Journey to Xi’an – Year 2
Journey to Xi’an – Year Two
September 24, 2006
We are back in Apartment 34 of the Xi’an International Studies University Foreign Teacher’s Building Number 2. It is the third day of autumn. Our neighbors are two couples from the BYU China Teacher’s program. One couple is from Northern Utah, the other from a small town near Austin, Texas. They have already become good friends.
We had anticipated with trepidation the September summer days, expecting they would be a repeat of what we had experienced last year; near 100 degree days of humid, smoggy skies, continual overcast, nights of uncooled stillness. We have been surprised.
Instead, most days have brought bright mild temperatures, blue skies dotted with billowing clouds, light breezes, a few light, air-clearing showers and pleasantly cool nights.
Our teaching assignments have been received. I am teaching in the Business Department 16 hours per week; THREE different Oral English and English Listening courses (Thus THREE separate lessons per week to prepare), to Freshmen and Sophomores. I am in the fourth week of classes for the Sophomores, plus having been called upon for four “special” speaking presentations.
Janet will be teaching 14 hours per week, preparing ONE lesson per week for all Freshmen Students in the English Department. Her teaching schedule begins on October 9.
But I am not complaining……..no, no, really. It’s OK.
In fairness, you should know that Janet spends a great deal of her time gathering new material in preparation for the classes. I unashamadely take advantage of her preparations, borrowing liberally from her materials for my classes. Her students last year loved her. She is poised for a repeat of that experience.
Janet is leaving today, with several other teachers, for the neighboring province of Shanxi. There she and her traveling companions will receive VIP treatment as guests of a small city having an early Autumn Festival celebration.
They will be housed in a nice hotel, showered with regional gifts, treated to multi course luncheons and dinners, and serenaded by bands, dancers and performers, as they sit as guests of honor at the Festival parades and activities.
I will be staying home, teaching classes.
But that’s OK….honest.
The week commencing October 1 is China’s National Holiday, commemorating the formation of The People’s Republic of China. There are no classes during that week.
Next Sunday, we depart for a seven day adventure to the Sichuan Province, where we will visit Jiozhaiguo (Nine Villages in a Valley), said to be one of the most beautiful scenic areas in China, with waterfalls, crystal clear lakes and streams, flowering valleys and multi-hued rock formations. Another day will be spent at the Wolong Panda Preserve, where we will have an opportunity to be up close with Pandas of all ages. I confess to a childlike excitement about this particular part of the journey; pandas are still something like magical creatures in my mind.
I may take a few pictures.
I have told you before about Amanda’s Orphanage. In the future, it will be referred to as Amanda’s Foster Home, to conform to cultural norms observed here. You may recall that in September, 2005, Amanda DeLange, a South African lady who has spent many years in China, became a foster parent to six infants with extreme medical needs.
In the intervening year, three significant changes have become part of her experience:
· All of the original six have had their medical needs met, and are thriving. Amanda has found doctors to provide surgeries, donations to cover the costs, and funds to pay for child care assistance.
· Two of the original six have been processed for adoption, and will leave Amanda’s care within the next month, to take their places with their new families in America.
· As of September 23, the number of children in Amanda’s care has grown to seventeen; all of whom came to her with special medical needs.
If you would like to see the children (The last three arrived yesterday, so their photos are not available yet), there are several photos posted at www.pbase.com/caljimw
under the category: AMANDA’S ORPHANAGE
Enjoy!