Sonny 的个人资料SonMan Is In China! (Yea...照片日志列表更多  |  工具 帮助 |
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2月27日 The New Term Is UnderwayToday began the new term. I added a list showing the times of the Freshmen Oral and Junior Writing classes I have. I am teaching 14 hours with 5 classes. I am looking forward to applying some of the new ideas I learned in my Wheaton classes as well as meeting the new students. My Freshmen classes are the same students I had last term. The Juniors will be new students.
Number of views as of this blog entry: 1580. 2月25日 Blogs and ChinaI just finished reading an article about blogging in China and it's issue with censorship. It specifically involved a Chinese man who was using blogs as a way of expressing politically-envenomed speech. Check out the Washington Post article at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/20/AR2006022001304_pf.html.
Number of views as of this blog entry: 1569. A Day at the BakeryOne of my favorite things to do in Siping is watch the Maling bakery make cakes. They have a little window where you can watch him. Up to now, it's only been one guy, who I found out today is name Lai Shengyu (don't know the correct tones yet). Well, today he had a female apprentince. She must be learning his position.
What was funny, first of all, was her reaction when I approached the window. I knew she got all nervous - not just because someone was watching, but it was a foreigner! I watched her finish the cake as her teacher looked on. She didn't do so bad, but he did most of the work.
On the second cake, she didn't fair so well. She made the base and it took like 10 minutes. Her teacher can make the base like in 1. Her teacher took a break I guess and was no where to be seen. Well, he came over after her 10 minutes of work and corrected it all with a whip and slash of a little more cream. It was hilarious! She looked at me as if to say, "Oh, well...". I winked at her to let her know I thought she did a fine job.
Number of views as of this blog entry: 1567. 2月24日 We Are Getting CloserFor a long time, the US (among other countries) has been using technology dealing with "tracking" of individuals based upon avoiding identity theft, gaining security clearance or crowd control. I just read an article regarding implementation of a small chip planted under the skin for clearance. See the article at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6448213/did/11331144.
It won't be too long until...
Number of views as of this blog entry: 1543. 2月23日 My Dearest GrandmotherI got a call from my Dad yesterday morning and he told me that my grandmother passed away. Her name is Katherine (Walker) Crank. She is my mom's mother. She died on the 21st @ 1:20 PM.
I remembered the last time that I talked to her. Three days before I left for Palm Springs Orientation before China, grandma ended up in the VA hospital in Muskogee. She was in and out and I knew she was "passing" then. She did have congestive heart failure and her memory was slightly going from previous two strokes, so I knew that it was time.
You can remember my family. My grandmother leaves seven children, around twenty-two grandchildren, and about ten great-grandchildren. Her services will be near our family cemetry in Talihina, OK at the Greenhill Baptist Church on the 24th @ 2:00 PM. I'm sure the whole family will be there.
My grandmother is a believer in Jesus, so I know that she is with him.
Number of views as of this blog entry: 1531. They Have All Come Home To SipingWell, Seth, Jonny & Rachel arrived yesterday morning then David & Jew (with kids in tow) arriving this morning. The team is all back together now and gearing up for the new term. We'll know this Saturday what exactly we are teaching (both subject-wise and student-wise). We start classes Monday.
Number of views as of this blog entry: 1531. 2月22日 Robb & Sarah Are HereRobb and Sarah got it late two nights ago. We played my latest addictive game: Scrabble. Again, that's all.
Number of views as of this blog entry: 1510. 2月20日 "The Ruth" Has ReturnedI am no longer alone! Ruth has returned from her travels and I had my first "team" dinner of the year - thanks to Ruth. That's all.
Number of views as of this blog entry: 1500. 2月19日 Of Pancakes, Jesus and Dick CheneyWhen I found this item on eBay, I just lost it. Now, I do love Jesus tremendously, and I don't mean to belittle Him, but the eBay-posted item # 7390711200 entitled "Cheney Accidentally Shoots Jesus Pancake Digi-Art Print" was freakin' hilarious. I am sooo laughing while typing this! You just gotta see the picture. I got a sample of it below.
And poor Dick Cheney, it's not his fault he plumpetted shot gun pellets into his good buddy's torso...
On another thought, is Cheney an NRA spokesman? He should be.
Number of views as of this blog entry: 1483. The Deal with the Bird FluWhat is up with this Bird Flu madness? I think that flus (is that how you spell "flu" plurally - it doesn't look right) have been around since Adam and Eve. In this age of technology and speed of information, we just know about things quicker. Experts are fearful that the Bird Flu will "mutate" in order to infect human hosts. I guess this is possible, but when India, known for their lack of killing cattle for meat, puts down 500,000 fowl, you know something is up. You can see a lot more about this story and more at "Deadly bird flu hits India, France from MSN.com".
By the way, we shouldn't eat fowl and, apparently, there is the Mad Cow Disease, so this leaves camels, donkeys, or very large bears. I hate to be coy, but a juicey cheesehamburger with a side of chicken nuggets sounds really good right now.
Number of views as of this blog entry: 1483. 2月13日 Of Pancakes and JesusWhen I came upon this Internet "gem", I was thinking "WTC? Jesus in a pancake?" But, oh, it's true.
A story floated out the Internet of a guy selling his pancake on eBay. He was making some for his family and discovered an image of Jesus. See the news story http://www.turnto10.com/family/6881020/detail.html.
So I decided to go to eBay and see how his auction was going. His item # is 6251847554 and it's doing quite well. "Flapjack" Jesus has 61 bids with the latest being $16,325.00. I'm amazed people bid on this stuff! Well, that's eBay. Sadly (or rather ironically?), others have this same "bit" going.
Item # 5665777607: The "Miracle Jesus Pancake"
The actual description: "This amazing pancake has been touched by the hand of God, with an incredible image of Jesus miraculously etched into it. The pancake is in near mint condition, with the exception of a bite mark from my 2-year old son. It is also starting to shrivel up slightly from dehydration."
Current stats: 9 bids @ $17.26
Item # 5666146611: The "Jesus Pancake, buttermilk God not Mary you must see"
The actual description: "I was making four pancakes and this was the fourth one . I was using krusties butter milk wether you believe in god or not this is a must have. What do you see in the pancake picture. I will send it in a packed tupper ware bowl as to not mess it up . sold as is and is not for eating. please enjoy the auction ."
Current stats: 0 bids @ $1.00
And not to be outdone by pancakes...
Item # 5666133728
The actual description: "Jesus Pancake Image found on my toast this morning. You are bidding on a piece of toast with an image of the Jesus Pancake on it. Thanks." With the disclaimer (in small type): "Attention eBay: This auction is not violating eBay policy; I am not spamming misleading in anyway, this auction is for a peice of toast with the image seen on it. Per eBay rules, this is not for human consumption."
Current stats: 5 bids @ $1.25
See the four pics below respectively.
Number of views as of this blog entry: 1435. 2月12日 Absolute CrazinessSomething "awoke" around 6 PM tonight. It was like WWIII - distant lights, deafening booms, the skies "on fire"...
Apparentely, the Lantern Festival "officially" began at 6 PM because people went nutz around here. I got dressed quickly and went downtown. There were Chinese peeps just hangin' out, looking at fireworks and running around. A lot of the stores were closed, but there were tons of people out. Even those who were at work were popping fireworks outside their stores.
And these are LOUD fireworks. Chinese people don't even flinch. And these are HUGE fireworks. They bloom like crazy and they're only popped like 50 feet in the air. They're popping them right in the middle of traffic. Even as I'm typing this, the sonic booms can be felt. One went off right as I got in the taxi and I could feel the sound travel through my chest. Intense, baby!
Traffic was getting wild in Siping. Now, mind you, traffic is wild anyway, but tonight it was nuts. The police apparently started closing streets, so I'm glad I got out of downtown when I did. People were reversing into oncoming traffic! I was like, "Get me home!"
I'm now relaxing and drinking some warm Milo with marshmallows. Aaaah, life is good.
Number of views as of this blog entry: 1423. Fireworks Must Die!So I'm fast asleep from a couple of days travel, and what do you think I wake up to? No, not my alarm (which I didn't set 'cause I was going to sleep until NOON), and, no, not the sun (it was shining but I was OUT), but, wait, it's the sound of FIREWORKS outside my window. Yep, sure enough, I found out today is the Lantern Festival, a culuminating event following the Chinese New Year on January 29th.
What does a guy have to do to be able to sleep until noon? Now you'd think I enjoy the festivities, but I was TIRED! Jeez... So I found a couple of sites which explain this most blessed event.
TMI: It's 10 AM and I'm still in my PJs. Gotta love it!
Number of views as of this blog entry: 1415. I Just Travelled Across China!I ROCK!!!
 I just made it back to Siping - all by myself. When I came in August, I was scared just to say "hello" in Chinese and now I'm trekking across the country. Here's the list of things I actually navigated:
1) I checked out of my hotel (and got my refund).
2) I negotiated a taxi to the Beijing train station.
3) I bought my ticket for Beijing to Siping (and actually communicated which train, what time and what method - seat versus sleeper cars).
4) I traverresed the train station and got aboard on time and on the right train.
5) I got off at the right stop (I'd never been to Siping at night - it was always in the morning - plus I'd always have teamies with me as well).
6) And, of course, taxied it "home".
I feel so pumped about this. Sure, there were times that I got really nervous (like being afraid to sleep on the train lest I miss my stop), but it went fairly smooth without a hitch. I go to bed knowing that I'm the coolest!
FYI: I'm the only one from the team here. Everybody went south & east from Chiang Mai. I have no idea when everyone will get in, but I'll update when they do (and tell of their adventures). For me, I'm just "manning the fort."
Number of views as of this blog entry: 1411. 2月10日 Returning HomeAfter two flights, I have now arrived to China. I'll probably spend the night here in Beijing and leave for "home" tomorrow afternoon or night. It's weird - that concept of "home". It was odd coming to China, being in Beijing, and feeling like I'm "home". I had actual feelings of enjoyment. It's just really odd. I never thought I would feel this way about China. I think it's a good thing.
Now, mind you, it's not the same feelings I get when I think of "home" (i.e., the US), but, nonetheless, it's very strong. I think I realized today that I am "falling in love" with this culture. It's sights, people, language, food and sounds all beckon to me as if I am indeed a part of China. I guess I didn't realize how much "China" would rub off on me. Sure, I knew I would get to travel and learn new things, but I never realized I would call this country my "home".
Number of views as of this blog entry: 1405. 2月8日 My Dad & Sister's Birthdays Happy B'day DadMy dad's birthday was on January 26th. He is 58...or maybe 60...could be 59...who knows. He was born on a rez (reservation), so he doesn't know his "actual" birthdate. Love ya Dad.
 Happy B'day SisMy sister's birthday is tomorrow, February 9th. She's a half a century - 25. It seems just like yesterday that we were playing in the muddy rain by swimming in the ditch along state roads. Stoop kids! Love ya Sis.
Number of views as of this blog entry: 1369. 2月5日 A Quick UpdateWell, it's almost 9 PM on a Sunday evening and I'm sitting in my room at the Suan Bua. It just rained, so it's a little humid, but it's nice and cool.
I'm in the mountains north of Chiang Mai and it's quite nice. I'm with about 600 staff and teachers from several other countries. It's been a great time of telling stories and catching up with one another since I haven't seen most of them since Beijing orientation. Many more are teachers I've never met as well.
I think I caught a bad plate of something because I haven't felt good all day. <I think you can read between the lines.> So now that I feel a little more normal, I'm actually looking forward to going to my "second home" - Siping. I am glad that we don't start teaching until the end of this month, so I can't get mentally prepared and can have some more classroom ideas prepped before I begin teaching.
Number of views as of this blog etnry: 1330. |
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