Eat, Pray, Teach
That's what I set out to do. I was inspired by the book Eat, Pray, Love, by Into The Wild, and a life-changing 4 1/2 months studying in New Zealand. So I moved to China to follow my inspiration. Those who have followed the past year (celebrated one year anniversary out of the states on Oct 1st) know all to well that much of this experience has been in direct conflict with that goal.
On Eating
I have eaten more different animals here than I care to remember. I have tasted such new and exciting flavors. But also...I have moved downward in a way as I began treating food as fuel. Much of the food here is similar to me now and thus the switch of my views on food followed. After a summer in Nepal though, Chinese food once again became interesting. I hope to keep it so in this second and final year in China and become even more adventurous. Guess it means time to try chicken feet again...
On Praying
Surprisingly, I have engaged in more of this than I thought I would. Not just praying for an uncrowded bus either. I have had many moments in temples in Nepal and China. Those quiet moments where you can reach deep within yourself and smile. The love and kindness meditation I learned in a Tibetan monastery in NY has served me well and will continue to do so. After my two weeks in a Nepalese monastery this summer, I now have prayer beads and the mantra "Om Mani Padme Hum" to use.
On Teaching
Ooof. This one was difficult. I learned lots about teaching but am very hesitant to ever say I was a teacher. That said, I will be teaching (or attempting to teach) some students for recruitment starting Wednesday. A few of my students figured out their AP scores and told me. One even got a 4! But the rest is unknown for the moment, not that I have become Chinese and measure my work by student exam grades. A few of them have friend-ed me on facebook and watching them struggle and succeed in their next chapter of life has been interesting. A few are doing very well, the others update only in Chinese complaining about food and American life. My goal was that my students would succeed but even in the classroom so many were closed off to new ideas. Not the best state of mind to be in for 4 college years.
So there it is. The update on 3 goals I set for myself during the year. The blog title has changed to reflect what I am trying to do now: enjoy my life to the fullest. Although I'm no longer a teacher, I still have much to teach these students of mine to help prepare them for overseas life so the old title could still work. However, I'm big on reinvention, especially when the case of the blues is starting to settle in.
So what are the goals for this year?
(See next entry)
That's what I set out to do. I was inspired by the book Eat, Pray, Love, by Into The Wild, and a life-changing 4 1/2 months studying in New Zealand. So I moved to China to follow my inspiration. Those who have followed the past year (celebrated one year anniversary out of the states on Oct 1st) know all to well that much of this experience has been in direct conflict with that goal.
On Eating
I have eaten more different animals here than I care to remember. I have tasted such new and exciting flavors. But also...I have moved downward in a way as I began treating food as fuel. Much of the food here is similar to me now and thus the switch of my views on food followed. After a summer in Nepal though, Chinese food once again became interesting. I hope to keep it so in this second and final year in China and become even more adventurous. Guess it means time to try chicken feet again...
On Praying
Surprisingly, I have engaged in more of this than I thought I would. Not just praying for an uncrowded bus either. I have had many moments in temples in Nepal and China. Those quiet moments where you can reach deep within yourself and smile. The love and kindness meditation I learned in a Tibetan monastery in NY has served me well and will continue to do so. After my two weeks in a Nepalese monastery this summer, I now have prayer beads and the mantra "Om Mani Padme Hum" to use.
On Teaching
Ooof. This one was difficult. I learned lots about teaching but am very hesitant to ever say I was a teacher. That said, I will be teaching (or attempting to teach) some students for recruitment starting Wednesday. A few of my students figured out their AP scores and told me. One even got a 4! But the rest is unknown for the moment, not that I have become Chinese and measure my work by student exam grades. A few of them have friend-ed me on facebook and watching them struggle and succeed in their next chapter of life has been interesting. A few are doing very well, the others update only in Chinese complaining about food and American life. My goal was that my students would succeed but even in the classroom so many were closed off to new ideas. Not the best state of mind to be in for 4 college years.
So there it is. The update on 3 goals I set for myself during the year. The blog title has changed to reflect what I am trying to do now: enjoy my life to the fullest. Although I'm no longer a teacher, I still have much to teach these students of mine to help prepare them for overseas life so the old title could still work. However, I'm big on reinvention, especially when the case of the blues is starting to settle in.
So what are the goals for this year?
(See next entry)
