tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48930377303318187862011-06-08T14:19:21.383+08:00WHAT COULD BE FINA THAN LIVING IN CHINAWCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.comBlogger801100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-19996557216061925862007-10-21T23:32:00.000+08:002007-10-21T23:34:55.110+08:00

Anderson Cooper is, get this, TOO BRAVE for his own good. Geeze, my boyfriend is the greatest!

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-77319292766166335012007-10-16T21:37:00.000+08:002007-10-16T22:56:27.750+08:00

ok, much to update from this summer, but I've been procrastinating because there's SO much to write about. Procrastinating for a few months now... so it's better just to jump in, fill you in on what's going on these days, and gradually I'll go back and fill in about this summer. So without further adieu:I'm teaching more than last term, 14 hours a week at SDU with 5 additional hours at Shandong

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-41396844315335657642007-09-29T16:51:00.000+08:002007-10-20T17:08:37.944+08:00

New York Times' 2nd part of the series can be found here."China has about 7 percent of the world’s water resources and roughly 20 percent of its population. It also has a severe regional water imbalance, with about four-fifths of the water supply in the south...'In Israel, people regard water as more important than life itself,' he said. 'In Shijiazhuang, it’s not that way. People are focused on

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-12941129583210704342007-09-14T01:49:00.000+08:002007-10-17T01:53:31.372+08:00

In my very 1st class of the semester, 1 of my students asked me, in front of everyone, what a crack whore was.Another student asked if I ever get lonely in China. I said yeah, a little, but I have lots of friends here, and I talk to my friends at home, so it's not too bad. Then he says, "The next time you feel lonely, can I buy you a drank?"

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-89452078947973730372007-08-26T16:32:00.000+08:002007-10-20T16:49:32.127+08:00

New York Times is running a series on the pollution crisis in China. Check out Part I here."President Hu Jintao's most ambitious attempt to change the culture of fast-growth collapsed this year. The project, known as “Green G.D.P.,” was an effort to create an environmental yardstick for evaluating the performance of every official in China. It recalculated gross domestic product, or G.D.P., to

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-15535506749790611712007-07-28T00:00:00.000+08:002007-07-28T00:04:51.347+08:00

Hello to all of my beloved fans-This is a temporary message to say that I haven't forgotten WCBF. Between a dead computer and preparing to travel for a bit, it's been nearly impossible to update. Check back soon, ya'll, I've got lots of backdated words of wisdom which I'll be adding asap.

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-21062371157635167372007-07-19T02:51:00.000+08:002007-10-17T03:58:09.224+08:00

It rained yesterday. I didn't take any pictures, as I was busy sprinting across campus in a white t-shirt to make it to an appointment that was canceled for obvious reasons, but I lifted some pix off the internets. Yesterday was the biggest rainstorm Jinan has seen. EVER. Or at least since 1912, when they began keeping track. Depends who you ask, but anywhere from 30-50 people died within Jinan,

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-18141598775960027902007-07-10T03:00:00.000+08:002007-10-17T03:17:41.111+08:00

Scandalous! A head party member in Jinan had his mistress's car blown up. Some graphic pictures online, like, her arm in the middle of the road and stuff. So I guess I won't be infiltrating the party that way...

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-14182090733615131352007-07-09T23:28:00.000+08:002007-10-16T23:52:01.725+08:00

You may or may not remember that I was interviewed for a newspaper article this past spring. The article turned out pretty nicely, complete with a colored picture of yours truly. I don't have a scanner, so you'll have to use your imagination.Since then, news of my awesomeness has spread. I'm teaching an intensive English course for the next 2 weeks to students who will soon head off to UCLA for

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-5110093347261319382007-07-02T23:57:00.000+08:002007-10-17T00:59:52.785+08:00

I turned my final grades in today. Yaaaaay! Happy summer! As I was leaving, one of the office workers ran up to me. "Amanda! Did you turn in your grades?""Yes, just now.""Did you collect your final pay?""Yup. Thanks!""So what will you do this summer?"She's young and pleasant and seemed friendly enough, but I was kind of taken aback, as this was more interaction than we'd had all semester.

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-40300000266477923232007-06-29T20:31:00.000+08:002007-10-17T00:13:32.719+08:00

**Warning: Cheese and rambling ahead**I didn't really have anything to give my students a final exam on. We had done work throughout the semester, but most of the "English" lessons were really lessons on something else, improving our English as we went along. Instead I decided to have short 1-on-1 meetings with my students to discuss what they learned and enjoyed from the class. It would also be

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-83736923547686834812007-06-27T23:56:00.000+08:002007-07-18T01:22:46.492+08:00

I get a few podcasts for free, including Best Week Ever and NBC Nightly News. With my mind-numbingly slow (and free!) internet, it would seriously take 8 hours to download the half hour news program. More importantly, my slow internet was preventing me from keeping in touch with people at home as much as I wanted to, so it had to G-O go. (Old internet speed, download @ 8.98 kbps, upload @ 9.48

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-48565469808279526282007-06-26T23:55:00.000+08:002007-07-17T00:17:36.524+08:00

My [Chinese!] friend Sean will be going back to the UK to study in the next few weeks. Technically, he was originally Josh and Brad's Chinese Friend, though. Each foreigner is entitled to his or her very own Chinese Friend. If a foreigner should claim someone as His or Her Chinese Friend, he or she has effectively called "dibs," and no other foreigner may claim said Chinese Friend as his or her

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-28915316710878942342007-06-25T03:09:00.000+08:002007-07-16T22:45:36.528+08:00

My 4 month mark in China brought higher highs and lower lows than my 1st 2 months here. I found myself pleasantly surprised when things felt normal, though by normal I mean not Chinese, perhaps even Western-like. My Chinese is improving, though dreadfully slowly. I ended up being pretty dissatisfied with the class I was taking. It was taught like a typical Chinese class. Rather than being taught

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-91061960161088470932007-06-22T20:34:00.000+08:002007-07-09T13:04:21.831+08:00

I know, I've written more than usual about teaching lately. There's not much else going on. I may teach an intensive English course in July with a Chinese woman, though they originally wanted 2 foreigners. Why do they have to settle for "just" me (hmmpf!)? Because in a week, I'll be the only foreign teacher at my university. Things have been pretty quiet here to say the least, and the smallest

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-41034673009060098732007-06-21T03:21:00.000+08:002007-07-09T12:51:56.300+08:00

When I worked in America, I once asked someone for their cellphone number (it was relevant and sort of necessary). She responded, "Oh, haha, I don't get paid enough to give that out." As Americans, we relish our privacy. Maybe that's why reality voyeur television is so popular; getting to see people's private lives is so uncommon, we eat it up when it's offered. I see where she's coming from, I

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-13244868246227170332007-06-20T16:46:00.000+08:002007-07-08T23:52:13.179+08:00

Last Friday's English class was possibly the best I've had yet, but I've started to question how things were going. I talked a LOT this semester about high/low context languages and high/low contact cultures. Was I moving forward enough while reinforcing information, or did my students feel like I was teaching them the same thing over and over again? Tonight would be my last class, as I'm giving

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-76460995810264069452007-06-19T03:56:00.000+08:002007-07-08T04:33:16.266+08:00

because on this day (s)he has created a miracle.LOOK WHAT I CAN ACCESS NOW!!!!!!!11!1Unless I try to view this page, this page, or this page. Natch.... though flickr is blocked, and blogger is still inaccessible (though obviously, not entirely).If I were in control of China's censorship, though, the first pages I would block would be those like this one, which are totally viewable. No? Isn't that

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-5220775299192566142007-06-18T03:11:00.000+08:002007-07-08T04:32:54.782+08:00

The foreigners are dropping like flies here. Out of my posse from this spring, I'm quickly going to be the only one left. Last night we held another goodbye celebration by going out to my favorite restaurant in town, a Buddhist vegetarian place. Mostly Europeans and a couple Americans. We played a rousing game of zhege. Americans picked from page 1 of the menu, French got page 2, Spaniards page 3

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-70189272068219800072007-06-15T03:07:00.000+08:002007-07-03T02:11:56.148+08:00

Dear Sirs:Let me start off by saying that you work really hard, probably harder than most people do here. And your living arrangements are less than ideal (buildings on the left), and I'm sure your life isn't easy. You've made a lot of progress on the building next to mine in the months I've been here!That being said, I have a few constructive criticisms. I understand that you prefer to leave the

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-2235224180829181582007-06-14T20:32:00.000+08:002007-07-03T01:38:59.133+08:00

I know what would make my students happy, and I know how they want me to teach. I don't know much, but in my crash course as a teacher, I've learned that what I view as the best method of teaching English is pretty different than Chinese pedagogy.My engineering students are so boring, I want to pull my hair out. They're all very nice and make me feel very welcome, but they just all sit there,

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-23919185287743372202007-06-13T20:33:00.000+08:002007-07-01T15:53:19.045+08:00

At the beginning of the semester, when both I and my students were getting our bearings, shall we say, a fellow teacher lent me Doing Culture. The premise of the book is that we should attempt to "do" a new culture, rather than "understand" it on a more 2-dimensional level, and I found myself essentially using the book as an outline for my class. They all wanted me to teach them American culture,

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-11411667415207833922007-06-12T20:35:00.000+08:002007-06-30T02:16:37.302+08:00

Today I met with a student who's here for the summer from my American university. I'd love to have been able to help him with his transition to China, but, oh yeah, he's lived in China for 5 years and is fluent in Mandarin. So when we met for lunch, I found myself asking him questions much more than the opposite. He's here to examine the enforcement of environmental policy in China, among other

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-15960974887649492112007-06-11T20:40:00.000+08:002007-06-28T12:02:15.511+08:00

2 of my students were out of town for a few weeks, acting as tour guides of some sort for visitors from Mongolia. They were back in class on Friday, and I asked them to tell the class a little about their experience, the language barrier, and cultural differences. Not surprisingly, they focused on food. The Mongolians introduced new dishes to their hosts, and vice versa. My students found some of

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-12737578953919082392007-06-08T00:24:00.000+08:002007-06-18T01:22:44.235+08:00

The semester is quickly drawing to a close. After this evening, I only have 2 weeks of teaching left, and though that means there'll be some financial cutbacks, I must say I'm eager for summer break. Semesters are long here, and it's pretty clear that attention spans are starting to dwindle. When taking attendance this evening, I was told by a student that 2 of his classmates were absent because

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-17557334470738258002007-06-07T20:38:00.000+08:002007-06-18T00:24:21.279+08:00

There are a few housing options available for teachers here, my complex being a pretty decent option. It's also, if you teach on this campus, the most convenient. Just so we're clear, in all seriousness I HAVE A VERY NICE APARTMENT, AND I AM VERY FORTUNATE TO LIVE HERE, but there are a few things that I wouldn't mind saying goodbye to.My office is on South Campus, a half hour commute door-to-door

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-52405801117440887422007-06-06T23:03:00.000+08:002007-06-14T02:02:12.715+08:00

Last week it rained twice, which was a nice change of pace, as it reaches the mid 30s most days. This is noteworthy because it has only rained 3 times since March, and it seemed quite strange to have a completely dry spring. I think everyone was a bit relieved to see the downpour, but they avoided it at all costs. It's funny, people on bikes aren't afraid of darting in front of a speeding bus,

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-59826071052404514892007-06-05T00:01:00.000+08:002007-06-13T00:02:11.853+08:00

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-32511777931489483112007-06-04T03:11:00.000+08:002007-06-12T23:34:18.955+08:00

A company wanted to build a toxic chemical factory in Xiamen, Fujian, which was expected to bring in about 80 million RMB for the city. Because that's some serious cash, the local government approved the construction, but environmentalists were less than thrilled that it would be built only a few km from the center of the city. By last Thursday, the government placed a temporary halt on the

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-84045179676649993182007-06-01T19:02:00.000+08:002007-06-05T19:08:51.269+08:00

Funniest English jokes!! According to some students...A man goes to a restaurant and says, "I will have the soup." The soup comes, and there is a fly in it! He says, "Waiter, there is a fly in my soup!" The waiter looks and says, "Yes there is."(Chorus of laughter, students take a moment to regain their composure)How many steps does it take to put a giraffe in the refrigerator?3: open the door,

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-56104899622809363452007-05-31T00:16:00.000+08:002007-06-05T18:54:44.792+08:00

My office is in the Geotechnical Engineering Department, not for much reason in particular. My work is not specifically for the GED or Engineering, but everyone there has been very welcoming and insisted that I am now part of the Geotechnical Engineering "family." So when they asked if I would teach a 2 hour English class once a week, I was happy to oblige. After 2 sessions, it's apparent that

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-10995592104973164262007-05-30T00:17:00.000+08:002007-06-05T18:56:50.753+08:00

Like my blog? (yes. love.) Interested in more fun internets about China? (duh.) Here are some of my favorites.Sinocidal If 5 frat guys moved to China, this is probably what they would write. Sometimes garners a "tsk, that's awful!" and they can sound a little bitter about living here. All in good fun, though. (sometimes NSFW)Example of awesomnessEastSouthWestNorth Roland Soong of Hong Kong

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-31136976614861833462007-05-29T23:07:00.000+08:002007-05-31T01:09:01.606+08:00

I've seen a few "K-TV" signs around town, and I seriously thought it was a local station with a bizarrely high number of studios around Jinan. HA! So wrong. It's karaoke. Now, not to toot my own horn or anything, but I can sing pretty well. However... I don't... sing... in public. As an ex voice major and a bit of a perfectionist, the idea of casually singing in front of my friends without a

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-46874211283957685762007-05-28T01:02:00.000+08:002007-05-30T02:59:31.890+08:00

Today as I was walking home from the south gate where my taxi always drops me off each day (which always pisses me off, because the guards' sole purpose seems to be, "Don't let the foreigners' cabs drive through. The Chinese students' cabs? That's cool"), I heard Chinese pop music playing in the distance. I got to thinking about how strange it is that there's so little western music here. I

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-37734526715306531142007-05-14T21:30:00.000+08:002007-05-22T01:25:32.533+08:00

Went out to lunch with a few female foreign students here. They hadn't been to Jenny's yet and seemed excited at the prospect of western food. When we sat down, "Pinky," who has never told us her Russian name, spots a bottle of ketchup, picks it up and looks at me and says, "Ketchup! Progress!" Because you know, that's way more forward-thinking than soy sauce. She loves anything American. When

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-23320431426570139502007-05-11T02:32:00.000+08:002007-05-22T01:27:57.218+08:00

The quarantine's been lifted and I can now open my left eye. HA! Nice try, China, better luck next time! Did spend most of the week in hiding, though.I've been talking with my class about personal interaction, and tonight we discussed "small talk." What's appropriate, what's not, and how all this varies between cultures. I said that for the most part we do not discuss politics and religion with

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-52029699908149481952007-05-09T21:33:00.000+08:002007-05-19T19:22:36.936+08:00

Do you like Chinese food? The first question Americans asked when they learned of my plans happens to be the first question the Chinese ask when we meet. Yes, I like Chinese food. Once you come to visit, you'll discover that there's a lot more to it than chicken lo mein.It seems as if everyone is eating constantly. Vendors line the streets, and it's not uncommon to see business people walking

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-27422607992272548672007-05-08T21:28:00.000+08:002007-05-18T01:59:40.935+08:00

Please excuse WCBF from school and all extracurricular activities, on account of the fact that she may be a carrier for some freakish eye disease. And because I would scare small children.Sincerely,WCBF's eyelidps Don't you worry 'bout a thing... I basically brought an entire western pharmacy with me, so I have appropriate eyedrops (I think), and thanks to modern technology could email my doctor.

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-10425875158774279462007-05-07T22:11:00.000+08:002007-05-17T04:11:57.915+08:00

Paula and I spent most of Saturday at Golden Pebble Beach. It took us about 2 hours to get there, because we had to find the train station and then spent a good while looking for the bus we were told to take, but it turns out it's actually a local train, and meanwhile people are chasing after us, tugging on our clothes, yelling "Xi'an? Shanghai? This bus go to Beijing! Beijing very nice! You want

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-10909122511644375012007-05-04T22:10:00.000+08:002007-05-16T01:34:05.934+08:00

I wrote this entry TWICE already, but thanks to the awesome combination of my s-l-o-w internet that makes me want to kill myself and China internet in general, it disappeared. So, here we go again.Paula asked me a few days ago if I'd like to go to Dalian with her, which was great since I've been getting a little antsy here. Paula is a [slightly] older American here, originally from my home state

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-71293023027226244442007-05-03T22:03:00.000+08:002007-05-11T01:30:41.238+08:00

Checked 2 more places off the list of "must sees" in Jinan this evening. It's funny how different things are when we don't have to teach or show up for class at 8 in the morning! First stop was WeiWei's, which isn't terribly unique, but a lot of foreigner teachers usually go there on nights that I teach. Because I'm still remotely concerned about my coolness level (but really, what's the point),

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-9465148025863397542007-05-02T22:07:00.000+08:002007-05-10T23:10:47.418+08:00

Tonight there was a get together at Kiwi Corner (Korner?), a foreigners' hangout a block or so from campus. Although one of the owners lives in my building, it was my first time there, as there's apparently a great divide between Kiwi Corner customers and Jenny's Cafe customers (the other foreign café in town), and my social circles tend to stick with Jenny's. Who knew.I was able to meet some of

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-59367019612736771392007-05-01T22:09:00.000+08:002007-05-10T01:02:17.221+08:00

I spent the late afternoon exploring areas of Jinan I haven't seen yet. We went shopping in one of the typical places around town. In China, most stores are either teeeeeny tiny or are giant warehouses with booths and stands that spill out onto the street. We stuck with the latter. These places are filled with clothes, jewelry, tupperware, sink faucets, whatever. Although I could probably find

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-13732803434820957202007-04-30T02:49:00.000+08:002007-05-09T02:31:10.998+08:00

This weekend I explored the Hutongs behind War-Ma. Hutongs are old neighborhoods, made up of adobe-like houses each connected to one another, forming a series of tiny alleyways. In most big cities much of the Hutongs have been torn down to make room for skyscrapers. Though a few have been preserved, it's quite sad. These people live on so little, were probably raised in the same tiny house that

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-38414898926096706952007-04-27T01:01:00.000+08:002007-05-06T12:40:49.533+08:00

Since my students begged me for movies earlier in the term, I figured the last Friday night before break would be a good time to let them chill out. I brought in a few movies, from which they chose A Prairie Home Companion but then decided a half hour in that it was boring and could they please watch something else. Everyone said that Chinese students sit quietly and act like they are happy and

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-2544047895354250112007-04-26T00:55:00.000+08:002007-05-05T15:03:22.692+08:00

While most of the US is getting ready for summer, my spring break begins Monday. The CCP gives the entire country the week off for Labor Day(s), and in return we're all happy workers the rest of the year. Because noone has to work, they all go on vacation. At the same time. If I had the power to decide when billions of people would take their vacay, I'd divy it up a little bit. Anyway, all of

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-51452991819061026162007-04-25T00:44:00.000+08:002007-04-28T11:30:51.617+08:00

Ok so I'm trying to keep up with the trends in America, and I think I'm still pretty with it. Sanjaya out, Mom jeans freakishly in (although it should be said that I totally support high-wasted pants when they're worn correctly), lipgloss for everybody. However, this is clearly the best thing to come out of America since the internet:OMG thank you. This is all I need to justify not 1 but 2 terms

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-81715786760504252002007-04-24T22:32:00.000+08:002007-05-05T15:12:27.669+08:00

Well, today marks my second month-iversary with China. At times I totally think we're going to break up, but then something happens that makes me fall in love with stupid China all over again. I lived in Vienna for half a year, and it's a little disheartening to think of how far along I was after 2 months there compared to here. While it feels like it's been so long since I left home, everything

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-44528420908028727282007-04-23T21:49:00.000+08:002007-05-05T15:27:03.268+08:00

When it comes to grocery shopping, there's a few different directions you can go here. You can buy your produce, eggs, and tofu from the wagon/portable booth on the street corner. Sure, the eggs still have bits of straw sticking to them and you have to lookout for wormholes on the tomatoes (if they have them that day; availability varies), but it's inexpensive and fresh and I really appreciate

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-14143768977899133222007-04-20T23:01:00.000+08:002007-05-05T15:28:47.549+08:00

is how long it takes to become famous in China.I received a phone call today from a journalist, who said she "heard of my teaching" and wanted to write an article about my methodology and how amazing I am. I was a bit surprised since I'm certainly not the only foreign English teacher here, but for whatever reason she called me, so there we are. I told her I was happy to oblige and that she was

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-61808515476962905312007-04-19T00:19:00.000+08:002007-05-05T15:30:04.839+08:00

I've avoided putting up pictures of my apartment because it's not ready for public viewing yet. However, after trying unsuccessfully to come up with decorating ideas on my own, I'm turning the floor over to you. Being beautiful people who appreciate beautiful things, I'm hoping you may have some advice.For instance, if your couch was made of this:and your curtains were made of this:What color

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-51789483692086621102007-04-18T02:21:00.000+08:002007-04-23T04:08:36.650+08:00

Received this text message today:Going to a beijing punk rock band show. Should b a unique cultural experience. 9oclock. Interested?Response:HELL YES I AM SO IN. Not being the Chinese-punk-rock type myself, I was stumped as to what one wears to such an event, so I googled it-- what to wear punk rock china. I was pretty sure that searching for this on the internet was very unpunk, but so is

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-28223357341887691942007-04-16T21:47:00.000+08:002007-04-23T04:36:03.100+08:00

Now that you've seen where I work in the afternoons, here's a look at where I usually spend the rest of my time. I give you New West-East Campus:South Gate, the main entrance of campus, where I catch my daily $1.50 cab rideupon entering the South Gate, this building is straight ahead of you....this building is to your left...and this building is on your right.I'm not sure what any of these

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-27112786912324020042007-04-13T03:21:00.000+08:002007-05-05T15:40:58.130+08:00

I only teach like, 4 hours a week. I had been told that it would be 8 hours, but that's China. Since I'm teaching this class from scratch, and since this is my 1st time teaching, I've had to put a lot of work into it, despite the few paid hours. So I've talked a lot about my class here, though realistically it's not that much of my day-to-day life here. Anyway.I had a KILLER lesson plan for the

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-36330487872863174152007-04-11T02:07:00.000+08:002007-05-05T15:45:40.809+08:00

After being here for almost 2 months (how is that possible?), I suffered through my very first I Hate China Day. Actually, it's basically been this entire week, and it's totally sucked.Contributing factors as to why I hated China:-I was sick with a cold so bad that I was nearly unable to leave the house.-My parents are visiting my sister in NYC this week. They're all excited, as it's their first

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-41074148153593017112007-04-09T01:32:00.000+08:002007-05-05T15:51:58.268+08:00

Shandong University has a handful of campuses, most in Jinan but a few are elsewhere. Personally, I think my boss set up shop on the wrong one, seeing as we could have been in Qingdao, a rather large beach town not far from here. Perhaps you know it by the old spelling, Tsingtao? Yes like the beer; years and years ago German colonists (?) set up shop there, and they've certainly left their

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-1561317447497376412007-04-08T21:28:00.000+08:002007-04-12T23:46:08.026+08:00

for the 4 bug bites on my face.and thank you, France, for the champagne that sponsored my Easter celebrations today. No eggs, no jelly beans, but we had mimosas, which is basically the whole point of a brunch-centric holiday.

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-63886744253882983512007-04-07T00:20:00.000+08:002007-05-05T15:58:24.471+08:00

The most amazing thing has happened! Yesterday evening, I began class by telling my students about the harrowing misadventures I experienced at the super high tech wonderland. My students refuse to use their brains, and when they can't remember something in English, rather than thinking of an alternative word, they'll just look it up in their dictionaries. Their English is good enough that this

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-58285552385343673382007-04-06T00:12:00.000+08:002007-05-05T16:07:00.741+08:00

HTESFTMThe other day I needed to make copies for my students, and the guy whose office is next to mine insisted on having the department copy them for me. Very nice of him, but by the sounds coming out of the "copy room" and the quality of the xeroxes themselves, I'm pretty sure the copy machine was built by Gutenberg himself. I decided to nix the whole thing and from now on hook up my computer

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-18150891674789208472007-04-05T20:40:00.000+08:002007-05-05T16:10:06.028+08:00

Spring has sprung in China!The past few days have been the days that I wait for all year: the sun is out for what feels like the first time since August, the air smells fresh, and I feel energized, invigorated, and ready to take on whatever the day holds for me. The locals seem to be as excited about this as I am. Every tree is in bloom, and there always seems to be at least one person standing

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-58549088688599215582007-03-28T21:57:00.000+08:002007-05-05T16:18:16.866+08:00

I was pleased with the way my first class had gone, but I hoped that from now on, the students would be able to focus a little more on their English and a little less on kissing my ass. We had gotten into an interesting discussion about homosexuality (they brought it up and pushed the issue, I swear!), which surprised me. I had been told to avoid controversial issues at all times, and while

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-59981282246093375062007-03-28T12:28:00.000+08:002007-04-11T12:49:47.077+08:00

I still can't get my stove to turn on (above), but since it scares me, I'm kind of ok with leaving it off. It scares me because yes, that's a gas tank, yes, it's attached to my stove, and yes, if anyone in the world would be able to blow up a kitchen thanks to their exposed gas tank, it would totally be me. So for the time being, I'll leave it off and just use the coolest electric kettle in the

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-55746357784443221892007-03-27T19:08:00.000+08:002007-05-05T16:25:04.276+08:00

I originally brought way too much stuff to China with me. All of this stuff (shoes, skirts, extra makeup) was of course absolutely necessary, but I had to leave most of it in Beijing on account of the weight limit for Chinese domestic flights (20 kilo? Are you kidding?). My aunt and uncle kindly volunteered to send my stuff to me, and I arrived in Jinan with just a few days worth of clothing etc,

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-9974126868946432622007-03-26T19:27:00.000+08:002007-05-05T16:27:40.619+08:00

Since my traveler's visa expired last Saturday, I decided it was high time to make myself legal. A young woman working in the International Office went as my translator to get the physical required for a worker's visa. She insisted we go to the clinic at 7:15, which was great because then we got to sit around for 45 minutes until it opened. Eventually I spoke (avec translator) with a

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-59689515644116520762007-03-22T12:34:00.000+08:002007-05-05T16:31:55.940+08:00

Just so you're all clued into the life and times of ME, I'm taking Chinese class here. Actually, 2 classes. Actually, for 20 hours a week. For those who remember my stellar attendance record in college [motto: if I can get an A in your lecture and only go 3 times, I should be praised, not penalized], you won't be too surprised to discover that it's not exactly easy for me to show up for class at

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-80528665684655240502007-03-21T22:52:00.000+08:002007-05-05T16:33:55.497+08:00

Late breaking news bulletin:China has blocked me from accessing anything blogger, xanga, livejournal, etc related. Also, no Wiki. Obviously, I can edit my own blog, but I can't read it, which makes perfect sense, because if I could read what I wrote, I would totally rebel against the CCP.or something.Anyway. The blockade is particularly tragic because, as we all know, I'm quite a fan of stogging

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-3149934161377057702007-03-18T11:59:00.000+08:002007-05-05T16:39:09.763+08:00

Went out last night to celebrate St. Patrick's day. I looked everywhere for these but found no success, despite the fact that there is more plastic crap for sale in China than I have ever encountered in my entire life:ps will you be my boyfriend?After an appearance at the "Foreign Kids' Party," which is much cooler than at home since we're not all Indian engineers and Korean violinists (kidding,

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-1559564021049079402007-03-17T21:11:00.000+08:002007-05-05T16:42:15.010+08:00

Dear China,Hey! What's up? I just wanted to send you a quick note to say Happy New Year! There are a lot of reasons to celebrate this one. I mean this is the year of the pig, which is supposed to bring good luck to all of us! Did you know that I'm a pig? Yeah, 1983. Cool, huh?Also, thanks for the nightly celebratory fireworks. Really. I was worried I wouldn't get to listen to them any more, since

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-27608283192582777592007-03-14T20:42:00.000+08:002007-05-05T16:45:01.618+08:00

Was told this morning that my first English class would be... tonight! Making the discovery Day Of meant that I was throwing things together last minute. Typical, both of me and China. I'll be teaching oral English for 2 hours, 2 evenings a week, which is great since I'm pretty much dead to the world until mid-morning, anyway.Tonight I arrived for class 20 minutes early (whaaa? I know.) to find

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-51556491199222657722007-03-13T22:48:00.000+08:002007-05-05T16:46:52.163+08:00

As promised, one of the guys from my hometown took me to the local sketchy DVD place this afternoon. It was basically amazing.We go in this electronics store, which, by the looks of it, doesn't sell many electronics. Walking past the employees, we go into the backroom and climb up these stairs, where we find this long hallway of closed doors. A young girl stands lookout. At this point I'm pretty

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-62171586662396530892007-03-12T14:57:00.000+08:002007-05-05T16:50:53.585+08:00

Over the weekend, the couple who live in the apartment below mine invited me down to tea. No crumpets, but they did have dried seaweed, the taste of which is growing on me. Since they both DJ as a hobby and “practice” every day, I kiiind of wanted to hate them (why no headphones, guys?), but unfortunately they were very nice. We went out to dinner with a few other people from our building, and

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-46797384855273679552007-03-11T01:51:00.000+08:002007-05-05T16:52:00.962+08:00

Since I can't figure out how to work my stove, I spent tonight's dinner money on wine glasses. Real classy!

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-87333593976898964902007-03-07T20:59:00.000+08:002007-05-05T16:52:56.971+08:00

From today's local English paper, China Daily:-A Harmonious World in Theory and Practice (thanks to China)-Ridding Poverty in Numbers (in China)-Win-win Foreign Policy (China's)And my personal favorite…-Man on Moon Quite Possible in 15 Years!!What could be fina, indeed!

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-80891666159484232312007-03-04T20:06:00.000+08:002007-03-11T14:33:34.799+08:00

It snowed today. It hasn’t snowed here this late in the season since 1951.Yesterday it rained for the first time in almost six months, so needless to say, everyone was quite concerned about the weather and the impending apocalypse.The Chinese who attended the college fair pretty much just wanted to know about rankings and test score minimums, so it was pretty boring.Highlights included:- Students

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-19943987709290816112007-03-03T18:50:00.000+08:002007-05-05T13:31:14.381+08:00

The Chinese International Education… something something was a college fair held in Beijing this weekend, and I met up with a delegation from my home university to act as a representative. There was an estimated attendance of 55,000 people (over 2 days). I'll spare you the details but know that it was basically the hottest, stuffiest, smelliest, noisiest day of my life.

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-55178016386866913642007-03-02T23:59:00.000+08:002007-03-11T02:17:29.234+08:00

Tonight my aunt and uncle took me to their favorite expat pub. Some of their friends came, and there was a good band... they even let me play drums!and then I made some German friends....and clearly drank too much.What more could a girl ask for?

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-43398527848802147162007-03-01T22:18:00.000+08:002007-05-05T18:43:16.554+08:00

This morning my aunt and I caught the flag raising ceremony at sunrise in Tiananmen Square. I figured there wouldn't be many people there, since it's a daily event, it's off-season, and we'd probably be the only people awake in Beijing. WRONG! There were already thousands of people there, all invading each other's personal space to get a good view of the flagpole. Really, the only people who

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-7486374045349623102007-02-28T23:20:00.000+08:002007-03-07T21:52:07.630+08:00

was the name of the Chinese Acrobat show I saw tonight. They were aiming for "Spirit." It reminded me of the Cirque, but lower budget, with a super-awesome synthesized soundtrack. The Senior Citizens group in front of us were fighting over a flask and started to leave 20 minutes before the show was over. And by "started to leave," I mean they stood up in front of us, looked around, and talked to

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-77514213447545921722007-02-25T03:20:00.000+08:002007-03-13T22:58:16.692+08:00

Well, my journey began with some drama (surprise). Upon check-in, I was asked for my return ticket, which I haven't purchased yet. Even if I had, it wouldn't do me much good, except to prove that I plan on being a wetback in China as of next week. Anyway, so I told the chick at the counter that I hadn't bought a return ticket."Well you can't get in if you don't have a way out.""I just haven't

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4893037730331818786.post-56492070246745818652007-02-24T10:33:00.000+08:002007-03-18T21:06:06.181+08:00

A lot of people have been asking me the same questions about my current agenda. Hopefully this will straighten out some confusion.You're moving to China?!? Why?Big thangs goin down in China these days, so having this under my belt should help my career as an international woman of mystery. Also, I need a little adventure in my life.What will you do there?I'll be working for my US university,

WCBFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09804171060719118127noreply@blogger.com0