Updated on August 2, 2011
Classroom humor
Today was the first day of my reading and writing course for graduate students. The first chunk of any class is always devoted to get to know you type activities. If students are freshmen, this includes assigning English names to those students who don’t have one (a very rare occurence these days, most come with English names) and assigning English names to those who mistakenly assume they have an English name when in fact all they have is an English word. For example, the General, Iowa (her high school teacher gave each student one of the States as a name), Clean & Clear, and Snowflake. With my graduate students, though, I didn’t do any name assigning or name correction. At this point in their education, it just seems a bit late. Quite a few of them (notably the ones who graduated from our university and had us as foreign teachers) have very common and acceptable names. There are a few interesting choices though:
- Romeo
- Linnea
- See
- Twain
- Zinsser
If anyone is aware of the pronunciation for the last name, please let me know. Also on the first day, I have my students fill out a student information form. Included on this form is the question, what is one thing you would like me to know about you? Some interesting facts I found out about my students: Read More
Updated on August 2, 2011
Should be lesson planning
It’s only the second day of the semester, and I’m already procrastinating lesson planning. And graduate work. And Chinese studying. This does not bode well for the rest of the semester.
However, in my procrastination of the above responsibilities, I was taking care of a separate task that I had procrastinated for quite some time. (Although, I’m not sure you can use the word procrastinate for an enjoyable task that you just haven’t had time to complete.) My dear friend Kirsten has ever so patiently waited on me to edit and post the remainder of her wedding photos. In the midst of the slew of events in the past few weeks, there haven’t been many large chunks of editing time. But this afternoon, with nothing immediate pressing on me, I sat down and just edited. And edited. That’s what happens when you’re photographing people who are just downright too photogenic. Too many good pictures to choose from!
Here are a few more shots from the day! Back to my responsibilities!
Updated on August 2, 2011
Right where I belong
Today marked the first teaching day of the semester.
Teachers, even veteran teachers, have a few nerves the first day.
But those nerves dissipate quite quickly these days. Especially when the first class is one you have history with.
The waterfalls of sweat flowing from my pores were not from the nerves. They were from the non-air-conditioned room packed full of warm bodies on a hot day. Oh to be someone who prettily “glistens” instead of profusely perspires. I can’t wait for cool fall days to arrive. Remind me I said that when it snows in October and is -15 degrees in December.
Despite the sweat, and the unaccustomed-to-heels sore feet, I pretty much loved every stinking (uh, not literally, I think…I did wear deodorant) moment in the classroom. I love my job.
[Oh, and if you could remind me of that last statement when I’m grading papers from my 96 writing students this semester, I’d greatly appreciate it.]
Updated on August 2, 2011
Sunday Snapshot: Hello Again
This week. This week started with the roaches. And then it went down and up and around, and in comparison the roaches ended up being a relatively minor (and thankfully disappearing) blip…and that’s about all I’ll say. Suffice it to say, while I love this place I’ve been called to, some weeks it’s hard. Some weeks, I kind of wish He’d called somebody else. The good news is, He always gives me reminders in those moments, days and weeks of exactly why He brought me all the way over here. And while those reminders don’t always negate the difficulties, they help bolster the strength to ride out the difficulties.
I returned to the orphanage again today.
Some were a bit apprehensive at first.
We had, in fact, been gone for quite some time (especially in the mind of a two or four year old).
And let’s be honest. Foreigners? We look a little weird. And a little scary.
Updated on August 2, 2011
Confessions from an irrationally squeamish girl
I slept with the lights fully blazing in my bedroom last night. My comment about said action in my last post was made half in jest. But then I killed not one but two roaches in my bedroom shortly before crawling into bed. And the {albeit irrational} fear of a roach crawling across my face during the night (did anyone just get a violent shiver? yes? so glad there’s someone else out there.) was enough to suffer the possible lack of sleep induced by a fully lighted room.
I also find myself startled quite easily. I see a dustball float past in my peripheral vision, and I tremble a bit and reach for the house shoe. I have house shoes staged around the house prepared for striking at a moment’s notice. I’m skittish and jumpy, kind of like when you’ve had four cups too many of coffee. I cringe every time I have to open a door or cupboard or move something with even the remotest possibility of roach containment.
I’ve bought enough tupperware bins to contain my entire pantry stock of food. If I successfully rid myself of the nasty pests, I do not want them back. If I don’t successfully rid myself of the pests (sad but also likely), I want to know that at least they aren’t crawling all over (please tell me someone else just shuddered as well?) my precious western food goods {albeit vacuum sealed boxes and bags…enter irrationality again}.
Something tells me it wouldn’t be a good time to measure my blood pressure.
Updated on August 2, 2011
Sunday snapshot: Home sweet {disgusting} home
I returned in the wee hours of the morning yesterday to my {mostly} vacant apartment. My apartment presented as blank a slate as the coming year.
With just the bare bones furniture the school provides.
What makes the place home was all tucked away in the {slightly scary} office.
By the end of the rainy, dreary day the apartment once again looked like home.
The floors were mopped. Every inch of the bathroom was scrubbed. Furniture was moved back to its normal residing place.
The bed was made. Pictures were put up.
The office was returned to its state as a safe haven and retreat.
My bag was unpacked and tucked out of sight, and for the first time in months I knew I wouldn’t have to touch it for a good long time. I was home. The place was neat and clean. And it felt good. Really good.
Until I went into the kitchen. And opened a drawer. And a cockroach scurried out of sight. I managed to hold in the girlish squeal rising in my chest, and tried to convince myself, despite my knowledge of the pesky creatures, that it was just one cockroach.
But then almost every time I went into my kitchen and opened a drawer or cabinet, I was seeing one of the little buggers. A few times the squeal escaped. And there began to be no denial of the problem. Other people in the building had had issues with the little scampering fiends in the previous years, and it now appeared as if some of the colony had made a decisive move to set up camp in my house.
The whole situation made me want to cry, so when my good friend Stella showed up at my door today, I immediately told her we were on a mission. We headed to the store to buy roach killer, and then back to my place to clear out the kitchen cabinets. We gingerly lifted out boxes and dishes, expecting at any moment for the pests to come scurrying out at us. I should clarify that statement; Stella did most of the ginger lifting while I stood back cringing. Turns out she’s a lot braver than me. Turns out I love her a bit more after today.
My bedroom now contains the contents of my kitchen.
It’s far from neat and organized. In fact, it’s downright chaotic. Which, if you can guess from pre-roach discovery pictures of my home, is not my style.
I’m giving the roach houses a couple days (they’re in every single cabinet and drawer right now). Then I’ll move the ones from where food is kept and bleach the heck out of every single cabinet before putting anything away (a lot of it in newly procured plastic bins).
My biggest mistake of the day? Looking up roach killing techniques online. Where they tell you to seal up all cracks and crevices along walls, and especially spaces around pipes. Let’s just say Chinese construction and plumbing is probably the cockroach’s favorite invention. But I’m not going to think about that, lest I just curl up in a ball and cry.
Regardless? Being home and spending the afternoon and evening with Stella? Pretty awesome. Even if I sleep with the lights on.
{P.S. I could have shared a picture or two of some of the scurrying pests I’ve managed to squash today, but I thought I’d save you the shudder. You can thank me later.}
Updated on August 2, 2011
Random musings from a jet lagged brain
I’m back in China.
It’s 3:30 in the afternoon. My body thinks it’s 3:30 in the morning. I’m at a coffee shop getting a much needed dose of caffeine in hopes of sticking by my No Napping During Jet Lag Rule. If this rule is followed, a much faster adjustment period is guaranteed.
My bags coming to China weighed 48.5 and 49.5 pounds. If there’s one thing 5 years in Asia has taught me, it’s how to pack a suitcase. Although that extra two pounds could have meant another can or two of parmesan cheese.
Traveling for 30 hours does weird things to your brain. Two times after arriving yesterday, my teammate Kami and I got off on the wrong floor from the elevator. Both times it took us a substantial amount of time to realize our mistake. And then another time we ended up on the first floor because we forgot to press the button for our own floor. Warning: do not operate heavy machinery while under the influence of jet lag.
This now begins year six in China. Year six. That’s just downright strange and surreal. And a bit hard to believe.
I’m stuck in Beijing for meetings until tomorrow night. Then I get to go home. I’m very ready to be home. We roll into town on the train at about 5 AM. Then I get to set up my whole house again–all of my belongings are packed away in my office during the summer so the school can rent out the apartments.
It’s weird to be in Beijing without some of the team. The Wus and Sonny are in the States for the first semester. The Wu family will be expanded by one by the time they get back. In addition, the Clements are currently in Guangzhou, where they met their daughter for the first time a few days ago. They’ll be back up with us in a couple weeks. Our rather large team feels rather small right now.
My last day in the states, my mom and I headed out on one of her friend’s boats. Jesse, the new dog in the family, went with us. We weren’t sure how he’d react to his first trip on the water. Something tells me he liked it.
Off to work on a few syllabi while caffeine courses through my veins.
Updated on August 2, 2011
From the news
With departure less than 24 hours away, China is definitely on the brain. Here are two recent news items you may be intrigued by:
- The one-child policy: an interesting commentary on the possibility of changing the policy. The preference for boys over girls is perhaps overly emphasized in the article, although in some regions this preference does remain strong.
- World’s worst traffic jam: this traffic jam on a highway leading into Beijing has been going on for ten days (for more color commentary, go here). Another reason for me to dislike Beijing. Like it or not, I have to spend a few days there for meetings this week. At least I’m flying in, not driving.
Updated on August 2, 2011
Yay!!!
As of today, Lucy has been united with the Clements’ family! Can’t wait to get back and meet the newest teammate!
Updated on August 2, 2011
Sunday snapshot: Summer moments
The summer always begins and ends with lists. At the beginning, it’s the papers and finals to grade, the students to see one last time, the meals that use up the lingering ingredients in the freezer, and the gifts to pick up for people in the States. At the end of the summer, it’s the thank you notes to write, the people to see or call one last time, and the long list of supplies for the coming year that must fit into two 50 pound suitcases. Ah, packing. I have gotten better at it. In fact, some may call me quite skilled. But I still haven’t discovered the trick to making 60 pounds of parmesan cheese weigh 50 pounds. Ok, I don’t really carry that much parmesan cheese back with me. Not quite.
As lists dominate my mind at this juncture of two more days left in the States, I thought I’d give you all a list of some of the more memorable moments from my time in the States. Some you’ve heard about, some you haven’t. Not all are extraordinarily positive, not all have photographic evidence, but all are truly memorable. They are also not ordered in list of significance. That would be cool, but I don’t have the mental capacity to perform that task at the moment. So in random as they popped into my head order, here are my top 15 moments.
1. Watching the Rays win with my sister, brother-in-law and nephew. Especially satisfying because I was the one responsible for scalping four tickets together at 50% off to an almost sold out game. China bargaining skills, you came in handy.
2. Long chat on the back porch in pajamas sipping coffee with a dear friend I met teaching in Asia. Read More
Recent Comments