College life... from the other side!

After about a month of living at Mr. and Mrs. Mills house after the workshop... I moved to my very own apartment!!! I'm pretty proud of it! It is my first one... thankfully it came pretty much furnished! But the best part is that I never feel like I'm alone, all I have to do is talk out loud and I can hear an echo! It's like someone is really talking to me! haha! My living room is HUGE! It's great because I can feel free to invite many Chinese students over at one time, but when it's just me it's more like a mini stadium! My bed my look soft, but do not be deceived... it's only a little cushioned, but it really doesn't matter cause when I finally get to sleep I'm so tired that it feels amazing! 

Just for fun Elizabeth, Ruthie, Carol and I all spent the night in a 4 star resort hotel... it was marvelous! and well worth the $35 spent! We went swimming in the most amazing pool! We also slept in hammocks by the beach. It was so relaxing!

So for the last 4 years of my life I have been entering the classroom to sit and be taught... on Thursday, September 1, 2011 that changed...

I walked into my very first class... Sophomore Tourism English... WOW... it was a little intimidating... about 45 students and very few speak English at a conversational level. That's where I come in;) I am there to teach them once a week for an hour and a half how to speak conversational English. Thankfully some understand, and I think more understood than let on. I just hope that I can crack their shells of shyness, and give them the confidence they need to speak in English.

Other than that class I am free everyday... I have to wait for the Freshman to begin classes (they will begin Sept.21) then I'll have more classes to teach! YAY!! But in the mean time I'm studying Chinese, helping Mrs. Mills, collecting ideas for class, reading, cleaning and organizing my house, and spending my time with students! Steve (the other American teacher at my school, who also works for Mr. Mills) and I had a game night. He asked me to invite some students and he would as well... I invited 4 and it turned into 9! He invited 1 and got 3! hahaha There were 13 of us and it was so much fun!!!! We played chopsticks (aka spoons) and mafia... the Chinese people were amazing liars... it's kinda scary! ;)

Another week is beginning and I hope more opportunities will arise! My goal is to build strong friendships with my students and co-workers! and it will also help me learn Chinese;)

A real summer holiday…

So during the workshop, no one here really even has time to breathe! But now that it’s over… we are settling back into a regular life. It’s very peaceful… but a little boring;) Which I am NOT complaining about! I love the relaxed live I’ve had over the last week; it’s been great!

After the summer team left, Elizabeth, Ruthie, Carol, and I all stayed at Mr. and Mrs. Mills’ house. They are wonderful;) We cleaned Carol’s new apartment in the mornings and went shopping in the afternoons for Ruthie and me! I bought so many practical things. Then Mrs. Mills found new plates for her house while we were shopping so she gave me her old ones for free! Best price ever;) hahaha!

Hopefully I’ll start tutoring soon so I can earn a little extra money to help pay for all of our crazy shopping excursions! Hahaha;) I’m so excited to get all of my things set up in my new apartment. But for the time being I’m content to live in the Mills’ house. They live in Haikou city and I will live about 30 minutes outside of the city in the country. The college I’ll be teaching for is supplying my apartment fully furnished and gas stove to cook on, electricity, and internet paid for as part of my contract;) So for now I’m relaxing in Mr. and Mrs. Mill’s apartment until the end of the month… life is pretty good right now;)

I’m beginning to really miss being with my family and friends…. But I’m so thankful for my time that I’ve already spent in China. I believe that I’ve learned so many life lessons and that I will continue to grow as the year goes on.

(In the picture above, clockwise from the top: Me, Mrs. Mills, Elizabeth, Carol, and Ruthie)

This is a picture of one of my new plates;) Thanks Mrs. Mills!

After one month...

I can't believe that one month is already over!!! The team that came this summer was AMAZING!!! There was so much unity in all three of the individual groups. In July, the Mills host English workshops that different colleges host. Each of the people in this picture volunteered there month to come and teach English for free. The reward: it was in China!!! All of the Americans were great, and so willing to help in any way possible! There were three different workshops so the teachers were divided up and taught Phonics, discussion, reading, and vocabulary. In the afternoons we had culture classes and the evenings were filled with CRAZY activities! We had big ball volleyball, costume party, Skit night, China night, Christmas party, scavenger hunt... it was so much fun! The past two summer's that I've come I've been able to teach in the workshop, but this summer I did something else;) In the mornings I would help Mrs. Mills write a phonics workbook that she will be teaching from this year. After lunch I would help Carol prepare for the afternoon and of course I participated with great enthusiasm in the evening activities! I didn't learn as many names and faces as I would have if I taught the students, but I am not complaining! I met so many students and many of those will live at the campus where I will be teaching this semester! I'm so excited about having them over to my new apartment!

It was bitter-sweet when the Americans left... bitter because I will miss them! and sweet because the were going home;) Now the only Americans left are Mr. and Mrs. Mills, Carol, Elizabeth, Steve, and Ruthie and me who are both new to the team! So over the last week we have been working together to get Carol's new apartment clean and ready to move into... cause as soon as she's moved into her new place, she moves out of her old place, and I can move in! My apartment is very big and clean and very nice I like it a lot! It needs new curtains and possibly some paint if it's in my budget. I went shopping for all of the things that I will need for my new house and realized that married couples are so fortunate! They get all of there necessities given to them... I had to buy all of mine! Oh well I guess that's all part of growing up and moving out;) I loved picking it all out though! I bought house slippers for my many expected guests, towels for my bathroom, kitchen and cleaning, hangers, sheets, pillows, containers, spoons, knives, FORKS, and chopsticks, a wok to cook in, oh and a towel for my electric bike! Yes, and an electric bike! I love it! It's smaller than most, but that is what I decided I prefered cause I can control it and it's not so big that it controls me! It's really nice and fast, but don't worry I have promised several different parties that I would not ride recklessly and at dangerous speeds, and I intend to uphold those promises;)

I'm very excited about the next chapter in my life in China! I have no idea what it will hold, but I'm sure that it will be thrilling;) I will attempt to more faithfully blog my adventures!

The Beginning...

Well the adventure has begun…

I’m officially moving to CHINA!!!! It still feels so surreal, this can’t really be happening… It seems like I just started high school yesterday and Kindergarten the week before;) Life goes so fast when you’re looking back on it. I want each day to the fullest with no regrets!!!
I sent my sisters off through security in Detroit before leaving myself… As I walked away I was still in disbelief that this truly was happening to me… I’m really moving to China to teach in COLLEGE!!! Me, who was so shy I wouldn’t do ANYTHING alone just 3 years ago;) Well… guess I’ve conquered that huh? ;) My first flight was from Detroit-8:00PM to Los Angeles-10:15PM, then Los Angeles, CA, USA-11:30PM (Mon. July 4) to Guangzhou, China-6:00AM (Wed. July 6), and FINALLY after a 12 hour layover…Guangzhou -7:35PM to Haikou, Hainan, China-8:45PM…

After arriving in LA, California I found half of the team that was coming over to teach in the annual summer English workshops at local colleges in Hainan. The other half had been delayed in Atlanta… so 8 of us (Todd, Kalen, Conner, Megan H., Miranda, Amy, Alison, and me) boarded our flight to Guangzhou. The other half (Seth, Kim, Madison, Nick, Sara, Chris, and Josh) were suffering in a free hotel and 3 meal tickets due to a delay. Having previously taken 4 flights across the Pacific this was the BEST one!!! Before I always flew in the daytime which made it hard to sleep, but this flight was booked for night and I took full advantage of that! I slept probably 10 of the 15 hours in the air. We got through customs with no problems, and then found the teams gate… I say the team because although they booked their flights after me, I had a 13 hour layover… and they were able to go on to Hainan after only waiting 5 hours… those 8 hours of solitude were practically deadly!! Several times I wanted to randomly breakout in song or scream as loud as possible “Does ANYONE speak ENGLISH!!!!!” But I didn’t… I guess I sacrificed sanity for dignity;) Throughout that time I entertained myself by watching the Chinese TV… until the program began running for the third time, people watching, reading a book… thank you Uncle Rick it was a sanity saver;) I walked the entire 200 departing gates, painted my nails with crazy designs, read some more, wrote a few notes… and I still had 2 hours until boarding!!!! It was a struggle but, I survived!

It was a long time in the air and my swollen ankles prove it! hahaha:) The excitement was building with each flight closer! Doubts and fears faded… I’m so ready for this year in China!!!!! But don’t worry America… I’ll be ready to come home too... eventually;)

Good-byes are never easy, but it makes it more difficult when it’s your family and friends for an extended period of time. As I said good-bye, words could not express the cherished memories that flooded my mind. All I was capable of was saying “I love you! Good-bye!” and walking away. I know my family and friends will miss me and I them, but my encouragement comes from their whole-hearted support of my following then dream I’ve had since I was 12… Living in China!

Dad and Mom, I love you so much!!!

Katie and Kari, love you!! And do well in college;)

To all of my friends in America, I love and miss you all!!!! Keep me updated on life over here;)

See you later America…
Ni-hao (hello), China!!!

***Summer in the USA***

Though my time left in America is short... I will be squeezing memories out of EVERY second! The first three weeks after graduation were filled with monotonous unpacking, cleaning, and repacking. The first of June, I departed from New Orleans to spend 2 weeks in South Carolina with my best friend, Elisa, for her wedding! It was a beautiful and momentous ceremony and worth all of the hard work and planning... but after all of that I'm considering eloping when it's my turn;) While I was in SC, my parents moved from Louisiana to Florida (for the third time!) So now I'm working on packing for China and unpacking the house. Before I leave America I have one more fling planned;) Next week I leave home again... for the last time... My sisters and I will be flying to Michigan to visit family. And then I have one more friend to send off to marital bliss;) I will be leaving on July 4 at 8pm... mark it on your calendars! As the fireworks go off celebrating America's birthday, I will be departing to the other side of the world! Yes, I'm proud to be an American (going to China)!!!

Preparation...

So I have Luggage, laptop, and a plane ticket... all I need now is a visa, physical (complete with EKG, X-ray, and lab work), and international insurance... Not so bad;)

But the packing is getting a little crazy! While I was at college I left 3 bags of things with people who will be coming over this summer to teach at the workshop, then today I mailed 3 boxes full of things to other team members! Who knew I would have this much stuff!!! And no one had better say anything about my clothes collection! I have given away SO much already!!! ;) oh well if that's the only hardship I have to endure, I'll take it! ;)

It's here!

So many of my family and friends have been asking how they can keep up with me after I leave for China... well I have the answer... My blog! Now you can stay up-to-date on all of my amazing... and boring;) adventures!