Shell in China

Sunday, May 28, 2006

Goodbye, Farewell, and Amen

Well, the next step of this process has begun…the good-byes. My 8th graders had their Recognition Night on Wednesday (this is a compromise between the old 8th grade graduation and our desire for them to see that there is much more education beyond 8th grade—they are not at the end of anything, so we’ve gone this route as a school) and then our last day together on Thursday. At Recognition Night the 8th graders surprised me with a giant pink basket full of gifts for my time in China. It included a pink journal covered in shoes, a pair of shoes (!), lots of goodies and Pepsi. It was very sweet of them. Then, the kids went home on Thursday at 11 AM and that was when I had to say my good-byes to them. Some were, of course, easier to say than others.

Then Friday was our last day as teachers and I had to get my room cleaned out and then check out for the final time. I was doing great with the clean-out and even the check-out process until I had to turn in my keys. I didn’t know those little pieces of metal meant so much! I guess it was the end of the end and handing them in signified the turning over of my position to the yet-to-be-hired new English teacher. Ack!! That was tough. Then, I kind of took the easy way out on the good-byes. (My apologies go out to anyone who thinks I skipped them- I didn’t really say them to anyone because good-byes are tough and I chickened out. Hopefully I will see most of you at the send-off BBQ in June.) After the end of the year lunch I just walked out with Shannon and went to my afternoon appointment.

So, for now I am officially unemployed and have a month (actually, exactly a month from today!) to get everything packed and ready to go. We still have the lists on the fridge, but little has been crossed off of them except for “turn in keys…”

Michelle, 5:47 PM | link | 2 comments |

Sunday, May 07, 2006

Countdown as the weeks trickle into days ...

Well, I guess it is time to officially start keeping this blog. While the original set-up has existed for some time, I’ve been procrastinating the actual commencement. Whether that delay is due to being too busy with school stuff, fear of the unknown or just plain laziness is up for debate! Maybe a bit of all of it thrown together which means it just hasn’t happened yet.

So, why is today the magic start date? Well, we got our final staging information in the mail today and so everything is ready to go. We have flight times for San Francisco to Beijing and then onto Chengdu set up. (That flight looks like it is going to be anything but fun!) We have sent in our resumes and our motivation statements and have made arrangements to get from Boise to SF. We worked on “to-do” lists and “to-buy” lists tonight—both of which are equally as long. It looks like the Sportsman’s Warehouse in Meridian may be getting a large part of our next paychecks! J

As of now, the count sits at about 50 days until we head out. In that time I have to finish teaching this year of school, get end of the year activities taken care of for my 8th graders and Natural Helpers, get my classroom packed up and stored, get the house packed up and stored, sell my car, etc… the lists seem never-ending at this point!

Even with all of this to do, I am excited to be headed to China. It is tough to imagine actually being there, as I have no background to serve as a scaffold for the experience. I have no idea what the homes are going to look like, how much I am going to stand out or even what to pack! It is all a part of the learning experience…

So, with a huge list of things to do stuck to my refrigerator, I sign off, but not before crossing out “get going on blog!”

Michelle, 7:09 PM | link | 1 comments |

Blog of a Peace Corps China volunteer serving as a TEFL teacher in Cheng Xian, Gansu, China.

: Name: Michelle Ross; Location: Chengxian, Gansu, CN

In America, I teach 8th grade English and reading and really enjoy spending time with middle school students. Some people think I am crazy for it, but Marsing has a great group of kids and I love being a part of their lives as they grow up! Right now I live in China and teach English and teaching methods to students who want to be teachers. I am here through Peace Corps, which I think is a fabulous experience and something that more people should look into doing! The application process can be a bit of a pain, but it is well worth the time and effort. Check out Peace Corps and give something back to the world that has given you so much!! Teaching runs in the family, as just about everyone is involved in education in one way or another. My dad is retired, but he was a teacher, counselor and principal for 30+ years, my mom is an elementary counselor, my sister and husband are both teachers and my brother will finish his teaching degree this next spring! "Those who can, do; those who can do magic, teach!"

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