I got class, yo.

Today was my first day teaching. I was suprisingly not nervous. For the past few days I have been preparing lesson plans for my students. I went through 4 classes worth of lessons today with my students. They are much farther along then I was expecting. The students are very attentive and eager to make a good impression. One thing that I am worried about is the concept of "face". Students are worried about making a mistake and losing face with their fellow students. If they are unsure of an answer they seem to just remain silent. My freshman class doesn't begin for another 3 weeks. They go 3 weeks later into the semester. The freshman have to do military training for the first 6 weeks of the fall. It is funny to watch them on the soccer pitch across the street doing exercises and military drills. They are 17 and 18 year old kids more interested in socializing then doing the military exercises that the commanding officer is barking at them. I had to get up at 6:00 a.m. today to catch the bus to the satelitte campus. For a guy who hasn't been working for 6 weeks, my sleep schedule hasn't exactly had me getting up before... 10 a.m. most days. The school has decided to give me my first paycheck early, so it looks like I will be heading to beijing in the next few days to get my passport. Good times, 12 hours train ride each way. I think I might go on Sunday night and come back wednesday. there is a "white" party for expats at club 3F on Friday (white meaning clothes not skin color you racist kansan :) ). there are a few people from the University going to this party so it should be fun. Xi'an is really starting to grow on me. The culture shock the first couple of weeks is starting to wear off and I am getting used to the little things that seemed so strange at first. Hope all is well in your world. Somebody put up a comment so that I know this thing is being read.