Learning is a treasure that will follow it's owner everywhere. ~Chinese Proverb
Joan volunteers to teach English at a middle school in Changzhi. One of the highlights of my trip to China was going to the school to meet the children.
The night before, we made several different flavors of Jell-O for them since they had never eaten it.
The students loved the Jell-O and even wanted us to write down the recipe!
Lorie and I introduced ourselves and showed pictures of our families.
The typical/traditional Chinese family consists of parents and one -maybe two - children. Imagine their horror and surprise when they saw this picture of my family!
Each student stood and introduced themselves and told us what they wanted to be when they grew up. Most of the girls said they wanted to be a "Teacher, because I love children" - or, "A nurse because I want to help people!"
The boys wanted to be zoo-keepers because they love animals, or a banker, "because I like money!" One boy said that he has an older sister and she is very beautiful! All 3 of us commented on how nice that was for him to say. The next 2 boys stood and said the same thing! A little "woot-woot" goes a long way!
The children had learned two songs in English, John Lennon's, "Imagine" and Neil Diamond's, "Sweet Caroline" (there are two kinds of people in this world...) I taught them the sign language to "Imagine".
It just so happens the day we were there was Joan's last day to teach before the kids were out for summer. Of course they wanted to thank Joan for all her service but they didn't want to ignore Lorie and me, so the principal and superintendent presented all three of us with a gift. Look at this beautiful mug and lid. It has the name of their school with gold inlay. Lorie and I timed it just right! I will always treasure this.
As we left the school and got in the van to have the driver take us back home, the students throughout the school stood at the windows and waved goodbye. We felt like celebrities!
It would be nice to feel that love from our students here. Maybe it was the Jell-O!
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17 comments:
I love that they wanted the Jello recipe..so cute! And that is so neat what you taught them! I love all this info about your trip...so awesome! :D
Hi Connie,
I love reading your blog. It is always so much fun.
Your trip to China looks like so much fun. I think it is great that you got to visit the classroom and teach the kids. I'm sure they were so happy to have you there. How super nice that you got that beautiful mug. What a treasure. We just loved our trip there too. We will have to compare notes and stories. I found the hospital where I was born there in Shanghai.
I think that house you visited was a palace compared to most of the home there in rural China.
We took a trip to France 30 yrs ago and many homes had outdoor facilities or none at all in the countryside. We were visiting an uncle of my hubby and 2 of our kids needed to go outside to do their business. When they came back in, my daughter said, "Mom, it was sooooooo embarassing. I was going to the bathroom and this big cow came over and watched me." It was so funny.
Many people here in France will not touch jello. Only one of our French missionaries will eat it. The rest of them are afraid to even try it. Ha. They don't know what they're missing.
I really like baked veggies. Never tried them on salad, but I definitely will now. Sounds yummy.
That dancing baby is adorable. Wow! The moves were incredible.
What a day to remember! Wish I could have been there with you to see this in person.
That is so awesome! I can't imagine the wonderful experiences you've had! I love the sweet faces on those little ones!
I think for Allan and I when we went, seeing the children and their enthusiasm for everything was one of the greatest parts of our trip.
That looks like it was so wonderful--what a special experience.
Well Connie,
I imagine that all the children wrote in their journals about meeting you and your friend and especially about the jello. I wonder.... what was their favorite flavor??? Lime??? :)
Thanks for sharing another story of your time there, and some more wonderful pictures.
p.s. Did any of the children wish for a big happy family ??
Glenda would be soooo happy! LOL
I am glad you guys had so many cool experiences.
The blue and the green jello were the 2nd choice of the students but every bit of it was gobbled up!
No one said anything about having a big happy family! I think it's beyond their comprehension!
Kazzy, I think it's a good thing Glenda wasn't there. She would have wondered why I didn't remember all of it!
What a great experience Connie. Not one that the normal Chinese tourist gets that is for sure.
I know those children will never forget all of you ladies and especially the picture of your big, beautiful, family!
how fun to have jello for the first time. that's a food item that you never could explain to someone. sounds like a wonderful experiance for you and the students!
Another wonderful experience!! I'm so glad you got to go!
So impressed with the What About Bob quote you stuck in there!! Now I wanna go watch that movie:)
I have some Jello recipes you could have used (but you probably would have been booted out!)
So awesome that you were able to spend a little time with the students.
So cool of you guys to share JELLO with them.
I am soooooooooooo excited that I get to read your blog and see all the pictures, and make a comment.
I cannot begin to express my feelings to show how happy I was that you and Lorie were there with me to share in such a wonderful day :)
What an awesome experience. I never realized jello had such mystical, magical powers. I'd better make if more often!
Wow! How exciting for you to be able to go and do that!
LOL!! About the family picture! I bet they were shocked!
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