Tyler settles into life in Shenyang, China

Hello to all in the great land that is Australia,

Yet another update of my Eastern adventures. All is grand, quite simply. For a week and a half, potentially longer I have been living in my humble abode in the city of Shenyang, teaching at my lovely school- Happyland. What a fantastic time it has been.

Leaving Beijing on August 28th was such a bittersweet moment, it was like leaving home and all the new and wonderful people I had just met. My time in that city has memories I never want to forget whether it be conquering the Great Wall, Rickshawing through the alleyways of Hutong, eating scorpions in Wangfujing, asking locals to bare their stomachs for a scavenger hunt. Ahhh, there are just too many to name.

The final days in Beijing predominantly involved practice teaching, which was an insightful experience! I mean, for the past 20-something days I had done theory after theory lesson on grammar, or classroom management or rhymes and chants. Then all of a sudden it was time to teach. At first nerves besieged me, as only leaving school 9 or so months ago I didn't really know if my age would affect their attitude towards me being their teacher. But it was fine. The class was amazing.

One girl, Sally- she was a star. She was that student, whenever it went quiet and answers were not being said, the one that you're like, 'hey, Sally do you know the answer?' Good times. So five days of waking before dawn was worth it, the highlight being on the second to last day when I attempted the students to hold up a card whenever the word. Me saying the words- fine. However when I got Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine fame involved, not so much. I played, 'you've got the love' and the kids would not have a bar of it, I think it was her accent, sorry Florence. In the end I was just like hold up your card and dance. Just dance. So the did, and I have a shoddy image of them doing just that which I will send out very shortly, it is imperative I do so.

On the last Thursday of August we had the graduation dinner and after party held in Beijing's hip, night district, San Li Tun. Ahhh, then that fateful Saturday came where we had to say goodbye. It was horribly sad, I did not cry, but tears could have easily swelled. Got on the bus, trekked half the way to Shenyang (well,. from where the bus dropped us off to the train station) carrying my backpack that weighed at least 19 kilos on my back as you might have guessed. I think my muscle capacity increased by atleast a percentage.

Then we caught the train. To my new home. So back to the present moment, we were dwelling for far too long my friends.

I am currently sitting in the Kindergarten office typing this incessantly long message to you all. Happyland, how I love it here. Where to begin though. I'll give you a run down of my day-to-day happenings.

6.30am (really, 6.45)- Wake up, shower, get dressed, eat fruit, try to remember the bowl I take my dinner home to bring it back to the school.

7.15am- Walk to school and feel like a movie star doing so. Every head turns to see me. China, I would not say is a homogeneous society, as it houses over like 59 ethnic minorities and whatnot, but seeing a westerner is not really a common thing, so they do enjoy a good star and not gonna lie; boosts my ego a bit.

7.30-8am- Stand at the school gate and greet all parents and children upon their entry.

8am- Eat breakfast. Usually this rice porridge.(I am going to miss rice back in Australia oh so badly.)

8.40am-9.40am- Teach the younger kids, 2-3 year olds. SO MUCH FUN. I get to teach them farm animals and body parts and sing songs. It's great fun, really. And I am really starting to build relationships with them, where if they see me they'll run up and hug me or yell my name.

10.30-10.50am- More teaching.

11.30-12pm- Further teaching, but of a really advanced class, whom I taught perception to the other day. Like, in, on, behind etc.

12pm-2pm- BEST TIME OF THE DAY. Lunch, followed by nap time, where often I sleep ion a small bed to myself amongst the children.

2-3.30pm- Further teaching, of 4-5 years olds, a few 6 year olds amongst this. They're fun to teach, games can be played. They particularly love 'duck, duck, goose'. Like, love!

Then at 4 O CLOCK. I was teaching O CLOCK just before, that's why I emphasised it. O CLOCK. I get my dinner and take it home.

It may not sound like a lot, but I am awfully tired at the end. Don't fret though guys, 'm relishing every experience I have here. I must make a special mention to Karena Sneath though. Fantastic Early Childhood Education teacher during my year 12 studies in 09. I am using a lot of that theory right now.

Ｌｏｔｓ　ｏｆ　ｌｏｖｅ，　Ｔｙｌｅｒ