As I have been reminded by various emails, I have been remiss in my blogging duties. My apologies...but life is very quiet these days and nothing of interest that is also bloggable has happened. Let's see, what has happened...
-I judged a very very long speech competition. The topics were "My Future is not a Dream" and "Thus is a Real University Student." In some ways it was like spending a day at a motivational seminar. The department treated us to both lunch and dinner, which was nice, but lots of food and lots of speeches made for a looong day.
-I did a lesson on body language with my sophomores, which was so fun. We did "gesture charades" to point out those gestures which differ in China and America. I now know why cupping my ear to get my students to speak up has little effect- it is not the gesture for "I can't hear you" here! The best part of the lesson was silent skits. I had groups of 5 design a completely silent scene to show just how much you could convey without words. My favorite was the one where three students pantomined a bus. Another student turned his head while walking to check out a pretty girl and smacked straight into the bus, and they all laughed at him. Another group did a silent rock band, which was also pretty awesome.
-Lots of holiday festivities are coming up, so I will be sure to update when interesting things do happen.
Finally, check the photostream for pictures of our first snowfall and ridiculously cold weather.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Embarrassing Moment of the Day? Month? Decade?
So today, the bus home was a bit crowded- about three deep in the aisle. A man in work pants, the kind with loops for hanging tools, was trying to squeeze by me and the old lady next to me. As he brushed pass, somehow the button on the back pocket of my jeans got tangled in one of the loops on his pants. And somehow, we got really stuck. He starts shouting for the bus driver to wait so he can get off, but because of the angle, neither of us could see the problem. After some very awkward fumbling, the old lady helped us out, shaking from trying not to laugh at our very red faces. Once untangled, the man positively fled. I didn't blame him at all!
I suppose I need things to keep me humble... :-)
I suppose I need things to keep me humble... :-)
Monday, October 12, 2009
Recipe: Chinese green beans
Green beans, snapped into pieces (I had about 4.5 cups- it doesn't really matter...)
1 package mushrooms, sliced
4 clove garlic, chopped
1 tbsp constarch in 1 cup water
1 tbsp soy sauce
Boil the green beans to desired doneness. Cook garlic and mushrooms until mushrooms are tender. Add soy sauce to cornstarch/water, and pour over mushrooms. Cook until thickened (1 min). Add greenbeans to sauce. Toss well and serve.
1 package mushrooms, sliced
4 clove garlic, chopped
1 tbsp constarch in 1 cup water
1 tbsp soy sauce
Boil the green beans to desired doneness. Cook garlic and mushrooms until mushrooms are tender. Add soy sauce to cornstarch/water, and pour over mushrooms. Cook until thickened (1 min). Add greenbeans to sauce. Toss well and serve.
Recipe: Tofu Soup
I'm taking nominations for a better name.
-12 cups water
-8 tsp chicken bouillon
-1 package extra firm tofu, cut into small cubes (remember it will expand in the soup)
-4 carrots, cubed
-1 onion, chopped
-1.5 tbsp dark soy sauce
-2 tbsp vinegar (I used "mature vinegar"- you could try balsamic?
Combine water, bouillon, carrots, and onion in a stockpot. Cook until the vegetables are just tender. Add the tofu. Add the seasonings little by little, to taste. I like it fairly vinegary, so watch out :-) Cook until tofu is heated through and softer. Best if cooked, refrigerated overnight, and served the next day.
-12 cups water
-8 tsp chicken bouillon
-1 package extra firm tofu, cut into small cubes (remember it will expand in the soup)
-4 carrots, cubed
-1 onion, chopped
-1.5 tbsp dark soy sauce
-2 tbsp vinegar (I used "mature vinegar"- you could try balsamic?
Combine water, bouillon, carrots, and onion in a stockpot. Cook until the vegetables are just tender. Add the tofu. Add the seasonings little by little, to taste. I like it fairly vinegary, so watch out :-) Cook until tofu is heated through and softer. Best if cooked, refrigerated overnight, and served the next day.
Status Quo
Beginning this week, things are going to slowly settle into a nice stasis. :-)
The holiday went very well. I enjoyed the parade (see previous post), did a little housewares shopping, and journeyed to the other side of the city for PCV taco day! Our wonderful chefs A, L, and M did just about everything from scratch except grind the beef. Homemade salsa, tortillas, wonderfully seasoned ground beef, and a delicious dessert made for a day of gastronomic happiness. Even though I've yet to really miss Western food, having tacos was really quite nice. Funny story about getting there: Since it's a long way (2 hours by bus), the three folk in my district decided to share a cab over there. About halfway there, the driver (whose first language is clearly not Mandarin) starts saying something about how we're going to have to get out. We asked him to repeat, and he keeps going on and on about not going into the city--but doesn't stop. In the end, he drove us all the way there. *shrugs*
Classes are going smoothly, as well. The freshmen are super enthusiastic, making their classes fly by. The sophomores make me work a little harder, but it comes out ok in the end. We recently did a lesson on regions of the United States, and it was wonderful and amusing to see their brainstorm list. They threw in Westward Expansion, Lincoln, racial discrimination, corn, and the Houston Rockets. :-)
My writing class, my 11th and final section, will begin this week at last. The students are in their final year of training to become teachers and have been scattered about doing field study for the first six weeks of the term. I've just found out that it's a year long course, so I'm feeling much more positive about the amount of material we will cover and how much the students will get out of the class. I'm quite fortunate that the other sections of the class are taught by another foreign teacher I know, so we can plan lessons collaboratively.
Also, I'm beginning my official tutoring today. I'm eager to begin improving my Chinese in larger steps. The Chinese for doing daily tasks no longer seems like a chore, which is nice, but I'm still really at a loss for small talk beyond introductions and the weather. Hopefully that will come soon.
Finally, I leave you with a couple of gems from student papers:
"I think people should not be so angry with Japan anymore. The past is black and white, but the future is full of colors."
"If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Antarctica. It would be my own small, white world."
The holiday went very well. I enjoyed the parade (see previous post), did a little housewares shopping, and journeyed to the other side of the city for PCV taco day! Our wonderful chefs A, L, and M did just about everything from scratch except grind the beef. Homemade salsa, tortillas, wonderfully seasoned ground beef, and a delicious dessert made for a day of gastronomic happiness. Even though I've yet to really miss Western food, having tacos was really quite nice. Funny story about getting there: Since it's a long way (2 hours by bus), the three folk in my district decided to share a cab over there. About halfway there, the driver (whose first language is clearly not Mandarin) starts saying something about how we're going to have to get out. We asked him to repeat, and he keeps going on and on about not going into the city--but doesn't stop. In the end, he drove us all the way there. *shrugs*
Classes are going smoothly, as well. The freshmen are super enthusiastic, making their classes fly by. The sophomores make me work a little harder, but it comes out ok in the end. We recently did a lesson on regions of the United States, and it was wonderful and amusing to see their brainstorm list. They threw in Westward Expansion, Lincoln, racial discrimination, corn, and the Houston Rockets. :-)
My writing class, my 11th and final section, will begin this week at last. The students are in their final year of training to become teachers and have been scattered about doing field study for the first six weeks of the term. I've just found out that it's a year long course, so I'm feeling much more positive about the amount of material we will cover and how much the students will get out of the class. I'm quite fortunate that the other sections of the class are taught by another foreign teacher I know, so we can plan lessons collaboratively.
Also, I'm beginning my official tutoring today. I'm eager to begin improving my Chinese in larger steps. The Chinese for doing daily tasks no longer seems like a chore, which is nice, but I'm still really at a loss for small talk beyond introductions and the weather. Hopefully that will come soon.
Finally, I leave you with a couple of gems from student papers:
"I think people should not be so angry with Japan anymore. The past is black and white, but the future is full of colors."
"If I could travel anywhere, I would go to Antarctica. It would be my own small, white world."
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Chinese National Day
I have some highlights from the last couple weeks, but I'll post them later. Of more current interest is Chinese national day. I just finished watching the parade, and it was something else!
The national day parade in Beijing made the Rose Bowl Parade look like Suwanee little league opening day, no offense to the Rose Bowl intended. It was incredible! The parade was organized in formations of people marching and/or dancing around each float. The floats had themes like "Scientific Development," "Youth China," or "Agricultural Development." Most of the floats had moving parts and television screens showing something relevant, and the several hundred people in formation around each float moved in perfect synchronization the entire time- marching, shouting a slogan, waving flowers, or holding up placards to make designs when viewed from the air.
Alongside the parade route was an area the size of a football field that displayed ever changing slogans and images. I was impressed with the technology of such a giant flat screen, then I realized it was made of people! It is similar to sections of football stadiums where each fan has a sign to hold up, and the section, when viewed together, says "Go Team!" However, the area in the parade had a different image for almost every float, and they were all perfect. I'm still trying to figure out how they managed to hold all the different signs.
But most impressive of all was the last formation, "A Better Tomorrow". It was made of 5000 children each carrying a 10 or so balloons. These kids were 10-12, and they were all marching perfectly. I was surprised they weren't wearing uniforms. They marched to the focal point of the parade route singing about hope for tomorrow, then they all let go of the balloons. It was very pretty...but I thought they were finished. Not so. All at once, they began to sprint towards the platform where the VIPs were standing, and I saw why they weren't wearing uniforms. As they ran, they separated into ribbons of red, orange, yellow, blue, green, and purple, and by the time the reached the platform, they had made a giant, ecstatically cheering rainbow. In case you couldn't tell, the entire parade was quite intense.
It's easy to say, "Oh, it's just a well-organized parade" but I don't think that's quite all of it. Every person in the parade was a volunteer, and from what I understand, there were several disappointed people for each person in the parade. The participants practiced countless hours for months, on their own time, and without compensation. They wanted to be in this parade because they want to show the world how much the Chinese love China. And I believe them.
If you have some time, check out cctv.com/english for footage of the parade, or click here to see some still photos of the spectacle.
Finally, I will be sitting around doing a lot of nothing for the next 8 days (our generous holiday!), so feel free to chat or skype me :-)
The national day parade in Beijing made the Rose Bowl Parade look like Suwanee little league opening day, no offense to the Rose Bowl intended. It was incredible! The parade was organized in formations of people marching and/or dancing around each float. The floats had themes like "Scientific Development," "Youth China," or "Agricultural Development." Most of the floats had moving parts and television screens showing something relevant, and the several hundred people in formation around each float moved in perfect synchronization the entire time- marching, shouting a slogan, waving flowers, or holding up placards to make designs when viewed from the air.
Alongside the parade route was an area the size of a football field that displayed ever changing slogans and images. I was impressed with the technology of such a giant flat screen, then I realized it was made of people! It is similar to sections of football stadiums where each fan has a sign to hold up, and the section, when viewed together, says "Go Team!" However, the area in the parade had a different image for almost every float, and they were all perfect. I'm still trying to figure out how they managed to hold all the different signs.
But most impressive of all was the last formation, "A Better Tomorrow". It was made of 5000 children each carrying a 10 or so balloons. These kids were 10-12, and they were all marching perfectly. I was surprised they weren't wearing uniforms. They marched to the focal point of the parade route singing about hope for tomorrow, then they all let go of the balloons. It was very pretty...but I thought they were finished. Not so. All at once, they began to sprint towards the platform where the VIPs were standing, and I saw why they weren't wearing uniforms. As they ran, they separated into ribbons of red, orange, yellow, blue, green, and purple, and by the time the reached the platform, they had made a giant, ecstatically cheering rainbow. In case you couldn't tell, the entire parade was quite intense.
It's easy to say, "Oh, it's just a well-organized parade" but I don't think that's quite all of it. Every person in the parade was a volunteer, and from what I understand, there were several disappointed people for each person in the parade. The participants practiced countless hours for months, on their own time, and without compensation. They wanted to be in this parade because they want to show the world how much the Chinese love China. And I believe them.
If you have some time, check out cctv.com/english for footage of the parade, or click here to see some still photos of the spectacle.
Finally, I will be sitting around doing a lot of nothing for the next 8 days (our generous holiday!), so feel free to chat or skype me :-)
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Recipe: Fried Rice
This is more or less a no brainer, but I think this one gets the proportions just right.
Ingredients:
3-4 cups leftover cooked rice [It really does have to be cold.]
2 carrots, chopped and cooked [I microwaved with a little water for 3 minutes.]
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped [Chinese garlic is weaker than American- you might try 3]
3 eggs, scrambled
2 Tbs oil
3 Tbs dark soy sauce
1. Cook the garlic and onions in the oil until the onion is clear.
2. Add rice to wok, mixing well with onion. Cook until rice is warmed through, stirring constantly.
3. Add soy sauce, mixing well.
4. Add eggs and carrots. Cook 1 minutes longer.
5. Serve warm.
You can also add other veggies like bell peppers or snow beans. Thick vegetables do best when cooked ahead, but thin things like sprouts and pea pods can just be tossed in and cooked for a minute or two.
Ingredients:
3-4 cups leftover cooked rice [It really does have to be cold.]
2 carrots, chopped and cooked [I microwaved with a little water for 3 minutes.]
1 onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped [Chinese garlic is weaker than American- you might try 3]
3 eggs, scrambled
2 Tbs oil
3 Tbs dark soy sauce
1. Cook the garlic and onions in the oil until the onion is clear.
2. Add rice to wok, mixing well with onion. Cook until rice is warmed through, stirring constantly.
3. Add soy sauce, mixing well.
4. Add eggs and carrots. Cook 1 minutes longer.
5. Serve warm.
You can also add other veggies like bell peppers or snow beans. Thick vegetables do best when cooked ahead, but thin things like sprouts and pea pods can just be tossed in and cooked for a minute or two.
Recipe: Smashed Cucumbers
I have acquired a Chinese cookbook which I am deciphering one recipe at a time. I figure since I'm pretty much translating them for myself already, I might as well share. Here's the first, alternatively translated as "smacked cucumbers."
Ingredients- This all to taste, so the measurements are my own.
Cucumbers (I used 4 Chinese ones which are small- 1 big American one or 2 medium)
Garlic, minced (3 cloves)
Soy sauce (about 4 Tbs)
Vinegar (about 4 Tbs- this is Chinese vinegar- maybe use rice wine vinegar?)
Salt (pinch)
Sugar (pinch)
1. Cut the ends of the cucumbers. Smack them. [The idea is that jagged edges hold the dressing better, I think. The recipe says to use the flat side of a heavy cleaver. I used a small frying pan with moderate force. If you have big cukes, you might want to cut it in half first. Or you could just slice them like carrot sticks.]
2.Mix the cucumber pieces and garlic in a bowl. Add soy sauce and vinegar, then sugar and salt.
3.Toss and serve.
Ingredients- This all to taste, so the measurements are my own.
Cucumbers (I used 4 Chinese ones which are small- 1 big American one or 2 medium)
Garlic, minced (3 cloves)
Soy sauce (about 4 Tbs)
Vinegar (about 4 Tbs- this is Chinese vinegar- maybe use rice wine vinegar?)
Salt (pinch)
Sugar (pinch)
1. Cut the ends of the cucumbers. Smack them. [The idea is that jagged edges hold the dressing better, I think. The recipe says to use the flat side of a heavy cleaver. I used a small frying pan with moderate force. If you have big cukes, you might want to cut it in half first. Or you could just slice them like carrot sticks.]
2.Mix the cucumber pieces and garlic in a bowl. Add soy sauce and vinegar, then sugar and salt.
3.Toss and serve.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Surreal...
So I finally got to meet all of the foreign teachers at my school. Counting me, there are four. The crazy thing is, one of them is from the same hometown as me! She grew up down the road from me, and we went to the same high school at the same time, but we didn't know each other then. We know quite a few of the same people and everything.
It's completely surreal to move around the world and find your neighbor.
In other news, I started taking Chinese class/tutoring again today. There are two exchange students in my school, and the school has agreed to let me go to their Chinese lessons. I'm teaching during some, but I can go to others. It's wonderful because the teacher is great and it's really just a tutoring session for the three of us. I think it will help my Chinese a lot.
It's completely surreal to move around the world and find your neighbor.
In other news, I started taking Chinese class/tutoring again today. There are two exchange students in my school, and the school has agreed to let me go to their Chinese lessons. I'm teaching during some, but I can go to others. It's wonderful because the teacher is great and it's really just a tutoring session for the three of us. I think it will help my Chinese a lot.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Aaaaand I'm back!
Sorry to have been remiss in my blogging duties. It's been a busy several weeks! Quick review:
-We had hotel week, the consolidation of trainees from all the training sites into one place. We stayed at a really nice place in Chengdu. You could tell that most of us are recent college grads or had been employed in the non-profit sector by the way our jaws all dropped at the giant marble panda fountain, the gold and marble lobby, and the small army of neatly uniformed service personnel. These last folks were utterly horrified when we started schlepping our own bags across the vast lobby and came literally running to meet us, armed with burgundy and gold luggage carts. They bodily took our luggage from us and wouldn't take "no" for an answer. This was very nice of them, especially seeing as how there is no tipping in China, but created a bit of a problem when one tried to remove my hiker's pack from my back, not realizing the hip belt was still fastened. ^_^
-Swearing In! I have now officially graduated from being a Trainee to a Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV). It's a little hard to explain why, but it's a big deal. All sorts of tiny technical details change, and it signifies that we successfully passed the rigors of training. Hooray! The ceremony was magnificent. The new US ambassador to China came to swear us in. It was exciting because this was his first public act since arriving in China. He was very friendly to us all (though my wittier friends quipped, "He's a diplomat- he's not going to show up grouchy"), and his Chinese is excellent, even if he does have a terrible Beijing accent. The program was topped off by a slideshow of photos taken during training and was touching and hilarious in turns.
-Lanzhou. Here I am, and here to stay. The day after swearing in, all we Gansu folk all got on the same train and headed north. It was an enjoyable train ride, since most of us were together in one car along with our school representatives. It was nice to relax and chat for a while. When we got to Lanzhou, we discovered that several things in my apartment had broken between site visit and now. I was moderately dismayed, thinking that I would have to wait for business hours to have them repaired. Not so! Even though it was a Sunday afternoon, four repairmen showed up within two hours, and everything was fixed straightaway.
-Work! The day after arriving, I got my schedule for this semester. I'll be teaching oral English to freshmen and sophomores, and one section of writing for juniors. Since the freshmen have almost a month of orientation, and the juniors have seven weeks student teaching that I don't deal with, I'm only working two days a week right now. Things will definitely pick up, but I have a lot of down time at the moment. In a way, it's been nice to have a chance to get my bearings, explore, and get settled, but I'll be glad when I have a more filled out schedule. I do like structure in my life!
The school is great, and everyone has been very supportive and helpful. There are a handful of other foreign teachers, and they have been kind enough to help me navigate the paperwork. Also, my counterpart, assigned to me in a sort of Big Sister fashion, is wonderful. She's fun to hang out with and has the lowdown on all the information that I need to know, like schedule changes and the different temperaments of different classes.
-Final thoughts- Everything is going well. There are a lot of new things to get used to (like unrefrigerated eggs!), but a lot of things about teaching are familiar. I can tell that I'm going to really enjoy getting to know my students. I've met several people who live near by that I think could become friends, etc. It's a lot of work, starting over from scratch in a new place, but with a little luck and patience, I think it's going to be a great two years!
-We had hotel week, the consolidation of trainees from all the training sites into one place. We stayed at a really nice place in Chengdu. You could tell that most of us are recent college grads or had been employed in the non-profit sector by the way our jaws all dropped at the giant marble panda fountain, the gold and marble lobby, and the small army of neatly uniformed service personnel. These last folks were utterly horrified when we started schlepping our own bags across the vast lobby and came literally running to meet us, armed with burgundy and gold luggage carts. They bodily took our luggage from us and wouldn't take "no" for an answer. This was very nice of them, especially seeing as how there is no tipping in China, but created a bit of a problem when one tried to remove my hiker's pack from my back, not realizing the hip belt was still fastened. ^_^
-Swearing In! I have now officially graduated from being a Trainee to a Peace Corps Volunteer (PCV). It's a little hard to explain why, but it's a big deal. All sorts of tiny technical details change, and it signifies that we successfully passed the rigors of training. Hooray! The ceremony was magnificent. The new US ambassador to China came to swear us in. It was exciting because this was his first public act since arriving in China. He was very friendly to us all (though my wittier friends quipped, "He's a diplomat- he's not going to show up grouchy"), and his Chinese is excellent, even if he does have a terrible Beijing accent. The program was topped off by a slideshow of photos taken during training and was touching and hilarious in turns.
-Lanzhou. Here I am, and here to stay. The day after swearing in, all we Gansu folk all got on the same train and headed north. It was an enjoyable train ride, since most of us were together in one car along with our school representatives. It was nice to relax and chat for a while. When we got to Lanzhou, we discovered that several things in my apartment had broken between site visit and now. I was moderately dismayed, thinking that I would have to wait for business hours to have them repaired. Not so! Even though it was a Sunday afternoon, four repairmen showed up within two hours, and everything was fixed straightaway.
-Work! The day after arriving, I got my schedule for this semester. I'll be teaching oral English to freshmen and sophomores, and one section of writing for juniors. Since the freshmen have almost a month of orientation, and the juniors have seven weeks student teaching that I don't deal with, I'm only working two days a week right now. Things will definitely pick up, but I have a lot of down time at the moment. In a way, it's been nice to have a chance to get my bearings, explore, and get settled, but I'll be glad when I have a more filled out schedule. I do like structure in my life!
The school is great, and everyone has been very supportive and helpful. There are a handful of other foreign teachers, and they have been kind enough to help me navigate the paperwork. Also, my counterpart, assigned to me in a sort of Big Sister fashion, is wonderful. She's fun to hang out with and has the lowdown on all the information that I need to know, like schedule changes and the different temperaments of different classes.
-Final thoughts- Everything is going well. There are a lot of new things to get used to (like unrefrigerated eggs!), but a lot of things about teaching are familiar. I can tell that I'm going to really enjoy getting to know my students. I've met several people who live near by that I think could become friends, etc. It's a lot of work, starting over from scratch in a new place, but with a little luck and patience, I think it's going to be a great two years!
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Chinese Slang
Since we had five and a half hours of language class today, our teacher took pity and did a lesson on Chinese slang for part of the time. It was interesting to see the words she presented. We were horrified at some of the slang…until we realized we have analogous terms in English. Then there were words/phrases for whose literal translations we have idioms, but they differ in meaning. Finally there is online slang that is based on numbers. Short lesson below for your enjoyment.
-All languages have mean slang…
-Qingwang- literally “frog,” used to describe an ugly boy. “Ew, look at Chuckie..what a frog!”
-Konglong- literally “dinosaur,” used for an ugly girl. This could also fit into the second category (see below)
-Zhang de anchuan- literally “makes you feel safe.” Used to describe a plain looking person in a nice way. Think, “He has a GREAT personality,” when being told about a blind date.
-Yiduo xianhua chazai niufen shang. Literally, the manure pile makes the flower more beautiful. Idiom for describing an ugly man married to a beautiful woman.
-This isn’t mean, just cool: Wo shi da jiang you. Literally, I am buying soy sauce. Equivalent to, “Leave me out of it” or “I have no opinion.” Buying soy sauce is one of the most basic household tasks, so when someone asks, “What do you think about this controversial issue?” you can say, “Oh, just buying the soy sauce minding my business over here.” Cool, right?
Confusingly non-equivalent slang:
-Kongque- peacock- means overconfident in oneself, not proud as it does in English
-jutou- pighead- clumsy or stupid, not stubborn
Nifty numerical slang:
-886- pronounced babaliu, sounds like baibaile, means byebye
-9494-pronounced jiusi jiusi, sounds like jiu shi, means I agree
-584-pronounced wubasi, sounds like wo fashi, means I promise
-520-pronounce wuerling, sounds like wo ai ni, means I love you
-All languages have mean slang…
-Qingwang- literally “frog,” used to describe an ugly boy. “Ew, look at Chuckie..what a frog!”
-Konglong- literally “dinosaur,” used for an ugly girl. This could also fit into the second category (see below)
-Zhang de anchuan- literally “makes you feel safe.” Used to describe a plain looking person in a nice way. Think, “He has a GREAT personality,” when being told about a blind date.
-Yiduo xianhua chazai niufen shang. Literally, the manure pile makes the flower more beautiful. Idiom for describing an ugly man married to a beautiful woman.
-This isn’t mean, just cool: Wo shi da jiang you. Literally, I am buying soy sauce. Equivalent to, “Leave me out of it” or “I have no opinion.” Buying soy sauce is one of the most basic household tasks, so when someone asks, “What do you think about this controversial issue?” you can say, “Oh, just buying the soy sauce minding my business over here.” Cool, right?
Confusingly non-equivalent slang:
-Kongque- peacock- means overconfident in oneself, not proud as it does in English
-jutou- pighead- clumsy or stupid, not stubborn
Nifty numerical slang:
-886- pronounced babaliu, sounds like baibaile, means byebye
-9494-pronounced jiusi jiusi, sounds like jiu shi, means I agree
-584-pronounced wubasi, sounds like wo fashi, means I promise
-520-pronounce wuerling, sounds like wo ai ni, means I love you
Sunday, August 16, 2009
My trash truck plays "Jingle Bells" over and over...
Not sure why...Imagine my surprise when I discovered it was not, in fact, an ice cream truck.
It’s been quite the week- I’ve been to Lanzhou and back and liked it very much! All the Gansu folk left last Sunday for our train ride through the countryside. I tell you, Chinese sleeper trains are the way to go! We had “hard sleepers” which means bunks in an open sleeper car. The bunks were clean and well-padded and very comfortable. By day, you get a good opportunity to see the scenery and chat with the people around you, and the beds make for good sleeping at night. They lights go off at ten and come on again at seven, so everyone felt rested. As we approached Lanzhou, the scenery became more and more arid. There are lots of mountains that look a lot like the desert mountains in the American Southwest (link to my album at the bottom of the page). All in all, it was a most pleasant way to spend 20 hours.
When I got to Lanzhou, the assistant from the waiban (foreign affairs office) was waiting for me along with my counterpart teacher. They were both very friendly and had a car waiting to take me to my new apartment. We dropped off my stuff, and then headed to the train ticket office to buy my return ticket. There had been a miscommunication and it hadn’t been bought the week before, and by the time we got to the office, all the train tickets were sold out. After many phone calls to my new boss and my old boss and a break for lunch, we got it all settled, and I got a plane ticket for Friday. Much faster, but probably not as pretty.
After that was sorted, my ever helpful counterpart helped me negotiate the bus system home and then I took a nice nap in my new apartment (again, see pictures.) It’s a nice place with a living room, study, bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. Furthermore, my new bed is the most comfortable one in China. Most Chinese beds are quite hard in a way that is supposed to be good for the back (and I’m sure it is), but my bed is just the right amount of soft. It’s not so much soft as it is deep, if that makes any sense. If you come visit, I’ll let you sit on it and see for yourself.
Also, the apartment is completely furnished. At least two volunteers have lived there before me, so it has accumulated a healthy amount of furnishings and knickknacks. I have nice blankets for the winter, cushions for the sofa, and a starter set of kitchen supplies. The last volunteer even left me a hutch full of books and teaching materials, so I’m looking forward to weeding through that.
On Tuesday, after I had rested up, my counterpart Ai took me around the two campuses where I’ll be teaching and showed me the noteworthy buildings. I live on the west campus but will likely teach all my classes at the Peili campus. Many teachers do commute every day, and there is a school shuttle that runs at intervals. There’s also a public bus that runs every ten minutes during term, and it’s very cheap. I’m looking forward to going back and exploring more in September (and in the next two years) because most of the shops and restaurants near my apartment were closed since it’s the school vacation. Most of their patrons are students, so the owners go on vacation when the students do.
After exploring my new stomping grounds, we went to a tourist attraction- White Pagoda Mountain. They have ramps and stairs built up the mountain to facilitate getting to the pagoda at the top. Apparently, during the expansion of Genghis Khan’s empire, the Tibetan Buddhist sent a priest to pay their respects. Unfortunately, the fellow died in Lanzhou, and the pagoda was built a century or so later in his memory. Now, it is a “cultural relic under the protection of the province.” It was a very nice tower. Also, they have a pond at the top of the mountain where they have giant plastic balls that you can climb in then have inflated. Once you’re all sealed up in your ball, they push you into the pond and you can scoot about on top of the water like a hamster. I watched a couple kids do it, and the final result is somewhere between bizarre and amazing.
During the rest of my time in Lanzhou, I was pretty much free to explore on my own. I expanded my knowledge of the bus system, explored nearby shopping options, and found an internet café. I also had a brief meeting with an official and learned I’ll likely be teaching freshman oral English and writing for students in their final year of a three year program. I’m lucky in that I’ll probably have a break for a couple weeks- freshmen have two weeks of military training at the beginning of the term, and my third-years begin with a month of field study. It’ll be nice to have a cushion between getting off the train and teaching.
It was also interesting to see the different ways shops work there. I went to a restaurant for dinner one night. I thought it was a normal restaurant where you sit down, they bring you a menu (hopefully with pictures!) and then you can order. I started to walk in, and a lady near the door started flapping at me and called me back to the entrance. I went back, and she said I had to place my order with her. Ok….so I told her what I wanted and paid, and then she gave me a ticket and turned to the next customer. A ticket?! What do I do with a ticket? Fortunately a waitress noticed me wandering aimlessly near the door and explained that I should get a plastic wrapped bowl from the stack and take it to the kitchen window in the back. So I passed over my ticket and bowl and got what I ordered in no time flat. THEN I sat down and ate it- very tasty. So, now I know how a ticketed restaurant works!
Now that I’m back in Chengdu, time is flying by until swearing in. This is my last week with my host family. We have our final language test this week and our host family appreciation dinner. Next Monday (a week from tomorrow), I’ll move back to the hotel for a little while. Swearing in is the 28th, and I’ll move to Lanzhou permanently soon after. Time flies when you’re having fun!
It’s been quite the week- I’ve been to Lanzhou and back and liked it very much! All the Gansu folk left last Sunday for our train ride through the countryside. I tell you, Chinese sleeper trains are the way to go! We had “hard sleepers” which means bunks in an open sleeper car. The bunks were clean and well-padded and very comfortable. By day, you get a good opportunity to see the scenery and chat with the people around you, and the beds make for good sleeping at night. They lights go off at ten and come on again at seven, so everyone felt rested. As we approached Lanzhou, the scenery became more and more arid. There are lots of mountains that look a lot like the desert mountains in the American Southwest (link to my album at the bottom of the page). All in all, it was a most pleasant way to spend 20 hours.
When I got to Lanzhou, the assistant from the waiban (foreign affairs office) was waiting for me along with my counterpart teacher. They were both very friendly and had a car waiting to take me to my new apartment. We dropped off my stuff, and then headed to the train ticket office to buy my return ticket. There had been a miscommunication and it hadn’t been bought the week before, and by the time we got to the office, all the train tickets were sold out. After many phone calls to my new boss and my old boss and a break for lunch, we got it all settled, and I got a plane ticket for Friday. Much faster, but probably not as pretty.
After that was sorted, my ever helpful counterpart helped me negotiate the bus system home and then I took a nice nap in my new apartment (again, see pictures.) It’s a nice place with a living room, study, bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. Furthermore, my new bed is the most comfortable one in China. Most Chinese beds are quite hard in a way that is supposed to be good for the back (and I’m sure it is), but my bed is just the right amount of soft. It’s not so much soft as it is deep, if that makes any sense. If you come visit, I’ll let you sit on it and see for yourself.
Also, the apartment is completely furnished. At least two volunteers have lived there before me, so it has accumulated a healthy amount of furnishings and knickknacks. I have nice blankets for the winter, cushions for the sofa, and a starter set of kitchen supplies. The last volunteer even left me a hutch full of books and teaching materials, so I’m looking forward to weeding through that.
On Tuesday, after I had rested up, my counterpart Ai took me around the two campuses where I’ll be teaching and showed me the noteworthy buildings. I live on the west campus but will likely teach all my classes at the Peili campus. Many teachers do commute every day, and there is a school shuttle that runs at intervals. There’s also a public bus that runs every ten minutes during term, and it’s very cheap. I’m looking forward to going back and exploring more in September (and in the next two years) because most of the shops and restaurants near my apartment were closed since it’s the school vacation. Most of their patrons are students, so the owners go on vacation when the students do.
After exploring my new stomping grounds, we went to a tourist attraction- White Pagoda Mountain. They have ramps and stairs built up the mountain to facilitate getting to the pagoda at the top. Apparently, during the expansion of Genghis Khan’s empire, the Tibetan Buddhist sent a priest to pay their respects. Unfortunately, the fellow died in Lanzhou, and the pagoda was built a century or so later in his memory. Now, it is a “cultural relic under the protection of the province.” It was a very nice tower. Also, they have a pond at the top of the mountain where they have giant plastic balls that you can climb in then have inflated. Once you’re all sealed up in your ball, they push you into the pond and you can scoot about on top of the water like a hamster. I watched a couple kids do it, and the final result is somewhere between bizarre and amazing.
During the rest of my time in Lanzhou, I was pretty much free to explore on my own. I expanded my knowledge of the bus system, explored nearby shopping options, and found an internet café. I also had a brief meeting with an official and learned I’ll likely be teaching freshman oral English and writing for students in their final year of a three year program. I’m lucky in that I’ll probably have a break for a couple weeks- freshmen have two weeks of military training at the beginning of the term, and my third-years begin with a month of field study. It’ll be nice to have a cushion between getting off the train and teaching.
It was also interesting to see the different ways shops work there. I went to a restaurant for dinner one night. I thought it was a normal restaurant where you sit down, they bring you a menu (hopefully with pictures!) and then you can order. I started to walk in, and a lady near the door started flapping at me and called me back to the entrance. I went back, and she said I had to place my order with her. Ok….so I told her what I wanted and paid, and then she gave me a ticket and turned to the next customer. A ticket?! What do I do with a ticket? Fortunately a waitress noticed me wandering aimlessly near the door and explained that I should get a plastic wrapped bowl from the stack and take it to the kitchen window in the back. So I passed over my ticket and bowl and got what I ordered in no time flat. THEN I sat down and ate it- very tasty. So, now I know how a ticketed restaurant works!
Now that I’m back in Chengdu, time is flying by until swearing in. This is my last week with my host family. We have our final language test this week and our host family appreciation dinner. Next Monday (a week from tomorrow), I’ll move back to the hotel for a little while. Swearing in is the 28th, and I’ll move to Lanzhou permanently soon after. Time flies when you’re having fun!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
News!
We got our site announcements yesterday! I will be spending the next two years at Lanzhou City University in Lanzhou, capital city of Gansu. You can read a little bit about Lanzhou here. I'm excited about my site. The school has 13,000 students and 1100 faculty on three campuses. I'll be living in faculty housing on one of those campuses. Frankly, it's still strange to me that I'm on faculty at a university at all!
On Sunday, I'll leave for a week-long visit to Lanzhou. Unless they're still renovating it, I will stay in my new apartment, so I'll take and post pictures. There are several other volunteers in my city and a couple only a five minute walk away at other schools, so we should be able to all travel together. It's a 20 hour train ride, but hopefully the company will make the time pass quicker.
In other news, we went on a field trip today to the train station. When we saw field trip on the schedule, we assumed field trip. You know, get on a provided bus, be herded around a location, listen to someone point out the important features, the get back on the bus. Easy as pie. Except that's not quite what they meant by field trip. Instead, we were given some questions to ask and info to find out while at the station. (How much for a ticket to Guizhou? etc) When it was time to go, we were loitering waiting for our teachers while they chatted, a most unusual occurrence. We finally said something to the effect of, "Let's get going," and they said, "Bye! See you tomorrow!"
Thus, today was rather sink or swim. Seems we can swim after all. The point of the exercise was to force us to ask for directions, find a new place, and negotiate it independently. Quite a few of us were given similar tasks, but it was the first time we'd really been turned loose on the buses. It was fun and heartening to know that we can do it. The train station itself is enormous, with a separate ticket hall, and a massive terminal with at least three "waiting halls." I was told they have 170 trains a day. The mass of humanity is incredible. Since Chengdu is the "gateway to the west," many of the people are travelers from non-Han parts of China, and the train station has a more diverse feel than most of the city. That aside, the number of people is overwhelming. There were thousands there today, and it wasn't a peak day or time. Travelling this weekend is going to be quite the experience.
On Sunday, I'll leave for a week-long visit to Lanzhou. Unless they're still renovating it, I will stay in my new apartment, so I'll take and post pictures. There are several other volunteers in my city and a couple only a five minute walk away at other schools, so we should be able to all travel together. It's a 20 hour train ride, but hopefully the company will make the time pass quicker.
In other news, we went on a field trip today to the train station. When we saw field trip on the schedule, we assumed field trip. You know, get on a provided bus, be herded around a location, listen to someone point out the important features, the get back on the bus. Easy as pie. Except that's not quite what they meant by field trip. Instead, we were given some questions to ask and info to find out while at the station. (How much for a ticket to Guizhou? etc) When it was time to go, we were loitering waiting for our teachers while they chatted, a most unusual occurrence. We finally said something to the effect of, "Let's get going," and they said, "Bye! See you tomorrow!"
Thus, today was rather sink or swim. Seems we can swim after all. The point of the exercise was to force us to ask for directions, find a new place, and negotiate it independently. Quite a few of us were given similar tasks, but it was the first time we'd really been turned loose on the buses. It was fun and heartening to know that we can do it. The train station itself is enormous, with a separate ticket hall, and a massive terminal with at least three "waiting halls." I was told they have 170 trains a day. The mass of humanity is incredible. Since Chengdu is the "gateway to the west," many of the people are travelers from non-Han parts of China, and the train station has a more diverse feel than most of the city. That aside, the number of people is overwhelming. There were thousands there today, and it wasn't a peak day or time. Travelling this weekend is going to be quite the experience.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
End of an Era
Friday was the last day of model school. I'm a little glad to be finished with it, but I will miss the kids. It was hard to know we'd only have them for two weeks and thus not get too attached. For the last day of class, they presented their mini-plays they'd been working on and then we had a party. We brought Coke and Chips Ahoy! and played 20 Questions and Would You Rather...? They seemed to really enjoy it.
The funniest moment came when we were giving out certificates. One student wanted to get pictures in classic diploma pose (take with the left, shake with the right), so I did it for all the students while Ross photographed. One boy shook my hand, and then, right as Ross snapped the picture, threw his left arm around my shoulders and pulled me into a hug. So basically there is this great picture of me being pulled sideways off-balance with a funny look on my face as he beams and clutches his certificate.
I also taught our primary school surprise class for two days this week. I co-taught with another trainee, which was definitely a good system. We had 22 kids from 4 or 5 to 13 or 14 with some speaking no English beyond "Hello! Hello!" and some being nearly fluent. It went shockingly well. They were extremely well behaved, and yes, sometimes it was controlled chaos, but we were able to move through a lesson plan. I don't think I could have done that with an analogous American class. We taught them parts of the body and emotions. Obviously, that necessitated multiple renditions of "Head and Shoulders," "Hokey Pokey," and "If You're Happy and You Know It." They were a little baffled, but they really got into it. Many Chinese love singing, and most children do anyhow.
Today, Saturday, we had a whole-group morning session which was nice in that we got to see other site folks and actually hang out with them. A group of us went to lunch and then to see Harry Potter. The movie was in Chinese, and I liked it pretty well. I'm sure I'd get more of the subtleties by watching it when it comes out on DVD (aka next week here!). Purchasing the tickets entailed a hilarious conversation which I will repeat here for your amusement.
Of our group of six, four stopped at a store and two of us went ahead to buy the movie tickets. At the counter:
[in Chinese]
Me: Hello, I'd like six tickets for Harry Potter, please.
Clerk: [very slowly] There...are...two...of...you. You...need...two...tickets.
Me: Yes, but my friends are coming to see the movie too. Six tickets.
Clerk: You have six friends?
Me: No, five other people and me. Six tickets altogether.
Clerk: What movie do you want?
Me: Harry Potter
Clerk: The one at 3:30? [Considering the next showing isn't for four hours, yes!]
Me: Yes, 3:30, six tickets.
Clerk: You know the movie is in Chinese, right?
Me: Yes, I know.
Clerk: And you still want six tickets.
Me: Yes, please.
Clerk: Well, ok. I guess I can sell you six.
Me:...thanks.
:-)
The funniest moment came when we were giving out certificates. One student wanted to get pictures in classic diploma pose (take with the left, shake with the right), so I did it for all the students while Ross photographed. One boy shook my hand, and then, right as Ross snapped the picture, threw his left arm around my shoulders and pulled me into a hug. So basically there is this great picture of me being pulled sideways off-balance with a funny look on my face as he beams and clutches his certificate.
I also taught our primary school surprise class for two days this week. I co-taught with another trainee, which was definitely a good system. We had 22 kids from 4 or 5 to 13 or 14 with some speaking no English beyond "Hello! Hello!" and some being nearly fluent. It went shockingly well. They were extremely well behaved, and yes, sometimes it was controlled chaos, but we were able to move through a lesson plan. I don't think I could have done that with an analogous American class. We taught them parts of the body and emotions. Obviously, that necessitated multiple renditions of "Head and Shoulders," "Hokey Pokey," and "If You're Happy and You Know It." They were a little baffled, but they really got into it. Many Chinese love singing, and most children do anyhow.
Today, Saturday, we had a whole-group morning session which was nice in that we got to see other site folks and actually hang out with them. A group of us went to lunch and then to see Harry Potter. The movie was in Chinese, and I liked it pretty well. I'm sure I'd get more of the subtleties by watching it when it comes out on DVD (aka next week here!). Purchasing the tickets entailed a hilarious conversation which I will repeat here for your amusement.
Of our group of six, four stopped at a store and two of us went ahead to buy the movie tickets. At the counter:
[in Chinese]
Me: Hello, I'd like six tickets for Harry Potter, please.
Clerk: [very slowly] There...are...two...of...you. You...need...two...tickets.
Me: Yes, but my friends are coming to see the movie too. Six tickets.
Clerk: You have six friends?
Me: No, five other people and me. Six tickets altogether.
Clerk: What movie do you want?
Me: Harry Potter
Clerk: The one at 3:30? [Considering the next showing isn't for four hours, yes!]
Me: Yes, 3:30, six tickets.
Clerk: You know the movie is in Chinese, right?
Me: Yes, I know.
Clerk: And you still want six tickets.
Me: Yes, please.
Clerk: Well, ok. I guess I can sell you six.
Me:...thanks.
:-)
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Leshan
We went to see the big Buddha in Leshan today. It was a two hour drive followed by observing current PCV’s teaching at a teacher training institute. They were mostly doing student-centered activities, which is good, but not particularly useful to observe. After that, we had a tasty lunch.
The actual Big Buddha was slightly disappointing. It’s a…really big Buddha statue. I’m sure if you are a Buddha aficionado, it is a more meaningful experience, but it wasn’t a big (ahah) deal to me. The trip was salvaged by going to a teahouse after our boat ride and playing cards and majiang for a couple hours. That was great.
Finally, I leave you with some food funnies:
-I came home the other day to find a turtle swimming in a plastic aquarium in the living room, complete with fake trees. The family was cooing how cute it was and had named him WuWu. I thought we got a pet turtle to get go with the pet cats. Turns out he was dinner, and a very tasty one at that!
-Roasted or boiled eggs here are served in halves with the shell still on. Take note.
-Sichuan is famous for ma peppers which have roughly the same effect as novacaine. They're amazing at making your mouth all numb, but oh so tasty with green beans!
The actual Big Buddha was slightly disappointing. It’s a…really big Buddha statue. I’m sure if you are a Buddha aficionado, it is a more meaningful experience, but it wasn’t a big (ahah) deal to me. The trip was salvaged by going to a teahouse after our boat ride and playing cards and majiang for a couple hours. That was great.
Finally, I leave you with some food funnies:
-I came home the other day to find a turtle swimming in a plastic aquarium in the living room, complete with fake trees. The family was cooing how cute it was and had named him WuWu. I thought we got a pet turtle to get go with the pet cats. Turns out he was dinner, and a very tasty one at that!
-Roasted or boiled eggs here are served in halves with the shell still on. Take note.
-Sichuan is famous for ma peppers which have roughly the same effect as novacaine. They're amazing at making your mouth all numb, but oh so tasty with green beans!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Hot Pot and Eclipse
I got to see a total solar eclipse! Well, I didn’t actually see it because it was quite cloudy, but we did get to go outside. It was three hours of sunset collapsed into two minutes, three minutes of cool darkness, and three minutes back to a sunny Wednesday morning. It was a creepy feeling to be standing in the dark at nine in the morning, and we talked about how terrifying it would have been for ancient peoples who didn’t know an eclipse was coming.
More classes and model school today- mostly same old, same old, but I’m having SO much fun with my students. They’re really great and especially enjoyed the (prepositions practice) game where they got to tell me what to do :0)
For dinner, my host family took me to a restaurant where we sat around a boiling pot of broth and chili oil. Sounds crazy, I know, but amazingly good. They bring out raw meat and veggies and you dip it in and cook it. Then , you plunk it in your personal bowl of sauce to cool it and eat it. We were all drenched with sweat but full when we left. It was the good, sauna feeling sweat that makes you feel purified and not the icky humid kind of sweat. So, now that I’m full and relaxed with clean pores, I’m off to finish planning tomorrow’s lesson (Friends and Roommates)!
Monday, July 20, 2009
First Day of Model School
I named someone today. What a bizarre feeling…
It was the first day of model school. Everything went off perfectly, almost too perfectly. It was glorious. The activities took an appropriate amount of time, the students moved around and participated well, and they laughed at all my jokes. I am so pleased it went well. The only bad thing was the heat it was 95 F with 85% humidity! Whew! Our classroom had neither air conditioner nor fan, though we are promised one for tomorrow. So, after teaching for ninety minutes in a shirt, skirt, and hose (what was I thinking?!), I looked like I had been swimming. However, as that’s a common look around here, it wasn’t so bad, and the students were just as hot.
The students themselves are great. They are generally 18-24 and intermediate level, with some exceptions to both items on each end. The activities for today worked out well, and now I have an idea of what to plan for tomorrow. I’m only teaching half the day so Rosstin gets a turn, too.
There’s been some swapping of the schedule since we found out today that one class is twenty-two 5-12 year olds. That’s quite the news item when were told to prepare for 15 university students. The people who got that class were troopers, but we’ve arranged a system where they will join another team of teachers to teach a normal class and we will all take turns teaching the kiddos on our days off. I mean, how hard can it be to teach 22 small and not so small children for 90 minutes? Famous last words.
Tomorrow will be great! We’re doing an apartment hunting game and then a lesson on prepositions in the context of household objects (the bed is next to the table, etc.)
It was the first day of model school. Everything went off perfectly, almost too perfectly. It was glorious. The activities took an appropriate amount of time, the students moved around and participated well, and they laughed at all my jokes. I am so pleased it went well. The only bad thing was the heat it was 95 F with 85% humidity! Whew! Our classroom had neither air conditioner nor fan, though we are promised one for tomorrow. So, after teaching for ninety minutes in a shirt, skirt, and hose (what was I thinking?!), I looked like I had been swimming. However, as that’s a common look around here, it wasn’t so bad, and the students were just as hot.
The students themselves are great. They are generally 18-24 and intermediate level, with some exceptions to both items on each end. The activities for today worked out well, and now I have an idea of what to plan for tomorrow. I’m only teaching half the day so Rosstin gets a turn, too.
There’s been some swapping of the schedule since we found out today that one class is twenty-two 5-12 year olds. That’s quite the news item when were told to prepare for 15 university students. The people who got that class were troopers, but we’ve arranged a system where they will join another team of teachers to teach a normal class and we will all take turns teaching the kiddos on our days off. I mean, how hard can it be to teach 22 small and not so small children for 90 minutes? Famous last words.
Tomorrow will be great! We’re doing an apartment hunting game and then a lesson on prepositions in the context of household objects (the bed is next to the table, etc.)
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Faux Pas
Also, I've just discovered that at the end of meals, I've been going around saying "Thanks, I'm delicious." instead of "Thanks, I'm full."
Oops.
Oops.
Bookstores and Lotus
This weekend, I got a lot of lesson planning done, including a nice polished one for tomorrow. The others are still rough because I still have no idea what my students’ level is. Tomorrow night will be a lot of planning for sure. Today, we went to the largest bookstore in Chengdu. I was hoping to pick up an English novel as a reward for a good first third of training, but all the English language books were very expensive, about 110 yuan. (For reference, lunch costs me 5-8 yuan.) I still had fun looking at the entire floor of GaoKao material and the language books. They have “Learn Chinese!” materials for native speakers of English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Hindi, Arabic, Korean, Japanese, and Russian. It was very impressive.
After a delicious lunch, we went to IKEA, which is exactly like the American ones, except they set the tables with chopsticks. They also had a good selection of woks, but they might have that in American IKEA, too. The rest of the kitchen items are geared for Western cooking. We had a good time exploring, and I told/mimed/described to my host family the functions of brownie pans, pizza cutters, egg slicers, muffin tins, apple corers, and the various types of pots and pans. In return, they told me how to pick out a good wok, something that might come in handy very soon.
Finally, we went to Flower Town, which consists of a giant pond/lake full of lotus and the area’s largest flower market. It was very pretty, and we got fresh veggies for dinner, but it was so very hot. We all came home and ate cold fruit, which is surprisingly refreshing!
After a delicious lunch, we went to IKEA, which is exactly like the American ones, except they set the tables with chopsticks. They also had a good selection of woks, but they might have that in American IKEA, too. The rest of the kitchen items are geared for Western cooking. We had a good time exploring, and I told/mimed/described to my host family the functions of brownie pans, pizza cutters, egg slicers, muffin tins, apple corers, and the various types of pots and pans. In return, they told me how to pick out a good wok, something that might come in handy very soon.
Finally, we went to Flower Town, which consists of a giant pond/lake full of lotus and the area’s largest flower market. It was very pretty, and we got fresh veggies for dinner, but it was so very hot. We all came home and ate cold fruit, which is surprisingly refreshing!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Week Three!
We’ve been with our host families a while now. It’s going pretty well! My family consists of a 25-year-old (my host “mother”) and her parents. She is married, but her husband is getting his doctorate in another city, so he’s not around much. They are really sweet and super accommodating. I have the master bedroom and my own bathroom with a western-style toilet and everything. The food is really good, and the house is comfortably cool against this crazy Sichuan heat. Last weekend, we went shopping in Tianfu Square and saw the giant Mao statue there. We also went to SW China’s largest indoor market, where they sell literally everything. One stall of buttons, one of zippers, one of purses, one of backpacks, and an entire street of baby clothes. We also went to Jinli Street, a “preserved ancient street.” It offers traditional handicrafts as well as restaurants, tea shops, and a Starbucks. (Be sure to check out the pictures!)
The 80 trainees who were all living in the hotel together have been split into four training sites. I like the people at my training site, and I’m looking forward to getting to know them better, but the people I’d been hanging out with are mostly at other sites. It’s a good chance to make new friends! We’re all together at least once a week, so that will be fun. I’m sure there will be some hanging out after those sessions.
Training marches on. It’s mostly more of the same. There have been some very helpful practical sessions from current and exiting volunteers telling us what activities have worked well in their actual classrooms of Chinese students. It’s also been good to hear first-hand about their very varied experiences with different types of students, different sizes of schools, and different locations in the countries.
Next week, we begin model school. They recruit Chinese students to take two weeks of English classes as guinea pigs for us to try out new lessons plans and to give the less experienced teachers time to get their feet wet. We are paired off into mentor/mentee pairs, so that the mentee can watch the mentor teach for a week before teaching his own week. Since my “mentee” has taught before, we may do some team teaching. Our theme is “Modern Life in New York,” and we’re doing sub-themes on apartment living/apartment hunting, roommates (aka personal description), and occupations. We plan to wrap it all up by having them invent a person who is moving to New York and present these facets of their lives in groups. Maybe they will have a poster or something, too. I’d better be off to finish up planning for my week now. Happy Friday/Saturday!
The 80 trainees who were all living in the hotel together have been split into four training sites. I like the people at my training site, and I’m looking forward to getting to know them better, but the people I’d been hanging out with are mostly at other sites. It’s a good chance to make new friends! We’re all together at least once a week, so that will be fun. I’m sure there will be some hanging out after those sessions.
Training marches on. It’s mostly more of the same. There have been some very helpful practical sessions from current and exiting volunteers telling us what activities have worked well in their actual classrooms of Chinese students. It’s also been good to hear first-hand about their very varied experiences with different types of students, different sizes of schools, and different locations in the countries.
Next week, we begin model school. They recruit Chinese students to take two weeks of English classes as guinea pigs for us to try out new lessons plans and to give the less experienced teachers time to get their feet wet. We are paired off into mentor/mentee pairs, so that the mentee can watch the mentor teach for a week before teaching his own week. Since my “mentee” has taught before, we may do some team teaching. Our theme is “Modern Life in New York,” and we’re doing sub-themes on apartment living/apartment hunting, roommates (aka personal description), and occupations. We plan to wrap it all up by having them invent a person who is moving to New York and present these facets of their lives in groups. Maybe they will have a poster or something, too. I’d better be off to finish up planning for my week now. Happy Friday/Saturday!
Weeks One and Two
We finally rolled up to our hotel around 10 pm after a 12 hour flight to Beijing, a layover, then short two and a half hour jaunt to Chengdu. The airport in Beijing is spectacular. It dwarfs the massive Atlanta airport and has this really cool orange lattice-work ceiling. The staging staff warned us that officials would board the plane to check everyone’s temperature, and sure enough they did. They have stopped wearing the spacesuits-style haz mat gear they favored in the first stages of the outbreak and now settle for gloves and the plastic full face contagion screens. They also have the coolest thermometers ever. They look rather like bulky penlights and fit easily into a shirt pocket. To take a temperature, you just focus a beam of light on the person’s forehead, and it somehow reads the temperature. Nifty, huh?
No one had a fever, so we were allowed to disembark and begin to trek through the terminal. There was another “temperature gate” that uses infrared cameras to screen passerby. If you appear to be warmer than normal, they scoot you into a curtained area and slap a mask on you and take your temperature again. Several of our group, yours truly included, was afforded this extra hospitality, but we all came up clean. We even got to keep the masks as souvenirs!
The rest of the airport and flying was fairly uneventful, and we were all glad to get to our hotel. I pretty much crashed straight away. The next day, we began pre-service training (PST) in earnest. We would normally only stay in the hotel three days, but since we could be quarantined anytime in the next seven days, we will stay here a week. We don’t want to exposure our host families to contagion and possible quarantine. Also, our wonderful medical staff will be taking our temperature daily. They are going to know our foreheads SO well.
Training quickly settled into a routine. Multiple hours of Mandarin a day mixed in with TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language) training and safety and health briefings. Most of the training is great, and I can tell that my Mandarin is improving rapidly. The people have been great to help us. In general, I think most of the merchants and vendors here are nicer to us than many Americans are to immigrants with flawed English. It’s been very pleasant.
Just down the street from our hotel, there is a TrustMart, the Chinese rebranding of Walmart (Walmart does actually own it.) It is surreal to go there because everything looks the same…but it isn’t. The store itself is much more compact and multi-level, but they sell everything! Notebooks, chopsticks, snacks, snake meat, you want it, they got it! The goods that look the same (paper, coffee, socks) are somehow just the tiniest bit different- enough to give you that Twilight Zone feeling. That being said, the store is fun and hectic and very useful.
We also got to make a trip to the American Consulate, something I’d never done before. They staff was welcoming and provided a surprisingly (and welcome) discussion of their perspective on expat life in China. They also invited us to speak at their English corner when we are around Chengdu. That could be fun.
Finally, I just need to say that our hotel is great. They seem a little baffled by the descent of 80 westerners with matching name tags, but they have been most accommodating and always answer our questions. The breakfast here is amazing and varied, including fried peanuts, potatoes, spinach with peppers, dried tofu and peanut scramble (very tasty!), and tomato and egg on a rotating basis. Everyday they have rice porridge, yogurt, steamed bread, tea, instant coffee, and milk. Not a bad way to start the morning! On Thursday we will move in with our host families. I’m not sure what the internet situation will be, so I will update when able.
No one had a fever, so we were allowed to disembark and begin to trek through the terminal. There was another “temperature gate” that uses infrared cameras to screen passerby. If you appear to be warmer than normal, they scoot you into a curtained area and slap a mask on you and take your temperature again. Several of our group, yours truly included, was afforded this extra hospitality, but we all came up clean. We even got to keep the masks as souvenirs!
The rest of the airport and flying was fairly uneventful, and we were all glad to get to our hotel. I pretty much crashed straight away. The next day, we began pre-service training (PST) in earnest. We would normally only stay in the hotel three days, but since we could be quarantined anytime in the next seven days, we will stay here a week. We don’t want to exposure our host families to contagion and possible quarantine. Also, our wonderful medical staff will be taking our temperature daily. They are going to know our foreheads SO well.
Training quickly settled into a routine. Multiple hours of Mandarin a day mixed in with TEFL (teaching English as a foreign language) training and safety and health briefings. Most of the training is great, and I can tell that my Mandarin is improving rapidly. The people have been great to help us. In general, I think most of the merchants and vendors here are nicer to us than many Americans are to immigrants with flawed English. It’s been very pleasant.
Just down the street from our hotel, there is a TrustMart, the Chinese rebranding of Walmart (Walmart does actually own it.) It is surreal to go there because everything looks the same…but it isn’t. The store itself is much more compact and multi-level, but they sell everything! Notebooks, chopsticks, snacks, snake meat, you want it, they got it! The goods that look the same (paper, coffee, socks) are somehow just the tiniest bit different- enough to give you that Twilight Zone feeling. That being said, the store is fun and hectic and very useful.
We also got to make a trip to the American Consulate, something I’d never done before. They staff was welcoming and provided a surprisingly (and welcome) discussion of their perspective on expat life in China. They also invited us to speak at their English corner when we are around Chengdu. That could be fun.
Finally, I just need to say that our hotel is great. They seem a little baffled by the descent of 80 westerners with matching name tags, but they have been most accommodating and always answer our questions. The breakfast here is amazing and varied, including fried peanuts, potatoes, spinach with peppers, dried tofu and peanut scramble (very tasty!), and tomato and egg on a rotating basis. Everyday they have rice porridge, yogurt, steamed bread, tea, instant coffee, and milk. Not a bad way to start the morning! On Thursday we will move in with our host families. I’m not sure what the internet situation will be, so I will update when able.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
From the air above Siberia...
Eight hours and 4150 miles into the flight, and Beijing is now within sight on our flight tracker. Hooray! I may regret saying this, but so far the twelve hour flight is much easier to handle than the five hour one. I think it's easier to sort of settle in for the long haul across the world and pace your energy, food, and activities than to sit tapping your foot and eating Biscoff as you go across the US.
I managed to sleep about four hours when we first got on the plane, so now I'm staying awake
until we reach our hotel in...ten hours. Not so bad. I have a half-baked notion that following China time on the plane will help with the jet lag. We shall see.
The PC folks in China ("post") are still concerned about H1N1--not that it is a threat to our health, but that some of us will be quarantined and miss the first week of training. We have no control over it, since even though none of us is sick, if we are within three rows on the plane of someone who is quarantined, we may be quarantined too. Fortunately, with their usual equanimity, post has a contigency plan. One of the staff will meet us in Beijing this year to help deal with any issues. They've also apparently prepared self-study packets for any unfortunate quarantinees (Is that a word?) to begin training on their own. Oh well. As they put it in our staging materials, it's just one week out of two years, and it would give us time to get over jet lag and get rested. Way to think positive!
I managed to sleep about four hours when we first got on the plane, so now I'm staying awake
until we reach our hotel in...ten hours. Not so bad. I have a half-baked notion that following China time on the plane will help with the jet lag. We shall see.
The PC folks in China ("post") are still concerned about H1N1--not that it is a threat to our health, but that some of us will be quarantined and miss the first week of training. We have no control over it, since even though none of us is sick, if we are within three rows on the plane of someone who is quarantined, we may be quarantined too. Fortunately, with their usual equanimity, post has a contigency plan. One of the staff will meet us in Beijing this year to help deal with any issues. They've also apparently prepared self-study packets for any unfortunate quarantinees (Is that a word?) to begin training on their own. Oh well. As they put it in our staging materials, it's just one week out of two years, and it would give us time to get over jet lag and get rested. Way to think positive!
Staging
Staging went wonderfully well. I was afraid that it would pass very slowly, but they did a good job of making the rather dull but necessary policies and procedures interesting through
interactive activities.
More interestingly, the people are fantastic. Everyone seems friendly and smart and personable without having to try too hard. Introductions were easy and not forced, and just about everyone has something inteesting to talk about.
We're staying in a Japanese themed hotel, so I'm going to go try the Japanese soaking tub in the bathroom. First, though, I need to rig some towels to cover the glass door. Don't need my roommate to walk by that :-)
interactive activities.
More interestingly, the people are fantastic. Everyone seems friendly and smart and personable without having to try too hard. Introductions were easy and not forced, and just about everyone has something inteesting to talk about.
We're staying in a Japanese themed hotel, so I'm going to go try the Japanese soaking tub in the bathroom. First, though, I need to rig some towels to cover the glass door. Don't need my roommate to walk by that :-)
Monday, June 29, 2009
The Journey Begins...
I'm off! We've been in the air about half an hour. My flight was delayed for thirty minutes because mechanics had to go aboard to reconnect the tubing to the oxygen tanks. I always find it particularly comforting when they have to perform unschedueld maintenance just before I board a plane. The good thing is they've sped up the plane so the flight time is 4.5 hours instead of 5 hours and change.
It's actually been a little bit of a disappointing experience, the first I've had with this airline. The in-flight entertainment system, including reading lights, flight attendant call buttons, tv screens, GoGo, and radio, are all broken. Also, the reading lights turn on and off randomly which wakes up the two year old in arms sitting next to me. She and her mom are nice, and the mom is smart--she gave the kid some travel medicine to make her sleep most of the way there!
We should be landing in about three and a half hours now, so I'll hopefully be off to the hotel and checked in with a tiny bit of time to do some sight seeing before registration.
It's actually been a little bit of a disappointing experience, the first I've had with this airline. The in-flight entertainment system, including reading lights, flight attendant call buttons, tv screens, GoGo, and radio, are all broken. Also, the reading lights turn on and off randomly which wakes up the two year old in arms sitting next to me. She and her mom are nice, and the mom is smart--she gave the kid some travel medicine to make her sleep most of the way there!
We should be landing in about three and a half hours now, so I'll hopefully be off to the hotel and checked in with a tiny bit of time to do some sight seeing before registration.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Post-Commencement
Graduation (ahem, sorry, Commencement) was superb. They haven't changed much about it since the 1700's, so the meeting begins with all the ancient little shriveled alumni marching in and the county sheriff rides in on a horse and bangs his staff on the stage to call order. (Can you imagine being elected sheriff then finding out that part of your job?) It was lovely to have family there, and I was glad the ceremonies were solemn but positive and not sappily tear-jerking as many high school graduations are.
With all that successfully wrapped up (and friends still firmly connected via gchat), I'm back at my parents preparing to head to China. I've amassed most of the clothes I want to take but still need to get my pack, some khakis, a flashlight, etc. Lots of odds and ends to wrap up in the next couple weeks. Also, my grandpa might or might not be having surgery in another state, so that's added a level of intrigue to planning. Fortunately, it's not too serious, but it might be difficult to be away from home the last week I'm in the states.
I'm thoroughly enjoying following the China facebook group. Also fervently hoping we don't get quarantined like Mayor Nagin. I guess it wouldn't be too bad because the whole plane load of us would be together...?
With all that successfully wrapped up (and friends still firmly connected via gchat), I'm back at my parents preparing to head to China. I've amassed most of the clothes I want to take but still need to get my pack, some khakis, a flashlight, etc. Lots of odds and ends to wrap up in the next couple weeks. Also, my grandpa might or might not be having surgery in another state, so that's added a level of intrigue to planning. Fortunately, it's not too serious, but it might be difficult to be away from home the last week I'm in the states.
I'm thoroughly enjoying following the China facebook group. Also fervently hoping we don't get quarantined like Mayor Nagin. I guess it wouldn't be too bad because the whole plane load of us would be together...?
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Beginning?
According to the highly ritualized (and largely Latin) ceremony I will go through tomorrow, this is the beginning of my life--the commencement. But, I've done so much living already. It's interesting to think that of all that as...prologue.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Comrades!
Perhaps that is a poor title choice...Anyhow, I had a delightful brunch with two folks who will be in my Peace Corps group. We have very different backgrounds, but we also have a lot in common, and it made me feel much better when we were comfortable with each other quite quickly.
I did feel a little young and less experienced with living abroad. From the brunch (and from the Facebook group), I've noticed that most people have lived and taught abroad for at least a year. It will be interesting to see if my experience in teaching more academic English will even things out a bit.
I did feel a little young and less experienced with living abroad. From the brunch (and from the Facebook group), I've noticed that most people have lived and taught abroad for at least a year. It will be interesting to see if my experience in teaching more academic English will even things out a bit.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Staging
We received the email about staging today! Nothing too terribly exciting, but it's nice to finally have some concrete details about going to China. I called to make my plane reservations, and I have a 8am flight out of Atlanta. We have a four-hour orientation that day in San Francisco, then we leave at 5 am the next morning for Beijing, have a short layover, then fly to Chengdu. Whew! That's 20 hours in the air of 48 on three flights!
I'm a little surprised that the orientation/staging thing is actually only four hours. It used to be a couple days, but they're cutting everything down to conserve funds, or so I hear. Anyhow, I'm sure it will be fine, and I'm looking forward to visiting San Francisco--I've heard it's lovely.
I'm a little surprised that the orientation/staging thing is actually only four hours. It used to be a couple days, but they're cutting everything down to conserve funds, or so I hear. Anyhow, I'm sure it will be fine, and I'm looking forward to visiting San Francisco--I've heard it's lovely.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Chengdu video and Reading Period
Here is a great video about the continuing aftermath of the Sichuan earthquake, one year later. It follows two musicians who travel to a school for students relocated away from their families after their schools were destroyed. They recorded the students' songs then visited their families and showed them. There is some footage of Chengdu, where I'll be training in a little over a month (!). Also, it was cool to hear the language as its spoken there- the accent was pretty intelligible to me, which is heartening.
Afterquake
I'm currently in the throes of my last reading and exam period ever. Here is my anthem for this reading period. Jon Schmidt
Afterquake
I'm currently in the throes of my last reading and exam period ever. Here is my anthem for this reading period. Jon Schmidt
Monday, May 11, 2009
TEFL Manual
I received an email today from the country desk with a manual to help us prepare for teaching English in China. I look forward to reading it and posting the gist of it here.
Also, the email reminded us that we will need diploma copies for our visas. I'm not sure if I will receive my actual diploma on graduation day or if it will be a dummy with the real thing to follow. I should check into that. I've done way too much paperwork to hit a snag in the visa process now!
Also, the email reminded us that we will need diploma copies for our visas. I'm not sure if I will receive my actual diploma on graduation day or if it will be a dummy with the real thing to follow. I should check into that. I've done way too much paperwork to hit a snag in the visa process now!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Pre-Service Training Questionnaire
This evening, I attended the year-end fête of the public service organization that has been the backbone of my college experience. Many of my friends received awards for their contributions to the organization, and the speeches were reflective, leading to an evening in pleasant conversation about social justice, the work we've done, and the work that has yet to be realized. (Of particular note was the discussion of radicals vs. liberals. I am firmly of the opinion that both are vital to the social justice movement. One needs the fist pounding on the wall to rouse the hearts of the oppressed, but one also needs a mason to chip away the key stones. A fist alone soon grows tired and bruised, and simply plucking away stones only makes tiny holes. But together they can topple the wall.)
Anyhow, after this therapeutic ending ritual, I was delighted to find one of the first concrete signs of the new chapter in life in my inbox- the Pre-Service Training Questionnaire. It was pretty straightforward- smoking, drinking, and other host family preferences as well as a condensed work history and language learning history. It makes me happy to see that they really do customize training for each group.
A couple of the questions were a little stickier- "What is the most important factor we should consider in your site placement?"- was the most interesting. I finally deciding on answering with my preference for teaching low-level students. I'm much better at that than fine tuning the skills of advanced students. We'll see how that goes.
Staging information should come soon! It's exciting to see the growing crowd of 15's on the facebook group. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone.
Anyhow, after this therapeutic ending ritual, I was delighted to find one of the first concrete signs of the new chapter in life in my inbox- the Pre-Service Training Questionnaire. It was pretty straightforward- smoking, drinking, and other host family preferences as well as a condensed work history and language learning history. It makes me happy to see that they really do customize training for each group.
A couple of the questions were a little stickier- "What is the most important factor we should consider in your site placement?"- was the most interesting. I finally deciding on answering with my preference for teaching low-level students. I'm much better at that than fine tuning the skills of advanced students. We'll see how that goes.
Staging information should come soon! It's exciting to see the growing crowd of 15's on the facebook group. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Visa Medical Info- fin
I collected my forms and reports from the doctor today. After a last minute flurry tracking down the nurse regarding some fields left blank, I double-checked everything and packed it into the FedEx envelope conveniently provided by the PC. I even found a super convenient FedEx drop box that I didn't know existed. Bonus, I suppose.
It's all out of my hands now. Barring any issues, that should have been the last paperwork before staging. Not much longer now.
It's all out of my hands now. Barring any issues, that should have been the last paperwork before staging. Not much longer now.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Last Doctor's Appointment (?)
I went in for my visa physical today--it was blessedly quick and painless and involved minimal poking and prodding. My doctor was thoroughly amused by many of the questions, including "Neck?" [to which she answered "present and accounted for"] and "Toxicoparanoia?" [which she hadn't heard of].
I also had to get more bloodwork, which was rather embarrassing because the only things I needed were HIV and syphilis tests. The phlebotomy techs gave me a knowing/pitying look that made me feel very awkward. I also had chest x-rays and asked for them on a CD as required by the PRC government. After I got home, I realized that they had also included my toe x-rays from the summer. I hope it seriously confuses some bureaucrat in the future, as a small form of payback for this whole mess of red tape.
Hoorah for the last of the med stuff!
I also had to get more bloodwork, which was rather embarrassing because the only things I needed were HIV and syphilis tests. The phlebotomy techs gave me a knowing/pitying look that made me feel very awkward. I also had chest x-rays and asked for them on a CD as required by the PRC government. After I got home, I realized that they had also included my toe x-rays from the summer. I hope it seriously confuses some bureaucrat in the future, as a small form of payback for this whole mess of red tape.
Hoorah for the last of the med stuff!
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Foolishness
Happy April Fool's Day! The post below, however, is entirely true.
I finally phoned the Country Desk yesterday because they never answered my email about receiving my staging documents. (I'll be traveling close to departure and wanted to see what address I should list.) The very helpful fellow at the desk said that they had never gotten that email, nor had they gotten the resume and aspiration statement that I sent in February or so.
Turns out, I had been using the wrong email address! The invitation kit says to send things to [countryname]@XXXXXX I was using prc@XXXX and apparently it is actually china@XXXX. In retrospect, I should have known, but it never occurred to me... Shame on me for being an East Asian Studies major.
Anyhow, no harm done, and I've resent the documents to the proper address and received confirmation. And I noted the email address.
I finally phoned the Country Desk yesterday because they never answered my email about receiving my staging documents. (I'll be traveling close to departure and wanted to see what address I should list.) The very helpful fellow at the desk said that they had never gotten that email, nor had they gotten the resume and aspiration statement that I sent in February or so.
Turns out, I had been using the wrong email address! The invitation kit says to send things to [countryname]@XXXXXX I was using prc@XXXX and apparently it is actually china@XXXX. In retrospect, I should have known, but it never occurred to me... Shame on me for being an East Asian Studies major.
Anyhow, no harm done, and I've resent the documents to the proper address and received confirmation. And I noted the email address.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Vaccinations
I went to see the travel nurse today as my doctor advised. I certainly trust PC people to give me adequate prophylaxis, but I'd rather get shots now instead of when I'm moving half way around the world. The Welcome Book says that PC China vaccinates for: hepatitis A and B, rabies, Japanese encephalitis, typhoid, influenza, meningitis, diptheria, tetanus, polio, measles, mumps, and rubella. The nurse largely agreed, but she also gave me anti-malarials. Apparently, I should take them if I go into any rural areas in Sichuan or Guizhou during the summer. That seems like a likely occurence, so I'll bring them along. She also gave me Cipro to take along in case of traveler's diarrhea. Lovely.
I was nervous that I would need tons of shots, but I lucked out. I have already had everything but Hep A, Japanese encephalitis, typhoid, and rabies. Typhoid vaccine comes in pills, interestingly enough. One refrigerates them and takes them every other day for a week. They also give you a handy "Livestrong" style bright orange rubber bracelet proclaiming "Remember Oral Typhoid Vaccine!" Quite the fashion statement. I got the first shot of Hep A, to be followed by a second in six months. I couldn't get the encephalitis one today. Apparently it has a higher risk of side effects and they must observe you after the shot, and I didn't have time for it today. I'll go back for that later. Finally, the rabies vaccine is in short supply and not available for prophylaxis. Oops.
Short version: I was afraid of becoming a pincushion, but it wasn't that bad. Hooray for being protected!
I was nervous that I would need tons of shots, but I lucked out. I have already had everything but Hep A, Japanese encephalitis, typhoid, and rabies. Typhoid vaccine comes in pills, interestingly enough. One refrigerates them and takes them every other day for a week. They also give you a handy "Livestrong" style bright orange rubber bracelet proclaiming "Remember Oral Typhoid Vaccine!" Quite the fashion statement. I got the first shot of Hep A, to be followed by a second in six months. I couldn't get the encephalitis one today. Apparently it has a higher risk of side effects and they must observe you after the shot, and I didn't have time for it today. I'll go back for that later. Finally, the rabies vaccine is in short supply and not available for prophylaxis. Oops.
Short version: I was afraid of becoming a pincushion, but it wasn't that bad. Hooray for being protected!
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Dental Clearance! (Again!)
I received paper confirmation of my dental qualification today, two weeks after my toolkit told me this. More paper for my bloated PC folder :-)
Considering the awesome technology of the toolkit, it surprises me that they still send all the letters, since they arrive so ludicrously out of sync. At the very least, I'd expect them to have a paper or electronic option on the application- so you could opt out (or in) of all the letters, just like they do at the bank. Anyhow, it's not a problem, just funny.
Considering the awesome technology of the toolkit, it surprises me that they still send all the letters, since they arrive so ludicrously out of sync. At the very least, I'd expect them to have a paper or electronic option on the application- so you could opt out (or in) of all the letters, just like they do at the bank. Anyhow, it's not a problem, just funny.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Rosetta Stone
So far, mixed feelings...I got a free pass to use the Rosetta Stone for Mandarin a few days after I accepted my invitation. There are three levels, and within each level is four units, and within each unit are four lessons. I'm currently on Level One, Unit Two, Lesson Two. A good bit of the stuff I knew from Chinese class, but I've learned some useful vocabulary from it.
Already, I can tell that if I didn't already have a concept of the language, the program would drive you mad. It shows a language pattern, has you mimic it, then has you parse it and use it in new combinations. I think it's just that I don't like the style. I enjoy knowing the grammar and the whys and wherefores of language. However, it's been a nice way to practice speaking and listening without stressing about characters, which is the focus of my Chinese course.
Verdict: It's nice to have, but I'd never use Rosetta as the sole means to learning a language.
Already, I can tell that if I didn't already have a concept of the language, the program would drive you mad. It shows a language pattern, has you mimic it, then has you parse it and use it in new combinations. I think it's just that I don't like the style. I enjoy knowing the grammar and the whys and wherefores of language. However, it's been a nice way to practice speaking and listening without stressing about characters, which is the focus of my Chinese course.
Verdict: It's nice to have, but I'd never use Rosetta as the sole means to learning a language.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Dental Clearance!
Woohoo! I got the last of my fillings done on Thursday, got the bewildered receptionist to type me up a letter, and over nighted it to the Medical Office. The dental folks, prompt as always, got it cleared straightaway, and I received the Application Status Update today. All clear. Now the only thing that doesn't say Complete is the legal status, and there's no hold, it's just they haven't done the final check. Hopefully they will now that I'm dentally cleared.
In other news, I never heard back from the country desk that they got my resume/aspiration statement, nor did they return an email about when they'll send the staging kit. (It matters because I'll be leaving this address on June 5th and stay with my parents until I leave.) I suppose I should phone and see what's going on.
In other news, I never heard back from the country desk that they got my resume/aspiration statement, nor did they return an email about when they'll send the staging kit. (It matters because I'll be leaving this address on June 5th and stay with my parents until I leave.) I suppose I should phone and see what's going on.
Friday, February 6, 2009
More Paperwork. Really?
It never ends, seriously. I knew that there was more medical paperwork to get a work visa for China. I understand their need to prevent diseases from entering the country, but I just had all of this stuff done for the Peace Corps. * sigh * Anyhow, for any other China applicants, here's what they want:
--Foreigner Physical Examination Form- you can see a copy here. Standard info for the most part.
--Lab reports for HIV 1 and 2, a syphilis test, EKG with interpretations, and chest x-rays. I have to send in original lab reports dated after April 1st and the EKG in, but the chest x-rays I have to carry with me on the plane. I don't get it, but ok.
--Dental form. This I don't understand and need to phone the office about. It says they will pay $20 for this update, but it doesn't say what I need to have filled out. I'm hoping this is just since I haven't gotten dental clearance yet, but we'll see.
They're serious about this exam (where they=PRC). I have to submit a passport photo signed by my doctor to prove that I'm actually the person being examined and I didn't send in a healthy body double or something. Also, everything has to be stamped with the "official hospital stamp." I'm not sure University Health Services even has an official stamp. This is getting a little crazy...
--Foreigner Physical Examination Form- you can see a copy here. Standard info for the most part.
--Lab reports for HIV 1 and 2, a syphilis test, EKG with interpretations, and chest x-rays. I have to send in original lab reports dated after April 1st and the EKG in, but the chest x-rays I have to carry with me on the plane. I don't get it, but ok.
--Dental form. This I don't understand and need to phone the office about. It says they will pay $20 for this update, but it doesn't say what I need to have filled out. I'm hoping this is just since I haven't gotten dental clearance yet, but we'll see.
They're serious about this exam (where they=PRC). I have to submit a passport photo signed by my doctor to prove that I'm actually the person being examined and I didn't send in a healthy body double or something. Also, everything has to be stamped with the "official hospital stamp." I'm not sure University Health Services even has an official stamp. This is getting a little crazy...
Sunday, February 1, 2009
(Belated) Secret Santa
Awww! A group of friends had a belated secret santa gathering today. My present was a copy of Lonely Planet China and a page-a-day Learn Chinese calendar. And chocolate. Hooray! I'm lucky to have such a thoughtful friend :-D
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Invitation Kit, Part Two
I've had a chance to get through the invitation kit, so here's some thoughts:
--Assignment booklet: chockful of interesting information. Lots of details about the sort of places I'll be working and what I might be expected to do. For example, I'll teach between 14 and 16 hours in the classroom, and I'll have between 35 and 85 folks in my class. Oof.
--I get to apply for a government passport. That's sort of exciting, no? I also have to fill out the visa application. After some debate, I decided to include my Chinese name. I hope it doesn't confuse anyone, but I might as well make it official now. I'm fond of the name my teacher gave me, so now's a good time to stick with it.
--I have to submit a resume and aspiration statement. I spent a lot of time crafting my original resume, so I'm a little sad to have to put it into a standardized format. The aspiration statement is also a little tricky- they ask about anticipated challenges and expectations. This is odd, since the PC theme seems to be "have no expectations." Anyway, I think I can handle it.
--The Finance folder was extremely helpful. I get life insurance as a PCV, so there's a form to designate a beneficiary. Also, they have brochures on personal property insurance. Mine works out to be about $70 a year, which seems reasonable. I got a cheap computer for a reason, but I'd still pay $100 for a deductible than $500 to replace it. It also includes information on student loans (which I don't have, thank heavens), income taxes (I probably won't make enough to be taxed), and other debts (which I also don't have).
--Staging forms. Mostly empty since the Staging Kit comes later. For now, just a registration form and a final eligibility check: Have you been arrested since the last time we spoke? etc.
--Domestic Connections: Press release info and signing up to penpal with American school kids. Not super exciting, since I'm not sure my program is well-suited for cultural exchange with kiddos.
--Welcome Book- no surprise here since it's on the yahoo group's website.
--Volunteer Handbook- Pretty much what I expected. Some interesting rules on appropriate use of PC owned technology.
I think that's all. It was a very hefty package. Now I just have to get a bit more dental work done, and I should be good to go.
--Assignment booklet: chockful of interesting information. Lots of details about the sort of places I'll be working and what I might be expected to do. For example, I'll teach between 14 and 16 hours in the classroom, and I'll have between 35 and 85 folks in my class. Oof.
--I get to apply for a government passport. That's sort of exciting, no? I also have to fill out the visa application. After some debate, I decided to include my Chinese name. I hope it doesn't confuse anyone, but I might as well make it official now. I'm fond of the name my teacher gave me, so now's a good time to stick with it.
--I have to submit a resume and aspiration statement. I spent a lot of time crafting my original resume, so I'm a little sad to have to put it into a standardized format. The aspiration statement is also a little tricky- they ask about anticipated challenges and expectations. This is odd, since the PC theme seems to be "have no expectations." Anyway, I think I can handle it.
--The Finance folder was extremely helpful. I get life insurance as a PCV, so there's a form to designate a beneficiary. Also, they have brochures on personal property insurance. Mine works out to be about $70 a year, which seems reasonable. I got a cheap computer for a reason, but I'd still pay $100 for a deductible than $500 to replace it. It also includes information on student loans (which I don't have, thank heavens), income taxes (I probably won't make enough to be taxed), and other debts (which I also don't have).
--Staging forms. Mostly empty since the Staging Kit comes later. For now, just a registration form and a final eligibility check: Have you been arrested since the last time we spoke? etc.
--Domestic Connections: Press release info and signing up to penpal with American school kids. Not super exciting, since I'm not sure my program is well-suited for cultural exchange with kiddos.
--Welcome Book- no surprise here since it's on the yahoo group's website.
--Volunteer Handbook- Pretty much what I expected. Some interesting rules on appropriate use of PC owned technology.
I think that's all. It was a very hefty package. Now I just have to get a bit more dental work done, and I should be good to go.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
The Invitation Kit
The much-awaited kit arrived today, only three days after it was mailed. I'm going to miss American mail service.
It contains quite a wealth of information: a pamphlet on my assignment, a booklet on cultural adjustment, the volunteer handbook (read: rulebook), the welcome book for China, and a booklet for family entitled "On the Home Front." Has a nice patriotic ring, no? :0)
In addition, there are bunch of folders, my passport and visa info, resume instructions, finance info, staging information, and "domestic connections" which is a chance to penpal with American schools, etc.
I look forward to wading through all of this fun stuff, and I'll keep you posted!
It contains quite a wealth of information: a pamphlet on my assignment, a booklet on cultural adjustment, the volunteer handbook (read: rulebook), the welcome book for China, and a booklet for family entitled "On the Home Front." Has a nice patriotic ring, no? :0)
In addition, there are bunch of folders, my passport and visa info, resume instructions, finance info, staging information, and "domestic connections" which is a chance to penpal with American schools, etc.
I look forward to wading through all of this fun stuff, and I'll keep you posted!
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
I'm in!
Yay! I was phoned by my very friendly Placement Officer yesterday. Apparently my availability was still listed as September even though I was nominated for a June program. I clarified, and he said he was inviting me to the China program. Excited is a slight understatement.
My parents, I think, have resigned them to the Peace Corps as inevitable. They were appropriately happy for me. I was worried about my grandfather's reaction- I hadn't told him because I didn't want to worry him prematurely. When I called him last night, he got really excited and thinks it's great! I love pleasant surprises.
This morning my toolkit updated. I was curious- does the toolkit update when someone updates and then you get an email at 5 am OR does it all sort of upload at 5 am? Turns out that its the latter. Just so you know.
My new and improved toolkit begins with a cheery "Congratulations! You have been invited to be a Peace Corps Volunteer." The status is no longer on the first page. there are links to My Application (all those circles and checks), Prepare Yourself, Prepare Your Friends and Family (which both are unchanged), and My Assignment. I kow have a Place checkmark in My Application, so the only thing missing is Dental. More fillings, whoo.
My invitation kit is in the mail, so I will read it, then phone to accept. More forms, presumably. Then a welcome kit a couple months before departure, then a staging kit, then staging then I'm off to China!
The "My Assignment" section doesn't have much, actually. There are sections for pictures and journal of PCV's, but both are blank. There is some general info, but nothing about China. I wonder if that will update. I suppose most people don't get a phone call, so they don't know where they will be until their invitation comes in the mail. Interesting.
I will continue to explore and keep you posted.
My parents, I think, have resigned them to the Peace Corps as inevitable. They were appropriately happy for me. I was worried about my grandfather's reaction- I hadn't told him because I didn't want to worry him prematurely. When I called him last night, he got really excited and thinks it's great! I love pleasant surprises.
This morning my toolkit updated. I was curious- does the toolkit update when someone updates and then you get an email at 5 am OR does it all sort of upload at 5 am? Turns out that its the latter. Just so you know.
My new and improved toolkit begins with a cheery "Congratulations! You have been invited to be a Peace Corps Volunteer." The status is no longer on the first page. there are links to My Application (all those circles and checks), Prepare Yourself, Prepare Your Friends and Family (which both are unchanged), and My Assignment. I kow have a Place checkmark in My Application, so the only thing missing is Dental. More fillings, whoo.
My invitation kit is in the mail, so I will read it, then phone to accept. More forms, presumably. Then a welcome kit a couple months before departure, then a staging kit, then staging then I'm off to China!
The "My Assignment" section doesn't have much, actually. There are sections for pictures and journal of PCV's, but both are blank. There is some general info, but nothing about China. I wonder if that will update. I suppose most people don't get a phone call, so they don't know where they will be until their invitation comes in the mail. Interesting.
I will continue to explore and keep you posted.
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