Farewell Tour of Zhejiang–Stage 2 – Writer. Traveler. Tea Drinker.

Stage one of my farewell tour was saying goodbye to my friends in Shanghai. Like peeling off the layers of an onion, I started furthest away and I’m getting closer and closer to home.
Stage two of my farewell tour was all about students, school stuff and Hangzhou. I also had to deal with final paperwork of both leaving my school and starting at another. Quite a whirlwind.
My classes might have been over several weeks ago, but students still had a finals for their other classes to deal with. And while my “babies” have graduated and left campus there are still plenty others who I have become close with over the years who I wanted to say goodbye to. My lunches and dinners were packed to an almost ridiculous degree.

Pantheon and Mec! They confessed they had never had a massage, and as their teacher I consider it my duty to teach them the wonderful world of massage. But sadly, timing never worked out and they had to go home before we had time for a spa day. — Pantheon and Mec! At dinner they confessed they had never had a massage, and as their teacher I consider it my duty to teach them the wonderful world of massage. But sadly, timing never worked out and they had to go home before we had time for a spa day.

A few students from one class, which I haven't taught for a year, invited me to my favorite restaurant for dinner and ordered my favorite food. The girl with the pigtails English name is also Becky, so we call her little Becky and me big Becky to differentiate. It's the only student who's ever had the same name as me. — A few students from one class, which I haven’t taught for a year, invited me to my favorite restaurant for dinner. The girl with the pigtails English name is also Becky, so we call her little Becky and me big Becky to differentiate. It’s the only student who’s ever had the same name as me.

Shane is one of the best students in school. Whenever he texts to me begins, "Hello beautiful teacher!" I know she's about to hit me up for a favor. (When she just wants to chat she ditches the 'beautiful; line, haha) For this she was in a speaking competition and had to include a little skit. Her speech was about her dream of becoming an interpreter so I played the part of "Mary Taylor" a businesswoman from Seattle, Washington trying to buy parts from a chinese company. Shane translated between me and the buyer. It was silly and cute and she won second place!! So proud. — Shane is one of the best students in school. Whenever her texts to me begins, “Hello beautiful teacher!” I know she’s about to hit me up for a favor. (When she just wants to chat she ditches the ‘beautiful’ line, haha) For this she was in a speaking competition and had to include a little skit. Her speech was about her dream of becoming an interpreter so I played the part of “Mary Taylor” a businesswoman from Seattle, Washington trying to buy parts from a chinese company. Shane translated between me and the buyer. It was cute and she won second place! So proud.

Me and my co-worers had a meal out and ran into a birthday party of a student we all like. We got cake! — Even my ‘quiet’ nights seemed to turn into a party. My co-workers and I were just going out for a normal meal when we ran into a students birthday party!

With a student drinking "Angels tears" and drink my friend came up with. I bought oreos for them to snack, which resulted in the cutest cultural misunderstanding I've had in a long time. One of the students opened the oreo to reveal the cream, put his tongue on it, then closed it back again and dunked it. Me and my co-worker Angus said "Ewwww, why did you do that? Just to put germs on your oreo so no one else will eat it?" The student looked confused and said, "No, it's from the commercial. When we were kids there was a commercial of a little boy licking an oreo then dunking it." We both laughed and explained in the commercial the boy licks the cream OUT of the oreo. He doesn't just lick it. We had a good laugh about that. — With Oliver drinking “Angels tears.” I brought oreos for him and another student to snack, which resulted in the cutest cultural misunderstanding I’ve had in a long time. One of the students opened the oreo to reveal the cream, put his tongue on it, then closed it back again and dunked it. Me and my co-worker Angus said “Ewwww, why did you do that? Just to put germs on your oreo so no one else will eat it?” The student looked confused and said, “No, it’s from the commercial. When we were kids there was a commercial of a little boy licking an oreo then dunking it.” We both laughed and explained in the commercial the boy licks the cream OUT of the oreo. He doesn’t just lick it. We had a good laugh about that.

Meanwhile, I was packing and cleaning out my apartment. 5 years of crap!

Two of "my boys" came back to pick something up and we went out for lunch. Now they have several weeks of workinging full-time under their belts, they realize how good they had it as students. As usual they walked my back to my building and stayed by the door till they saw me walk upstairs. Though the saluting was a new thing. ;) — Two of “my boys” came back to pick something up and we went out for lunch. Now they have several weeks of working full-time under their belts, they realize how good they had it as students. As usual they walked my back to my building and stayed by the door till they saw me walk upstairs(because they are gentleman). The saluting was a new thing though. 😉

In honor of my leaving, the international office invited me to a banquet and told me I could invite whoever I wanted. I invited a few co-workers and we got to have one last meal together. These two women, especially the woman on the right, have helped me a lot over the years so it's sad to say goodbye. They said I could come back whenever I wanted, which is really nice. — In honor of my leaving, the international office invited me to a banquet and told me I could invite whoever I wanted. I invited a few co-workers and we got to have one last meal together. These two women, especially the woman on the right, have helped me a lot over the years so it’s sad to say goodbye. They said I could come back whenever I wanted, which is really nice.

The final event of phase two was goodbye to Hangzhou and my hangzhou friends with one last crazy night. It was awesome. I invited people from all parts of my life. Former students I still keep in touch with, students that just graduated, current student (sophomores and juniors), my foreign friends, my chinese friends and just anyone I have hung out with in the past 3 years joined me. There was so many people we took over a corner of the bar which made me feel like a boss.

First up was dinner where I caught up with Mark and Willy among others. Because I was so sick all semester I hadn't seen many of my friends since christmas. — First up was dinner where I caught up with Mark and Willy among others. Because I was so sick all semester I hadn’t seen many of my friends since christmas.

Some younger and older students all playing together. Makes me so happy!

Even my friend from Thailand stopped by to say goodbye. The last time we hung out was in Thailand so it was nice he came. — Even my friend from Thailand stopped by to say goodbye. I helped him buy that shirt in Bangkok so I asked him to wear it that night.

One year ago I had a group of friends in Hangzhou that I saw every weekend. Some have moved away, or gotten married, but the few remaining of us got together for a group shot. — One year ago I had a group of friends in Hangzhou that I saw every weekend. Some have moved away, or gotten married, but the few of us still remaining got together for a group shot.

We shook our thang at a club, and Jo, of Behind the Wall fame hooked us up. We got bottles of booze, and a VIP seat all for free because she's friends with the manager. My students were thoroughly impressed but when you hang with Jo, you get used to things like that. — We shook our thang at a club, and Jo, of Behind the Wall fame hooked us up. We got bottles of booze, and a VIP seat all for free because she’s friends with the manager. My students were thoroughly impressed but when you hang with Jo, you get used to things like that.

Ever by my side in fun adventures, Jason was there (the blurry face), along with Tiook who is the best dancer I know.

These two students didn't know each other before that night. They are 2 years apart. But I had told Ryan, on the right, that he reminded me of one of my senior boys Eric, on the left. I'm glad they got to meet and they do look alike, right?! — These two students didn’t know each other before that night. They are 2 years apart. But I had told Ryan, on the right, that he reminded me of one of my senior boys Eric, on the left. I’m glad they got to meet and they do look alike, right?!

Proof I'm the worst teacher ever. Not only did a darling sophomore student get pass out drunk, but then I mocked him by taking pictures I put on we chat for everyone to see. Heh heh. But to redeem myself, this is one of my top students in all my classes, and the only one to earn 100 this semester. So I think he earns a fun night out to relax and have fun. — Proof I’m the worst teacher ever. Not only did a darling sophomore student get pass out drunk, but then I mocked him by taking pictures I put on wechat for everyone to see. Heh heh. But to redeem myself, this is one of my top students in all my classes, and the only one to earn 100 this semester. So I think he earns a fun night out to relax and have fun.

Now begins phrase three which sadly doesn’t end with a fun party, but rather me getting on a plane to leave China. I know maybe all this fanfare might seem ridiculous to some, but this place, and these people, have been good to me. I would count the last 3 years of my life as the best years so far. Even though I’ll be staying in China I’m leaving the people, and the places that have made my life so meaningful. I think that’s with celebrating.

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