Chinglish Christmas

Wasn’t your typical Christmas – Andrea, Rachel and I gave finals on Christmas day, after finals Rachel went into town for a root canal, Penny and I went Christmas shopping for an MP3 and then to the bank that of course was open.

Us 4 Americans decided to have an Almost American Christmas dinner. We say almost because most of the food was ALMOST like a typical Christmas dinner. Andrea made a green bean casserole without the French onions or milk. I made mashed potatoes with packaged mashed potato mix (I know it is cheating, but all that was possible). Rachel bought a whole small chicken that could fit into our tiny toaster oven. The only way you can buy a whole chicken here is with the head still attached. So she steeled herself into cutting the head off but when she got it home and out of the package she found that she also had to cut off the feet and completely gut the chicken. There were no convenient bags of edible innards stuffed inside the cavity. We are so spoiled in the US. Rachel also made a broccoli casserole made with Velvetta (it came in a greatly appreciated “Kris & Jim Christmas care package”) instead of cheddar cheese which has been impossible to get here lately. Extra “Kudos”! go to Rachel for tackling the chicken dissection!

Side Note – It was strange that the package with the Velvetta got thru Chinese customs because Beth’s package that had Cheez- ets listed got stopped (no cheese allowed) and she had to go to the customs place to pick it up – go figure - a big block of processed cheese got thru and cheese dust crackers didn’t. I just hope “my slow boat from China” box of clothes and stuff that I mailed 2 weeks ago will get to me in Georgia – Honest there was no cheese or cheese dust at all…….

After dinner we played 6 rounds of Scattagories. (I didn’t win but I did ok considering my age)

West Lake English Corner Elves

A couple of weeks before Christmas I gave each of my English Major classes 2 hats, 2 stockings, and an assignment. Each student in their class had to contribute an item or items to stuff the stockings with for the children at Sunday’s West Lake English Corner. Pictured above are the 2 Elves from each class that helped pass out the goodies. The cold dreary weather really cut down on the number of children that showed up so the ones that did really got lucky. One of the elves taught the kids to sing Jingle Bells so we were treated to a unique version of the song.

Very Cold

Did I tell you guys that it was cold? I even had to wear my funny hat.

The Dolphins

I swear the dolphins were really playing with Penny behind the glass. We stayed there for about 10 minutes and a couple of them played with us the whole time.

Dalian Sea World

Interesting aquarium, which was very uncrowded because it was in the middle of the winter and snowing, but it was fun.

Penny's First Kiss??

She won’t admit whether it really was her “first kiss” or not but I really hope the Walrus wasn’t it. Whiskers, tusks, and fish breath – yuck! I have to find her a stuffed walrus to remind her of her kiss.

Cold Dalian

Dalian is a modern (notice the 'disco ball') city with a Russian and Japanese history. People kept asking me if I was Russian because there are lots of Russian tourists. The cold Siberian wind was really strong and we had a few snow flurries that reminded us of how much we like Hangzhou’s warm weather. The hotel was great – softest beds I have ever had in China and a great location. It was close to an underground shopping area that we kept getting lost in - which wasn’t all that bad. On our “have no idea where we are” wanderings we found a great hat for Penny, hair thingys for Nicole and donuts for me.

Penny's First Plane Trip

She did fine – no fear of flying at all. Only problem is that the China Southern Air has spoiled her for all American airlines. Think back to our airline service in the 50’s and 60’s. The flight attendants are all young and pretty and look exactly alike and they actually feed you on all flights – no matter how short.

Proud Papa Getting Son Ready For a Cold Ride

Remember cars are a rarity for the average Chinese family. First big purchase is the motorbike so it is very common to see a family of 3 on a motorbike. Sharon, David and I saw this dad and son after we had visited their college’s great Science and Technology Museum. We were impressed with how many hands-on activities the museum had. It reminded me of the Ben Franklin Museum in Philly. Only problem is that all the exhibits were in Chinese.

Students' Water Jug

Colorful aren’t they! I have one too. I bought a traditional Chinese red one. This picture was taken at Zhejiang Normal University in Jinhua (25,000 students). These are standard equipment for every college student. There are big machines on almost every floor of every classroom building and dorm that boil water. It is a necessity not only to make your tea, and brush your teeth but also to keep your hands warm in the classroom. In the unheated classrooms students will wrap their hands around their small tea containers that everyone brings to class (including me – but I usually have tea in my container)

First Animal Hospital I Have Seen In China

Yesterday I actually saw a big dog. It was a German Sheppard on the back of a Police Motorcycle. Every once in a while you will see a small dog getting walked but basically you don’t see many pets in China. Rabbits are the only pet I have ever seen for sale in China and you’re pretty sure that it will be eaten in the end. (They sell them in the grocery stores) In Jinhua I actually saw lots of cats and dogs that seemed to fall into the pet category and we actually saw an Animal Hospital.

His First Sale ?

This artist made such a big deal over me buying this picture for 15 dollars that it was either his first sale or his first sale to a laowei. He made us take pictures inside and outside of his store with him.

Hopefully the picture will make it home ok - he folded it up.

My First Solo Train Trip

Took a train all by myself and went to Jinhua to visit Sharon and David. I met them in 2006 when they taught down the street at another college. They also went home for a year and then came back. They currently teach at Zhejiang Normal University. If there is the word “Normal” in the schools name it means a teacher college. Knowing middle school teachers as well as I do – I am not sure I would make the connection between Normal and Teachers so easily but this is China – maybe things are different here. Jinhua lacks a lot of the cultural and historical things to see when compared to Hangzhou but the big advantage is that the school is willing to hire us “more mature” teachers. So if I ever get the urge to do this again or I can’t get a job at Frederica – I do have other options.

They found me a great really cheap hotel, (less than 20 bucks a night) really close to their apartment, CNN, BBC, fairly soft beds, good water pressure and a western toilet – what more could I ask for. The free breakfast was lacking (they had run out of almost everything when I arrived) but there was a fruit stand right down the street. We toured and walked around the few local parks and shopped at their Wal-Mart but mostly we ate Sharon’s delicious microwave chocolate cake and played a game called “Farkle”. If you haven’t played before it is addictive, easy and fun. All you need is 6 dice, paper and a little friendly competitiveness.

http://www.farklerules.com/the-rules-of-farkle/

And A Happy New Year.....

This is your official 2008 Christmas Card. I hope you all have a great holiday and a wonderful new year.

I know it is a cop-out not addressing all the envelopes and licking all the stamps but if you could see the lines at the post offices here you would understand. Also most of you read my blog which is sort of like a never ending Christmas Newsletter anyway. The photo was taken in YuYuan Garden in Shanghai.

It has been a busy and wonderful year in China but I am looking forward to getting home in just a few weeks. Finals for the students are just around the corner and I have already started the daunting task of packing. I only have one more 4 day trip planned to Harbin with Cynthia to see the ice sculptures and of course maybe one more day trip to Shanghai for some last minute souvenir shopping.


Side Note: Here is something extra that can't be done in a regular Christmas card.... Click here