I can't believe that almost a month has passed since my last post. It seems impossible that this is the case, but perhaps it indicates something about my time here. (Or as my sweet nephew said when I spoke to him on the phone and mentioned that we are a day ahead, "Geez, Linny, time must go REALLY FAST in China." hee hee Yeah, maybe time zones don’t really explain the true phenomenon...)

But alas, life has been going well. Save for the occasional upset (ie: when the ATM ate my card along with 25 others as the bank staff watched last night) or when I hear one too many honks in a day. Otherwise, I am very happy here and enjoying life. Most days consist of attending Chinese class (8:30 am to 10am) and then coming back to my apartment to check emails/call home before I prepare for teaching, eat lunch, and teach from 2-5pm. I also tutor a Korean teacher and a Korean student, and I receive private Chinese lessons from a friend. I don't expect to be fluent in Chinese this year, but I am happy for the little progress that I have made. My favorite conversations are with taxi drivers. (Heck, most of the time they're so bored that they'll listen to anyone--even me as I babble for 20 minutes with my 50-word vocabulary! ha!)

I have visited a few cool places since I last wrote. About 3 weeks ago, I went with my Korean friend, Maria, to Tongli. This is an ancient canal town. We picked one of the first days of autumn to travel there, so the weather was superb. We found ourselves winding down all kinds of stone streets, and we even visited a Buddhist temple where I was asked to pray by Maria. (Little did I know that she had never really prayed before either, so the monks had to give us help with the candles and incense. We were quite the site!) Maria and I discussed many deep questions about life as we sat in a perfectly feng shui moment at a nearby pond. I told her that she must read "Our Town" because our ponderings kept begging the main question of Wilder's classic: "Do any human beings ever realize life while they live it? -- every, every minute?" We agreed on this deficiency of mankind.

On to a more mild note, two weekends ago, I headed to Dong Shan ("East Mountain"--about 2 hours from here on local buses) with Janice, my Chinese language partner. Seeing the Chinese countryside was really soothing to my city-dwelling soul. Together we picked juzi (oranges) from trees boasting an abundance of such round, succulent fruits. We were also given a free tour by a local guide who even invited us into his home (Ming Dynasty era) for tea. It was surreal to be surrounded in centuries of history as we drank bilochun tea with boiling mountain water. Most incredible of all, though, was the fact that the town was SO small that there were only 2 restaurants! (That NEVER happens in China--at least not the places that I have seen!)

And last weekend, I decided to tag along with the Furman student group here as they visited the town of Nanjing. I was reminded through Dr. Kiely's intricate history lessons about the pain that this city has endured--the Taiping Revolution, Japanese occupation, and much empirical strife. But more than overcome by sadness, I allowed myself to be swept away by the beauty of the city. Nanjing is truly a green city, and the well-organized, tree-lined streets kept reminding me of some place that I had seen before. Yes, in true European style, Nanjing reminded me of Paris! Because I was traveling "Furman style," my "all inclusive fee" included some delicious meals, too! Nanjingnese food has its own, distinctive appeal, but this was well-rivaled by some of the other regional foods we sampled. While Mao had many things wrong, his taste in food was pretty keen. Yeah for Hunan eats!

Well, I guess that brings me up-to-date here. I am just plugging along and thanking God for the technology that allows me to keep in touch with friends and family back at home. While this whole "travel thing" may be well-rehearsed by now, I still don't think being away gets any easier. I am looking forward to returning for the holidays and for catching up. I still don't know what I will do with all of the time before I return for 2nd semester in China, but I'm scheming, so we'll see where that leads...

Much love to all!!
Wo ai nimen!
God’s Blessings to you,
Linxi

HK, baby!

Just a couple of days ago I returned from a trip to Hong Kong with two of my roomies and Trey. Because it was both the Chinese National Holiday and the Mid-Autumn Festival, we had a break from teaching, so we figured that HK would be the place to see.

And what an intriguing place to visit! I have never seen anything like Hong Kong—the mesmerizing architecture, the rich ethnic diversity, the culinary delights of the city, the opulence, the intelligent city planning, and the gorgeous rolling hills that define the topography. The shopping was also great, but our teacher salaries limited visits to Louis Vuitton, so, instead, we indulged in “Western” delights such as trips to McDonalds (for the salads, of course), local Indian restaurants, and….STARBUCKS. (Yes, Dad, I know I have made you proud.)

Other things on our agenda included riding the cheapest harbor ferry around: 25 cents to Hong Kong’s main island. We traveled much of the main island on foot, and even wound up at a Kristy Kreme (of all places….) We also made two day trips—one to the former Portuguese colony of Macau. Now a gambler’s haven, this island also boasts a unique hybrid of SE Asian and southern European culture. A one hour boat ride directly west two days later took us to Lantau Island where we visited a secluded beach and the Tian Tan Buddha—a 200 ton structure. (My favorite part of this visit was the VEGETARIAN restaurant located next to the Buddhist monastery!)

But before I paint everything as perfect, let me share a warning: If ever considering a trip to Hong Kong, AVOID THE MIRADOR MANSION. This run down building is in a questionable part of town and full of tiny hostels with even tinier rooms that are full of only two things: roaches and stained beds, etc. While the prostitutes crowding the streets upon our arrival (at noon) or the drug deals in the stairways should have been a quick sign, we had paid for our room before it was easy to change our accommodation. Live and learn, I guess…

But Hong Kong was still a relaxing and enjoyable trip—even despite our rooms! I now have a greater appreciation, yet again, for the diversity of China and Chinese history. I also think that due to its strong “Western” influence, Hong Kong is a great place to start for anyone looking to easily discover Chinese culture. Come one, come all. I’m still welcoming visitors!!

Miss you all!
Linxi 

WE’RE OFF TO GET THE VISA, THE WONDERFUL VISA OF VOID????

Yes, yes. Friends, I have survived a near bureaucratic mess. Last Friday at 4:55pm I was called by the PSB (Public Security Bureau—like the Chinese immigration services) with information that there were “problems with my visa.” The problem was there were no more pages in my passport to secure the visa. But my temporary visa to enter the country was expiring on…Tuesday. (That’s tomorrow.) So I had about 8 working hours (Monday’s work day) to fix things so that A) I wouldn’t be deported and B) I would have a passport with which to leave the country over next week’s national holiday.

So, Christy and I headed to Shanghai today (Monday) to visit the consulate where I was whisked past the line of people clamoring to get visas to the US and within 10 minutes handed my visa with its new pages. After a morning of rushing between the train and bus station just to make it to the consulate (in Shanghai) between working hours of 1:30 and 3:30, I was already dizzy. But the veracity with which Chinese citizens around me were funneling through security and seeking visas gave me a strange sensation of the desirability of our nation and the unfairness of geography and geographic advantage (as some would define it). Despite the several hundred dollar attempt to get a visa, less than 20% of the Chinese citizens that I saw will be successful. I am not writing now to pass judgments on world immigration or US immigration policy, but from an emotional standpoint alone, the desire to create a new home or identity is moving.

Alas, the re-paged passport has been achieved, and now it is up to the PSB to attach the visa so we can be off to Hong Kong next week. I don’t know what our plans will be at this point, but I’ll be sure to include photos from the trip! Personally, I just want some new and exotic foods, a side trip to Macau, scenic views of the harbor, and some beach time. We’ll see what we find…

One more new addition to this Chinese journey…. Two weeks ago Christy and I began working at a local orphanage. The children in the orphanage all struggle from some kind of physical or mental disability. Let me say that the children are ADORABLE and we just hold the babies (some as young as a couple of weeks) or help feed them, trying to exude as much love as one can in a short session once a week. While conditions are rough, I feel as if the children are well loved and cared for by their “aunts,” the orphanage staff. While the children will sometimes cry when we put them down, for the most part they are so patient and just happy to be held. My “favorites” are “Mr. Magoo” with this adorable crossed eyes or “Strapping” who is so tiny with his little cleft lip. These children are pure joy, I tell you, and there is nothing better than when they smile or laugh in our presence!!!

So, hopefully that makes anyone reading this feel kinda good—and it should. These children are blessings to our world!! While some will be adopted, most will be put into foster homes, and we should all wish for the best situations for these kids.

Yikes, I’ve said too much already. I have probably bored anyone who has lasted this long. But thanks for sticking it out if you have! As always, I miss everyone! I love hearing stories from back home—especially those about budding love, new jobs/schools, or even just day-to-day things.

Come and visit—come one, come all!!


Lindsay
PS: The photos attached are from the elementary school where we have been teaching and from my night of karaoke with my students. (It was a BLAST--by the way! My students were total stars!)

Wow! What a couple of days here. There has been so much excitement, so I'll just jump right in.

CHICKEN BLOOD

Alright, so I've mentioned this whole vegetarian idea before in these blogs. I decided to attempt a vegetarian lifestyle during the summer, and while I am not morally opposed to eating meat, I just think it's a healthy decision, so I'm continuing to try veggie-style in China. Now, I will eat around meat when necessary, and I try not to make things difficult or to complain, but SOMETIMES....complaining is IMPOSSIBLE TO AVOID! Like today at lunch, I was eating what I thought was "dofu" --tofu--only to find out that it was, in fact, gelatinous CHICKEN BLOOD! gross, gross, gross, gross. Now, even if I were an meat eater, this would not entice me, but with vegetarian preferences, I was horrified when I realized what was in my bowl! I haven't gotten sick, and I tried not to think about it during my next class (after announcing to the class--OF COURSE--what I had just done). Anyhow, let's just say that 2 good things should come of this: 1) I WON'T make the same mistake again and 2) I BETTER SPEED UP MY CHINESE LESSONS!

MY ARTISTRY

Ok, so I've never claimed to be an artist, but sometimes my drawings do help students learn vocabulary. Other times, they just distract. Let's just say that both the knife and the spoon cartoons were a bit out of proportion today in class. Kids laughed, and I barely managed my own chuckles. Yes, thanks to me, innocent cutlery was somehow transformed into male anatomy. YIKES!

The hospital....

On Tuesday we made a trip to the foreign hospital here to be examined in order to prove our wellness to the PRC. I imagined a little blood was necessary to check for AIDS, etc, but what I did not anticipate was the EKG, x-ray, eye exam, dental check, ultra sound, and uncomfortable nature of the whole experience. I was honestly humiliated by the whole thing--even though from a public health standpoint, I guess I agree with this form of preventative medicine. I don't want to bore anyone by ranting and raving here, but if ANYONE wants to hold any discussions when I get home on health care, in general, or Chinese health care, I'd be so happy. I am never more inspired to ponder the definition or implications of "public health" than when I am in this country. Perhaps I am discovering a new life pursuit....

Ok, that is all for now. I hope you enjoy reading!
Take care,
Linxi
PS: One more funny thing. I arranged a KTV (karaoke) evening tomorrow. I invited my class of 20. They are all planning to invite their friends (Molly and Andrew's students). Only tomorrow will tell if we pack-out the entire KTV building! sweet!
PPS: You know it's been a culinary disaster of a day when even the ramen isn't worth eating. I am currently experiencing this phenomenon!

Ok, so I have officially decided that China is the funniest place to live. I love living and teaching here---even when the students fall asleep in class. (Now isn't that success??) But I also love just walking around and having funny things happen. I am already imagining the shape of this blog over the course of a year--100's of funny anecdotes, but since I'm not making them up, I figure why not share?

What's eating you?

Today I walked into the....MONDAY CLASS. These students live up to their name as they are a bit more of a dread to teach. (One student--who I adore--couldn't even answer the question, "How are you?" He was trying for things like, "I well, how, fine." ADORABLE! :) Anyhow, this same student saw me frantically trying to put together a few more plans before class, and he asked (after consulting his electronic translator), "Teacher, what's eating you?" I suppose this might be a Korean phrase for addressing someone who is busy? I stifled my smile, and said something about work and my boss. While the words were hysterical, the concern was genuine.

Almost eating us...

Well, maybe this student (called Foster), actually had some insight. Tonight at dinner, we ordered chicken. Although I have made the decision to follow a vegetarian lifestyle, I would starve here if I didn't eat around the meat in dishes, so I was doing just that when Christy screamed as she pulled a CHICKEN FOOT--CLAWS AND ALL--out of our dish. We all laughed, and the cook and waitress were genuinely amused at our reaction. Everyone was laughing! We were not expecting that part of the food. I felt like our food COULD have been eating us!

Alas, twas teacher's appreciation day...

Now this is a great one. As Molly and I arrived to teach class today, we were quickly ushered into an auditorium. (Sounds familiar, right?) With little explanation, were were taken to the front of the class with 100+ students and serenaded and given flowers in appreciation for our work. Not only were we embarrassed, but we kinda felt like frauds. I know many of my American teachers who have gone 20 years without such appreciation, and here we receive a ceremony after 1 week...Impossible! While strange and abrupt, the ceremony was still very sweet.

That's all for now! Off to bed....
Linxi
PS: I struggled today when teaching about articles. Does anyone know why we don't add an article to this sentence: There are many (a,an,the) people in the world. Sometimes I find the only explanation in English is, "That's just the way it is." This is a terribly difficult language to learn!!!

Photos in order:

My first day of teaching!

My roomies: The hard-nosed English teachers! (Andrew and Molly)


Our road. Our apartment building is on the right.

BUT YOU'RE NOT UGLY!

Ok, so I just got back from my second class, and BOY did I love it! The kids were MUCH better behaved, and they spoke better English. We played "Two Truths and a Lie" and I just had to share this funny story. So, one kid was sitting in the back of class all day and was really quiet. I thought he looked sad, and when he got up to tell his two truths and one lie, I heard, "I am ugly, I like to play soccer, and I have 1 sister." While I was poling the class to see which one they thought was the lie, I was appalled that NO ONE chose number 1--meaning that they all thought this kid WAS, in fact, ugly. I started to tell the poor student that I thought number one was certainly a lie. And he corrected me. He repeated what he had said.It wasn't "I am ugly," but, "I am a boy." Whoops! I pitied him for nothing!!

hahhahahhahh

Another guy, an older teacher, was also in my class. When he went to fool us with his two truths and one lie, he said, "I am married, I have a baby, and I have a girlfriend." I quickly calculated that the girlfriend had to be a lie--that he must have a baby and a wife. He said, however, that he DID have a girlfriend. I started thinking, "Either he has a girlfriend and a wife or a girlfriend and a baby." I was shocked that he would be so revealing. Apparently he got the game mixed up, and he had written 2 LIES AND 1 TRUTH.

hhahahhahhahah