It’s International Women’s Day here in China.  All across the country, companies and educational institutes will be holding special activities for their female staffers.  Last year in my former school, I reported on the games we women played with ticket prizes.  These we could exchange at the game store to purchase household items, such as salt, sesame seed oil, dishwashing liquid, laundry soap, toothpaste and so forth.  I remember how sad I was feeling, having lost my little dog just 3 weeks prior, and having such a good time with everyone that it was just the happy pill I needed.

What’s Happening at Luzhou Vocational and Technical College?

            This year, our college campus along the Yangtze is also preparing on special events for the women teachers, with the men allowed to tag along if they wish.  Every department has different activities planned but it seems all of them have a lunch and dinner involved.  I heard that the school gave every department a certain amount of money to entertain the ladies.  

            Our English Department has chosen an outing to Fanshan (Fan Mountain) which is about a 40 minute drive from the city.  We’ll be heading over at noon, after everyone finishes their morning classes, to bus to the scenic spot, have lunch there and then hike about before enjoying another dinner and return back to the school. 

 Nothing Special for Our Female Students . . . Except in My Class

          As for the students, there is never anything special for them except in my class.  I previously mentioned that the boys came over to my apartment where I instructed them on what they would be doing for IWD in our classroom – a special greeting, drawing for prizes and a song.

            This was a secret and not to be broadcasted to the girls what they had planned.

            The guys kept their promise about secrecy and in every class, the women were quite surprised, excited and extremely appreciative of their IWD showing. 

            I didn’t expect the students to do anything for me but in my classes, I was likewise surprised with 2 huge bouquets of carnations, 2 stuffed animals and some gorgeous red earrings.  What a haul, and what a thoughtful gesture for their foreign teacher. 

            As promised, here are some photos of IWD in my Chinese classroom.  Enjoy!

            From along the Yangtze, Ping An (Peace) everyone and Happy International Women’s Day!

My freshmen boys in Class 1 are ready to go.

Carefully following the script.

A surprise gift for me, a stuffed monkey and a banana!

My 2nd year boys (L-R Larry, Bo-bo and John)

The ladies were very attentive.

Christina, Yang Qiumei, chooses from the pile for the first drawing winner.

Yet another lucky winner.

My 2nd year guys present me with a suprise as well.

In yet another 1st year class, Tom (our only male, out of 44 girls) presents a gift to his classmate.

And for me? Flowers!

My grand haul for International Women’s Day, 2013