Something you probably don't see every day

On the street where I live ....

A Telling Lesson

This week, the topic for our Sophomore English class was Money. The discussion question at the beginning of class was, “If you had to choose between money and love, which would you choose and why?” A lot of students said money. One student said she would choose money because “Love is unreliable.” I talked to her later, and she said that this past summer, she and her boyfriend had broken up. Another student said, right now, money is more important and once she has money, then she’ll worry about finding love.

In another activity during class, students had to work with their partner to finish filling in the sentence (grammar exercise). This was the prompt, “1) If I’d been born a member of the opposite sex, then I . . . . One girl answered, “If I’d been born a member of the opposite sex, then I wouldn’t have a little sister.” Another student sitting close to her nodded her head and said, “yeah, me too.” Other students completed a sentence about their study as follows: “If I’d listened to my parents advice when I was younger, I would study at a better University now.” Although our students seem to accept their major and lot in life, they also quite openly express regret. They are the hope of their parents who have probably sacrificed a lot for them to study at the University, and most of the students are only studying at this University as a back-up because they didn’t get into their top choices.

At the end of class, students were in small groups to discuss different questions related to money and life. One of the last questions was, “What brings true happiness and fulfillment to your life.” Some students, of course, answered, “Having lots of money.” Others answered with answers such as friendship, family, success, achieving one’s dreams, etc. And others answered that their hobbies, such as playing basketball, reading novels, watching movies, always brings them happiness.

Tomorrow, is the 60th Anniversary of China, as I try to forget about teaching, the students answers from this past week still haunt me.

Changing Winds

Although the weather’s cool, even favorable,
With the fleeting sun, has also gone
her smile.
She musters it up for the class, pushing the edges out,
displaying some white from her teeth,
It’s pasted on; she counts to three.
Will they believe this is happiness?

They’re too clever.
They know this look themselves.
She’s not fooling any of them
except perhaps the girl
who sits in the back
squinting behind thick glasses
to see the board.

Another Sleepless Night

It’s pitch dark out, but a noise somewhere outside jolts me from my happy place. I wake looking for the morning. I check my clock; it’s only three. But, the thought of the next day has already made me anxious. I drink some water, use the restroom, snack on some fruit. I lay back down with new determination. My mind is empty, yet sleep evades me. I try to pray for people. I get through two people before my own frustration at sleeplessness takes over. I flip on my lamp, I read a few pages from a novel about vampires and high school crushes. I see a shadow in the corner of my window. I change books, this one is about a man who lives vicariously through watching movies. Sleep still evades me. I check the clock, hoping the reality of the time will make me sleepy; it’s now four ‘o clock.

I’m not alone in this sleepless plight. In high school, I’d often meet my mother in the kitchen in the middle of the night. Either she’d be sleeping on the couch and would hear me sneak into the kitchen for some cold water, or she’d be in the kitchen, hunched over the newspaper, spooning Life cereal into her mouth with a glazed look in her eyes. Her eyes would brighten though when she saw she had company. We’d often sit for awhile, each with our bowl of cereal.
“Can’t sleep?” She’d ask.
“No! I think I’m anxious about tomorrow.”
“Don’t worry—you’ll do fine.”
“And you?” I ask.
“I’m too hot!” she’d respond. “And I don’t want to wake your father.”
Sometimes, we’d turn on the TV and watch some low budget sitcom with no-name actors, or we’d put on a movie. But usually, she’d go back to the couch, and me to my room. Both of us somewhat comforted by the shared experience.

I also remember my grandpa’s bought with sleeplessness. When I was in elementary school, I spent a week one summer at my grandparent’s house. I had to sleep in the guest room with the double bed because the other guest room with the single bed was Grandpa’s spill over room when he couldn’t sleep. He also suffered from Restless Leg Syndrome. I remember waking up to him pounding his legs on the floor to ward off the feeling of ants crawling on his legs. He’d often sleep so poorly, that he would need a nap by 10:00 the following morning.

Potato for the Go

Today, as I was walking by one of the friendly, overly flirtatious noodle seller, he was carrying a big tin bucket of steamed potatoes. He insisted I take one, and then gave me grief when I hesitated for so long. I decided I should be polite, so I grabbed a small potato, about the size of a plum. "That small potato! That's not okay!" the man scolded me. So, I grudgingly took a bigger potato, more the size of a banana. The potato had just been steamed and was piping hot in my hand. I asked noodle man how I should eat it; he said to just peel it and enjoy. In fact, I don't really like potatoes, and what does one do with a lone, steamed potato? Alas, it sits in my fridge and awaits its inevitable end. But, the potato is a symbol of hospitality in China; it reminds me of how the gate-keeper waves her bowl of half-eaten rice and cabbage at me whenever I walk by and insists I eat with her. Or the way the vegetable seller throws some extra garlic and pepper in my plastic bag for good measure. Yes, this lone potato, until it rots and smells up the fridge at least, will remind me of such grand hospitality in this little corner of China.

Out to Dine

Last night, our team met for supper at the front gate of our school. Most of us taught late afternoon classes and the thought of having dinner together seemed like a great motivation to help get us through those slow afternoon periods.

We chose one of our regular restaurants--one of the nicer restaurants that has a door, menus, decor, and air conditioning. We had just ordered our food, when we noticed our Chinese friends' husband sitting by himself only one table over. This friend of ours is currently studying for her phD in another Chinese city and lives away from her family until she finishes her degree. So, this friend's husband made his way over to us and greeted our team-mates' baby. He then made his way back to his table where it appeared he was eating alone.

In America, I would immediately think that we should invite him to join our table for supper, but here in China, I wasn't sure if it was appropriate or now. I mentioned it to my team, and they all seemed to think it was culturally "okay" to invite him to join us. So, our team leader (the one guy with us) agreed to invite him over. The man did not take much convincing and quickly joined us. We combined the food he ordered (frog) with our dishes (not frog). We talked somewhat freely although a little strained because of some translation issues.

When our "separate" bills came, the waitress stapled them together and gave both bills to our Chinese friend. That was quite embarrassing and we tried to get our bill from him, but we were too slow and he was already shoving money at the waitress for both bills. Grr, he played it off by saying, "Next time, you treat me." Yes, the next time we all happen to randomly be at the same restaurant, we will be sure to treat him!

The Name Game

The following is a taste of what the foreign teachers experience when they’re trying to help their students choose suitable English names:

1. I’m sorry Mervin; I know you’re not satisfied with your English name, but I’m not going to allow you to change it to Captain.

2. I didn’t hear you clearly. Did you say your name was Odelette? How do you spell that? (from my team-mate Caroline's student)

3. No, your former teacher did not tell me your English name is strange. I’m telling you your name is strange. I know you want to have Sunshine in your heart everyday, but being named Sunshine is not going to facilitate that.

Student Cards

We start our classes on Monday. I was just looking over some of the profile cards that students made for their former foreign teacher. The last part of the card includes a place for students to introduce themselves to their foreign teacher. In general, the students seem interested in traveling, reading, singing, and sports. Some of the girl students would end their card by including, “And I love you.” One student drew a little smiley, cartoon ant and underneath it wrote, “Isn’t it lovely?” I’m including a few of my other personal favorites:

“I like eating junk food. I dislike rice because I have eaten it for many years. I hope everyone has a nice future.”

“I felt very exciting that you are my English teacher. for my first day here. I saw you. You talked with others. The smile in your face moved me. I believe we can become good friends. I want to know more about you. So. I come near to you. Can you give me a chance? (So many word in my heart. So small the card.)

“I’m not a shy girl. I believe in myself. I tell me in the bottom of my heart. Go Go.”

Earrings

When I wear big earrings (excluding one pair of big pink hoop earrings) people pretty consistently guess that I'm from Russia. They are generally very surprised when I disclose that I'm American.

Charades ... no words needed

9/01/09
The other night, I was taking a bus with my Chinese friend downtown. We were both going downtown, but for different purposes. She was going to a meeting, and I was going to the supermarket. After enjoying a pleasant conversation with her on the bus, mostly in English, we got off the bus together. Instantly, the bus "English stalkers," who had been sitting near us, moved in, seemingly "unaware" of the other's intention. One middle-aged woman was at my friends' side, asking her how she spoke English so well. The other, was at my side, starting with the ever-foreboding, "Excuse me, are you an English teacher?" Just like that, my friend and I were cut off from each other, thereby giving the "stalkers" the upper edge. While my friend and her "stalker" were a few steps ahead, I followed close behind, hardly able to hear my thoughts under the onslaught of trite questions being hurled at me like a freight train afraid of stopping for fear of wasting time. What I do remember from the conversation was that this boy had just graduated from the University and was taking one of the English tests to study abroad. Ahh, I couldn't catch much more than that as my mind was swirling with how to get to the supermarket in one piece while still maintaining principles of brotherly / sisterly kindness. At just that moment, my friend's "stalker" left her and she was able to see the predicament I was in. The persistent "stalker" asked where I was going. I foolishly told him the Supermarket. "Wow" he said excitedly. "I will accompany you. This is my chance, a great opportunity for me." "Ah," I cringed under my skin. At that moment, I wanted to be very direct with this boy and explain how very rude and overbearing he was being. But, I couldn't even think straight, and I didn't know how to escape the situation. I started to speak Chinese with him; it didn't work. Finally, I put my hands up to my head like I had just gotten a terrible migraine, and I cringed my face a little like I was about to cry. The effect worked; "stalker boy" asked, "I'm sorry, did something I say interrupt you?" I continued the expression; it was the only thing communicating better than my words could. The expression also spoke loudly to my Chinese friend who took over handling the situation for me; she explained to "stalker" that I didn't know him and it was uncomfortable for me to go with a stranger to the Supermarket. Being suddenly struck by either his own awkwardness or the tempermentalness of this foreigner, he turned around quickly and walked the other way.