Hello Everyone - aka both of you reading this post! As I think about all that has happened the
past few days I realize I should not neglect the blog for so long. (And I also
need to alert more people of its existence.)
My first time flying was a lovely 30 hour trip including the
layovers and travel to and from airports. Flying did not bother me in the
least. I loved it actually! I will try and see if I can post some pictures
soon. Our first flight from Chicago to Seattle I was looking out the window the
whole time. Mainly because I was determined to see the Rocky Mountains. In
Seattle we had plenty of time to catch a bite to eat and call a few people.
Then we said goodbye to the U.S. and headed off to China!
This was a very nice plane. Much bigger than the one we had before. (And Ellen
mysteriously got bumped up to first class!) But it was a long flight for all of
us. Then the stop at Beijing was a lot more hectic what with going through
customs and getting our luggage and security - let alone experiencing our first
Chinese toilets!
The flight to Shanghai we all slept. Here it was quick and
easy to find luggage and were then met with the biggest sign: “Concordia!” A
sight for sore eyes! From there we were taken across the river to Pudong (we
were in the Pushi airport) and dropped off at our host families. Mr. Klammer,
Joel was there to meet Heidi and me and after giving us a short tour of the let
us get some sleep
The next morning we were up and going at 6:30, to be at
school by 8. School doesn’t start until tomorrow, but we needed to meet
everyone including our cooperating teachers. Right off the bat we ran into the
new Head of School Mr. Pinnick. After meeting him and others we went to meet
our cooperating teachers. It turns out that Ellen, Heidi and I are all in
classrooms stacked on top of each other. I am on Second floor with Mrs. Nurre,
Ellen is on third and Heidi is on fourth.
Justin will be in Middle school and coaching volleyball (head coach!).
All of our teachers are amazing. Thursday and Friday we
spent getting to know them and talking to them, as well as getting to know the
other teachers and staff. The place is huge. A separate building each for
Elementary, Middle School, and High School. It is taking me awhile to find my
way around it. But everyone has been so welcoming and kind so far that if you
get lost you can just ask.
The community at Concordia international School Shanghai
(CISS) is amazing. Everyone knows everyone. Friday night we had an all faculty
potluck. We tried many new things. Favorite discovery that night? Dragonfruit.
I will see if I can take a picture of it… Lovely stuff! Saturday was an open
house for elementary faculty at the elementary principle’s house. By this time
Heidi and Ellen and I were learning about the sharing system. Take one new food
item and split it two or three ways so all may try, but not get too full.
This came in handy when we went out to eat that Saturday
night with a couple who was also staying with us at the Klammers for a night.
We went to a Thai restaurant. Heidi and I decided to get two dishes, a green
curry, and a chicken dish, and share both. Needless to say the experience led
to us both getting Thai cookbooks on our shopping trip Saturday.
But back to community at CISS. One teacher has Bible Study
on Wednesdays which I hope to attend and on Thursdays the Klammers have all the
student teachers over for dinner. And then Saturday, besides the open house, we
also had an early bread and wine get together at 7 am (Gaudete!). Sunday we
went to church at Trinity. While the Catholic Church is recognized as a whole, all
of Protestantism is grouped into one single church. Lots of fun right? After
church we went to “Mama Kay’s,” Ellen’s host, for a brunch she put on for all
the “single lady teachers.” And oh my, what a spread! She must have been
cooking for days!
This is getting to be lengthy, so I might just close off
soon and talk about more general things I’ve seen since being here. Hopefully
after this I can get in the swing of things and not neglect this for so long.
Thank you! More to come… Aren’t you lucky…
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