Week 3!

First week of school is done...thank God!!!! By Thursday I was feeling ok, but I have to say...Monday was the absolute worst first day of school I've ever had!

It all started on my way to school Monday morning. I'm on my bike (which I bought about a week and a half prior), and I notice it's making a pretty funny noise. Kind of a squeal of sorts. Needless to say, this did not comfort me. However, I kept riding...figured if I could just make it to school, all would be well.

About half way to school the freakin chain comes off the bike. I'm thinking...seriously??? Yup...seriously, this happened. I scoured  through my "fixing a bike" schema from when I was a kid, apparently I didn't have a solid understanding at the time, because I failed to put the chain back on, but I did manage to get grease all over my hands. :) So..here I go in my dress, on the first day of school, grease covered hands...walking my new bike. I was pissed!!! But almost right after I started walking the bike...a cricket walked right in front of me! I knew it was a sign that my luck was going to change..it had to be a lucky cricket! I'm in China!!!! So I smiled and kept walking. About 30 seconds later...it started to sprinkle on me. Ha....really terrible start to my day!

It just got better from there. In all honesty...my class is amazingly adorable. But literally 30 minutes into the start of school I looked at the clock and could NOT believe it! I was utterly exhausted, had a terrible headache and had basically no way of communicating with these children. I thought multiple times...what have I gotten myself into??? As I previously mentioned...the week definitely progressed in a positive way. By Thursday the kids had their morning routines down...I watched them walk in and do everything they were supposed to do without being asked. It felt awesome! We read Brown Bear, Brown Bear over and over and they loved it! However...Chicka Chicka Boom Boom has become a quick favorite!

Conan and Daho. My two kiddos with the least amount of English. Seriously cute and LOVE peace signs when they get their picture taken! How can you not love them!

Julie and Isobelle...both extremely sweet girls. Isobelle is British and I have to admit, when she says, "Ms. Wakefield" with her accent...it's priceless. 

Jesse and Bosco...these boys love puzzles! 

Bosco is from Spain and about as sweet as he could be. Such a good kid. He's totally a rowdy little boy, but manages to listen so well. The perfect combination! 

Jesse is more just a rowdy little boy ;) but he is fluent in Chinese and French and his English is pretty decent too. I'm so jealous of these kids!!! 

Had to show one last photo of these cute little guys. The one in front is Teo....he kinda stole my heart. Getting ready for their first assembly as P3's....they were excited! 

By the time Friday came around...we all knew we needed, and deserved, a night out in Wuxi! :) We headed downtown to an authentic Chinese restaurant called Grandma's. I know the name doesn't sound very authentic...but it was! Family style dining which was awesome because we got to try so many different things! 

One of the canals running through Wuxi. It really is
a beautiful city! 

Daniela is originally from Slovakia but moved to the states when she was 9 and spent the rest of her "growing up" years in NY and LA. Last year she came to TIS from Saudi Arabia. Judy is from the states as well but has taught all over the world....most recently in Abu Dhabi! Lea is from the Philippines and is about as sweet as you get...bit of a firecracker! It's awesome meeting people with such varied experiences in life...I'm so lucky!                                                                                  

As it turns out...wine has a similar affect on me in China, as it does at home! I found myself taking a little rest of this nice big couch! :)


Evidently the peace signs are not just for the little ones. This is my friend Cordelia, the German teacher, and her daughter Christina.

For those of you wanting to see the area I live in...here it is! The top picture is the gate entering my little "complex",
the bottom picture is one of the pedestrian streets separating different parts of Wanke, the Glamorous City! That's actually what they call it. :) It's lined with little hole in the wall restaurants, dry cleaners, vegetable markets, mini marts, etc. Pretty much anything I need in a pinch, I can access with a 2 minute walk. It's pretty nice! 

Took this photo on a bike ride this morning. It was absolutely gorgeous, the sun wasn't shining but it was peaceful, a little bit cooler, and so beautiful! 

So I guess it's time for week #2 of school...hope these kids take it easy on me tomorrow. I'm feeling optimistic. ;) Ciao!