Our Christmas Tree

My Chinese Christmas Tree

So, it's been quite some time since I updated this blog; two months and 10 days to be exact. A lot has happened here in China, but everything has gone by so fast. Kindergarten is still fun and challenging. I have been busy preparing for youth group and meeting with kids every week. The weather is getting colder, so we spend a lot more time indoors. Talk of plans for next school year are the new buzz. Everyone is starting to make decisions and I haven't come to any conclusion yet. I think I might consider staying if I get a position teaching older kids. While I truely love my kindergarteners, I would rather teach older kids I think. My favorite times with the kids are informal play times. When it comes to teaching 20 five year olds in a classroom setting, I can do it, but its not my favorite. Sometimes it feels like too much structure for such a young age. Some of the kids can handle it, but many of them have trouble sitting still.

It will be hard to leave the kids at the end of the year, maybe I should teach first grade. I have really come to love each one of them. Its a funny thing, how much you come to love each child, even the ones who are often "bad". I love seeing them grow and learn. They are learning past tense right now, which is really pretty impressive for a bunch of kids whose native language doesn't really have a past tense.

One thing I really enjoy about this job is that it makes me smile all the time. Sometimes the funniest things happen in class. The kids are just so neat and different, each in his own way. Some kids have quirks or expressions that just make me laugh. I also feel truely loved by the kids. A childs heart is still so tender, they love anyone.

Anyway, as of yet I don't know what will come next...

We have two days off for Christmas, so a group of nine of us are heading to Hong Kong for Christmas. I will try to actually update the blog with some pictures from the trip when we get back.

If you read this far, then you might be interested in checking out my South America blog. I just posted some videos that sort of sum up the trip. Its been many months I know, but they are still fun to watch.

www.travelingsouth.blogspot.com