Well while the last couple weeks have been busy for me not much has happened. I did go visit the orchestra which was quite nice. The symphony hall was extraordinary, comfortable, and affordable. Good seats cost only about $30 to hear a professional symphony being played. This time I went to hear a parent of a student.

The two interesting things did come up though. One is that the school has an interesting measurement in place for days school gets cancelled. When school is cancelled rather than make up the day later, teachers have to post assignments online for the students to do at home. I did this and was pleasantly surprised most of my students did the work. However it is still something teachers have to train students to do. The idea of doing work at home versus a make up day I think is encouragement enough for most kids to do it, plus if the whole school has the expectation that students will get the work done helps in the endeavor.

One will find the Chinese napping all over the place, especially Ikea (more on that another day). However what I discovered is this is a country that believes and supports the ideas of siestas. Growing up I always heard that Spanish businesses would close down so people could nap, and while this may have been done in the past I have never seen it. But I have never heard this as referring to the Chinese. A colleague of mine brought it up when she was addressing her old job working at a public school here in China. She mentioned that students get out so late as they have a two hour lunch break so students can take naps, or go home and eat etc.. I found this interesting and decided to text a local friend I have met. Lo and behold she greeted me saying she just woke up from her nap. After I inquired on this, her job (working with a local cell phone carrier), gives them two hour lunch breaks where they take naps in their offices. After finding this out I really started to notice the Chinese everywhere taking naps while at work. I have even woken up a sales clerk before asleep in a lawn chair so I can pay for the goods I bought. I for one love this idea. I love naps, and think the world would be a better place if more businesses for nap friendly. Anyways take care, I’ll be posting next week as I will be reporting back from my trip to Thailand!