Crab Rangoon!

Hey Everyone!

Tonight we had a group of students over for an English Corner! We had a great discussion... and we made Crab Rangoon! I thought I'd show them some American Chinese food... I wasn't sure I would be able to achieve China Buffet status, but we were successful.

Here's what we do. Each Wednesday evening we have students over, invite only, so we're able to discern the one's who are searching or just genuine friends of ours. We have snacks, brief conversation about our days/lives and then we test them to see if they remember one anothers name.

In the Chinese culture it's normal to never talk to a stranger. It's hard to go outside of your circle of friends because of trust or the simple fear of getting to know someone new. The culture is based on relationships and this isn't so obvious to the normal onlooker but, once you cultivate a few relationships you understand deeper. If you are a friend, you are a friend for life. There are two circles or levels of relationships one; is that of being an acquaintance and two; that of deeper friendship or family. If you are on the outer circle then you can count on not receiving much in terms of closeness but, if you are on the inner circle then you would receive the shirt off of someones back if you ever were in need, literally, not figuratively. I've seen so many acts of charity between friends. Some students go so far as purchase computers for each other. This happens all the way to the point of cheating on exams. If a student has not studied then their friend doesn't want to see them fail so they will help that friend pass by allowing them to cheat. It happens in America we just seem to know how to cheat in a more sophisticated way.

Anyway, sorry for rambling... I'm doing my best to give you a window into the culture. Back to testing them on each others names. We just want them to start feeling comfortable with others around them hoping they will build friendships outside of their dorm rooms. There are definitely the exceptions to the rule but, that's the norm.

Tonight we began by having everyone arrive at 730pm. Once everyone arrived we started by telling them what Crab Rangoon was and then showed them the ingredients. They began laughing at me because that's basically what we do all the time, laugh together. they call me crazy because I am always doing something different and trying to show them so many stupid things we westerners do, like make Crab Rangoon in China! Or, buy 20 snickers bars for our visitors (those who came last week all got a snickers bar, they're kind of pricey for the students to buy). Again... rambling... Once we got the stuff all mixed we put it into the wanton rappers (in Chinese HUN DUN PI..."who'n-do'n-pee"). then put them in the oil to fry.

The students thought they were very good( in Chinese TAI HAO CHE... tie-how-cher). They said they were different but approved... mission accomplished!

So now onto the discussion... We talked about relativitism, what's right, what's wrong, and who decides? On the board I drew stick figures in different colors representing different people and different thoughts. "Mr. Green killed Mr. Red because he wanted to... who is right? you'd think the answer would be simple. Nope... "It's okay, as long as he did it for fun." and "It's okay, he didn't know what he was doing." and "Maybe Mr. Red did something to make Mr. Green Kill him?" I thought to myself at that point "I have a lot to accomplish here tonight!"

So we continued, it didn't get a whole lot better but it did progress and we did have good points to discuss. We read the 10 laws that are the standard, and I said "If truth exists, then it is the same for everyone, it isn't different for different cultures or different people." not only do I struggle with the language barrier but also with a people who's moral compass is not exactly the greatest. I love the people so much and I want you to know that they are wonderful people. It's more that there isn't really a standard of morality. So pry for this area especially with the group members.

After all the discussion we wound down and just hung out for about 15 minutes. We talked about usually life things. We planned for the next few days and even possibly planned a trip to a students home. We'll keep you posted.

I want to end with something a student said right before he left this evening. "It's comfortable here, I like coming to your house and spending time with you and your wife. I feel very welcomed." --Casey

And another student said during the cooking time. "You two are so happy, you are always filled with happiness. We love spending time with you."--Joyce