Team Wuxi is go!: Teachers' Day (Courtney)

Last Wednesday was Teachers' Day, which we assume is an international thing. I found out about Teachers' Day on the Tuesday afternoon when my class presented me with a card and very kindly, some "Golden Throat" lozengers. The week before in class I was still getting over my virus and the kids wanted to know why I was drinking so much water...hence the throat lozengers which I thought was very cute.

My appearance is like a gentle breeze to my students...

So Wednesday morning rolls around and we don't really think much of what the day might hold. Mr Pan calls to tell us there is an assembly at 3:30 and Mr Shen, the principle, would like us to attend. No probs. Then James, one of Marcus' previous students came over with a bunch of flowers and a box of moon cakes. Flowers for Teachers' Day, moon cakes for Mid-Autumn Festival (yes, I know it appears there is a holiday for everything here!)

Our classes rolled around and there were more presents and cards and well wishes to be had. I have to say, it felt really good and Ithought the kids were very sweet in their wishes.

Some of Marcus' haul, including handmade cards.

One class gave me two fish money boxes. I then had to take them to gifted class where a bunch of kids ran off with them and made them "kiss".

Sooooo sexy ;-)

Then of course assembly time came, in true China style it was an "extravaganza". We met Mr Pan at his office after class and he took us to the assembly, thankfully seating us somewhere up the back and not our normal front row, centre seats. Upon entering the building though, we were all greeting by a double line of gifted students, all waving and cheering. This was funny enough to see them all doing their awkward kiddie waves, but the classic part was that they were all dressed up in uniforms and makeup...boys included...

Here's a selection of the gifted students reading a poem. A touch hard to see the makeup but you can make out some coloured lips and cheeks.

The assembly started with the vice-principle speaking. Funnily enough he had memorised a short sentence in English to welcome Marcus and I which we thought was very amusing and nice. Mr Shen then spoke for a while, welcoming the teachers and then of course "Marc-a-si" and "Court-a-ney". We are obviously the guests as always. Numerous teachers names were read out, these were the people receiving teaching awards for their efforts. Each row was then brought up and presented with bunches of flowers by the gifted students.

Students presenting flowers to the teachers. They then had to salute the teachers which was hysterical to watch - a whole bunch of 11 year olds just throwing their hands around.

But! Inbetween all the flower presentations was of course.....singing. Seriously, there are times when you feel that either a)all of China sings, or b) you have stumbled into a taping of China Idol. It's NEVER ENDING!!! I got a message from Abby halfway through saying she was at a never ending Teachers' Day concert...I sent my sympathies and returned to massaging my temples.

There was singing...

..and singing..

...and more singing!

Here is a selection of gifted teachers singing, note "random camera man" at the left of the frame.

And finally, someone who could sing, the music teacher. This was an epic song about...the national flag.

Of course the best was left till last. That being us of course. And no, I don't mean singing, although of course we were asked! Raymen invariably asks us at each function if we will sing, to which we invaribly say "no" and smile through gritted teeth. He then persists and asks instead "How about Courtney performs a traditional Australian dance then?" At this I laugh maniacally everytime and do not bother answering. But the best till last bit was of course Mr Shen presenting us with our own bunches of flowers and posing for photos. Sadly I have no photos of that, although Marcus did do his best to ruin the other photos "random photographer man" (you've heard of him before) was taking of us. We have yet to find any photos of us on the intranet, which is a real shame for all our readers ;-)