The Canadian International School Kunshan (CISK)

Phase 1 Site - Canadian International School (CISK)

One of the biggest, most recent changes I have made in my life was the decision to move to the Canadian International School Kunshan.  It was not an easy one, as I had to leave my fellow colleagues and a great a principal behind (and I'm not really Canadian, eh?).  But for me, it was a special chance to grow and a way to give back to my community.  Last year, in May of 2012, I signed on as the first foreign staff at CISK.

I started in a planning office on the West side of Kunshan.  I helped in reaching out to the community, finding innovative ways to market our specialized programs, and recruiting students.  Each morning, I walked across the lawn from my apartment, and through a beautifully gardened pathway, to our 9th floor office.

Since then, the scenery and my role in the school has changed.  In October of last year, all school staff moved in to our Phase 1 site.  Looking at it now, you'll never believe it was a strip mall.  We began with a small enrollment of one student, and now after one year, we have over 80 students educated within the carefully designed learning spaces of our school.

I currently teach a combined class of 1st and 2nd graders, and from time to time, help in the promotions of our school.  Since CISK opened its door last October, we have the first English library in the city to offer its students, we've introduced after school clubs, offer an international lunch menu, and have plans to expand.

We are expanding, as of this month.  Construction has already started on our Phase 2 site next to Duke University Kunshan.

In future posts, I hope to describe my experience teaching in an international school in hopes that you may find an interest in going abroad to help students all over the world.

Phase 1 - Planning

Phase 1 - Planning

Phase 1 - Planning

Summer 2012

Summer 2012

Summer 2013

Summer 2012

October 2012

October 2012

July 2012

July 2012

October 2012

October 2012

October 2012

October 2012

October 2012

October 2012

October 2012

Honey-Man

Hanuman, Kunal, & Chitrak

Going to India is always a treat.  Last year, Chitrak and I were able to stay in the Himilayas with his family for a little over a week.  I hope you enjoy reading about the experiences I had there (October 2012):

Okay, he’s not called “Honey-man” or “Monkey God,” but these are the only two names I can remember.

His name is really Hanuman (Han/oo/man), and he is a large monkey sculpture that sits on top of Shimla’s highest mountain peak, watching over the town day and night.  He is a mythical creature from ancient Hindu texts, and is known for his utmost loyalty to his king. 

On Thursday morning, my incredibly fit brother-in-law Kunal decided to take us hiking to see the Honey-Man, err.. I mean Hanuman.  There is no handicap accessible path; the only way is up - so we followed the steep, zigzagged road.  Truly, it was more like climbing a wall that had been slightly angled.  In one step forward, you find that your knee had met your chest.

Along the way, government signs motivated the fitness-minded.  They recommended time limits for the super healthy and the extremely unfit.  We began our climb with a burst of motivation.  After 15 minutes, we had reached a midway point, and rested while Kunal went into a local store and rented three walking sticks.  How thoughtful he was to let us rest AND get walking sticks for our weak and weary bones! 

It took me another few minutes grunting up the hill to figure out they weren't walking sticks at all; they were monkey deterrents!  Throughout our trek, monkeys curiously approached us staring with their little brown, bold eyes as they chomped away at vegetation.  It was hard to predict what they might do.

Monkeys are intimidating and very comfortable around humans.  Kunal had told us earlier, before the climb, not to bring anything with us (like cameras, food, and shades) because the monkeys would steal it and the only way to get it back would be to bribe them with food… if you were lucky.  I had mistakenly forgotten this, and brought along my purse.  I didn't have any food to barter, and knew if the moment arose, I would be ready to whack a monkey.  My hand tightened around the stick, and I firmly hugged my purse as we made our way up another incredible slope (with Kunal not even breaking a sweat.)

As we approached the entrance of the Hanuman Temple, I saw them, a large group of monkeys - babies, papas, and mamas - all sitting near the gate.  For a moment I thought I might be in a scene from Indiana Jones. It was childish, but the thought was still there.

Chitrak helping the baby monkeys get water.  The older ones knew how to do it already.

Inside we walked around and got an amazing view of the entire town. While there, we noticed a few men being harassed by the monkeys (but it was because they didn't have their handy-dandy monkey sticks or the awesome brother-in-law to rent them).  It was then that I noticed Chitrak’s had been in battle before – a crack was visible running down the middle of the stick.  The store owner we were renting it from had tapped it up.  Good as new, I guess.

It was a fun day, but boy the climb down was sooooooooooo much worse then the climb up!

I loved the view from the top.

Our clever little friends.

We made it to the top!

Him-AHHHHHHHHHH-layas

A view of the Shimla in the evening.

Going to India is always a treat.  Last year, Chitrak and I were able to stay in the Himilayas with his family for a little over a week.  I hope you enjoy reading about the experiences I had there (October 2012):

Nervous thoughts danced in my head as I anxiously gazed out the window at the curvy slopes of nearby mountain tops.  We had just left my in-laws house in Ambala hours ago and were headed to the foothills of the Himalayas to meet up with Chitrak’s sister and her family.  I looked at the clock again, and in my head calculated for the umpteenth time when we would reach.

I wasn't terrified about what to say to my sister-in-law, or how I would run up to my niece and give her a big kiss hello - I was more concerned about how we would make it there alive.  If you've ever driven in India, you would agree that the driving can make even the most stubborn atheist a religious man, and that’s on flat ground.  Imagine now you are racing up the slopes of one of the tallest mountains chains in the world.

Yep…

Not that I kept count, but there were at least 10 times we should have died.  Here are the top 5 of my near death experiences:

On our way up the Himalayas.

Near Death Incident #1:  Death By Speed Sickness
I remember there was nothing better than the Tilt-A-Whirl at Indiana Beach – constantly shifting you back and forth, giving you a sickening feeling that would creep up into your tummy, but let’s admit, that ride is only 30 seconds long and many of you would agree that that’s 30 seconds longer than it should be!  Driving in the Himalayas was a 4 hour Tilt-A-Whirl ride in its most raw form, as seat belts are rarely used.  I could almost time the approaching of each curve (I would say 5 second intervals) as my body repulsed the sway to the right, then left, and sometimes an immediate brake would send you forward up next to the driver.  I found that there was no way to avoid it; shutting your eyes only made the sickness worse.  I watched and cringed as curve after curve was taken at 50 miles/hour with the use of only a little brake.

As I looked out to the vehicles that passed, I noticed that some of the buses had a brownish-orange paint spewed out from the open window, which could only mean one thing – the driver didn't pull over for pukers! 

At least I wouldn't be the only one…

Sheena and Spooky sitting excited at our feet.

Near Death Incident #2:  Death By Dogs
The whole family isn't complete without its pets, and so before locking up my in-laws place in Ambala, we seated both the family dogs into the back seat of the car.  We had hired a driver to take us to Shimla, and although he had arrived a few minutes late, he impressed us with his brand new SUV; his seats were still wrapped in plastic…

I couldn't tell if he was irritated, maybe he had been warned, but it was obvious he considerably disliked the dogs touching him while he drove.  Who would?  Their cold noses and their adorable licks to the ear were very distracting.  I held on to Sheena (the eldest dog) who was quite eager to sniff out the air coming through the driver’s window.  She’s quite strong and very obstinate, with a slight case of arthritis and the need to sit in my lap.  Wobbling with excitement, paws digging into my thighs, I held on to her but at times I wasn't very successful.  It was then that the driver would divert his attention to the dog, placing his hand in front of Sheena’s face.  As we climbed higher in altitude, the cliffs began to get steeper, and I was certain instant death faced us if Sheena’s nose were to accidentally brush against the driver’s neck while rounding a corner on a cliff.  I kept my hands firmly around the dog and held my breath.

It was then that my father-in-law asked me to roll down the window.  An excited Sheena got her chance to flap those beautiful long ears in the wind and do what all dogs do, at least until we rounded our first 90 degree turn with the window open.  I felt the weight of Chitrak and his mom press up against me.  All our body weight swung out towards the cliff, with the dog in my slipping grip…  Good Lord have mercy.  That window rolled itself back up.

Busy Traffic

Near Death Incident #3:  Death By Driving “Indian Style”
If speeding around the L-shaped corners wasn't enough, imagine using the road rules of India.  They drive on the left-hand side and pass on the right.  Indian drivers aren't bashful or patient.  They lay on their horn, which is an indicator they have right away, and will pass no matter the visibility of oncoming traffic.  It is moments during these blind spots that you begin to realize you can construct the most beautiful prayer, and promise things you’d never promise, only to make it around the curve. 

Broken railing alongside the road.

Near Death Incident #4:  Death By Rolling off Cliffs
After counting 3 damaged road railings, I decided to purposely lose count.  It was a little hair-raising to know that many people had closer experiences to death than we had already, and then I saw it: one of the semis (the size of a grain truck) had taken a corner too fast and tipped over.  He must have been a man of god, because he was spared only a foot from the edge – miraculously saved from a tumble down the 20 kilometer hill.

Knowing people were having nearer death experiences than us, or even death experiences, is almost-death to me.

It does happen, but not as frequently as you might think.  This was the only one we spotted.

Near Death Incident #5:  Death By Wildlife
Let’s not forget those cute little monkeys you see on the side of the road.  They are like the deer of Indiana – EVERYWHERE!  They don’t typically get in the road, and for residents, they are accustomed to the wildlife, but every once in a while, you’ll see a cow in the middle of the street.  BRAKE!

Chinese Fire Drill

Kunshan International School
Fire Drill, May 2012

As a student, I always enjoyed fire drills.  It was a break from the monotonous dull of class and a chance to get out into the fresh air where I might spot a friend I wouldn't normally see.  Well, as you have probably guessed, my experience was slightly different in China.  Here's the story of my first Chinese "fire drill" (May 2012):

Before starting my high school English lesson, I was approached by the class monitor who informed me of our 1:40 fire drill.  At 2:00, our panic-stricken class teacher ran into the classroom and urgently herding us outside.

"Did you hear the alarm, Wendy?"  I asked her confused.  

"No, and we're late!"  We shuffled downstairs and out the front doors of the school to see a small portion of the school's student body had been listening to two speakers standing around some fire equipment.  I was surprised to see that students weren't in regimented lines standing quietly in a location far from the building.  It was quite obvious from the sight that this wasn't a practice drill but a demonstration on fire safety.  And, the presentation was just about to begin...

Outside, there were no chairs, benches, or bleachers.  Students stood in clustered groups and apathetically watched as some of the KSIS staff worked together to create a fire pit.  Some standing, some of the more weary had brought themselves down to a squat, slumped over with their head in their hands. Looking around, I viewed teachers who had left their students and had moved to the back of the audience to talk quietly among themselves.  To my surprise, many uninterested students stood nearby, doing the same without any reaction from the faculty. 

It was at this time that the Dean of Students took the microphone and spoke out to the crowd.  Simultaneously, the school's security guard grabbed an orange bucket full of gasoline and poured it into the pit where four wooden sticks with rags tied to one side lay soaking. 

Then, the speaker set the pit ablaze.  All eyes held a steady stare into the fire, anticipating the speaker's next move.  

It was time to pull out the big guns!  First, the Dean of Students demonstrated how to use the fire extinguisher, but I could tell the students were expecting something more.  The longer he spoke, the more the students inched up closer to the fire pit.  A teacher had to come through and ask them to scoot back.  

And then, it happened.  In all its glory, a large white cloud shot out from the mouth of the slender red device and smothered the fire.  Students stunned themselves into a silence, then a large applause.  The security officer poured more gasoline into the pit and lit it.  The speaker looked around the crowd and began calling up students.  With guidance, lucky volunteers had the opportunity to distinguish a fire.

The show came to an end.  All students were excited and went back to learning in their classrooms.  

______________________________________________

In this experience, as in many I have had here in China, it is not uncommon to learn at the last moment of an event or function that you are expected to attend.  This is mostly because it just happens this way in China.  In fact it is quite common for wedding venues to be booked three days before the service, and for cancellations of major community events to be rescheduled up until the day of the celebration.

Bringing your western ideas of how people should be informed and how things should be run can easily get you frustrated  I can tell you that from time to time, I can find myself slipping into negative feelings.  It's then you catch yourself and realize that you are a guest in their country.  You redefine why you came to live in China in the first place.  I did not come to China to live the "western high-life."  I came here to immerse myself in everyday culture.  I want to live in China

For the students, the fire drill was exciting, like seeing something that for them would only happen in the movies.  For me as a teacher, it was a safety hazard.  The fire demonstration area had not been taped off, nor adequate seating arrangements made to keep students a safe distance away.  This meant that during the presentation, students in clear aim of the fire extinguisher were covered in a mix of chemical smoke and fire debris.   

But at the end of the day, and despite my very western view of how to run the event, we learned about fire, no one got hurt, and we went back to learning.  We covered most of the important components of a fire demonstration anyway, right?

Please take a look at exciting moments from the afternoon below:

Dousing the flame pit with some kind of flammable liquid.  Surely not a recommendation by Smokey the Bear.

Our featured guest, invited by Lisa our principal, along with the High School Dean.

Starting the fire.

Anticipation growing.

The beginning 

How to use a fire extinguisher.

The boring lecture before the cool stuff started to happen.

Students standing side-by-side awaiting fire demonstration.

Excited student body inching closer to the fire pit.

Smoke hurled into the air  Shifting the group of students on the left to cover their mouths and eventually move to a non-smokey area.

Calling all volunteers!

But first, a demonstration by the dean.

More gagging students in the midst of the smoke.

Teachers and students uniterested to the demonstration going on.  No one seemed to be bothered.

Our bravest students take on the task of extinguishing the fire.

Now, a firing line.

SUCCESS!

Long Time No See!

Hi Guys,

So its almost been a year since my last post.  So many things have happened since last August.  Chitrak and I have moved out to the West side of Kunshan, closer to my new job at the Canadian International School Kunshan.  We've finally settled into a beautiful new apartment complex overlooking the stunning Yangcheng Lake.  We've had to make a lot of adjustments to our lifestyle, but still can't imagine being anywhere else.

Ryerson Annual Party 2013

In the past year, we've had visitors from abroad stay with us.  We've been able to share with them a glimpse of our lives here in the East.  We've visited Beijing, Nanjing, Shanghai, Suzhou, and Hangzhou.  We've said good-bye to many friends who have moved on to better things. We've faced many challenges and have had to make difficult decisions about our future.

During our time here, our language skills have strengthened... despite what we might tell you.  It's interesting that you don't notice how much you've learned until you interact with a newcomer. Our confidence and ability to be independent has also grown.  Instead of relying on the aid of others for things like moving, we have successfully found how to do it on our own. 

Moving to the CISK Teacher Apartments 2013

The longer we live here, the more and more we see ourselves as locals, and not as temporary foreigners that pass through.  Just recently, we have had some serious discussions on getting our driver's licenses, and with that, purchasing a vehicle.  We have since then decided to put it on hold.  Instead, we thought it more economical to upgrade to a newer e-bike (a moped with a rechargeable battery).  We stopped at no expense, finding the "Cadillac" of all e-bikes.  It even has cruise control.... 

Exploring with the new bike.  We finally found Metro!

We are Kunshan Ren.

我们是不是老外。我们是昆山人。

Please stay tuned for more stories....

I'm a Published Author!

I have always enjoyed keeping a journal and writing for self-pleasure, but when asked to undertake the Kunshan Expat Magazine column for my school, I was a bit apprehensive.  At first, I dismissed the idea wondering what kind of fool I might look like in a magazine that caters to general managers and CEOs in the area.  They might laugh at my writing and say, I can't believe she spelled this wrong! or worse yet, What's wrong with her?  She calls herself an English teacher?

I mulled over the idea for a few days, and with a little coaxing from Chitrak, I decided to do it.  I have now written, created, and published three articles showcasing Kunshan International School.

ENJOY!


1st Publication:
Here is a link to my first article publication: http://www.kunshanexpat.com/archives/KC08.pdf.
Find my article on pages 16-17, titled: What's Happening at Kunshan International School?:


2nd Publication:
Find my article on Pages 20-21, titled:  Kunshan International School:  An International Community of Learners.  http://www.kunshanexpat.com/archives/KC09.pdf


3rd Publication:
Find my article on Pages 16-17, titled:  Children Are Our Future.  http://www.kunshanexpat.com/archives/KC10.pdf.

Wipeout

Our beautiful new faucet.

One night while making dinner, I had turned on the sink to wash some vegetables.  Careful now, I reminded myself as I lifted the handle from its down position.  Slow and steady, easy does it.  Little by little, the water trickled out.  I continued to bring the current on stronger.  More and more water flowed out of the spicket, down on to the stainless steel tub, and into the drain.  I had finally reached maximum water flow.   YES!  I thought with a maniac laugh, It’s working!

Within seconds, the faucet dislodged itself from the basin and erupted into the air, landing on the floor beside me.  Water gushed out of the hole where the faucet used to be, just like it had happened so many times before.  My hair was sopping wet, my shirt soaked, and our floor flooded.  Drats.  Another battle lost.

I decided it was time to fix the kitchen sink.  It's embarrassing to tell you how easy it was to get a repair man, but what’s most appalling is how long I can avoid a task that takes less than 5 minutes of time and promises a world full of fewer struggles.  

I didn’t miss a beat.  The next day, I met with our caretaker and gave her a note in Chinese characters:  

Our sink is broken.  我们的水槽被打破了。    

Empowered, I went back home to browse the web.  Not more than 30 minutes later, I was interrupted by a knock on the door.  Outside stood an older gentleman holding the piece of paper I had given our caretaker.  He must be the fix-it man.  I motioned for him to come in and held up the faucet so he could see.  With a few reassuring head shakes, he dialed a number on his cell phone.  

When finished with his conversation, he looked at me and conversed in Chinese.  I hardly understood him, but in context, I realized he didn’t have the parts to fix it, but someone would be bringing them.  I offered him some water and a place to sit on the sofa.  I turned on the television, left the remote near him on the coffee table, and went back to the computer. 

After a few seconds of watching the program, he picked up the remote and began flipping through channels.  A dramatic soap opera, the Asia Channel, Discovery, MTV, all the while I was checking Facebook updates.  A few moments later, I thought I heard his laughter.  I looked up and noticed Wipeout, a newer game show where people are sent through ridiculous obstacles courses, like jumping across a line of large rubber balls raised high in the air over a pool of water, all the while contestants are trying to avoid the padded, moving bars that helicopter over their path.

We sat and watched it together, laughing as people plummeted into shaving cream and pools of water when they failed to get past certain hurdles.  It was then that his phone rang.  I was too entranced in the show to try and understand his conversation.  He hung up and began watching the show again.

Sooner than we knew it, Wipeout ended.  He stood up from the couch, placed his cell phone in his pocket, and waved goodbye saying in Chinese that he would be back tomorrow.  I saw him out, and as I closed the door, I smiled thinking--he wasn't waiting at all.  His second phone call was probably his buddy telling him he would get the parts tomorrow.  But, he decided to stay a few extra minutes to see the end of Wipeout.

It really made my day.  It was a neat experience for me to share an English television show with a person who has probably never met a foreigner in his life.  Well, I guess this goes to show that there are many things that can unite people of different cultures together, like a show about people hurting themselves for a chance at $50,000. 

                                     
                                                                                   Wipeout:

I know that in many Asian countries that these kind of shows are very popular.  Here is a game show Chitrak and I watched while waiting in line in a Chinese store.

                                                            I Survived a Japanese Game Show:

Only in China...

You'll never believe what I encountered as I boarded the bus Monday morning!

Yep, that's a battery supplying power to the bus!  I think it was a "quick fix" so our driver could make his route and the kids could make it to school on time...no matter how safe (or unsafe) the conditions were!  Oddly, no parent seemed to mind as their young children stepped around it and sat in their seats.

Oh, only in China...

My Wise Tooth

Last Week...

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

Ow, I said as I walked over to the medicine cabinet, how many Advil am I allowed to take again?  

Only two for the entire day, Chitrak answered, pointing to the "Directions" section on the back of the bottle.

It's 3:00 in the afternoon, are you positive I can't take just one more?   I held my hand up to my cheek and gently rubbed my sore spot.  Maybe the pain will subside…

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

Chitrak, I can't walk any longer, I whispered to him, feeling terribly guilty.  We had just finished eating lunch with some friends and had decided to leisurely walk around town.   As I had been chatting away with Sam, my throat began to hurt.  It hurt to swallow.  It hurt to talk.  It hurt to touch anywhere in the vicinity of the back, left side of my mouth.  

Quit obsessing over it, he whispered back.  The more you think about it, the more it will bother you.  Let's get you home so you can take some more medicine.

He’s right.  There’s no doubt I would fall victim to hypochondriac symptoms when it came to my teeth.  Besides, I knew the pain was stemming from my wisdom teeth.
  

I hope this tooth comes in soon, I thought to myself. 



MONDAY MORNING    1:30 AM

The first thing I remember was the pain.  It surged through my gums and teeth like a beating drum in the back of my mouth.  I could feel tears welling up in my eyes.  I looked to my right and saw Chitrak curled in a ball, sleeping peacefully.  Whew, please don't wake up!

There was no sleep for me—I was wide awake and doubled over in pain, and I knew there was no medicine I could take.  I slipped out of bed quietly, and walked down the hallway as fast as I could to the restroom off of our master where I could pity myself without waking him. 

This can’t be happening, I moaned in exasperation.  How can I feel this awful?  I grabbed both sides of the sink to steady myself.  I had already maxed out the dosage of Advil recommended on the package.  There was nothing more I could do but wait until morning… when I could research an English speaking dentist… that I could afford… and make an appointment with… and….

I brushed the thought away.

I turned on the sink and let the water flow out into the basin.  I cupped my hand and placed it under the faucet, then brought the water to my mouth.  1…2…3…4…5…. Tipping my chin slightly to the right, I balanced the water over the most sensitive area, counting the seconds in my head before spitting it back into the sink.  A slight relief.

Again.  1….2….3….4….5…  I leaned into the sink, slowly raising my head to take a long look at myself in the mirror.  It’s happening Megan, my conscience sang to me. The moment you have been avoiding.  You will have to get your wisdom teeth pulled, and the best part, you’ll have to have them pulled out in China! 

A strange, but overwhelmingly wonderful thought crossed my mind.  Where did Chitrak keep the pliers?  I was half tempted to rummage through his tool drawer, and attempt self-surgery, but the thought of messing it up prevented me from taking any action.  I may be my own worst company during the middle of a painful night, but it’s nice to know I also have a sense of humor at 1:30 in the morning.  I giggled a bit at the thought of me trying to pull out my tooth like Tom Hanks in CastAway.  No, I’m ready for my dentist visit, come what may.  I will go tomorrow.  I’m actually beginning to think it might feel good.



MONDAY MORNING    8:00 AM

I walked into school, trying to keep my mind off the idea of the crunching, twisting, pulling pressure of the dentist yanking the tooth from my jaw.  I walked off the bus silently and turned towards the school.  Why are all these chairs sitting in the parking lot?  I wondered, pulling out my cell phone.  I glanced down at a text from my team leader, sent only moments before.  Please meet promptly at 8:30 in front of the school for yearbook pictures.  

Perfect.  A great day for a photo op.

I wore dress pants and a plain blouse, an indication that I was in a state of pure exhaustion, as I typically wear only skirts and dresses.  Dark circles lined the bottoms of my eyes.  They weren't difficult to miss with my hair pulled back in a messy ponytail.  A splash of makeup and a small smile tried to cover the pain I was feeling, but it couldn't mask the throbbing sensation from the left side of my mouth.  The top of my palate was laced in pain, swollen from the roof of my mouth down to the bottom of my throat.    

I spotted my principal talking with the photographer.  I ran up to her and recapped all the miserable memories from the night before.  She agreed that I must see a dentist.  Timidly, I asked,  Is there any way you could send an English speaking teacher with me to help me translate? I am too scared to go by myself.  I was scared.  What if the dentist's English is poor?  Will s/he be able to communicate what's going on?   

Hanging on to what seemed like an eternity, I stared into her eyes with hope.  Let me see what I can do.  She said.  I have a family friend that might be able to squeeze you in before lunch.  I'll call for an appointment and get back to you soon.

Feeling a little relieved, I posed for the yearbook picture and carried out my regular school routine.  By the time I had begun teaching my second Kindergarten lesson, my principal had already arranged my dentist visit.  

Zhou, my "Chinese Mom" as I call her, volunteered to take me to Asia Dental.  She is one of the most generous people you will ever meet, but her English is limited.  The thought made me uneasy.  She looked at me and told me to make sure that the translator on my phone was ready.  It wasn't exactly how I had pictured my afternoon to go.  It heightened my anxiety, but there was no turning back.  This tooth, whether I like it or not, had to come out!  

In her personal vehicle, Zhou drove me across town.  Our conversation muddled between Chinese and English, as she reassured me not to worry.  She is my friend, she said proudly, tapping her hand  lightly on her chest.  The dentist has a long relationship with Zhou and my principal.  I am in good hands.  In the best way I could convey it, I tried to ask her not to leave me once I reached the dentist, and that I was too scared to do it alone.  She just smiled and kept driving.

I walked into the dentist office, as I had done before with my tooth cleaning.  Dr. Lee, a young Chinese dentist maybe a few years older than myself, met me at the door.  He spoke with me as I was escorted to a vacant dentist chair.  His English was impeccable and he knew all the dentist-lingo I was using with him.  I was finally at ease.

They examined my tooth and took an x-ray.  We don't think it's your wisdom tooth coming in, they told me holding up the small x-ray up to the light.  You actually have a cavity under a cavity.  We will have to do a root canal today, is that all right?

After agreeing, I was taken back to my chair and reclined.  Dr. Wei organized her materials on the tray.  First, she selected the pick.  She pulled off the sanitary wrapper, disposed it in the trash, and then leaned over to examine my tooth.  Next came the shot.  I didn't even feel the needle enter my gums or the liquid shoot up into my veins, but I could feel the numbness, and it felt nice.  It spread around the back of my mouth and alleviated the ache.  I watched Dr. Wei lean over me, carefully working away while periodically asking me, Pain? 

You're done, she said, as the chair rose.  I couldn't believe how easy it was. I was taken out to the waiting room where I was given pain medicine, and signed up for my next appointment.  To my surprise, the treatment before insurance was only $76.64.  I still need to put on and pay for a crown, but I have been told that my school insurance should pay for most of the bill.

FRIDAY

I am finally feeling 100%.  This was by far my most positive dentist experience I've ever had.  Many of my expat friends cringe when I tell them I had my dental work done in Kunshan by a Chinese dentist.  Some fear it wouldn't be clean enough or they wouldn't have the same standards of a western dentist, but I think these are stereotypes we make up because we are scared and not willing to adapt.  Yes, do your research, but a Chinese tooth is the same as an American tooth, is the same as an Indian tooth.  Dr. Wei is now our family dentist.

The Cost

Root Canal Treatment:    $76.64

I told the ladies at my bus stop how expensive the treatment had been, thinking to myself what a great bargain.  They gasped in surprise.  Do you know if you go to my dentist around the corner, you won't even pay half that?  This means I go to one of the most expensive dentists in town.  :-)