Intermediate Thoughts

I know I have yet to send a real blog post for the last multiple weeks, but this I send with random thoughts as I’m between holidays.

Christmas was spent in sunny Sanya, the southernmost point in China, known as the “Hawaii of China”.  I reclined on the beach, drank from coconuts, and ate freshly caught fish.  It being the holiday season, I embraced the line from Eat Pray Love of “I have no interest in being obese, but I’m done with the guilt.”  The guilt of worrying about the extra 5 pounds or (thanks to my genes) the extremely pale skin.  Rock on Scandinavians and other northern Europeans! 

 

For New Year’s I’m off to Nan Jing, which means “Southern Capital.”  A Chinese friend from college is back in China and I’ll visit her to bring in the solar new year.

 

Other random thoughts—my holiday season has just been doubled in length by moving to China.  I, like many others, embrace the holiday spirit of indulging in chocolates and cakes without regret.  Now in China, as the Western season winds down, the Chinese gears up for another month preparing for the Spring Festival—the Chinese New Year—on February 2^nd.  However, it’s likely a nice break from the past 4 years of resolving in January to eat healthier and exercise more.  I’m in the 90% that don’t sustain that resolution to the end of the year.  That’s ok.  The food is delicious!

 

Also, I’ve finally found a decent way of intensely engaging my students on a regular basis.  We watch 30 minutes of a movie and the students each have to write answers to five questions about the movie.  If they achieve a set percent score, we will continue the movie on the following day.  They are genuinely concerned about continuing the movie and, as a result, use their English, practicing subject-verb agreement, pronoun usage, and dependent clause formation.  Plus, it is a way to better teach to the middle, as I am regularly biased towards teaching the honors students. 

 

However, to make the questions for these movies means I have a lot of outside class work to do.  I have now seen these movies four times this week.  And let me tell you, Iron Man is not a great movie.

 

Below some pictures from the Christmas Concert, another long story to share:

 

Thanksgiving in China...does that happen?

This is officially the second Thanksgiving that I have spent out of the country and, as always, I'll find a substitute for the holiday.  Fortunately, China is the biggest market for KFC (Yum! Enterprises).

 

So I did just that.  On Thanksgiving day I went to KFC and ordered the largest meal I could find--the bucket of both regular and extra crispy.  It came with three pops, so I assume that meant it's supposed to feed three people?  Well, like Pizza Hut, they're terribly wrong on their estimates, because I cleaned that bucket up in true Thanksgiving tradition.

The following day, Friday, the school took all the foreign teachers and our Chinese counterparts (those who work with our program) to a collective dinner for Thanksgiving.  Granted, I'm the only American at my school, so the other teachers had to ask for some clarification, but I enjoyed it.  I think they also intended it to be a Christmas celebration too? 

Many say that schools will take their new teachers out to a fancy dinner in order to build the relationship--you do something for me, I do something for you.  If they take the first step with a fancy dinner, then they may leverage it later for extra work.  Fortunately, Sean and I already put in a month of teaching twice as many classes as we should have, so it's going to take a lot more one-night dinners before they can leverage anything against us. 

 

Thus began my holiday season.  Next was to deck my apartment out in Christmas style.

Fortunately, most Christmas decorations are made in China, so I bought them for the cost without
shipping and import tariffs built in.  

I figured, if Zhengzhou doesn't have any snow on the ground, I can still have my White Christmas.

The Chinese characters are pronounced "Sheng dan kuai le" meaning "Merry Christmas."   And, yes, that is a 3-foot silver bow behind me.  It's ridiculously huge; I love it.

With Thanksgiving past, it is clearly the beginning of the Christmas season!

Later Days,
Rick

Shanghai--the Metropolitan China

I found my Chinese home!  While Zhengzhou is calm, growing, and regionally-reputable, I discovered the Chinese city for me in Shanghai.  I have yet to experience Nanjing, Guangzhou/Shenzhen, and Xi'an, but like the metropolis that is New York and Frankfurt, as is Shanghai.

 

I met a friend, Clare, in Shanghai during the students' testing period.  Poor students are taking 4 days of mid-term exams and I'm drinking Starbucks in Shanghai.  Clare and I both came to China through the same company--EMW China.

We weren't dead-set on seeing the sights, but strolled around the city and eventually came across "the Bund", a heavily commercial area known for it's skyline and evening views over the river.  Note the internationally-recognizable Pearl Tower sticking out behind Rick's head.

Not being sightseers, we went shopping.  Clare insisted that with her impeccable style (as seen here) she could save me from mine.

All day Thursday we spent shopping along NanJing road.  The street features a pedestrian shopping road and many western amenities, including Marks & Spencer.  I had no idea what it was, it being a United Kingdom store, but Clare was ecstatic to find "brown sauce".  That just doesn't sound appetizing to me.  Yet, I now like Marks & Spencer since they sold ground coffee!  My first real, home-brewed coffee.  Thank you, Marks & Spencer.

Shanghai being a metropolitan city, we also came to experience the night life!  This is where the most stories always originate, including the "thrill" that is waiting for women to get ready.  Once everyone's finally ready, the night brings adventures like multi-story lounges, taste-testing a wine (saying to the server that it's not good and getting the response, "Too bad.  It's already open."  What restaurant does that?) and eventually throwing away a 3/4 full bottle--the Chinese just cannot make a good wine, running into Germans between bars and getting directions in German, and dining at KFC to finish the night.

From such nights result the above carnage.  (Note that it's basically a woman's stuff everywhere?  Make-up, shoes, purses, and the slew of outfits tried on before deciding what to eventually wear.)

 

All in all, Shanghai is a beautiful and exciting city.  There's no shortage of shops, parks, culture, and Starbucks. Like Frankfurt and New York, it's an international city--certainly worth a return trip!

Halloween in China!

It's Halloween and China or not believe you me, I'm celebrating!  (Okay, it's two weeks later, but I was in Shanghai for the first week, then I was sick all this week, blah, etc. Good?  If you need any more excuses, I can always come up with some.  A good debater always has hot air to blow.)

Jack-o-lantern carving was to be part of the festivities, along with the name-the-body-part game for the Senior 3 students.

First comes the costume:

Here's the normal Rick; slick and with a tie.  Bright blue eyes and bright white skin.

...add the Halloween Costume.  (the horns light up, too!)

Let's see how the students react!

Somehow I don't believe that's a look of comfort and security in Carol's face.

 On this Halloween, instead of throwing a poorly-attended party, I darkened the room for our mid-day class and prepared the reach-into-the-bucket-and-touch-some-food-but-you-think-it's-a-body-part game.

And what do you know, my attendance doubled for the day!  Surprise!  The senior 3 students attend sporadically, because they are inundated with homework and preparations for the higher education entrance exam, but on this day my typical attendance count skyrocketed.

As is important for the game, everyone must be blindfolded.  With double the attendees, I hadn't planned enough blindfolds, but being resourceful, I used T.P. and the students looked like outpatients from a bad mental facility.  I think it added to the ambiance.

We started with the Brain!  (Some odd vegetable thing I found in the grocery store.  It smelled like a brain!)  From here we included ears, eyes, hair, nose, blood, and the worms feasting on the remains!  All were imitated by foods found at the local grocery store.

But best of all, don't forget the heart!  As I said, all were imitated by foods from the local grocery store--in China you can buy a pig's heart like any other meat.  Being that a market-weight pig weighs 250 pounds, it's nearly a perfect match for human!  How could I resist?

After the foray through the remains of our victim, the students all headed for a thorough hand wash, but not before snapping photos with the Halloween props.

Following the Senior 3 (12th graders), Senior 2 (11th graders) carved Jack-o-lanterns.

They learned step-by-step to cut out the top, scoop out the insides, and carve the face.

Jesmine proudly displaying her design (before having to carve it).  Just to comment, Chinese pumpkins are much smaller and have a very thick rind, very good for baking, very difficult for jack-o-lanterns.

Thus, when the students discovered that their intricate drawings for the face were too difficult, some resorted to other designs for their final product--here the ravenous rabbit.

But the groups all fared very well and successfully made jack-o-lanterns for Halloween 2010.  Plus, not a single injury among 50 students! (thank goodness)

...and, of course, the students' carving and games were followed by mounds of candy.  A complete Halloween.

Later Days,
Rick

Beijing--The Northern and Cultural Capital

Welcome to Beijing!  We will be your guides through the adventure.  Who are we, you ask.  Well, there's Rick in the middle and a whole bunch of Chinese girls.  Who are they?  No Idea! Should you be alarmed?  Not at all!  This is completely normal for China.  If you look Western, expect to be viewed as another tourist sight.

We'll begin in the Forbidden City.  Since Beijing has been the capital of China, this enclosed area was the home to the emperor, until the People's Republic of China began its formation.  Here's Philipp in the first open square.

Did you know that the entrances to esteemed Chinese buildings are typically guarded by two lions?  That's right, the one on the left will have his paw resting on a ball, symbolizing control of the empire, while the one on the right has a paw shielding a cub, indicating the female and the continuation of the empire.  Once you know this, you may find it enlightening, but it gets to the point that you see it everywhere.

Please, stop by our many beautiful gift shops, like the one here.  Don't be fooled, the first price is always too high.  First the man said 50 Yuan for the mask; I showed my disinterest by turning around and he shouted 10 yuan!  That's the price I took.

North of the Forbidden City is a great area for dining and night life.  The prices are set for tourists, but the scenery makes up for it.

What would you like for breakfast?  Some may have porridge or this black rice soup (still don't know what it is), but I recommend the Baozi--it's a pork ball inside steamed bread.  It's one of the least oily foods I find and it's delicious and inexpensive.

Don't miss the Beijing Duck.  There's tons of restaurants for it and it's tender meat with a crispy, seasoned skin. 

And while you're at it, try one of my favorites--spicy green beans.  There's minimal oil, tons of flavor, and just enough pepper to make your tongue warm not burning.  Anyone know the Chinese name for these so I can find them again?

Where are we off to next?  Well there's a line of cars about 2 km long; it's faster to walk along the road, and it looks like it's in the middle of nowhere.  Guesses?

We'd like to thank our sponsors, Kentucky Fried Chicken.  Even if you're visiting world landmarks in an uninhabited area, we'll be there to meet your dietary needs!

And now back from our sponsors, we're at the Great Wall of China!  Philipp wasn't able to make it due to digestive challenges.  We both ate the same foods, Philipp, I guess, is more sensitive than I am.  Of course, we both had medicine should this happen...but it was all sitting back in Zhengzhou.

The Wall. Archeologists conclude that the wall, in total, covers 8,000 Km, and I was lucky enough to see this stretch of it on a clear, fresh, autumn day.  Looks like Philipp just has to trek back to China and come with me to Beijing again. Bummer.

Let me simply say, architecture wasn't what it is today.  Here is a shot head on of the wall.  It appears to go straight up, because it basically does.  It contours to the hills and, if cliff-like, that's what the wall does.  This is a bit too unpredictable to be an "undiscovered" jogging path. 

Like I said, a beautiful autumn day.  I love the seasons.  Vacation spots?  Keep 'em.  I want four distinct times of year.

And these are my highlights of Beijing.  Thank you for joining me.  I'll leave you here between the Palace of Heavenly Purity and the Imperial Garden.  Thanks for coming along!

Later Days,
Rick

Hong Kong--Britain's Impersonation of China

As I might have written, I spent the first week of October in Hong Kong with my German friend, Philipp, who flew in for vacation to visit and experience Hong Kong/China.  (Because who's #1 tourist destination isn't Zhengzhou?)

Attached are some highlights from the trip, unfortunately in no logical order.  Enjoy the random array of photos.

I'm continually looking for inexpensive Chinese decorations--my walls are simply too white.  Thus, my shopping patterns are very much driven by the-smaller-the-store-and-less-populated-the-street-the-better mentality.  Those stores always have a huge selection of random items for really good bargainable prices.

There are no Burger Kings in Zhengzhou, so I took advantage of the chance while in the Hong Kong airport.  Seeing so many Westerners really threw me off balance, being that of the 8 Million people in Zhengzhou, about 30 are Westerners.

Hard to find something like this in China.  Goin green(er) in Hong Kong.

Here's Philipp the first night in Hong Kong trying China's best beer--Tsingtao.  The brewery is located in what was the first Germany colony in China, and the brewing follows suit.

Now my deviation from anything Hong Kong--look what I found!  it's the Team Milram (Germany's only team in the international racing circuit) road bike.  It's the same make I ride--Focus--and the shop this was in custom makes the clothing. Hong Kong tailoring combined with cycling clothes for Focus.

Flugtag is coming to Hong Kong!

On Kowloon Peninsula's harbor looking onto the island of Hong Kong.

Two of China's BEST anytime foods--egg-fried rice and noodles.

Imagine you want to cross the street hear the bottom part of this map, well, this loop is how you do so.  Philipp and I lost our way a couple of times trying to cross a single street.

"Danger: Falling Boulders"  oh, okay.  I was worried there'd be real things to worry about in this isolated part of Lamma island.

I don't know what to expect in behind these gates.  Is it a BBQ pit in a beautiful garden with butterflies dancing across blossoms, or is this the failed attempt to "reinvent" barbecue?

I believe this is the tea for washing my hands before eating my dinner.  It may be customary, but without a Chinese guide to explain why I would dunk my hands in hot tea, I just settled for a napkin I had with.

We made it to Macau (and got the stamps in our passports).  This is the formerly Portugese colony on the southern border to China, and is today part of the PRC.

The view from the hotel room.  With steep, uninhabitable hills on every island, the real estate is limited.  So, Hong Kong built upwards.

The "Cat Street" markets, just off the antique street where one can buy all the "antiques" he or she wants at prices he or she can actually afford!  They're antique enough from a distances.

The Jade market in Hong Kong.  The precious stone is everywhere and in many possible shapes, from wall hangings to elephants and buddhas.  The most entertaining is the bargaining.  Philipp lifted up a large jade elephant, the woman keyed in 560 HKD on her calculator.  Philipp put it down and she keyed in 480 HKD.  He turned around and she pulled him back to show 390 HKD on her calculator.  By the end, the price for the big elephant was about 260 HKD.  It's market economics on the ground level--you have to try to bargain or else you're getting ripped off.

Hong Kong skyline (part of it).  Feng Shui is so important, that the diamond building in the middle--the Bank of China--is actually designed to shirk bad karma and dispel it onto its neighbors--competitor banks.

UBS Hong Kong Research team--Philipp's Hong Kong equivalents.

A classic summary of our experience: we ate 2/3 of the time in small hole-in-the-wall restaurants with great food, like the dim sum varieties you see on the table.  We always ordered a bottle of beer each, which the waiters viewed as a bit much, and the fellow diners stared on, watching as we foreigners dined off the beaten track, where only the Chinese/Hong Kong go.

An utter disappointment.  Imagine you're hiking through the forest, up to the summit.  You've brought food with to eat at the peak and you enjoy the exercise, fresh air, and tranquility as you progress up the mountain/hill. But, to your dismay, at the top you find an 8-story shopping mall fully-equipped with Starbucks, Ghirardelli, and a swarm of tourists who rode the cable car to the top.  Your efforts, your planning, your sense of accomplishment is unnoticed, because you're simply the sweaty tourist with tennis shoes.

I regularly forgot just how far south we were, being on the southern tip of China.  As we walked through Lamma Island on a well-carved path, we came across banana trees--something I'd never seen grow native  to a region!

Thus ends our sporadic tour of Hong Kong.  Had you followed Philipp's photos, you'd likely feel more of a sense of story or orientation, being that he photographs the sights while I prefer to photograph the out-of-my-ordinary.  My pictures are never as pretty, but they amuse me all the same.

Later Days,
Rick