The Exchange - National Committee on United States-China Relations

Zhang Ling
Collegiate School,
Manhattan, NY.
zhanglc@hotmail.com
Zhao Jingru
Park Place Community Middle
School, Brooklyn, NY.
zhaojr01@hotmail.com
Zhou Ping
Garden School,
Jackson Heights, NY.
nj_zhouping@hotmail.com
“I had my last period with my third
graders, my favorite. At the end of the
period each of them told me what they
were most interested in learning in my
class. Some said learning to speak
Chinese was the most interesting, some
said learning of Chinese festivals and
holidays, but most of them said they
loved each and every thing they did in
my class. . .
“<strong>The</strong> kids were so cooperative in my
class, showing great enthusiasm in
learning about China and the language,
and their homeroom teacher
was so helpful and sweet. Before I left
the classroom, they gave me a big
‘thank you’ card. . . .”
Portland
Feng Zhiyun
Jackson Middle School,
Portland, OR.
zhiyunfeng@hotmail.com
“Most of the weekends, I would be
asked to stay with the teachers in Jackson.
<strong>The</strong>y are very kind to me. <strong>The</strong>y
took me to dinners or field trips around
Portland. I really appreciate their
concern.”
Zhu Hongmei
Woodstock Elementary School,
Portland, OR.
zhmhaley@sohu.com
“Time goes fast now and I enjoy the
last days here. I have made many
friends here who are impressed by Chinese
culture. <strong>The</strong>y show me around
here and I introduce interesting stuff
about China to them. <strong>The</strong>y would love
to visit China some day. It’s so nice.”
Suzhou
Roy Bergeson
Suzhou Middle School,
Jiangsu Province.
bergesons@onebox.com
“<strong>The</strong>se kids are really capable of great
things. In my brief talk to the class
before the play started yesterday, I was
discussing the influence of Pride and
Prejudice on ‘Our Town.’ Now, this sort
of discussion, with kids nodding in recognition,
is a long way from a debate
over whether someone is knocking ‘at’
the door or ‘on’ the door!”
Kevin Crotchett
Suzhou No. 10 Middle School,
Jiangsu Province.
kevcro@attbi.com
Tracy Crotchett
Suzhou No. 10 Middle School,
Jiangsu Province.
kechunsi@attbi.com
Kevin and Tracy are accompanied by
their son, three-year-old Kaiden
Crotchett
Joanne Parkhouse
Suzhou No. 1 Middle School,
Jiangsu Province.
jephouse@yahoo.com
“It’s already been a month since our
wedding, and it’s only a month until
I’ll be back in Colorado! Time is flying!
I’m finishing up teaching this week,
and it’s sad to say goodbye to the kids.
Living Alone in
New York City
Zhang Ling
After the first two months with a feeling of homeless and then another two months with a feeling of loneliness,
2002 is the time I’ve got used to living alone and actually begun to enjoy it.
I can read my book until very late without disturbing others; I can watch movies and be moved to tears
without being laughed at; I can cook whatever I want to cook and pretend the food is very tasty and even if
it isn’t, no one else will suffer from that; I can call my parents and friends and talk about our secrets freely
since none of my neighbors understand Chinese although we can hear each other; I can be busy with the
housework all day or just lie on bed without doing anything; I can just walk out and do some shopping in this
lovely neighborhood or spend the whole day in Barnes and Noble; and I can get up, wash myself, get
dressed and go to school in five minutes...
How I will miss all these about my lovely apartment! And the most important of all is that now I know I can
be more independent! Even those sad moments will become sweet memory in the near future, aren’t they
Pity I have to move out soon!
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