Hongqiao Bird and Flower Market

Our school librarian, Barbara, arranged a little foray into the Hongqiao Bird and Flower Market.  About 20 of us went to this market which does indeed sell flowers and plants (in amazing varieties) and birds (as well as turtles, squirrels, rabbits, and fish).  I was looking for home decor, however.

I found an amazing dining room table, and was hoping for a real steal...  It seats 8, is intricately carved, and has a built-in lazy Susan.  Unfortunately, my hopes were dashed as the asking price is the equivalent of $28,000.  Maybe I can have a reproduction made!

The market has just about anything you can imagine.  I ended up with a table and chair set for my front balcony and a painting for my bedroom.  Since my bedroom walls are made of concrete, I need to wait for maintenance to come hang it for me.

We left the market to go to a street lined with restaurants and bars a few blocks away.  As it happens, this street is next to the pearl and silk markets.  I guess that will be another weekend.  Anyway, we found a Persian restaurant with seating on the street.  I had a lamb stew, and we also nibbled on bread, yogurt with cucumbers, hummus, and a chicken salad.

 

 I ended my day with a trip to the Bamboo Spa where I had a great manicure and pedicure.  My feet haven't looked this good for quite some time.  The entire procedure, which took about 90 minutes, cost half of what it would have in the states.

SOAM Day

Friday was School On A Mission (SOAM) Day, when the Shanghai American School brings together faculty and all staff from both campuses for collaboration and professional development.  We were all sent to the high school gym where we were each given a number to a corresponding table.  Five people were assigned to each table.  We watched a brief clip from Give a Hand, an organization that provides prosthetic hands to people who have lost their own to land mines or birth defects.  We were then instructed to open a packet on our table.  It contained the parts and tools necessary to make a prosthetic hand.  Each table group was tasked with working together to assemble a hand.  Our school's mission is to inspire in all students: a lifelong passion for learning, a commitment to act with integrity and compassion, and the courage to live their dreams.  Additionally, collaboration is a major focus of the school this year.  This activity tied directly into these objectives, demonstrating how important similar opportunities are to student learning.  All together SAS constructed 130 prosthetic hands.

Pearl Tower

There was an amazing view from the Korean barbecue restaurant, and we decided to cut short our shopping and go to the Pearl Tower, parts of which we could glimpse behind a nearby building.  Below are some shots from the restaurant and then of the Pearl Tower once we got closer to it.  It is actually a television station tower, and I believe there is a restaurant in the second from the highest ball.  We stood no chance of getting into the building.  The lines were incredible.

Super Brand Mall II

We decided to seek out some sustenance after all that shopping and discovered a Korean barbecue.  Because Alysia taught in Korea last year, she was able to help me and Kelly order and explain how to eat.  She also explained to us that the Koreans use metal chopsticks (which we were given) because at one point in their history, during a war, there were attempts to poison the ruling family.  The poison reacted with the metal, alerting the would-be victim.  The waiter brought us a large container of coals with a  grate.  We cooked the meat and mushrooms we ordered on the grate ourselves.

Super Brand Mall

I used some of my driver hours today to go to the Super Brand Mall with two other teachers from SAS, Kelly and Alysia.  The Super Brand Mall has 10 floors with stores from all over the world, restaurants, and even an IMAX theater.

I purchased a few blouses from a Korean chain, and found some awesome shoes.  If you can't find the  sole under the arch, it's because it's not there!

School Building and Renovation

There has been a huge amount of construction and renovation going on this summer, and it continues.  If we are lucky our art teachers should be able to move into their new art spaces on Monday.  That is only two days before students arrive!  However, the spaces are going to be great, with lots of light and space.  The Chinese have a wonderful approach to building and maintenance: rather than having a lot of equipment and machinery, they hire people.  There are easily 20 men working on those three rooms, possibly more.  They are on ladders painting (one man can "walk" his ladder from the top), and pushing wheelbarrows full of cement.  The floors were laid by hand.  Here are some photos of the partially completed rooms.

Our gym is also very large, and well maintained.  The teachers have a large office next to it, and there is also a studio area for activities like dance or aerobics.  The program is less skill-based and more focused upon fitness.  Students wear heart monitors that record their heart rates.  They are expected to maintain a particular rate for 30 minutes each (PE) class period in order to meet the standard (we use standards-based reporting).

There are fitness offerings after school for staff, too.  I plan to pick up Monday kickboxing!

Teachers Are Here!

After spending a week and a half with other "new hires", we were joined by returning staff on Wednesday.  Those who are experienced with international schools and living abroad have been incredibly generous with their advice and welcome.  On Wednesday we had a staff breakfast, followed by all of the new hires standing on the stairway/mezzanine overlooking the cafeteria.  From there we introduced ourselves and spoke briefly about our background.

The middle school met in the library (containing the largest collection of English language books in China) for our first faculty meeting.  We have 55 teachers, including:  3 art teachers, 1 orchestra teacher, 1 band teacher, 1 chorus teacher, 1 drama teacher, 4 PE teachers and 2 health teachers.  We also have 3 Chinese teachers, 1 Spanish teacher and 1 French teacher.  Imagine the opportunities and choices our students have!  We did a few ice-breakers, and it became evident that this is a group of people who truly enjoy each other.  I am looking forward to working with this group!

Kieran is coming to school tomorrow for his math testing, and his orientation is on Monday.  The official school year begins on Wednesday.

I received some of my travel reimbursement monies today, and so decided it was time to pick up a few treats for myself.  I went to a shop two blocks away from my apartment that sells "antiques and decorating accessories".  I found a lovely ceramic jar and a painted box that take up some of the empty space in the apartment.  I plan to decorate slowly, so things may look bare for awhile.  Below are my purchases...