Karen is originally from Chicago and the two of us both volunteered at the Chinese Mutual Aid Association on the north side. We knew the same people, but met in Shanghai. Small world!
Amber is Australian and won't let the rest of us forget it. The two of us had to stick together as we were the only girls in the branch until Karen joined us in March.
Iain is from South Africa and he and his girlfriend Claire (who teaches at another branch) are always up for fun! The two of them traveled together for over a year through Europe and Asia before settling down in Shanghai to teach.
Maria has been my language exchange partner and friend the entire time I've been here. She is always willing to help - she's the one who translated the day that the plumber was here - and she let's me practice my chinese and doesn't talk slowly to me!
Richard is also from South Africa which sometimes confuses the students. He's had students tell him his English is very good. He's also had his roommate (who's from Singapore) tell him that he is not a native speaker.
Charlie (or Charles to his students) is originally from Michigan and we both lived in Chicago at the same time. He is one of the most upbeat people I know, always ready to try something new. I still think his English Club on alternative ways to say something is "convenient" was a stroke of genius.
Geoff is from Pittsburgh. Right before this photo he shaved his goatee off, so this is not quite the way I think of him. The two of us have our favorite karaoke song, which we hope to reprise this Friday at my party. John Denver anyone?
Stephanie and Maria together - Stephanie is a part time teacher who always has made me smile and feel comfortable trying out my chinese. She is a very prepared teacher - seems to go into class with more copies than anyone!
Elyn is one of the salespeople at our branch - her office is right next to the teacher's lounge so she often had to deal with us laughing and complaining while she was making a sales pitch.
A view of the front desk, from back to front - Jory, Tina and Daisy. These ladies got the job done (and ordered me a lot of fan qie chao dan (fried eggs and tomatoes together)!
Jessie is another salesperson and one of the kindest people I've met. She was able to calm down clients and teachers alike with her smile.
Vivian is another saleswoman - always ready with a hug and a question. She'd ask me how to say words in English and I'd talk to her in Chinese.
The girls! Front row - Jory, Tina, Elyn; Back row - Jessie, me, Vivian, Daisy; Great crew!
Jonathon was my manager for the last five months. He's great at karaoke and helped me sing my first two songs in Chinese. He told me that one of the songs I tried to sing was a level 9 song (that means it was very impressive).
me and Jonathon
The big bear is what caught my attention initially, but then I realized that it was a great backdrop for a picture. This is Frank and me. Frank was my student back in January and he offered to be one of my language exchange partners. We've talked about everything from religion to food choices. This night we had Macau style food.
My original manager Curt and I got together on my first day of no work. We caught up over soup and ice cream and had a great evening. Part of our original plan was to go to a movie, but since it was Children's Day the choices were rather limited. Curt has been my cheerleader over the last several months and someone that I really trust. I hope to see him more in the future.
My friend Rose and I at dinner. Rose and her husband took my family out to dinner, we had great Cantonese food and caught up on life. Rose has been one of my best friends here - always there with a smile, a helpful phrase and a question about idioms!
