Before I write about going to Shenzen, Zhongshan furniture shopping, and other things I have been doing… What I’m thinking about now…
All educators know that even though teaching is rewarding it is so tiring. I am really looking forward to retirement in a few years (okay, more like 5). Teaching is a sprint every year. The pace never ends and teaching international baccalaureate biology is crazy. I have great kids but the content is so heavy that there is no time for fun projects.
I am struggling to get to all the content I need to cover this year. It is a 2 year class so there is more content for next year too.
I am really fortunate to be here. I landed in a top tier school on my first try and will be here most likely until I retire. I work with amazing educators from all over the world and have incredible students. Being able to travel and see this part of the world is the icing on the cake.
This past week I had a massive ear infection that required IV antibiotics and steroids. A digital detox was unexpected but great for catching up on work as high level government meetings shut down VPN’s across the country. I practiced my mandarin and binge watched the first few seasons of Game of Thrones before the new season starts to rest while my ear healed.
I am looking forward to moving to a new apartment next year. This will be my new digs…
I have a week after school ends to move before flying home to spend 4 weeks in PA and another week traveling to Amsterdam before flying back. I will fly to Philly first to go to ISTE.
A couple weeks ago I traveled to Shenzen to visit Chuck Allessie and his wife Wei Ying. She is from Shenzen. Chuck had stomach issues but I still traveled to see her family. We ate at the most impressive dim sum restaurant. The food was amazing…
While we were waiting we walked around the mall and viewed some art on display.
Around the mall.it was great meandering and talking about life in China and the US. Wei Ying, her daughter and her sister are lovely and funny. It was good to be somewhere new and see new sights. I am grateful for their company and hospitality. Shenzen is beautiful and much smaller than Guangzhou.
We walked around the park on a beautiful but overcast day.
Shenzen is right next to Hong Kong which you can see across the water.
The next weekend a group of us chartered a bus to go to Zhongshan where there are many furniture stores in one place. Many of the stores have apprentice programs for youth and make impressive pieces.
I love the apothecary look and have thought about purchasing one for years.
One store had tables with water features in the center. They were gorgeous… And huge.
Lunch was amazing at a little restaurant nearby. Homemade noodles and dumplings.
Lots to see walking around…
In the end (literally the last 20 minutes) I did buy something. I will be moving into a different apartment and there is a lack of drawers in the kitchen.
