Several times in the past week and a half, I have the odd sensation of being in a reality TV show, perhaps an odd cross between "so You Think You Can Dance" (Vegas week) and "The Apprentice"... The intensity level of
the workshop, the relative isolation of being on this beautiful but out-of-the way campus, plus the 'authentic tasks' we have planned and presented in a staged environment all contributes to the sense of being in an alternate reality.
The students (middle & High school) arrived on Sunday and we have now actually taught some lessons...or rather, planned language related activities based on what they are learning in their intensive Chinese camp. These are a great bunch of kids, motivated to learn, but with the inevitable drama that comes with having a bunch of teenagers together. Kudos to their camp counselors...they have the hardest job out of all of us here!
Today the students had one of my favorite Chinese cultural experiences, making dumplings. It was rather ironic, however, that we made the dumplings in a building that is used during the school year as the Hillel House. We made Chinese pork dumplings in a house that normally serves the Jewish students...and I wondered whether if the plates we used out of the cupboard were Kosher plates (I hope not)!...I hope that their real Kosher plates were kept elsewhere...
Finally, I managed to go almost 2 weeks without locking my keys in my room...until today. Thank goodness Campus Safety is so prompt! Only two more days!
星期五,星期五。。。(Friday, Friday...)
Off to dinner and then to prepare for a Short presentation I am planning to make on Visible Thinking tomorrow afternoon! Until then...