Yuan dan - the solar new year is tomorrow morning.
In America at this time I would be having a party at my house, fireworks going off, lots of food, and more familiar surroundings and people.
At present I'm in my office in 瓯江 college, I finished putting grades into the computer program and now I'm just burning up some more time before I go back to my place to sleep - yeah, this is how we do it in China.
I'm sure at least a few of the other foreign teachers are staying up to party or hang out, but for me I need to be back at the school gate at 6:00 tomorrow morning to catch the bus into Wenzhou city center - there's a 4,300 meter run going on somewhere around that time and my college bought the participating faculty members brand-new sweatshirts and pants for the occasion - the clothes are pretty nice, and they actually fit me.
Being in China is great, but this last week I was really feeling kind of homesick. In class last week I told everyone who asked that I didn't mind working on Christmas because I'm Jewish, but I feel the call of habit telling me to go to Uncle Mike's, sit with everyone under the tree, do a huge puzzle and at some point frolic in the ocean...
...haven't seen that ocean for a while now...
On the lighter side of things, last night was my colleague Riz's birthday, so we had a big get-together in her apartment - food, talk, music and lots of her sophomore students that kept treating me like I was a rock star - I have to say when it makes everyone nervous to talk to you because they think you're so "handsome" and "popular" it's kind of frustrating... still not used to that treatment and never wanna be.
Well, as one eventful year ends, so begins a new one.
My resolutions:
- train martial arts at least a little bit everyday,
- practice languages for an hour everyday,
- study science every week,
- be a little less serious,
- take more time to explore,
- spend a lot less time by myself,
...and,
- get some more experience out of life.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Friday, December 26, 2008
From old to new...
Today I watched the last of my students present their finals, now I'm compiling all the scores before determining if I should set a curve.
I can't seem to find any pictures of my bathroom as it once was, so I guess you'll have to see the old floor as it IS.
(Far left picture) tiles and toilet, plus the little neighborhood dude
(Far right) the floor, minus tiles, toilet, washing machine and sink
And of course, the NEW floor, as it is.
(Plus the new toilet).
On Christmas Eve, one of my students from my evening English class invited me to watch her perform as the famous Ruan Lingyu (阮玲玉) of Shanghai (silent movie actress, committed suicide at the age of 24).
This is her.
Juno. Wang Yang (王洋)
The night of Christmas Day I spent at the Overseas Hotel in downtown Wenzhou with most of the other foreigners who live in this city.
Among the entertainment included one of my fellow Chinese learners from Wenzhou International Cooperation College.
One of my colleagues noticed some of her students in a hip-hop performance that was ...not American-club-dancing promiscuous, but definitely not to be rated lower than PG-13. Unfortunately I didn't get any clear pictures of this part of the performance; suffice it to say there was some suggestive pelvic movement by sophomore college girls in skin tight jeans.
And of course, how can I resist martial arts, regardless of age:
Another interesting event for which I have no picture is me eating the head of a duck (skin, meat & brain), all except the eyes - the eyes just seem too personal when you rely on them so much in your own life.
...yeah. Anyway it was a great time.
I can't seem to find any pictures of my bathroom as it once was, so I guess you'll have to see the old floor as it IS.
(Far left picture) tiles and toilet, plus the little neighborhood dude
(Far right) the floor, minus tiles, toilet, washing machine and sink
And of course, the NEW floor, as it is.
(Plus the new toilet).
On Christmas Eve, one of my students from my evening English class invited me to watch her perform as the famous Ruan Lingyu (阮玲玉) of Shanghai (silent movie actress, committed suicide at the age of 24).
This is her.Juno. Wang Yang (王洋)
The night of Christmas Day I spent at the Overseas Hotel in downtown Wenzhou with most of the other foreigners who live in this city.
Among the entertainment included one of my fellow Chinese learners from Wenzhou International Cooperation College.
One of my colleagues noticed some of her students in a hip-hop performance that was ...not American-club-dancing promiscuous, but definitely not to be rated lower than PG-13. Unfortunately I didn't get any clear pictures of this part of the performance; suffice it to say there was some suggestive pelvic movement by sophomore college girls in skin tight jeans.
And of course, how can I resist martial arts, regardless of age:
Another interesting event for which I have no picture is me eating the head of a duck (skin, meat & brain), all except the eyes - the eyes just seem too personal when you rely on them so much in your own life.
...yeah. Anyway it was a great time.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Happy Hanukkah
I have returned to my old apartment, I haven't tested the shower yet, but the floor slopes down toward the drain now, so I feel better about my situation - hopefully my return to using water in the apartment doesn't result in any more outside leaks - don't wanna have to move again.
Today I had a class in the morning, followed by lunch around noon and into the afternoon at a good sit-down restaurant (at a table with a Lazy-Susan) with the teachers and students at the International Cooperation College. I also got invited to a Christmas party tomorrow night, so I should have something to occupy my time socially - a little something to save me from myself.
In the afternoon I was able to talk to Mom and Dad over Skype before I had to get back to my office and listen to some midterm presentations from some students who just transferred into my class from another major.
Originally I was pretty skeptical about these students, but the fact that they came to my office with fully written essays and were able to talk to me in English about some important experiences was a good mental refresher. I definitely feel better about these new students.... although the fact that essentially none of them can come to my class this term is rather frustrating.
Tomorrow I'm going to finish grading the performances I saw on Monday and do the last touch-ups on my PowerPoint so I deliver the "over-Winter-vacation" assignment as clearly as I can.
Happy Hanukkah!
Today I had a class in the morning, followed by lunch around noon and into the afternoon at a good sit-down restaurant (at a table with a Lazy-Susan) with the teachers and students at the International Cooperation College. I also got invited to a Christmas party tomorrow night, so I should have something to occupy my time socially - a little something to save me from myself.
In the afternoon I was able to talk to Mom and Dad over Skype before I had to get back to my office and listen to some midterm presentations from some students who just transferred into my class from another major.
Originally I was pretty skeptical about these students, but the fact that they came to my office with fully written essays and were able to talk to me in English about some important experiences was a good mental refresher. I definitely feel better about these new students.... although the fact that essentially none of them can come to my class this term is rather frustrating.
Tomorrow I'm going to finish grading the performances I saw on Monday and do the last touch-ups on my PowerPoint so I deliver the "over-Winter-vacation" assignment as clearly as I can.
Happy Hanukkah!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Two down...
I won't let myself say how many to go... gotta be thinking location, not the destination.
Last night I spent at "Julie & Mu"'s, during the day we bought potatoes, fish and other ingredients and made (among many delicious Chinese dishes) potato latkas. I can't remember the last time I tasted one, so I have no idea whether or not the ones we made were great, reasonable or WAY off.
They tasted good, and I think in a way it was a miracle - done without a recipe or experience, just a faint idea, some intensely diced potatoes, salt, egg and flour to make it hold together while being fried.
I also got a gift from Jada - small Beijing Opera masks that she got on a trip she took there this last week. Now if I only knew what I could get her.
Final presentations today went OK, most of the student did well - I was pleasantly surprised by my first class (normally so mellow and quiet) being so active in their discussions.
I was, however, disappointed with one group who I saw using index cards tucked into their sleeves to help with their talking.
I haven't calculated exactly how much I'm going to dock them for that behavior - but they know it's going to be steep and harsh.
My boss 柯素芬 says that next semester she doesn't know if I will teach another evening class at the Foreign Language School - I hope I don't, 18:30-21:00 just isn't what I'm designed for. If I don't get another class I'll be expected to lend some assistance in teaching the Sophomore English Writing class, because I apparently did a pretty satisfactory job of writing corrections for the essays during the practice CET4.
...they had the real test this Saturday and it sounds like the students probably didn't do that well - or at least didn't feel good about how well they did.
After lunch today I went over to my apartment to look at their progress (I'm supposed to be able to return tomorrow) and I found the bathroom re-tiled, my sink and washing machine put back in it, and a NEW toilet (SWEET!).
Well, I better get out of my office before either this campus or the South campus closes.
Last night I spent at "Julie & Mu"'s, during the day we bought potatoes, fish and other ingredients and made (among many delicious Chinese dishes) potato latkas. I can't remember the last time I tasted one, so I have no idea whether or not the ones we made were great, reasonable or WAY off.
They tasted good, and I think in a way it was a miracle - done without a recipe or experience, just a faint idea, some intensely diced potatoes, salt, egg and flour to make it hold together while being fried.
I also got a gift from Jada - small Beijing Opera masks that she got on a trip she took there this last week. Now if I only knew what I could get her.
Final presentations today went OK, most of the student did well - I was pleasantly surprised by my first class (normally so mellow and quiet) being so active in their discussions.
I was, however, disappointed with one group who I saw using index cards tucked into their sleeves to help with their talking.
I haven't calculated exactly how much I'm going to dock them for that behavior - but they know it's going to be steep and harsh.
My boss 柯素芬 says that next semester she doesn't know if I will teach another evening class at the Foreign Language School - I hope I don't, 18:30-21:00 just isn't what I'm designed for. If I don't get another class I'll be expected to lend some assistance in teaching the Sophomore English Writing class, because I apparently did a pretty satisfactory job of writing corrections for the essays during the practice CET4.
...they had the real test this Saturday and it sounds like the students probably didn't do that well - or at least didn't feel good about how well they did.
After lunch today I went over to my apartment to look at their progress (I'm supposed to be able to return tomorrow) and I found the bathroom re-tiled, my sink and washing machine put back in it, and a NEW toilet (SWEET!).
Well, I better get out of my office before either this campus or the South campus closes.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Almost... almost... almost...
(for those who have seen "Family Guy" episode "North by North Quahog", guess the next segment in the title)
Why am I late this time you ask?
A matter of days prior to my family coming to visit me here in Wenzhou I was asked if I would kindly vacate my apartment for a week or two while some maintenance workers did some work on my bathroom floor in order to stop a water leak that was leaving water on the step outside my apartment door... a leak that seems most likely to be coming from somewhere in the wall near my kitchen or quite possibly from some source above my lodgings (though admittedly that is more opinion than fact).
Now a matter of days preceding my finals I have been asked by an entire crew of men to leave my home while they tear up my bathroom floor and plug up the leak. In the meantime I've been moved to a hotel room on the South Campus that regrettably has no computer, thus I have no software to upload the pictures that would substantiate my grievances.
...the good news is I finally finished grading the evening class I taught for the Foreign Language College this last semester, so 3 of my overall 15 credits worth of classes are accounted for.
...Now to observe the finals and collect the midterms of my other 6 classes.
Last night (Thursday) I spent at the apartment of my friends and colleagues, Julie Luo and her husband Mu. We steamed eggplant and dipped it in a sauce of garlic and ginger, made a soup with potatoes and pork, and ate raw cucumber and lettuce (first time in a while for me).
The food was great, and afterwards we used a microphone in the living room to sing songs - not officially karaoke, but fairly close.
Now I'm preparing an assignment for my students to make sure they keep practicing English over the break, and give me something to work with once they get back.
Sunday I'm going back to Julie's and we're going to make latkas for Hanukkah... now if only I had a menorah it would be complete. Maybe tomorrow I can go find one after I take care of some important business matters - like sleeping undisturbed and making some lessons more than a few days or weeks in advance.
...with luck maybe I'll get some time to do some martial arts and Chinese learning too.
Why am I late this time you ask?
A matter of days prior to my family coming to visit me here in Wenzhou I was asked if I would kindly vacate my apartment for a week or two while some maintenance workers did some work on my bathroom floor in order to stop a water leak that was leaving water on the step outside my apartment door... a leak that seems most likely to be coming from somewhere in the wall near my kitchen or quite possibly from some source above my lodgings (though admittedly that is more opinion than fact).
Now a matter of days preceding my finals I have been asked by an entire crew of men to leave my home while they tear up my bathroom floor and plug up the leak. In the meantime I've been moved to a hotel room on the South Campus that regrettably has no computer, thus I have no software to upload the pictures that would substantiate my grievances.
...the good news is I finally finished grading the evening class I taught for the Foreign Language College this last semester, so 3 of my overall 15 credits worth of classes are accounted for.
...Now to observe the finals and collect the midterms of my other 6 classes.
Last night (Thursday) I spent at the apartment of my friends and colleagues, Julie Luo and her husband Mu. We steamed eggplant and dipped it in a sauce of garlic and ginger, made a soup with potatoes and pork, and ate raw cucumber and lettuce (first time in a while for me).
The food was great, and afterwards we used a microphone in the living room to sing songs - not officially karaoke, but fairly close.
Now I'm preparing an assignment for my students to make sure they keep practicing English over the break, and give me something to work with once they get back.
Sunday I'm going back to Julie's and we're going to make latkas for Hanukkah... now if only I had a menorah it would be complete. Maybe tomorrow I can go find one after I take care of some important business matters - like sleeping undisturbed and making some lessons more than a few days or weeks in advance.
...with luck maybe I'll get some time to do some martial arts and Chinese learning too.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
The end (of the term) is near...
...yet not quite near enough it seems. Still classes and tests to be given.
My updates here have been... spotty, I know, I've been using the computer in my apartment less and less, and I keep trying to lighten up on myself and actually do some "relaxing" and "living", rather than working, so I haven't been writing either in the blog, or even my personal journal for the past week.
I met with my friend and colleague Mr. Mu the other day and he told me that some of his students from Harbin would be willing to escort me there at the end of finals one month from now. I've read that the place has a park for Tigers and several buildings of Russian-style architecture, so I'm looking forward to that.
The only dilemma I have is that Faye, one of my Oujiang colleague, expressed interest in going to Harbin, and it will difficult for her to go given that after finals she needs to do some intensive work to properly grade her students.
I've started taking actual Chinese classes at the International Cooperation College (Faye actually teaches one of the classes), so now I finally have some more structured language learning. The classes are only a few students (foreigners, although I'm the only American) and rely on a textbook, so it should be an interesting experience.
This last week I refrained from shaving (other than my neck) to see if a slight beard would improve my feeling in the cold climate. It didn't change much, so I shaved it off this evening.
In other news, the students in one of my classes made a plan to go up the mountain this weekend and they invited me, so that's where I was today - however they decided it was too far to schlep all the food and the grills for barbecuing, so we took vans up to the mountain and hiked just a couple hundred meters in.
I did my usual garbage collection when we finished, but the van drivers refused to bring it back (fair enough I suppose), so we had to leave it behind with an elderly couple that decided to look through the bags for empty bottles.
It's just amazing to me how much disregard there is for the environment. I mean do people just plan to visit these places one time and then never come back?
I think if I started an awareness campaign it would have a slogan like:
"You're here for one day, this (the garbage) is here everyday you don't take it away with you." OR maybe
"You're here to enjoy this day with your kids, this (again garbage) will be here to enjoy a day with your grandchildren's kids. Don't leave what you don't think they'll enjoy."
(...yeah, corny I know, but right now I think this place needs a little corny, if only to get people's attention).
Last thing I'll give is some pictures of the trip today. Sorry the first one is so small, it was far away. And yes, I am that big compared to my students.
My updates here have been... spotty, I know, I've been using the computer in my apartment less and less, and I keep trying to lighten up on myself and actually do some "relaxing" and "living", rather than working, so I haven't been writing either in the blog, or even my personal journal for the past week.
I met with my friend and colleague Mr. Mu the other day and he told me that some of his students from Harbin would be willing to escort me there at the end of finals one month from now. I've read that the place has a park for Tigers and several buildings of Russian-style architecture, so I'm looking forward to that.
The only dilemma I have is that Faye, one of my Oujiang colleague, expressed interest in going to Harbin, and it will difficult for her to go given that after finals she needs to do some intensive work to properly grade her students.
I've started taking actual Chinese classes at the International Cooperation College (Faye actually teaches one of the classes), so now I finally have some more structured language learning. The classes are only a few students (foreigners, although I'm the only American) and rely on a textbook, so it should be an interesting experience.
This last week I refrained from shaving (other than my neck) to see if a slight beard would improve my feeling in the cold climate. It didn't change much, so I shaved it off this evening.
In other news, the students in one of my classes made a plan to go up the mountain this weekend and they invited me, so that's where I was today - however they decided it was too far to schlep all the food and the grills for barbecuing, so we took vans up to the mountain and hiked just a couple hundred meters in.
I did my usual garbage collection when we finished, but the van drivers refused to bring it back (fair enough I suppose), so we had to leave it behind with an elderly couple that decided to look through the bags for empty bottles.
It's just amazing to me how much disregard there is for the environment. I mean do people just plan to visit these places one time and then never come back?
I think if I started an awareness campaign it would have a slogan like:
"You're here for one day, this (the garbage) is here everyday you don't take it away with you." OR maybe
"You're here to enjoy this day with your kids, this (again garbage) will be here to enjoy a day with your grandchildren's kids. Don't leave what you don't think they'll enjoy."
(...yeah, corny I know, but right now I think this place needs a little corny, if only to get people's attention).
Last thing I'll give is some pictures of the trip today. Sorry the first one is so small, it was far away. And yes, I am that big compared to my students.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Into the wilderness...
...with all of student civilization in tow.
I've said before that hiking for me is a time of quiet contemplation. A chance to reconnect with nature in the limited sense of breathing air that's in close proximity to trees, and not having vehicles, computers or any peculiar noise-making devices nearby. (Granted I did take my cell phone, but that was for the purpose of knowing the time, and it's always on vibrate).
The students I repeatedly go hiking with, however, have a very different feel for hiking and what it entails. When these guys and girls go hiking they do it with MP5s blaring music and constant singing or chattering all the way up. They even have moments when they turn around and shout randomly back down the valley - to tell you the truth it's actually quite annoying.
But I like them a lot, and this gets me out of my apartment, so I'm happy to do it, even if I don't always enjoy the manner of doing.
Today I went hiking, only for a little over an hour, then walked back down, picking up garbage on the way, then I returned some library books that Rose borrowed for me, and then returned to my apartment.
Later in the evening I received a call from some guy who I've only seen a couple times and then I received a call from Rose who said her roommates had gone into town to do shopping and had left her without a key back to their room. What's more, she asked if I was home, I admitted I was, and she said she was "outside my window" and saw that the light wasn't on... yeah...
As far as work, this week I'm going to give the students another lesson in advocating and making choices as a group. This week we'll do shopping and eating.
I'll also assign them to groups of 4-6 and they'll perform together in their final - which it turns out has to be before the new year.
I've said before that hiking for me is a time of quiet contemplation. A chance to reconnect with nature in the limited sense of breathing air that's in close proximity to trees, and not having vehicles, computers or any peculiar noise-making devices nearby. (Granted I did take my cell phone, but that was for the purpose of knowing the time, and it's always on vibrate).
The students I repeatedly go hiking with, however, have a very different feel for hiking and what it entails. When these guys and girls go hiking they do it with MP5s blaring music and constant singing or chattering all the way up. They even have moments when they turn around and shout randomly back down the valley - to tell you the truth it's actually quite annoying.
But I like them a lot, and this gets me out of my apartment, so I'm happy to do it, even if I don't always enjoy the manner of doing.
Today I went hiking, only for a little over an hour, then walked back down, picking up garbage on the way, then I returned some library books that Rose borrowed for me, and then returned to my apartment.
Later in the evening I received a call from some guy who I've only seen a couple times and then I received a call from Rose who said her roommates had gone into town to do shopping and had left her without a key back to their room. What's more, she asked if I was home, I admitted I was, and she said she was "outside my window" and saw that the light wasn't on... yeah...
As far as work, this week I'm going to give the students another lesson in advocating and making choices as a group. This week we'll do shopping and eating.
I'll also assign them to groups of 4-6 and they'll perform together in their final - which it turns out has to be before the new year.
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