Jianhua1990

Shangshui, Henan, China(Zone 7b)

While searching for a flowerbook,
I happened to turn out this old picture
which was taken in the summer of 1990
when I was teaching high school
200 miles west of my birth place.
In the picture are some of my collegues
and the graduating class and Myself.
Twelve years has passed like a flying arrow.
Fixed my eyes on the picture,my consciousness
like a stream flowing in my mind...
the people,the things,the school gardens and ...
Which one is that old Jianhua?
What are the background trees?

Thumbnail by Jianhua
Newnan, GA(Zone 8a)

don't know about the trees, but that's you second from left, first row, right?? (I need glasses bad, hope I'm right)

Shangshui, Henan, China(Zone 7b)

tiG,
I don't think you guess wrong.):
Second,left,row 1 --it's me.
And the trees are French Plane Trees
with a lot of drooping golden bells on them.
One of my aims to post the picture here is
to remind of putting away your old stuff.
they might be valuable after many years.

Castelnau RB Pyrenée, France(Zone 8a)

Wow tiG that's impressive

Great to keep old photos and reminisce Jianhua. And you have put it all so poetically as usual:)
Thanks for showing us and sharing old times.

Mysore, India(Zone 10a)

Finding photos, eh?? I can't beleive it! Don't you maintain an album, Jianhua? I enjoy the nostalgia and so I maintain an album with dates and names. It is nice to do that. It's fun to look at ourselves and the friends and relatives ... how they looked like, years ago.

Newark, OH(Zone 5b)

Time does pass like an arrow flying - you put that so well. Thanks for remind us of the importance of reflection, too.

Newnan, GA(Zone 8a)

philomel, Jianhua posted a picture a long time ago and I just remembered. Was hoping I could see clearly enough to tell :)
Jianhua, I don't think you've aged at all in 12 years.

Mysore, India(Zone 10a)

tiG, you know these Chinese are renown for longevity!! We should ask the secret of slow metabolism. Perhaps the food habits, discipline and also the habitats count a lot.

Antrim, Northern Ire, United Kingdom(Zone 8b)

the secret is not eating the stuff that the rest of us eat

Baker City, OR(Zone 5b)

Jianhua, you should make an album. I should too. My pictures are in boxes, not organized, it would be a good winter project. Are most teachers in China male? All the women in the picture look like students. Here in the US more teachers are women.

New Iberia, LA(Zone 9a)

Here either man or woman teachers!

Helsinki, Finland(Zone 4b)

More women here too. But many men as well. For example my maths, geography and sport (blah) teachers are men.

Mysore, India(Zone 10a)

Evert, which one do you like more: men teachers or women teachers?

Helsinki, Finland(Zone 4b)

It depends on the teacher. I think both are nice and not so nice in their own ways.

Shangshui, Henan, China(Zone 7b)

Hey all,thanks for sharing !

Merely one day's absence of mine from here,
you have said so many words behind my back.):

Yes,Isn't it wonderful
to keep old photos and cards and the like.
When we are in leisure,we can turn them out
to have a re-play of our lives
which have passed long ago.
This autumn,a student of mine paid a visit to my house.
I remembered I taught him high school eight years ago.
When i showed him one of his test-papers
which i kept in a closet.tears ran down from his eyes.
And we talked of the persons and things that we remembered in the school.

General speaking,
In kindergardens,
all ladies dominate the teaching desks.
in elementary schools(=US elementary grades1-6),
almost all the teachers are ladies,
gentlemen become rare animals.
in junior high schools(=US elementary grades7-9),
the teachers are composited by half ladies and half gentlemen.
in senior high schools(3 years)
almost all the men teachers monopolize the teaching.

Talking of Chinese longevity,
I cannot make out what the secrets lie in.
I slow down my metabolism
not by the proper diet or obliged exercise,
but by minding only the way of my own.
I do not care who has made a jackpot,
and who has got promotion.
So till now you see,
there is not one pride title before my name.

To tell you the truth,12 years later's Jianhua
from the appearence has changed a great deal.
DW says that i am becoming ageing.
the other day,she pulled up 2 sliver hairs from my hair within 2 minutes.
Time and tide waits for no man.




Baker City, OR(Zone 5b)

Jianhua, one day you will decide that silver hair is better than no hair and leave them to grow! I made that decision years ago, but at first I didn't want them either. It is interesting how your society gradually shifts from women teachers to men. I remember the first male teacher I had was in the 6th grade, and after that it was about 1/2 and 1/2 through high school. Maybe the men just like working with older children.

Antrim, Northern Ire, United Kingdom(Zone 8b)

I saw something on a travel program tonight which may or may not be true.

it said that school children in China dont look their teachers straight in the eye so they dont cause offense - or something like that.

Shangshui, Henan, China(Zone 7b)

Aha,Batman,
I say you come to show interests in Chinese exotic cultures.
Yes,for thousands of years' feudal societies,China's education system was deeply influenced by the doctrine of Confucius and Mencius.Teachers,regarded as holy mentors,were required to be exceedingly respected by their students.but in the last 5 decades,with the reform of education system,the new relationship was established between teachers and students.teachers and students share equal rights during teaching processes just like on big family.at the early stage of my teaching,I regard my students as brothers and sisters.now i am in my 30's,i regard my students as my kin kids.I will seek every possible means I can to make my classes lively and interesting so that they can obtain knowledge in an active atomosphere.teaching is just like gardening,which needs your industrial sweats to water the flowers.
Well,hope your question has been answered.
And thanks for sharing!

Antrim, Northern Ire, United Kingdom(Zone 8b)

no problem

Tampa, FL(Zone 9b)

I learn so much from you Jianhua. And I love how you write. I bet your the best teacher! when I was in school(29 yrs ago) it was teachers like you that did keep our interest up and I learned the most from those teacher!

Georgetown, TX(Zone 8a)

I totally agree, Jianhua, I love your teaching methods. In fact, I just admire you so much as a person. We are so fortunate to have you here!

Shangshui, Henan, China(Zone 7b)

Teachers are encountering
severe challenge in modern times.
As you all know,addicted stuff
such as movies,CD films and PC games,
like 'fruit on the tree of life'
tempt kids' curious hearts away from class.
Some of kids' parents have tried up
every effective trick on their kids.
And they put their last hope upon teachers.
However, a teacher is not the almighty Redeemer.
You can lead the lost lambs to the oasis,
but you cannot oblige them to graze.
It is hard to be a fit teacher .
It is harder than to be an excellent gardener!

Antrim, Northern Ire, United Kingdom(Zone 8b)

Tree of life.

I'm planning on getting it tattooed when I get the courage. It has 5 bats around it.

Crossville, TN

Jianhua....I agree with you...and you are an exceptional teacher. Not all our teachers are as interested in their vocation as you are either....which makes for a bad class room experience for children. With the way we have our system set up that teachers are underpaid and overworked....too much paper work, and too little cooperation from parents in the disipline area...no wonder "Johnny can't read". Jo

Mysore, India(Zone 10a)

Jianhua, see what I dug up... Ten years ago...!
What about your poems?

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