Busy as a Bee

Last week was really busy…or at least busy for me.

On Wednesday, Emma came over! I haven’t seen her in months! It was so much fun to catch up! We went to Peter’s Tex Mex Grill with Jason (RPCV from Cambodia). I got a chicken burger. Sometimes all you need is a little Western food.

On Thursday, Andrew (aka Moose) and I went to a recording studio. My voice has been noted as “so clear and loudly that a black crow can hear it,” and now students at Sichuan College of Education will hear me even when I’m gone! I didn’t do such a good job when they took the sound out of the word…so after 5 minutes of trying to make a certain sound, the dean made Andrew do it. While my chair wasn’t that comfortable, I thought, man this would be a fun job. I wish I could make several different voices with my voice so I could be the voice of a cartoon. Sigh. Oh, well. The dean took us out for a lovely dinner!

On Friday night, I went to the English corner at Sichuan University. I’m not going to lie. I was pretty popular. Kids wanted to talk to me, as well as adults, students, etc. I talked and asked questions for a solid 2 hours. I then went to a coworkers’ apartment. It was fun hanging out with someone different from work.
On Saturday, I went to the San Xi Dui Museum in Guang Han. I was a VIP for the day. I’m not used to being a VIP…One thing that is very Chinese that has been very difficult for me is during these banquet style dinners, the host orders way too much food to impress? Or show the guest that they respect them? Anyway, 11 dishes were ordered for 5 people. We left enough food that could have been 4 meals for me. Sigh. We then drank tea at a 5 star hotel. We saw a “big fish” there (along with his bodyguard.) A few hours later, we ate dinner because I had to catch the 7 pm bus back to Chengdu. After arguing for about 5 minutes, I finally agreed that someone could take me home via private car. I had a great day, but am still wondering if this was a guanxi (connections) thing or maybe they were just being really nice? The other American was just as puzzled as I was. Regardless, I had a fabulous time.




I’m going to visit my Chinese friend from Mali on Friday! I’m so excited! But before then, I have to put in more time at the recording studio, go to COS (close of service) conference, and teach.

Roller skating, close calls, and miscommunication

These past few weeks have been rather uneventful. It’s been gray (surprise) and rainy. But, I do have a few stories to share.

On 04/10, a group of us went roller skating. Back in the day (Woodland Heights days), I used to enjoy the monthly roller skating nights. That was probably the last time I went roller skating (we’re talking like 15 years). Roller skating is NOT like riding a bike. Getting back on a bike in Mali was MUCH EASIER than roller skating. But, it could have to do with the swarms of people (Friday night is popular for roller skating), people skating in any direction they please, or people skating backwards…or the fact that I forgot how to do it! I’ve been called “spastic” while roller skating (thanks Moose). I admit I do tend to make jerky arm movements. Well, I was pretty proud of myself because I was able to go around the ring a few times. It doesn’t matter that people were passing me skating backwards…smoking. Well, some jerk “jumps” (according to Moose) on me, and I hit the ground in .22 seconds. And, it wasn’t like I just fell down on my rear end. I fell down on my BACK. Anyway, the guy did say “sorry”. I was too shocked to say anything. Moose did help me up, and it was funny except my shoulder blades were killing me. Maybe next time I’ll go on a Monday night….

Yesterday Moose and I met an RPCV and a college kid who studying abroad. While we were crossing the street (there was a green person so I had the right away), I saw a bike and a moto approaching. I tend to think everybody should stop for me, but I learned yesterday that not everybody thinks like I do. The bike did stop…but the motorcycle didn’t…the motorcycle did make contact with the bike and me, but it really could have been bad. Everybody was fine, and I imagine I was dinner table conversation last night.

Today I went to my homestay parents’ house. I called yesterday morning to make sure it was okay. “Welcome welcome!” Yesterday night, I thought I was calling Jason (RPCV) but I accidently called my host dad. I said, “Excuse me. I think call friend. Tomorrow. Good or not good?” What I MEANT to say, “Sorry dad. I didn’t mean to call you. I was trying to call my friend. See you tomorrow!” My host father interpreted “friend” as I am bringing a friend there tomorrow for lunch. And I can totally see that now. So, I show up at 12, and they excitedly ask, “Where’s your friend?” Huh? I walk into the kitchen and she has dish after dish after dish prepared. Ehhhh…what to do? I call my friend Mai and briefly explained that I messed up and need her to come over and eat. She told me she already ate, but I was like, just come over and pretend to eat. She agrees. So, she and her friend come over. There were 7 dishes. I was relieved that they came and ate.

This week, the freshmen have to go to military training so I have 3 fewer classes the next 2 weeks! The kids get to bring a small little sack with them. I think they get 1 shower for the 2 weeks they are there (not sure). They aren’t allowed to use cell phones. Most of them are absolutely dreading it.

May 1-3 is Labor’s Days. My students told me happily, we get 3 days off. I looked at a calendar and the 1st and 2nd are on the weekend. Those aren’t days off. Those are free days. Moose and I want to go to the beach, but the school still doesn’t know what days we get off. It’s like in 2 weeks and nobody knows. And the only people it bothers is the foreigners. Oh China.

Let the Cookouts begin!

We had our first (of hopefully many) cookouts last Saturday. It was gray, but it didn’t rain.

Typical Chengdu


Our grill


Mai and me


Food


Easter was on Sunday. I drank tea with some acquaintances. It was a very pleasant day.

So happy that I saved this for Easter!


Right now, I am trying to read Ivanhoe. It is SO BORING. I’m trying to read more classics…let’s hope I can make it through this one.

Today I attempted making fajitas. In Mali, several volunteers were excellent cooks, in addition to being excellent persons. My dough for the tortillas was SO STICKY. Oh well. I think I would have fewer problems if I had measuring cups.

The dough even stuck to my cup (used as a rolling pin)


Sigh…

April

It’s April. I still have my long johns on. Does anyone else think this is ludicrous?! God should send some of that heat from Mali over here!
On the way to my homestay fam…this is a very common form of advertisement in Chengdu…or perhaps humiliation?


Last weekend, I visited my homestay family.

Dan Dan


That Saturday (27th) was absolutely gorgeous! I thought we were going to a flower festival. We didn’t and instead played badminton. That Sunday, I was very clear that I needed to get on the road around 3. On Sundays, I need time to chilax and plan my week. If I get home too late, I still have to chilax and plan but end up going to bed late and am then grouchy Monday. I wanted to leave early, but I didn’t realize that a group of us were going. So, we waited, and eventually got picked up.



Instead of going to the flower festival, we went to the countryside. It would have been better if a) most of the flowers weren’t dead or b) it wasn’t gray and cold.



While we were walking around, a family friend is currently living in Singapore, so her English was strong. Her mom pointed out that not all the “flowers” were real!! I was shocked. I looked closer, and sure enough, FAKE flowers were tied to the trees!! So, now I don’t know if everything I saw was fake that day or just some of it.
Real or fake? FAKE



They ended up playing mah jong or poker while I read.



We ended up leaving at 4. My parents INSISTED that I stayed for dinner, but I didn’t. The tried and tried to convince me, but I need “me” time (geez, I sound so selfish) and preparation time. And, to my great surprise, I got on the bus with the maniac driver, so I ended up getting home in less than an hour (it also helped there wasn’t a lot of traffic) when it normally takes me 1 ½ hours.
School is school. This semester is going much better than 1st semester. The break helped and I don’t teach writing anymore! I have business writing, but I feel like I have a purpose and structure.
This weekend, there is the Tomb Sweeping Festival. I’m hoping to get a glimpse of this. What does that mean for me? 4 day weekend! What what!
In the month of March, I wrote down everything I spent. My grand total? 74 USD. Maybe I should become a financial consultant?
I’m starting to think about life post PC. Gulp.

How the Chinese carry water




Mama he wo (Mama and me)

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!

The Closing of a Chapter

I am thankful that we had a beautiful black lab for almost 14 years.
I am thankful that she was the greatest friend any one could ask for.
I am thankful that she gave us many laughs, a fur coat to cry into, and memories to last a lifetime.