A Moment To Breathe

It is my lunch break and the computer in our playroom is set up for my use so I think I will have more time to write in here. Next week I hope to have a computer set up at home. But it is not cheaper than there. The meetings I have been in have been about the Yew Chung Education Foundation who is my employer. They are still looking for more teachers if anyone is interested. They had an all day session introducing EVERYONE in every department and division and what they do and fill out this form when you want something from them. I felt very sorry for the ones who were later in the day because I'm sure no one was listening and even if we were it was way too much to take in. We had an all day workshop on Character First! which was very patronizing and the man giving the workshop I'm sure likes everyone to be a good little soldier. I haven't talk to anyone who liked that workshop. We have had meetings about curriculum which have been much more interesting. They seem to be starting emergent curriculum but it is very new. There also seems to be an expectation that by the end of K4 ie JK children will be reading and spelling and doing addition. I'm not too happy about this. I have not yet been able to really read this book called The Foundation Stage which is the whole basis of the curriculum which sets out goals but it doesn't seem to be in agreement with the workshop presented by Dr. Le Wei who is very definitely in favour of emergent curriculum. Much of the materials she presented were very Reggio. I was very excited when listening to her. However the staff don't get it. There are 5 of us teaching 3 groups of 3 year olds and we were able to meet together. All 4 of them want us to have the same themes or topics which we will choose for at least the next few months and then the children are free to choose the activities we provide. They feel this is basing your curriculum on the children's interests. Good luck to me!
I have ordered my first piece of clothing from the fabric market. It is a summer dress in chocolate brown linen for 140 RMB or yuans which is $20. I saw some beautiful white material with yellow and blue flowers which you know I fell in love with but they wanted 250 RMB to make a summer dress and would not bargain. I had an experienced bargainer with me but no luck. It was very disappointing. I might see if I can buy the material at a decent price and have someone else make me something. I will be back there tomorrow - Sat.
I have had the opportunity to do a fair bit of sightseeing and again tomorrow the school is taking us on a city tour. We are going to the Pearl Tower and another tower which is 88 floors and very impressive, Yu Garden and to the Fabric Market. I'm not sure what else.
It is only 2 weeks ago today that I left home but it feels like forever. I think because my days have been so full and I have met so many people who seem like such long time friends. I have talked on the phone with my family a number of times and we are all doing well.
I won't be back on again before Mon. or maybe Tues.