Similarly to myself, Jessica loves chocolate. She brought Oreos with chocolate filling to the office the other day and we ate the entire roll. I asked her if she had ever put peanut butter on top of Oreos and she said, "Hm, I don't know peanut butter. Do you have...chocolate butter?"
No, we don't have chocolate butter, but we should. I think Nutella is probably the closest thing, and that is from France. Now I really wish I could have some Nutella.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Sunday, March 18, 2007
I see white people!
Yesterday in the city I saw THREE, yes THREE white people. They were the first white people besides myself and Tom I have seen since leaving the airport. Three in one day! One was wandering the streets. If my camera had been charged, I would have snapped a photo of the man it was such a rarity. The other two were in an English teaching school.
My thought is that the foreigners are hiding in the city, whilst most of my time is spent in the suburbs. It's okay. I was just happy to spot a few. And Friday night Tom and I bought fried chicken from the grocery store and it tasted like Popeye's spicy chicken! Oh man, even though I like Chinese food I am craving American food. Fried chicken. Hamburgers. Pizza. Pork chops. Coffee. I just realized that my blog is about food about half of the time. For how much I like food, it is amazing that I manage to maintain my slim figure. Must be the mini-trampoline I jump on 100 times every day.
So obviously yesterday Tom and I were in the city. One of his students took us to the city with three of her friends. Their names were Zero, Krista, Leech Queen, and Fly. They have awesome English names. They gave us bags of milk for a snack, took us to the arcade, skating on the floor, and bought me a windchime and Tom some sunglasses. It was a very fun day and the weather was beautiful. One Chinese guy skated with me for a while, which entailed him pushing me backwards until I decided I'd had enough and made us both fall down very gracefully.
For dinner, one of my students had us over. We watched the Adam Sandler movie Click. It was in English, and the had English subtitles. But the subtitles didn't match what they were saying. They must have listened to the movie, written it down in Chinese, then re-translated it into English. It was HILARIOUS. I missed most of the movie because I was laughing so hard at the subtitles. Adam Sandler's character is named Michael, which, apparently, translates into "Exceeds a gram". It was just too funny.
I will write again soon. Lots of love!
My thought is that the foreigners are hiding in the city, whilst most of my time is spent in the suburbs. It's okay. I was just happy to spot a few. And Friday night Tom and I bought fried chicken from the grocery store and it tasted like Popeye's spicy chicken! Oh man, even though I like Chinese food I am craving American food. Fried chicken. Hamburgers. Pizza. Pork chops. Coffee. I just realized that my blog is about food about half of the time. For how much I like food, it is amazing that I manage to maintain my slim figure. Must be the mini-trampoline I jump on 100 times every day.
So obviously yesterday Tom and I were in the city. One of his students took us to the city with three of her friends. Their names were Zero, Krista, Leech Queen, and Fly. They have awesome English names. They gave us bags of milk for a snack, took us to the arcade, skating on the floor, and bought me a windchime and Tom some sunglasses. It was a very fun day and the weather was beautiful. One Chinese guy skated with me for a while, which entailed him pushing me backwards until I decided I'd had enough and made us both fall down very gracefully.
For dinner, one of my students had us over. We watched the Adam Sandler movie Click. It was in English, and the had English subtitles. But the subtitles didn't match what they were saying. They must have listened to the movie, written it down in Chinese, then re-translated it into English. It was HILARIOUS. I missed most of the movie because I was laughing so hard at the subtitles. Adam Sandler's character is named Michael, which, apparently, translates into "Exceeds a gram". It was just too funny.
I will write again soon. Lots of love!
Fish Soup
Tom and I have gotten quite brave. Last Friday we wandered down the street by South Campus armed with a small notebook of words to order ourselves some lunch. We wanted dumpling and soup with tomato and egg. We recieved a HUGE plate of scrambled eggs with some green vegetable of the grassy type mixed in and fish soup, as pictured below.
Mmmm. Yes, you are seeing that correctly. There is a fish, a whole fish, laying in a bowl of water with some odd yellow vegetables. It was actually quite tasty.
Not to be detered by this small mistake, we tried again the other night. This time we indeed did get dumplings and soup with tomato and eggs. Plus some other random vegetable dish that was very tasty. Then we had to call Jessica to find out the word for "box" because we had too much food.
Progress is progress.
Mmmm. Yes, you are seeing that correctly. There is a fish, a whole fish, laying in a bowl of water with some odd yellow vegetables. It was actually quite tasty.
Not to be detered by this small mistake, we tried again the other night. This time we indeed did get dumplings and soup with tomato and eggs. Plus some other random vegetable dish that was very tasty. Then we had to call Jessica to find out the word for "box" because we had too much food.
Progress is progress.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Tongue Twisters
The second week of teaching is much better. Granted, I have only had one day so far of the second week, but it was still leaps and bounds better than the first week. I have the same students from 8:00 until 11:35 on Tuesday mornings. First we have listening class then oral English class.
For oral class today we talked about the definition of success, how to be successful, etc. then I gave them two tongue twisters! They got to practice the tongue twisters for a minute then three of them had to compete against one another to see who could say it the fastest and most accurately. "Lovely Lily likes to lick little lollipops" was the first one I gave them. But the second one was my favorite because this is what it sounded like:
How much wooda woulda woodachucka chucka if a woodachucka coulda chucka wooda?
I think tongue twisters are my favorite thing so far :) That and dumplings.
For oral class today we talked about the definition of success, how to be successful, etc. then I gave them two tongue twisters! They got to practice the tongue twisters for a minute then three of them had to compete against one another to see who could say it the fastest and most accurately. "Lovely Lily likes to lick little lollipops" was the first one I gave them. But the second one was my favorite because this is what it sounded like:
How much wooda woulda woodachucka chucka if a woodachucka coulda chucka wooda?
I think tongue twisters are my favorite thing so far :) That and dumplings.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
You Never Know
Thursday night around 8 o'clock Tom and I wandered around the area outside of campus. I like walking at night because the streets here are very dark (they do not have street lights!) which means less staring.
Maneuvering through the street vendors, pedestrians, cars, bicycles, scooters, and other wheeled-vehicles we came upon a small park. There was gentle music playing, but we couldn't see what was going on because we were standing behind big tarps which we guessed surrounded a make-shift stage. We followed some others through a broken part of the fence behind the tarps and walked around the side. Inside the tarped area there were all kinds of clothes for sale, and in front of it there were big lights set up and people ballroom dancing. Instead of being the spectacle, for a while we were able to stand in the shadows and be spectators, watching them slowly move about the park with sometimes awkward western movements.
Maneuvering through the street vendors, pedestrians, cars, bicycles, scooters, and other wheeled-vehicles we came upon a small park. There was gentle music playing, but we couldn't see what was going on because we were standing behind big tarps which we guessed surrounded a make-shift stage. We followed some others through a broken part of the fence behind the tarps and walked around the side. Inside the tarped area there were all kinds of clothes for sale, and in front of it there were big lights set up and people ballroom dancing. Instead of being the spectacle, for a while we were able to stand in the shadows and be spectators, watching them slowly move about the park with sometimes awkward western movements.
It's Exhausting
It's exhausting to be like a celebrity.
Everywhere the people stare these good long stares requiring them to turn their heads like something from The Exorcist. I am surprise I have not caused a traffic accident yet. Maybe this week I will wink at one of the men and see what happens.
Every class I walk into the students collectively gasp! This has quite an effect since there are around 50 students in all of my South Campus classes. The collective gasp is followed by collective twittering and giggling as I arrange my things on the teaching podium thinking, "What on Earth made me think I could teach?" Classes are an hour and a half long - 45 minutes of class, 10 minutes break, then another 45 minutes of class. Teaching for a hour and a half when the students are ridiculously reluctant to speak is very trying. Some classes are better than others. It depends on their level of English. The first class I taught on Friday had the best English while the second class understood the least.
It is exhausting to try and get them to speak. If it is not a response they are accustomed to giving, then all I recieve is silence. Sometimes when I call on a student they will just stand there silently, staring at the desk making all attempts not to talk.
It is exhausting have the students stare out the windows and giggle, prodding one of the braver ones to yell, "Hello!" down to me as I walk to the office. If I look up and wave or say hello in return, they quickly duck away from the window.
It is exhausting to have your picture taken with 15 camera phones at once, then have it taken again with your arm around each student. It retribution, I took a panoramic shot of them. I can't upload any more photos from my camera though because I forgot my camera charger at home.
It is exhausting to be constantly alert because everything is new. But it is also exciting :)
Everywhere the people stare these good long stares requiring them to turn their heads like something from The Exorcist. I am surprise I have not caused a traffic accident yet. Maybe this week I will wink at one of the men and see what happens.
Every class I walk into the students collectively gasp! This has quite an effect since there are around 50 students in all of my South Campus classes. The collective gasp is followed by collective twittering and giggling as I arrange my things on the teaching podium thinking, "What on Earth made me think I could teach?" Classes are an hour and a half long - 45 minutes of class, 10 minutes break, then another 45 minutes of class. Teaching for a hour and a half when the students are ridiculously reluctant to speak is very trying. Some classes are better than others. It depends on their level of English. The first class I taught on Friday had the best English while the second class understood the least.
It is exhausting to try and get them to speak. If it is not a response they are accustomed to giving, then all I recieve is silence. Sometimes when I call on a student they will just stand there silently, staring at the desk making all attempts not to talk.
It is exhausting have the students stare out the windows and giggle, prodding one of the braver ones to yell, "Hello!" down to me as I walk to the office. If I look up and wave or say hello in return, they quickly duck away from the window.
It is exhausting to have your picture taken with 15 camera phones at once, then have it taken again with your arm around each student. It retribution, I took a panoramic shot of them. I can't upload any more photos from my camera though because I forgot my camera charger at home.
It is exhausting to be constantly alert because everything is new. But it is also exciting :)
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
just one more for today
I was going to post about my first day teaching, but the heater is turned off in the office and I am COLD, so I must get back to my apartment quickly for some hot tea.
However, should any reader like some more stories about China or a different voice, check out Tom's MySpace.
Also, I'm still updating Kali's Dreams.
However, should any reader like some more stories about China or a different voice, check out Tom's MySpace.
Also, I'm still updating Kali's Dreams.
Global Crossroad
Thanks to another one of Jeff's oversights, I did not bring my medical check form with me since no one told me to and I had scanned it and sent it to him months ago. However, because I did not HAVE the original document, yesterday I had to go to the Chinese Entry/Exit Health Building and get all of the same tests done AGAIN. Blood drawn, X-rays, EKG, etc. Thanks Jeff. I could have saved $300 and just gotten it done here, or I could have saved an entire morning and not been completely embarassed and nervous.
Jeff's incompetence, apathy, and overall shoddy work anger me to no end. I will be so incredibly happy when his negligence ceases to affect my life.
On health care here:
These people really have no sense of personal space! Maybe I will get used to it eventually. When the doctor is checking the nose, teeth, throat and motion of a patient, there are at least ten people standing within arm's length looking on intently. It is the same for all of the tests. It was especially uncomfortable for me since there was only one other female going through the medical exam. Luckily, since I am a white foreigner and Lily is pushy, she made everyone leave the rooms when it was time for me to do the EKG, ultrasound, and have my heart and lungs listened to.
I have so much more to say, but I must go eat lunch while it is still hot. The school provides lunch for the teachers, which is nice. More to come!
Jeff's incompetence, apathy, and overall shoddy work anger me to no end. I will be so incredibly happy when his negligence ceases to affect my life.
On health care here:
These people really have no sense of personal space! Maybe I will get used to it eventually. When the doctor is checking the nose, teeth, throat and motion of a patient, there are at least ten people standing within arm's length looking on intently. It is the same for all of the tests. It was especially uncomfortable for me since there was only one other female going through the medical exam. Luckily, since I am a white foreigner and Lily is pushy, she made everyone leave the rooms when it was time for me to do the EKG, ultrasound, and have my heart and lungs listened to.
I have so much more to say, but I must go eat lunch while it is still hot. The school provides lunch for the teachers, which is nice. More to come!
Fish Bread
I know, another post about food, but EW. There are some disgusting things here.
Tom and I had our first unsupervised outing on Sunday. We went to the little supermarket that is only a few blocks away to get a few things. Tom picked up this loaf of fresh bread wrapped in plastic that had some sticky looking stuff on top and bought it thinking it was bread with something sweet on top.
Back at the apartment, I opened it up and was asailed by the smell of fish. I tasted a little piece but couldn't even swallow it.
I think Tom is going to give it to Mr. Juang, the maitainence man, as thanks for installing a telephone and mostly getting rid of the wretched smell that started coming from the bathroom sink the other night.
Tom and I had our first unsupervised outing on Sunday. We went to the little supermarket that is only a few blocks away to get a few things. Tom picked up this loaf of fresh bread wrapped in plastic that had some sticky looking stuff on top and bought it thinking it was bread with something sweet on top.
Back at the apartment, I opened it up and was asailed by the smell of fish. I tasted a little piece but couldn't even swallow it.
I think Tom is going to give it to Mr. Juang, the maitainence man, as thanks for installing a telephone and mostly getting rid of the wretched smell that started coming from the bathroom sink the other night.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Chicken Sausage
At the market yesterday, Lily and Jessica tried to help pick out food for us to eat.
One of the oddities thrust into my hands was what they called "chicken sausage" which does not require cooking. I was skeptical. Tom was excited. Lily said her 10 year old daughter loves it. In the end, we decided to try it.
As I washed the dishes, Tom pulled out a stick of it. Each stick is individually wrapped and has a picture of a chicken on the outsite, but it is shaped like long skinny sausage. If you squish it, it is very much like a balloon in the it disappears entirely then will refill the space immediately.
Tom cut the wrapper open and gagged when he sniffed it. I laughed hysterically at this until he made me smell it. Really, it didn't smell that bad - kind of like chicken. I took a small test bite. It was the consistency of a thick bean curd but lighter than a hot dog and the taste was reminiscent of chicken. It wasn't terrible but it certainly wasn't tasty. Tom refused to eat more than one bite, so I was left to down the thing on my own, and by the last bite I agreed that the chicken sausage was gross.
Too bad there are five more sticks of it in the refridgerator.
One of the oddities thrust into my hands was what they called "chicken sausage" which does not require cooking. I was skeptical. Tom was excited. Lily said her 10 year old daughter loves it. In the end, we decided to try it.
As I washed the dishes, Tom pulled out a stick of it. Each stick is individually wrapped and has a picture of a chicken on the outsite, but it is shaped like long skinny sausage. If you squish it, it is very much like a balloon in the it disappears entirely then will refill the space immediately.
Tom cut the wrapper open and gagged when he sniffed it. I laughed hysterically at this until he made me smell it. Really, it didn't smell that bad - kind of like chicken. I took a small test bite. It was the consistency of a thick bean curd but lighter than a hot dog and the taste was reminiscent of chicken. It wasn't terrible but it certainly wasn't tasty. Tom refused to eat more than one bite, so I was left to down the thing on my own, and by the last bite I agreed that the chicken sausage was gross.
Too bad there are five more sticks of it in the refridgerator.
An Introduction to the Adventure
Yay!! I made it!
Wow! There is so much to say.
We arrived at 5:30pm on Thursday. Customs was a piece of cake walk. Unfortunately, Tom's bags did not make it to China with us. He still doesn't have them. Poor Tom. It would have been better for my stuff not to have come because I had 5 days worth of clothes in my carry on, but Tom only has two. However, I probably would have cried. Ms. Lily, a teacher at the school, Jessica, a student here, and the school car driver came to pick us up. Maybe it is good Tom's bags didn't come because mine did not really fit in the car.
First of all, it is cold inside here because they do not have heating, so inside is the same temperature as outside. Luckily it is not that cold outside (I was warm yesterday in a sweater and jacket) but when you cannot go inside to get warm, yuck! The office is cold too. I need a coat for my nose because I hate when my nose is cold and it is always cold. Ms. Lily and Ms. Mao both told me to wear more clothes! That's a new one for me! My body is warm but my nose, hands, and feet are cold.
Outside it is grey. Lily said it is grey from pollution, which is incredibly disgusting. It is more humid here than it is in New Orleans! Things that get wet do NOT get dry.
The traffic here is CRAZY. I don't think there are traffic laws, only suggestions. 1] Maybe stay on your side of the road. 2] Lane are optional. 3] It is possible to make a left turn from the right hand lane across four lanes of traffic as the light changes. 4] Honk the horn constantly at all other people on the road. 4] Use your sixth sense.
Yesterday, Lily and Jessica took Tom and I to the market to buy towels, food, toothpaste, etc. We waited at the bus stop for a while and all of the people on the buses would stare at us. It is a strange feeling to be stared at by busload after busload of people. The market was insane. There was so much to take it with all of the people and advertisements. We bought an internet chord and had them make another telephone chord for 14 yen, $2. It felt like stealing. Best Buy is like a hole in the wall compared to the little electronics market we went to yesterday.
I fell asleep at 7:30 last night and woke up at 5:15 this morning. I was exhausted. There is so much to take in.
I have taken only a few pictures so far, but once I get more I will put them up.
Wow! There is so much to say.
We arrived at 5:30pm on Thursday. Customs was a piece of cake walk. Unfortunately, Tom's bags did not make it to China with us. He still doesn't have them. Poor Tom. It would have been better for my stuff not to have come because I had 5 days worth of clothes in my carry on, but Tom only has two. However, I probably would have cried. Ms. Lily, a teacher at the school, Jessica, a student here, and the school car driver came to pick us up. Maybe it is good Tom's bags didn't come because mine did not really fit in the car.
First of all, it is cold inside here because they do not have heating, so inside is the same temperature as outside. Luckily it is not that cold outside (I was warm yesterday in a sweater and jacket) but when you cannot go inside to get warm, yuck! The office is cold too. I need a coat for my nose because I hate when my nose is cold and it is always cold. Ms. Lily and Ms. Mao both told me to wear more clothes! That's a new one for me! My body is warm but my nose, hands, and feet are cold.
Outside it is grey. Lily said it is grey from pollution, which is incredibly disgusting. It is more humid here than it is in New Orleans! Things that get wet do NOT get dry.
The traffic here is CRAZY. I don't think there are traffic laws, only suggestions. 1] Maybe stay on your side of the road. 2] Lane are optional. 3] It is possible to make a left turn from the right hand lane across four lanes of traffic as the light changes. 4] Honk the horn constantly at all other people on the road. 4] Use your sixth sense.
Yesterday, Lily and Jessica took Tom and I to the market to buy towels, food, toothpaste, etc. We waited at the bus stop for a while and all of the people on the buses would stare at us. It is a strange feeling to be stared at by busload after busload of people. The market was insane. There was so much to take it with all of the people and advertisements. We bought an internet chord and had them make another telephone chord for 14 yen, $2. It felt like stealing. Best Buy is like a hole in the wall compared to the little electronics market we went to yesterday.
I fell asleep at 7:30 last night and woke up at 5:15 this morning. I was exhausted. There is so much to take in.
I have taken only a few pictures so far, but once I get more I will put them up.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
