Augh! My Electrical Plugs Don't Work Here?

Augh! My electrical plugs don’t work here? I’ve got a headache this morning. I couldn’t dry my hair or straighten it either. Worse yet, I couldn’t grind any of my dark roasted coffee beans and I’m meeting my new students today????

I woke up early, this sunny Friday, Sept 24th, since my body didn’t know what time it was and my clock radio didn’t work here either. I was ready for the long productive day! I met the ESOL/ESL teacher who had taken over for me, until my Chinese VISA permitted me to come to Beijing. Gayle Trembley is AWESOME!!! She really cares for the kids’ literacy and reminded me of my 1^st grade teacher Mrs. Levy at Bethpage Elementary in Long Island, NY who also helped me overcome my fear of English. I was a former ESOL/ESL student, only knowing Italian, even though I was born in NYC, after living in Italy for 5 years after birth, due to my parent’s jobs traveling. This is where I got my travel bug!

I finally met my 18 students today! They are from the following 11 countries: Philippines, China (with Permanent Residency from 2 other countries), South Korea, U.S.A., United Kingdom, Taiwan, Canada, Russia, Kazakhstan, Malaysia & Italy. The students are from affluent families from the business & embassy communities. The kids are smart, very polite & sponges on learning!

Who said school badges aren’t important? I received mine today, after going to IT and receiving another MacBook for my teaching assignment. Now, I have two, my 19” laptop that I brought with me from Canada and theirs a 14” model. Receiving the school badge gets me into every part of the CISB (Canadian International School of Beijing), from Preschool Montessori – 12^th Grade IB, Art Room, Dance Studio, Music Room, all the gyms, Teacher’s Work-out Room and the Olympic Pool. To leave the school grounds, you must have the school badge on you, since the school is a gated community, and you can’t get back in or out without it. (This reminds me of Cheech & Chong’s movie).

My principal, Jill Jolieane, took me shopping at Carrefour Supermarket (the Chinese Wal-Mart equivalent) where I bought lots of essential items & food. Couldn’t find the adapters for my electronic devices!

Finally, she took me to a fabulous Tai restaurant on Lucky Street, walking distance from the International School. YEAH!!!