Connecticut China Connection

Upon arriving at Shoutian Yingcai Primary School, the students told me about the Emperor’s teacher, Shoution, whom the school is named after. Shoutian was a very wise man who taught the Emperor for many years. Throughout the school there are many signs detailing the lessons and wisdom of Shoutian.

Here is the schedule for my last day in Binzhou. This week has flown by so fast. I look forward to meeting up with Mr. Wood and exchanging our experiences tonight.

6:50 Mr. Guo and translator will have breakfast with James at the hotel.
7:30 Tour in Zibo—Hometown of Pu Songling.
12:00 Have lunch in Zibo city.
13:30 Return to Jinan.

This evening we will be attending a farewell banquet in Jinan.

It has been a great time here in Binzhou so far. My schedule has been packed full of classes to observe and new experiences. My daily schedule has changed frequently since I originally posted it at the beginning of the week. My days here have been very long since I spen the last two nights in two different family homes. The families have been extremely welcoming of me and have had translators stay late at night and come very early in the morning to assist me in understanding as much of what is going on around me as I can. I have also been eating breakfast, lunch and dinner with different families in their homes. Each meal is unique and a special treat that the families have wanted to share with me. Over the last few days they have made me many good things, so much that I often too full to eat any more. The familes keep telling me to “Eat up. eat up!” The good news is that they are very impressed with my ability to use chopsticks. Dinner have been very long, last night for example dinner lasted over two hours. I also got to share in a birthday party dinner last night as well.

Even though I can’t speak the language, evey family has welcomed me into their homes and share a piece of the Chinese culture with me. We have shared many laughs and good conversations (with the help of the translators of course!).

I am using a school computer at the moment and will upload pictures and tell you more about the exciting adventures when I get a chance. Tonight, I will be staying at the hotel again and hopefully after the farewell banquet will be able to update some pictures and stories.

Zaijian,
Mr. Crawford

Here is the schedule for my last full day at our sister school in Binzhou. It has been a great time so far.

6:50 Have breakfast at student’s house.
8:00-8:35 Watch the English class at student’s library.
8:45-9:20 Meet with Cambridge Class 2, Grade 5
10:10-10:45 Watch the reading class at student’s library.
10:55-11:45 Meet the students—grades5-6
11:30 Have lunch at student’s house.
14:00 Return to school.
14:10-15:00 Professional Education-2.
15:10-16:30 Mr. Crawford will show the video and pictures for the students at the meeting room, and answer the student representatives’ questions.
16:30-18:00 Meet with teacher and parent representatives.
18:00 Farewell Banquet

Here is my schedule for another busy day but I get to go shopping for gifts!

6:50 Mr. Bai and translator will have breakfast with James at the hotel.
8:00-10:30 Talk about website exchanging.
10:30-11:30 Meet the students—grades3-4
11:30 Have lunch at student’s house.
14:00-16:00Tour of Blindman’s School—our sister school.
16:00-18:00 Go shopping.
18:00 Mr. Wei will pick up James to student’s house and have dinner.

New pictures have been added to the Binzhou gallery featuring my welcome to the school.

According to our sister school, this is my schedule today. It’s going to be another busy day.

6:50 Mr. Pang and translator will have breakfast with James at the hotel.
8:00 Greet at the door.—Welcome ceremony.
8:10-9:30 Watch morning reading class.
10:00-10:35 Watch computer class.
10:45-11:25 Meet with students—Grades1-2
11:30 Have lunch at student’s house.
14:00 Return to school.
14:20-15:00 Talk with Chinese teacher and computer teachers.
15:05-15:40 Watch math class.
15:50-16:40 Professional Education-1.
17:00 Mr. Guo Zhenhu will pick up James to student’s house and have dinner.