2006-02-28 - 12:54 p.m.
so the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful and since I've no place to go, let it snow let it snow let it snow.
Yes you read that right. Yesterday it snowed for the whole day. We had about 2 to 3 inches stick on the ground. It was fun. Now the fun is over though. Because it is now all ICE.
Now SIAS is a very beautiful campus (do a google search for SIAS and china and you will find pictures of our campus), but there is one major problem that the architect (a guy named peter from Auburn University) did not take into account. The weather.
We have a very nice administration building that looks over the center of campus (the quad) and the quad has a very large recessed fountain. It is a wonderful sight to behold when the water is running. The ground around the fountain (and leading to the administration building as well as the faux marble is used on every stairwell on campus) is a very intricate design that uses concrete, faux marble, and inlayed tiles. The design is very beautiful, and it helps the asetic feelings of the place. The only problem is that when the marble gets wet it is very slippery. And when it snows (or better yet freezes) it becomes as slick as an ice skating rink. To top it all off, the design is curving and you can't really tell where the concrete ends and the marble begins.
So walking across campus is a real challenge after a hard snow, or a heavy rain. If you know where the marble is you can try to make your way across it slowly, or you can try to "surf" on the ice. But usually after a snow you can't see the marble. What do you do? You follow some students across it. When you see them fall down, you know where the marble is. (I'm not joking about this)
I once asked someone in the administration about this and they deadpanned, "we sit up on the 7th floor watching it happen, and laughing our asses off." So I think they did it on purpose.
Earlier you may have noticed I also mentioned the stairs are made out of the marble. Yesterday I had the pleasure of watching a group of DRUNK chinese students slip, slide, fall, bonk themeslves as they tried to get home UP frozen marble steps. They are probably now wondering how the got so many bruises. I would teach them the english phrase "you should see the other guy" in order to explain the bruises to their friends.
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
Trying yet again to maintain a blog of our travels abroad, especially as the children are getting older.
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
Friday, February 24, 2006
Voice of Will: Winter has come
2006-02-24 - 12:01 a.m.
As I have been walking around I have noticed that the temeprature is rising here. Now I am just wearing a light sweater over my dress shirt, so I belive the worst of the winter is over.
Last winter it was freezing. Even during the day, with layers of clothes (4 layers of shirts/sweaters, 3 layers of pants, a jacket, a wool hat and gloves) on I was still freezing. Inside or outside it didn't matter. At times I thought I was going to get frostbite. But this winter was not like that.
It was very temperate (for the middle of winter in the middle of china) at least here. According to students this winter has been on of the coldest on record around china. You couldn't tell that here. It only snowed 3 times, and most of the snow was gone after 2 days. (read earlier journals about how china/zhengzhou deals with snow). And it has been very nice during the day.
I am wondering if it was warmer, or just felt warmer. Last winter we were not as prepared as we were for this winter. We were told we could buy any of our clothes when we got here, only to discover that I am way too big (size 48 x 32 pants. XXL to XXXL for shirts and sweaters) and christine is too tall (she is 6'0) so it was difficult to find "good" winter clothing. This ment when we could find things in our size we bought them. So the clothing wasn't as good as it could have been, and while were were in the states this summer we bought clothes for the winter.
We also managed to discover some wonderful stuff here last april. Weather stripping and window caulking. When we first arrived here I had asked about these items because it was painfully obvious that our windows didn't seal, and you could actually look out the cracks around our window moulding. We were told to buy some good 2" wide tape, and to put multiple layers of this tape around the moulding, and across the windows. What this ment was our room was DRAFTY when we first got here, and you could actually see the cold air coming in. Even taped it was a horrible experience.
So when we managed to find this stuff (with a great student/friend) I bought it up. The young man who was helping us looked it over, read the chinese on it, and did not understand what it was for. So I explained that you use these items to stop the cold air from coming into your room during the winter, and to keep the cold air in during the summer. His reply says volumes for many people in china. "why would you do this? You don't own your home." Now I love this young man. He is fantastic, but he also has the chinese mindset. Sometimes it is very difficult to understand (but I believe he must think the same thing about us foreigners) So I explained that I wanted a warm room for the winter, and that I would pay the price. he replied "I have never thought about it like that." So I have a warm room, and I believe I have helped a young man think more about his environment and his own comfort. Somethings are more important than just the cost in money.
so this winter our whole home was much warmer, and we were better prepared for the winter.
Of course the temperature for the weekend is supposed to be 30 degrees as a high for 2 days.... so maybe more snow.
As I have been walking around I have noticed that the temeprature is rising here. Now I am just wearing a light sweater over my dress shirt, so I belive the worst of the winter is over.
Last winter it was freezing. Even during the day, with layers of clothes (4 layers of shirts/sweaters, 3 layers of pants, a jacket, a wool hat and gloves) on I was still freezing. Inside or outside it didn't matter. At times I thought I was going to get frostbite. But this winter was not like that.
It was very temperate (for the middle of winter in the middle of china) at least here. According to students this winter has been on of the coldest on record around china. You couldn't tell that here. It only snowed 3 times, and most of the snow was gone after 2 days. (read earlier journals about how china/zhengzhou deals with snow). And it has been very nice during the day.
I am wondering if it was warmer, or just felt warmer. Last winter we were not as prepared as we were for this winter. We were told we could buy any of our clothes when we got here, only to discover that I am way too big (size 48 x 32 pants. XXL to XXXL for shirts and sweaters) and christine is too tall (she is 6'0) so it was difficult to find "good" winter clothing. This ment when we could find things in our size we bought them. So the clothing wasn't as good as it could have been, and while were were in the states this summer we bought clothes for the winter.
We also managed to discover some wonderful stuff here last april. Weather stripping and window caulking. When we first arrived here I had asked about these items because it was painfully obvious that our windows didn't seal, and you could actually look out the cracks around our window moulding. We were told to buy some good 2" wide tape, and to put multiple layers of this tape around the moulding, and across the windows. What this ment was our room was DRAFTY when we first got here, and you could actually see the cold air coming in. Even taped it was a horrible experience.
So when we managed to find this stuff (with a great student/friend) I bought it up. The young man who was helping us looked it over, read the chinese on it, and did not understand what it was for. So I explained that you use these items to stop the cold air from coming into your room during the winter, and to keep the cold air in during the summer. His reply says volumes for many people in china. "why would you do this? You don't own your home." Now I love this young man. He is fantastic, but he also has the chinese mindset. Sometimes it is very difficult to understand (but I believe he must think the same thing about us foreigners) So I explained that I wanted a warm room for the winter, and that I would pay the price. he replied "I have never thought about it like that." So I have a warm room, and I believe I have helped a young man think more about his environment and his own comfort. Somethings are more important than just the cost in money.
so this winter our whole home was much warmer, and we were better prepared for the winter.
Of course the temperature for the weekend is supposed to be 30 degrees as a high for 2 days.... so maybe more snow.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Voice of Will: Street Vendors
2006-02-21 - 1:47 p.m.
Ahhhh the joys of street vendors.
Yes you read that correctly. Street vendors are fun, colorful and if you pay attention a great deal.
Let me give you an example. Street Food. Now when many foreigners get to china they look around, and notice the lack of sanitary conditions, the general ugliness of many peoples carts and how there appear to be NO SUCH THING as food preparation precautions. So most foreigners refuse to eat at street vendors. IT is their loss.
We have all heard the stories of "water in a first time tourist in mexico" and how if you go to a street vendor you will get sick. That is not true. You can go to eat at street vendors, get delicious food for a fraction of the cost, and share an experience that most people will not understand. How you ask? Simple my friend. You eat where the chinese people are eating. Yup. it is that simple. The chinese know where there is good food, and where you will get sick. So if there is a line to buy from a street vendor, get in the line. If you go to a vendor and there is no line (but all the neighbors have one) don't think "Ah, I have a quicker location" No. wonder why there is no one in line.
Some examples of the terrific food you can get from a street vendor. Ham bo bo (I will call it by the names I know) take one pita like flat bread. NOw choose out 5 skewers of vegatables and meats (this includes sliced potatoes, onions, green beans, carrots, cucumbers, several different types of mushrooms, tofu noodles, shredded chicken, and spiral tofu) now those skewers are deep fried for about 35 to 40 seconds, then dipped into a great curry sauce, and then placed in the pita. So in about a minute you are eating a very hot, very full pita with lots of vegatables, some meat, and some tofu. Ah messy, gooey 1.5 RMB goodness.
Then try the Bi jing moua (think a very nasal more.... make it new york nasal). This is another pita like flat bread, but they take slow cooked pork (It has been cooking in a stew pot for several hours, probably since early in the morning) they take this pork and slice/grate/mince it with a huge cleaver adding in the broth it cooked in while doing this. then add it to the pita. Great, juicy, and mouth watering.
How about Shar Bing. Think slow roasted turkey, that is shaved off while you watch, they mix it with shredded lettuce and a spicy sauce and again into a pita.
Or lastly the bbq mutton/beef/pork/chicken/squid/fish that is offered. This is cooked over a bbq pit on skewers, they are cooked, spices are added and you then eat them off the skewers.
Oh man... street food here is great. In fact, I'm salivating right now. Gotta go have some.
Talk more later.
Ahhhh the joys of street vendors.
Yes you read that correctly. Street vendors are fun, colorful and if you pay attention a great deal.
Let me give you an example. Street Food. Now when many foreigners get to china they look around, and notice the lack of sanitary conditions, the general ugliness of many peoples carts and how there appear to be NO SUCH THING as food preparation precautions. So most foreigners refuse to eat at street vendors. IT is their loss.
We have all heard the stories of "water in a first time tourist in mexico" and how if you go to a street vendor you will get sick. That is not true. You can go to eat at street vendors, get delicious food for a fraction of the cost, and share an experience that most people will not understand. How you ask? Simple my friend. You eat where the chinese people are eating. Yup. it is that simple. The chinese know where there is good food, and where you will get sick. So if there is a line to buy from a street vendor, get in the line. If you go to a vendor and there is no line (but all the neighbors have one) don't think "Ah, I have a quicker location" No. wonder why there is no one in line.
Some examples of the terrific food you can get from a street vendor. Ham bo bo (I will call it by the names I know) take one pita like flat bread. NOw choose out 5 skewers of vegatables and meats (this includes sliced potatoes, onions, green beans, carrots, cucumbers, several different types of mushrooms, tofu noodles, shredded chicken, and spiral tofu) now those skewers are deep fried for about 35 to 40 seconds, then dipped into a great curry sauce, and then placed in the pita. So in about a minute you are eating a very hot, very full pita with lots of vegatables, some meat, and some tofu. Ah messy, gooey 1.5 RMB goodness.
Then try the Bi jing moua (think a very nasal more.... make it new york nasal). This is another pita like flat bread, but they take slow cooked pork (It has been cooking in a stew pot for several hours, probably since early in the morning) they take this pork and slice/grate/mince it with a huge cleaver adding in the broth it cooked in while doing this. then add it to the pita. Great, juicy, and mouth watering.
How about Shar Bing. Think slow roasted turkey, that is shaved off while you watch, they mix it with shredded lettuce and a spicy sauce and again into a pita.
Or lastly the bbq mutton/beef/pork/chicken/squid/fish that is offered. This is cooked over a bbq pit on skewers, they are cooked, spices are added and you then eat them off the skewers.
Oh man... street food here is great. In fact, I'm salivating right now. Gotta go have some.
Talk more later.
Friday, February 17, 2006
Voice of Will: Winter Hot Tub
2006-02-17 - 12:35 a.m.
Ahhhhh..... HOT TUB. That is definately one of the nicest things at SIAS. Over last winter they started work on a Hot tub. They started the work in the middle of february, and had it looking finished by late april. But they never ran it.
The new teachers got here in September, and still the hot tub was not running. A petition circulated at the end of september, and the petition was removed, and still it was not running. But then in the end of October, they opened the hot tub.
It is nice. It will hold 10 people comfortably, and if you are "friendly" it may hold 20. Don't know we have never gotten that many people in it. I think the largest group I know of has been 8. It is a truely decadent pleasure.
Now I know what you are thinking, and you may be right. The water is colored. (sometimes slightly brown, or slightly rusty, but if you let it run for about 5 minutes, then drain the tub it is pretty clean) but it is hooked into the water system for the residence Hall we all live in. So it is the same water we take our showers in. we just have a very large "pool" to examine the water in instead of it running down the drain. If they kept it full it would be very nasty within about a week, but they don't keep it full. When we are finished using it for a night, we empty the tub. And add new water the next time.
The only real issue with it, is that it is supposed to be used only on the weekends (to save money, only fill it 3x a week, not 7 times a week) but that isn't too bad. It is reallllllly nice to be able to go outside, and climb in a nice HOT (almost scalding sometimes) tub to soak in. Very relaxing especially on a cold winter night with snow falling outside (been there, done that ..... heavenly). Usually the company is great because the people who use and enjoy the hottub don't think that relaxing with a brew, and friends is the "devils" work. So we have been able to relax with friends, unwind and have great conversations.
The hot tub almost makes everything worth it. Add the hot tub to the other benefits, and we are pampered pets at SIAS.
p.s. welcome to the zoo called SIAS, we are the prize exhibits, but the hot tub helps a lot.... theraputic
Ahhhhh..... HOT TUB. That is definately one of the nicest things at SIAS. Over last winter they started work on a Hot tub. They started the work in the middle of february, and had it looking finished by late april. But they never ran it.
The new teachers got here in September, and still the hot tub was not running. A petition circulated at the end of september, and the petition was removed, and still it was not running. But then in the end of October, they opened the hot tub.
It is nice. It will hold 10 people comfortably, and if you are "friendly" it may hold 20. Don't know we have never gotten that many people in it. I think the largest group I know of has been 8. It is a truely decadent pleasure.
Now I know what you are thinking, and you may be right. The water is colored. (sometimes slightly brown, or slightly rusty, but if you let it run for about 5 minutes, then drain the tub it is pretty clean) but it is hooked into the water system for the residence Hall we all live in. So it is the same water we take our showers in. we just have a very large "pool" to examine the water in instead of it running down the drain. If they kept it full it would be very nasty within about a week, but they don't keep it full. When we are finished using it for a night, we empty the tub. And add new water the next time.
The only real issue with it, is that it is supposed to be used only on the weekends (to save money, only fill it 3x a week, not 7 times a week) but that isn't too bad. It is reallllllly nice to be able to go outside, and climb in a nice HOT (almost scalding sometimes) tub to soak in. Very relaxing especially on a cold winter night with snow falling outside (been there, done that ..... heavenly). Usually the company is great because the people who use and enjoy the hottub don't think that relaxing with a brew, and friends is the "devils" work. So we have been able to relax with friends, unwind and have great conversations.
The hot tub almost makes everything worth it. Add the hot tub to the other benefits, and we are pampered pets at SIAS.
p.s. welcome to the zoo called SIAS, we are the prize exhibits, but the hot tub helps a lot.... theraputic
Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Voice of Will: I have changed
2006-02-15 - 6:58 p.m.
So I was looking over my entries from last year, and I have noticed that something has changed about me. And I think I know what it is. Last year China was new, interesting, different. it still is new, interesting and different, but I'm upset and depressed by the PEOPLE who I work with, and the overwhelming feeling of being BOGGED down by the history of where we live.
Many of the people who live here (in Henan) are the poorest of the poor. They have behaviors that are disturbing, superstitious, and often down right disgusting. The whole concept of self pride, or pride of place seems to have been bred out of the chinese people. When I tell students not to cheat because they are "better" than that, they look at me with confusion on their faces. They don't understand something about the issue of personal pride. This lack of pride, and lack of what appears to be ethics, or a code of conduct bothers me.
The other issue is how I have had to deal with the "politics" of being here. I have tried to reach out to the misfits (my misfits as it turn out) and to help them make the transition from the states to being able to enjoy china. I think I have succeeded because wheneve we hvae a get together I end up with 40 people at our house. But in the process, I have become a target for some groups. There are people who think I am STANDING for moral corruption, or immoral behavior. When all I am really doing is telling nosey busybodies to mind their own business. What a teacher does on his/her own time is their own business. If they want to go out drinking, taht is their stuff. As long as it doesn't effect their teaching, it doesn't matter. The same is true of teachers who have "relationships" with students. If they are not "their" students, who cares? Should anyone?
I have tried to stand up for decency, respect, and privacy and appear to have become a target because of it.
This feeling of being attacked by my "peers" is bringing me down, and making me negative in my posts here, and in my real life outside of cyberspace.
I found out that several of our teachers who came to china this year were reading this online journal last year, and that I am one of the reasons they came here. I would hate to think what people must feel about SIAS because of my journals this year.
I am sorry. I will try to recapture my old glee, and joy at being in china and being allowed to teach the best students in the best class in all of China. After all, that is why I'm here.
Will
So I was looking over my entries from last year, and I have noticed that something has changed about me. And I think I know what it is. Last year China was new, interesting, different. it still is new, interesting and different, but I'm upset and depressed by the PEOPLE who I work with, and the overwhelming feeling of being BOGGED down by the history of where we live.
Many of the people who live here (in Henan) are the poorest of the poor. They have behaviors that are disturbing, superstitious, and often down right disgusting. The whole concept of self pride, or pride of place seems to have been bred out of the chinese people. When I tell students not to cheat because they are "better" than that, they look at me with confusion on their faces. They don't understand something about the issue of personal pride. This lack of pride, and lack of what appears to be ethics, or a code of conduct bothers me.
The other issue is how I have had to deal with the "politics" of being here. I have tried to reach out to the misfits (my misfits as it turn out) and to help them make the transition from the states to being able to enjoy china. I think I have succeeded because wheneve we hvae a get together I end up with 40 people at our house. But in the process, I have become a target for some groups. There are people who think I am STANDING for moral corruption, or immoral behavior. When all I am really doing is telling nosey busybodies to mind their own business. What a teacher does on his/her own time is their own business. If they want to go out drinking, taht is their stuff. As long as it doesn't effect their teaching, it doesn't matter. The same is true of teachers who have "relationships" with students. If they are not "their" students, who cares? Should anyone?
I have tried to stand up for decency, respect, and privacy and appear to have become a target because of it.
This feeling of being attacked by my "peers" is bringing me down, and making me negative in my posts here, and in my real life outside of cyberspace.
I found out that several of our teachers who came to china this year were reading this online journal last year, and that I am one of the reasons they came here. I would hate to think what people must feel about SIAS because of my journals this year.
I am sorry. I will try to recapture my old glee, and joy at being in china and being allowed to teach the best students in the best class in all of China. After all, that is why I'm here.
Will
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Voice of Will: Depressing News
2006-02-12 - 11:35 p.m.
School is in session again. And I get some wonderful news, and some interesting and depressing news.
so I found out who was pushing to have me fired in october, and it was the LAST person I would have thought of. My boss was pushing to have me removed because I"m not Christian. Yes you read that right. It doesn't matter that I am the most popular teacher, and the 2nd best CT in all of china, and that her own teaching evaluation had me listed as EXCEPTIONAL. No, because i'm not Christian, she lied to my face, behind my back, and now had her husband Libel my name at SIAS.
so I discovered this when a letter of "partitition" was passed out by her husband. This "partitition" stated I was having secret 2 am meetings in order to steal peoples identity, and to cause harassment and other various nastiness. I even had "ilk" and "coconspirators." Wow. I feel so.... ... ... unsavory. I think I like it!!
Of course this stupid letter was ignored by everyone, and the school actually went into other teachers rooms to remove this letter before they returned. The school notified me about this, and this other teacher has been "asked" to leave. It isn't any big deal for him to do so, because he was already planning on leaving. But it does feel nice knowing that my fellow coconspirators have my back!!
I also found out that crissy and I are considered the bastion of most "normal" peoples sanity around here. That is very nice to hear, and to learn about. We have been told repeatedly that we are the only thing that makes many (about 20) teachers keep from telling the admin to go and fuck themselves. It is nice, but unfornately most of these teachers will not be coming back next year. Have to go through the effort again next year just to have "normal" people to hang out with.
Will
School is in session again. And I get some wonderful news, and some interesting and depressing news.
so I found out who was pushing to have me fired in october, and it was the LAST person I would have thought of. My boss was pushing to have me removed because I"m not Christian. Yes you read that right. It doesn't matter that I am the most popular teacher, and the 2nd best CT in all of china, and that her own teaching evaluation had me listed as EXCEPTIONAL. No, because i'm not Christian, she lied to my face, behind my back, and now had her husband Libel my name at SIAS.
so I discovered this when a letter of "partitition" was passed out by her husband. This "partitition" stated I was having secret 2 am meetings in order to steal peoples identity, and to cause harassment and other various nastiness. I even had "ilk" and "coconspirators." Wow. I feel so.... ... ... unsavory. I think I like it!!
Of course this stupid letter was ignored by everyone, and the school actually went into other teachers rooms to remove this letter before they returned. The school notified me about this, and this other teacher has been "asked" to leave. It isn't any big deal for him to do so, because he was already planning on leaving. But it does feel nice knowing that my fellow coconspirators have my back!!
I also found out that crissy and I are considered the bastion of most "normal" peoples sanity around here. That is very nice to hear, and to learn about. We have been told repeatedly that we are the only thing that makes many (about 20) teachers keep from telling the admin to go and fuck themselves. It is nice, but unfornately most of these teachers will not be coming back next year. Have to go through the effort again next year just to have "normal" people to hang out with.
Will