With my U.S. trip just 8 days away, I thought it good to reflect on the craziness of this place. Here are excerpts from a Jeff Foxworthy style list I found as well as some of my own observations. Mine are marked with TP.
You know you've been in China too long when...
You buy a round trip air ticket in China.
You start calling other foreigners Lao Wai.
You think singing Karaoke on Friday nights is fun.
You consider McDonalds a treat.
Chinese fashion starts looking hip.
Your idea of a larger home is an extra 10 square meters.
You ask fellow foreigners the all-important question “How long have you been here?” in order to be able to properly categorize them.
Pollution, what pollution?
You stop enjoying telling newcomers to China ‘all about China’.
You think that you can impress foreigners by drinking Budweiser.(Dr. Pepper)
You have run out of snappy comebacks to compliments about your chopstick skills.
Someone doesn’t stare at you and you wonder why.
Forks feel funny.
Other foreigners give you a funny look when you tell them how long you’ve been here.
The Lunar Calendar ALWAYS takes precedence.
You can make elevators go faster by boarding first and taking over the controls.
Drilling on the walls in the wee small hours in the morning is considered acceptable behaviour.
You get offended when people admire your chopsticks skills.
You speak enough Chinese to make your colleagues laugh their heads off (attempts with anyone else still only draw blank stares).
TP:
Bootleg DVDs are no longer fun.
Sleeping in a hooded sweatshirt because the heat hasn't been turned on yet is normal behavior.
You think Colonel Sanders looks like a communist with all that red surrounding his picture that you see everywhere.
You call yourself an expat.
Buying a baked sweet potato on the side of the road off of some lady's bicycle does sound like a good idea.
The lady selling baked sweet potatos looks for you to come out of your office every night because she knows you will buy one.
You've eaten at the local Western style restaurant so many times that they bring the Dr. Pepper to your table before you even sit down.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Friday, November 14, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
So good you wanna....
With my upcoming US trip arriving in 2 weeks, I needed to finish up some Christmas shopping. I headed over to the Silk Market, one of the larger marketplaces in Beijing.
Along with some gifts and a new winter coat for myself, which according to the saleslady I look handsome in, I purchased a simple magic trick from a magic shop in the market. I won't say the name of the prop I bought on here so I don't reveal the secret but for my magic buddies it was a product commonly sold in U.S. magic shops that comes in a variety of textures, colors, and sizes and is made by Vernet. These weren't Vernet quality(try dollar tree quality), but since I didn't have one, I decided to haggle for it. He started his price at 85 (discount since I said I was a magician ). This is about 13 dollars. I offered him much lower and in his shock, he made a crucial mistake. He said "Sir you are magician, you know quality of this product." To which I responded, "Yes I do, and I know this one is not worth what you are asking." I got it for 40, still a little high but it came with a silk so I can't complain.
Now on to the real reason for my visit: FOOD. With this being a touristy area, I figured there would be some good western restaurants around. I walked around a bit in search of a place and amidst calls from street vendors to buy socks and dvds and one offer from a Chinese pimp to find sex for me, I found the restaurants. Mexican, no. Steak, no (even though according to the sign this place had "The best steak in town, probably." And then there it was: Tim's Texas Barbecue. I stepped in the place feeling like I had stepped into a King of the Hill episode. There were a couple of tables occupied, all foreigners (including one loud table of annoying Texan tourists debating Obama and Bush, why are tourists such dweebs?) I immediately sat down and ordered the brisket (the true measure of any place claiming to sell Texas bbq.) It didnt' dissappoint. The onion rings were the best I have ever had, the pinto beans and cornbread divine, and the meat tender and smokey tasting, and the spanish rice a unique side item for a bbq place. Now only if my mama had been there for me to slap her...
Along with some gifts and a new winter coat for myself, which according to the saleslady I look handsome in, I purchased a simple magic trick from a magic shop in the market. I won't say the name of the prop I bought on here so I don't reveal the secret but for my magic buddies it was a product commonly sold in U.S. magic shops that comes in a variety of textures, colors, and sizes and is made by Vernet. These weren't Vernet quality(try dollar tree quality), but since I didn't have one, I decided to haggle for it. He started his price at 85 (discount since I said I was a magician ). This is about 13 dollars. I offered him much lower and in his shock, he made a crucial mistake. He said "Sir you are magician, you know quality of this product." To which I responded, "Yes I do, and I know this one is not worth what you are asking." I got it for 40, still a little high but it came with a silk so I can't complain.
Now on to the real reason for my visit: FOOD. With this being a touristy area, I figured there would be some good western restaurants around. I walked around a bit in search of a place and amidst calls from street vendors to buy socks and dvds and one offer from a Chinese pimp to find sex for me, I found the restaurants. Mexican, no. Steak, no (even though according to the sign this place had "The best steak in town, probably." And then there it was: Tim's Texas Barbecue. I stepped in the place feeling like I had stepped into a King of the Hill episode. There were a couple of tables occupied, all foreigners (including one loud table of annoying Texan tourists debating Obama and Bush, why are tourists such dweebs?) I immediately sat down and ordered the brisket (the true measure of any place claiming to sell Texas bbq.) It didnt' dissappoint. The onion rings were the best I have ever had, the pinto beans and cornbread divine, and the meat tender and smokey tasting, and the spanish rice a unique side item for a bbq place. Now only if my mama had been there for me to slap her...
Thursday, November 6, 2008
The Political Post...
Americans spoke yesterday; Barack Obama will become the 44th President of the United States. What does this mean for America? I don't know, but here are some things I do know:
We should pray for the president, whether we consider him to be worthy of the job or not.
The George Bush years are over! This can only be a good thing for the country and the world.
Barack Obama holds some ideals that I don't agree with (abortion and gay marriage).
Barack Obama holds some ideals that I do agree with (helping others and stronger healthcare)
How will those ideals play out? I hope they play out in a good way that truly unites our country. But in the end, its not about Barack, or me or you; It is about one man: Jesus Christ.
What I am sure of is that true change will only come when and only when people unite behind God:
2 Chronicles 7:14- my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
We should pray for the president, whether we consider him to be worthy of the job or not.
The George Bush years are over! This can only be a good thing for the country and the world.
Barack Obama holds some ideals that I don't agree with (abortion and gay marriage).
Barack Obama holds some ideals that I do agree with (helping others and stronger healthcare)
How will those ideals play out? I hope they play out in a good way that truly unites our country. But in the end, its not about Barack, or me or you; It is about one man: Jesus Christ.
What I am sure of is that true change will only come when and only when people unite behind God:
2 Chronicles 7:14- my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
Friday, October 31, 2008
This Is Halloween...
Halloween in China? Yes, at least at EF schools. Originally I was assisting with the party, but due to the organizer's back injury, at the last minute I was put in charge. I wouldn't say the party was a huge success, but the students appeared to have fun and that is what really matters. We had games, food(including some of Ruth Chrestman's VBS kool aid punch), a costume contest, scary stories (told by me, inspired by similar stories told by Ann King at the library in Bruce), fog machines (Arise Chicken, Chicken Arise!) and some music from a couple of different singers.
Here are some pictures:
Here are some pictures:
EF Student Jeffrey, with some guy in a vampire costume.
EF Teacher Alana As Flava Flav- Without Her Last Minute Creativity The Party Would Have Been A Total Failure. Thanks A Million, Alana!
Winners of the costume contest- The Chinese Grim Reaper
We Ain't Got No Place To Go, Let's Go To The Punk Rawk Show
EF Teacher Alana As Flava Flav- Without Her Last Minute Creativity The Party Would Have Been A Total Failure. Thanks A Million, Alana!
Winners of the costume contest- The Chinese Grim Reaper
A Couple Of Friendly Witches
Ghost Rider
We Ain't Got No Place To Go, Let's Go To The Punk Rawk Show
Entertainment Was Provided By The 2008 EF Idol Winner, A Citywide EF Sponsored American Idol Style Singing Competition.
Will this party ever end? This vampire needs to sleep.
Monday, October 27, 2008
A Trip To The Great Wall...
After meeting Gray Line's tour bus at the Crowne Plaza Hotel this morning, me and 5 other Americans who had booked the tour were off for a day of sightseeing in the mountains outside of Beijing.
The first stop was the Ming Tombs, burial places of the Ming era emperors and empresses. There are 13 tombs; we toured the largest one: Changling Tomb. After passing through the tomb's gate, you enter the largest wooden building in Beijing. This is a memorial to the emperor buried there, an emperor who seized power illegally by killing his nephew who was in power. Most tend to agree that after that act, he was a good emperor anyway. This hall contains his statue as well as artifacts that have been unearthed from the 13 tombs. Beyond this point is a tower just in front of the tomb itself (you don't actually enter the tomb). In the tomb are also buried 13 of his concubines who were ritually sacrificed (a high honor) to join him in the afterlife.
Largest wooden building
Statue of the Emperor
View from the tower in front of the burial chamber
A short stop at a Jade carving factory gave us an interesting look at how jewelery and other Jade pieces are fashioned. We also got to shop in the massive Jade store.
Now it was time for the real reason we came on the trip, the Great Wall. Instead of taking us to the more popular Badaling section, we went to Jingyonguan, a circular section with better views and less tourists.
The hike was steep and I admit I didn't make it very far. They say in China you aren't a real man until you have climbed the Great Wall; I guess I am just a piece of a man because that is how far I made it. I felt really bad when the old lady with the cane passed me.
I decided the view from the observation deck near the concession stand was just as good; how many more chances will I have to drink a coke and eat oreos on the Great Wall? Besides, that allowed me to have a souveneir picture made in Ming warrior getup:
It's a picture of a picture, sorry about the bad quality.
The Great Wall
Me on the wall
After an hour at the wall, we travelled to the local Friendship Store for lunch and some final shopping. Friendship Stores were opened many years ago when China first opened up to foreigners. At this time China had two money systems: one for locals and one for foreigners. Foreigners could only exchange their money for the foreigner money and it could only be spent in designated tourist stores like the Friendship Stores. Also, only foreigners could shop there. Lunch was a heavily westernized Chinese meal consisting of fish, beef with onions, kung pao chicken, vegetables, and rice.
I do want to go back to the Great Wall and actually make it to the top, maybe the one with the cable car though!
The first stop was the Ming Tombs, burial places of the Ming era emperors and empresses. There are 13 tombs; we toured the largest one: Changling Tomb. After passing through the tomb's gate, you enter the largest wooden building in Beijing. This is a memorial to the emperor buried there, an emperor who seized power illegally by killing his nephew who was in power. Most tend to agree that after that act, he was a good emperor anyway. This hall contains his statue as well as artifacts that have been unearthed from the 13 tombs. Beyond this point is a tower just in front of the tomb itself (you don't actually enter the tomb). In the tomb are also buried 13 of his concubines who were ritually sacrificed (a high honor) to join him in the afterlife.
Largest wooden building
Statue of the Emperor
View from the tower in front of the burial chamber
A short stop at a Jade carving factory gave us an interesting look at how jewelery and other Jade pieces are fashioned. We also got to shop in the massive Jade store.
Now it was time for the real reason we came on the trip, the Great Wall. Instead of taking us to the more popular Badaling section, we went to Jingyonguan, a circular section with better views and less tourists.
The hike was steep and I admit I didn't make it very far. They say in China you aren't a real man until you have climbed the Great Wall; I guess I am just a piece of a man because that is how far I made it. I felt really bad when the old lady with the cane passed me.
I decided the view from the observation deck near the concession stand was just as good; how many more chances will I have to drink a coke and eat oreos on the Great Wall? Besides, that allowed me to have a souveneir picture made in Ming warrior getup:
It's a picture of a picture, sorry about the bad quality.
The Great Wall
Me on the wall
After an hour at the wall, we travelled to the local Friendship Store for lunch and some final shopping. Friendship Stores were opened many years ago when China first opened up to foreigners. At this time China had two money systems: one for locals and one for foreigners. Foreigners could only exchange their money for the foreigner money and it could only be spent in designated tourist stores like the Friendship Stores. Also, only foreigners could shop there. Lunch was a heavily westernized Chinese meal consisting of fish, beef with onions, kung pao chicken, vegetables, and rice.
I do want to go back to the Great Wall and actually make it to the top, maybe the one with the cable car though!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
A Day In The Life...
Inspired by a similar article in Donald Trump's book, How to Get Rich, the following is a day in my life here in Beijing.
Wednesday, 10-15-2008
9:00 AM- Wake Up and check email- At about 9:15, Mom calls in on Skype. I am still a little groggy so I really don't remember what we talked about at all. Afterwards I get a shower and have breakfast, today it's a couple boiled eggs and some crackers.
Wednesday, 10-15-2008
9:00 AM- Wake Up and check email- At about 9:15, Mom calls in on Skype. I am still a little groggy so I really don't remember what we talked about at all. Afterwards I get a shower and have breakfast, today it's a couple boiled eggs and some crackers.
11:00 AM- Leave for work- I walk out of my building and grab bus 307. The trip from the apartment to my work takes about 10 minutes this morning.
Atherton International Apartments
11:10 AM- Arrive in Zhongguancun- I stop off at a newsstand to buy a China Daily, the national English newspaper. It is full of good news only as it is government run. Now its time to head into the building. I work in The Gate: City Mall. This looks like any shopping mall in America. The first five floors are the mall; above the mall are offices, we are on the 12th floor.
Zhongguancun Street
11:20 AM- Say hello to the front desk ladies and all the smiling teachers. After this I sit down at a computer, check my work email, and begin planning my lessons for the day. Today I am teaching a class on learning styles. I am going to have four activities, one for each of the learning styles. Throughout the class the students will try out an activity in each learning style and at the end of class write feedback about which they liked best. If there is time we will go to the computer lab and take a learning styles inventory.
The Front Desk Ladies Keep The School Running
Melissa, Nadine, Summer, and Lloyd Hard At Work
12:40 PM- My first class of the day- This is the learning styles class. After some opening discussion of the concept of learning styles, the students rotate through four stations and experience the three learning styles in the discussion as well as a traditional classroom pen and paper vocabulary activity.
Tactile Learners Build A Model Of A Famous Chinese Landmark
Aural Learners Tell Stories To Each Other And Summarize
Before class ends, I give the students some instructions and tips for incorporating their learning style into personal study habits.
1:40 PM- Office Hour- Basically I use this time to prep for classes, visit with students, and take care of business. If there is not much to do, I will work on this blog or check out some stuff on the internet.
2:40 PM- CPD, Center Professional Development- This is our weekly staff meeting. Sometimes we have a guest speaker, other times it is more of a business type meeting. Today three teachers: Ed, Jean, and Nancy, are presenting short presentations on topics they have been researching. My time to do this will come soon.
2:40 PM- CPD, Center Professional Development- This is our weekly staff meeting. Sometimes we have a guest speaker, other times it is more of a business type meeting. Today three teachers: Ed, Jean, and Nancy, are presenting short presentations on topics they have been researching. My time to do this will come soon.
3:40 PM- LUNCH- I head downstairs to Mr. G's Kitchen, a Yunnan style Chinese fast food place.
Today it will be beef with mushrooms and peppers over rice.
4:40 PM- Placement Testing Duty- During this hour, I have to make myself available to the sales and admission staff should a new student come in desiring placement in an English program. It requires me to interview them and gauge their English level based on EF's placement scale. After this I communicate with the sales staff so they can give feedback. I am on the party planning committee and we meet briefly to discuss plans for a Halloween event. It must be slow day in sales because no new students come by.
5:40 PM- The Evening Rush- After offices close, the bulk of our students arrive. I have three classes tonight. I will teach the learning styles lesson again; I am looking forward to it as it went well this morning. I think it is one of the best lessons I have EVER taught. Its amazing how far a little creativity can go. After that I have two face to face classes; these are small classes of 2-4 students. Our topic today is Dimensions and Specifications, ugh, I have to teach a geometry lesson! We will primarily be discussing whatever the students want to talk about though. Face To Face is sometimes a lesson, mostly a discussion and conversation practice, and sometimes a counseling session.
4:40 PM- Placement Testing Duty- During this hour, I have to make myself available to the sales and admission staff should a new student come in desiring placement in an English program. It requires me to interview them and gauge their English level based on EF's placement scale. After this I communicate with the sales staff so they can give feedback. I am on the party planning committee and we meet briefly to discuss plans for a Halloween event. It must be slow day in sales because no new students come by.
5:40 PM- The Evening Rush- After offices close, the bulk of our students arrive. I have three classes tonight. I will teach the learning styles lesson again; I am looking forward to it as it went well this morning. I think it is one of the best lessons I have EVER taught. Its amazing how far a little creativity can go. After that I have two face to face classes; these are small classes of 2-4 students. Our topic today is Dimensions and Specifications, ugh, I have to teach a geometry lesson! We will primarily be discussing whatever the students want to talk about though. Face To Face is sometimes a lesson, mostly a discussion and conversation practice, and sometimes a counseling session.
The first face to face was really good. These were high level students that I usually meet with every Wednesday night so we have a good rapport going.
My second face to face was good, although the students were not very talkative. This can be very difficult in a class where conversation is the main goal.
As I walk to the subway I frequently pass by this guy performing his songs for spare change. I try to toss him a yuan or two because I really do enjoy hearing him even if I can't understand a word.
After work, I will take the subway home, stop off to pick up my laundry at the dry cleaners (it is so nice having someone do that for me for so little money!), and then retire at home for the night. After a bowl of Chef Boyardee and the latest episode of The Daily Show with John Stewart from Itunes, it is time to go to bed so I can get up and do it all over again!
Good Night!
Good Night!
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