Post from October 31
From the students:
Yes I can use chopsticks. Thank you, I have been using them since elementary school. Because I thought it was really fun- it was like playing with my food, without actually [i]playing[/i] with my food.
Aw, thank you, but my Chinese isn't good at all, actually. I know the sounds well... like a one and a half year old. And I can say random words like... cute, and apple, and...chair... pineapple? and tower... I can get around just fine. You're sweet, though. :)
I came to China because I wanted a new experience. I also wanted to meet all of you, and to teach you. I think I have one of the best jobs in the world. YES. the BEST. ...well iiiiiiiiii think it's the best.
Six. I'm one of six kids. No, it's not normal for the United States- it's a lot there, too. I'm not Catholic... nope. It's... kind of like a party sometimes! But then it also means there are a lot of people to love and to care about and to think about. It is fun. But it is also a large responsibility. You all understand that, certainly.
I love the food here! It's fun, there is lots of variety, and it is very different from anything I regularly ate in the United States. Food is such a huge part of culture, i need to eat as much as possible to absorb as much of your culture as possible, right??? ...yeah, i know. all Americans are fat.
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From friends and family from home:
Yes, the food is great over here, but it's cooked with a TON of oil. Rice can be found at almost every meal. And I miss CHEESE. Oh. My. Goodness. do I EVER miss cheese. You can find it in the city, but it is never a regular part of any meal in this city unless you're at Pizza Hut. ...McDonalds doesn't use real cheese, don't give me that.
We have a couple KFC's, McDonalds, and one Pizza Hut. The Pizza Hut here in the city is like fine dining- definitely a mood switch.
I can do almost all my basic grocery shopping on the street. (pics to come, I promise) I can get seafood, all types of fruit and vegetables, nuts and dried meats and fruits, spices and herbs, tea, bread, grains, any type of fresh meat ranging from a quarter cow hanging in a street stall, to a live duck that they will butcher for you right there (watch where you step). I can find fabric of all kinds, get my bike fixed, buy jewelry, shoes, and crafts, and even copy my keys if need be. It's quite amazing.
I don't live downtown, but our school is the closest of the three at which ELT Edge exists to downtown. We are on the edge of the development district/the blue collar district. There are frequent blasts and construction noises, as well as numerous large trucks rumbling by that have THE LOUDEST horns I have ever heard in my life. I'm about a 30 minute walk from the beach, and a 20 minute run from downtown. The bus routes are easily available, and taxi rides are inexpensive. I do miss driving, though.
Being on the roads over here is always an adventure. J-walking is the norm, and honking isn't aggressive, but more of a "I'm here, pay attention," which was a concept that was pretty difficult to get used to. I gave a lot of glares the first few weeks that were completely unmerited. oops.
When it comes to the flow of traffic, it is literally that. a flow. or, an ebb and flow. lights are irrelevant about 60% of the time, and people will just slooowly creep out into the intersection solely based their desire to cross on their own time and not the light's time. And, depending on who is more in a hurry/more aggressive in the intersection, that vehicle gets to go first. Also, if it's clear, you go. Always. I think the lights and lines are just a formality, which is a good thing to keep in mind when you're crossing the street, for sure.
If you know anything about Taoism, you may be able to see this with me: i truly believe that the method of driving over here is the perfect manifestation of Taoist philosophy. Humility, compassion, and moderation: don't go too fast, because then if you want to ride the line, you might hit people. If someone is going to sideswipe you, just give a little tap to the horn, and glide to the right with them. If it's red, but you want to go, the other flow of traffic will swallow their pride and allow you through- for the betterment of the intersection as a whole, of course. You can learn many lessons on tolerance and patience and inexpressive aggression on the roads in Qinhuangdao.
But in all seriousness, I might need to retake drivers training when I get back.
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Those are some of the main answers to the most FAQ that I've gotten so far. I hope they were informative. Any more questions, just email me, and I can answer them for you directly. :)
Basketball tournament update: The English Department is the champion in both men's and women's faculty basketball. (woop woooooop!) Final games final score for women: 22-8. ....neeeener neeeener...
It was tons of fun. Can't wait for the Volleyball tournament in the Spring~
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