Santa's Comin' to Town
“Ho ho ho, merry Christmas” “Ho ho ho merrweee Christmas” they hollered back in unison as I lobbed candy into the mass of fifty or sixty students and parents. Standing on the dirty sidewalk jammed between the narrow street and the doors of my school it was definitely a moment of clarity; this was a unique experience in so many more ways than I had anticipated. Not just that Christmas day, but the life and work in general, the day to day of a teacher in Taiwan was making me laugh and smile in a very different way. My white synthetic beard, despite the rash, could not hide the fact that I was loving every minute of my Holiday stardom.
Two weeks before Christmas my manager Judy had asked, or stated rather, that they were tracking down a costume, a very tall costume to fit my unusually long dimensions. Apparently I was to be Claus, the one and only. I was heading into a class just as she told me and I asked my students if they had heard, “Santa Claus is coming to our school guys. Aren’t you excited?” Their blank stares made it clear they had no idea what I was talking about, but two days later I showed that same class a picture of Santa and those expressionless faces were gone. They certainly knew who the legendary man was and after being told in Chinese that he would visit our school on Christmas the holiday spirit really picked up around the school. There was a lot to be learned before the big day, namely the Jingle Bells chorus, who Rudolf is, and what Santa actually does; minor details really.
Fearing fifty blank faces on Christmas day, I was more than motivated to familiarize everyone with the ins and outs of Christmas. The next week and half was spent drilling jingle bells, drawing Christmas posters and cutting out snowflakes, but it wasn’t until the Christmas tree and ornaments went up in the front lobby that the Christmas spirit sunk in for me. It felt a bit peculiar and maybe even a little forced, how I imagine people from the Arizona desert feel; not truly Christmas as I see it, but Christmas nonetheless.
I arrived at the school Christmas morning and the activities and carols weren’t starting until noon or so. The Claus costume wasn’t in yet, but they assured me it would be there soon and would fit beautifully. I, in turn, assured them that it would be late and would most definitely not fit. I’m 6’5” and its just shear economics that make it impossible for the few stores that have Santa costumes to carry my size. It would be used roughly every 12 to 15 years. To their surprise and my expectation the costume arrived at 12:30 and came to the tops of my ankles and beginning of my wrists.
I had been hiding in the office for two hours and the students had been wondering why I wasn’t there. My manager gave the signal, “I think I hear Santa coming”, and I trotted out of the office looking round and jolly, with bags of candy. The students roared with laughter and I was ear to ear in smile as I grabbed the microphone and told them the only way to get the goods was to sing Jingle Bells in their best English. They nailed it and I showered them in sugary delights.
I had always felt important at my school, being the only foreign teacher and all, but standing on the sidewalk dolling out candy and riling my students up with Christmas trivia and ho ho hoes I felt much more a part of everyone’s lives than I had in the months before. Without a doubt it’s a Christmas I’ll remember.
Kong Xi Fa Tsai! Happy Chinese New Year! Wish you all have a wonderful year of the PIG!
We won't be having a happy hour this month due to the long vacation this coming Chinese New Year, but we will be having a dinner party / happy hour next month, March 10th 2007(Saturday).
Reach To Teach Party @ Citizen Cain
Date: March 10th, Saturday
Time: 9pm~late
Drink Specials
Food Special: NT199
Please Note:
The Perils of Competition
With the opportunity to impart a single piece of teaching wisdom I must speak on competition. This motivational tool is one of my best friends, and yes, one of my worst enemies. The past few weeks I have been struggling to determine the right mixture of competition in my activities. I believe competition can educe a level of concentration and commitment to the material at hand that non-competitive activities cannot usually do. However, too much of a good thing can kill you, or in this case, can outright devastate a class.
Let me give you an example. I regularly play a bit of dodge-ball in the last few minutes of class to give the kids a bit of excitement and energize them on their way out. To participate each student must produce the language from that day correctly, and then must ask the next student the relevant question to get the small soft blocks used in the attack. For several weeks this was a great closer to many of my classes, but as the game evolved and the students started keeping count of wins and losses each week the games became more intense.
Eventually, the losing team would be on the verge of tears, enraged, and somehow always feeling cheated. The winning team's elation and pride would disappear as their angered peers complained and stormed out of the classroom. Virtually all the students departed angry or guilt ridden. A balance must be found between competition that creates an obsession with winning and that which fuels healthy learning; finding this balance, as I obviously discovered, can be tricky.
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Rat |
1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 |
People born in the Year of the Rat are noted for their charm and attraction for the opposite sex. They work hard to achieve their goals, acquire possessions, and are likely to be perfectionists. They are basically thrifty with money. Rat people are easily angered and love to gossip. Their ambitions are big, and they are usually very successful. They are most compatible with people born in the years of the Dragon, Monkey, and Ox. |
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Ox |
1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 |
People born in the Year of the Ox are patient, speak little, and inspire confidence in others. They tend, however, to be eccentric, and bigoted, and they anger easily. They have fierce tempers and although they speak little, when they do they are quite eloquent. Ox people are mentally and physically alert. Generally easy-going, they can be remarkably stubborn, and they hate to fail or be opposed. They are most compatible with Snake, Rooster, and Rat people. |
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Tiger |
1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 |
Tiger people are sensitive, given to deep thinking, capable of great sympathy. They can be extremely short-tempered, however. Other people have great respect for them, but sometimes tiger people come into conflict with older people or those in authority. Sometimes Tiger people cannot make up their minds, which can result in a poor, hasty decision or a sound decision arrived at too late. They are suspicious of others, but they are courageous and powerful. Tigers are most compatible with Horses, Dragons, and Dogs. |
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Rabbit |
1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 |
People born in the Year of the Rabbit are articulate, talented, and ambitious. They are virtuous, reserved, and have excellent taste. Rabbit people are admired, trusted, and are often financially lucky. They are fond of gossip but are tactful and generally kind. Rabbit people seldom lose their temper. They are clever at business and being conscientious, never back out of a contract. They would make good gamblers for they have the uncanny gift of choosing the right thing. However, they seldom gamble, as they are conservative and wise. They are most compatible with those born in the years of the Sheep, Pig, and Dog. |
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Dragon |
1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000 |
People born in the Year of the Dragon are healthy, energetic, excitable, short-tempered, and stubborn. They are also honest, sensitive, brave, and they inspire confidence and trust. Dragon people are the most eccentric of any in the eastern zodiac. They neither borrow money nor make flowery speeches, but they tend to be soft-hearted which sometimes gives others an advantage over them. They are compatible with Rats, Snakes, Monkeys, and Roosters. |
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Snake |
1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001 |
People born in the Year of the Snake are deep. They say little and possess great wisdom. They never have to worry about money; they are financially fortunate. Snake people are often quite vain, selfish, and a bit stingy. Yet they have tremendous sympathy for others and try to help those less fortunate. Snake people tend to overdo, since they have doubts about other people's judgment and prefer to rely on themselves. They are determined in whatever they do and hate to fail. Although calm on the surface, they are intense and passionate. Snake people are usually good-looking and sometimes have marital problems because they are fickle. They are most compatible with the Ox and Rooster. |
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Horse |
1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002 |
People born in the Year of the Horse are popular. They are cheerful, skillful with money, and perceptive, although they sometimes talk too much. They are wise, talented, good with their hands, and sometimes have a weakness for members of the opposite sex. They are impatient and hot-blooded about everything except their daily work. They like entertainment and large crowds. They are very independent and rarely listen to advice. They are most compatible with Tigers, Dogs, and Sheep. |
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Ram |
1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003 |
People born in the Year of Ram are elegant and highly accomplished in the arts. They seem to be, at first glance, better off than those born in the zodiac's other years. But ram year people are often shy, pessimistic, and puzzled about life. They are usually deeply religious, yet timid by nature. Sometimes clumsy in speech, they are always passionate about what they do and what they believe in. Ram people never have to worry about having the best in life for their abilities make money for them, and they are able to enjoy the creature comforts that they like. Ram people are wise, gentle, and compassionate. They are compatible with Rabbits, Pigs, and Horses. |
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Monkey |
1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004 |
People born in the Year of the Monkey are the erratic geniuses of the cycle. Clever, skillful, and flexible, they are remarkably inventive and original and can solve the most difficult problems with ease. There are few fields in which Monkey people wouldn't be successful but they have a disconcerting habit of being too agreeable. They want to do things now, and if they cannot get started immediately, they become discouraged and sometimes leave their projects. Although good at making decisions, they tend to look down on others. Having common sense, Monkey people have a deep desire for knowledge and have excellent memories. Monkey people are strong willed but their anger cools quickly. They are most compatible with the Dragon and Rat. |
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Rooster |
1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005 |
People born in the Year of the Rooster are deep thinkers, capable, and talented. They like to be busy and are devoted beyond their capabilities and are deeply disappointed if they fail. People born in the Rooster Year are often a bit eccentric, and often have rather difficult relationship with others. They always think they are right and usually are! They frequently are loners and though they give the outward impression of being adventurous, they are timid. Rooster people's emotions like their fortunes, swing very high to very low. They can be selfish and too outspoken, but are always interesting and can be extremely brave. They are most compatible with Ox, Snake, and Dragon. |
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Dog |
1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006 |
People born in the Year of the Dog possess the best traits of human nature. They have a deep sense of loyalty, are honest, and inspire other people's confidence because they know how to keep secrets. But Dog People are somewhat selfish, terribly stubborn, and eccentric. They care little for wealth, yet somehow always seem to have money. They can be cold emotionally and sometimes distant at parties. They can find fault with many things and are noted for their sharp tongues. Dog people make good leaders. They are compatible with those born in the Years of the Horse, Tiger, and Rabbit. |
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Pig |
1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007 |
People born in the Year of the Pig are chivalrous and gallant. Whatever they do, they do with all their strength. For Boar Year people, there is no left or right and there is no retreat. They have tremendous fortitude and great honesty. They don't make many friends but they make them for life, and anyone having a Boar Year friend is fortunate for they are extremely loyal. They don't talk much but have a great thirst for knowledge. They study a great deal and are generally well informed. Boar people are quick tempered, yet they hate arguments and quarreling. They are kind to their loved ones. No matter how bad problems seem to be, Boar people try to work them out, honestly if sometimes impulsively. They are most compatible with Rabbits and Sheep. |