that happens when you interact with your colleagues outside the working environment: friendship, understanding, and grace.
I'm reminded of some doomsday posts I wrote back in October about my job. And now, I just feel so thankful that I stuck it out. There are lessons in the hard places; there is something to be said about not giving up.
About 3 weeks ago, I asked her if she wanted a lift home. In Chinese, I asked her if she would like a "da bian che" 搭便车 (a lift). At least that's what I was going for. But my first tone was a bit off, and instead I said 大便车 which literally means "poop car." So basically I asked her if she wanted to poop car home with me. Ugg. She looked at me with big horrified eyes, and then I realized what I had asked her, and we both burst out laughing.
But the cookie crumbles the other way too, (and that's how we both stay humble.) About two weeks ago, my colleague asked me if I was going to go to some "banks" after school. "Banks?" I said questioningly. "Like to rob them or something?" And she realized her error, and again we had a good laugh and joked about robbing some banks.
And in general, I have been so blessed by hanging out with my colleagues. The last 2 week-ends, I've hung out with different groups of them on Friday nights. Yes, we're tired, but there is also something really necessary that happens when you interact with your colleagues outside the working environment: friendship, understanding, and grace.I'm reminded of some doomsday posts I wrote back in October about my job. And now, I just feel so thankful that I stuck it out. There are lessons in the hard places; there is something to be said about not giving up.
Sunday, February 05, 2012
An Endearing Email
Last Thursday, I received this email from a good friend and former student of mine in China; I was touched. I also find it so interesting and admirable how students will memorize full chunks of English sayings and use them (mostly) correctly.
Dear p, how are you these days?
Today is the first day of China's lunar year. Happy new year. I remembered that last year you sent me the scarf as my birthday gift,and I missed the cookies. You are 30 now,right? There is a saying ,"30 is turning in people's life, because people will get more mature physically and mentally ."Is that true?
Today is the first day of China's lunar year. Happy new year. I remembered that last year you sent me the scarf as my birthday gift,and I missed the cookies. You are 30 now,right? There is a saying ,"30 is turning in people's life, because people will get more mature physically and mentally ."Is that true?
I wish I could find a job in the new year,and hope the job is related to English.I f it is not,it's also ok.what's your plan in 2012? 2012 is a new beginning,not the end of the world.
Life is short ,we will meet many people.Some people are just passers-by ,some are the return.I think u r the latter to me although you are on the other side of the earth.
I have taken some art portaits. Here is the one.
I have taken some art portaits. Here is the one.
Follow-up
Well, it turns out I did not in fact know that man. And, he and his students were from Hohhot, not Baotou, (the place I had visited). I guess some stories just have to end without much adieu. That blogpost was one of them. But while that story might not be a very interesting one, I feel like everyday at school, has been full of interesting and unpredictable things. Maybe I'll write about a few of them soon.
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