I have a golf date today with several of the male faculty at BISS. We’re playing at Chaoyang Golf Club in the middle of Beijing. It’s a 9-hole course with 6 par 3’s and 3 par 4’s. We have a morning tee-time, and I arrive an hour early, in plenty of time to “warm-up” a little. As usual, I’m stiff, but the swimming I’ve been doing seems to have helped my flexibility.

We have a fun morning. Everybody plays pretty well. I shoot 2 over par, and hit the ball really well. I seem to play better when I haven’t played recently. I’m still not used to having a caddy carrying my clubs.

Back at the apartment, Judy has been working away at school stuff. She always enjoys a chance to knock items off her to-do list. We keep threatening to go somewhere and do something, but we never quite get it in gear. Eventually I leave for a swim session, and she joins me over at the Marriott later for dinner (using our 50% discount card). To finish off the day, we begin to watch Season 1, “House of Cards.” We finished “Lost” last Thursday night. One of Judy’s friends at school loaned her the DVD set for HOC It’s only 10 episodes. It may not last the week.

Lazy day! Judy had lots of schoolwork to do, and I had several things of my own I needed to do. We both work on our computers. The only time either of us left was for me to go downstairs and pickup the dry-cleaning. I left again, around suppertime, to get some dinner from one of the neighborhood restaurants. I’ve developed a taste for the stir-fried green beans. We also tried the dumplings at the new spot. They were equally good.

I’ve attached a link for the latest “BISS Broadcast”, the weekly school newsletter. There are some really good pictures of International Day.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vfslrx1ccpehyj1/BISS%20Newsletter.pdf

Here’s a link to a news broadcast on CCTV about International Day. It played on the national broadcast of the evening news:

http://news.sina.cn/?sa=t124d12055888v71&wm=3049_0007&wb2sina=1&from=wb2source&vt=4

Today is our 39^th wedding anniversary. I go in for a short day of work (morning classes). I meet with Dr. Prettyman about my “observation” yesterday. Everything is as they need it. I eat lunch and then head home to prepare for the evening activities. Judy has a regular full day. Traffic is terrible on the way home for her and a 10-minute trip turns into 45 minutes.

We’ve made reservations at Capital M, a well-known restaurant in Beijing. They have a rooftop terrace that overlooks Tiananmen Square. The food is supposed to be really good, as well. We’re a little late arriving for our 6:00 pm reservation. Traffic is thick, everywhere. We’re ushered out to our table on the terrace. It’s a gorgeous night, still, and comfortable. It’s a wonderful way to celebrate 39 years together. There is no way we ever thought we’d be experiencing an anniversary in Beijing. Unbelievable!

We’re nearing 10 months in China, and the experience has been all encompassing. Judy has been challenged by the IB curriculum in grades 6-8. Many nights she’s come home, tired from a full day working with students, needing to complete more plans, and write more “reflections”. Her biggest challenge, though, has been having enough energy to teach Pre-K and Kindergarten. Some days, it’s like “herding cats” (to steal a phrase). She has to keep them occupied for 45 minutes, and there’s no chance to sit down and discuss anything. High energy is all that works!

My teaching issues relate more to determining the expectations for my position. How hard do they want me to push? I’ve finally settled on the fact that they don’t want me to push at all. The administration wants my class to be a place for the students to unwind and relax from all the academic pressures they face. That’s a far cry from trying to prepare a group for contest. I spend lots of time at home, working on ideas to create an interesting classroom experience, as well as expose them to some musical fundamentals and concepts. I’m also looking for ways to expand their knowledge of what to expect in the US relative to their university experience. Not only will they be transitioning from high school to college. They’ll be doing it in a foreign country with traditions and celebrations far different than anything they’ve experienced before. I would be lot more comfortable most days if they had an instrument in their hand.

Judy heads to school at her regular time. I’m out the door, not too far behind her. I have to make a lot of copies and there are always complications, since the copier “prompts” are all in Chinese. I also have to print the originals first, which means finding a computer not in use, attached to a printer. It’s been a long time since I’ve boarded the trains this early (7:45 am). They’re crowded but no more than usual. I’m able to find a seat for the longest stretch of the ride, which is 8 stations.

After getting the originals printed, and the copies finished, I head up to the music room (4^th floor). We have schools from the US beginning to visit this week. These are schools where our 10^th graders stayed in the US during the semester break in January/February. We’re returning the favor, and they’re beginning to arrive. Apparently, my classroom is the “hangout” area for St. Margaret’s from California. After verifying I’m still having class in the room, I begin to shift all the tables and chairs, setting up for my combined class of 38 students.

My classes go well. The 11^th grade class where I was being observed went especially well. We worked on memorizing the first verse of the school song. It took several attempts at “convincing” the students to sing louder, but after the 8^th restart, they began to believe I was serious about achieving a higher level of enthusiasm. We also touched on the “Happy” arrangement I’ve been working on, but it’s going to be more difficult to put together.

After class, I eat lunch, and then make sure the classroom and materials are ready for the 10^th grade music elective, the last two periods. After school, there is a faculty meeting. Normally I have orchestra club, but the students haven’t organized themselves yet for rehearsals with all the weird schedules they’ve had the last month. Most of the faculty meeting is a discussion led by our counselor, David, about college recommendation letters for students. The information is good and well delivered. A problem I never considered relates to translation of letters from the Chinese teachers into English, and how that’s going to be handled. I can remember several times trying to read assembly instructions from something built in China that had been “translated.”   There was always a high level of confusion. It’s important for the students’ futures these letters are correctly translated, with solid English grammar. How that’s going to happen is a serious discussion.

With most of my work for school tomorrow finished, I head over to the park for a morning of table tennis. I ended up playing with a new group today. I played with seven different players. They keep testing me for weaknesses in my shots. There are too many holes in my game for them to figure it out. Afterwards, I walk down the alley to the local noodle shop for lunch. After lunch, it’s back to the apartment, and short nap.

Later in the afternoon, I walk over for a swim session. I spend time talking to a guy I’ve met before. He’s Chinese, and lives in New Jersey. He travels to Beijing for work. His daughter plays clarinet, and he told me today, she was in the All-State Wind Ensemble in New Jersey. He has lots of questions about comparisons between the American and Chinese education systems, when he realizes where I teach.

After swimming, I’m feeling like finding a UHN neighborhood Chinese restaurant. I went to the spot where we had some street BBQ one night, but they weren’t open this evening. As I’m walking back to the apt., I notice some guys eating at a table on the street, and the food looked pretty good. I sat at a nearby table, and eventually got a menu (with pictures.) I ordered my favorites, stir-fried green beans, and gunbao chicken, and they’re both really good. Hooray! I won’t have to travel so far to eat some good local Chinese food next time. This place is about 100 yards from our apartment front gate.

A neighborhood eatery.

Gun Bao Chicken

Stir-fried green beans, and yes, the peppers are spicy!

MONDAY

I managed to get to the pool today for a swim session. Afterwards, I walked over to Homeplate BBQ. They have two locations, a new one in Sanlitun, and the original, not far from the Marriott. The original has been closed since October, but recently reopened. I tried the half-chicken, and it was really good. Afterward, I walked several blocks to Sanyuanli Market. It’s a great place to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, and even meats. I found some great stuff, and caught a taxi home.

I intended to post this on the Exhibition Day post, but missed it. It was just too cute. It’s two of the daughters of the Latvian teachers, and a Indian girl.

TUESDAY

I dedicated today to finishing all the details on my schoolwork, and prepping for my classes this week. I almost finished everything. I just need to finish transposing two parts for the orchestra club. I did manage to get over to a swim session, but it was really late in the afternoon. There were no empty taxis, and I had to walk home. My knees disagreed with decision.

Judy had a “girls night”, at Pete’s Tex Mex. Mindy, the athletic director set it up. She’s headed to a school in Southern China next year. There aren’t many weeks before the end of school, and everyone goes their separate ways. This will probably be the last “girls night” with this group.

I wandered back into the park for a table tennis outing, arriving around 9:00 am.  It looked like the regular group of players had been there for a while, as well as some new faces (at least to me.)  They immediately got me playing. I ended up hitting with 8 different people. I’m still a novelty while they examine my grip and how I play. The park was full of people. The other two TT tables were constantly busy. Several women were hitting badminton cocks back and forth. Kids were toddling around, chased by their grandparents.

I noticed one guy enter the park carrying a basket. In the basket was a large plastic bowl. I couldn’t see what was inside until later, when he pulled out a large turtle and set it on a small table. He was treating it like a pet, taking it to different parts of the park, and showing it off.

I met Judy at 11:30 at the apartment. We went over to the Yashow Market to shop for some things for Judy’s music classes. We didn’t find what we needed, but did enjoy a few bargaining battles with the vendors on some other items. Then we walked next door for lunch at Cantina Agave (Mexican food.) Next was Dragonfly Spa for Judy, and swimming for me. We met back at the apartment later, finishing up schoolwork and watching a couple of “Lost” episodes (we’re getting near the end.)

BISS INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION DAY! We have a very full half-day ahead of us. I’m going with Judy and she has to be at school around 7:45am. We arrive a little early and Judy begins getting her stuff in place. Students are picked up at home by their regular buses and delivered to the school. The International Parade begins around 8:30. Students and staff (and husbands) walk as a group across the stage when the country is introduced. The national anthem for each country is playing as the group begins to walk. It’s an impressive ceremony watching groups parade with their flag, most of them wearing the traditional clothing of their country. The Australians and the Americans only have t-shirts. I’m not sure what the national attire of our country is?

We’re “geared up” for International Day.

Amanda, 4th grade teacher, and her son Lucas. She made the clothes

India

China

Korea

After the parade, each grade level has a musical performance. It’s a cute picture as each group sings, dressed in their costumes. There are a couple of traditional Chinese dances thrown in. After the musical performances, there are games (sponge throw, etc.) run by the different grade levels. The money earned will be donated to various children’s charities.

Pre-K and Kindergarten

The Latvians sang some of their National Songs. It’s all one family except the tall girl in the middle and the tallest boy. The rest are the family of Ruta and Sandis, BISS teachers. Ruta made the clothes, and the girls floral head wreaths.

There is also a food tasting. Parents from each country group have tables set up and serve traditional foods. We end up focusing on the Indian foods. Man, I love the curry rice and samosas.

Exhibition Day ends at 1:00 pm. The students get back on their buses and leave. Judy puts away her stuff and we head home. After the early morning wake-up and a day in the sun, our naps are really great.

Several of the male teachers at BISS and husbands get together for an evening of poker. I actually end up winning tonight, ending on the plus side. We have a great night of trash-talking.   It’s definitely different when it’s flavored with Australian, British, Canadian, and American accents.

After last night’s long night of interviews (I got home at 11:00 pm), I’m really slow getting up. No school today for me, but Judy’s gets away on schedule. She has a couple of recorder groups playing today at assemblies.

Grade 3 recorder choir

After catching up on some computer stuff, I head out to the park for some table tennis. The regular park group is still around and I managed to play for a couple of hours. Before we finish, they tell me I need to arrive earlier. I tell them I’ll be back Sunday at 9:00 am (they were talking about 8:00 am, but I said no.) When we finish, I walk down the alley to a small noodle shop, and get a spicy noodle dish for lunch. After the noodles, I walk to the Marriott, and get in a swim session. After the swim, I walk back to our neighborhood spa, and get a foot massage. When I finally get home, I’m ready for a nap.

Judy, Shannon, and Laney (new 3^rd grade teacher from Australia) taxi over to Lily Nails after school for an end of week pampering. Dom (Shannon’s husband) and I get our summoning call around 7:00 pm. We’re told to head to Sanlitun for dinner. We end up meeting at the Blue Frog, and enjoy some great burgers.

Shannon’s “Aussie” green & gold nails for Exhibition Day tomorrow.

Today is a class day for me at BHSFIC. I follow my usual Thursday schedule, which includes me arriving in time to sign in and then eat lunch. It’s a great time to sit and visit with the faculty. After lunch, I have a couple of hours to kill. Thought I might have some of the guitar club guys around, but they’re off campus, taking AP tests. For my 10^th grade music elective class, we do some discussion on the Baroque period. For the 2^nd half of the class, I try out some teaching steps for “Happy”. I need to find out what works and what doesn’t before I attempt it with the 11^th grade classes next week. The 11^th grade classes next week are combined into one period, so with 35+ students in the class, I have to know my stuff. On top of the combined classes, after not meeting for a month, I’m going to be observed. This is going to be exciting.

After school today, the staff is hanging around to interview prospective students for BHSFIC. The Chinese government is limiting schools like ours to only 60 students per grade level. Last year, they accepted 83 students. The government is concerned that too many students are looking to leave China for educational opportunities in the US.

The faculty is split into two large groups, the Chinese teachers, and the “native English speakers.” Then we’re split into teams of two for the interviews. Our job, as native English speakers is to determine each student’s level of English fluency. We spend the evening (15 to 20 minutes with each candidate) just talking informally with them about their goals, hobbies, etc. Since the classes are taught in English, a student who struggles with the language has no chance of meeting the difficult curricular demands of all the AP classes.

The Chinese teachers are simultaneously interviewing students in other classrooms around campus, trying to figure out if they’re Beijing #4 material. The school places a huge emphasis on AP math & science classes. Scott (my partner) and I interview 11 students, and with four teams working, there must have been 45+ students here tonight, along with their parents. Part of my informal discussion was to ask about a student’s outside interests. Many of them had violin or piano training, but had stopped in the last couple of years, to focus on preparation for the Jun Cao (not sure about that spelling). It’s the Jr. High version of the Gao Cao (HS test whose scores are used to determine university placement). Their test score is one of the first criteria everyone checks to determine if they belong here or not. If they don’t score well on the Jun Cao and get into a “good” HS, they won’t have a chance to get into a top university. That’s a lot of pressure for 8^th and 9^th graders, and even younger as they (and their parents) set themselves up for a successful life.