PANDAS!!!!!!

Yes, I finally got to see a panda in China! Although, I do think that I still need to go to Chengdu and see the pandas there, this will satify me for awhile... While in Xi'an we saw a poster for a Panda tour. Looking at the pictures, it appeared that you got to get close to the pandas.... actually the place they took us to was an animal refuge place. It was a lot like a zoo- but since it was raining and cold, the pandas did not want to come out of their cages. So most of the time we were peering through windows trying to catch a glimpse of the pandas. We stopped one last time before leaving the zoo, and Xingxi decided to come out and play on her playground! Isn't she so cute?!?

Happy Belated Thanksgiving!

Deep Fried Korean Thanksgiving

Before leaving for Xi'an Christy and I sat down to watch a favorite episode of the Gilmore Girls entitled Deep Fried Korean Thanksgiving... As you can see my Thanksgiving meal was a bit untraditional- no turkey, but I did have some Kimbob (one of my favorite Korean foods), potato jiaozi, and cashew chicken... Last year, Christy and I were sitting at a German restaurant in Thailand eating Thai curry....

This year, Christy and some of our friends were in Xi'an for Thanksgiving! In place of Thai curry, we enjoyed a bowl of spicy vegetable noodle soup at a small chinese restaurant that we found upon arriving in Xi'an! 5 RMB/ per bowl- less than 75 cents! Definitely one of the cheapest Thanksgiving meals I have ever had!

While somewhat untraditional, it was nice to spend some time with my friends here in China being thankful for the many blessings that have been given to me. I am, however, looking forward to a turkey dinner at Christmas!

ELIM School visit

and he said, "If you will diligently listen to the voice of Yahweh your FATHER, and will do that which is right in his eyes, and will pay attention to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you, which I have put on the Egyptians; for I am Yahweh who heals you."27 They came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water, and seventy palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.

Elim, is a like minded school, here in Qingdao that is for children with autism! There slogan is "Turning Bitter into Sweet" They have a great facility, but have outgrown their current location and are planning to begin moving next month to an even bigger building! Their multiple sensory room is quite impressive! I wish I could have had some of their equiptment when I worked back home. Their goal is to have 1:1 teacher to student ratio. They currently have 1:2 ratio. They have students from every province of China, and a few other countries!

BIRTHDAYS BIRTHDAYS BIRTHDAYS BIRTHDAYS BIRTHDAYS! !!!!






November is the month for Birthdays in my 4th grade classroom! There are 5 birthdays in my class in the month of November! On Friday, Louise celebrate her birthday by bringing a Haagen Daaz ice cream cake to class! It was soooo delicious! It was definitely the best birthday cake I have had since coming to China :)

This week, Heather gave Kristen, Lisa, and me an invitation to her birthday party. This was my first traditional Korean birthday party! When we arrived, we were seated around small table filled with food! We were treated to a great Korean meal- seaweed soup, noodles, clams, shrimp, kimchi (spicy cabbage), fish and eggs... the food was

great!

As you can see by the above picture, I couldn't help carrying on the "4th grade tradition" of placing frosting on the face of the birthday girl:) We got a little carried away, but it was a lot of fun!

After our meal and cake we stayed for awhile and played games with our students...

My day was not finished though! After Heather's party I jumped in a taxi and headed to Joseph's home to celebrate his birthday! I think my boys were surprised to see me!

I made it just in time for the birthday cake and games! Joseph's cake was huge!

Of course, Joseph's mom gave me more food! I was so full by the time I made it home, but it was such a great day of spending time with my students outside of school :)

BOOK character Day....




<--- Chris and Brian


















This Friday was BOOK character day at school. Students and teachers were encouraged to come dressed as their favorite book character. Jane and I were assigned to judge according to most recognizable and most accessories. Can you guess who each one is?!?!?




<--- Jeffrey, 3rd grade





<--- Sara and Melody, 5th grade

Bagel Making

Foods I miss while living in China...
in no particular order-

Reese Peanut Butter cups
Peppermint patties/Andes mints
lobster
Peppermint Mochas
Strawberries
Raspberries
Blueberries
Tostitoes and salsa
Carmel

Subway subs

Candy Canes

Candy corn....

There are many more foods that I miss, but one of them is BAGELS!

This Saturday, Kara invited Lisa, Christy, and me over to learn how to make bagels. It was a success! We made pumpkin cinnamon, raspberry chocolate chip, and banana chocolate chip! While waiting for our dough to rise, Kara made us a delicious brunch!

It was a great way to begin our Saturday!

The Final Parties....

Since coming to Qingdao, I have definitely been blessed with good friends. Lisa and Angela are two of them. For my birthday they made me homemade noodles and chicken and FUNFETTI cupcakes with SPRINKLES!!! Afterwards we watched another episode of Prison Break and Gilmore Girls, in that order, so that we would be able to sleep...

On my actual birthday night Christy took me out for some SUSHI and Starbucks! 2 of my favorite places in Qingdao! Our sushi place even had our favorite soybean wraps :) mmm hao chi! (good food!)

I promise this will be my last post about my birthday!!!

Class Birthday Party

Modeling all the goodness! (check out the slippers!)

This year I seem to be having the never ending birthday! I guess I am making up for last year when I didn't really celebrate my birthday :)
At QMIS, in the elementary classes, teachers and students celebrate their birthdays. Each elementary classroom has room mothers who are assigned to help the classroom teacher and plan the birthday parties! The usually bring a cake and snacks, plan a game, and a small present. Diana, my fabulous TA and hao pengyou (good friend) gave me one of my favorite gifts! A beautiful Starbucks mug and a Starbucks gift certificate!

This cake makes me smile and remember a special student from my previous job... I used to have a student named Daniel who always called me Hiscoe, never Ms. Hiscoe. He also called the other teachers in my room by their last names- we continue to call each other by last names- Sanchez, Bridges, and McGary or Gary.... One of my student's moms, who happens to be one of the room mothers also only calls me by my last name... hence, Hiscoe Happy Birthday on my cake! Good memories!

On top of my cake, you will notice a large, plastic, pink flower. The flower is lit, and as the candle burns, the blossoms open up and begin playing "Happy Birthday." The flame is not a small one, as you can see in the picture below! Unfortunately, the flower was a malfunctioning one and a smell of burning plastic filled the room. Then, a continuous electronic "Happy Birthday" tune played until I cut the wires!

My students definitely spoiled me on my birthday- see top picture. I recieved a dozen bright pink roses, a beautiful Korean apron, but my most memorable gift was a clear plastic Starbucks cup!

John, my student, wanted to get me a Boston Red Sox Starbucks mug. (He knows that I love Starbucks and the Red Sox.) These mugs do not exist, so he took his mothers cup, washed it, and presented it to me with a big smile on the morning of my birthday!

He informed me that I was not allowed to throw it away and has made sure that it is on my desk each morning! :)

This birthday has definitely been a memorable one!

Birthday Eve Dinner at Crowne Plaza

On Halloween, Christy, Lisa, Jane, and I went out to eat at the Crowne Plaza to celebrate my birthday eve... The Crowne Plaza had a special- although more expensive, meal.

One of our favorites- thai curry! and of course the indian food was fantastic! :)

They also had special Halloween treats as modeled by Christy and I....

This year I have started meeting weekly with and accountability partner. Jane is one of the 3rd grade teachers at QMIS and has been a good friend over the last year and a half.

It was fun night of celebrating the eve of my birthday... and there was more celebrating to come! .... see next post!