Check out this article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/30/train-ticket-seekers-crow_n_1176359.html
Dec 31, 2011
Train Tickets
Trying to buy train tickets during the Spring Festival rush (for Chinese New Year...when the "Great Migration" occurs because everyone goes back to their hometown) is about as enjoyable as banging your head against a brick wall. Literally.
Check out this article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/30/train-ticket-seekers-crow_n_1176359.html
Check out this article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/30/train-ticket-seekers-crow_n_1176359.html
Dec 30, 2011
How to Dry Clothes in the Winter
If you look behind me (in the picture) you'll see a lovely clothes mobile hanging from the ceiling fan. This room is my office, and it's the warmest room in the apartment (thanks to my space heater)... so, whenever I do laundry I hang up all my clothes ALL around the room. It's quite hilarious, actually. There are clothes hanging from the windows, door, desk, from random nails on the wall, etc etc. It's so damp here in Zhuzhou that it takes forever for the clothes to dry outside. For every problem there is a solution.
Albeit a strange one, but nevertheless a solution!
Albeit a strange one, but nevertheless a solution!
Dec 27, 2011
Updaaaate
It's been a week since my last post -- sorry!! I've been a little busy with my birthday, Christmas, and the sudden news from my school that I need to give 1,100 exams this week. Yeah... that's just how they roll. So, I had the challenge of creating an Oral English exam that was fair, doable for the wide range of English proficiency levels in my classes, and -- most importantly -- not too time-consuming.
First I started out with giving my Friday classes a set of questions they must ask and answer in pairs. I would call students out to the hallway in pairs and they had a minute to complete their speaking exam. This went well... until I realised that I could NEVER get all 65 students done in one 40-minute class period. And since there is only about 1.5 weeks of school left, I had to scratch that exam idea. So now I'm giving a listening and question-and-answer exam (on paper) that can be given to all students at the same time in one class period.
The only challenge? I can't grade on-the-spot anymore... I'm literally spending HOURS upon HOURS sitting in my office grading these stupid things. And the kicker? My school told me that I must use a specific grading scheme: 90% of the students must get an A, 8% must get a B, and 2% a C. In the massive Excel spreadsheet with the student rosters I must assign a letter grade for the B and C students, but for the students getting an A, I must assign a number grade between 90 and 100. I can't believe my school is springing this upon me last-minute. It's PSYCHO.
But I'm just trying to smile through it because I love my students.
Anyway, so I spent Christmas here in Zhuzhou... I'll have to write a separate blog post on the church service I got invited to on Christmas evening. It was definitely a cultural experience! Haha. Overall, though, I had a great and relaxing Christmas, albeit a bit weird not being around family, friends, and a familiar Christmasy environment. Will post again soon, with more pictures! (The photos below: me and a school security guard; me and the singing Christmas monkey my dear mother sent me; me and my house-plant-turned-Christmas-tree).
First I started out with giving my Friday classes a set of questions they must ask and answer in pairs. I would call students out to the hallway in pairs and they had a minute to complete their speaking exam. This went well... until I realised that I could NEVER get all 65 students done in one 40-minute class period. And since there is only about 1.5 weeks of school left, I had to scratch that exam idea. So now I'm giving a listening and question-and-answer exam (on paper) that can be given to all students at the same time in one class period.
The only challenge? I can't grade on-the-spot anymore... I'm literally spending HOURS upon HOURS sitting in my office grading these stupid things. And the kicker? My school told me that I must use a specific grading scheme: 90% of the students must get an A, 8% must get a B, and 2% a C. In the massive Excel spreadsheet with the student rosters I must assign a letter grade for the B and C students, but for the students getting an A, I must assign a number grade between 90 and 100. I can't believe my school is springing this upon me last-minute. It's PSYCHO.
But I'm just trying to smile through it because I love my students.
Anyway, so I spent Christmas here in Zhuzhou... I'll have to write a separate blog post on the church service I got invited to on Christmas evening. It was definitely a cultural experience! Haha. Overall, though, I had a great and relaxing Christmas, albeit a bit weird not being around family, friends, and a familiar Christmasy environment. Will post again soon, with more pictures! (The photos below: me and a school security guard; me and the singing Christmas monkey my dear mother sent me; me and my house-plant-turned-Christmas-tree).
Dec 21, 2011
My 23rd Birthday
Thanks to my awesome site-mate, Nora, I had an awesome birthday morning. What could be better than a breakfast of coffee, Bailey's, strawberries (which we haven't had yet in China because they're soooo hard to come by), bananas, yogurt and almonds, and CAKE!
... and thennnn full body massages at Zhuzhou's top massage place. :) Let's just say that Chinese massages are a bit crazy...haha.... We then had lunch at a delicious, family-owned Fujian restaurant on the east side of the Xiang River. Thanks, Nora, for an awesome birthday!!! Can't wait to run intervals at the gym tonight! ;)
... and thennnn full body massages at Zhuzhou's top massage place. :) Let's just say that Chinese massages are a bit crazy...haha.... We then had lunch at a delicious, family-owned Fujian restaurant on the east side of the Xiang River. Thanks, Nora, for an awesome birthday!!! Can't wait to run intervals at the gym tonight! ;)
^ at the full-body massage place
^ a hot-pot birthday dinner with some WT friends in Zhuzhou...
with a delicious birthday CAKE!! Yum!
Dec 18, 2011
Prayer Request
There are several things that are going wrong with my school, and I will be directly addressing the headmaster this week. If things don't improve, I don't know what I'm going to do. I will keep you posted on the situation. Overall, there is ]direct manipulation going on, and I'm sick of it. My school treats me like a trophy -- they invite me to expensive dinners but don't care how I'm treated when it comes to paying me for class, for transportation, and letting me know vacation dates in advance. My liaison makes things up to cover her own ass and I end up crying because she always lets me down. I think she's slightly bipolar. Please pray that God gives me extra strength and wisdom to deal with all this...
This weekend has been totally relaxing... Nora and I went to the gym on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night to do some cardio (hello, intervals!!), weights, stretching, and YOGA in Chinese. Haha. And apart from the occasional bike ride or getting some fresh food, I've stayed in my apartment's sunny office with the space heater. I've been listening to Christmas music, reading news from all over the world, watching free movies (thanks PPTV.com), and RELAXING. Overall a great weekend. :)
Dec 15, 2011
很漂亮 Hěn Piàoliang
Nothing in the whole world feels better than having 65 middle-school students clapping and cheering when you walk into the room. Today I got a little dressed up and put on some makeup and my contact lenses because I had an important lunch to attend. When I walked into my 5th period class (right after lunch) the classroom erupted in cheers and students yelling "You're SO beautiful today Teacher Cait!!!!!" Several students ran up to the front to look at my eyes to see their colour, while others came up to tell me that I looked 很漂亮 (Hěn Piàoliang - very pretty). Couldn't have asked for a better start to my afternoon. =)
Dec 14, 2011
宋组英 (Song zu ying)
If you're in the mood for some beautiful Chinese music (potentially the equivalent of a female, Chinese Andrea Bocelli or Josh Groban) check out this artist on Tudou: 宋组英 (Song zu ying).
Hot Pot
Hot-pot seafood and vegetables ~ dinner with my Chinese friend Long Jiao (who I've recently named April; she wanted an english name). Sooo delicious. And our meal was paid for by a Chinese man across the restaurant who wanted me to drink Irish whiskey with him. Haha. ;)
Dec 13, 2011
Horse-Horse Tiger-Tiger
The highlight of my language learning adventures this week is *hands down* the following phrase:
Mămă Hǔhǔ
Frequently used to mean "so-so" or "mediocre", the literal translation of these two (technically four) words is "horse-horse tiger-tiger". One can also say "Yi ban-ban" to say that something is just average or alright, but saying Mama Huhu is just so much more fun. Haha. One way to apply this useful phrase is when a Mandarin speaker tells you that your Chinese is "very good". He/she will usually say "Nǐ de hànyǔ shuō de hěn hǎo" (Your Chinese is very good; 你的汉语说得很好), to which you can respond "Nǎli nǎli - mǎmǎ hǔhǔ" (Not at all, it's mediocre; 哪里哪里 马马虎虎").
Dec 12, 2011
一个晚上在北京
My school: Cait, you are invited to our New Years Celebration in three weeks.
Me: Thank you very much!
My school: We want you to sing a song with other teachers.
Me: Um, okay. How many other teachers?
My school: Actually, just you. But one other teacher will sing with you during the chorus.
Me: Ooookay. What's the song? (*thinking it will be in English*)
My school: It is a Chinese song, you will have to learn it quickly. The first practice is tomorrow.
Greeeaaaaat. Thanks for the heads up! LOL.
(The song is called "One Night in Beijing" - 一个晚上在北京)
Me: Thank you very much!
My school: We want you to sing a song with other teachers.
Me: Um, okay. How many other teachers?
My school: Actually, just you. But one other teacher will sing with you during the chorus.
Me: Ooookay. What's the song? (*thinking it will be in English*)
My school: It is a Chinese song, you will have to learn it quickly. The first practice is tomorrow.
Greeeaaaaat. Thanks for the heads up! LOL.
(The song is called "One Night in Beijing" - 一个晚上在北京)
Dec 8, 2011
Karaoke and a Cold
So, karaoke is a big deal here. It's called "KTV" and people love nothing more than getting some friends or coworkers together and renting a room at a KTV place to sing together. Which is what I was invited to last night by my Chinese friend. We were supposed to get dumplings together so we could eat and practice English together, but her company was going out to dinner. Instead of cancelling our dinner date she invited me along to the shenanigans...
We started off with a delicious dinner at a local place, which involved lots of great dishes and waaay too much wine for everyone. I hardly drank at all because of my bad cold, but the others were wild! Here is a photo of the lovely ladies at my table.
We started off with a delicious dinner at a local place, which involved lots of great dishes and waaay too much wine for everyone. I hardly drank at all because of my bad cold, but the others were wild! Here is a photo of the lovely ladies at my table.
Unfortunately I wasn't feeling well by the end of dinner, so I was kindly dropped off at my school instead of going out to KTV. I went to bed super early and had a great night's sleep. I'm still feeling under the weather but I hope it'll pass soon. :S
Dec 7, 2011
Chinese Shadow Theatre
Shadow puppetry (皮影戏 - pí yĭng xì) or shadow theatre is an ancient form of storytelling famous in many Asian cultures, including China. The puppeteers use opaque puppets in front of an lit-up backdrop to give an illusion of moving images. Traditional Chinese instruments are played for background music and the puppeteers usually use different voices for each character. It's really quite interesting to see! And UNESCO recently sanctioned Chinese shadow puppetry as an intangible piece of cultural heritage.
Dec 6, 2011
Lung Cancer
According to the Chinese Ministry of Health, over 600,000 people die -- PER YEAR -- from lung cancer in mainland China! That is an outrageous number!!! However, it doesn't surprise me since smog is a growing problem in all Chinese cities and almost all males seem to smoke cigs. Despite "No Smoking" signs in some public places, no one abides by the rules and it is virtually impossible to avoid second-hand smoke. Men smoke in the hospitals, on the trains and buses, at schools, and even at the gym... they just don't grasp the fact that their cigarettes not only bother people but also pose serious health risks to children, pregnant women, and everyone else around them. Smoking is such a serious problem here.
But an even bigger problem is the pollution/smog/air quality in China.
"In Beijing, the lung cancer rate has increased by 60 percent during the past decade, even though the smoking rate during the period has not seen an apparent increase," said Mao Yu (a health official). In other words, careless industrialization is causing a lot of health problems here. And other problems! Just yesterday the smog was so thick in Beijing that many flights were canceled due to lack of visibility...which also caused a 50 kilometer "stand-still" traffic jam just outside the city.
If you want to read an interesting article on the topic, check out China Daily.
This won't be the last post I write about the air quality or smoking...
But an even bigger problem is the pollution/smog/air quality in China.
"In Beijing, the lung cancer rate has increased by 60 percent during the past decade, even though the smoking rate during the period has not seen an apparent increase," said Mao Yu (a health official). In other words, careless industrialization is causing a lot of health problems here. And other problems! Just yesterday the smog was so thick in Beijing that many flights were canceled due to lack of visibility...which also caused a 50 kilometer "stand-still" traffic jam just outside the city.
If you want to read an interesting article on the topic, check out China Daily.
This won't be the last post I write about the air quality or smoking...
Dec 5, 2011
Amazing Grace
The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.
When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.
In loving memory of Grandpa
Sidney Kooistra (1935-2011)
Surprise Bachelorette Party
This past weekend Nora and I hosted a surprise bachelorette party for two of our good friends here in town -- both American expats teaching English. Aditi is getting married in India this coming January and Bianca is getting married in Texas in July, so we thought a joint party was in order, especially since they are site-mates.
About 18-20 girls, a good number of them from out-of-town, came together on Saturday afternoon to begin the festivities. We started by renting out a KTV (karaoke) room and decorating it with hearts, candles, Chinese wedding symbols, and congratulatory posters. The bachelorettes, thinking they were coming to a birthday celebration for a friend, were thoroughly surprised when we jumped out and yelled SURPRISE!!!!! We spent the afternoon playing crazy games, telling secrets, and singing some pretty wild songs. After a delicious dinner (and cake!) at a local restaurant we've dubbed "the Kung Fu restaurant", we pre-gamed at Nora's apartment and headed downtown to the city's only club. What more can I say.... we danced the night away, fulfilled our crazy dare/challenges, and came home much too late.
About 18-20 girls, a good number of them from out-of-town, came together on Saturday afternoon to begin the festivities. We started by renting out a KTV (karaoke) room and decorating it with hearts, candles, Chinese wedding symbols, and congratulatory posters. The bachelorettes, thinking they were coming to a birthday celebration for a friend, were thoroughly surprised when we jumped out and yelled SURPRISE!!!!! We spent the afternoon playing crazy games, telling secrets, and singing some pretty wild songs. After a delicious dinner (and cake!) at a local restaurant we've dubbed "the Kung Fu restaurant", we pre-gamed at Nora's apartment and headed downtown to the city's only club. What more can I say.... we danced the night away, fulfilled our crazy dare/challenges, and came home much too late.
Nov 30, 2011
One of the hardest parts of living so far away is not being able to go home when something tragic happens. Thoughts and prayers go out to my father and his family -- especially my grandmother -- during this time of loss. After about 6 months of battling cancer, my grandfather passed away tonight (morning in Canada). The miraculous thing is that upon diagnosis he had promised my grandma he would live to see their 55th wedding anniversary. It was last Thursday.
Grandpa, I'll miss you. I'm so glad I got to see you one last time before I graduated and moved to China. Love you.
xoxo.
Grandpa, I'll miss you. I'm so glad I got to see you one last time before I graduated and moved to China. Love you.
xoxo.
^ June 2011 in Alliston, Ontario
Nov 29, 2011
Online Shopping in China
Online shopping is rapidly increasing in popularity here in China. There are three MEGA online retailers who are competing for the best prices and fastest delivery times, making it a really great way to make purchases. Most things can even be delivered same-day! However, with my limited knowledge of the Chinese language (and lack of a Chinese credit card or Ali-pay account, which is like a PayPal account) I am having difficulties navigating the sites. I thought the Google Chrome browser could help me, with its built-in Auto Translator function, but unfortunately the translations are jibberish.
For example, I'm on Taobao.com trying to buy a pair of Vans knock-offs (shoes), but here is what the translation boasts: "Shoe models and this section does not increase sub-section increases, the need increased need for increased pro-please note, no note of our hair does not increase the default paragraph Oh!" BAhahahahaha!!!
If any of you have experience ordering on Joyo (Amazon China), TaoBao, or 360 Buy, please let me know!
(Or if you just need a few laughs, log on to those sites and Auto Translate them!)
I think I'll be asking my Chinese friends for help because I want to buy a small countertop oven and a blender. :-)
Nov 27, 2011
Let the Rain Fall!!
Theoretically I should be upset that it's raining, as my just-washed clothes are hanging out to dry. However, we haven't had a good, heavy rain in Zhuzhou for weeks, and the Xiang River has been very low. This morning I got up before the sun came up, and I was able to have some quiet time sipping tea and listening to the rain.
I have today (Monday) off from work because of American Thanksgiving; since I worked on Thursday and Friday last week I asked for today off instead. In my teaching contract I am allowed one day off for this holiday, which is nice! I was going to go on a biking adventure this morning, but I might just spend the entire day exploring an 8-floor indoor market.
Nov 25, 2011
Thanksgiving with Kristin
Yesterday I had the pleasure of "Skyping" (verb: to talk on Skype) with Kristin Mueller, one of my best friends. We had a *blast*. Two factors contributed to the awesome conversation -- the first being the fact that my school was having an awards ceremony on the basketball courts. My office overlooks the basketball courts, so with the windows open I can angle my computer down to offer a full view of the shenanigans outside. Picture thousands of students sitting in neatly formed rows (with the chairs they brought out from their classrooms) and a red stage on which people in multi-coloured tribal outfits are dancing and clanging cymbals. I know, I am just as confused. There was also a male MC shouting very emphatic phrases over the loudspeaker, which made it hard to concentrate on the video-chat with Kristin. She found it pretty hilarious though.
Quote: Me-- "Look at what's going on outside!" (angles laptop out the window).
Kristin-- "It looks like North Korea!!"
(Sidenote: If any of you want to talk to me over the internet, 9:00PM EST is usually the best time because it directly aligns with the students' morning exercise routine, which is done for 10 minutes out on the basketball courts. It's the perfect mixture of synchronised aerobics and that same man yelling emphatically over the loudspeakers.)
Reason number two for our awesome convo: Kristin and her drawingattempts abilities. She decided to send some Thanksgiving cheer my way by means of drawing several turkeys. I wish to share these works of comedy art with you; below you'll find what I like to call "The Evolution of a Thanksgiving Turkey", starring none other than Miss Kristin N. Mueller.
Quote: Me-- "Look at what's going on outside!" (angles laptop out the window).
Kristin-- "It looks like North Korea!!"
(Sidenote: If any of you want to talk to me over the internet, 9:00PM EST is usually the best time because it directly aligns with the students' morning exercise routine, which is done for 10 minutes out on the basketball courts. It's the perfect mixture of synchronised aerobics and that same man yelling emphatically over the loudspeakers.)
Reason number two for our awesome convo: Kristin and her drawing
^Stage 1: four legs. ^Stage 2: scratch that...maybe it only has 2 legs.
^Stage 3: It's smiling, in an anatomically ^Stage 4: new turkey drawing...let's try this
puzzling way. again. slightly deformed mouth/beak. With
horns?! And is that a beard?
^Stage 5: Dialogue: ^Of course there's always the Cannibal Turkey...
Kristin-"Which one do you think looks not necessarily something I want to eat on
more life-like?" Thanksgiving.
Kristin-"Which one do you think looks not necessarily something I want to eat on
more life-like?" Thanksgiving.
Me-"Uuhhhh..."
^Dissatisfied Cait.
Supposedly I didn't like the pictures.
I assure you, I did!
Nov 24, 2011
Zhuzhou Bike Card
As of a few weeks ago, I'm the proud owner of a Zhuzhou Public Bicycle Card. At a price of only 1300RMB (200USD), which I get back when I return the card next July, this card allows me to pick up and drop off a bike anywhere in the city. Super convenient!!! I just wish they sold life insurance policies along with the card. Traffic here is *insane*.
I also have a broken finger -- on my right hand to boot. This makes eating with chopsticks extremely difficult (the locals think it's hilarious, though) as well as menial tasks such as showering, brushing my hair, tying my shoes, writing on the board, etc. At least I can type with 9 fingers. And ride a bike! This morning I braved the chaotic roads and biked to school. The picture below boasts my bike card and my home-made splint, made of a popsicle stick and medical tape.
I also have a broken finger -- on my right hand to boot. This makes eating with chopsticks extremely difficult (the locals think it's hilarious, though) as well as menial tasks such as showering, brushing my hair, tying my shoes, writing on the board, etc. At least I can type with 9 fingers. And ride a bike! This morning I braved the chaotic roads and biked to school. The picture below boasts my bike card and my home-made splint, made of a popsicle stick and medical tape.
Nov 23, 2011
Air Quality
Let me begin by saying that I've never had a breathing problem such as asthma... before coming to China.
And I thought I was handling the poor air quality quite well until all-of-a-sudden I couldn't breathe while running yesterday. Some days the pollution is so thick that it creates a weird fog, coating the city in a wheeze-inducing haze. Nora, my site mate, and a few other expat friends have had their parents send over asthma inhalers to help them breathe better. I'm thinking of doing the same.
I really wish China would make more of an effort to create and regulate stricter environmental laws. I'm all for this country developing and industrialising -- IF it can do so in a responsible, sustainable, healthy way. Since Zhuzhou is an industrial city, the ill-effects of regulation-less development are painfully clear.
As I weigh the pros and cons of staying in China for another year, I definitely need to consider the negative health effects related to the environment here. Not only is the air quality bad, which makes strenuous exercise difficult, it's also hard to find healthy food here (such as organic produce and whole grains). And I feel like there's constant stress in this society. Overall the lifestyle here in China is just not something i can handle long-term.
And I thought I was handling the poor air quality quite well until all-of-a-sudden I couldn't breathe while running yesterday. Some days the pollution is so thick that it creates a weird fog, coating the city in a wheeze-inducing haze. Nora, my site mate, and a few other expat friends have had their parents send over asthma inhalers to help them breathe better. I'm thinking of doing the same.
I really wish China would make more of an effort to create and regulate stricter environmental laws. I'm all for this country developing and industrialising -- IF it can do so in a responsible, sustainable, healthy way. Since Zhuzhou is an industrial city, the ill-effects of regulation-less development are painfully clear.
As I weigh the pros and cons of staying in China for another year, I definitely need to consider the negative health effects related to the environment here. Not only is the air quality bad, which makes strenuous exercise difficult, it's also hard to find healthy food here (such as organic produce and whole grains). And I feel like there's constant stress in this society. Overall the lifestyle here in China is just not something i can handle long-term.
Nov 22, 2011
Not much going on this week. Feeling quite bored in Zhuzhou, to be honest. Maybe it's just the mid-semester blues... And knowing that I can't be back at home for certain things.
For those of you who don't know, my finger is dislocated/sprained/broken (not sure which one b/c I haven't seen a doctor) thanks to a game of basketball with the expats on Saturday. It's still quite swollen and blue/black, which concerns me. I've splinted it using Nora's medical tape and a popsicle stick (hey, just another excuse to have ice cream!) and I'm popping advil like it's my job. Since ice is a rarity here, it has been hard to consistently ice it to get the swelling down. Yesterday a teacher took me to buy some traditional Chinese medicine -- a cooling spray called Hainan Baiyao which is supposed to be some miraculous cure for injuries like this. lol. We'll see how it works.
On Saturday morning I'm heading to Hengyang, a city about 2-3 hours by train, to hang out with some other WorldTeachers for American Thanksgiving. It'll be nice to take a break from Zhuzhou.
I can't believe we're nearing the end of November already!!!
For those of you who don't know, my finger is dislocated/sprained/broken (not sure which one b/c I haven't seen a doctor) thanks to a game of basketball with the expats on Saturday. It's still quite swollen and blue/black, which concerns me. I've splinted it using Nora's medical tape and a popsicle stick (hey, just another excuse to have ice cream!) and I'm popping advil like it's my job. Since ice is a rarity here, it has been hard to consistently ice it to get the swelling down. Yesterday a teacher took me to buy some traditional Chinese medicine -- a cooling spray called Hainan Baiyao which is supposed to be some miraculous cure for injuries like this. lol. We'll see how it works.
On Saturday morning I'm heading to Hengyang, a city about 2-3 hours by train, to hang out with some other WorldTeachers for American Thanksgiving. It'll be nice to take a break from Zhuzhou.
I can't believe we're nearing the end of November already!!!
Nov 21, 2011
Translations for Chinese Nutrition Labels
It took a lot of time-consuming translating -- trial and error style -- but I finally identified the majority of what is written on food labels here in China (if the package has a label). China just passed a law requiring all companies to put a standardized nutrition label on food packages, but that doesn't come into effect until 2013 (and it's sans English). Anyway, for my fellow volunteers who need some assistance with deciphering labels in the supermarkets, here is what I've found so far:
carbohydrates - 碳水化合物 - Tànshuǐ huàhéwù
protein - 蛋白质 - Dànbáizhí
sugar - 糖 - Táng
fat - 脂肪 - Zhīfáng
sodium - 钠 - Nà
dietary fiber - 膳食纤维 - Shànshí xiānwéi
Nov 20, 2011
Cherish
Tonight I was blessed with the opportunity to have a 12-minute chat with my grandparents (Suk) in Canada. It's not often that I think to use my Skype credit to call landlines, but I really should take more advantage of such cheap calling! And it was *so* good to hear their voices and to "catch up" for a bit. I am constantly reminded that life is short and unpredictable, so I shouldn't let too many days go by without telling the people in my life that I love and appreciate them. Sometimes I feel so far removed from things happening back at "home" ~ a kind of disconnect, if you will. As I try to balance my new life with friends and family from different part of life I end up missing significant events or "news stories" from people's lives. So if anything important is happening in your life back home, feel free to email me a quick update. I love it, and will try to reply in a timely manner.
Please pray for my cousin Michelle's father-in-law, who was in a bad accident at work and is now in a coma. (And for my father's father, who is battling cancer). Cherish each day.
Nov 18, 2011
Nov 17, 2011
Nov 16, 2011
Chocolates and Wine
Last night I had an *awesome* time playing badminton with my friend Sarah, who lives about 45 minutes from me. Not only did we play badminton, we also watched a chick flick on an actual TV (my first time in China!), ate leftover Halloween chocolates sent by her awesome friends back home, and ate California dried fruit (again, sent from home). It was a nice, relaxing night free from the stresses of lesson planning.
In other news, today a red pen exploded all over my hands in class. I spent fifteen minutes scrubbing my hands but all ten fingers are still bright red. LOL. The students seem to get a kick out of it, at least. ;)
And two nights ago I was invited (last-minute style, of course... since this is China) to a dinner. Unbeknownst to me it was actually a dinner with all my school's leaders, including the headmaster, the vice-headmaster, the school's owner (it's a private school), the owner's brother and friends, and several other teachers from my school. We ate at a really fancy hotel -- in our own private ensuite dining room with its own personal kitchen.
At first, I was kind of worried that the dinner was in my honour. Last week I was really upset about being told I was a hassle for asking the school to fix the heater and hot water in my apartment. It was a big ordeal that involved me crying and almost angrily shouting at my liaison over the phone. So I was a bit nervous about being taken out to dinner, since I didn't know if the school was trying to "save face" about last week's situation. (It didn't help that the first thing my headmaster asks me is: "You like Jing Yan, right?") However, it turned out that we were celebrating the accomplishments of two English teachers at my school, who recently won 1st place at national teaching competitions. :)
That night I had the most delicious food I've tasted so far in China... and, thanks to the "toasting" culture here, we all got a little tipsy. It's custom here to make a toast to everyone at the table. Let me briefly explain the culture of "Gan Bei", or toasting. The most important person at the dinner usually begins the toasting, going around the table to make simple conversation and to thank you for coming. This short encounter ends with a "cheers".
When you see someone approaching with a wine glass in hand, it's because you're about to be "toasted" to. The person will say, "Wo ting ni" (I toast you). You must stand. They will say something in Chinese, raise their glass, and the two of you clink your wine glasses together. Usually you'll want to have your glass a little lower than the other person's, since it symbolises humility and respect. You then down the ENTIRE glass, raise your glass to the other person (who does the same to you) and look him/her in the eye, and then sit down. When all the important people are once again sitting down, you may stand up and make your own rounds at the table, toasting to people. You'll get bonus points if you try to compliment the person in Chinese.
If everyone is toasting each other, you can well imagine how many glasses of wine you end up drinking by the night's end. It was unreal. There were about 14 of us at the table, and some people toasted more than once. My face started to get a bit hot at one point, and the teacher sitting next to me leaned over and whispered I feel dizzy!
My headmaster, the sweetest lady ever, was visibly intoxicated and running around trying to grab back her purse from the owner's brother... which ended in a tug of war. It was hilarious. And then everyone wanted to take photos to commemorate the evening.
It felt good to be included in such an important event, despite not understanding everything that was said at the dinner table. I did my best to immerse myself in the Chinese culture and to speak as much Chinese as I could, grinning whenever someone poked fun at my efforts (in a nice way). I hope I impressed the higher-ups. Anyway, long story short- I had a fun night, despite coming home a bit inebriated and still needing to finish a lesson plan due at midnight. Haha. Ohhhh China. So unpredictable.
And then today a teacher tells me that my picture is up on the school's website. Sure enough, I ask someone what the school's internet address is... and there I am standing with the school leaders. See below. :)
In other news, today a red pen exploded all over my hands in class. I spent fifteen minutes scrubbing my hands but all ten fingers are still bright red. LOL. The students seem to get a kick out of it, at least. ;)
And two nights ago I was invited (last-minute style, of course... since this is China) to a dinner. Unbeknownst to me it was actually a dinner with all my school's leaders, including the headmaster, the vice-headmaster, the school's owner (it's a private school), the owner's brother and friends, and several other teachers from my school. We ate at a really fancy hotel -- in our own private ensuite dining room with its own personal kitchen.
At first, I was kind of worried that the dinner was in my honour. Last week I was really upset about being told I was a hassle for asking the school to fix the heater and hot water in my apartment. It was a big ordeal that involved me crying and almost angrily shouting at my liaison over the phone. So I was a bit nervous about being taken out to dinner, since I didn't know if the school was trying to "save face" about last week's situation. (It didn't help that the first thing my headmaster asks me is: "You like Jing Yan, right?") However, it turned out that we were celebrating the accomplishments of two English teachers at my school, who recently won 1st place at national teaching competitions. :)
That night I had the most delicious food I've tasted so far in China... and, thanks to the "toasting" culture here, we all got a little tipsy. It's custom here to make a toast to everyone at the table. Let me briefly explain the culture of "Gan Bei", or toasting. The most important person at the dinner usually begins the toasting, going around the table to make simple conversation and to thank you for coming. This short encounter ends with a "cheers".
When you see someone approaching with a wine glass in hand, it's because you're about to be "toasted" to. The person will say, "Wo ting ni" (I toast you). You must stand. They will say something in Chinese, raise their glass, and the two of you clink your wine glasses together. Usually you'll want to have your glass a little lower than the other person's, since it symbolises humility and respect. You then down the ENTIRE glass, raise your glass to the other person (who does the same to you) and look him/her in the eye, and then sit down. When all the important people are once again sitting down, you may stand up and make your own rounds at the table, toasting to people. You'll get bonus points if you try to compliment the person in Chinese.
If everyone is toasting each other, you can well imagine how many glasses of wine you end up drinking by the night's end. It was unreal. There were about 14 of us at the table, and some people toasted more than once. My face started to get a bit hot at one point, and the teacher sitting next to me leaned over and whispered I feel dizzy!
My headmaster, the sweetest lady ever, was visibly intoxicated and running around trying to grab back her purse from the owner's brother... which ended in a tug of war. It was hilarious. And then everyone wanted to take photos to commemorate the evening.
It felt good to be included in such an important event, despite not understanding everything that was said at the dinner table. I did my best to immerse myself in the Chinese culture and to speak as much Chinese as I could, grinning whenever someone poked fun at my efforts (in a nice way). I hope I impressed the higher-ups. Anyway, long story short- I had a fun night, despite coming home a bit inebriated and still needing to finish a lesson plan due at midnight. Haha. Ohhhh China. So unpredictable.
And then today a teacher tells me that my picture is up on the school's website. Sure enough, I ask someone what the school's internet address is... and there I am standing with the school leaders. See below. :)
^ link to school's website
Nov 14, 2011
Chingchingchinglish
✲ My favourite Chinglish sign so far is definitely the one at the gym, which prohibits having pillow fights and taking children from the locker room. LOL. Oh Chinaaaa. ;) A close second, however, is the sign in a parking lot at Changsha No. 1 Middle School, which states: "Love your life. Look out for fires". Not necessarily a mistranslation, but it makes me chuckle every time. Oh, and the sign on a mountain in Nanyue that tells you not to climb trees and "deflower" them.
Nov 13, 2011
Weekend in Changsha
This weekend I attended a 2-day conference in Changsha, the capital city of the Hunan province. It's about one hour northwest of Zhuzhou, so I hopped on a train with Becky (an out-of-town teacher friend), Nora (my site-mate), and Aditi (another teacher here in Zhuzhou). For some reason the train was 20 minutes late, which seems to be a common thing here in China. After we pushed and shoved against the crowd -- a necessary skill one must have to survive here -- we finally got on the train with our "standing room only" tickets. Except I was in a different car than everyone else... so I made a new Chinese friend who spoke to me the whole way there.
This may be a bit off-topic, but I personally find it hilarious when I can tell that I'm the center of everyone's curiosity. For example, whenever I get on a public bus or train everyone starts looking at me and watching my every move. Yes, I admit that it gets annoying very quickly. But sometimes I get a kick out of looking up and seeing lots of Chinese eyes on me, waiting to see what I do or say next. Usually whoever is sitting within an arm's reach of me will try to strike up conversation to see if I can speak Chinese. And usually this is done in a non-intimidating, casual way. When the crowd discovers that yes, the lao-wai (foreigner) can speak "yi dian-dian Zhongwen" (a little bit of Chinese) it seems like every ear focuses in on our conversation. Which is kind of intimidating, but mostly fun. :)
Anyway, the conference was put on by CTC - the China Teaching Consortium - made up of several teaching organisations here in China. Harvard's WorldTeach (woot!!) and the Yale-China program organised the whole thing, and it was spectacularly well done! Not only did I get to see my roommate from Orientation again (Becky - i love her!), we got to stay in a hotel for two nights and have all meals prepared for us... without having to spend a dime! We also got to meet teachers from all over China and discuss common goals and challenges with them. The few panelists and speakers were great, too. I learned a lot of new methods to use in my classroom and was able to reflect on my purpose here as a foreign English teacher. Being among likeminded individuals who want to have a hand in positively impacting and shaping China's "next generation" was so refreshing. As was the unlimited hot water and comfy, clean-sheeted bed at the hotel.
After the conference closed on Sunday at 2pm, I headed to H&M with a few other girls. Sometimes a girl's just gotta shop!! After running around the city a bit -- and having fun conversations over a cafe americano or latte -- we hopped on a train at 9pm and returned to Zhuzhou (where I was accosted by a drunk man at the train station... story soon to come).
Overall, I had a great weekend. ✽
This may be a bit off-topic, but I personally find it hilarious when I can tell that I'm the center of everyone's curiosity. For example, whenever I get on a public bus or train everyone starts looking at me and watching my every move. Yes, I admit that it gets annoying very quickly. But sometimes I get a kick out of looking up and seeing lots of Chinese eyes on me, waiting to see what I do or say next. Usually whoever is sitting within an arm's reach of me will try to strike up conversation to see if I can speak Chinese. And usually this is done in a non-intimidating, casual way. When the crowd discovers that yes, the lao-wai (foreigner) can speak "yi dian-dian Zhongwen" (a little bit of Chinese) it seems like every ear focuses in on our conversation. Which is kind of intimidating, but mostly fun. :)
Anyway, the conference was put on by CTC - the China Teaching Consortium - made up of several teaching organisations here in China. Harvard's WorldTeach (woot!!) and the Yale-China program organised the whole thing, and it was spectacularly well done! Not only did I get to see my roommate from Orientation again (Becky - i love her!), we got to stay in a hotel for two nights and have all meals prepared for us... without having to spend a dime! We also got to meet teachers from all over China and discuss common goals and challenges with them. The few panelists and speakers were great, too. I learned a lot of new methods to use in my classroom and was able to reflect on my purpose here as a foreign English teacher. Being among likeminded individuals who want to have a hand in positively impacting and shaping China's "next generation" was so refreshing. As was the unlimited hot water and comfy, clean-sheeted bed at the hotel.
After the conference closed on Sunday at 2pm, I headed to H&M with a few other girls. Sometimes a girl's just gotta shop!! After running around the city a bit -- and having fun conversations over a cafe americano or latte -- we hopped on a train at 9pm and returned to Zhuzhou (where I was accosted by a drunk man at the train station... story soon to come).
Overall, I had a great weekend. ✽
^ our table at dinner ^ me and Becky eating sweet
this weekend potato chips for breakfast
^ at the WorldTeach library in Changsha
(stocking up on some English books to read)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)