Today we took the 167 to McDonald’s on Tongbai Road where we had lunch and then caught the subway. We rode the subway to the end of the line going east, out past the east train station to Zhengzhou Sport Center. As best as we could tell the sports center is under construction. We then got back on the subway – Metro and go off at Bishagang Park/Bishagang 碧沙岗 and went to Popland/peng peng liang 碰碰凉. After some ice cream we came back home on the 45 bus; today was a fun day and we explored some alley ways that foreigners usually don’t go down
January 11, 2014
Today we took the 167 to McDonald’s on Tongbai Road where we had lunch and then caught the subway. We rode the subway to the end of the line going east, out past the east train station to Zhengzhou Sport Center. As best as we could tell the sports center is under construction. We then got back on the subway – Metro and go off at Bishagang Park/Bishagang 碧沙岗 and went to Popland/peng peng liang 碰碰凉. After some ice cream we came back home on the 45 bus; today was a fun day and we explored some alley ways that foreigners usually don’t go down January 10, 2014
This has been an interesting few days. On the 5th I went to get train tickets to Guilin as a vacation trip during our time off. What I got were tickets that were for hard seats and none of us was interested in sitting on hard seats for 16-20 hours. My plan was to go on the 6th to return the tickets but I got a touch of some unattractive stomach ailment so I asked Chuck if he would make the return for me. He did and while I was working on getting well and staying off the toilet I played my computer farm games. The day was also Laba Day which is a Buddhist holiday marking the coming of spring. I started during the Han dynasty and is celebrated during the 12th lunar month (la) and on the 8th day (ba). Tuesday the 7th was better and I was feeling much better. Apple asked me if I wanted to go with a group to see Echo and her new baby on Wednesday. I said yes, but what that meant was I had to finish the baby blanket that I was crocheting for her little one. I was mostly finished I only had 5 rows of the last color to do and then the boarder. I got this done and the skirt that I had ordered online from taobao had come in. Boni, who actually did the ordering, brought the skirt over and agreed to help me buy an electric piano online. I then went to dinner with Ted and he introduced me to a Chinese meal of chicken and rice, huangmen ji mifan 黄焖鸡米饭. This is a wonderful dish and later in the week the family and I went to eat this dish. Wednesday the 8th I went with my friend Apple from the university to visit Echo who is sitting the month or Zuo Yuezi 坐月子. This is the tradition in Chinese culture that has new mothers doing nothing but rest, and tends to the feeding of their baby; housework and chores are handled by the woman’s mother who stays with them for this time (30-45 days). I’ve been doing some research into this; as this interests me greatly. The new mother is not allowed to bathe, or drink water during this time and she has special foods to eat that will restore the balance of yin and yang to her body after giving birth, she also stays in the house and keeps warm during this time. Traditionally there are no visitors and visitors are welcomed at a party at the end of this time. Today many Chinese women will follow some of the rules of Zuo Yuezi the no visitor rule was bent but it is week 2 for my friend and after I had my son, I could not imagine not having friends around me to share my little cuddly new baby. The visit was a very brief one lasting about 20 minutes but I was able to give her the baby blanket that I crocheted for her little one. I started thinking about making this blanket back when I learned that she was having a baby and I was thrilled that I had my crochet hooks from America and could do this for my Chinese friend. I have been much honored to have been allowed to participate in this very traditional Chinese ritual; I love that I can get a glimpse of Chinese life through these encounters with century old traditions. After this I had lunch and went with a friend to the end of the 167 bus line. The end of the route was in front of Zhengzhou Center Hospital which is where I went to have my eyes checked out and get my prescription for my ocular hypertension. Once at the hospital we got on bus 919 that took us to Wanda Plaza 万达广场 (Wanda Guangchang) where we went to Boobear coffee. We got hot milk teas and went shopping at Wal-Mart. We then got the B26 bus and rode it until we got off to catch the 45 bus which runs outside the apartments. Thursday the 9th was a beauty maintenance day for me as I spent the mid morning getting my hair colored. I was concerned as the salon used a new product and it went on bright green. I was thinking I want black not shocking green hair but all turned out well. Nate also had some work done on his hair, he got a haircut. Friday the 10th TODAY! The day started out with a message from my friend Apple who told me she had my schedule and the text books for my classes. She asked if I had time to come over today and get them. It was a great pleasure to get my schedule as I’ve had a few students tell me they will have me or their friends will have me for a teacher next semester. While at building 6, I saw another teacher friend, Shirley. She teaches math she has an 8 year old son who asks me questions on speaking English from time to time. It was only after talking with her and getting my lunch that I realized that I had locked my keys in the apartment. I ate my lunch and drank my hot milk tea in the hallway outside my room waiting for people to come and let me in. As I waited, Boni sent me a message that my piano was in so off to the campus I went. I have my piano now and I’m thrilled, I spent the evening playing Chopin and other classical works. I will be taking piano lessons from a Chinese piano teacher at the piano store in Wanda Plaza so having a piano here at home is essential to being able to practice. I will also get a chance to play music by Chinese composers. December 26, 2013
Today is the day after Christmas. Chuck, Nate, and I gave a party for the Chinese students who have really helped us over the last 18 months. The party was on Christmas Eve and we had a nice turn out. Carol, Ted, Emily, Wendy, and Boni each brought a guest and we had a mixture of American and Chinese food for dinner. I debuted my very bad cold complete with no voice. One of the guests, Boni, suggested another medicine, a departure from the 999. This is also a traditional Chinese remedy called ‘gan kang’ 感康, and this almost worked immediately. Boni told us that for little colds she uses 999 but for big colds she goes for 感康 . I take a pill after breakfast and another after dinner and it does its thing in my body. I will admit that yesterday I slept most of the day but my body seems to have missed getting the rest it needs. However, as I start to feel a little better, Chuck and Nate are now dealing with the same cold so I started them on the gan kang medication as well; in hopes of all being well enough to attend the holiday party thrown by the foreign teachers in our building EIE mainly at Zax barbeque. Our Christmas Party was nice and since we don’t have family other than us we invited our close friends here. Just like a Christmas party in the states, we have been eating leftovers for a couple of meals now. But that is okay; we spent the evening with good friends sharing traditions from America with the students. Since I didn’t feel well, Nate and Chuck did the food prep and finished getting the place cleaned up. I napped most of the day. Yesterday Christmas Day, the EIE teachers invited us to join their Secret Santa gift giving. We drew names earlier in the month to find out which member of the staff we were buying for and got gifts for the various members of the staff. There was a party at the EIE office in building 5, but Nate and I were not up for going so Chuck took our gifts with his over to the office. Our friend Curtis came over with his ‘sister’ (cousin) and brought us some Christmas gifts, they stayed until Chuck started to make his way over to the EIE office. Well 3 days till I celebrate my birthday at KTV with family and friends. This year my special guest will be Zhang Haidong. A nice Chinese man I met shortly after Chuck and I were informed that our 2009 divorce was still in force and our re-marriage the same year was not. Anyway, Zhang Haidong 张海东 and I met at a KTV event for a singles group we both belong to. My Chinese has improved greatly since we started messaging one another back and forth.
Tonight will be a short post as I am tired from our vacation to Xi’an over the weekend. From Nov. 28 to Dec. 1 we were visiting the Terra Cotta Warriors and the Big Goose Pagoda and learning about the silk trade in ancient China. There is lots of history to be learned in China and I am honored to be able to do so. We took the G train which is a high speed train like the D or bullet train but it makes a few more stops and isn’t as fast. I will write more on that and what we learned in the next few days. Today I had some students that wanted to get pictures with me. Cindy came over to bring some friends to meet me and then tonight Chuck and I were two of four judges for an English Competition. The other two judges were Darren and Jennifer teachers with EIE. The competition included an original speech, an excerpt from a speech given by someone else and a Q&A from the judges. Two of the contestants got flustered and walked off stage at questions from the judges but the others fielded the questions well. A young woman and a young man were the big winners of the night both gave good speeches and were entertaining to watch. Barack Obama seemed to be the favorite speech giver to imitate with Hilary Clinton coming in a close second. I was surprised to not hear more Steve Jobs speeches. Our friend Amos was also there tonight to cheer on a student of his. Well this has been a rough patch alright. Chuck and I are divorced and a month out I’m still feeling raw but I’m sure everything will be fine. God is in control, even in a country that doesn’t have an official religion.
One of my friends Jackie, reminded me of the teacher’s cafeteria on the third floor at the university. I went there today as Chuck rarely ventures up to that place preferring to dine with students. I like that sometimes too, but I want and need to make some friends among my Chinese colleagues. I went alone today and at first it felt odd being alone but as I get used to doing things on my own I will start to make friends. I have also kicked up my own Chinese lesson learning. If I am to talk to my new friends I need to be able to communicate with them. Today after my last class I was taken to dinner by a student and she treated me to a chicken and noodle dish. October 24, 2013
Tuesday was a free day, didn’t do anything and just hung out with Nate. Wednesday I had class and Ted, Janet, Ross, and Boni sat in on the class. After the class I had lunch with some of my students from last year. Ted, Emma, and Stella were all students from classes I taught last year. Ted also asked me to speak full speed to him, he can understand English at full speed, but he and Emma talked Chinese full speed at lunch and I CAN NOT understand it. After lunch we got me a new bus pass I lost my other one. Then after that I came back to the apartment and took a nap until dinner time. I must have needed it and perhaps one today as I’m certain we will have an early bedtime. J Carol and her friend accompanied me to get my business cards which are printed on double sided cards one side is about my English teaching and the other side is about LT&N as a music group. After getting the cards we all went to dinner at our favorite Chinese restaurant in America we would call them Muslims here they are referred to as Nationals as they are a minority and are able to practice their religion without any problems. Most blogs will tell you that if you are uncertain about the health standards of an eating establishment go to a National restaurant where they adhere to the rules of their religion for keeping the kitchen clean. Today I had lunch with Ellie, my Chinese friend who got her masters in the UK. On my way to campus to meet her I ran into Shirley and YEAH her car is fixed. Another car ran into hers while it was parked in the parking garage at her home. Shirley is also Kevin’s mom. Ellie and I had a nice lunch talking about many things. We dined in a coffee house near our house that also has live AMERICAN music like Rev Coffee House in Smyrna, GA. I left them my card and will stop back by some other time during the week. After that I went to see some of the teachers at the Law school on campus. For dinner we tried a new place on our street, not new as in just got there, new as in we had not eaten there before. The dish was spicy and had various noodles, mushrooms, cabbage, and meatballs in it. Good day but after I post I think I will relax and do some crocheting. October 21, 2013
Catch up. Thursday Nate and I went with Emily to get yarn. One of the local stores we thought might have yarn but didn’t turn out to have it on a seasonal basis. When you buy yarn from these stores they also give you knitting needles. I have gotten so much yarn and free needles that I now have a nice collection of crochet hooks and knitting needles. We were going to go shopping with Sarah and Kristina but there was a meeting for the EIE teachers. Emily forgot about the meeting. Nate decided that he would like to learn how to crochet, yes mom he asked to learn, and he made a blanket for Geoff his Pikachu. He is now working on a blanket for his bed then one for Freeway. I finished the scarf for Apple and only need to sew my tag in it. Friday not much happened except for teaching Kevin and an English Corner that night. Saturday Carol and I went to find the place where I can design my business cards. Found them but they were very busy and couldn’t help me that day we are planning on trying on Tuesday. Then we had lunch in that area at a nice noodle shop caught the 45 bus back to campus. I started a new story Pilfrepennie and it is on fictionpress.com Sunday we searched for more yarn. I’ve decided that this year I will wear sweaters with my leggings like in the 80’s in America; that is a style over here. I found a site for free crochet and knit patterns on line. I am working on a tunic and I’ll put pictures on when I have it done. I asked Nate to record some of the listening for my classes this week and next week onto a flash drive so I can play them in classes. Monday today, back to class. This morning I made a bun holder for my hair and restarted my sweater project. So far my classes are right before lunch or dinner I like to get out for meals before everyone else so I let my classes go early. We finish what we are talking about; my biggest class is a challenge for me to get through everything I have planned and still let them out before dinner time. We mailed Nate’s letter to Dani, I do hope she gets his letter it would be so awesome for him to have a pen pal in America! For lunch today we had fish, something that Nate would not try in the states but he embraced the chance to try some today. Even if Chinese cooking means the head, tail, and side fins are still on the fish. This has been a busy week.
Sunday Chuck and I hosted a movie night/afternoon for our students. The plan was to watch an English film however the film decided to play in Chinese with Chinese subtitles. Luckily for us it was Star Trek ‘Into Darkness’ and we have seen it several times in English and can almost say the dialogue. Monday was teaching and riding my scooter to the new campus in the rain. I got pictures of my students and let my mid morning class go early to get to lunch first. Tuesday I had no class but had lunch with some students then went for a walk around the neighborhood and got new shoes and found a yarn store. There was an English Corner that night and some students who play the Chinese flute came by with flutes and music. I was unable to talk to them as I was doing one of the foreign speakers at the English Corner. SAD FACE :-< I also contact my friend Apple who recently returned from the UK and arranged to meet with her before my class on Wednesday morning. Yes Nate and I were supposed to be doing a performance but at the last minute I got told that they still had no place to do the performance. The event has been tabled and our participation is ‘iffy’ at best. I also called my mother on Skype and talked with her, our weekly chat. Wednesday today I taught my class after Apple and I meet. Chuck, Nate and I ate lunch on campus at the diner we ate with students earlier. Tonight I have been working on what to teach my tutor students and downloading my rosters for classes. It has gotten cooler, well cold. Gone are the days of sandals and now we break out serious fall gear: long sleeves, socks, mittens when on scooters/e-bikes and nice hot drinks. I thought of hot tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches and this time of year when I was little. One of my new projects for the fall will be to find or make tomato soup. I just put my quilt on my bed and the heat is going in our room. I’m sure that Chuck is real glad that we have two rooms so he can keep it cold as he likes on his side and I can keep the heat going on my side. Today got off to a wonderful start! I got a nice hot shower, had breakfast and did my wash. Then I was free to go and play and that is just what I did. My friend Amos had mentioned to me about a hotel near us that has a grand piano in the lobby. First we went to the university as they have many performances that involved keyboards we figured there must be some place on the campus that has pianos or keyboards available. No luck today it’s Saturday and not all offices are open. Hopefully we will hear about this later. Anyway we took off for the hotel that isn’t too far from here.
Not far from here is the gateway to musical bliss, a well maintained grand piano! We walked around the hotel and I have information for guests to stay now. We noticed a coffee shop and a former student of mine, Grace, who was there today. Then we approached the piano, that wonderful instrument of many keys. My love, what my soul was crying out for. This hotel is much closer than the piano studio in Wanda Plaza and playing there will be a joy. After an hour and a half I came home, only because I don’t have enough music for longer at the piano. I am home now dreaming of my next adventure to the piano! Chuck and I went for sweet and sour chicken and rice for lunch today. Then I showed him the place Carol took me to for dinner one night and then I showed him the coffee shop that Amos showed me today. After seeing the back road that Amos and I took Chuck decided that we could go exploring more. We travelled past the coffee house that we have been too (chocolate milkshake) and crossed a very busy intersection with NO traffic light. Then we found a market place on an unpaved road that very few foreigners have been too. Totally expecting Ninja’s to come out and jump us we decided to go exploring. Based on the looks we got my guess of no foreigners there before was probably correct. We passed a market on our way out and stopped to get drinks and it was then that we noticed the doors on the other side of the road; they were similar in style to the doors at the Forbidden City in Beijing. Tonight Chuck, Rick and I will be going to an orientation by the English Association on campus and I have been asked to play. Since Nate had other plans it will be me alone and I plan to play the songs that I am doing on Tuesday. Well I played one of the songs and we participated in games and answering questions in English. We also took lots and lots of pictures. |