Updates

They will be slow- I'm going to attempt to do them tomorrow. 

I have had lots of pictures. Please look at these. 

The 100th anniversary of Henan University was today. I also met with Beloit teachers and the president of Beloit College. It was excellent. 

There will be more pictures and description. I'm worn out now. I pity the people who had to go to the last event- I'm not jetlagged and I'm tired!

Candy's School, Dinner, Internet

Today I woke up and there has been no internet all day. Way to start the week of your 100 year celebration, Henan University. I am currently somewhere else. 

Today Candy's school had 30 students. She is quite happy. I am happy for her. 

Last night I invited Candy, Candy's husband, and another Chinese teacher, Athena, to grilled/toasted cheese with the other teachers and the student Izinga. I made tomato soup (from a can), but there wasn't enough for generous portions. That's alright, though. Toasted cheese was kinda welcome. 

Then Candy's husband brought liquor and I got into a drinking contest with him. Then he drove home. 

I learned about that second part today. 

Nothing happened, but to me, once I have any alcohol my policy is to never drive. Even if it's been a couple hours, I wait until I've slept on it. It's rather unsettling to know he drove home instead of letting his wife drive. This is also partly why I didn't buy alcohol in the first place- I knew they'd be driving. 

Though I'm not sure if the drinking and driving is a China thing or a him thing yet. I have seen people act as DDs before, and I've seen drivers partake in drinking before. 

Hello, goodbye, and after a week of 24 hours of teaching

I do not envy elementary teachers. I cannot imagine how stressful it must be to come up with multiple lesson plans a day. If you want good lesson plans, you spend hours on material and planning. If you are a terrible teacher, you don't. Both types wing it half the time as well. 

I am glad to be a teacher. It gives me much more respect for my teachers beforehand. 

The Australian teachers are leaving. There have been a couple of them, Pina and Mario, to whom we have gotten attached. I will miss them both. They've been a lot of fun, and while we do our own things, having a bi-weekly dinner has been great. 

They've left us a few things- mostly very good memories. 

Next week is our hundred year celebration. Many new people flock around on campus. 

On the upside, the breadstore is open again, and I've seen a car covered in anime on campus. If that car can survive Kaifeng with all the Chinese flags (the breadstore added one) and riots in other cities, I think I will be quite safe. 

A Funny Story

Today one of my students saw me outside of class, and she said she'd gone to a meeting to join the party. "The Democratic Party," she told me. 

I paused, and asked her, "Are you sure you don't mean the Communist Party?" 

"No, the Democratic," she said again. I paused- I didn't know the Democratic Party was active, nor did I know if it was allowed to have meetings. Was she telling me this because she wanted me to know she was rioting?

"Is that the current party?" I asked her, and she nodded enthusiastically.

"Ah. That's the Communist Party. You just told me you were a Nationalist." 

She paled and shook her head. "No no no no no!" she cried, laughing at her mistake. "Communist Party. I'm trying to join the Communist Party!!" 

She will never mix up those words again. Which is good, I think. 

I hope she makes it. It's a lot of prestige to be in the party, and they treat their members well. You have to work hard, but many students find it's worth it. So I hope she gets in. 

In the Communist Party, that is. :)

Good news/RR

Well, mostly. Today I bought a toaster oven. I am excited, though I have yet to plug it in, have it flip my breaker, and reset the breaker. 

What excitement I live in! 

I've felt much better today, but that could be because I've had four hours of sleep (mosquitoes are terrible) and thus I am in my happy-tired phase. It could be worse. I could have an angry-tired phase. 

My writing class today was excellent. They were responsive, they didn't challenge everything I said, (One class argued with me that a predicate is the verb of a sentence), and I was silly, so they were silly. In a good way. 

That's really what performing is. The audience will send back what you feed them. 

Today the gal teachers and I went downtown (there are no male teachers) and on the way there were so many Chinese flags. But the breadstore is back in business, the delicious one. I think I will patronize it. I will patronize the hell out of it, because it takes balls to be staring riots in the face and saying, "You know what? This is our business. We are Chinese workers, Chinese people, in a Chinese business, and we have a right to be here." I respect that. (If you look back to the breadstore post, the J bakery is the most delicious, the farthest walk, and was started/is run by a Japanese lady who moved to China). 

There are so many flags. So many. It reminds me of right after September 11th. Flags everywhere, on cars, in restaurants, outside, they make the street red and gold. They're pretty colors. The feelings behind them scare me. They honestly scare the shit out of me. It takes only one misstep by either side and suddenly these feelings are aimed at me. 

So today, while at the store, through either choice or sheer exhaustion I was super friendly. I smiled at everyone, I talked, I answered, I laughed- anything to get as many people as possible to realize I am a real person. I'm acting. I'm playing a caricature: The Friendly Foreigner. But I'd rather people know me as friendly and not as foe. 

I was not prepared for how easily that can turn on a person- a foreigner is a foe, and needs to be removed. They steal from us, they take our jobs, they're greedy and they don't understand our ways. These things are often said. Earlier this year a news anchor stated on the air that Westerners are only here to rape Chinese women. 

With that being said, most Chinese are friendly and curious towards me. They aren't rude. As long as they aren't in a mob, they're people, and I've talked to a couple of people who don't agree with the riots. Rioters are only a small number of the Chinese >1 Billion. (Most of the violent rioters are actually from smaller farms or towns according to my news sources, so they've never even met the people they're actively hating). They aren't the majority. They're just a loud minority. 

I want to make it clear: I'm not taking sides on the whole Islands thing. I don't know the history, I'm terribly fuzzy with politics and to make a stand without any research is rather foolish, I feel. The rioting has me worried because it is forcing out a minority group of China. The same way if DSM started rioting I would be worried (though I know how to drive away from hotbeds while in DSM). The anger and hatred is felt towards the Japanese and not their government (which has done shitty things, and is infamous for having terrible immigrant relations) is worrisome, and the anger is being taken out on either Japanese tourists, business owners, teachers or Chinese people who work for Japanese companies is really alarming. It's the rioting that I'm focusing on. 

I've been to Japan. I've been to China. I hate to see two countries that I have enjoyed so much come to so much impasse. 

I'm trying to remember, that the rioters aren't the majority of the Chinese, that the flags are just support the way the US citizens would support their government, and that this may calm down. I'm still paying attention, though. 

My life

Though there are very serious riots happening currently in China about Japan and targeting Japanese companies, restaurants, and people, Kaifeng has been pretty free of riots. This is fine. The only sad thing is that the delicious breadstore is closed. 

I feel it would help if the government didn't encourage people to riot and be angry at the Japanese- most people here hate them though most of the Japanese people are no longer in the age group that would have been soldiers during WWII. Xi'an's provincial government sent out a text encouraging violence. 

Sometimes, China is grating. 

But most people are not the ones in charge, and most people are not rioting. Still, I'm keeping notes- it doesn't take much to switch from hating one ethnic minority to the other, and I don't want to be caught when that happens. 

In other news, my lights don't work, and haven't for about 30 or so hours. Someone was supposed to fix them today- that didn't happen. So I've had no lights, which has been especially disturbing at nighttime. On the upside, the sockets work. 

It's strange that the lights being out cause me so much stress. 

Yesterday it was 

also

Today is the occupation anniversary in China. At the cafe I'm at, they placed Chinese flags for support. 

While I was here. 

Good times, Kaifeng. Good times. 

Fridge

The power was turned on last night, but alas, in the nighttime it turned off. On my way to work I saw a fusebox- unlocked, so I made a mental note to mess with it later, it might be mine. When I came back, my power was on. The fuse had moved- I have found my fusebox. 

Then today I spent making soups and boiling eggs. Then I went to afternoon class. 

When I came back, my fridge had broken. Everything was hot. 

I could cry. 

Butter melted, cheese sad, my meat was already no good beforehand, and it was so frustrating. All that food I would have to throw out. 

I told someone and we swapped fridges with an empty room. This fridge works. Hurray. 

I am trying to eat healthy; China, give me a bone here. 

and

Also last night I disabled a mosquito and it got caught in my hair, but it still was a trooper and managed to bite my lip. It was so swollen in the morning. 

WHY CAN I NOT COOK DELICIOUS SOUP WHY

Today I tried to make soup in bulk, with fresh vegetables. 

It flipped my breaker. 

Why? Are the rooms not designed to have hot plates running in them? Is that not the point of having a kitchen space? I need to talk to Jackie/lady about this, because this is silly. How am I supposed to prepare my meals? Why bother having a kitchen at all? 

I am so frustrated. And I think I'm starting to get sick. So. 

On the upside, the big supermarket has stocked in cheese again. Right when I'd accepted my cheese-less year. 

I would like to boil water now. 

Monday Updates- Your Cow is Green

So. I have been enclosed in a lot of business deals lately. Mostly with my own university. Actually, all with my own university. 

Teaching English over here is a lot like having a business. You need to know what you do, how much your time is worth, and how much of your time to give in order to make a profit/enough to live on. Here our base work (16 hours a week, 4000RMB per month), is enough to live on- here. 

Currently the office is offering extra classes to us- classes that look suspiciously like Tessa's classes. Four writing classes, and three conversation classes. Per class it would be 55RMB for writing, 40RMB for conversation. That was stated to me over the phone. 

I talked to the teachers, and I talked to Ann. Ann was super helpful in putting things in perspective, and I thank her for it. We decided it wouldn't be worth our time if we were paid only three dollars an hour. It's not, really. I think Ann put it best, "If you work time and a half, you should be paid time and a half". 

We're also worried that these are Tessa's classes. Tessa isn't with us yet, and we're hoping this is just asking for substitution. But the university needs someone to cover these classes, and while we're willing, we want more than 6 bucks a pop. For each writing class there are countless hours grading (3-4 per class according to Adam, when there was a paper), and preparation work, and occasionally writing an example if there is none to be had. That's almost twice the work outside of class as in it. And they've asked 6 bucks an hour. 

It is not where we'd like to be, money wise. This job is already on the low end of the pay scale in China (most are 6,000RMB with our qualifications) so we're here knowing we aren't paid a lot but wanting the experience anyway. And if we take it any lower, we're afraid to outsource Tessa if these are her classes- why spend all the trouble bringing over an expensive foreign teacher when those here are covering her classes for less than half the price? (What we hope is that if Tessa makes it over here, she can just pick up the classes (if they are hers) and go, and no troubles for anyone). 

So today I informed the person who'd asked us what we were willing to do. I was willing to take the writing classes, Ellen and Jenny are willing to take the conversation classes, but our bottom line pay is 125RMB per class. If that doesn't work, then we don't add anymore classes, and we continue our ways. We don't need to teach these classes. This gives us a lot of bargaining room. 

So I was a bargainer! 

Today is also Teacher's day. I have not received so many texts as I did last year; that's alright. Mostly I'm tired today. It's my day off, and I've spent it working ahead on assignments and quizzes and transcriptions for my Audio-visual class. The sooner I can get my Audio-Visual finished, the more free time I'll have should I want to tutor or take the writing class, if the Dean agrees to our conditions.

I'm okay spending Teacher's Day preparing for class. I'm okay throwing myself into this work, because for now, it's what I can do. Maybe I'll get burnt out. Maybe I'll be tired. But for now, I do not have classes or work, and I can push myself to finish a semester's worth of planning. 

Yesterday I had fish by the Yellow River. It was tasty. But the little caterpillars were rather annoying. I even brought one home with me on accident. 

Today I helped Candy with her school. Gave a presentation about New York. I hope it went well. It's hard thinking about these presentations. 

I would have more to say, but I think I'm a little drained right now. Sorry. 

stuff

It's been a while since I had internet. The place we stay at, while we don't pay for internet, has given me flickering internet and slow internet. Since it's connected to the school, it is fast in the morning and slow in the evening. It flickers on and off then, too. I'm worried about it, but it can't be helped currently. I'm hiding out in a cafe using the internet while I gather pictures for presentations. 

It doesn't feel like much has changed. I introduced myself to a new class, my only new one, and it was nothing like the adrenaline and fear that was in me my first day of teaching. I have changed, if only in learning how to convince people I know what I'm doing. 

I have the past two days slept in until 6:30am. I must change this and get back up to waking at five. I'm also trying to figure out what to do about a gym. I might pay the pass and go to the gym on campus, just because my schedule is so erratic. It'd last me a long time. I'm glad I bought/inherited the free weights I did, though I'm looking into buying more already. Mostly again because of the gym thing.

My students are excited to see me again- or at least they pretend to be excited to see me again. I am glad to see them again. I like being here, though I miss the other teachers. If I don't go to the office I don't think they're around, though, so the moving of apartments has been quite helpful as well. 

The lack of internet is frustrating, but I'm glad I decided my first few days to grab the materials I needed for the next few months. 

Last night we had dinner with a couple of Australians from our building. It was fun. 

A little on my apartment and my schedule

I'm back in China. Sorry for the long delay of blog update, I've been trying to unpack and organize and show people restaurants. Along with meetings and planning and things, it's been rather busy. 

(You know what I forgot to bring? Light up hair. Dang.)

We live in a hotel, the five foreign teachers. It's quite nice, especially when someone is down the hall rather than down the stairs and across a sidewalk feeling. And the rooms are big enough and separate enough that it feels like an apartment. There is glass to separate the kitchen from the rest of the living area, so light gets through, which is a big plus. I'm still not so keen on opening my curtains, but that will pass soon enough, I think. 

I wish the internet cable was in the living room, not the bedroom. It's weird having a workplace where your bed is, and I'm going to see if I can't create a little wireless router. I'd rather the bedroom be full of cozy and music, and the living room be a place of business/entertainment. That'd be my ideal anyway. We have two cabinets instead of a closet, both 7 feet high. However, one of them is divided in half by one shelf only, making it a strange idea as to what you would use the space for, and the other has a hanger rod, and four hangers. Since the shower rod I had brought did not fit the shower (it was a foot too short, my memory was off), I placed it in the cabinet and now I have two places to hang clothes. I'm glad I do!

I'm still working on cleaning the living room, but the bathroom and bedroom are mostly clean now. I've acquired many items from Ben, which have been hit or miss. I'll give you a list: 

1. Open shampoo bottle (it spilled)

2. Half a plate

3. Unwashed knife

4. Open bottle of imitation vanilla (it spilled)

5. Packets of ranch dressing (3)

6. Leveler

7. Spatulas

8. Spices, like Italian seasoning or Taco seasoning

9. Christmas lights

10. Cutting Board

11. Pocket Dictionary

You get the idea. I have a feeling stuff just got thrown in at the end, which made finding it rather fun (Ben, what do I do with half a plate?), and I can't blame Ben for that. He left a lot of useful stuff, so thank you, Ben.

Since the new students are moving in, traffic is crazy. I'm halting going to the grocery store until Monday, when I can shop with maybe 200 people instead of 700 people, get eggs in a timely manner, get meat, get rice (I have a rice cooker!), and get vegatables. The problem with buying in bulk is that I must carry in bulk. Sometimes it seems easier to go twice a week instead. 

I also need to get shampoo and conditioner. I have my tiny travel bottles for now, but I'd like to save those if I should travel again. I did pick up detergent, so I'm doing some much-needed laundry. Hurray! Then I will have to use my drying tree, and that will be highly interesting. 

Concerning classes, once again I don't have Mondays. It is a great mercy. And I have the same course, 8 times a week. That means I'll have to teach the same thing 8 times. It'll be... interesting. Easy/boring. But I'll also have to have two finals. And I know this is a year-long course, so I'm prepared for most of the year. I've switched up some of the shows I had students watch, because last year I showed different shows to different students, and now some groups will watch the same thing twice! That would be just as boring for them as it would be for me. So. 

Tuesday and Thursday afternoons I have free- Wednesday I have three classes, 8-10, 3-5, 5-7. Friday I have I have three classes- 8-10, 10-12, 3-5. Two of the rooms I teach in are sad rooms that I do not like- they have poor projectors and sound, and the curtains let the light in. Others are great- the curtains work, each student has their own monitor, and generally, things are hunky-dory. Three classes are better than four in a day, though part of me wishes Tuesday and Thursday would combine so I could have two days instead of one in the weekday. Ah well. I think once I get my scripts done, I'll be all right with the class. I'll have plenty of time for a final, and plenty of time to do quizzes. It'll work out well. 

Overall, I look forward to it! I'm far less nervous about this semester, but the teachers are quite nervous. I remember this feeling. It's legitimate feeling, because things are scary and you have no idea what to expect. Nobody's taught them how to teach. Nobody's told them how to make lesson plans. It's all guesswork, all sink or swim. 

I think they'll swim. :)