Things are looking up!

First of all, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.  I can't believe how lucky I am to have so many people cheering for me.  I don't think I would have made it through the first couple of days without you all encouraging me.  I am proud to say that I have not shed a tear in over 24 hours now!  Or vomited!!  WOOHOO!  Yesterday went so much better (after a few surprises in the morning) and today is going even better.  Yesterday I woke up around 4:30 am and packed and checked out of my hotel (which turned out to be very difficult) and came to my new apartment.  At the moment, I was talking on the phone with my parents and walked in to my kitchen to find literally dozens of dead cockroaches and an overwhelming smell of fumigation (that is still overpowering and disgusting).  My landlady (who is so sweet) came in a couple minutes after me to finish cleaning and get the bugs.  As I was talking to my parents, the homesickness started kicking in and a few tears were shed, however my parents lifted my spirits and I headed off to school.  Before I left my landlady (who doesn't speak English, and as you all know I do NOT speak Chinese) was trying to communicate that the bugs were dead and wouldn't come back.  She thought that I was crying because of the bugs.  I then held my hand over my heart and said Mom and Dad.  She immediately knew why I was crying and gave me a big hug.  Her daughter Pei Pei is my age and wants to study in America some day, so I think she really had compassion for my situation.  She is so sweet.  I did throw up yesterday morning, but have now officially kicked my water poisoning.....worst experience ever!  I learned my lesson.

Yesterday was a lot better at school because I got to know the teachers in the Foreign Department and PYP Department (who are also all International, but went to college for ESL/Teaching second languages).  I work with some really cool people.  Having the common interest in living abroad unifies us all very easily.  Daryl, my co-worker from Canada, who has been teaching in China for about 7 years, invited me out on Friday night to see his friend's band play and get some dinner and drinks.  Daryl is a great friend to have because he literally knows EVERYTHING about Shanghai.  He has been here a long time and is a great traveling advisor.  I am also getting dinner this week with James (from Australia, 26) who is a fellow vegetarian.  Daryl told us about some amazing vegetarian restaurants in Shanghai, so we are going to go try one of them.  Yesterday after work, Pei Pei (landlady's daughter), Collin (another teacher from Colorado) and I went to this huge, gigantic, unbelievable market.  I got everything I needed (cleaning supplies, towels, washcloths, blanket, rugs, pillows etc.)  I am so lucky Pei came with me because everything is in Chinese and you only can guess what it is.  They had everything from electronics to books to clothes to food to Clinique to anything you can imagine.  It was unbelievable.  Pei is so sweet and will hopefully be my sister-in-law one day (Ryan.....)  My brother and I have been struggling to talk since he works such crazy hours, our 13-hour time change and he is still in the process of moving.  Everything I do, everywhere I go, everyone I meet makes me think of my brother.  He will love, love, love China, as for Mama and Papa Bear......

My neighborhood, and Xuhui District in general, is NOT tourist-y at all.  In fact, I am starting to notice the endless stares and looks, even laughs.  I think it is funny to some neighbors to see a 5'8, blonde, Norwegian girl living in their neighborhood.  None of the stares or giggles are threatening, more sweet.  I just smile back and say Nihao!  Last night I went for a two hour walk in my neighborhood.  I put on my iPod, walked and jammed.  I felt so much better.  As I was walking, I realized that I CAN do this, that I WANT to do this and that I WILL do this.  Walking past the vendors, seeing the neighborhood and families made me feel so much better.  There is a beautiful, huge garden about 10 minutes from my house, so I spent some time in there walking around, looking at flowers and people watching.  I slept so amazingly wonderful last night after putting together my apartment.  It is such a relief to not be living out of a suitcase any longer and to sleep in my own sheets.  I now have pictures of my family and friends all over and have added my own "flare".  Last night I froze and couldn't figure out my darn air conditioner, as everything is in Chinese.  I wore wool socks, long pants and my Marmot jacket, but I figured it out this morning.  It was nice to be cold and not sweating for once, actually for the first time since I have been here.  I figured out the blasted thing this morning.  

Today went really well at school.  I started decorating my classrooms, organizing my desk and office and making my lesson plans.  I am teaching classes 5B and 5C.  I work from 8-4 Monday through Thursday and 8-3 on Fridays.  Every morning we have a staff meeting, while the students are having their Chinese lessons with their Chinese teachers.  I teach in the classroom from 10:09-11:51, break for lunch, and then again from 1:05-2:27 (random times....10:09?)  I am responsible for lessons ranging from drama, art, health, music (!) language arts, science, PE (poor children who are stuck with me...), math, computer and social studies.  All of these subjects are taught in English.  I am responsible for all lesson planning, activity planning, grading, assessments, test compositions and in-service presentations to other International staff.  Stephen is the other year 5 teacher and he is one of the directors of the International Program.  He is originally from Australia, but has been here for almost 10 years.  He is married to a Chinese woman and has a beautiful daughter.  He is really funny, loves whiskey and loves to swear.  We get along really well and both are kind of "wing it" types of people.  I finished my lesson plans for the first two weeks.  It sometimes blows my mind that I am actually a teacher now, responsible for educating children.  I really want to emphasize creativity and that learning CAN be fun.  These poor Chinese children are pushed really hard by their Chinese teachers, parents and grandparents.  Stephen said he never gives them homework (unless it is fun or easy) because they get so much from their Chinese teachers.  He also told me that he has seen corporal punishment within the walls of our schools.  Chinese teachers will hit the children with rulers (I don't think it's a common occurrence, but it has been known to happen, supposedly).  My school is so amazing and is the leading primary school in Shanghai, but there are a lot of cultural differences between schools back home and schools here.  One really crazy thing is that all of the teachers smoke in the school.  They can smoke in the breakrooms, teacher lunchroom and I even saw a Chinese teacher smoking in the hall today!  The kids aren't there yet, but I still couldn't believe it.  

We all went out for lunch at Mr. Funny's today, for the third day in a row!  It is so delicious and we all get so many dishes and just share.  Everyday we have had about 10 staff members go.  I got done with work today around 4 and went to a photo market to get some passport photos taken.  Next Wednesday I have to get my medical testing done for Visa permanency.  We have to have X-Rays, ultrasounds, HIV tests, Hepatitis tests, and a plethora of other exams and tests.  I can't eat for 12 hours before and can't wait to see the inside of some of these hospitals.  Shanghai has the best of the best and the worst of the worst.  The richest and the poorest.  After getting photos I went to the market and got a gallon of water, noodles, 5 apples, 4 plums, 3 huge oranges, tons of different candies and crackers and some other goodies for only $10.  Just the fruit alone would be well over $30 in the states.  I don't even know what some of the stuff is going to be or taste like.  I am going to cook some delicious noodle soup for dinner and some fruit.  

Thanks to all for checking my blog and being so supportive during the rocky start.  I only work until 12:30 tomorrow and Michelle, Collin (co-workers) and I are going to People's Square after.  

I will continue to keep you all posted as I have wireless in my apartment....I love you all and thanks again for being so great to me!