Almost Teaching

I got my teaching schedule!  The department finally decided who is teaching what classes.  I have:

Freshman oral English (2 sections)

Junior writing (2 sections)

Junior video (2 sections)

You may notice some irony here -- how is the girl who never watches movies teaching a movie class?  I will be learning along with my students and getting some help from my movie-savvy teammate.

Regarding my teaching schedule, here are some reflections on ways that China is NOT like the U.S.

1) China maybe flies by the seat of its pants.  I don't think an American department would feel comfortable making their class schedules 3 days before the start of classes, and I don't think American teachers would feel comfortable having only 3 days to plan their courses!

2) China is maybe not as information-hungry as the U.S.  As an American, there are lots of pieces of information I would like to know right now, such as: How many students will I have?  When is the October holiday?  When does the semester end? What does the department expect of me?  

But alas, this information-hungry American will just have to wait.  I have never even met or corresponded with any member of the department.  I have not been given class lists or textbooks.  I don't really know what's going on.  And it's OK!  It will all get figured out, and it's all in His hands.  Here's to a new start -- I'll be teaching my first class at 8 a.m. Monday morning. :)