Questions and Answers

So I've received lots of questions about China, so I thought I would just do one big Q&A post. That way y'all can get the info you want all at once. So, here it goes:

When do you leave for China? July 30.

Where will you be? In Taiyuan, the capital of Shanxi Province. I’ll be teaching at a boarding school there. And for those of you who don’t know where that is: .

TA-DA!!!

Here's a few tidbits about Taiyuan:

Population: 4, 201, 591 (that's alot of people)

Climate: semi-arid (whatever that means)

Food: known for its stir-fried meat, noodles, and vinegar

What will you be doing? Teaching English to children at the elementary school. I’ll be teaching either 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, or 5^th grade English. Not sure which yet. I’ll be teaching 8 classes twice a week, and on my other days I’ll have office hours.

Do you know any Chinese? Uh … no. Haha.

How are you going to teach when you don’t know the language? That’s what my first month of training is for. Also, I’ll have Chinese co-teachers who can help me in the classroom.

Where are you going to do your training? In Beijing. There will be about 120 of us staying in a hotel for the month of August. I’ve been told it’s like camping in a hotel. My mother’s definition of camping is staying in a hotel, so I’m not sure what to expect.

Will you get language training while you are over there? Some.

How long will you be gone? 11 months.

Are you excited? This is a rhetorical question. If you ask me this, I will just give you a blank stare. OF COURSE I’M EXCITED!!!

What are you most excited about? I’m really looking forward to meeting my students and just serving them and loving them.  

Are you nervous? Again, rhetorical question.

What are you most nervous about? Um . . . if I’m going to be honest, I’m a little terrified at the idea of the squatty potties at the school. For those of you who know what I’m talking about, you get this. For those of you who don’t, you can ask me about it in person. Or better yet, ask my mother.

What about med school? I was accepted to UT med school and was granted deferred acceptance. So I will be going there in the fall of 2014.

Are you going with anyone? Yes, I am on a team of five girls going to this school. My teammates are awesome. One of my best friends, Anna, is on my team. Team Taiyuan is gonna rock!!

Are you going to get to travel around China while you’re there? YES!!!

Are you going to come back married to a Chinese man? No joke, I have legitimately been asked this question. And the answer is: who knows? I never say never anymore. I’m reminded of that terrible Sara Evans song Suds in the Bucket: that line where she says, “You can’t fence time, and you can’t stop LOOOOVVVEEE!!!” (Y’all know I’m gonna be bringing my country music with me, right? Taiyuan better get ready!) 

Are you going to miss your family? Absolutely.

Will your family miss you? I should hope so. Elise gets my car while I'm gone, so that should console her. 

That's all for today folks. 34 more days!!!