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This week has been one of madness and mayhem as the school prepares to celebrate its 10th anniversary. Workmen and women (no discrimination here) have been frantically trying to finish some of the building works before Friday so have been working day and night.....and I do mean night..I could still hear the cement truck pouring concrete at 2.30am!!! Our weather had decided to turn cold, about 11C (well it is winter) so I think everyone is hoping the concrete will cure enough to walk on so that the VIP can officially "open" the new Learning and Technology Centre - behind all the fancy facade is one very unfinished building - but no loss of face here.
The students have been madly rehearsing their different performances and I am getting very excited to see the final results. The determination and effort put in by the students is amazing and its lovely to see that they are so proud of their school. They had a giggle the other night trying to teach me one of their dances with the Chinese umbrella's - they all assured me I did very well but somehow I think they were just being polite.
I have been visiting different classes this week to help them practice speaking English in preparation for Friday. The list of VIPs is most impressive starting with the Vice-Governor of the Province, Chairman of the Party Committee, leader of the Ministry for Education, esteemed guests from Guandong Province (I've forgotten all the fancy titles) and some generous benefactors from Hong Kong - hence the need to brush up on their spoken English. Most of the students are terrified that they will be spoken to so I've had to reassure them +++ that they are quite capable of answering any questions they might be asked. Let's face it, most of the VIPs will probably be looking for good photo opportunities and not too worried about the actual conversation (rather cynical of me I know).
I think I will rather enjoy all the pomp and ceremony even if I cant understand a word of what is being said!!! All the teachers will be dressed up for the occasion in their "school" uniform/suit (very smart looking) so I will need to get the suit out as well. Cant be letting down the lao shi's can I....
So look forward to my next post as I will be sure to have heaps of photos to show the celebrations.
Bye for now......
The students have been madly rehearsing their different performances and I am getting very excited to see the final results. The determination and effort put in by the students is amazing and its lovely to see that they are so proud of their school. They had a giggle the other night trying to teach me one of their dances with the Chinese umbrella's - they all assured me I did very well but somehow I think they were just being polite.
I have been visiting different classes this week to help them practice speaking English in preparation for Friday. The list of VIPs is most impressive starting with the Vice-Governor of the Province, Chairman of the Party Committee, leader of the Ministry for Education, esteemed guests from Guandong Province (I've forgotten all the fancy titles) and some generous benefactors from Hong Kong - hence the need to brush up on their spoken English. Most of the students are terrified that they will be spoken to so I've had to reassure them +++ that they are quite capable of answering any questions they might be asked. Let's face it, most of the VIPs will probably be looking for good photo opportunities and not too worried about the actual conversation (rather cynical of me I know).
I think I will rather enjoy all the pomp and ceremony even if I cant understand a word of what is being said!!! All the teachers will be dressed up for the occasion in their "school" uniform/suit (very smart looking) so I will need to get the suit out as well. Cant be letting down the lao shi's can I....
So look forward to my next post as I will be sure to have heaps of photos to show the celebrations.
Bye for now......
- comments
Wayne Well I'm glad your feeling better I finish next week and might get some work finished at home,,,,,,it all sounds a lot more Westernised than I expected Xmas trees do they have santa too?............how are you going looking foward to coming home?