April 17, 2016

To Kelly Wadsworth Message body I made it through another week. I struggled with more lesson planning, survived more encounters with the adorable little terrors, and all that good stuff I think that, as the weather gets hotter, the kids get more and more hyper. I often walk out of the classroom feeling exhausted. It makes me appreciated the classes where the kids actually listen more and more. The nice thing about this next week is that now I have all my lessons planned already, so I can start preparing for the week after. I sure love those kids! I hope I can teach them well enough. English corner can be rough with the younger kids, but on Friday, I had a lovely time chatting with the fifth graders. We talked about fairy tales, which they seem to love. We mostly talked about the English ones, like "Cinderella" and "Snow White", but they told me about a couple of Chinese ones. There's one called "Monkey King and Nezza" that they know. They don't know enough English to tell it to me, but I got some bits and pieces, so I will have to look that up later. On top of school, this week has been even more interesting because I've been getting ready for the variety show that my branch was holding on Saturday. I had signed up for it, thinking I could do some kind of musical number. I don't have access to a piano to practice, so I downloaded the karaoke version of a song I know well onto my phone. The song was "On My Own" from Les Miserables. I practiced that dang song so many times! I can hear what's going on outside my apartment so well, I know there's no logical way that no one could hear me, and I felt so awkward, but I did my best to ignore that. I also decided to send out a WeChat message to the other interns to invite them. The most I expected in reply was a couple excuses. I was pleasantly surprised when several of them replied that they not only wanted to go, but that they were excited! Then, I redoubled my efforts to make sure I could sing the song well. Saturday came around. It was another rainy weekend, but, once again, I didn't mind. I listened to an awesome thunder storm that morning. I didn't have to leave for the church until after 3, so I had a little adventure. I walked to the mall to see if I could find any good deals. I didn't, but I had fun window shopping. Then, I walked to the Eiffel Tower and found that park that I saw last week. Then, I found a shortcut back home through a small network of alleyways that made me feel like I was in old China in the middle of the modern city. I bought dumpling from a woman's stall, and it was delicious. When I got back, I rested, ate, and got ready to go. Amelia, Caitlyn, and Georgia were also getting ready to go. Unfortunately, I had to leave early so the primary could practice a musical number, but I had given them some detailed directions, and I also told them I'd meet them at the subway. It was a good thing I did, because even with my directions, they said they couldn't have found it. Poor Lola had to teach on Saturday afternoon, so she was over an hour late, but she wanted to at least make it to part of it. She couldn't find it. (English people can't understand "crosswalk." It's called a "zebra crossing.") We all felt so bad. Those that did make it had a lovely time. It was fun for my friends and my fellow branch members to meet each other. There was a delicious potluck dinner before the show, with lots of food! It seemed my efforts of making a dish and carrying it on the subway so there would be enough were for nothing. We all stuffed ourselves full. My friends were very interested in my church, and how everyone was so nice, and they were even curious about the hymnbook. They loved seeing the Hiatt home, which is big and gorgeous. Of course, the show was great.Our branch has lots of talent. Everyone loved my song. I was so relieved that it went well. The best part was the Curtis family. They made a video of themselves dressed as Kung Fu Panda characters, and Tai Lung (who was actually the dad) kidnapped Mantis (who was actually the baby). Then, the Swopes helped out and they had a kung fu show down. It was pretty epic. Also, we got a preview of "Star Wars: A New Swope." (Sister Swope is due in October. They did a clever Star Wars thing to make the announcement.) Everyone had a great time, which made me very happy. They all want to come back. Lola wants to come, too. (We gave her some cookies. Oh, sorry- biscuits.) Amelia and I both went home and watched Kung Fu Panda together finally, after two months of saying we would. Basically, Saturday was a really good day. Then, today I went to church and got set apart for my calling as primary pianist. It was branch conference, so we had some visitors from Shanghai, so we were really full. So, that's my life. I hope everything is well with you. I know that, even though it doesn't make much sense for me to be here, I'm where I'm supposed to be. I love my fellow foreigners who I deal with, and I love the Chinese people. I also love my friends and family back home. Take care! Good luck with everything. Love, Chelsey<3 hpaich on