Saturday, March 29, 2008
Final Update
Kelly emailed on Mr. Lee's behalf and said to tell us that they are all doing great. They shopped in Beijing for around 4 hours today and then went to the airport for their flight which leaves around 9 PM (which is about one hour from now). See you all at the airport - 5:30 Sharp. It would be wise to check the flight status prior to leaving.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Last Day in Yanji
Last night, we hosted 60 Chinese friends for dinner at our hotel. It's hard to put into words. The evening was full of fellowship, laughter, and sadness at our pending departure tonight. This being the fifth year in a row, it is more like family in many ways than it is Americans and Chinese. Even though the Oaks students change, the Chinese administrators and teachers remain the same and see that we are committed to working together for the good of all students on both sides of the Pacific.
Your kids are now have a much deeper appreciation for so many things.....but probably more than anything, they really appreciate what their Oaks teachers do day in and day out. Our kids were in 14 classes over four days and they felt exhausted at the end of each day. It's hilarious to hear them say things like, "I had this one kid in my class that was so disruptive! He wasn't even paying attention to me!!!"
During our last day here, a bunch of Chinese college students majoring in English will take our students shopping in the open markets. Let's just say it's going to be quite an adventure. We will depart tonight at 10 for Beijing for one last day before we head home.
Once again, I am rushing off because the hotel computer does not like YAHOO for some reason and I stepped quickly into a local business to borrow the computer. The kids are doing great and having the time of their lives.
Sincerely,
Jim
Your kids are now have a much deeper appreciation for so many things.....but probably more than anything, they really appreciate what their Oaks teachers do day in and day out. Our kids were in 14 classes over four days and they felt exhausted at the end of each day. It's hilarious to hear them say things like, "I had this one kid in my class that was so disruptive! He wasn't even paying attention to me!!!"
During our last day here, a bunch of Chinese college students majoring in English will take our students shopping in the open markets. Let's just say it's going to be quite an adventure. We will depart tonight at 10 for Beijing for one last day before we head home.
Once again, I am rushing off because the hotel computer does not like YAHOO for some reason and I stepped quickly into a local business to borrow the computer. The kids are doing great and having the time of their lives.
Sincerely,
Jim
Jim's Pizza Update
Sorry, this will be quick. The hotel computer is not working, so I am catching computers wherever I can to update you. I am now at the orphanage picking up our team of six. They have had a wonderful time but are ready to rejoin the group. After this, I will head to a pizza place in town and order our lunch. It's a surprise for the group and I know that they will be pretty excited about the change in cuisine even though the food has been amazing.
The group of 12 left safely last nigt for Beijing and will depart at 9PM tonight for LAX. It was hard to say goodbye to them in the hotel lobby last night. Get ready for some stories!
The rest of us are teaching for the last time today and will spend Friday seeing Yanji before departing for Beijing.
More later. Sorry, I'm on the move to order 24 pizzas.
Jim
The group of 12 left safely last nigt for Beijing and will depart at 9PM tonight for LAX. It was hard to say goodbye to them in the hotel lobby last night. Get ready for some stories!
The rest of us are teaching for the last time today and will spend Friday seeing Yanji before departing for Beijing.
More later. Sorry, I'm on the move to order 24 pizzas.
Jim
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Day #2 of Teaching
Well, boys will be boys.....even in Yanji. We had dinner at a Korean restaurant last night where kids were able to cook their own little meat kabobs at their tables. One table of six which included Eric Kohler (he is our 275 pound offensive tackle), Dan Nelson, Trent Holland, Grant Ramos, and Andrew Brown ate 300 of those skewers. We watched them closely today just in case their arteries clogged up while they were teaching.
We were spread out this morning over three schools. I took a group of several students to a small rural middle school where the students are somewhat poor. Most of their parents are migrant workers from other areas of China. The Oaks students included Spencer Daly, Kylie Sreden, Kristen Randol, Heidi Hsing, Dan Nelson, Tina Boskovich, and Michael Henahan. So far, this has been their favorite school because the Chinese students showed extraordinary attentiveness and hospitality. Their English was not as good as the city kids, but their kindness won over our hearts.
I then went off to the orphanage to check up on the small team of Susi Thompson, John Helmy, Kaitlyn Lupo, Clancy Wasson, Natalia Dabdoub, and Colleen Raab. Most of then were holding abandoned babies when I walked in the front door. Their accomodations are excellent but I could tell the food was a bit of a challenge: not because it was unhealthy, but because the food is relatively simple compared to that of the amazing restaurants we have been frequenting. But no one is complaining, and these kids will be impacted in ways that those of us who are teaching in schools will not. Something amazing happens when you are holding an abandoned child or playing with a four year old with a mental handicap. They will rejoin the group on Thursday night.
That's it for now.....I'll tell the story about our karaoke experience later.
Keep the thoughts coming!
Sincerely,
Jim
We were spread out this morning over three schools. I took a group of several students to a small rural middle school where the students are somewhat poor. Most of their parents are migrant workers from other areas of China. The Oaks students included Spencer Daly, Kylie Sreden, Kristen Randol, Heidi Hsing, Dan Nelson, Tina Boskovich, and Michael Henahan. So far, this has been their favorite school because the Chinese students showed extraordinary attentiveness and hospitality. Their English was not as good as the city kids, but their kindness won over our hearts.
I then went off to the orphanage to check up on the small team of Susi Thompson, John Helmy, Kaitlyn Lupo, Clancy Wasson, Natalia Dabdoub, and Colleen Raab. Most of then were holding abandoned babies when I walked in the front door. Their accomodations are excellent but I could tell the food was a bit of a challenge: not because it was unhealthy, but because the food is relatively simple compared to that of the amazing restaurants we have been frequenting. But no one is complaining, and these kids will be impacted in ways that those of us who are teaching in schools will not. Something amazing happens when you are holding an abandoned child or playing with a four year old with a mental handicap. They will rejoin the group on Thursday night.
That's it for now.....I'll tell the story about our karaoke experience later.
Keep the thoughts coming!
Sincerely,
Jim
Monday, March 24, 2008
First Day of Teaching
Greetings from Yanji! I apologize that this is the first time you have heard from us since we arrived Saturday night, but the hotel computer has been acting up a bit. Beau Brannan and I are currently in the office of Middle School #4 while your kids are in 40 classrooms teaching English for the first day!
I wish that all of you could see what great representatives of Oaks your kids are. They jumped right into the classrooms with smiles, enthusiasm, and a freightload of family pictures. The Chinese students absolutely love having them in their classes and from time to time, we can hear roars of laughter or rounds of applause emanating from the hallways.
The basic schedule is this: breakfast (a cross between Chinese and Korean), teach two classes, lunch, and teach two more classes. We will maintain this schedule for four days, Monday through Thursday with the exception of Wednesday afternoon. On that day, we will watch a school talent show as well as play one of their schools in a basketball game. Oaks is around 8-0 here and I don't anticipate an upset with the likes of Matt Johnson, Jules Sharpe, Tyler McGrath, and Michael Henahan on the USA Dream Team. Of course, it did SNOW here today a little so the game is somewhat in question.
This is the first day of teaching after climbing the Great Wall on Saturday, flying to Yanji, and visiting the North Korean/China border on Sunday. The pictures are a group photo from Tiananmen Square and Sean Spear with his fan club after teaching at Middle School number 7.
The kids are doing great and with a group of 54 students, they are mixing well and "making new friends." There is kind of an unwritten rule at school that you associate with those closest to you on not venture too far away from that group, but on a trip like this, those rules quickly vanish. I'm especially proud of the six middle school kids as they have demonstrated an unusual maturity for their age.
The early group led by Beau Brannan and Jason McMaster will depart here in Yanji Wednesday night. They will be home by Thursday at around 5PM.
Overall, things are great, most everyone is healthy with the exception of a few minor colds, and your kids are having the time of their lives.
Thanks for your continued thoughts; we REALLY appreciate it!
Jai Jian,
Jim
I wish that all of you could see what great representatives of Oaks your kids are. They jumped right into the classrooms with smiles, enthusiasm, and a freightload of family pictures. The Chinese students absolutely love having them in their classes and from time to time, we can hear roars of laughter or rounds of applause emanating from the hallways.
The basic schedule is this: breakfast (a cross between Chinese and Korean), teach two classes, lunch, and teach two more classes. We will maintain this schedule for four days, Monday through Thursday with the exception of Wednesday afternoon. On that day, we will watch a school talent show as well as play one of their schools in a basketball game. Oaks is around 8-0 here and I don't anticipate an upset with the likes of Matt Johnson, Jules Sharpe, Tyler McGrath, and Michael Henahan on the USA Dream Team. Of course, it did SNOW here today a little so the game is somewhat in question.
This is the first day of teaching after climbing the Great Wall on Saturday, flying to Yanji, and visiting the North Korean/China border on Sunday. The pictures are a group photo from Tiananmen Square and Sean Spear with his fan club after teaching at Middle School number 7.
The kids are doing great and with a group of 54 students, they are mixing well and "making new friends." There is kind of an unwritten rule at school that you associate with those closest to you on not venture too far away from that group, but on a trip like this, those rules quickly vanish. I'm especially proud of the six middle school kids as they have demonstrated an unusual maturity for their age.
The early group led by Beau Brannan and Jason McMaster will depart here in Yanji Wednesday night. They will be home by Thursday at around 5PM.
Overall, things are great, most everyone is healthy with the exception of a few minor colds, and your kids are having the time of their lives.
Thanks for your continued thoughts; we REALLY appreciate it!
Jai Jian,
Jim
Sunday, March 23, 2008
An Update from Yanji
Well that was quick. I am re-posting this 'comment' from Coach Mac (Michelle McKittrick) on the front page as I know you will all want to see it...
Jim called this morning and said he couldn't get an email out, so he wanted me to update you guys on all the fun. On Saturday most everyone climbed to the top of the Great Wall...even Karissa (powered by her own 2 tiny feet) pretty impressive. After having an informal chapel for Easter, the group visited the North Korean Border yesterday where they were greeted by a wet snow fall. Monday they begin teaching in the classrooms. Their days will be long, exhausting and profoundly fulfilling.
Jim called this morning and said he couldn't get an email out, so he wanted me to update you guys on all the fun. On Saturday most everyone climbed to the top of the Great Wall...even Karissa (powered by her own 2 tiny feet) pretty impressive. After having an informal chapel for Easter, the group visited the North Korean Border yesterday where they were greeted by a wet snow fall. Monday they begin teaching in the classrooms. Their days will be long, exhausting and profoundly fulfilling.
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