Settling In

I finished up my third teaching week in Macau. Time seems to be flying by. I’ve been fully adjusted to the time zone for awhile now, and can even sleep in a little bit! I've learned a lot of students' names and like my school schedule. I'm loving the weather right now too. It's pretty much 65-70ºF each day. Here’s what I’ve been up to:

School:

My students did a great job building their houses for GS and writing stories about what happens in their houses for their English project. A few students featured me in their stories which was cute. One of the students that know both Lois and I wrote a story about her and I getting noodles.

Two weeks ago, one of my students, Christie, gave me a gift. Others students saw this and started to give me cookies their cookies during break time. Christie made my gift with melted beads that spell my name.

One of my favorite times is my Library Time lunch duty. More and more kids keep coming to read with me because they bring their friends. This is how I’ve been meeting students from other grade levels too.

My other lunch duty is English Corner. The kids still love Uno and reading. This week I found a kid reading a book about animal poop in Chinese… One of my students, Kris, loves to read in the English Corner. I found her reading in her painted mask last week.

On Tuesday mornings I have gate duty. The students come through the entrance greeting me with a bow. In the hallways it is customary to bow to teachers too. Also in the mornings, there is one student in the elevator whose job is to press the buttons for you. This makes the elevator a cute and fun experience. It really is the little things that amuse me.

Last Friday we were invited to a Hot Pot dinner at the school. It was nice to not have to think, “What am I going to have for dinner?” that night. The staff who prepared it are the staff who work at the Tuk Shop (my favorite lunch place in our school). It was nice to learn their names. Miss Ming, one of the cooks in the Tuk Shop even sat at our table and helped us with the Hot Pot. It was interesting to see the prawns still alive until we dropped them into the boiling water...

This past week my students presented their houses and their stories to the class. And then Wednesday and Thursday we reviewed for their exams. On Tuesday it was Lois and I’s turn to lead Kindergarten Library time after school. Our theme was dinosaurs and going to school. I think we both did a good job. The Kinders were very engaged. When I started my book out (the first page) one little boy said “I’m bored!”. And I said, “Just wait!” and then a few seconds later as I continued, he was so interested in the story, laughing, and asking questions. That made my day. The Library Time is fun because we engage the kids with the story— not just reading it word by word, but also singing and dancing with the kinders. They’re in K1, K2, etc. classes but some are really preschool age (3/4 years old!)

On Thursday during Kinder Library Time when Noe was reading, the Macau government (who funds the school) paid a surprise visit with our principal. It was a busy library.

Two weeks ago all of us went to Immigration to file for our work visas. To visit Macau you don’t need a visa, but if you stay more than 30 days you need do. Below is a picture of us on the bus to Immigration. This week we got our passports and our printed visas; verifying our stay until our flight departs. I'm staying the longest in Macau, and got it approved until the 29th of March!

Every Monday is the Flag Ceremony. I’m still so fascinated with the organization and order of the flag ceremony. This past Monday I took a photo of everyone standing super still.

Class time: I’m still getting used to the flow of the classrooms. Things have not been the usual because of exam revision and preparation. This week I helped my teacher correct quizzes and exams. I actually enjoyed seeing my students' work!

The teaching styles are a bit different than what I’m used to too.

One of the interns says her mentor teacher makes kids cry everyday. This same mentor left a note for her saying, “remember do not be gentle or kind!”. She is tough but super sweet whenever I've seen her. Jen is preparing to take over the classroom when her mentor has her baby. She is very very pregnant. Lois will help Jen in the 2nd grade classroom. This past week some of my students cried too. Some of them don’t cry when they have to stand up and get yelled at in Chinese. I never know what to do during this time because some of my students stare at me.

Lois told me a funny story about her English Club time. The activity was for students to pick a word to rhyme with their own name. And there’s this kid named Paco. Well, you’d think he would pick “Taco Paco” or something. But nope, he stands up and says “Pen Pineapple Apple Pen, Paco”??

One of Jen’s students named Gad loves to hang out in our office. All the kids say Gad is a trouble maker. But he is so cute! He really likes drawing pictures for Noe with narwhals and tanks on them and playing Minecraft on Jen’s phone. He also likes to take treats from Noe's desk and open his laptop.

There are other interesting names here. Kids have English names and their Chinese name. I met a girl named Apple this week and found out that her sister in Kindergarten is named Cherry. Noe has a student named Leebron. And Lois met a Godspeed this week too.

Food & Shops:

Everyday this past week I’ve had a pastry from the bakery. In the mornings is the best time to go because they’re warm, fresh, and fluffy. I am definitely spoiled by the convenience and the price being $1usd or less!! My favorite are the Ball Lall Bread and the Purple Potato one.

I recently tried a bubble waffle at the window right around the corner. Super yummy (minus not being able to eat the ice cream). Mine had fruit in it! A little window in the Parknshop grocery store also sells fresh Belgian Waffles. Jaime and Keeley got one with Nutella on it. If you buy 2 you get one free. They're $3 USD. I think they are even better than the bubble waffles I found. For lunch this week I had sushi from Parknshop too.

This place called Yodon (or Yudon?) is another close restaurant. It is super fast and they have more veggies in some of their dishes. I ate this curry chicken dish and the chicken veggie one for about $5USD. I’m loving how affordable the food is here, especially for the portions. Last night Jen, Lois, and I ate at MayBox downstairs. Their menu has adventuresome items like Ox Tongue and assorted pig organs. We all played it safe with curry, noodles, and beef & rice.

Two weeks ago I had my first official egg tart. The place in Old Taipa is supposed to be the original egg tart place. Our school also makes mini ones for very cheap and Lois gave one to me yesterday.

When I needed some red correction pens and other supplies for school I went to one of the stationary stores. It is kind of like our version of Office Depot but with more things and much better prices. I found a multi colored Micron Pen pack for $5 USD! I also found super cheap, and good quality sumi ink brushes, many pens, and things for Chinese New Year.

Another store we’re all in love with is Miniso. It is a Japanese store downstairs with cute items of all variety. Everything is so cute and well designed too. I want to buy all the water bottles, purses, pens, and notebooks! The bags are about $10 usd here. We’re all in love with the super soft stuffed animals too. I’m so tempted to bring one home because I’ve never felt something of that softness before.

Adventure:

Last weekend Lois, Alexis, and I went to Coloane, Macau. That’s where the beach is! The quiet little town was so cute. It felt a lot different than Taipa, Macau. The water was bath water warm and the weather was overcast, but great that day. There isn’t much for food options that we could see, but that was ok. We ate good Portuguese food for dinner there too. Alexis shared her yummy red chili clams with us. There was more European architecture here.

Last weekend we also participated in the Macau Light Festival. It was happening all around Macau and we got free items. Last Sunday was the last day. On Taipa Island after our beach trip, Lois, Alexis, and I got light up cotton candy and light up plastic glasses filled with Tea. I liked it better than the Portland Light Fest because of the free items and surprisingly, not as many crowds.

Last Sunday in the morning, we found the escalator near Old Taipa that takes you to the trail park on a mountain (hard to explain). But there, we hiked to the highest point in Taipa. I think it was the hottest day that day… We made it though! And afterwards we treated ourselves to Starbucks teas. I love the teas here because they’re everywhere and different than the U.S. At Starbucks I got a Peach Green Tea Jelly drink.

Last Sunday night Alexis, Rachel, Keeley, and I took a bus to the main Macau island for the rest of the light festival. That show was amazing because it was projected on the St. Paul Ruins. The theme is showing the transition from the past to now. There were lights everywhere and they gave us more free items.

We ate Portuguese food for dinner over there. I was impressed the restaurant bathroom had toilet paper AND paper towels. At school we don't have paper towels, but a large roll of toilet paper by the sinks. Definitely cheaper; maybe more ecofriendly too? We also explored more shops in Macau. We even stumbled upon a Toys R Us and a 4 story underground Daiso. I guess Toys R Us is still alive and thriving in China!

After school this week, we went to the Galaxy to go shopping. Found a cute Parisian bakery there too. We also visited Sasa which is kind of like our Ulta beauty stores. Lois got a great deal on a pack of face masks. Prada had a carnival themed purse display with a moving carousel and ferris wheel.

Today: Sat., Jan. 26th

I got up this morning and picked up a Purple Potato Pastry at the bakery, then walked to the Parisian. I have wanted to see the Eiffel Tower since we arrived in Macau. Everyone was pretty busy this morning so I went by myself. It was a nice walk and wasn’t too far. One of the longest stretches through the park has moving escalator floors so that sped things up. Nothing is really open until 11am so the streets were pretty empty. I took my camera along too. It really warmed up around noon. I wished I brought my sunglasses. I ate lunch at the Parisian food court while videochatting my boyfriend and walked around inside. The inside is so beautiful, with tons of high end stores ,painted Renaissance style ceilings, fountains, more granite, marble, and gold everywhere! I liked that it didn’t smell like perfume like it does in the Galaxy.

Not sure what my evening plans are yet. But tomorrow we’re all going to ZhuHai, mainland China. Those who do not have a Chinese Visa got a day pass to cross over. Mel is going to show us how to get to the border gate and a cheap mall to go to. I’m hoping to get my nails done tomorrow and explore!

Last night all 8 of us met to talk about our highs and lows, and have drinks and snacks. Lois’ job it to coordinate these group events. It was fun to all be together; especially since we don’t see Jaime and Keeley as often because they’re at the main school.

I found my favorite Danish Cider at ParknShop that is no where to be found in the states too! Yesterday, Lois and I went to the Supreme Supermarket which has a lot of US brand names.

Preparing for the Holiday:

The students and staff are excited for the holiday. Some of my students are going to cool places like Australia or other Asian countries for the break. Next week they have two more days of exams.

I love the Chinese New Year decorations everywhere. Our apartment, the school, the streets, literally everywhere. Our principal Jane surprised us with Chinese Envelopes with $300 MOP inside. That was very sweet of her. This week I bought red envelopes and candy for my students and I’m going to include a little note inside from me and give them out on Tuesday after the exams. I bought the candy in bulk at Parknshop. You put them in a plastic bag and the tenant at the station weighs it for you, puts a stamp/price on it, and seals the bag with a heat press! I bet she was wondering why I was buying over 100 pieces of candy.

Tuesday is the big Chinese New Year dinner for staff with all 4 Hou Kong affiliated schools. That is where we’re singing A Million Dreams. This past week was our first practice and I got recruited to sing a part with Miss Daisy. Miss Daisy is the lead for our song because she is a church singer! She thought I had a good voice in practice so I was peer pressured to do a part. I’ve never sung in front of people so I was so nervous put on the spot like that, but I’m more relaxed about it now since I will have so many other people up on stage too! There are 4 microphones for the people with parts to share. Lois also got recruited to sing because Miss Alison heard her sing well and told Miss Daisy. Yay! We all sounded so beautiful together!

After we grade exams next week the holiday starts. Keeley, Jaime, Lois and I booked our flights for Chinese New Year before coming to Macau. Jen is meeting her husband and son. Alexis and Rachel are going to Thailand, Bali, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

The break is two and a half weeks (18 days!) and we're (OSU girls) are going to be island hopping in the Philippines and Thailand. First stop is Manila, Philippines next Thursday. I’m excited for some sun and warm water. We finished booking all our hotels/hostels/Air BnB’s last week. I already converted some of my MOP (Macau currency) back to USD so that I can convert it to Philippines and Thailand currency next week. Yesterday I also went to the bank to get Chinese currency for our trip to ZhuHai tomorrow. All the different currencies are really cool to look at. I'm thinking I need a wallet with dividers to keep it all organized though!

Here are some random photos of some of my students and I, plus others! Janice is in the first photo and she is the one who likes to massage my shoulders sometimes. Elsa and Eugenia in the 3rd photo are in P3B and like to visit me in the Library. I see my P3B students the most in the week. The middle photo shows some of my P3C students!

Thank you for reading if you made it this far :)