Category Archives: New York City
This is Jeff and me having a calm, rational discussion about the definitive pronounciation of xie xie.
My friends are coming! / Step 1 of 10,000
In anticipation of Fresca and Jeff’s visit, my students gave me KFC and McDonald’s coupons. (They didn’t want me to pay a ludicrous $2 for a “western” meal!) I thanked them, but I giggled because I can’t think of 2 … Continue reading
My New Superpower
The other day in class, one of my middle-school boys tripped, knocked over some desks and got a bloody nose. I figure since it wasn’t actually inflicted by another student, I’m still a good teacher, right? When he got hurt, … Continue reading
Dragonsocks
My school just acquired two more books for our English library. One is a second copy of Harry Potter 6. Even assuming that whoever bought these books doesn’t read English and only picked the book based on color, what are … Continue reading
The Laowei Secret Handshake
Today is China and my two-month anniversary! Last night, I got a phone call from Cora, another foreign teacher at a nearby school. When I was in England and I met other Americans, we’d laugh about how many potatoes and … Continue reading
You Want Me to What?
When I was preparing to come to China, I tried to learn important phrases in Chinese, like “Thank you”, “How much?” and “Where is the bathroom?” I did not learn “And now your foreign teacher is going to sing Edelweiss,” … Continue reading
Pictures For My Dad
The Great Chinese Scallop Shell Stockpile: The Final Resting Place Of Scuffy The Tugboat:
Look, I can read!
I’m not sure if identifying the words rain water on a gutter really count as literacy.
Mutants and Masterminds
It’s hard to pick a favorite class, but I think my middle school boys are awesome. The other day, we did comparative adjectives. First, I asked the boys for their favorite X-men, and we played superhero charades. Some of the … Continue reading
The Value of a Hogwarts Education
I bought Harry Potter in Chinese. My adult students were shocked and appalled that I spent so much on a DVD, comparative shopping is a competitive sport here and every time I mention anything to do with shopping, someone tells … Continue reading
