Random Stories

A few weeks ago, I mailed some letters to friends and family. I have lots of red pens (hey, I’m a teacher!) so I wrote their letters in red and addressed them in red. That was a NO GO at the post office. The lady at the post office made me REDO the addresses because it was in red pen. I thought red was lucky, but I now know that red ink is unlucky.

Last week, I was walking to the bus, eating an apple. Student: “Ms. Katie, are you trying to lose weight?” I sheepishly replied, that indeed, I was try to tone up. She then said, “Ms. Katie, I think you look beautiful fkdajkfjdakl.” Excuse me? “You know, rejkla;jkfda;.” I’m sorry? “You know, P-L-U-M-P.” OHHH. “Plump.” “Yeah, I think you look beautiful plump.” My response? “You’re too kind!”

On Friday night, I went over to Jeesun’s. We ate duck pot and watched Sherlock Holmes. I now want to reread those books!
Last Saturday night, I went to the Bookworm in Chengdu to see Steve Connell. He is a poet/actor. I had no idea I was so into poetry! I enjoyed myself thoroughly. And, I’m acquiring a taste for red wine. So, if you have the chance to check out Steve, do it. He won’t disappoint. My favorite was his first poem about music. FABULOUS!!!

On Sunday, the school took Andrew and me out to an ancient town. We walked around, ate, played cards, drank flower tea, and ate some more. It was such a pleasant day! The only downside what coming home at 8 pm to finish lesson planning! I planned on working on Saturday, but the power was out.

Ancient town

Yellow flowers that are used to make oil

Two days ago, I had to give another Monday night lecture to all of the freshmen majoring in English. The students have gotten more comfortable with each other, and won’t be quiet. GRRR. Anyway, I did another music lecture. I am pleased to announce that 200 Chinese students now know who Bob Marley is!! Mission Accomplished!!

I was on the bus at night and noticed so many bright lights on the turnpike. A colleague exclaimed, “How beautiful!” I was thinking to myself, how wasteful. And I just keep on changing…

Posing...the victory sign comes oh so naturally now!

Cute little girl

Drinking flower tea

Ut ohhhh

School and then some

My proxy (which has allowed me to go over the Great Firewall of China) has a problem. :( I’ve outsourced my problem to my uncle, so I hope in no time, I’ll be able to update on my computer again.
School began on March 1st. I have a long day on Monday, but I get Tuesdays off:). All in all, my schedule looks okay. I’m trying to prepare better and earlier for my classes this semester.
I think it will be better for my sanity and my students.
Last Wednesday, some PCVs in the Greater Chengdu area were invited to go to the Panda Base for a WWF special program. Andrew and I went, along with a member of the PC staff. We saw some panda cubs which were just too cute! I swear, I took over 100 pictures of the same stinkin’ bear! We also had a fabulous banquet style dinner.
My favorite had to be the mushroom fried pork. We then went to the WWF program. Earth Hour is
on March 27th, so we were taping for it. It really is a cool program. In 2007, Sydney came together and as a city, decided that for an hour, everybody would turn off their lights.
Earth Hour has continually grown since it was started. I challenge everybody to participate in Earth Hour 2010. Check out http://www.earthhour.org/ for more information.
After the speeches, we were each given a lantern to light. It was really cool. And because I’m a laowai, I was interviewed. I don’t do so well on the spot…Reporter: ”What are your wishes?” Me: “Best wishes for everybody!!” I have a feeling, I may make the nightly news in Chengdu on March 27th.

throughout my life, I’ve seen a family member (no names) speak before thinking. I would always shake my head, like omg, you can’t SAY that! Well, I am that person now….I’m going to have
to make a conscience effort to think before speaking.
I went to my homestay family to have lunch today. We had rabbit pot. Rabbit, yum yum!