The Beginning of the End

[Dad here.  I’m hoping this will be my last “translation” of Danielle’s blog.  I know you’ll miss me about as much as I’ll miss doing these.  I must say that I found a spiffy blog editor that allows me to insert pictures where they should go, rather than having to move the HTML for the picture from the top of the blog (where Blogger insists on pasting them) to where it needs to go.  Enjoy the blog!]

I have finished teaching. It is hard to believe I have completed my job here. It was extremely bitter-sweet goodbye because I had to leave so many students and friends who I have come to love at such a deep level.

There was a party for all of the English teachers the last week. We had a big banquet and then sang at a KTV (karaoke). I had the pleasure of dancing with several teachers and singing many songs including, “My heart will go on.” “Yesterday Once more”, “Country Road”. Pretty much songs my mothers generation would listen to.

Picture of some of my favorite students.

For my classes this week I showed them pictures of my Beijing trip. I showed the picture of the great wall, Wei Chen (famous singer in China…the girls flipped that I was able to see him in real life!), and the basketball team that we ran into. They couldn’t believe that there are so many foreigners!

I love this picture because it has my favorite students (ok, all of them are my favorite students), but I’m also wearing my, “I love China” shirt. It’s the epitome of all things I love.

In class I also sang a Chinese song, “Xiao Jio Wo” that some students taught me. They were really impressed that I could sing a Chinese song. After introducing my Chinese song, I taught them Backstreet Boys, “As Long As You Love Me.” They LOVE Backstreet Boys here. I felt bad encouraging Backstreet Boys, but then I wanted to teach them something that they love and always listen too.

  As my week came to an end I realized that I need to take some pictures of the things I love. I would walk past hair salons and these guys would sit out on the street with crazy hair and I couldn’t resist taking a picture with them.

This Is Tony, a grade 3 student, and his good friend. When I came back to the school I noticed that all of the grade 3 students were gone. They had taken their College Entrance Exam (huge examination they need to take to get into a good university) and were out of the school. It was a shock for me to see all of the classrooms empty and the lights off! It made me sad actually. My grade 2 students are now grade 3 students and switched classrooms. I felt like a parent who has seen my children grow up and move to the next grade. It was exciting that they have grown up but sad that this time in their life has come to a close. Some students did not like their classroom because they were really close to the WC and it’ll get really smelly in the summer.

Chandler, a teacher, took us to dinner one night and while at dinner a man asked Savanna and I if we wanted a free hair style (this was all translated to us of course). Savanna and I were up for it. They wanted us to come to their hair salon so we could advertise for their company. Free head/shoulder massage, haircut and trim by attractive Chinese. What could be better?

My stylist. I had a little crush on him.

402 class. My favorite class. They definitely have a special place in my heart. Some of my favorite students are in this class. Cash He, Peter, Hero and many others.

After classes I’d take the classes outside to take pictures. This kid, Andy/Jacob, was so adorable. He asked me, “Danielle, can you give me a hug?”  He told me that he was really going to miss me.

I had to sell back my bike, Peter, Jay and Hero helped me sell back my bicycle. We walked all around town trying to find a person to buy back my bike. This man wouldn’t take it back. It was really interesting to be on the other side of selling back my bicycle. It sucks trying to start at a high price and then gradually go down. Peter was really good at selling back the bike. I got my bike for 140 yuan.

I needed to go to the internet café and I saw all of these dry lizards on the ground.

While taking pictures with students one day, a student asked me if I could go to the art room and be a model for their class. I loved it. I just sat there for 3 hours modeling and listening to music. It was a good life. During breaks students would ask me questions and then take care of me by buying water, mosquito repellent (they noticed that mosquito’s really love me…Thanks Dad for giving me B blood), and singing songs with me.

  Seriously I’ve seen this, “Boys Need Yoga Too!” shirt everywhere.

My favorite cafeteria workers. I would eat lunch there after classes. They made the wickedest tofu.

When I got my face drawn I met a lady who works at the local kindergarten. I went and visited all of the kids. They were SO cute. We walked in on them when they had nap time. They were all laying in their beds awake. When the bell rang for them to get up the energy level went up by 100 percent.

Digging for gold. They were just sitting there chilling. We went to the 5-6 year olds and they gave us a play in English about little babies trying to find their mommies.

My most favorite food ever: Eggplant with Green Beans. I will definitely miss this food.

My restaurant workers. Love these girls. I met them the first couple days and have stuck with them through the months I have been there.

We met these students on the first day. They have been our friends ever since the beginning. They are always bursts of laughter whenever I see them.

See double?

Gate keeper. This guy is awesome. He would wave to us all the time and say, “HELLO!” really loud and then say, “Ni HAO” after. He scared both Savanna and me at first because I thought he wouldn’t let us out, but really he just wanted to make friends!

Our watermelon lady. I will miss them dearly. They became our mommies as we walked outside the gate. I’m pretty sure we kept their stand running with all of the watermelon and water we bought.

Motorcyclists outside of the school gate. They would line up waiting for people to ask them for a ride. They’d yell, “hello” to us as we’d walk by. They eventually knew we wanted to go one of two places: bus station or train station.

BuBuGao lady! She would take my bag every time I went into the supermarket. She became our buddy. She lent me some of her DVD’s and I we are now friends on QQ. Don’t know how that’ll work saying she doesn’t know English.

This was SO cute. When I went up to my apartment to get ready to go to dinner with friends all of my favorite neighborhood friends were there! It was a big party! They gave us presents and hugs. So adorable. It was so sad to say goodbye. I love these girls. Bobbie was also there to say goodbye.

Dinner with my favorite people: Savanna, Alex, Lucy, and Chandler. We went to a restaurant. I love these people. I couldn’t believe that I’d never see them again! I hope someday I will see them again.

Well Savanna and I then stayed up all night cleaning and packing to make our train the next day. Peter, Jay, Chandler and Mr. Beard came to the station to see us off.

It is hard to imagine that such an amazing experience has come to a close. Now it is just the beginning of a new life: traveling with two RM’s around China.