Merry Christmas to all from China! The last couple of weeks have been the busiest of the semester so I really have not had time to think too much about the fact that this will be my first Christmas away from home. I am also very thankful because my parents will be coming to visit me in just a few weeks! China has definitely taken in the commercial side of Christmas. Our school decorated the hallways with Christmas trees way overdone (let's just say too much tinsel and plastic ornaments can be tacky). We even had a life-size singing and dancing Santa Claus in the courtyard. We were able to teach the reason of the season and share the nativity story with our classes. For some students, it may have been the first time they have heard His name which is an awesome thing to get to be a part of!
Last night we had an English performance of songs, dances, and skits that we have been working very hard on for the past couple of weeks. I have learned that Chinese people are very serious when it comes to performing and they work very hard to make a great show. Acts included Justin Beiber's "Baby", Backstreet Boy's "As Long as You Love Me", and a scene performed from Kung Fu Panda. I will have videos to share when I return to the States if anyone is interested! I was in two of the acts with my 4th graders as a narrator for a scene from the story "Ali Baba" that they have been reading in class, and a song I had taught them this semester "The Respect Song." The Grand Finale was a dance performed by the Chinese English teachers and the foreign teachers, "We're All in this Together" from High School Musical. It was a fun day of helping the students get all done up (they even put stage make up on boys here- it's quite funny) and performing with them.
Today my teammates and I went caroling to our students in the cafeteria, singing "Jingle Bells," "Joy to the World," and "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." It was awesome to see the smiles and joy on our students faces and to hear them join in singing with us. We will be spending Christmas Eve tonight with one of our Chinese co-teachers and here daughter and I am planning to make Chicken Parmesan :) Tomorrow we will be together as a team at our team leaders apartment, joining with their family's tradition of having a taco lunch, playing games, and watching Christmas movies!
I'm so glad your Christmas season has been good, fun, and busy. Sounds like you had lots of fun and great opportunities to share. I can only imagine how great that teachers' dance was!
ReplyDeleteI love the singing performances. The first one we (my teammate and I) were invited to, we were treated like royalty. They saved us seats in the second row and served us hot tea. It was crazy. The the show was awesome. Many favorite English songs (haha), like "My Heart Will Go On," as well as new songs and dances. The best part, though, was that during every performance people would come up on stage to give the performer flowers, while interrupting their song. So interesting.
Have fun with your parents!