Soon to join the ranks of the perfectly-tailored

See the picture? I'm about to make the next one. Today I ordered my first tailor-made suit! The company is the top store in town. I started by picking out a sleek, subtle pinstriped, 100% wool navy fabric, I then described all attributes I want on the suit (high lapel, medium width as a combination of traditional with a bit of the skinny style en vogue now, double side vented back, 1/2 pockets on coat for sleek look, and a two button coat for a professional yet modern look.)

In only 18 days, I myself will be the next one en vogue.

Ha, I enjoy how excited I am about a suit. Like me, this suit will be one of a kind.

Later days,
Rick

Glory be, Spring arrived

Spring arrived today and I am on cloud nine. (pollution joke: Literally cloud nine. Their's so much pollution that the government now labels city districts in cloud numbers. Mine's number 9.)

Having just taught my students the word "dramatic" I will admit both this week and I are dramatic. I'm so content in this moment on the new, chik patio that just opened only 2 blocks from my home. Admittedly, this is not the best place since the prices are so high. My real Chinese favorite are the crowded sidewalks filled with squatter chairs--stools about 8 in. tall. The food is delicious, the atmosphere is lively, the prices are ridiculously cheap, and it's all in the open air. I think I'll go there next.

Enjoy your spring.

Later days,
Rick

Monotony, Depression, and a Departure. What a splendid day.

Although China is 10,000 Km from the life I grew up with, is foreign in food, culture, language, and mentality, it's surprising how dull it can become. I've settled so much into this lifestyle that every day is so similar. The content I teach, study, and practice may be different, but everyday is piano practice, coffee, teaching, and Chinese study. This country is so chaotic and unpredictable, but, ironically, I need some change.

This are likely the words of seasonal depression. Zhengzhou is painfully trudging through the cold rainy spell before spring is forecasted. This weekend should be upper-60's with sun, but right now it's mid-30's and rainy. Thanks to it being late March, the piano center where I practice turned off all their heating. After 45 min I gave up practicing as my hands were losing feeling and nothing was sounding as it should.

Next, my favorite student left the school today. He's transferring to a school in his hometown and is gone for good. He was the one ray of hope in my lower level class. His name, accurately, is Ray.

Right now, I need this venting forum. I can't complain to my coworker, Kellen, because he has it worse. His electric bike was stolen last night.

In such ridiculously unpleasant circumstances, I usually laugh inappropriately figuring it's better than frustration. Thanks to such, I had a fit of uncontrollable laughter in class when a student asked who would take Ray's place on their team now that he's gone. I suggested Donger, a student absent from more classes than his low math ability allows him to calculate, a student who has never brought a notebook or anything to class, a student who is so apathetic he refuses to do anything other than sleep instead of being bothered to learn 5 vocabulary words. The thought that my class is one polite, bright student less and instead is left with Donger, well my students wondered what was wrong with me as I laughed ridiculously for 5 minutes. Oh, China.

We need spring. Bad.

Later Days,
Rick

Truly the other side of the world

I’m increasingly convinced that China is another planet, not simply another country.  I’ll admit to being the opposite side of the globe.  From Minnesota, China is literally the other side of the globe (it’s not perfectly antipodal—crossing through the center of the earth—but is opposite. The exact opposite seems to lie on the border between Mongolia and Xinjiang province. 

 

I conclude this because I repeatedly encounter situations that would never happen to me in MN.  Back in Minnesota, most people can ice skate. Playing piano is a common hobby that parents encourage their children to learn.  In my region in China it is only for the wealthiest.  Therefore, doing these activities puts me in contact with incredibly rich people.

 

My usual piano practice on Monday led me to meet the wife and daughter of Henan Province #2 construction company’s chairman.  They then took me to dinner at a newly opened Novotel hotel where the General Manager personally introduced himself to me and urged that I call him the second I come back. 

After the General Manager left our table, I clarified to my new friend that the man is the General Manager.  In a comically passing comment, the 7-year-old girl said, “Oh, my dad is a general manager.”  I’m a lowly English teacher here, but apparently Blue eyes are the ticket.

 

 

 

In other, horrifying news, look what the Chinese copycat of Teletubbies looks likes.  Yikes!

 

Later Days,

Rick

A Chinese New Year Celebration, but a Different Day

Chinese new year is the most important holiday in the entire calendar.  With a full 15 days of celebration, it almost makes Christmas seem like as important as a coworkers farewell coffee and cake in the kitchen. 

Last year for the festival, I was on a train to Lijiang and watched a passing village’s fireworks out a train window.  This year I resolved it would be different.  The difficulty is that everyone returns to their hometowns for the holiday, meaning all my friends are gone.  We solved that by moving the date.  Yes, it’s like celebrating Christmas on December 29^th, but it’s still celebrating.

 

The first tradition is making dumplings by hand.  Kellen and I were nearly clueless, so we relied on our Chinese counterparts for everything.  This was the first time anyone had made dumplings without the guidance of an elder family member telling what he or she is doing wrong.  Don’t worry, there were many phone calls to family members to check how to do every step. 

 

Zheng Ting, Jason, Kellen, Della, and I all gathered at school to make hundreds of dumplings to welcome the new year.

 

As is tradition, a coin is placed in the filling;  the person who chooses the dumpling with the coin will be fortunate in the new year. 

Being it’s not my tradition, I had fun choosing the coin and selected one that said “Bathroom Token: Valid for one Visit.”  (Probably from some airport automated bathroom service in whatever country.  Don’t worry, they made us wash, scrub, and boil the coin first to sanitize it.)

 

Most importantly, there were fireworks.  The night always ends with fireworks.  As written previously, it’s a war-zone around this time.  We gladly contributed. 

Here, Kellen and I explore the storage area of a distant (somewhat rural) grocery store where the owner sells fireworks year-round.  This large circle of firecrackers totaled $19.  Next, you see Kellen’s excitement to light a firework usually illegal in any other country.  We bought it for 50 cents. 

 

Finally came time to light the fireworks.  We had things that glow, spin, pop, bang, and crack.  Everyone dives in and makes a ruckus.  That’s actually the goal; the fireworks scare away the “Nian” monster.  I conclude that he’s well terrified.  I was.

\

 

Happy spring festival, but on a different day!

 

Later Days,
Rick

I registered; Am I advanced?

I registered for the April 14 advanced test--only 43 days to go.
HSK--an abbreviation of the Chinese pronunciation for Chinese proficiency exam. Notice in the bottom right, this is level 5, advanced Chinese, an ability capable of reading a newspaper, discussing any topic, and giving a speech in Chinese. I hope with this proof and motivator my Chinese is at a level that can benefit my business career. At least in the immediate I'm finally able to communicate with my coworkers.
This is in part the explanation for recent blog silence--studying. What is there to report when most days are filled with homework, flashcards, and reading exercises?

Now for a practice test...

Later days,
Rick