The sound of shovels scraping the sidewalks awakens me in
the mornings now. It is winter time in Harbin. Sometimes I forget I am living and
working in a foreign country. The sounds of the shovels remind me of shoveling
snow on the farm back home. Now it is the same freshmen who I teach in the
classroom who are armed with shovels and brooms.
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| This is one class of students out sweeping the rain before the snow came. Notice in left middle ground, Money's mittens attached with a string. In the middle Briana always needing to be seen. Middle background is Charles with a broom (he's the one who called an American restaurant during class). |
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| Their class picture with the shiny shovels and brooms. |
I taught them the word shoveling the same day I was teaching shortened speech.
Example:
What are you doing? -> Wat'r ya' doin'?
Yesterday, when I asked them how the were doing, the students answered. "I'm so tired." <in a very whiny voice> Knowing I always ask them "Why?" They told me, "We were clean snow." <insert them gesturing in their seats the motion of sweeping and shoveling>
Taking advantage of the opportunity to review, I said, "Oh, you were shoveling snow." I was met with puzzled looks. Slightly disappointed they didn't seem to remember the word, but not fully discouraged I said it again and wrote 'shoveling' on the board. The class did the "Ohhhh" sigh as they all said "SHOV' LIN' "
Only one of the reasons I enjoy my classes, because they now actually understand my accent and whether they realize it or not, they are starting to sound a little more Kansan every day!
Stay warm! Lora
