Friday, 11/15/13

Judy managed to nail her Clue “target”.  She lured her out by standing in the Pre-K playground (the selected site), and quizzically looking at something on the ground as the target walked by.  When Alexis (the target) asked what was happening, Judy pointed at something just out of sight, Alexis stepped out to see, and BAM, Judy had her.  She has her next target in sight.  Today was flu shot day, and since Judy’s “death site” is the doctor’s office, and she didn’t get “knocked off”, she thinks she’s safe.   The faculty spent the day in meetings and trainings.  As usual, the meetings ranged from good information professionally delivered, to “get together, discuss, and report back” sessions, that took twice as long as necessary.

My day involves two classes, another “Guitar Club” at lunch, and then a trip over to BISS for my flu shot.  It’s always fun to fill out insurance forms for shots, etc., especially when the forms are in Chinese.  After the shot, I taxi back to the apartment, and a nap.  A call from Judy wakes me up.  She has the evening plans.  We have dinner at a new mall that opened nearby.  It’s named “The Aegean.”  The bottom two floors are shopping, and the top 3 floors are full of restaurants and fast food.  We find a place to eat with burgers, fries, salads, etc.  We’ll never get to all these restaurants, but we’ll probably try.

Unconstraint

It’s like a small Abercrombie & Fitch

Smoothie ads

Any of these smoothies look good to you? Check the ingredients.

movie poster

Recognize this movie poster?

 

The inside of the mall is gorgeous.  It’s not as crowded as I expected on a Friday night.  The outside has a really unusual lighting scheme, and Christmas decorations are beginning to appear.  As we leave, there is a large group of dancers out on the plaza, doing a line dance (50 or more).  They are having a blast.  It’s really fun to watch.

 

Thursday, 11/14/13

Judy has her usual busy day at BISS.  She spends a little time teaching her students, but much of the day is spent skulking her next “Clue” target.  No success today, but she has developed a plan for tomorrow.  She finishes up the day with an “Annie” rehearsal.  The rehearsal is normally on Friday afternoon, but tomorrow is a “Professional Development” day.  No students.

I head off to BHSFIC.  I’m excited because today, I’ll actually have a meeting of the “Orchestra Club”.  I arrive, sign in, and head over to the staff lunchroom for a quick lunch before “Guitar Club”.  After “Guitar Club”, I start setting up my classroom.  Some speakers elsewhere in the school have quit working, so the speakers in my room regularly “walk off”.  After I get set-up, I walk across the street for my regular BHSFIC Starbucks stop.  With my caffeine “stores” built up, I teach my two classes, and then move upstairs for “Orchestra Club”.  Several of the students stop by and let me know they have other club meetings today, or appointments, etc.  So we’re back to 7 students.  I begin to adjust my lesson plan.  I’ve got some great musicians, but it’s really tough to put it together if we don’t meet.  Today was our first meeting in 3 weeks.  The students are great, but it seems to be “baby steps” some weeks.

“Clue” Update, 11/13/13

Judy has a big day at BISS today.  She nailed her Clue “target”, as he arrived on campus before school.  She had to touch him with the air-conditioner remote, in the Pre-K playground (just inside the entrance of the school). 

He gave Judy his current target, Lara, the first-grade teacher.  Judy made the “hit” on her, later in the day.  She had to touch her with a potato in the staff room.  Judy acquired a potato, and waited for her chance.  It occurred when she found Lara at the copy machine.  Judy walked up, tapped Lara with the potato, Lara screamed and ran, knocking off a drinking water jug in the flurry.  It made a pretty big mess. 

Judy has a problem on the next one.  Lara remembers who her target was supposed to be, but she can’t remember the site of the “hit”, and she can’t find the paper where it was written down.  Like so many brilliant teachers, her head is “in the clouds” on how to better teach her students, but an occasional important detail or two might slip by.

I start the day like I do most non-teaching days, reviewing my teaching plan for the next week or so, making sure I have all the necessary resources in place.  After some long-range planning, and in need of exercise, I walk over to the Marriott (1.75 miles on my Nike app).  I have some questions about their health club membership.  I’m also curious about “Club Marriott”.  I had seen a brochure on my last visit about free meals and BOGO (buy one, get one free), at Marriott properties throughout Asia.  We’re staying at Marriott properties in Sanya, China, in December, and again at a Marriott property in Phuket, Thailand, in February.  After getting my questions answered and finding out about the many freebies available at the six different Marriott properties in Beijing, I buy in.  I’ve always been a sucker for free, and BOGO.

I do some more walking around the area, just curious this time.  I find the American Embassy, and also walk by the Indian, Israeli, and French embassies.  There are several areas in Beijing designated for consulates and embassies, so if you find one, there is a cluster of others nearby.  Security looks really tight at all the sites.  With my curiosity satisfied, I head to the train station and home.  All totaled, by the time I get back the apartment, I’ve tallied 3.5 miles (I still haven’t begun to convert to the metric system yet). 

Tuesday, 11/12/13

Judy heads to school, looking to “hit” her Clue target, but he doesn’t come through the front gate like she’s been told.  She’s going to have to get better intel if she’s going to be successful.  She’s worried about Friday’s flu shots.  Since they’re being given in the doctor’s office, she figures whoever is going after her will make their move on her that day.  She’s working on a way to avoid actually going into the office.

Judy’s decided we need some different pillowcases to match our new comforter.  I need to hike somewhere today, so I head out to Ikea.  We’ve always taken a cab.  It has seemed too far to walk, but I need the exercise.  It turns out to be about a mile, and the weather is nice.  I think I found where they’re building the new “wet market” on the way.  It’s only slightly more than a block from our apartment.  I get the necessary pillowcases, along with some glasses at Ikea, and taxi back.  Every time I get in a cab, I work on my “taxi talk”, with my destination pronunciations, and directions (left, right, straight, etc.)

Tonight is the BISS Barbarians bowling team party.  We won 300rmb worth of pizza at the Irish Volunteers Pub with our win at the tournament a few weeks back.  We meet Deb & Graham and taxi over.  It’s a fun night with some really good pizza.  I’m finding way too many pizza and burger joints. 

The Heat is On!!!! 11/11/13

THE HEAT IS ON!  For those of you who are regular readers, you know we’ve been told the heat in Beijing would be turned on sometime in November by the government.  The water in the shower seemed warmer yesterday, but today we’re sure.  The radiators in the apartment are warm.  We’ve been lucky!  It hasn’t been extremely cold, and our windows have max sun time during the day, so we’ve been very comfortable.  In fact, most days I have to open a window to cool it down.

It’s an early day for me.  Parent/Teacher Conference Day is at BHSFIC today.  I have to be across Beijing by 8:00 am.  I’m expecting big rush-hour train crowds, but it really wasn’t bad at all.  I make it to the campus fairly easily. 

“Free Interviews” for 11th graders take place from 8:30 to 10:30.  This is the time for me to sit in my room, and wait for parents to walk by who might want to speak to me.  There’s a big meeting at 10:30 for parents and students (teachers don’t need to attend).  After lunch, scheduled interviews take place.  These are interviews teachers have requested for parents to attend.  I don’t have any scheduled interviews, and no one drops in during “Free Interviews”.  I wasn’t expecting anyone.  The parents are much more concerned about the AP classes their kids are taking since these will determine US college admissions (the reason they’re attending BHSFIC).

I spend most of my time on Facetime.  I can “hard-wire” into the school’s stronger internet, so I take advantage and check in with family.  I actually run out of time before I can reach everyone (Sorry Kathyrn and Courtney).  I take time to visit with a few of the faculty members, and make sure the administration knows I was on campus, then I head to the train and home.

I managed to finally completely break our door lock last night (push-button finally broke and disappeared inside the locking unit).  We’d had earlier issues with the lock, but now there is no way to open the door without setting off the alarm.  I contacted the leasing agent last night (she’s in Nepal on vacation), and by the time I get home, it’s been changed out.  Of course, I didn’t have the passcode yet, so I get to kill some time reading the iPad outside the apartment until the landlord arrives, and shows me how to set the new passcode.  It’s great!  The door had been an irritation since we arrived.  This new one is really smooth!!!

Judy gets home, and I train her on the new lock (not as easy to you might expect).  Then we get down to the business of hearing about her strategy for “Clue”.  She’s gonna nail the guy, if she can just get to school early enough.

Post #100, (yeah really, 100 of these babies), 11/10/13

The “girls” are getting together today for a brunch at Solana Mall.  They’re meeting at “Cocoa and Vanilla.”  About 14 people show up.  They have a great time.

I manage to kill some time at my own brunch.  I traveled with Judy to the mall.  We plan to do a little shopping after the meal.  I end up at “Cabare”, where we ate a couple of weeks ago.  It’s too cold to sit out by the water (40s), so I find a comfortable table near a window with a warming sun.  I’m gonna “veg” out.  Food and a magazine is all I need for a few hours.  There was some kind of a photo shoot going on right outside my window, which kept me interested.  There were two male models and lots of helpers scurrying everywhere with make-up, hair spray, clothes, etc.

Now this is a Brunch!

Now this is a Brunch!

We meet up after brunch and find the store we were looking for.  With the onset of winter, we needed a comforter for the bed.  We’re thinking a sheet and bedspread might not be enough.  The comforter needs some accessorization (of course).  Now we need a fitted sheet to match, as well as some pillows, and pillowcases.  We’re gonna be looking pretty snazzy around the house.  Judy also found some sweaters at The Gap.

The shopping at Solana Mall is really fun.  There’s great food, and shopping.  The biggest concern for me is that we’ve discovered how to use our bank cards as debit cards.  It was easy not to spend money when we had to have cash for everything, and couldn’t find a relaxing place to shop.  Finding a fun and comfortable place to shop, with easy access to our money may prove problematic.

Back home, we sort out our packages.  I trek over to Metro for some groceries.  We were beginning to get a little behind on some of the necessities.  The check-out lines are really long, so it’s a frustrating visit, but we’re stocked for the week.  Tomorrow is Parent/Teacher conferences at BHSFIC.  I have to leave early enough to be on campus by 8:00 am.  Man, it’s beginning to feel like a job.

BISS Elementary Choir Performs! 11/9/13

The BISS Elementary Choir is performing this afternoon at the Rotary Club Holiday Bazaar, in the Kempinski Hotel.  There is also a morning track meet for grades 1,2, & 3 at the school, attended by several other international schools.  The faculty is earning their money today.

Judy has been bringing home bags of instruments and props for several days in the taxi.  There was too much to bring home in one trip.  Since the students are meeting at the hotel, Judy had to have the stuff here at the apartment so we could take it directly to the hotel ourselves today.  We go to the hotel early to make sure about the stage and sound system.  We need to ensure the iPod will connect to the sound system they’re using.  Everything seems to be in order, so we have time to shop at the bazaar a little.  Judy finds some great earrings and I get some good travel info from a company with a table at the bazaar.  I’m always looking for some new travel destinations.  We need a place to visit during the April break.

One of the sales tables at the bazaar.  That's Judy on the left, checking out the earrings.

One of the sales tables at the bazaar. That’s Judy on the left, checking out the earrings.

We travel back to the apartment and load up all the instruments and props.  Shannon, BISS faculty member meets us, and helps with the carrying.  We pile the stuff and ourselves into a taxi, and head back to the hotel.  We locate the meeting room, set-up the “assembly line” to pass out the stuff to the students, and wait for them to arrive.  After everyone arrives, they warm-up a little, walk-thru and pick up their equipment, and line up.  Each student has a scarf, hat, bell, antlers, tone chime, and jingle bells.  The little kids are really loaded up.

Rotary1

Getting organized in the lobby.

Rotary2

Warming up!

I’m running sound, so I have my own level of anxiety.  If I mess this up, after all the great planning by Judy, I’m going to be “dead meat.”  Fortunately, I get it right, the kids perform great, and the whole thing is huge success.  Many of the faculty members from BISS, as well as her principal, and the Head of School attend.  It was a proud moment for all of them.  The students look, and sound like a “well-oiled machine.”  Judy’s organization and programming skills pay off with huge dividends, again!

Rotary5

Yes, that’s me in the background, watching for subtle clues from Judy on the sound (too loud, too soft, etc).

Rotary12

Shannon – introducing the group!

Rotary10

Judy – hard at work! Some of the BISS faculty members are in the background.

Rotary11 Rotary7 Rotary6 Rotary4 Rotary3 Rotary9

After the program, we get the chance to celebrate with Judy’s principal, Kyra, her son and daughter, and Shannon also joins us.  We eat at Tube Station Pizza, in the Solana Mall.  The pizzas are huge and the flavor is really good.  I almost wish I hadn’t discovered this location.  It’s too accessible for me in weak moment.  I don’t need to eat like this, but it sure is fun! 

Friday, 11/8/13

No excitement for either of us today.  I teach my classes, eat lunch, meet with the guitar club, and catch the train home.  I would enjoy longer visits with the faculty during our lunch break, but guitar club meets at lunch both days I’m on campus.  I have to get my gossip from everyone in a hurry.

Judy’s classes are busy, and she finishes off every Friday with rehearsals for “Annie” after school.  It makes for a very long day.  There is one piece of depressing news relating to the musical.  Kelly, the drama teacher, is not going to be able to return to BISS after the Christmas break.  She’s from New Zealand (more specifically, Tasmania).  She left her home school with sabbatical leave for a year, and was told she would be able to renew it in 6-month increments.  She renewed it for one 6-month segment, but has now been told it will not be renewed.  Since the Australian/New Zealand schools begin their school year in January, she must be back at her home school in Tasmania after the break. 

She had been hoping for an appeal to be approved so she could finish the year in China.  However, the word was finalized today.  She’s gone after Christmas break.  She’s been great to work with, and will be missed.  Now, someone’s going to have to pick up the load in her absence and Judy senses that everyone is looking in her direction.

BISS gets a “Clue”! 11/7/13

I head over to BHSFIC, looking forward to the day.  I get to teach the music class, but the after-school club (orchestra) won’t meet today, due to college recruiter visits after school.  All students meet in the auditorium, and a team of college recruiters take turns speaking to the group.  These are very important meetings for the students.  I listen in for little while, curious what the recruiters consider as the “draw” for their school.

The BISS faculty has an interesting game going on.  They call it “Clue”.  Each teacher that wants to participate gets another teacher’s name, a location in the school, and a readily available item (projector remote, etc.)  The players have to get their target into the designated location, and touch them with the assigned item.  Judy nailed her first target (Daijie /in the technology office/ with the tape dispenser).  When you “kill” your target, they give you their assigned target, and the game continues narrowing down.

She dodged her own “death”, when she got a message to go to the nurse’s office.  She went to the office, but didn’t go in, when she noticed another teacher sitting in the room with a stapler in his hand.  Now all she has to do is never go into to the nurse’s office and she should be ok.  She’s working on her strategy for her next target.

Hike to the Marriott w/BBQ finish, 11/6/13

Judy has parent meetings at BISS today.   She was impressed by how great all the parents were, trying to find out how their kids could become better students.  Since she is teaching an MYP class (Middle Years Program), involving more classwork and less singing and music activities, she has actual grades that were turned in.  With those grades came the inevitable questions about how a grade was earned.  She had a fun day, and all the students and parents were curious and cooperative.  It always fun to tell the parents of the really good students how great their kids are.  Even the parents of the “less than great” kids were fun to talk to.

I spent the morning and early afternoon watching the Texas State Marching Contest.  It’s a nice change to watch all those great bands on the streamed broadcast.  When it finishes, I need exercise, and we are still pretty stocked up on groceries, so I decide to go on a hike. 

bike2

Just another “loaded bike” photo from my hike. Not a good picture, but you get the idea. This guy knows how to pack a bike.

BISS has several perks for its’ teachers.  One of them is that each faculty member has a membership to the Health Club at the Marriott Hotel.  I would have to pay, but if we could both find the time to use the facility, it might be worth it.  We’ve never bothered to go by and check it out (no time, etc.).  I can see the hotel lit up every night from the bed, so I have decided today is the day to check it out.

I do my walking research, and think I have a route.  It looks like it’s about a  two mile hike.  I have to cross a major highway, but I use the subway station to get underneath (enter on one side of the road, and climb out on the other side).  The route works, and it’s a nice stroll through a section of Beijing I haven’t seen.  At the hotel, I check out the gym area.  It’s really big, and they have a huge indoor pool.  The whole set-up is really nice.  We will probably start looking for ways to use this “perk”.

One of my real incentives for the walk was to stop off at Homeplate BBQ.  I knew it was close to the Marriott, so I included it in my route home.  I had a really good fried chicken sandwich w/fries.  Judy was eating at school tonight, so if I’m eating alone, I might as well splurge.