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It's midterm season here in Shiyan, and this semester I decided to ask my students to use their personal time to go out and serve the "less fortunate" in their community in some way...and bonus points if they could do it in English. For their presentations, they had to show me video or photographs documenting their activities, and then tell me how their world view was changed. I was so proud of them...they went to orphanages, nursing homes and kindergartens. One family even cleaned up garbage for hours after a major campus wide event. They all expressed really great insight afterwards, and there were even promises of continuation of service. It was so refreshing to bring the values of the Father into the classroom, and see how those moments of service challenged them.
So, I have to share one family's service project in particular with you - the Knights. I have to share this, not because it was particularly successful mind you, (actually, they kind of missed the point and I had to give them a bad grade!) but because:
A) Their English is just SO bad, I have to share my downfall as a teacher with you
B) I love these girls and don't care that their English is bad...they are hilarious
C) Andy chases a boy
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
The Little Things
This week has been so full of little insights and heartbreak, complete randomness and incredible blessings...as well as apparent adjective over-usage. Anyway, just a few little things to show you how He is taking care of and entertaining us over here.
- Rediscovery of the 80's thanks to YouTube. Watch TAKE ON ME, the literal version...I have seen this video 18 times in the past week, and am only slightly exaggerating. Thank you Kat and Trent!
- Visit to Xiangfan: Carie's homemade potpie, Amish American survival cookbook with inappropriate tips and complicated breadfruit recipes, and Mexican Twister ala William. (Shiyan representing!) We had a great time, and were able to visit a local orphanage as well. I named three boys John, Mike and Sarah, and showed off my impressive sling shot skills - what a blessing to be around those kids! "I miss having kids around"
- Angelyn and I exercised our American democratic right - and BARACKED it!
- New author I am aspiring to be like: G0d. We've been discovering his incredible writing style through our morning studies in Isaiah. Hemingway has nothing on him...that's for you Finn. Faulkner...
- Wildflowers, turtles and flip books
- One of my favorite students, Lawrence, has been working his tail off to get to America and just found out he was accepted into a really competitive program at Ohio State University. I'm not sure if America is ready for this guy, he is going to shake up their world...
- Learned that no one should ever, EVER, ask me to explain a participle...you would think by now they would know I am only pretending to know what I am doing as an English teacher
- Talked to my top 5 international callers, even got to hear Dane's voice
- Had the opportunity to do an English Talk Radio Show with one of our Qi Yuan favorites, Crazy Christina, which hopefully had some value. Educating the girls on campus about self-protection, safety, and wise choices when surrounded by strangers during the International Wushu Festival. There will be hundreds of foreigners arriving in Shiyan next week, and there is already concern that some of them may have come with dishonorable intentions. Please lift up the safety of the Chinese girls over the next few weeks, they are so trusting, its truly terrifying
- Old-fashioned Wushu restaurants with meat dish, after meat dish, after inedible meat dish...
- Singing nothing but Hard, Fighting Soldier these days. A friend from the Children's Home of Lubbock and an inspirational warrior for the Father passed away last week...can't sing it without thinking of you Billie, bet you are rocking that heavenly choir!
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Mr 152 insights into my soul!
Thank you Mama Kat, for what has proven to be a highly entertaining and kindred read... Last week I borrowed a little book called Lost on Planet China: the strange and true story of one man's attempt to understand the world's most mystifying nation...or how he became comfortable eating live squid. If you want to really understand my life here, and get a perspective a little more eloquently presented than this blog, I suggest you read this book. From describing just how disgusting it is to be surrounded by the sound of 1.3 billion people hawking loogies...to pondering why it is that the world's most powerful nation can't figure out how to stop their toothpaste or milk from poisoning people...this guy gets China. Allow me to give you a sampling:
It was after crossing a street that I came to my second observation about life in Beijing [China]: Do not play chicken with Chinese drivers. Even if they see you, they will not slow down. Even if the pedestrian light is green, they will not slow down. So do not play chicken with Chinese drivers. Or you will die.
A moment later I made my third observation about life in Beijing [China]: Do not play chicken with Chinese cyclists. See observation 2. Same applies. You will die.
How does one navigate through the mayhem that is a Chinese city? Very, very carefully. Crossing a street was no straightforward wander from curb to curb. First, I'd dart through the mass of bicycles and mopeds that hugged the road near the curb. From there, I'd cross the street one lane at a time as cars whooshed by just inches from my being, and I'd try very hard not to linger on the noteworthy fact that China has the world's highest per capita rate of vehicular fatalities.
(Note, Shiyanites refer to street crossing as the ultimate game of Frogger. I believe we are all somewhere around level 98 - No Hesitation!)
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Kids Say the Darndest Things - quotes of the week
On Dating Culture in China, versus America:
"In China, you should plan a time to meet the girlfriend. But, if you become to busy, you should say 'I have something important to do', and she will not be angry...in addition...in America, if you invite [a girl] to dinner, you have a better chance of extreme development after, so the first date should be lunch."
...insert Chinese chuckle
On Getting Accosted by a Crazy Waiguoren:
"Oh No"
...insert rolled eyes of 5 year old child
On Getting to Know your Teacher Questioning:
Student: "As you have lived in China for one year, do you find yourself fall in love with Chinese boy?"
Teacher: "hahaha, No, I am sorry, I have not!"
Student: "Oh, will you fall in love with me?"
Teacher: "I don't think so..."
On Irony Completely Lost on your Chinese Students:
"Mouse, why were you so quiet in class today?"
...insert dad dance here
"In China, you should plan a time to meet the girlfriend. But, if you become to busy, you should say 'I have something important to do', and she will not be angry...in addition...in America, if you invite [a girl] to dinner, you have a better chance of extreme development after, so the first date should be lunch."
...insert Chinese chuckle
On Getting Accosted by a Crazy Waiguoren:
"Oh No"
...insert rolled eyes of 5 year old child
On Getting to Know your Teacher Questioning:
Student: "As you have lived in China for one year, do you find yourself fall in love with Chinese boy?"
Teacher: "hahaha, No, I am sorry, I have not!"
Student: "Oh, will you fall in love with me?"
Teacher: "I don't think so..."
On Irony Completely Lost on your Chinese Students:
"Mouse, why were you so quiet in class today?"
...insert dad dance here
Monday, October 6, 2008
Traveling with the top 5
I know, I know - chastising completely deserved. My pledge to write less and more often has become an afterthought, and I'll go ahead and apologize now, this post is about to be standard Jessica rambling. So for the faint of heart, and irritated of length, stop here; I have to fill the rest of you in on the last amazing week.
Angelyn, Trent, Finn, John, Megan and I hopped on a train 9 days ago for an October Holiday travel, 4 days in Beijing, 4 in Qingdao, 50+ hours of train rides total. After a potential international conflict with 32 many luggages and sword-wielding (okay, carrying) Hungarians on the train, we arrived in Beijing...China's capital city...in the middle of a national holiday...you get the picture. Craziness ensued, but nothing a little ill-gotten Papa John's couldn't fix. That night we hit up Tiananmen Square and basked in the 30 foot portrait of Mao himself. In other highlights: "I know pipes, my father owns a pipe factory", and "We will find her more handsome man, with many more money".
The next morning we went to Temple of Heaven, my favorite place in Beijing. While the others visited the sights I'd already seen, I spent the morning practicing my Tai Chi, playing Badpong with a grinny old man, being educated on the art of Chinese massage stones, and listening to the most ear-splittingly hilarious music. We met back up to do a little worshiping of our own at the temple, to a much bigger Man. Then we packed up our bags and began the journey up the wall...one that would not end until the next morning because we had a mission. Go BIG or go HOME, we were sleeping on the great wall! So we hiked up Mutianyu, a much less crowded section of the wall, for a few hours - until we were out of sight of as many people as possible - and set up our tents atop guardtower #19. Team Wussy made a handsome showing, we sang songs under the stars, heard some real life ghost stories, learned of our chances of being murdered, and slept on some 1,500 year old stones. Other highlights include an unfortunate chicken pancake choice, and an ill-timed visit from a mule for Angelyn.
In the morning, we woke up before dawn to a haze of Chinese fog and the beautiful solitude of being the only people for miles on the wall. We hiked down the wall to the luge, and then proceeded to luge down the great wall. I feel no need to embellish this with flowery words - its as amazing as it sounds. That night we met up with the Hills, a couple who used to live in Shiyan and have moved to Beijing, for some catch-up time at Peter's Tex-Mex to the complete joy of all the foreign taste buds (Mexican food is hard to come by, lest a Calvillo is feeling kind). It was great to see them, and we spent the rest of the evening wandering around looking for the Olympic Stadium - not meant to be, but who cares when you are wandering around the city for hours with your top five?
The next day we were leaving Beijing, so of course, a Starbucks trip was in order! Waking up with the sun turned out to not be necessary, as China apparently doesn't understand the concept of coffee being used for its caffeine properties, and XingBaKe doesn't open its doors until 9:30...this was followed by the accosting of a Chinese guard's comfort level...and another trip to Tiananmen to visit forMAOdehyde (Megan), Mao's preserved body! Sadly, and for the second time, we were told to go away because they were cleaning...ew...Trent continued in his efforts to secure PLA paraphernalia, but is still looking for someone to give him that belt. We finally made our way to the bus station, to be pleasantly surprised with a sleeper bus for the 13 hour trip to Qingdao. Zaijian Beijing, you redeemed yourself on so many levels...Beijing Photos
While the motto for Beijing was "Go Big or Go Home", Qingdao's was "Qingdao - No Plan". An old German colony on the ocean, this quaint Chinese town of a few million people is east meets west. The city is filled with German architecture, if it weren't for the Chinese street signs and blackhaired people chewing on sticks of squid, one could easily forget where they were. We arrived at 2 am to a hostel in an old church, with lavender-sprayed linens thanks to Mama Kat. The Breelands and the Xiangfan crew had already arrived, and after rousing the troops in the morning, we hit the beach! Now the ocean is generally were I find the fulfillment of my souls...but as you'll see from my photos...Chinese beach life is a little different. Imagine wall-to-wall people wading in the polluted mucky sand in their business suits and high heels, or nakedness, covered with umbrellas lest they get dark, and digging for craps amongst plastic bags and sunflower seed shells. Still the ocean, but not exactly my ocean. Still, we walked around the pier for a bit, then explored the island of little Qingdao. That night, the foreigners trekked across town to seek out Lennon Bar - a Beatles themed hole-in-the-wall bar that turned out to be hiding the most amazing cover band I think I have ever seen! As fun as that was, there was dancing on the agenda, so a few brave souls ended up at Feeling Club - being more or less, but definitely mostly more "felt" by a crowd of Chinese on a bouncy floor, listening to Weezer's Beverly Hill's while black and white Communist war movies played on the big screens behind the DJ. Only in China...
The next day was more "Qingdao-No Plan" fun. Trent, Finn and I spent the day wandering between the pier, starbucks, and grassy knolls - reading, ipod listening, chillaxin. The highlight was definitely when we were approached by the Chinese Mickey Mouse club, a group of adorable little kids from Wuhan who had traveled to Qingdao to practice their English with foreigners they met on the street. There was nearly a group kidnapping effort of "I'm MIKE". That night was more squid on a stick, and more Lennon bar.
Since we were at the beach, an early morning to catch the sunrise was required. We left the hostel around 4:30 am, and arrived at the coast just in time to watch the stars fade. It was peaceful and definitely soul-replenishing, despite the sad fact that we "orb" was not "actually" visualized. Dissatisfied with what Qingdao's beach had offered us, we hopped on a ferry later that morning to go to another beach per Lonely Planet's suggestion. Good suggestion. We found the real beach, miles of red, golden sand fewer people and cleaner water, and we spent the day swimming in the Yellow Sea (check) and sunbathing. It was perfect. As was the night spent watching Qingdao go to sleep from the roof of the hostel...I've been a lot of places in China, but no where has captured by heart like mellow, intriguing Qingdao. There is something in the comfort of just seeing a church from your window in China, of remembering that life can slow down for just a minute. Qingdao Photos
So we are home, more rested and with more pleasant memories than I have ever had from a China trip. This last week has been a testament to Abba, who blessed us at every turn with laid back, amiable travel companions and a system that aimed to please. I have so many incredible memories of moments with those close to my heart, and hilarious stories of sniffing strangers... slapping strangers...poking strangers...generally alienating strangers. As great as the trip was, of course there were the twinging moments of missing you. Mom, you would have loved Qingdao, I thought of you at every interesting architectural turn. Dude, boys, seriously...you should have HEARD this band - you would have loved it. Heather, I wanted to call you so badly from Beijing - if only you had been there with me, to pull away for a classic gab fest over a cup of coffee. But, back to Shiyan, back to the day-to-day. Thanks for the memories, you are all securely in my top five! ;o)
Angelyn, Trent, Finn, John, Megan and I hopped on a train 9 days ago for an October Holiday travel, 4 days in Beijing, 4 in Qingdao, 50+ hours of train rides total. After a potential international conflict with 32 many luggages and sword-wielding (okay, carrying) Hungarians on the train, we arrived in Beijing...China's capital city...in the middle of a national holiday...you get the picture. Craziness ensued, but nothing a little ill-gotten Papa John's couldn't fix. That night we hit up Tiananmen Square and basked in the 30 foot portrait of Mao himself. In other highlights: "I know pipes, my father owns a pipe factory", and "We will find her more handsome man, with many more money".
The next morning we went to Temple of Heaven, my favorite place in Beijing. While the others visited the sights I'd already seen, I spent the morning practicing my Tai Chi, playing Badpong with a grinny old man, being educated on the art of Chinese massage stones, and listening to the most ear-splittingly hilarious music. We met back up to do a little worshiping of our own at the temple, to a much bigger Man. Then we packed up our bags and began the journey up the wall...one that would not end until the next morning because we had a mission. Go BIG or go HOME, we were sleeping on the great wall! So we hiked up Mutianyu, a much less crowded section of the wall, for a few hours - until we were out of sight of as many people as possible - and set up our tents atop guardtower #19. Team Wussy made a handsome showing, we sang songs under the stars, heard some real life ghost stories, learned of our chances of being murdered, and slept on some 1,500 year old stones. Other highlights include an unfortunate chicken pancake choice, and an ill-timed visit from a mule for Angelyn.
In the morning, we woke up before dawn to a haze of Chinese fog and the beautiful solitude of being the only people for miles on the wall. We hiked down the wall to the luge, and then proceeded to luge down the great wall. I feel no need to embellish this with flowery words - its as amazing as it sounds. That night we met up with the Hills, a couple who used to live in Shiyan and have moved to Beijing, for some catch-up time at Peter's Tex-Mex to the complete joy of all the foreign taste buds (Mexican food is hard to come by, lest a Calvillo is feeling kind). It was great to see them, and we spent the rest of the evening wandering around looking for the Olympic Stadium - not meant to be, but who cares when you are wandering around the city for hours with your top five?
The next day we were leaving Beijing, so of course, a Starbucks trip was in order! Waking up with the sun turned out to not be necessary, as China apparently doesn't understand the concept of coffee being used for its caffeine properties, and XingBaKe doesn't open its doors until 9:30...this was followed by the accosting of a Chinese guard's comfort level...and another trip to Tiananmen to visit forMAOdehyde (Megan), Mao's preserved body! Sadly, and for the second time, we were told to go away because they were cleaning...ew...Trent continued in his efforts to secure PLA paraphernalia, but is still looking for someone to give him that belt. We finally made our way to the bus station, to be pleasantly surprised with a sleeper bus for the 13 hour trip to Qingdao. Zaijian Beijing, you redeemed yourself on so many levels...Beijing Photos
While the motto for Beijing was "Go Big or Go Home", Qingdao's was "Qingdao - No Plan". An old German colony on the ocean, this quaint Chinese town of a few million people is east meets west. The city is filled with German architecture, if it weren't for the Chinese street signs and blackhaired people chewing on sticks of squid, one could easily forget where they were. We arrived at 2 am to a hostel in an old church, with lavender-sprayed linens thanks to Mama Kat. The Breelands and the Xiangfan crew had already arrived, and after rousing the troops in the morning, we hit the beach! Now the ocean is generally were I find the fulfillment of my souls...but as you'll see from my photos...Chinese beach life is a little different. Imagine wall-to-wall people wading in the polluted mucky sand in their business suits and high heels, or nakedness, covered with umbrellas lest they get dark, and digging for craps amongst plastic bags and sunflower seed shells. Still the ocean, but not exactly my ocean. Still, we walked around the pier for a bit, then explored the island of little Qingdao. That night, the foreigners trekked across town to seek out Lennon Bar - a Beatles themed hole-in-the-wall bar that turned out to be hiding the most amazing cover band I think I have ever seen! As fun as that was, there was dancing on the agenda, so a few brave souls ended up at Feeling Club - being more or less, but definitely mostly more "felt" by a crowd of Chinese on a bouncy floor, listening to Weezer's Beverly Hill's while black and white Communist war movies played on the big screens behind the DJ. Only in China...
The next day was more "Qingdao-No Plan" fun. Trent, Finn and I spent the day wandering between the pier, starbucks, and grassy knolls - reading, ipod listening, chillaxin. The highlight was definitely when we were approached by the Chinese Mickey Mouse club, a group of adorable little kids from Wuhan who had traveled to Qingdao to practice their English with foreigners they met on the street. There was nearly a group kidnapping effort of "I'm MIKE". That night was more squid on a stick, and more Lennon bar.
Since we were at the beach, an early morning to catch the sunrise was required. We left the hostel around 4:30 am, and arrived at the coast just in time to watch the stars fade. It was peaceful and definitely soul-replenishing, despite the sad fact that we "orb" was not "actually" visualized. Dissatisfied with what Qingdao's beach had offered us, we hopped on a ferry later that morning to go to another beach per Lonely Planet's suggestion. Good suggestion. We found the real beach, miles of red, golden sand fewer people and cleaner water, and we spent the day swimming in the Yellow Sea (check) and sunbathing. It was perfect. As was the night spent watching Qingdao go to sleep from the roof of the hostel...I've been a lot of places in China, but no where has captured by heart like mellow, intriguing Qingdao. There is something in the comfort of just seeing a church from your window in China, of remembering that life can slow down for just a minute. Qingdao Photos
So we are home, more rested and with more pleasant memories than I have ever had from a China trip. This last week has been a testament to Abba, who blessed us at every turn with laid back, amiable travel companions and a system that aimed to please. I have so many incredible memories of moments with those close to my heart, and hilarious stories of sniffing strangers... slapping strangers...poking strangers...generally alienating strangers. As great as the trip was, of course there were the twinging moments of missing you. Mom, you would have loved Qingdao, I thought of you at every interesting architectural turn. Dude, boys, seriously...you should have HEARD this band - you would have loved it. Heather, I wanted to call you so badly from Beijing - if only you had been there with me, to pull away for a classic gab fest over a cup of coffee. But, back to Shiyan, back to the day-to-day. Thanks for the memories, you are all securely in my top five! ;o)
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