Author Archives: Meg
Small Victories
The other day in the vegetable market, a vendor tried to cheat me. While I was figuring out the Mandarin to argue with him, I realized I was fighting for less than 6 cents. But it’s the principle, you know? … Continue reading
It’s Not The Heat, It’s The Humidity
I noticed that my teenagers have a problem saying “more hotter” and “more taller” so I prepared a lesson on comparative adjectives. I asked the boys to give me some adjectives as examples, so we could practice forming them like … Continue reading
Pictures Of Chicks
This my student, Daniel, showing me his new pets. He brought them in to the school’s office in a bag yesterday and he was upset that his chicks were dying! I went into total Kristine-mode, warming them up with my … Continue reading
Evil Language
Mandarin Chinese reminds me of my ex-boyfriend. I mean, it’s so complicated and confusing, there are a few rules but no one really understands why it does those things it does. Sometimes westerners are attracted to Mandarin, but after struggling … Continue reading
Chinese Etiquette
Last night was Calvin’s farewell dinner because he’s leaving to go home to Wales. We went to eat with our boss, her husband, some of their family, some parents of our students and their assorted family. Once we’re all gathered, … Continue reading
Passive Periphrastic
Today I had a new student in my Saturday class for middle school kids (their names are Andy, Grant, and Eric… and I am only responsible for Eric’s English name). The new student is a seven-year-old Korean boy, who was … Continue reading
Qing mei zhu ma
Mandarin has a separate word for older sister and younger sister. There is a difference between an aunt who’s your mom’s sister, and one who’s married to your uncle, between an uncle on your mom’s side and an uncle on … Continue reading
Hot Springs
Yesterday I went to the hot springs with my school’s headmistress, her husband, and another foreign teacher, Calvin from Wales. People tend to socialize with their coworkers a lot, and questions about an applicant’s marital status and social activities that … Continue reading
Chinese Food
I can’t even begin to describe my culture shock! There’s a market near my new home in Yantai full of stands selling fruit, noodles, vegetables, breads, dumplings, seafood and any other kind of food you can imagine. For a few … Continue reading
