Gr8 Fyrewall

Tomorrow, I leave for Jilin, with a few transfers and whatnot. This whole week has been building and building up to our departure to our respective teaching assignments. I have mixed feelings about this teaching placement. I have NO idea what I am teaching, how many students I'll have, or any other information except that one or more of my classes will have medical students. In a way, its kind of exhilarating, but at the same time, I'm kind of clueless as to what material I should bring with me. Also, I'm in the same situations as many of my compatriots, so that's comforting in a way. Solidarity into the unknown.

Also, I'm not sure if and what I'll be able to post on here. Hopefully, I will have access to this blog page, but you may not hear from me as frequent, like these past few weeks. There is a gr8 fyre wall that blockz many things, so I'll try to post as much as I can, but I'm not sure as to when and how I'll be able to update you.

Anyhoo, I'll start teaching next week and I'm sure I'll have loads of stories to tell you about. Today, we took a group picture of most of the volunteers:

L-R: Back row: Jim, Joel, Janet, Scott, Kevin, Fr. Tom, Matt, Matt, and Anne

Middle Row: Pete, Kevin, Fr. , Joe, Nick, Fr. Scott, and Mario

Front row: me!, Sr. Cecilia, Grace, Sarah, Meghan, and Natalie.

Birthday Fun

I turned 27 years old yesterday and at first I thought, "eh, its only 27" but when it actually happened, I felt odd as I am only 3 years away from 30. Maybe its because most of the people in the program are younger than me that has made me feel old. For example, I had mentioned that my high school classmates are planning our 10th year reunion and my friends in the cab were shocked. One of them said that in 1998, he was in seventh grade!

Regardless of turning 27, yesterday was interesting for me because I've started to delve into the paradigms of being an "ABC" (American Born Chinese) and now living in . I've heard mixed feelings from the couple of Chinese-American Teachers who have already gone through the program.

Their students could not fathom how someone who looks like them could not speak their language, which is my case and kind of exemplifies the "ABC" phenomenon Furthermore, they experienced some discrimination by other Asians! When the foreigners sat at a dinner table, they made the ABCs eat at a different table because even though they were American, they still looked Chinese and were not worthy enough to eat at the visitors' table.

I had some anticipation of this sort of treatment, after all, I experience it all the time in the US. Questions like "so, where are you from?" my answer: Connecticut, their response "no, I meant where are you from?" my answer: Connecticut. Nevertheless, in a way, I was hoping to find some sort of connection, besides appearance, with my Chinese ancestry. I guess we'll have to see how it plays out.

In keeping with my Asian heritage, I took a pose with Bruce Lee:



Anyhoo, I had a great birthday. The folks in the program were super great and got me a cake and card. We went out to Victoria Peak which has some spectacular, panoramic views of Kowloon.

Usually, when I stand on the balcony, there are clear views of the beach and somewhat out into the ocean, but yesterday, I was able to see the islands and beyond because it was there were no clouds or pollution. This was the perfect set up for going up to Victoria Peak, and I took a video and am digging this new video option on blogspot:

2nd day of Orientation

There are 15 new teachers going through the orientation program at the Stanley house. There are several other teachers that are returning, but do not have to repeat sessions such as 'Panomrama of the country's history in 3 sessions' or How to Teach English as a second language.

So far it has been pretty informative and I appreciate all the advice we are getting on how to run a class. Its kind of nerve racking because they said our class size could range from 30 to 50!

Overall, I realize that the anticipation of anything unknown is usually much worse than what actually happens. Nevertheless, everything from teaching conversational English to the description of the coal mines' impact in the north, which is where I'll be, is overwhelming. Apparently, during the winter, the snow becomes black because of the soot. Also, the water is not safe, even after boiling.

The list goes on, but as corny as this sounds, I know that it'll work out and whatever happens, I'll make the best of it.

Maryknoll House

My uncle and aunt dropped me off at the Maryknoll House located in an area called Stanley which is on Hong Kong Island. My room shares a balcony with 2 other rooms and I am still reeling in shock over this view from my quarters:

I am here for a week of orientation to how to teach conversational English and introduction to history and culture, and meet the other 2o or so volunteers placed throughout the country. I think there's a good mix of recent graduates and people who have done other things since graduating, but I have not met everyone yet. Its kind of strange to be in this type of setting once again: feeling awkward and trying to make conversation in a big group of ten. Also, I have a roommate for a week! I haven't had to share a room since 2000, albeit that was a great experience.

On another note, besides spectacular views of the ocean from my room, we are located right next to a prison (the sign is in the far right, in the background):

By the way, Maryknoll is the program that has organized this upcoming year and conducted all the interviews and placements.

*Addendum: Oops, I had forgotten that I did in fact have one more roommate post-the turn of the century. I apologize immensely for this horrid mistake and it shall never happen again.