Hello all!
There were many requests for a panda picture so Bryanna added one to her post below. We hadn't posted any previously because the setting and lighting was not the best for pictures - we bought some postcards that are nicer. Don't want to disappoint you all, though!
Anyway, today was the school visit day. We visited the Beijing JingShan School, located about 1 hour from our hotel. This is a different school from the one the other homeland families visited last week. This school is for grades 1 through 12 and is a boarding school - the children live here Monday to Friday and return to their homes on the weekend. The school is very large - it accommodates classrooms, cafeterias, administrative offices, playgrounds for the youngest children, a sports complex that would do a first-rate university proud, dormitories, classrooms for art and music lessons, public meeting spaces and gardens.
We arrived at 9:30 am and as the bus pulled up to the large entry area, we saw a large red and gold banner had been raised in our children's honour - it read "Welcome Home".
We had arrived in time for the morning exercises (similar to daily physical activity at Osprey Woods). However, the whole school turns out and is split into the two age levels (elementary and senior) and they exercise to music with a phys ed leader for each very large group. Our children were divided into groups of four and each one was assigned a guide - they then joined into the activity - as did a number of the moms!
After the activity (which helped warm us up in the chilly, morning air), we were led on a tour of the dormitories. Our pictures don't do them justice...there are 4 children to a room - all with lovely bedding and bright colours. The dorms are centrally heated (much to our delight!), and murals brighten various hallways and foyers. Our kids seemed fascinated with this part of the tour and asked their young guides many questions. Bryanna was with a young girl of about 11 who spoke very good English - she had lived in Canada for 4 years and had obviously been chosen as a guide for this reason.
We then toured through various classrooms, and were greeted warmly by children and staff alike. We followed the principal to the top floor of the school building and into the Creative class (art). Small plaster figurines of fish and roosters had been placed on all the tables and our children were delighted to find that they were to paint the figurines and take them home as a gift. Mrs. Cash, you can imagine that Cassidy LOVED this part of the day and intently painted for over half an hour.
During this time we were also treated to a presentation of dances by some of the JingShan students - absolutely wonderful. All of our group (the children) then gathered and sang an enthusiastic rendition of O Canada in return!
The last official part of the morning was a speech by the Director of the school - a woman of about 60. She was extremely warm and welcoming and her words were translated for us by Ma Rui. She indicated that it is the intention of this school - and her goal - that all the teachers first love the children, and then education can follow. She said that that is why our visit was so important to her and the school because she feels a connection between us...love. Because it was love that brought us to China originally, and love that has made us return now. I believe that all of the adults in our group were very moved.
The children exchanged gifts and then we were escorted to the cafeteria for a "simple" lunch. Hmm, would like to see what an elaborate one would have been like! Rice, beef, vegetables, chicken, fruit - and the most delicious, light cake that any of us have ever had!
Oh! And should mention that our visit to this school involved the introduction of nearly all our children to the infamous squat toilets! With no choice in the matter, all faced the challenge and overcame it! This final picture is of Bryanna and Cassidy with the school officials. The director is the woman in the dark coat in the centre.
On the way back to our hotel, we fit in a quick visit to the Ya Show market - like the new Silk market (replacing Silk Alley) but the vendors are not as aggressive. Many of us dived back into the bargaining process but all agreed that we may need a little more practice.
A little downtime at our hotel and then out for dinner for Peking Duck. Some of the children (including Cassidy) are struggling with finding foods that they like, but are making us proud with trying new things.
Tomorrow is a more relaxed day as we visit a Hutong and tour about in a ricksha. The kids are really a group now and the volume from the back of the bus is a constant!
Love to all ... see you tomorrow!
There were many requests for a panda picture so Bryanna added one to her post below. We hadn't posted any previously because the setting and lighting was not the best for pictures - we bought some postcards that are nicer. Don't want to disappoint you all, though!
Anyway, today was the school visit day. We visited the Beijing JingShan School, located about 1 hour from our hotel. This is a different school from the one the other homeland families visited last week. This school is for grades 1 through 12 and is a boarding school - the children live here Monday to Friday and return to their homes on the weekend. The school is very large - it accommodates classrooms, cafeterias, administrative offices, playgrounds for the youngest children, a sports complex that would do a first-rate university proud, dormitories, classrooms for art and music lessons, public meeting spaces and gardens.We arrived at 9:30 am and as the bus pulled up to the large entry area, we saw a large red and gold banner had been raised in our children's honour - it read "Welcome Home".
We had arrived in time for the morning exercises (similar to daily physical activity at Osprey Woods). However, the whole school turns out and is split into the two age levels (elementary and senior) and they exercise to music with a phys ed leader for each very large group. Our children were divided into groups of four and each one was assigned a guide - they then joined into the activity - as did a number of the moms!
After the activity (which helped warm us up in the chilly, morning air), we were led on a tour of the dormitories. Our pictures don't do them justice...there are 4 children to a room - all with lovely bedding and bright colours. The dorms are centrally heated (much to our delight!), and murals brighten various hallways and foyers. Our kids seemed fascinated with this part of the tour and asked their young guides many questions. Bryanna was with a young girl of about 11 who spoke very good English - she had lived in Canada for 4 years and had obviously been chosen as a guide for this reason.
We then toured through various classrooms, and were greeted warmly by children and staff alike. We followed the principal to the top floor of the school building and into the Creative class (art). Small plaster figurines of fish and roosters had been placed on all the tables and our children were delighted to find that they were to paint the figurines and take them home as a gift. Mrs. Cash, you can imagine that Cassidy LOVED this part of the day and intently painted for over half an hour.
During this time we were also treated to a presentation of dances by some of the JingShan students - absolutely wonderful. All of our group (the children) then gathered and sang an enthusiastic rendition of O Canada in return!
The last official part of the morning was a speech by the Director of the school - a woman of about 60. She was extremely warm and welcoming and her words were translated for us by Ma Rui. She indicated that it is the intention of this school - and her goal - that all the teachers first love the children, and then education can follow. She said that that is why our visit was so important to her and the school because she feels a connection between us...love. Because it was love that brought us to China originally, and love that has made us return now. I believe that all of the adults in our group were very moved.
The children exchanged gifts and then we were escorted to the cafeteria for a "simple" lunch. Hmm, would like to see what an elaborate one would have been like! Rice, beef, vegetables, chicken, fruit - and the most delicious, light cake that any of us have ever had!
Oh! And should mention that our visit to this school involved the introduction of nearly all our children to the infamous squat toilets! With no choice in the matter, all faced the challenge and overcame it! This final picture is of Bryanna and Cassidy with the school officials. The director is the woman in the dark coat in the centre.
On the way back to our hotel, we fit in a quick visit to the Ya Show market - like the new Silk market (replacing Silk Alley) but the vendors are not as aggressive. Many of us dived back into the bargaining process but all agreed that we may need a little more practice.
A little downtime at our hotel and then out for dinner for Peking Duck. Some of the children (including Cassidy) are struggling with finding foods that they like, but are making us proud with trying new things.
Tomorrow is a more relaxed day as we visit a Hutong and tour about in a ricksha. The kids are really a group now and the volume from the back of the bus is a constant!
Love to all ... see you tomorrow!
5 comments:
wow looks like a great time. keep on posting we love it and check it quite regularily as you can see. love to all, Shauna and MacLean xoxoxo
What an amazing trip you are having!! It wasn't just some members of your group that were touched by the comments of the school director - I was teary just reading about it!!
I am checking regularly and enjoying every minute of your trip. I know the girls will be interested to see the panda and hear what Bryanna wrote when we get home tonight.
Keep the updates coming!
Jane
Hi Li,
Your trip sounds fabulous. Looking forward to showing the kids your entries. Hopefully my next comment will include a few things from them! Cheers, Tim
I'm just green with envy, everything including the weather looks just perfect. It's a fabulous blog Lianne, and like Jane and Stephanie, I'm addicted to it. Just can't wait to see tomorrows entry from you. The pictures are all fabulous. Please give my friends the Christenson's and the Shuttleworth's a HUGE HUG from me {I haven't seen any pictures of Paul yet} and if you wouldn't mind passing my best wishes along to the Wildman's and also your parents. They haven't changed a bit since our 2000 China trip, and appear to be enjoying themselves beyond measure.
As always,
Grandma Gail
Hi to you all. It is really neat to get a daily account of your adventures. Sounds fascinating and a trip of a lifetime. Thanks for letting us experience it with you. Please say hello to my children's cousins, Lianne, Ben and Laura and their parents, Mike and Candace. Looking forward to reading more interesting stories...keep them coming, Lorraine, Drew, Emma and Justin.
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