Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Caitlin Returns To The Stage, Paid in Fruit

And you ask, "How are you going to eat all of those?"
Last week was a teaching bonanza. And yes, just like the wild west Bonanza. It was nuts.

I decided to take on not one, not two, not three, but four extra classes this week. I mean, practice makes perfect, and I love spending more face time with the kids. By Friday, I was being held together by iced green teas and cookies, trying to bring down a raging fever while giving unit quizzes.

Some wisdom: iced green tea is great, money is great, but sleep is superior. Don't take too many classes.

Anyway, back in the saddle on Saturday night, since James and I volunteered to do a song-and-dance teaching demo for a community event celebrating the Moon Festival (which actually happens Wednesday...which has something to do with rabbits and palaces and everyone eats these cookies called "moon cakes" and eats pomelos). We strapped on our wet weather gear - anticipating the typhoon to snag us on the way - and stomped down to school. It turns out the event was a disco light performance of sorts, where hundreds of Taiwanese neighbors sit in chairs and listen to middle-aged disco-dressed women sing catchy Taiwanese tunes and everyone enters raffles for microwaves and refrigerators. The emcee was wearing a pirate costume and Kim Jong-Il glasses.

Aside from almost catching on fire from the unsafe, very large fireworks that were shot off five feet from my face, the night was successful. We taught them English flashcards and I sang the Hokey-Pokey on the microphone. Man, it felt good to be back on stage again, even if it were a collapsible truck bed decked out in carnival lights. It also felt sweaty.

After our ten minute hurrah, we we gifted with giant boxes of pomelos. Though I have received many flowers, cards, chocolates, and hugs after a good night of singing, I have never walked away with such an obscure and heavy reward.

Tonight, Moon Festival barbecue. Who knew, it's like the Forth of July, for moons. 

53 comments:

  1. Sounds like you are having fun!!!! More pictures please on facebook

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  2. Happy Moon Festival. I'm glad you didn't catch on fire and you enjoyed your singing and dancing for the Taiwanese people. They are lucky to have you...Miss you heaps....oxoxoxox Mommy

    P.S. What Jennifer said!!!

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  3. Wow! After four extra classes, seems you had great time.The fire works five feet from your face, that would be AWESOME. One day I hope this would happen to me.Really great reading this -Jeronimo

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  4. Sounds exciting. The fruit looks very good. I wish I someday get rewarded with food, I like to eat. Your posts are very enjoyable and humorous. I enjoy reading them because I always seem to learn something new. Continue on with your good time in Taiwan and bless you. Treston-Jonah

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  5. I enjoyed reading this blog. Sounds like you had a good time. It is better than other blogs because you don't have to sit there reading with a white blank wall in the background. I like the pictures too. I bet it was scary to almost catch on fire! I you have a good day!

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  6. Wow! it sounds interesting. I am really getting into your blogs that you have written. Also, I was excited to read about fireworks. I really like your articles because it sound so similar to my country where I was born. I will wait for you to write more about how the Moon Festival was and I will be happy to read it. I can't wait! Hope you will write it soon. And take care!!! Selenge

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  7. Hello, this is Meng again in your mother's computer class, commenting on your blog. It must have been interesting to celebrate the moon cake festival over at Taiwan because that is a very special holiday for them. Did you ever get to try moon cakes? There is so many different kinds of filling that it is close to impossible to try them all. There is also swallow's nest moon cakes! I wonder how that would taste like. It must have been a disappointment to go outside with rainy gears. I would be disappointed if there really was a typhoon. Good luck in the future!

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  8. It seems you had a great time singing and dancing for the Taiwanese people.
    Continue in your adventure in Taiwan. God bless you!

    Kim W.

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  9. Wow, that would be one crazy class session. It's probably good that you had a party afterward. It's kind of funny that you sang the Hokey-Pokey on stage. I hope you had fun.

    --Marciello

    PS- I think you meant to say we were not we we

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  10. Wow! The part where you said that you almost caught on fire seemed very frightening, but it probably made the your experience in Taiwon more exciting. I am glad you had a great time and hopefully you could visit there again.

    P.S. Have a nice day - Anthony

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  11. Hi! I am a student who in your mother's computer class. On Wednesday.. I am celebrating the Moon Festival in the United State with my family too. But I want to celebrate the Moon Festival in Taiwan. I hope you’re have fun.

    --Hayley

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  12. Hello my name is Dianna and I am in your mother's class. That is very sweet of you to take the time to teach the kid's even though you were very sick. How much do you like teaching? You must like it a lot in order to make such sacrifices for your students. It is very interesting to me of what experiences you go threw in Taiwan, I hope one day I can experience the same.

    -Dianna

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  13. Yeah, I saw that news on TV, a powerful typhoon was attacking Taiwan and China, this typhoon caused a big destruction in these countries. I feel so sorry about that!
    I celebrate the Moon Festival on Wednesday with my family too! I ate a lot of traditional food, that is cool.
    Kennet

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  14. Hi,I'm Mercedes from your mother's computer class. I read your new entry blog. Happy Moon Festival :). I like how you love to spend more time with kids, and I like the wisdom part it made me smile and think, you are right sleep is superior. I read that you almost caught on fire it seemed dangerous. And also I love to read your blogs and it influences me to read more blogs because I'm not really having fun reading books but yours is the best.

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  16. It sounds like you were having a lot of fun, celebrating moon day in Taiwan! The moon cakes must been really delicious. At least better than the ones they have here in America. The fireworks seem really scary, you should be careful with those! Your blogs are really interesting, i hope you share more with us! (:
    -Eunice

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  17. Hey this is Chris from your mom’s 2nd period. Wow you’re taking so many classes .It sounded like you’re having fun singing and dancing and I hope you ate lots of moon cake and send some back for Mrs. Kenny because she didn’t get any from her students :].

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  18. Hey this is Jonathan you might remember me from your last post. I like how you are taking four extra classes. It sounds like you had a lot of fun singing and dancing at the festival. It’s a good thing you didn’t catch on fire from the fireworks because you wouldn't be able to post this.

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  19. Happy Moon Festival, well, hope you can have fun every year of the Moon festival day.
    -ming

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  20. Wow, i admire you for doing even more than you already are! Is this the Autumn Moon Festival? They have that in china and we eat moon cakes for that too, I wonder if it's the same thing. I just realized you probably already know what I'm talking about because of Annie, haha. What are pomelos anyways?

    Emmalaine

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  21. wow I really learned A lot. I feel real bad that you almost caught on fire

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  22. Hi I'm from your mom's computer class. It seems like you had fun at the Moon Festival! Moon cakes in Taiwan must taste good. I think it might be better than the ones we have here. I love your blogs! They are very interesting.

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  24. Hello, I'm Jess and I'm in your mom's fifth period computer class. Wow, four extra class! I would have certainly gone crazy. Being paid in fruit is definitely a unique experience that not a lot of people can say they have tried. It sounds really cool, oh and I agree with Chris, send us some moon cakes please :D

    -Jess

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  25. Hey this is Lindsay again who is in your mother's computer class. As a general statement I think this post and all your other posts are very interesting. I love reading about different cultures and countries ,especially in Europe so this is different for me. With that said I am enjoying reading about Taiwan. I do agree that the Moon Festival is a lot like 4th of July. Once again I look forward to your next blog post.

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  26. Hey this is Hieu from your mom's computer class. The Moon Festival is a great festival that I hope you will remember I know I will because I also celebrated it. I hope you have a great time and rest since your taking four classes. I hoped that you did enjoying yourself singing and dancing to the music of the Festival and stay safe from the weathers in Taiwan. I will be waiting for your next blog and which will be also be fun as well.

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  27. Hi, I'm Fiona, from your mother's Digital Citizenship class. I read your last blog as well, and it seems like you're having the time of your life in Taiwan! I love festivals like that...The lights, the sounds, THE FOOD! Going to and participating in the festival sounds like a great reward for having four extra classes, too!

    I also love that you're such an active member of society. Keep it up and keep the updates flowing! :)

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  28. Hey, it's Joan! I'm in your mom's 5th period class. I think it's amazing how you took 4 extra classes! I love how you're also traveling and exploring the rest of world. I'm glad you didn't actually get hurt from those fireworks and overall it seems like you are having a blast although your performance was only on a truck. Hope to hear more from you soon !

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  29. Hey Caitlin! It's Leslie again from your mom's Digital Citizenship class. Wow, I kinda envy you taking all those extra classes. I agree with your insight on wisdom, it is very true because if you don't sleep you have no energy to do anything. My family and I also celebrate the Moon Festival. I'm not a big fan of moon cakes, but I'll eat it. Did you ever try the moon cakes and if so did you like it? I'm really enjoying your blogs and I hope you will continue to post more in the near future.

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  30. Hi Caitlin. :)You sound like you are having a wonderful time with all of your experiences in Taiwan. Everyone there seems so welcoming to you and I'm glad that you're having a great time. Have a wonderful day!

    -Allison from Mrs. Kenney's class.

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  32. hey im elvira from your moms class im glad you had fun dancing and singing. You take a lot of classes well as long as you enjoy it it shouldn't be a problem for you and i hope you keep on having fun and enjoying the kids. oh and i almost forgot you can send some moon cake to ms.kenney so she can gives us some. :) well it was nice reading your blog i enjoyed it a lot have a nice day.
    -Elvira

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  33. It sounds like a lot of fun in Taiwan. I never celebrated Moon Day in Taiwan before. I bet the moon cakes taste way better there. I'm looking forward to your next blog!
    -Peter

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  34. Hey Caitlin,
    It's Julienne. I don't think you remember me but it's okay :). But anyways, I think it's crazy taking another 4 classes. It also sounded like you had fun teaching them the song Hokey-Pokey and dancing at the festival. Good thing that you're okay because everybody would've been worried about you but it's okay now since you're all good :)
    PS. Slow down with the moon cakes, just kidding :)

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  35. Hello, my name is Sophia. I am a student in your mother's digital citizenship class. It sounds like you had way too much on your plate. But it also sounds like bundles of fun. Honestly I don't think I could do all of the things you have been doing with out going insane. Keep up the amazing job of teaching those cute little kindergartners, but don't kill your self in the process.
    Sincerely,
    Sophia

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  36. Jonathan
    Hi, I am from your mom's fifth period class. I liked when you said, "some wisdom: iced green tea is great, money is great, but sleep is superior. Don't take too many classes." I really don't know why but it just did. I could not take four extra classes. I would have been so tired.

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  37. Hey this is Eric from your moms 5th period,
    Well Happy Moon Festival...Okay so 5 classes sounds like a lot and your Saturday night sounds like so much fun, moon pies are really good and the part where you said that you almost got caught on fire seemed crazy. anyways i liked your blog and i hope to read more soon.

    -Eric

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  38. Hello I'm Mike and I am in your mother's class. This is a very interesting story and i feel very sorry for you that you are so busy and don't have any time to rest. I hope you continue to have a great time in Taiwan and continue to do new and fun things.

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  39. You must really like teaching since you are putting more of your time in to teach little kids. You must be admired by all the little kids in Taiwan. I hope you get better from your raging fever.

    P.S. "Open Sesame"

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  40. Hello I'm Ron, I am glad that you have been having a great time. I'm in your moms computer class. By the way HAPPY MOON FESTIVAL!! It is really cool how u took 4 extra class's. I'm going to be honest right now, I Probably can't survive a day doing the stuff you have been doing.I would have been so tired.

    September 25, 2010 4:43 AM

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  41. Arman
    Hi, I am from your mom's fifth period class. It sounded like you had fun teaching them the song Hokey-Pokey and dancing at the festival. i know i would have to. I think that its cool that your are taking four extra classes. I could never have. well good luck and happy moon festival!!

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  42. Jonathan
    I like that you took four extra classes.I could not take as much as you.Maybe I will start being more involved in everything.Your my motive.

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  43. I've never heard of pomelos before. When I saw that picture, I thought that those green things were pears; the shape suggested it.
    Everything you described reminded me of camping trips, and be careful with the fireworks! Those hurt.
    Hope you catch up on your sleep!
    -- Steph.

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  44. Hello I am Ky from your mom's class. After i read your blog, I want to join Moon Festival. I was born in Asia, that is reason i love moon cake too. That sound fun and successful when you connect with them. i hope you can posting something interesting everyday. However, happy Moon Festival.

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  45. Hi, this is Vicki and I'm in your mom's 6th period class. It must have been fun celebrating the Moon Festival in Taiwan with all the fireworks and food. It sucks that there was a typhoon over there, but at least you had fun and got a chance to eat all the great food and moon cake! I, personally am not a big fan of moon cakes but eating them on that day is pretty much a tradition so I guess eating them once a year isn't that bad...I hope you liked it though! =D Well, I hope you enjoy your classes and your time in Taiwan! Have fun! =D

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  46. Hi, my name is Janna and I'm in your mother's Digital Citizenship Class. I think it's wonderful how you're taking so many classes and enjoying the Taiwanese culture. Your stay there sounds super amazing, and it makes me want to travel and experience something different as well. Keep doing what you love, and take care. :)

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  47. wow that sounds like it was a fun festal i love to eat and fire woks are pretty cool too.I'm glad you did not catch on fire even though it would be pretty metal to live to tell the tale

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  48. is isidro It sound like fun that festival in Taiwan because all the cakes and fireworks and entertainments I would like to go one day to the festival.

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  49. Kidus

    Hi, I am from your Mother's sixth period class. The story is very interesting, happy moon festival. I like the part about wisdom. Keep teaching the kindergartners. I hope you have more fun in Taiwan.

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  50. Hello I am Ali from your mom's 6th period class. You must have an exciting time there in Taiwan.You must have a hard time taking classes and at the same time when you get back you have to take more classes.I hope you enjoy your Moon Festival.

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  51. This article is very interesting. I hope you had a great moon festival.

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  52. Hi, I am Natalie and I'm in your mom's class. This article got my attention because I learned knew things like moon cakes are made at a moon festival. Hope that this was a great experience for you and that you had fun in Taiwan.

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  53. I agree! Sleep is superior! It makes such a major difference toward your next day! I'm glad you like the Moon Festival. It's a pretty big holiday to Chinese people. It's a day where we celebrate being a family by getting together and enjoying moon cakes, tea, fruits, and other desserts! We also pray to the moon, I know it sounds weird but it's part of the tradition. I love the Moon Festival and I'm glad you do too!

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