Updated on August 2, 2011
The Long Underwear Debate
In the Northeast of China, we have now entered the season of mid-Fall, more commonly known as “colder inside than outside” or “to wear or not to wear long johns” or “when is the heat going to be turned on?” season. You see, in China, the entire country (north of the Yellow River) turns on the heat on the same day. This day of stocking the furnaces with coal is not, as you may think, determined by weather conditions. Rather, the deciding factor is some arbitrarily pre-determined date on the calendar. Let me take that back, I’m sure it’s not entirely arbitrary. However, if it is snowing and 20 degrees outside two weeks before the heating date, that heat still ain’t coming on. If it is 80 degrees outside on the day the heat is supposed to come on, that heat is still coming on. Granted, the date chosen is always so late in the season that there is nary a chance of an 80 degree day, but theoretically that fact stands.
The situation described above leads to a daily conundrum of how best to clothe oneself for both outdoor and indoor conditions. The first question to be answered is “To wear or not to wear long underwear.” My first couple years in China, I refused to don my long johns until November at the very earliest. I’m a midwest girl and I reasoned I should be able to tough it out. It’s my sixth year in China, and all such resolutions have flown out the window. While I do not adhere to the Chinese rule of putting on the long underwear October 1st regardless of weather conditions, I also do not adhere to my equally arbitrary “not before November” rule.
Back to our questions. If I decide to pull on the long underwear (which is most days of late), the second decision is determining which variety of long underwear is most suitable. Six years in China means I have every thickness/material combination of long johns available. Thick or thin? Fleece lined or straight up cotton? American or Chinese? There are several factors that contribute to this daily decision:
The Sun. If the sun is shining, I’m much more likely to put on a thinner pair. This is not the most logical factor, as some of the coldest days around here are the sunniest.
Stationary to In Motion Time Ratio. Perhaps the most important factor. If I’m going to be moving around lecturing most of the day, I definitely opt for thin. If I’m going to be sitting evaluating speeches most of the day, I definitely opt for thick. Dinner out with students after class? Might want thicker for sitting in a cold restaurant.
Previous day’s selection. If I chose thick the day before and was too hot, regardless of weather conditions I’m likely to put on thin. If I chose thin the day before and was frigid, regardless of weather conditions I’m likely to put on thick. Once again, not the most logical factor, although rather persuasive.
Pants selection. This one is quite straight-forward–the thicker/warmer the material of the pants chosen for the day, the thinner the long johns will be.
View from the window. I watch the people walk by outside my window. Scarves, tightly hunched shoulders, and speedy walking indicate cold weather and the need for a thicker pair of long johns.
The fact that I just wrote a rather lengthy and wordy post about long underwear? And only now thought, this might be weird to Americans who very rarely put on long underwear unless they’re hitting the ski slopes? Proof that perhaps I’ve lived in China too long.
Updated on August 2, 2011
Some things are easier in America
There are many problems that are easier to solve in China. Heels replaced? Zipper repaired? Pants taken in? Pants hemmed? Key copied? All among the many things that are much simpler to take care of in China. However, there are some things that are quite a bit more of a headache than in America.
For instance, when the cross that hangs above your computer falls off the wall, lands on your computer keyboard before ricocheting to the floor, and in the process dents your “V” key. It looks like such minor damage.
And yet that small ding has the power to render an entire keyboard completely useless (in case you are wondering how this post is materializing through a broken keyboard, my teammate has loaned me his wireless keyboard for the time being).
In America, this problem would simply mean a quick drive over to the Apple store. Repairs would either be made right then and there, or you may have to make a quick jaunt back over a few days later.
In small town China, this damage means an 8 hour overnight train to Beijing. And then a long taxi drive through the headaches of Beijing traffic. And then a visit in the Apple store where you hope and pray someone will speak English. And then you likely leave your computer. Back in the taxi. Back on the overnight train. Repeat said process again after some undetermined period of time to pick up the computer.
There is a tiny bit of hope, although likely it is entirely a fool’s hope, that the repair might happen the same day I drop it off. At least I’d like to believe right now there’s that hope. The good news is I was already planning a trip to Beijing with a teammate this coming week, so while in all other aspects this is a rather inconvenient development, it has happened at a convenient time.
And also, I still have something to be excited about. What, you ask? Go ahead and put your guess on the last post. I’m keeping you in suspense a bit longer!
Updated on August 2, 2011
Excited!
I just made a purchase that I’m super excited about.
Any guesses as to what that is?
P.S. If you know what it is, keep your lips sealed and your fingers still. 🙂
Updated on August 2, 2011
The Five Stages of Grading
For all of you teachers out there, this is a must read. Just a little taste to get you to click on over…
Everyone is familiar with Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and her stage model of coping with grief popularly known as the five stages of grief. What you may not know is that Kübler-Ross actually developed her theory as a graduate student, basing her conception of the process of loss on the experiences one goes through over a grading weekend.
In coping with grading, it’s important for graduate students and young professors to know that they are not alone and that this process takes time. Not everyone goes through every stage or processes the reality of grading in this order, but everyone experiences some version of at least two of these steps.
1. Denial. At this stage, the instructor is unwilling to acknowledge the size of the task ahead of him or her. An instructor in denial may be heard to say things like, “It’s not really that many essays, when you think about it.” An instructor in denial will grossly overestimate his or her potential assignment-per-hour output. Denial at the syllabus-creation stage of course development can lead to tears. Denial can also manifest itself as avoidance, where grading is put aside in favour of vastly more important activities like cleaning the fridge, baking, working out, or writing elaborate blog posts about the stages of grading.
Ahhh, there was so much in this that I related to. I love starting my morning with a good laugh!
Updated on August 2, 2011
Restored Hope
I’m going to be frank with you. It’s been hard for me to go to the orphanage this year. I don’t know why this has been the case more so this year than any year before, but it honestly just hurts to go. There is so much brokenness there that I can’t fix. And the grief of it all is just sometimes overwhelming. Even worse, there’s a part of me that just wants to turn away. Turn away from the dirty sticky fingers, turn away from the snotty faces, turn away from the stench of wet pants, turn away from the guttural sounds of those who can’t form words. And I hate the part in me that cringes and wants to turn away. I know if I look, I must act. And acting is sometimes tough.
The other emotion that I’ve been struggling with this fall is just a questioning lack of hope. Somedays it’s hard to see how there could ever be a hope and a plan for a future in those halls. I just don’t see the slightest seed of redemption. Yes, for some kids, adoption lingers ever nearer. But what about the ones left behind? The ones who can’t speak? The ones whose minds are far from this place? The ones who can’t control their bodily functions? Where is their hope? Where is their future? Trite and pat answers just won’t do.
Due to the above emotions, a few events of the past two weeks, streaming in bright rays of hope, have left me at times fighting back tears. The first was a Chinese couple, who came and lingered for hours falling in love with a little boy. Their adoration was written clearly all over their faces as they each took turns holding this precious baby. If all goes according to plan, this little boy will be whisked into a loving home sooner than later. To see Chinese couples opening their hearts to adoption is something that encourages me to no end.
While the couple cradled this infant in the nursery, another momentous occasion was happening across the hall. About fifty primary school students, with parent chaperones, had arrived at the orphanage. This is the first time that I’ve seen primary aged kids come to visit. It was sheer mayhem and chaos for the forty or so minutes they were there. But those little eyes were able to see a part of society that is too often hid away. And more than one defender of the orphan may just have been won during that time.
The following week, the brother and sister group from our campus showed up to love on the kids. They played, they hugged, they taught and they loved. And it was a beautiful sight to behold. Students coming of their own initiative.
And then there’s Stella. My beloved Stella, whose heart has most definitely been broken for the orphan. This girl is going to be a mover and a shaker wherever she ends up, and has leader written all over her giftings and personality. She’s decided to start her own campus organization that will see to the kids in the orphanage getting first rate tutoring by college students for free each week. This will not just be one time eye opening visits, but rather a commitment to investing in the future of these children. She has a vision, and she’s determined to see it fulfilled. As I type this, she’s at the orphanage discussing the details with the director. Her dream is to get the organization off and running, and to find another student by the end of the year to take over leadership once she graduates. The idea, initiative, plan? Comes all from her.
And then there was hope. Beautiful blooming hope.
Updated on August 2, 2011
You decide!
Sometime, many moons ago, I got behind on photo editing. Consequently, when uploading pics for blog posts on flick*r, I’d make them invisible to the rest of the world so that my flick*r account would remain in chronological order. I reasoned that soon enough I’d catch up, and would actually be posting fully edited sets of events on flick*r at the same time as I would be writing about said events on the blog.
That catch-up has yet to happen. Which means currently I’m working on editing and posting pictures from my time in Florida visiting my adorable nephew this past summer. As I was editing pictures tonight, there was one shot that for the life of me I couldn’t decide whether I liked it in black & white or in color. So I thought I would let you all pick a favorite. Yes, I mean you. Go ahead, place your vote…it won’t take but a second!
Here are the two choices:
And if you want to see some more incredibly precious shots of the most adorable little boy on the planet, or if you’re a photography buff who wants to check out all the exif data, hop on over to my flick*r site.
Updated on August 2, 2011
Kids in the kitchen
Creation seems to be delegation through and through. He will do nothing simply of Himself which can be done by creatures. I suppose this is because He is a giver. And He has nothing to give but Himself. And to give Himself is to do His deeds–in a sense, and on varying levels to be Himself–through the things He has made.
The above quote is taken from Letters to Malcom by C.S. Lewis. I found myself lingering on this concept this morning, and continuing to reflect on it throughout the day. The simple fact that the Father allows us to do His work simply blows me away.
It’s like inviting a four year old into your kitchen to cook up a pot of soup. The addition of inexperienced little hands means that the process is certain to take twice as long and make twice the mess. Instead of quickly speeding through a recipe, you have to slowly go step by step, thinking of how to involve said child, teaching that child how to do different tasks, holding his hand for him to learn how to move a peeler, waiting patiently as he tries it on his own. Learning how to give instruction without taking over. Having a ready hand to repair damage, but first letting him try to fix it.
But there’s joy in the process as well. Pride as he realizes he can peel carrots. Laughter over a little spill. Happiness at being included. Companionship. The dirtier counters, the minutes melting away, the light dusting of flour over every surface no longer seem that important.
And when you’re done? And you take that first taste knowing you had a hand in it? Pure, undeniable bliss.
Delivering the soup to his family, he doesn’t say “I made it all by myself!” Instead, he cries, “Guess what I got to do? I can peel carrots! I never knew I could peel carrots!”
On a much grander scale, this is what our Father does with us. He invites us into the kitchen of His work and, not without instruction of course, allows us to measure and stir and pour, while He vigilantly oversees the process to bring about the desired end. Why does He allow us to take part in what He could so easily accomplish on His own? I would dare to say that He takes utter delight in the companionship of the process. In another way, it must increase the glory and praise and love when all is accomplished and the final product is put on display. Miracle of all miracles–on that day we will be allowed to say, I had a part in that. Although none will be foolish enough to think that the end would have ever come about without the one who guided and ordered the process and instructed and repaired all mistakes. Indeed, all will be aware that the end could have been brought about quite easily without his contribution. And yet the Father’s ability to use us despite clumsy hands and accident prone fingers will only prove one more reason to sing praise.
{By the way, the recipe for the soup Will and I were making this morning is here. Make it today; you won’t regret it! Need proof? Upon tasting the soup, Will declared he could eat the entire pot.}
Updated on August 2, 2011
Beautiful Things
I discovered the band Gungor this past week, and their album Beautiful Things (the title track is included above) has been on constant repeat ever since. A few other favorite tracks from the album are: You Have Me, Cannot Keep You, The Earth is Yours, and We Will Run. “Late Have I Loved You” honestly at times brings tears to my eyes. Enjoy and be encouraged…praises to the one who makes beautiful things out of dust.
Updated on August 2, 2011
Calling all Koreans
During our stay in Yanji, a city with many Korean residents, we discovered a previously unknown correlation. Where there are Koreans, there are coffee shops. And not just any old coffee shop, but cozy and inviting coffee shops. Color, decor, furniture and beverages designed to create the perfect environment for tucking yourself away for large chunks of time. One of the things I miss most in my small Chinese city is having a place (other than my home) to retreat to with a book, stack of grading, or a friend. While in Yanji, all of us decided our city would be much improved with the addition of a coffee shop like the one we lingered in. We will now be accepting any and all suggestions for how to get a large number of Koreans to move to our small hamlet.
Updated on August 2, 2011
Waterfalls and Washing
I do not share the above picture because of it’s quality or beauty. In fact, I don’t even really like the photo. The lighting was horrible, the time of day not ideal, and I was incredibly rushed in taking the picture. My reason for sharing it is simply the amusing anecdote that accompanies the photo.
Throughout our wanderings at Changbaishan, we were constantly being shepherded by a young tour guide. For the first half of the day, the guide was quite patient with his flock as people lingered in places longer than requested. However, the tardiness of certain group members clearly started to bother him as the day went on. Understandably–we had places to see and a six hour bus ride back to town awaiting us. The guide chided the group strongly as we got ready to ascend the peak, warning that those not back by the stated time would be left behind. Indeed, at that assigned time, a bus with those group members present (including the obedient Americans) began to pull away. A few tardy members were left running across the parking lot after us. Graciously, we stopped to let them on.
However, that experience was plenty warning to all in the group that tardiness would no longer be tolerated. So when the bus deposited us at our next stop, the famous waterfall of Changbaishan, we listened briefly to instructions (all in Chinese), and after hearing the time 3:00 PM we set off at a brisk pace. We had about 25 minutes, and the waterfall looked to be a good hike away. Even with our quick pace, it soon became clear that the 3:00 deadline was going to be nearly impossible to meet. More than 10 minutes had melted away and stairs and uphill paths still stood between us and the waterfall. Kami and Anthony decided to stop. Seth and I, ever motivated by the dream of getting that perfect shot, continued on. I headed for the stairs and took the first few flights two by two. And then scolded myself for skipping my work-out of late more frequently than I’d like to admit. Still motivated by both the time crunch and the desire for a photo, I struggled on despite the fact that breathing was becoming more and more difficult. Seth, who could easily take on the role of the Energizer Bunny, had bounded ahead of me. I finally got to the top of the bluff, and then down the bluff, and with about a minute to spare snapped the above shot. I was a bit disgruntled, because I knew instantly that it wasn’t going to be any sort of spectacular shot. Seth and I turned around, met up with the resting Anthony and Kami, and we all high-tailed it back to the parking lot, confused as to how anyone could manage to see the falls in such a short time.
Just as we arrived, the guide was leading a portion of our group away from the lot. We dutifully followed him, with not a clue as to where we were going. We had walked about 200 yards down the road when the guide turned around, noticed us for the first time and looked at us with confusion clearly written on his face. He paused, and then asked in Chinese, “You want to be washed?” Sure enough, the 3:00 PM meeting time was for those who wanted to pay an exorbitant amount of money to sit in a bathhouse for 30 minutes. And sure enough, as our guide assumed (hence the confused look), the foreigners did not want to partake of said activity.
All that to say, the stair sprinting was entirely unnecessary. But while I didn’t get a shot I liked, I did get my cardio in for the day.
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