I understand that Michael posted to the blog last night while I slept. So forgive me if I am repetitive...we are still having trouble viewing the blog. Helen was so excited to start school that she was up at 6 am and ready to go. She wore her Huan-huan shirt to help her classmates learn her name. This is the Kindergarten building. It's quite large -- children ages 3-5 go here and there are multiple classrooms.
Helen's classroom is on the roof level, since the oldest kids are at the top. It is quite close to the ocean. Various games and toys centers are scattered around the building, but its pretty sparse.
This is Helen in the doorway of her new classroom. There are about 30-35 students. In addition to this room, there is a bathroom and Helen says the toilet is a squat one, but in a long row so that 3 students use it at a time. Beyond that is a sleeping room with bunk beds, each with a bamboo mat and small pillow. The teachers were very welcoming. We had 2 philosophy students with us, and the teachers took some time to explain what Helen would need -- a cup, toothbrush and toothpaste (I had brought a toothbrush but not the other items) and a change of clothes labeled with her name. So I labeled her supplies last night in Chinese! At school she is known as Huan-huan with no last name since its not a Chinese one. Fortunately the character huan is an easy one. You know, this is a common word, meaning "happy", as in "seeing butterflies makes me happy". Helen said that some of the children were calling her by name. My proudest moment as Helen's parent was one she greeted the teacher in Chinese "Nin hao laoshi" (Hello teacher) and when the teacher asked her name she answered "Wo jiao Huan-huan" We had been practicing this dialogue all week. The teacher showed her to a seat and sat another girl near her. Helen was so calm and matter of fact about the whole thing! She apparently had a great day, liked the lunch (noodles and some hot milky drink) and playing all day. She takes a nap for a while in the afternoon and doesn't get home until almost 5. Until now we have been taking her and picking her up, but maybe soon she will be taking the bus -- we did sign up for it. One thing that went well is that I asked the teacher through the philosophy students if any of the parents in the class spoke English. They called one of the parents and the mother agreed that whenever there is a notice home she will call and explain it to me, and already she has done this to tell me about the field trip on Thursday to the science museum.
So we all survived a busy day, and Michael taught his first class, see yesterday's entry for more details.
4 comments:
Hello Ann, Helen is one brave little girl, in addition to living up to her name, she looks so very happy. Megan was also impressed and loved seeing the pictures of Helen, Huan Huan and her new school. Megan did have a question several posts back...was the concrete slide slippery? Thank you again for all of the wonderful posts. Sincerely, Kay
Dear Ann, Mike, Huanhuan, Thomas, and Sophie,
Congratulations to Huanhuan on her first day of school and to her proud mommy for writing her characters so well! What a big moment in both of your lives. I know that your daughter will do very well and make you so proud of her. Already she has found a source of candy . . .
Congrats to Mike on his new office! Sounds not so different from Churchill Tower after all . . . but is the water brown?
Congrats to Ann for her impressive navigation and networking skills! I think that Tai Chi sounds wonderful, esp. since that nice lao shi asked you to join them. I'm officially jealous.
Congrats to Sophie on learning how to lock doors! Way to keep Mom and Dad on their toes! Can't let them get too complacent.
Congrats to Thomas on trying squid! Soon he will be sucking down 1000 year old eggs and duck feet and maybe kim chee in Korea!
Not much to report from Buffalo. We missed you at the President's dinner, where the new AVP Scott Chadwick was spotted but almost everyone who had anything to do with either assessment or core curriculum last year was conspicuously absent. Go figure! We gorged on shrimp and wine and brought home desserts for the kids.
Our weather has continued gorgeous in the 80's, but everyone is sneezing with allergies/colds.
Buffalo has been selected by the NHL to be the site of an outdoor hockey game on New Year's Day at the Bill's Stadium. Seats sold out for this event in less than 1 hr. I am dreading the upcoming 4 month long national discussion of Buffalo winter weather that will soon commence, but otherwise, Go Sabres!
We love and miss you guys. Keep the blog and pictures coming!
Jane, Mike, Ani and Elia
Wow, you and Michael managed not to repeat yourselves. Awesome! It's wonderful to get all these perspectives from time to time. How about Thomas too?
Ann, Mike, Huanhuan. Thomas and Sophie
I love the blog site. Love seeing all of you in your new culture. I love Thomas's bike...these bikes are usually very expensive..hopes he fit it in his duffel bag.
God bless. S.Genevieve
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