Old Village in the City of Liaocheng

Within the industrial city of Liaocheng, where my university is on the outer perimeter, there are some small village areas that are tucked away , out of sight.  I was asked by the student union of our School of Foreign Languages, where I work, to come to an English tutoring session for an afterschool group of various aged students in someone's home.  It was probably the most interesting time of the semester.  I felt a little odd but of course welcome in the home of one of the mothers of a student.  I always feel as though I am there for show but of course I also think that any representative in a positive light of Westerners is of value.  This is how most people in Liaocheng lived their lives until recently.  In one respect - it is so much better than the non-decript apartments but in other ways such as warmth and sanitary conditions, it is worse.  The quiet within the village is wonderful.

A traditional gift for Christmas is an apple.  I have many wrapped apples under my tree and so many homemade Christmas cards and letters on my windowsill !  Also - some very interesting looking stuffed Santas.  I found my tree at the downtown supermarket - and my students bargained for a lower price because it didn't have a box. It was like being with my sister- the ultimate shopper.  Many students wanted to come help me trim the tree as no one had done this before. They became obsessed with singing Jingle Bells. 

 I just completed giving final exams and will be spending the next few days marking them.

Dreams

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
~ Eleanor Roosevelt

I always wonder if the dreams of my students are the same as the dreams of the students in the US.  I 'm not really sure.  I think they think the American dream is a nice home, a car and a good job.  Maybe that is what they want too.  Is that all our American dream entails ?  I hope not.  I know at the moment that is what most of my students think Americans want.  It makes me sad. When they view American universities , I hear them mumble quietly -  "the American dream".  I get tears in my eyes and have to look away.  Why do we only get this dream?  Is it just luck?   I don't believe in American exceptionalism.  I have wanted to read a book I saw reviewed Guns, Germs and Steel.  I think it addresses this issue. 

An observation of changes in Chinese society

It's not right to take pleasure in the pain of others but I will say I get a little giggle out of my Chinese fellow teachers complaining about their children.  Most only have one and this child is doted on.  But as usual last night, I was questioned by these teachers about how to stop their children from watching too much TV and only wanting to go to KFC.  They don't want to read.  Just play computer games.

The same day, I was asked by my friend's girlfriend who is 19 years old, about  how can she order Victoria Secret catalog items that are not available in China.  There is plenty of lingerie in China but not Victoria Secret.  This is what they see online in the ads and Western goods are what they want.  I see students rapping down the hall and posting Eminem.  I get asked continually about which is my favorite Desperate Housewife and do I enjoy the TV series Friends. OMG

Oh the corruption by the Americans - Laiwei.  We do not have to worry - we will win over the hearts and minds of the Chinese with Victoria Secret.

But I still love how meals are lengthy procedures, tea and conversation still occur.  Eating out is a very social affair. I never grow tired of it.

Could this be my last trip to Beijing?  It could be.  I spend most days with Zhen and Lei.  As usual, I had a great time with my friends.  Zhen had an interview and spent the last few days with exams and interviews.  I am hoping he gets the position.  The job market here in Beijing is very tight.

I went with them to the Temple of Heaven and then to the oldest hutong.  It was a wonderful day.  I arranged to go on a tour of the Great Wall , the Mutianyu part of the restored wall.  I am now a "hero" or man as Mao said.  " You are not a man unless you have walked on the Great Wall."

Thanksgiving

I am thankful for all my family and friends support this holiday.  Even though I spent it in my apartment with the winding down of a cough and cold - I spoke to everyone on Skype and I was thankful for Skype and all the technology that allows me to feel less isolated.

Next, I am grateful to all my goofy little college coeds that began QQing me (like facebook) at 10 pm the evening before Thanksgiving. I had about 30 ims.  Most are busy this week (the sophomores) performing service to the campus.  Many should be thankful that they did not receive the assignment of a few of these jobs that some of these students had to perform.  Kevin had to repair the squat toilets.  He told me it was disgusting but as the days went on he became used to the smell.  The students have to work for 1 full week - sometimes 14 hours a day - doing some kind of work on campus.  The most dreaded is working and cleaning at the canteens (cafeterias) and cleaning the boys dormitories.  The sophomores work one week this semester and next semester , it is the turn of the freshmen. The photos above are of one of our Friday English discussion group dinner preparations.  Kaylee is a great cook and the girls were a great help to her.

Rita - one of my sophomores had this terrible cold which I had also  and she was trying to keep working at the boys dorm - she said it was horrible.  I have been working with her on her recitation for Sunday's bilingual competition, where I will be a judge.   She is memorizing all of her speeches , as all of the students do each day for their classes.  You will not be able to enter any university in China without having a great ability in memorization.  They do not learn phonics - just memorize huge lists of English words.

I am so tired and sad about sweeping up ladybugs in my apartment.   Hundreds have come in and have gone to the ceiling corners and just sit there - huddled together- until finally one by one they die and drop to the floor.  I have released hundreds to the outdoors.  Some are the unusual color of shiny black with 3-4 bright orange/red spots.  Beautiful.  It has become colder - tomorrow a high of 48 and they crept in here weeks ago.  There also are flies that are still in the apartment.  I spend my evenings chasing them - they are very small and quick and I seem to miss them constantly.  I think I have killed them all, when I fall asleep but inevitably , one begins buzzing around my head at 3 am.  All the windows have been shut for weeks.  Where are they coming from?