Wow, it has been almost two weeks since my last post. I keep forgetting that I have this blog...please forgive me!! Since I last posted I have been to the zoo. Yes, the school took us to the Shanghai Wild Animal Park and it was very nice. The weather was beautiful, there was a cool breeze and I got to see the pandas!!! It was much like a zoo in America, but the areas that housed the "ferocious animals" were areas that you could drive through and see the animals in their own enviroment. They had acres to run on, not just housed in small areas. I have posted pics at www.cholshouser2000.shutterfly.com. The funniest part of the day was seeing the dogs that were on display! Yes, dogs! They had Lassie, and a beagle, and a golden retriever; it was so odd to see them in areas like the other animals. One thing that they do here that we don't in the states is that you can buy chicks to feed to the alligators and chickens to feed to the bears. That really caught me off guard. The bus that came in behind us when we drove through the bear area had two chickens hanging out of the windows on strings. They would pull them up and then let them down to tease the bears. I have never...!!!
Well, we are back in full swing here at school and I am giving my first test on Wednesday! The students are not sure what to think and I am not sure what I am going to think after the test is over. It is still hard to communicate and to help them to understand. They are coming around more to classroom lectures and notes, but they are not doing well understanding their reading assignments. So, I am trying different ideas to get them to get more out of their reading and to weed out what reading is not necessary.
Two weeks ago, we began our first check-off. A check-off is a time when they demonstrate a nursing skill and the first one was hand washing. They were so nervous. They came into the room for the demonstration and they were shaking! They are required to speak in English when they come for check-offs and sometimes that is what makes them the most nervous. Last Monday they had to come demonstrate the hand washing that they had practiced and this was a challenge for many. You could tell those who had not practiced as they were told and subsequently they failed and had to repeat the performance on Wednesday. They practiced for Wednesday!!!! Above is a picture... and others can be found at shutterfly!
My other big adventure lately has been our trips to the fabric market. The first time I went was a little intimidating and I almost thought that I would never go back, but I am actually coming around to lovi
ng the place. You can have anything custom made for a very good price. My first purchase was a coat for winter... The black coat is mine. Please don't anyone be jealous!! I love it!!! And will keep me warm on what I have been told can be some pretty cold days!! Well, that is all that is new for now. I am going to try to remember to update more often. It will especially be easier on me!! Know that you all are in my thoughts.
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