I hate Chinese cakes. Every time I am confronted with one that I have to eat, I force it down as quickly as possible.
So, what is Chinese cake like and why do I hate it so much? Imagine a yummy chocolate cake. Do you have it? Now reduce the amount of chocolate and sugar by half. Then cover that cake in two very thick layers of whipped cream...also again with almost no sugar. Then take that rather unsweet cake and cover it in unsweetened, often times tart, fruit. And I don't mean a few pieces. I mean the layer between the two pieces of cake is completely full of fruit and the top of the cake is layered in fruit as well. Let me just tell you that the effect isn't unpleasant, but it isn't really good either.
Today a friend emailed us to say that there was extra cake in the teacher's lounge from a birthday party. What compelled me? I have NO idea, but I went up for a piece. It was just as unsatisfying as I thought it would be. While I was there another foreigner and a Chinese staff member walked in. I told them that there was Chinese cake there to eat. The Chinese staff member looked shocked. She said, "Chinese cake? That isn't Western cake?" We both stared at each other shocked for several seconds. I suddenly realized that the horrible cake I had been eating for four years was actually China's version of Western cake. We kept talking and I discovered that not only did I hate the cake, but the Chinese staff members hate the cake too. I'm not sure why I found the whole situation amusing, but I'm still laughing. I think I might keep laughing every time I eat the cake after this. Here's to the Chinese versions of Western things. They don't always turn out right...I guess we do the same thing to their Chinese food.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Monday, November 28, 2011
On Losing One's Voice
This morning I woke up feeling a little crummy. I've been fighting a cold for about a week now, but so far it had only meant that I was spending a little too much time bonding with my tissue box. I got through the morning feeling great and made monkey bread with my kids. (Which they loved and were extremely excited about.) Then lunch came. I sat down with the other elementary teachers to eat lunch and noticed that each sentence came out a little lower and it was a little harder to get out. Within 5-10 minutes I had completely lost my voice. I had a frog in my throat. I sounded like a man. No matter how you put it, talking had now become hard and slightly painful.
My dear friend and co-teacher, Karen, saved me and took me class for the rest of the day so I could rest my voice. She is wonderful. But, I don't know why, but when I lose my voice I suddenly feel like I have SO much to say. As the day continued I continually felt myself clamping my lips shut so I wouldn't talk. Why is it that when I can't talk is when I am most desperate to do it? And there is the added bonus that I find the whole process of losing one's voice very entertaining. It's the only time I sound like a man (thank God) and I almost want to burst out laughing every time I utter a word because I sound so ridiculous.
Today was also an interesting revelation on how China has changed me. In America when I lost my voice I would reach for cough drops or a large mug of peppermint tea. After having lived in China for several years, when I lost my voice I didn't think for one moment about the cough drops or mint tea in my desk. I immediately went and filled up a mug with hot water. Nothing else. Just hot water. (In China hot water is the cure for anything and everything.) It wasn't until after drinking hot water for two hours straight that I remembered my mint tea.
So here's to remembered mint tea, hot water, no voice, and sending lots of emails/writing blog posts to get all my words out. :)
My dear friend and co-teacher, Karen, saved me and took me class for the rest of the day so I could rest my voice. She is wonderful. But, I don't know why, but when I lose my voice I suddenly feel like I have SO much to say. As the day continued I continually felt myself clamping my lips shut so I wouldn't talk. Why is it that when I can't talk is when I am most desperate to do it? And there is the added bonus that I find the whole process of losing one's voice very entertaining. It's the only time I sound like a man (thank God) and I almost want to burst out laughing every time I utter a word because I sound so ridiculous.
Today was also an interesting revelation on how China has changed me. In America when I lost my voice I would reach for cough drops or a large mug of peppermint tea. After having lived in China for several years, when I lost my voice I didn't think for one moment about the cough drops or mint tea in my desk. I immediately went and filled up a mug with hot water. Nothing else. Just hot water. (In China hot water is the cure for anything and everything.) It wasn't until after drinking hot water for two hours straight that I remembered my mint tea.
So here's to remembered mint tea, hot water, no voice, and sending lots of emails/writing blog posts to get all my words out. :)
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Thanksgiving Cheer Abroad
Today I had my fifth Thanksgiving in China. Every year but one I have had the privilege of celebrating this holiday. I have always loved Thanksgivings, but they seem even more special in China. Please don't think that this means I don't miss my family. I do. My heart is aching just a little right now to be with them, but not having there here has become easier because it's normal to miss them and I'll be with them again soon.
So to give you a taste of what my Thanksgiving looked like this year, I want to, fir just a minute, take you on a walk in my Thanksgiving shoes.
It begins two weeks before Thanksgiving. A Chinese friend says she has found turkeys (they are only available for about one month a year) and we need to order them now to make sure we get ours. A week later I pick up my turkey from her home. My nineteen pound turkey costs about $60. The turkey is so big (or my fridge is so small) that it takes up about half of my refrigerator which is it's home for the next several days.
On Thursday morning, I wake up and go to school. Yes, I work on Thanksgiving every year. Half way through the school day the kids go home and I have meetings for the rest of the day. I finally get home around 5pm and eat Chinese dumplings for dinner. But don't worry, it doesn't bother me. I don't even feel like it's Thanksgiving. I'm going to celebrate on Saturday so I feel like the holiday hasn't come yet.
Friday morning I have no school so after sleeping in until 9am (3.5 hours later than normal), I call my family. They have just finished eating Thanksgiving dinner and I talk to them for a couple of hours before getting up to begin cooking for the next day. During the course of the day I make a carrot cake, homemade eggnog, and a loaf of bread.
On Saturday morning a friend (who wanted to cook the turkey way more than I did) came over, did wonderful magical things to the turkey, and put it in the oven. An hour later (around 11) my friends started coming over. Dinner was beginning at 5pm and friends slowly but steadily arrived to cook food, spend time together, watch movies, grade, and spend time together.
5pm finally arrived and by then about 25 people were in my home. There was so much food on the table and counters that we brought down a friend's table to handle the overflow. So much wonderful food! I'll be honest and tell you I made three trips to the table and one over to the desserts. I was stuffed. Then the true fun began. We started talking and laughing together.
As we spent more and more time together I was reminded of how unique and wonderful this experience was. There were Americans and at least 6 other nationalities in my home celebrating together. People in America always like to ask me if I miss home and if I miss my family. The answer to those questions is sometimes I miss America. Some days I miss it more than others. And, of course I miss my family. But what they don't realize is America isn't my home anymore. China is. And I have an adoptive family that I love and who loves me back. It's so hard to feel lonely when you are so surrounded by people you never thought you would have the privilege of knowing and loving.
So my dear friends in America, China and all around the world, I love you. I am thankful for you. I don't know what I would do without you. You are what makes the place I live my home. Thank you so much for being a part of my life.
Ok, I'm done being sappy now. :) Happy Thanksgiving!
So to give you a taste of what my Thanksgiving looked like this year, I want to, fir just a minute, take you on a walk in my Thanksgiving shoes.
It begins two weeks before Thanksgiving. A Chinese friend says she has found turkeys (they are only available for about one month a year) and we need to order them now to make sure we get ours. A week later I pick up my turkey from her home. My nineteen pound turkey costs about $60. The turkey is so big (or my fridge is so small) that it takes up about half of my refrigerator which is it's home for the next several days.
On Thursday morning, I wake up and go to school. Yes, I work on Thanksgiving every year. Half way through the school day the kids go home and I have meetings for the rest of the day. I finally get home around 5pm and eat Chinese dumplings for dinner. But don't worry, it doesn't bother me. I don't even feel like it's Thanksgiving. I'm going to celebrate on Saturday so I feel like the holiday hasn't come yet.
Friday morning I have no school so after sleeping in until 9am (3.5 hours later than normal), I call my family. They have just finished eating Thanksgiving dinner and I talk to them for a couple of hours before getting up to begin cooking for the next day. During the course of the day I make a carrot cake, homemade eggnog, and a loaf of bread.
On Saturday morning a friend (who wanted to cook the turkey way more than I did) came over, did wonderful magical things to the turkey, and put it in the oven. An hour later (around 11) my friends started coming over. Dinner was beginning at 5pm and friends slowly but steadily arrived to cook food, spend time together, watch movies, grade, and spend time together.
5pm finally arrived and by then about 25 people were in my home. There was so much food on the table and counters that we brought down a friend's table to handle the overflow. So much wonderful food! I'll be honest and tell you I made three trips to the table and one over to the desserts. I was stuffed. Then the true fun began. We started talking and laughing together.
As we spent more and more time together I was reminded of how unique and wonderful this experience was. There were Americans and at least 6 other nationalities in my home celebrating together. People in America always like to ask me if I miss home and if I miss my family. The answer to those questions is sometimes I miss America. Some days I miss it more than others. And, of course I miss my family. But what they don't realize is America isn't my home anymore. China is. And I have an adoptive family that I love and who loves me back. It's so hard to feel lonely when you are so surrounded by people you never thought you would have the privilege of knowing and loving.
So my dear friends in America, China and all around the world, I love you. I am thankful for you. I don't know what I would do without you. You are what makes the place I live my home. Thank you so much for being a part of my life.
Ok, I'm done being sappy now. :) Happy Thanksgiving!
Monday, November 14, 2011
Looking for Prince Charming
When I was a little girl, I ready fairy tales and watch movies where Prince Charming starred as the hero. As a little girl I dreamed about one day being rescued by a handsome man who just happened to live in a big castle and ride a beautiful white horse. The other girls around me dreamed similar dreams of being whisked off into "happily ever after." As I and the other girls of my generation have grown, we have realized that Prince Charming is just about as real as Santa Claus. He is nice bedtime story to give us sweet dreams, but not so good for reality. We are looking for something more realistic.
As I have grown older, I have become more and more independent. The American culture is teaching girls how to take care of themselves. Despite all this cultural training, I have to say, that the dream of being cared for has never died. Deep down every single girl out there, whether younger, older, tomboy, girly-girl, independent, or dependent, we all still want someone to come rescue us. Someone to hold us when we are tired, scared, or just don't want to be strong any more.
I have to say though, since our generation (and the previous generation) have discovered that Prince Charming is not real, we have developed a new modern day Prince Charming. His persona is that of the superhero. Tonight I sat watching the newly released Captain America with a friend and we kept commenting on how handsome he was, how cool it would be if a guy was that strong and what it would be like to have that guy want you. I realized then that "Prince Charming" still exists, he is just stronger now because the girls who wanted Prince Charming now want someone stronger. Someone who truly can save them.
Now, here is where I tell you that the reason for this deep desire for Prince Charming is because we need the Father to rescue us. The desire to be rescued is Him calling to us and bringing us to Himself. He is the true Prince Charming. THANK YOU FATHER! I am so happy to tell you that even our recent shift in our view of who our hero is, the Father still fits the bill. He is stronger than any superhero, he can top all of us in the wits department, he has no secret/hidden weakness, loves us more than a knight come to rescue us, he has a whole universe and more (makes the castle pale in comparison), and he even has a white horse (see Revelation). I am so excited to be wooed by the only true superhero and Prince Charming that exists. And while I wait for him to arrive to whisk me off on his white stead to his faraway kingdom, I'm going to keep dreaming of and preparing for the day when he finally comes.
And while I wait for my true Prince Charming, I'm going to try to give the males on this planet a break. They will never be THE Prince Charming, but they can reflect who He is and that is a very very beautiful and attractive thing. So thank you to the boys who try to be like the Father. I hope I have the privilege of having one of you love me someday. :)
As I have grown older, I have become more and more independent. The American culture is teaching girls how to take care of themselves. Despite all this cultural training, I have to say, that the dream of being cared for has never died. Deep down every single girl out there, whether younger, older, tomboy, girly-girl, independent, or dependent, we all still want someone to come rescue us. Someone to hold us when we are tired, scared, or just don't want to be strong any more.
I have to say though, since our generation (and the previous generation) have discovered that Prince Charming is not real, we have developed a new modern day Prince Charming. His persona is that of the superhero. Tonight I sat watching the newly released Captain America with a friend and we kept commenting on how handsome he was, how cool it would be if a guy was that strong and what it would be like to have that guy want you. I realized then that "Prince Charming" still exists, he is just stronger now because the girls who wanted Prince Charming now want someone stronger. Someone who truly can save them.
Now, here is where I tell you that the reason for this deep desire for Prince Charming is because we need the Father to rescue us. The desire to be rescued is Him calling to us and bringing us to Himself. He is the true Prince Charming. THANK YOU FATHER! I am so happy to tell you that even our recent shift in our view of who our hero is, the Father still fits the bill. He is stronger than any superhero, he can top all of us in the wits department, he has no secret/hidden weakness, loves us more than a knight come to rescue us, he has a whole universe and more (makes the castle pale in comparison), and he even has a white horse (see Revelation). I am so excited to be wooed by the only true superhero and Prince Charming that exists. And while I wait for him to arrive to whisk me off on his white stead to his faraway kingdom, I'm going to keep dreaming of and preparing for the day when he finally comes.
And while I wait for my true Prince Charming, I'm going to try to give the males on this planet a break. They will never be THE Prince Charming, but they can reflect who He is and that is a very very beautiful and attractive thing. So thank you to the boys who try to be like the Father. I hope I have the privilege of having one of you love me someday. :)
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
On Learning a Second Language
Learning a second language is the hardest thing I have ever done. It's a fascinating and oh so frustrating series of twists and turns.
On Monday I was congratulating myself for explaining to my Chinese teacher that I needed to leave class early because I had a new student coming the next day and I needed to get things ready for him. I was speaking some Chinglish, but for the most part my words were Chinese sprinkled with the occasional English word. Today I walked into class and while going over my mistakes on a test I teared up and almost walked out. There was no way I was ever going to be able to get this right. Luckily my teacher saw the tears welling in my eyes and we quickly put the test away and worked on writing Chinese characters the whole class (deep sigh of relief...characters don't require you to speak). By the end of the lesson I was laughing again and no longer wanted to burn my Chinese book so I think all is well now. Then I'm back to thinking my Chinese isn't too bad when I'm having simple conversations with taxi drivers or helping a first-year (a foreigner who just moved here) communicate. And then the next day you are practicing saying "shopping mall" with your Chinese teacher and accidentally say something like "to get laid." Oh Chinese...
Needless to say these frustrations have given me a great deal of perspective on people learning a second language. Every single one of my students is learning at least two languages. Some of them are learning three. My first year I would chuckle when they said he when they meant she or vice versa. Now after having said I instead of she or you multiple times when speaking Chinese, I no longer laugh. I just gently correct them and we move on. No worries. They'll get it eventually. Hopefully I will too.
On Monday I was congratulating myself for explaining to my Chinese teacher that I needed to leave class early because I had a new student coming the next day and I needed to get things ready for him. I was speaking some Chinglish, but for the most part my words were Chinese sprinkled with the occasional English word. Today I walked into class and while going over my mistakes on a test I teared up and almost walked out. There was no way I was ever going to be able to get this right. Luckily my teacher saw the tears welling in my eyes and we quickly put the test away and worked on writing Chinese characters the whole class (deep sigh of relief...characters don't require you to speak). By the end of the lesson I was laughing again and no longer wanted to burn my Chinese book so I think all is well now. Then I'm back to thinking my Chinese isn't too bad when I'm having simple conversations with taxi drivers or helping a first-year (a foreigner who just moved here) communicate. And then the next day you are practicing saying "shopping mall" with your Chinese teacher and accidentally say something like "to get laid." Oh Chinese...
Needless to say these frustrations have given me a great deal of perspective on people learning a second language. Every single one of my students is learning at least two languages. Some of them are learning three. My first year I would chuckle when they said he when they meant she or vice versa. Now after having said I instead of she or you multiple times when speaking Chinese, I no longer laugh. I just gently correct them and we move on. No worries. They'll get it eventually. Hopefully I will too.
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