Check me out fools.

       First off… I'm raising a ninja. Jerry.

Second off… I'm a mom. Sarah.

                                                       Third…. I HAVE FRIENDS!!! and they're so cute! Linda on                                                      the left (from Sweden) and Kelly on the right (from AMERICA)

            Fourth… nice translation guys. 

                               Underground markets have become my life.

                                              And fifth… There are like 5 ginormous malls 

                                       all on the same block. 

So I guess you could say I had my first encounter with someone being racist towards me. Why can't everyone just be nice? It was at this little store in one of the malls and I took a shirt of the hanger and got yelled at by like 3 workers. Then Linda tried to buy something and this guy just shoos her away like she's a dog, won't even make eye contact with her. I understand it's hard to communicate with us because we don't speak Chinese, but if I ever did that to someone while working at Vans, I would get in so much trouble! I guess it's literally just another world over here. I hope everyone at home will be conscious of the way you're treating other people. 

You've probably heard rumors that there are no such thing as lines, patience or manners here. Well, those rumors are correct. Like I said with the driving, if someone wants to switch lanes, they will do whatever they need to to get over, no matter what else is going on around them. It's the same everywhere else on your feet too. Everyone is pushing, shoving, running. It's complete chaos constantly. No one says please or thank you, no one gives you an apologetic smile if they ram into you, and NOBODY WILL HELP ME. 

And these kids that I'm teaching…. holly cow! I am cramming manners into their brains like there is no tomorrow. Not trying to be rude, but I'm worried about the generation of these kids when they are all older. They will not take no for an answer. And the worst part about it is they have their parents wrapped around their fingers. If they aren't happy with something they will throw the most obnoxious fit until they get it.... and they always do. So here I am trying to make a difference with two children each day. Not kidding, I make Jerry say please and thank you with everything we do! And when he starts to whine about something I say, "Jerry, it's not the end of the world." I feel like I'm starting to get somewhere, but who knows! I'm also trying to work on the whole cheating thing too. Because he will NOT lose regardless of if it's going up the stairs or playing with Legos. I really hope Jerry makes it big someday because by the time I'm done with him, he'll be the nicest, sweetest boy here.

Seriously, if any of you have any tips for me on what to say to these kids, what to play, what to do, how to help them with their English but make it fun too, that would be so helpful! I'm up for any advice. Jerry is 4 and Sarah is 1 and a half, so she's pretty tough….

I miss your manners!

xoxo