回到熟悉而喧嚣的环境中，无法再继续晚饭后的散步，无法继续独处的闲暇和静心，只是偶尔独坐片刻，去想念那些值得我想念的人或事。而有些事，只能一个人做；有些关，只能一个人过；有些路，只能一个人走。是的，一个人走。用平和的心态去生活，去工作。相信只要积极面对一切，在哪儿也能为自己创造一处净土，让自己自由自然地生活。

Study tour 及 在舒城志愿者培训期间的照片就不贴了。回来了，我的简单博客也就此告一段落。也许我还会继续写，但那也将只是我的私人日记，不再在网上共享了。

借此文感谢所有关心我的领导，同事，朋友及学生，祝大家健康快乐！

The time for me to go back to China is drawing near. After the school ended, I have had a really relaxing vacation: staying mostly at home, waking up naturally in the morning, reading and watching TV during the day, and taking a long walk in the evening.  In some days, I just followed my hostess, travelling, shopping and enjoying various western foods. I know there is only a slim chance for me to come to Tulsa again, so I am making good use of the remaining time to enjoy the open, clean and peaceful natural environment, and to enjoy the pure and sincere friendship with the people here. 

Some people may think life in America should be exciting, muddled and extravagant, since there is more freedom and liberty. Actually I didn’t see many negative sides as people who haven’t been to America would imagine. Life is quite peaceful and in good order here, not as noisy and stressful as in China. Especially in the Midwest region where the cities are spread out, the population is small, social activities are mostly family oriented.  Social relationship is far less complicated than that in China. Most people work hard as well as enjoy life. Also some social customs are really worth appreciating, like never talking loud in public places, waiting in line patiently, obeying traffic regulations, lending a helping hand to others naturally, no spitting or littering, good customer service in almost every business, etc. All these reflect the civilization level. Of course to some extent, life is similar everywhere in the world; Americans still have their own problems, their own challenges and life pressures, but they have a relatively better environment to handle them. That makes life a lot easier for most people. 

I am glad to have this opportunity to experience in person the American way of life and culture, which broadened my horizon and enriched my knowledge.  It may not have changed me much, but surely something has changed in me though I can’t specifically tell what it is. I am sure it is a good change.

1.     It slipped my mind.

2.     If that helps you sleep at night.

3.     Did you catch my drift?

4.     Can I take a rain check?

5.     That’s a slap in the face.

6.     It’s on the tip of my tongue.

7.     Knock yourself out.

8.     There is more to Mike than meets the eye.

9.     The thief was caught red handed.

10.       It vanished into thin air.

11.       It fell out of the face of the earth.

12.       Don’t spill the beans.

13.       Don’t let the cat out of the bag.

14.       It’s Greek to me.

15.       Break a leg.

16.       Did you get up on the wrong side of the bed?

17.       Hit the road.

18.       You barked up the wrong tree.

19.       I will get around to it.

20.       Break the mold.

21.       As the crow flies.

22.       Go with the flow.

23.       Kick the bucket.

24.       86 it. /Quit it. / Call it quits.

25.       Turn the other cheek.

26.       Have the head on the chopping block.

27.       He is laid back.

28.      Pass sth. with flying colors.

29.      Your eyes are bigger than your stomach.

30.      I will take your word for it.

31.      It is larger than life.

32.      Run out of energy/ steam.

33.      I put my foot in my mouth.

34.      I am in the know.

35.      Blow off some steam.

36.      The whole nine yards.

37.      He is fit as a fiddle.

38.      It is the icing on the cake.

39.      That’s the last straw hat breaks the camel's back.

40.      What’s the deal?

41.      If you give him an inch, he will take a mile.

42.      Get off your high horse.

43.      It is where it’s at. / It’s a happening place.

44.      He was all thumbs.

45.      Don’t cry over spilt milk.

46.      Don’t have a cow.

47.      Cool your jets. / Chill out. / Simmer down.

48.      He is stuck between a rock and a hard place.

49.      He is in a pickle. / He is in a jam.

50.      It is set in stone

51.      Action speaks louder than words.

52.      He is beside himself./ He is not himself./ He is feeling blue.

53.       I hear you.

54.      It takes two to tango.

55.      He showed up out of the blue/ out of  thin air.

56.      That’s a rip off. / What a rip off!

57.       When pigs fly. / When hell freezes over.

58.      That is a cheap shot.

59.       Steal the show. / Take the cake.

60.      It is the big picture.

61.      Break even.

62.      I have been in a rut.

63.      Lost one’s marbles.

64.      A pot calling the kettle black.

65.      I buy it.

66.      If you find a job you like, you never work a day in your life.

67.      It is not my cup of tea.

68.      We don’t make the rules, we just play the game.

69.      They have the final word. / They have the last say.

70.      Take it to the limit.

71.      Do sth. like clock work.

72.      It went out with a bang.

73.      He is out of the frying pan and into the fire.

74.      Don’t push your luck.

75.      You are just another brick in the wall./ a drop in the sea./ a grain in the sand.

76.      Put your money where your mouth is.

77.      The guy is gonna get jumped.

78.      A day late and a dollar short.

79.      He has a face only a mother could love.

80.      The exam is in the bag. He had the exam in the bag.

81.      Why do you always drag it out?

82.      The book speaks volumes to me.

83.      It went in one ear and out the other.

84.      Fly the coop./ Leave the nest.

85.      The eagle has landed.

86.      Live in the moment/ Live in the now.

87.      Fall out of favor.

88.      You are in heaven for half an hour before the devil knows you are dead.

89.      If it is not broken, don’t fix it.

90.      If looks could kill.

91.      I’ve got to put on my thinking cap.

92.      It is just dumb luck.

93.      Bite your tongue./ Shut up.

94.      You are going to eat your words.

95.      It is the bee’s knees.

96.      They are taking their sweet time.

97.      What goes around comes around.

98.      All is well that ends well.

99.      A rolling stone gathers no grass.

100.     I am betrayed by a kiss.

101.     Get over yourself.

                  102. It is like finding a needle in a haystack.

                  103. Stick out like a sore thumb.

                  104. It is easy as pie. / It is easy as taking candy from a baby.

                  105. I am up a creek without a paddle.

                  106. He is the apple of my eye.

                  107. He is down on his luck.

                       108. Your head is in the clouds.

                       109. I didn’t sleep a wink last night.

                       110. Hunger is the best spice.

                       111.  I was at a loss/ in the haze.

                       112.   Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

                       113.  Let sleeping dogs lie.

                       114.  He can’t contain himself.

                       115.   Count me in. / Count me out.

                       116.   Live life one step at a time.

                       117.  I dare you do sth.

                       118.  I bet.

                       119.  You can’t have your cake and eat it too.

                       120.  My heart skipped a beat.

Last day for some students in Chinese class

  School Year-End Party

Today, my school year in America ended.  It ended with many hugs from my students and fellow teachers.  I am not used to hugging others until my students said to me last Friday when they were leaving my class, “Wang Laoshi, we need a hug!”  I said without hesitation “Sure!”, then I hugged them one by one and said goodbye.  Because some of my students are not required to take finals for my class, it was the last day we were together.  We were all kind of sad about our parting.  I was very touched when they whispered "I’m going to miss you" while we were hugging.  This week we had two days for finals, today was the very last day for me to be at school. 

The school year was over before I knew it.  It is definitely a different and beneficial experience for me.  The whole teaching process was a relaxing and enjoyable journey rather than stressful work.  I never encountered any hardships that depressed me.  On the contrary, I have many pleasant memories with my students.  Right now as I sit in front of this computer hoping to write something, so many flashbacks of my classes came to mind; I don’t even know where to begin. 

My classes were small. As Chinese beginners, my students were interested in their first Chinese teacher as well as the language.  They didn’t expect much from me.  I was not too strict with them and never pushed them hard either.  They were actually having fun in class.  All these make my teaching in America relatively easy compared to teaching in China.  Now I am even wondering if I can still manage to teach the large classes in China after I go back.  I am sure that will be a big adjustment 

Definitely American students are a lot different from Chinese students.  They feel freer to express themselves.  Most of them are straightforward and confident. They tend to be close to their teachers.  I still remember so many times they were eager to tell me about their weekends and vacations, their opinions about their parents, their ambitions in the future, etc.  Once at the beginning of the class on a Monday morning, two of them came over to me, one showed me his blisters on his palms and the other cuts on his feet, telling me how hard they worked in their yards over the weekend.  After I praised them for that in front of the other students, they were so glad and appreciated it. 

Kids are kids no matter they are Americans or Chinese, they share the same feelings.  As long as you show your true care and love for them, they respond to you with trust and respect.  I never treated my students any special just because they are American kids.  I just acted as a teacher should. 

I had them sit apart from each other when some were loud in class.  I show a frown on my face when I see an inappropriate behavior and sternly stop it right away.  I never gave in when they bargained over assignments.  I tried to listen to them when they were reasonable and right.  We shared quite a bit besides studying.  I feel I was more encouraged by my students than I was to them.  They were generous in praises for their teachers, which is rare in China.  They often said to me, “you are kind, you are sweet, you are my favorite teacher, you are wonderful, I like you, etc.”  Those good words just help to build my confidence although I knew sometimes they just wanted to cheer me up. 

Anyway, this school year has been mutually beneficial.  I learned much from my students while I taught them.  I hope their being with me was a good beginning of their exploration of Chinese language and culture. 

I will treasure the memory of my teaching experience and the happy times with my foreign students in Tulsa.  I hope among my students, some can be those who contribute to building the bridge between China and America.

学生入场

教师入场

教区主教Bishop入场

看台上都是毕业生们的家人和亲属

颁发毕业证

校长Mr.Weyland 和 副校长Mrs.Mcmasters

很熟的同事们

打开新闻网页，满眼都是“汶川”“死亡人数”之类的字眼，惨不忍睹的画面，告诉我们天灾无情。逝者已去，生者又当如何？在这样的灾难面前，我们当前最需要做的，不仅是来自内心的祈祷祝福，或是独自默默地为他们流一会泪。我们也要尽我们的一点微薄之力，去为灾区的人民做一点实实在在的事，给他们一点钱、给他们一床棉被，一件衣物、或去血站为他们献上一点自己的热血。

 身在国外，我们中美关系项目交换老师们也发起捐款，让Margot 转交红十字会。我们只能以微薄的捐款安抚我们的痛，表达我们的心意。Margot 还来信告诉我们教育部国际交流事务部还计划在灾区重建一所学校，为那些受灾丧失亲人的孩子。

这几天天天看地震灾区的新闻，听那些不断上涨的死亡数字，心是揪着的，无名的悲痛，为灾区所有遇难的人。所遇见的人也关切地问我所住的城市离地震区多远，家人朋友可安全。相对于大自然，人的生命如此脆弱，天有不测风云，人有旦夕祸福。面对天灾，人类还是防不胜防，甚至束手无策，所能做的也只是救救救。

   灾难无情，人间有爱。愿能在废墟中多救一个生还者，愿多留一个完整的家庭，愿受灾的人们早日恢复安稳正常的生活！

 感谢女儿网上送的无数母亲节贺卡，Mich,和朋友送的鲜花，以及Mich做的以大火腿为中心的丰盛的晚餐！