Anyway, it's glad to be back, both to school and to writing you back home. We like knowing that we're not here just for ourselves, but for a greater purpose and to be an extension of our family back home.
So from the two of us to you we say "sanks..." I mean thanks...
It's very common, or I'd say almost inevitable for a student to replace a "th" with an "s." That is one of the more difficult pronunciation problems they have as Asian speaking people. Often you will hear "sanks" or "sank you" or "somesing" and "sat."
I can't say too much about this problem for two reasons; one, I have troubles with speaking Chinese and two, when I was growing up I had to visit a speech therapist once or twice a week to help correct my "s's" and "z's." It worked I guess... Now I'm passing on the info to these students. Maybe not working as well as my speech therapist.
We were able to travel some during the winter because of the holiday. Spring festival is about as important to them than Christmas is to us, "as a whole." There are many people who celebrate Christmas, mainly for the time off though... In China it's ingrained in them as a people to stop everything they are doing for the "Chinese New Year."
So we took advantage of this time and rested, well... tried to rest. We added up the miles traveling from China to Thailand, to Malaysia and back. It feels like so long ago but last year I was able to make the trip home to see family and friends as well as celebrate Christmas with everyone close to me. This year we just stayed on this side of the world and "globe-trotted."
It was kind of like a delayed honeymoon... we spent time on the beach, went rock climbing, snorkeling and even read a few books. Yowzers! Reading is so easy when you have time to just invest all at once. I like to knock books out in one reading, the whole idea of reading a book and coming back to it is difficult. I get side-tracked way to easily.
Getting back to school was a very nice change of pace after carrying a load around on our backs for weeks... We were finally able to sleep in our own bed, take a shower in our own shower all while just "being home." I do have to say that the food was much better in a tourist country. There were many more options...
So school is back in full swing and we've been twice as busy this semester than last. Immediately upon arrival we had to get organized as a staff to perform for all of China. Or so they said... Each year there is a basketball tournament that is similar to the NCAA "March Madness" tournament. It's called C.U.B.A. (Chinese University Basketball Association). SIAS hosted one of the regional tournaments. CCTV5, or the Chinese ESPN, was here filming all of the games which meant nationwide coverage for the university. The week was fairly exciting and provided some much needed sporting events. I finally felt like I was at a "real" university, being able to attend a college sport.
Although, the one thing that was missing was the traditional atmosphere of cheering and the rustling of the fans during games. I could not believe how quiet the gym was a times. The students would only cheer when provoked by a "cheer leader." Very strange... for us as westerners.
Not only did we get to watch the games... we were requested or "told" to put a performance together. Lacy, Yelitz(Jelitza), and Kinah worked really hard and choreographed a "dance" for some of the foreigners to do. Once they finished we went to work in front of the mirrors. I def. am retiring from dance now. SIAS has provided many more opportunities than desired to perform. So now... the next step in my life, BROADWAY! just kidding...
Classes have been going well, although this is the most challenging semester thus far. The students we have this semester are not as "polished" in the English department. We're really having to dig deep to figure out how to be effective in class. It's tough... When students look at you like you're a complete moron... maybe there's a reason, no really, when students have NO IDEA what you're saying it's a struggle. So needless to say it's been a work in progress.
More recently, we went to Shaolinsi (Shao Lin Temple). It was definitely an experience to write home about. First we made the 2 hour trip by bus with about 50 other teachers and then we enjoyed a Kung Fu show and a tour of the temple. For anyone wanting to travel to China all you need to do is see one temple, they all look the same. So the temple wasn't "that" exciting.
Actually, the more we tour temples the more we cringe and yearn for awakening in this country. The amount of idolizing that happens in the temples is insane. There is NO END. There is something for everything. I mean everything.
Once we left the temple we headed to a local high school to spend time with some students. Mainly as a liaison for SIAS to market the university to these students who will graduate in a year or so. It was really fun, at first I was not too excited about going because I knew it wasn't for fun that it was mainly for SIAS. There are so many things that they make us do "because we're foreigners" and it can get old. The feeling of being used comes in to mind at times. Only respected as a foreigner... but... I did get out and spend some time because "it's not about me," although that's had to live at times, it's true.
The school is large and IT WAS SATURDAY at 4:00 pm. Who is at school at 4:00pm ON SATURDAY??? Chinese, and other countries that will soon pass us-westerners-up in areas of education.
After the school... What else? Oh, maybe dinner in local farmers homes... How cool is that! This wasn't easy but we made it work. Because there were so many of us we had to split up and go to different homes in the same village. Of course this was planned out prior to our arrival so it was basically already organized. Oddly enough, the food was pretty good. The one thing that I liked the most was the egg and vegetable dish. This is VERY uncommon but I liked the tofu as well. gross...
Nothing is EVER surprising in China, I mean nothing... This country will cease to amaze you, whether it's the people and what they come up with or do, or just random events that take place. Most of the time and I really mean this, most of the time it's hilarious or just plain ridiculous. From the basic engineering, or "rigging" to the simple lifestyle the people live. This one, however, kind of shocked me, "kind of..." As we were eating two little children, boy & girl, about the 6-8 yrs. come walking towards us. One with a beer bottle and the other with a cup, both dinking it.
So, now we're back and time is flying. The time seems to get faster and faster each week. So fast that I often think to myself "what happened to this week?" I'm sure many of you have had this or are having this same thought. It's just unreal how fast the year has flown by. We only have a short amount of time left before we return and it is already evident to some of our students. Just today while walking home from "chrch" one of my students told me that "we have little time to know one another deeply" and he is starting to realize that we will be going down two different roads in the very near future. This is a really hard thing to accept right now because of the attachment and friendships we have cultivated. I am very excited to get home, BUT I am just as sad to have to leave. Leaving here will put us back in the job market and uncertainty of the next step and to be honest this place has provided a lot more comfort than expected before the journey began. I wasn't sure how much China I could actually handle but now it will be part of who I am, part of who Lacy and I are as a couple. We will never forget these amazing people, these amazing friends we have walked side-by-side with while residing in such a different culture. They have made the difference in our lives, and hopefully, our Gd has made a difference through us in there lives. We can only pray... Many tears of sadness, but many more filled with happiness.
Cont'd to pray... 90 more days!
Also, My parents are planning to make the journey in 12 weeks. This is pretty exciting. See you soon. (june 11th)
