Biking Around Zhuzhou

Special Guest... Josh Garcia!

Since my boyfriend, Josh, is visiting China for a few months, he so graciously made a few special appearances at my school. Words cannot express how hilarious it was to see students' faces when Josh and I walked across campus. The "waijiao" (foreign teacher) has a boyfriend! was whispered as we crossed the basketball courts. "Teacher Cait... is this your (pause) BOYYY FRIENNNND?" When I answered "Yes, he is" girls screamed out of excitement and the HOARDS of questions ensued -- mostly too personal to feel comfortable answering. Chinese students are pretty curious and don't know that certain questions (say, er, about future children and marriage) are way too personal to ask westerners. Josh and I laughed it off, though, and had some fun playing games and conducting Q&A sessions with the students. Overall it was a really fun week. :)

(Josh signing autographs and accepting gifts)

(yeah... the kids go crazy sometimes)

Sun... What Sun?! ;)

We caught a glimpse of the sun for the first time since being back from our holiday travels. That's three weeks of sun-less, grey, dreary days. Yesterday was a gorgeous "blue-skies" kind of day... which we really enjoyed!! It also warmed up a bit, allowing Josh and I to enjoy a 3-hour bike ride around Zhuzhou's university and the lake paths. My stomach held up for all of it, thankfully... it's still a bit "off".

This week I'm hoping it will warm up permanently so I won't have to wear so many layers (inside and outside). Fingers crossed!

FP Article on China

An interesting Foreign Policy article about China's (potential) collapse - or at least the collapse of the communist party. I'm not saying it'll happen, but many of the points raised here are very interesting and worthy of reading about. Click here to read it. :)

 Excerpt: "The Chinese workforce will level off in about 2013, perhaps 2014, according to both Chinese and foreign demographers, but the effect is already being felt as wages rise, a trend that will eventually make the country's factories uncompetitive. China, strangely enough, is running out of people to move to cities, work in factories, and power its economy. Demography may not be destiny, but it will now create high barriers for growth."

 Since global demand for China's exports has been slowing, China has been trying to create more internal demand for domestic products. It'll be interesting to see what the country's economic growth rate will do over the next few years, especially considering the levelling-off of the workforce.

Update!

Hello everyone! I'm back in Zhuzhou and just finished my second day of the new school term. After lots of traveling I find myself craving hours upon hours of SLEEEEEP... so I'm trying to catch up on my Z's when I'm not teaching. Below are a random smattering of some pictures from my Spring Festival vacation to Hong Kong and Thailand with Josh. I'll try to post more pictures when I have time. Love you all!  :)

Backpacking in Thailand

I am currently backpacking across Thailand for the 4-week Chinese New Year holiday. My posts will be few and far between due to sporadic internet access. Josh and I started in Zhuzhou, China...traveled down to Hong Kong for two days, and then flew to Phuket, Thailand. After enjoying Kamala Beach in Phuket we stayed in beautiful Khaolak, headed to Koh Samui island (we ended up extending our time there because it was gorgeous!), and now we're in Bangkok! Highlights include snorkeling on Koh Tao and Koh Nangyuan, eating delicious Thai food at local markets, and exploring a 5-tiered waterfall on the outskirts of Khaolak. I will update some stories and pictures when I have time! Love you all!! :)

China's Premier Visits Zhuzhou

Nora and I were wondering why there were so many police everywhere on Monday... until we remembered that Wen Jiabao, China's Premier, was visting Zhuzhou for the day. Zhuzhou is a manufacturing hub, most importantly for planes and trains, and Jiaboa's visit was focused on seeing how the city's industry is doing. He also spent some time with the locals, trying to keep connected with how daily life is for ordinary Chinese citizens. Pictures and an interesting article HERE.

2012: Year of the Dragon

2012 is the Year of the Dragon, according to the Chinese zodiac, which is composed of twelve animals. Zodiac rotations are based on the Chinese calendar, which has elements from both lunar and solar calendars and takes 60 years to complete a full cycle. The Chinese zodiac is often used superstitiously -- to predict baby genders and adult relationship compatibility.

Since I was born in late 1988, I fall into the "Earth Dragon" category. As of the date of this blog post (on January 3rd, 2012) it is still the Year of the Rabbit even though the Gregorian calendar moved ahead from 2011 to 2012. The next lunar year begins on January 22nd, 2012, which is the beginning of China's Spring Festival -- the most important festival in China.

Anyway, below is a description of people with Dragon birthdays. If you're curious about your own year, check out www.chinesezodiac.com. It leads to some pretty interesting introspection!  I definitely see some strong matches between me and typical "dragon" characteristics!

Dragon (Chinese: 龙, Pinyin: Lóng)

Personality

Occupying the 5th position in the Chinese Zodiac, the Dragon is the mightiest of the signs. Dragons symbolize such character traits as dominance and ambition. Dragons prefer to live by their own rules and if left on their own, are usually successful. They’re driven, unafraid of challenges, and willing to take risks. They’re passionate in all they do and they do things in grand fashion. Unfortunately, this passion and enthusiasm can leave Dragons feeling exhausted and interestingly, unfulfilled.

While Dragons frequently help others, rarely will they ask for help. Others are attracted to Dragons, especially their colorful personalities, but deep down, Dragons prefer to be alone. Perhaps that is because they’re most successful when working alone. Their preference to be alone can come across as arrogance or conceitedness, but these qualities aren’t applicable. Dragons have tempers that can flare fast!

Health

Considering their hard-working nature, Dragons are healthy overall. They do get stressed and suffer from periodic tension/headaches, likely because they take so many risks. Dragons could benefit from incorporating mild activity into their lives. Yoga or walking would be good as these activities can work both their minds and their bodies.

Career

Dragons prefer leading to being led. Jobs that allow them to express their creativity are good choices. Some good careers include: inventor, manager, computer analyst, lawyer, engineer, architect, broker, and sales person.

Relationships

Dragons will give into love, but won’t give up their independence. Because they have quick, sometimes vengeful tempers, their partners need to be tough-skinned. Dragons enjoy others who are intriguing, and when they find the right partners, they’ll usually commit to that person for life.

Dragons and the 5 elements

Metal Dragons – Years 1940 and 2000

Metal strengthens this already strong sign. Metal Dragons are more determined and they’ll fight for what they believe in. They enjoy the company of those who feel mighty enough to challenge their beliefs. They’re true leaders and usually find plenty of others willing to follow.

Water Dragons – Years 1952 and 2012

Water calms the Dragon’s fire. Water Dragons are able to see things from other points of view. They don’t have the need to always be right. Their decisions, if well-researched, are usually better since they allow other’s to become involved.

Wood Dragons – 1904 and 1964

Wood Dragons also are willing to entertain the opinions of others. Their artistic side is strong, and Wood Dragons enjoy being creative and innovative. They get along with others, but will always be the dominating force.

Fire Dragons – 1916 and 1976

A Fire Dragon’s emotions can flare instantly. Fire Dragons put themselves on pedestals, and because they react quickly and recklessly, they sometimes make wrong decisions. Fire Dragons need to slow down and keep their tempers in check as that’s when they’re best.

Earth Dragons – Years 1928 and 1988

More rooted in the ground, Earth Dragons make better decisions because they act more rationally. Earth Dragons are level-headed and able to control their behaviors. They’re more supportive of others, but they prefer being admired by others.

Compatibility

Dragons are compatible with the Monkey or Rat and incompatible with the Ox and Goat.

So I tried to give my students a "freebie" question on their exam by asking "What's your Oral English teacher's name?" Some of the responses have been hilarious... including "Teacher Kilt", "Teacher Cake", and one that's too inappropriate to write on here. lol. Ohhh the joys of grading exams.

The good news is that I think my sickness is more "chronic bronchitis" than pneumonia (but this is just self-diagnosis at this point, thanks to the internet and skyping with my nurse mother). So I'm taking amoxicillin (for my throat and lungs), sudafed (for my sinuses), drinking lots of Chinese medicinal tea, and I'm about to get some "Chuan Bei" (supposed to help clear out my lungs)... it's kind of like a cough syrup that must be mixed with hot water. I'll let you know how that one works out.

Aaaaand in a mere four days I will be picking up my lovely boyfriend from the airport in Changsha!!! I'm SOOO excited for our month-long adventure in Thailand!!! (Plus a surprise destination I'm keeping a secret). Train tickets have finally been secured (after much pushing and shoving, waiting in line, and headaches) so at least we have secured all the logistics of getting to Thailand. :)

In a week I'll be basking in the beautiful, Thai sunshine on a glorious sandy beach. *sigh*

I'm trying to finish up grading about a thousand (or more) exams before leaving on holiday with my boyfriend... but I think I have a sinus infection paired with either pneumonia or bronchitis, so please keep me in your prayers as I try to find a doctor in town.