That Last Week

The last week before my departure in June 2005 particularly Zhangkiakou Vocation and Technical College, it was a very hectic week.  My time was devided between last visit to my 12 classes, goodbye dinners by friends, by the department, by the school leaders, then comes the packing, the sorting out of what to give away, what to be kept, and what to sell.  It was so busy.  It was stressful that I could lose weight but nahhh never - evryday was eating time - the goodbye dinners.

One of the things i will not forget were the goodbye programs held by each classes for me.  In some classes I was my smiling self but in other classes, I was my crying self.  You know when there is that attachment and then in few days time u gonna leave them - it really tore my heart in two.  Hearing them singing their goodbye songs really made me cry.  :(  So to keep the memories alive, one class gave me an autograph filled by each student and some wrote letters using just their papers.  Ordinary papers but each one is full of love and admiration but also tainted with sadness of parting.  It is almost 3 years now (june 200 that I have left them but that warm closeness still can be felt in me.  When I have a lot of time to laze around at home, I spend sometime looking and reading their letters and I feel so nostalgic of China.  I can feel their honesty in every words they mean.  That’s what I love with my last year because my students were college level.  Their oral english may not be as perfect as in the English world but it was enough for me to understand them.  Unlike in the previous two years where my students were extremely young and extremely old and interaction is less because that other party is poor in oral english - but it is same - i love them all.

I thought of making a blog of my China Life - but thinking of the time to be able to update it from time to time - i am trying to put aside the idea.  But seriously I thought of making a new one as suggested by a friend if I am going to purchase my own domain - it would still be a general category blog but I haven’t thought of any name or title yet - but am excited of the thought.

Anyway, let me share with you a couple of these letters that am keeping and i hope to keep til still can keep them (btw, am not editing the grammar of their letters.  am writing them as it is.  These students are sort of like in junior college.  Around 18-20 years old.  That level after senior highschool.):

Arlene, when I see you, I really like you.  You are very friendly.  In your class I can practice my oral English and I really have self-confidence.  I like your class than other teacher’s class.  I dislike other teacher’s class so I always absent. … - Maggie. (2nd year college)

Maggie, is one of the bright students in class when it comes to oral english.

Dear Teacher:  I like you very much.  Because you are lovely that makes me very well.  When I met you the first time, I thought you are a chinese woman, such as Xinjiang.  You are beautiful!  I know maybe you are lonely because you are far away from your country and your child.  I hope you can be happy every day.  If will miss you forever and I hope you don’t forget me forever.  In the future, when I got good job or get married, I mis tell you at the first time!  Give you best wishes!!! - Coffee (third year college)

Coffee meant that I look like Xinjiang woman.  The women from western side of China.  Chinese in ways but they have big eyes.  I can really agree I may just look like them but i have bigger eyes than the normal populace.  I also admire Xinjiang women of their beauty. 

Teacher, you are so lovely.  First time, I think or imagine if you can be my big sister.  I feel very happy.  Now you will leave.  I don’t know how to express my feeling.  As a matter of fact, I’m not a talkative person.  One day I will be a CEO or have my own company.  I will show you I’m changing.  Be sure you are happy everyday.  Wish you have many beautiful things happen to you. — Wallace

Wallace is 2nd year in college and one of the quiet type in class but has good pronunciaton during oral practice.  I appreciate him writing this letter in a stationery. hehehee.  I really do feel funny when they think am beautiful! hahaha

Teacher, looking at your appearance, especially your friendly expressions you give me an impression of optimism.  Indeed, very open and easy going.  As for me, I have regarded you as my good friend.  I still remember the day when I first see yuo in class two.  With so many laughs and happiness.  And I will also remember this day we get apart with so many tears and sorrows.  Wherever you go, whatever you do, I will always remember you and miss you.  I just hope we have the chance to meet again in the future. :)  Your student and friend — Stone.

I can still remember stone, the quiet but active in class activities student in Class 2. Haiii i feel i miss them so much now.  By the way, i took the 24 hour trip from Beijing to Hongkong that time, and their letters and wishes made me miss them bt at the same time keep me company during that long trip.

Well, more letters in the future.

Your response: