Mookie: October 2012

English Competition Excitement

Over the past couple of weeks we have been judges for a variety of different English Competitions in the Luzhou city area. We judged one on a Saturday a week ago and two this weekend. They are exciting for the kids and gives them an opportunity to speak English in front of group of people. Needless to say, they are nervous with the format usually consisting of a speech, a talent portion of some kind and maybe a Q&A session from the judges. They are usually pretty hard to sit through, but now that I know the students better, they are kinda fun. My personal favorite is randomly throughout the speeches the cheap balloons that are hung as decorations will pop and startle the hell out of everyone. Its awesome. Here are the images from the past couple (and probably last) English competitions.

My two student hostesses, Sally and Vivian.

Ash and I with our tutor, Mrs. Wang.

The winners!

Three of my year 2 students.

Luzhou Medical College set up. All of the colleges in Luzhou are competing for the best English Speakers in Alcohol City Award. Those colleges are; Luzhou Police College, Luzhou Chemical and Technical College, Luzhou Medical College, and Luzhou Vocational and Technical College (us).

The judges.

The crowd playing some game during break. This competition lasted for about four hours Sunday morning. Can you find Ashley?

Today's topic was 'Cherish'... There was a lot of cheesy English being recited... but this kid got extra points from me because not only is he wearing a piano key neck tie, but it is the graphic on his t-shirt. Classy. Sorry, I know that is coming from the guy with a scraggly beard and shoulder length hair...

Belly Busted II

Adding to Kath's first awesome post... sneaky is the key and I am not very, so with the weather getting colder, these are the only pics I could muster up. I know they are not as punny as Kath's, but here's trying :)

Bulbous Belly (potentionally) Beat Down. (he does not look happy with me).

Semi-Private Boater Belly. I suppose if you are traveling up River, there is no need to wear anything but soiled whitey tightys... which would explain why his wife is as far away from him as possible.

Back Alley Belly Bedtime

Ash's 25th B-Day!!!

Happy Birthday Ashley! My beautiful wife Ashley turned 25 on October 1. We had a nice day, she talked with family and we took a long walk along the Yangtze to downtown Luzhou, had tea by the river and ate sushi. Ashley shares her birthday with China's National Day, which was the 63rd this year. We made our way through the seas of people and uncountable hellos and had a very nice day. And that rare, but lovely blue sky came out to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY ASH!

Beautiful next to the Chang Jiang (Long River or Yangtze River)

Some homes

Hey Cabby! When my 8 year old stops peeing on the street, do you think you can do a u-turn while passing that car and give us a lift?

Enjoying the weather near the River

Family chillin... oh yeah, that dog is wearing a skirt

Mud Tea?

Real tea.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ASH!

Mahjong boat

Celebrating the People's Republic of China

Sky Fairy Mountain

Sky Fairy Mountain... if it weren't for the gray sky and the haze, this place would be amazing. It was still pretty cool. Ash and I took a little afternoon outing with Nathan and a few students to enjoy the scenery and hike the bluffs. Here are my favorite images of the day.