Updated on August 2, 2011
Writer’s block
This was my view for about 45 hours this past week. Gorgeous scenery, right? Ok, not really. The drive was flat and a bit dull…can you guess what part of America we were driving through? After this drive, I think I can now check off road trip from the summer to do list. To be honest, the long hours in the car were not as dreadful as I expected. But I’d be ok with not taking another road trip for a good long while.
I’m now back in my parents’ place with no legitimate excuses to postpone graduate work any longer. I’ve been trying today to shrug off the denial that classes start in six days. As you have probably guessed from my verbosity here, I love writing. Most of the time I can whip out 8-10 page papers in a few hours. Not today. I have a measly six page paper to write on a book I read…in January. And I just can’t seem to make the words come together. I cannot tell you how long I have sat and stared at my computer screen and notes today. Just waiting. Waiting for the moment of inspiration to hit. Typing three sentences then deleting two of them. And so I have nothing profound to share with you. Any profundity I possess is currently being poured into my papers.
But I will leave you with two shots of why all that driving was worth it.
The first is Sarah, a friend I met teaching in Asia. We worked for the same company, and while she taught in Laos and I taught in China, shared graduate classes gave us the opportunity to get to know each other well. Seeing her this time around was…well, it was simply amazing. And totally worth driving another five hours to get to her. There is a wonderful, intangible bond between those of us who have experienced life in Asia together. It was refreshing to be with someone who gets me and gets my life. The reason she looks so excited in the picture is that we were both having Indian food for the first time in months. It was one of the several delicious meals we had together. That’s basically all we did…ate and talked…and talked…and talked. And I wouldn’t change a single moment!
The second is the new family dog, Jesse. Pictured here riding in his doggie car booster seat. I know, slightly ridiculous. I gave my mom a hard time when I saw she had purchased this accessory. Let’s just say I viewed it as a bit excessive. However, I ended up eating my words because it was perfect for him on the long ride. He just curled up and slept almost the entire trip. And my mom would also probably like you to know that she got the seat for 50% off. This little boy is quite the blessing, and has been the perfect paper writing companion today!
Updated on August 2, 2011
Worth the miles
So perhaps the pooch was worth all the miles and hours in the car. He’s quite the sweetie. My mom and I are absolutely smitten, and I’m scheming on how to sneak him back to China with me.
Also worth the miles? Driving five more hours to meet up with a friend I met teaching in Asia. Worth every mile. I’m off to spend a precious few hours with her. Updates and pictures to come when I get back to Indy early next week!
Updated on August 2, 2011
On the road
I’m currently in the midst of a 16 hour road trip down to Texas with my mother. The main reason for the trip is visiting my grandparents. The main reason for another tortuously long experience in transit 36 hours after returning to America (as opposed to just flying down) is a dog. My mom’s sister rescued a dog a few months back that my mom is adopting; consequently, dog transport equaled road trip. The little pooch better be worth it!
We’ve made the stop for the night in Hope, Arkansas, the birthplace of Bill Clinton. I’m not a huge Bill Clinton fan, but that’s about the only distinguishing factor about this roadside hotel. I believe it may be my first time in Arkansas. First impression? It’s hot. Even at 11:00 at night.
However, all of this is not my main reason for posting. My main reason is to direct you here. I’ve mentioned Stefanie several times here, and I just absolutely adore her. First of all, she is a momma to some of the cutest kids on the planet. Secondly, she’s a part of a group of ladies that creates super cool t-shirts. And lastly, she has a huge heart for orphans in China, which is how I first got connected to her. She does great work advocating for an awesome organization, An Orphan’s Wish. Two of the kids from the orphanage in my city are currently finishing up club foot treatment with An Orphan’s Wish (read more about them here and here). Anyways, right now in celebration of 1,000 posts Stefanie is donating $1 to this organization for every comment left on this post. Go now, take 2 seconds to leave a comment (or two or three), and then stick around to read more from Stefanie. You’ll be both challenged and entertained, I promise. Are you still here? Really, get on over there NOW!
Updated on August 2, 2011
Sunday Snapshot: Father’s Day
I woke up this morning (morning isn’t entirely accurate…it was 11:30) to the smell of homemade blueberry pancakes on the griddle. And that is why I love my dad. Ok, there are many other reasons I love my father, but his wizardry in the kitchen is definitely something to appreciate.
This Father’s Day, since (A) I was too busy/lazy to go shopping and (B) my dad is notorious for just going out and getting what he needs/wants when he needs/wants it, I decided to plan an outing together instead of going the traditional gift route. My dad’s thumb is about as green as they get, and he loves taking pictures almost as much as me, so I thought a garden would be the perfect destination. I also knew I needed to keep moving and get a good dose of sunshine on my first day back. I did some research and found a tropical conservatory in the city. We had a lovely (albeit sweaty) afternoon enjoying and capturing the artwork of the creator. Read More
Updated on August 2, 2011
Jumping the pond
After trains, planes, and automobiles, I am safely tucked into my parents’ house in the States. It’s currently 1:25 AM and I’m bright eyed and bushy tailed–the pitch black darkness hasn’t convinced my body that it’s not really mid-afternoon.
The trip was for the most part uneventful, which is always a good thing. I did have to carry my luggage up more flights of stairs than I care to recount, but a sore back will give me an excuse not to exercise for a few days, so I’m not complaining.
I’m home just in time to celebrate father’s day tomorrow. I’ve got a special outing planned for my dad and I, and I’ve spied steaks, mashed potato casserole, and a bunch of fresh fruit in the fridge. Technically, dinner should be for his enjoyment, but something tells me I might just enjoy it more than him. It’s been 10 months since I’ve torn into a big juicy steak.
I’m off to wash off hours of travel, and then to attempt a few hours of sleep. After five years of jumping the pond, you’d think I’d be a pro at preventing and defeating jet lag. However, you won’t be finding any earth shattering tips here–other than get in the sun and don’t nap. Considering my mom and I are taking a 16 hour road trip down to my grandparents’ starting Monday, I doubt I’ll even be following my no nap rule. I’m about to become a night owl!
Updated on August 2, 2011
Freshmen Sports Day
Yesterday afternoon, the Freshmen teachers on our team hosted a Sports Day for all of their students. As unofficial team photographer, I pulled myself away from packing for a bit to get a few shots of the students in action. They were taught old school games that we all played way back when in elementary school. There was “Steal the bacon,” “Four square,” and (of course) “Dodge ball.” A lot of the kids were at home for the holiday, but a fun time was had by all most. There were a couple injuries, but hopefully none severe enough to prevent future sports days. Enjoy the snapshots of the day!
Poised to run for the “bacon” Read More
Updated on August 2, 2011
Dragon Boat Festival
Today is Dragon Boat Festival, Duanwu Jie, which is actually the very first holiday I celebrated in China. Six years ago, I came to China for the first time on a summer trip. A day or so after arriving, I was handed a zongzi, the traditional food of the festival. The students showed me how to unwrap the bamboo leaves surrounding the treat, and I proceeded to struggle to eat the entire sticky rice covered wad of red bean paste. Six years later, I still haven’t acquired a taste for zongzi.
Dragon Boat Festival commemorates a wise and famous scholar of the Warring States Period in the fourth century B.C. Qu Yuan was a loyal adviser to the King of Chu until he fell out of favor with the court. He proceeded to write passionate poems to the leaders of the nation and people expressing his sadness over the state of affairs. Eventually, he committed suicide by tying a rock around his neck and jumping in a river. People took boats into the river to search for him, hence the origin of the name of the holiday. Legend has it, when they were unable to find his body, people threw food (zongzi) into the river so the fish wouldn’t eat Qu Yuan’s body.
Since 2008, Dragon Boat Festival has once again been made an official holiday in China (hence the Saturday is Monday, Sunday is Tuesday, and Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday is a holiday from school). People hold dragon boat races, eat zongzi, and give traditional knots and potpourri filled silk bags.
I’m celebrating by packing up my apartment and making final preparations for the summer. Tomorrow is my last day of teaching/final giving, and almost exactly 48 hours from now I’ll be hopping on a train down to Beijing. My flight back to the States is Saturday evening–I’ll be back just in time for Father’s day!
Updated on August 2, 2011
Farewell for now
Today, I headed to the orphanage and the local center that cares for the kids with more severe needs. It’s the last time I’ll see these sweet faces for a couple months–and hopefully the last time I’ll see some in person. Three of the boys from the center will hopefully be joining their families soon. It was fun to look through and talk about each of their family books; to point out “Mama,” “Baba,” and “Gege.” The first boy, in my humble opinion, is one of the cutest little boys ever. He has a family that can hardly wait to get him home!
Updated on August 2, 2011
Sunday snapshot: Gifts
Today’s Sunday snapshot is more along the lines of amusing than moving. There will be no streaky mascara caused by this post. I thought this post might bring a smile or even a bit of laughter–and I thought that it was preferable over the only other photo subject sitting before me: exams, papers, and grade sheets. It’s the end of the year, so a few teacher gifts have rolled in. Giving gifts cross-culturally is always difficult, and sometimes my students are as lost as I am. It’s always interesting to see what they pick out for me. Before I begin, let me remind you, coveting is a sin. Read More
Updated on August 4, 2011
The sacred weekend
It’s Saturday, it’s raining, and in just a little bit I’ll be heading to class. The fact that it’s raining has absolutely nothing else to do with this post other than the fact that at the moment my hair is looking super cute, but after five minutes outside it will surely be in a state of rebellion.
I remember as a kid my dad telling us of his days at Brown and how he had to go to class on Saturdays. It was one of those “I walked ten miles to school in the snow uphill both ways” stories where my sister and I would sit back in awed wonder of the hard life way back then. Growing up as a child of the 80’s in America, the weekend was sacred. It was that gleaming reward of freedom and leisure delightfully looming at the end of every week. It meant dad was cooking up a big breakfast Saturday morning, PJ’s could remain on for an extended amount of time, and life lost some of its hectic-ness and rigid structure. If someone were to suggest extending the normal work week, or worse, school week into the weekend there would be some major rioting against the intrusion into “my time.” I would venture to say, with the exception of some professions, most Americans view the weekend as “my time” that no one has a right to mess with.
The Chinese on the whole do not share this opinion. In fact, schedules are so unpredictable and changeable here that they don’t really view any time as my time. Many people still work on weekends. Middle school and high school students have classes on weekends. My students still have no idea when this semester will end for them (their foreign teacher classes end before other classes) or when they’ll have final exams. And they’re not bothered by this fact. Classes are canceled and rearranged at the last minute. The announcement that Saturday is Monday and Sunday is Tuesday and Monday is Saturday and Tuesday is Sunday doesn’t ruffle any feathers. It’s just simply accepted.
I have learned a lot and still have a lot to learn from this attitude. Frankly, it’s a much more pleasant, and dare I say perhaps even more biblical, way to live. No, I’m not saying it’s good to work every day of the week. We were built with the need for rest and sabbath. It is the attitude towards time that I hope rubs off on me. An acceptance that even time is not something I own, and an expectation and acceptance of daily interruptions and changes. Such an attitude leads to people and relationship coming before schedule and task. It means when students unexpectedly stop by, an afternoon that had been intended for grading can easily be set aside. As Americans, we often talk about our money, gifts, and talents not being our own. However, I don’t as frequently hear the message that our time is not our own–perhaps because it is one of the more difficult things for us to release control and ownership of.
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