Pizza Hut - Blogabond

The English Teachers at #6 and Me; Can You Pick Me Out?

Just a quick entry today. During one of my classes this morning, my students and I were discussing our favorite foods. I happened to mention my fondness for pizza. Of course, given the presence of my very hospitable host in the classroom at the time, I ended up at Pizza Hut for lunch eating...well, pizza. Which I must admit was quite good after some days of tasty, but exotic fare. Ironically enough, this evening two college-age brothers, who together with their mom and dad are generously allowing me to stay in their home, and I found ourselves at a "western style" steakhouse for dinner. I have been to a few "western style" restaurants here in Xiamen and have found them to be only faintly western (today the western nod could be heard over the restaurant's loudspeakers which was blaring The Village People and George Michael). I have to briefly mention that I don't think that I have paid for one thing thing since I arrived here two and a half weeks ago. So if any of you are contemplating a visit like mine in the future...it is certainly a good way to save money.

A Reluctant, but Well-Dressed, Fellow Conversationalist

This morning I started teaching the children of the teachers at Public School #6. I teach two classes that are broken up loosely by the English skills of the students. For the first time in my educational career I found myself in front of a bunch of nine-year-old kids. I must admit that it took me a good half-hour to figure out exactly how to deal with this. The kids are so young. You elementary school teachers wouldn't blink at this situation, but these kids were only slightly older than my oldest son. Though things were quite fun and the kids are so darn cute, I think that I am going to stick with high school kids.

Speaking of high school kids, if any of you Crusaders are reading this, you should note that I was given five official school uniforms from Xiamen Public School #6 today (including both winter and spring wear...I'm serious). I plan to submit these to our administration as they contemplate possible uniform options. You can probably tell from the picture that they may not be stylish, but the appear to be quite comfortable; think of a breezy polo with some pajama bottoms. Please forward any concerns you may have about this prospect to the Jesuit administration.

I hope you Portlanders have enjoyed the brief break you had from the heat. From the forecasts I see, it's going to get hot again over the next few days. Just to put things in perspective, days here in Xiamen are usually in the mid 90s with what feels to me like 110% humidity (I'm fully aware that this is not possible; don't comment on this; it is called hyperbole). I seem to have permanent sheen of sweat on my body.

More soon.

written by

mflamoe on July 13, 2009 from Xiamen, China

from the travel blog: Xiamen

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wow...pizza and steak vs. sandworms and octopus stomach...tough call.
happy anniversary love, 13 years on the 13th! never been this far away from each other, miss you tons!
keep blogging, riv and eli LOVE the pics!

written by sabrina Flamoe on July 13, 2009

mark;
just read 6 days of your blog at once. Smiling at the sandworms in gelatinous stuff,and tiny snails..and your feelings while trying to learn a bit of Chinese. So tell us how your students did learning English. How did the "going to the movies" skit go?? Last week I went to WORLD AFFAIRS Council'S "Emerging China" presentation and your blob adds to that paradox. Fascinating! I love your writing, Mark. I can hear your voice.
karin

written by karin popkin on July 13, 2009

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