Number of views as of this blog entry: 5198.

Over a week ago, I bought a basket of eggs. I made some “angeled” eggs with the biggest ones (since they’re best and easiest to make) and the rest I put in the fridge. I noticed only one egg of the whole batch was cracked, so I put this one in the fridge with the rest since it wouldn’t survive the boiling process. It sat in my fridge for about 8 days.

This morning I wanted to make a three-egg cheese omelet for breakfast, so I decided to use this cracked egg and two others. I cracked the other two open with no problem, but, when I got to the cracked one, it hardly budged. I thought that was strange. So I started forcing it open with a knife. It was at this point that I heard a small “squeak”. Now here was my brain process: “Let’s break this egg with a knife. Hmm, it’s really hard. <Insert “squeak” sound here.> Cracker Jack, there’s a chicken in there. GET IT OUT OF YOUR HAND!” At this point, I flung the egg into the sink and stared at it. My heart was beating 90 to nothin’ and I thought, “I have a live chicken in my sink.” I finally “came to” (yes, I am dramatic) and starting poking at it with the knife (which is still in my hand) expecting to see a frozen baby chick’s head poke out. I actually “stabbed” the egg to the core, but there was only yoke. I was still grossed out at this point, so I stabbed it with the knife again (not touching it with my hands this whole time) and dumped it into the trash can.

After this event, I realized I am such a wus.

And I had a really good cheese omelet!

Number of views as of this blog entry: 5194.

This morning held quite a surprise at the local Three-Self Patriotic Movement church is Siping. They had both public baptisms and communion for the entire church. This was my first time to witness both of these church life events in China. The baptisms were very simple. People were lined up in front of a pew then knelt on the pew bench while the two ministers (one a man and one a woman) dipped their hand in a basin of water then placed it upon the person’s head. One of the ladies clothed in white (with each outfit having a single, simple red cross in the front) would dry the heads of the people once baptized. Around 150 to 200 went to the front of the church for this process. After this, the entire church was served bread and juice by these same ladies in white. The head male leader then prayed and read some common passages from the Bible about the purpose of communion then we all partook of the bread and juice. It was quite neat to watch and be a part of.

Number of views as of this blog entry: 5187.

Here’s some stories coming out of China recently.

Editor and Magazine Disciplined by Party (April 26, 2007, South China Morning Post)

A leading mainland news magazine is halfway to closure and its editor has been disciplined after it defied a central government directive not to report on politically sensitive historic events, according to reliable sources. The Communist Party's propaganda department decided to impose a six-point penalty on Lifeweek magazine after an investigation. The propaganda department recently introduced the points system for the print media to tighten its control ahead of a crucial party congress this autumn. Media outlets can be closed if they incur a deficit of 12 points. The magazine's executive editor, Miao Wei , was also disciplined with a "serious internal warning". n November the propaganda department and the media regulator ordered the magazine to reform after the publication of three issues seen as politically sensitive. In its October 30 issue the weekly ran a cover story on the 30th anniversary of the end of the Cultural Revolution, with a front-page picture of Mao Zedong's wife, Jiang Qing , standing trial. Jiang was part of the "Gang of Four" who played a pivotal role in the 1966-76 turmoil. In its September 11 issue it ran a lead story on the 30th anniversary of the death of Mao, with his image on the cover. And in its August 30 issue the cover story was on the 30th anniversary of the Tangshan earthquake, in which more than 200,000 died.

More Than 12,000 People Estimated to be Infected with HIV/AIDS in Beijing (April 20, 2007, Xinhua)

With an estimated 12,000 people in Beijing infected with HIV/AIDS, the municipal public health bureau says the disease has entered a new phase and is expected to spread faster. The bureau says there are 3,462 people who are officially registered as HIV carriers or AIDS sufferers in the capital city but the actual figure is likely to be three times that number due to people either not knowing they have the virus or have yet to seek medical attention. However, Doctor Lu Lianhe with Beijing Ditan Hospital, who specializes in AIDS treatment, said that the estimate of 12,000 was just "the tip of the iceberg". "Underneath the surface, the situation is far more terrible. Many people who are carrying the disease have not developed symptoms so they simply unaware they are infected," he said. Statistics revealed by the public health bureau on Thursday also show that among the reported cases, 686 are Beijing residents, 2,634 are people from other provinces and 142 are foreigners. Zhao Chunhui, vice director of the public health bureau, said that drug addicts accounted for 1,357 of the reported cases, 924 cases were transmitted through sexual intercourse, 535 by blood transmission, 46 from mother to infant and about 600 were untraceable.

And now Chinese scientific data that proves that I’m 老大.

The Wangs Have Surnames Tied up in China (April 26, 2007, AP)

In a surprise turnaround, the Wangs win. A new study has debunked the notion that Li is China's most popular surname, state media said Tuesday. A 2006 survey of 296 million people in 1,110 counties and cities by the Chinese Academy of Sciences found that Li lead the ranks of family names with about 7.4% of the population sharing the moniker. But a recent analysis of household registration data covering nearly all of China's population revealed that Wang is in fact the most common name in the country, the official Xinhua News Agency reported. It said data released by the Chinese Ministry of Public Security showed that 92.881 million mainland Chinese are called Wang — equivalent to nearly one-third of the total United States population. Wangs make up 7.25% of China's total population while those named Li account for 92.074 million, or 7.19%, it said. Zhang is the country's third most popular name with 87.502 million, or 6.83% of the total. The other names in the top 10 list are Liu, Chen, Yang, Huang, Zhao, Wu, and Chou, it said.

Number of views as of this blog entry: 5173.

The weather is definitely starting to change. First of all, the sun is up earlier. I actually woke up at 5:45 AM yesterday because the sun was too bright. I pulled my shades this morning so I slept in until 7:30 AM. It’s also getting warmer. I actually went out for lunch without a coat. Sure, all the Chinese people around me were wearing theirs. And they were probably thinking, “What is that crazy foreigner doing without a coat!” But I was feelin’ just fine. I was actually warm when I got home, so I turned on the AC. Yup, it’s definitely approaching the summer heat.

Even though it’s Sunday, there are classes at the university. May Holiday (which is week long…May 1^st to 7^th) has caused classes to be flipped, so that Monday classes will be on Sunday and Monday. Fortunately, I only teach one class on Monday, so I have just one class tomorrow. On Monday night is when I start my vacation by going to Beijing. I’ll talk more about that before I leave.

Number of views as of this blog entry: 5173.

Tonight the boys (minus Dave) went out to play pool. I’m really not that good, but I had fun. You can imagine all the jokes being thrown out between our two tables. Usually we have a study time, but once every month we do something “fellowshippy”. We saw two English major students there who play all the time. They were there when we arrived and they were still there when we left. I told them to go to their dorm room and look up the word “addict” because I said they were “pool addicts”. <To which Seth chimed in, “I’m a coffee addict.”> Yes, you are!

We are right in the middle of Mid-Terms, so I’ve been grading away. I’ve become much better at writing Mid-Terms for my classes, and each term I think I improve. It’s a challenge at times since you are dealing with students who are studying English as a foreign language. The greatest challenge is encouraging them not to cheat (i.e., look at another student’s test). For each class I make an “Exam A” and an “Exam B”, but even then I have to watch them like a hawk.

In our foreign teacher’s library, we recently added DVDs for checkout (it will “roll out” after our May holiday vacation). Students love to watch American movies, so what better way to share culture and the English language with them. I think it’ll be a big hit with them.

I also have a new pet peeve: it’s when the locals scream “hello”. It’s not that it’s the “hello”, but it’s the lack of response from my response. If I say “hello” back and add a normal greeting/follow up statement, then they just stare as if I’m speaking a foreign language to them (oh wait, I am). It’s annoying to have someone yell “hello” to you only not be able to communicate anything else after that. You don’t really get that in Beijing or big cities, but in Siping, where any foreigner stands out, we are definitely a novelty. Nonetheless, I’m starting to get annoyed and I don’t even respond with anything anymore...not even a glance.

Number of views as of this blog entry: 5143.

If you didn’t know, the Houston Rockets are in the western playoffs for the NBA. It’s funny watching the intense reactions with which Chinese students watch and talk about the Houston Rockets. Yao Ming, Chinese greatest NBA export, plays for the Rockets, so basically EVERY Chinese follows the NBA and especially the Rockets. Today I was eating lunch in dining hall #3 and there were two small crowds gathered around the TVs that are up on the wall. It’s strange seeing American basketball through the eyes of my students; I’ve never once been to an NBA game (and not truly ever wanted to go). However, these students would sell all their tea and rice to see a game!

Number of views as of this blog entry: 5131.

The race is on for Beijing to be ready for the Olympics. Here’s some related stories.

Over 1 Million Automobiles to be Banned During Olympics (April 19, 2007, Xinhua)

More than 1 million automobiles will be banned from driving in Beijing during the Olympic Games in 2008 to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality. Liu Xiaoming, vice director of the Beijing Municipal Transportation Committee, said that the ban is expected to reduce the number of vehicles in Beijing by 20 percent to 30 percent during the games. The vehicles belonging to government departments and state-owned enterprises will have restricted access to Beijing's downtown and citizens will be encouraged to reduce the use of private cars, Liu said. Heavily polluting trucks will be banned. During the games free bus service will be available for athletes, spectators and games' volunteers and workers, said Liu. Statistics show that the number of newly registered automobiles in Beijing is growing 1,060 a day. There are currently 2.97 million automobiles in the city. That number is expected to exceed 3.3 million by the time the Olympic Games begin in August 2008.

Bright Red Hair, Chunky Earrings Banned for Beijing Cab Drivers (April 19, 2007, Xinhua)

Don't dye your hair bright red, and remember to leave those big chunky earrings at home. That was the message from Beijing city administrators to taxi drivers to smarten up the cab industry with less than 500 days toward the Olympics. Yao Kuo, vice director of the municipal transport management bureau, said that his bureau had devised a 12-item evaluation chart for cab services, The Beijing News reported Wednesday. Cab drivers are not permitted to smoke while driving, overcharge, spit or litter. They are asked to dress in neat, clean clothes and to be friendly and polite. Drivers who fail to use taximeters and refuse to pick up passengers will lose their licenses, according to the paper. Female drivers must not wear big, chunky earrings or dye their hair odd colors like bright red or yellow, and male drivers should not wear their hair long, said Yao. But some drivers are unhappy with the new regulations. A cab driver from Yinjian Cab Company surnamed Geng said the regulations should not interfere with personal freedom like the color of one's hair. But he agreed that female drivers should dress decently and not wear clothes that are too tight-fitting.

Race Is On to Book Beijing Hotel Rooms (April 19, 2007, Reuters)

More than a year before the first starter's pistol fires at the Beijing Olympics, competition is rife for what may be spectators' biggest prize - a comfortable hotel room within range of top sports venues. City tourism officials and Olympics organisers are confident Beijing's 700-plus star-rated hotels can absorb the onslaught of half a million foreign and domestic visitors expected each day for 17 days beginning August 8, 2008. But some of the best hotels are already fully booked, and 122 of the three-, four- and five-star hotels closest to the Olympic venues are at least 70 percent filled after Olympics officials, sponsors and media locked up 30,000 rooms. Tens of thousands of rooms are still available, but free-wheeling capitalism is already pushing prices well over double normal rates. City officials say they will not restrict hotel profits, and standard rooms being cited by travel agents surpass $325 a night at some 3-star hotels to $500-$775 at luxury 5-star hotels. Working through a travel agent may be easier, since some have relationships with networks of hotels. But prepare to pay the full tab three months ahead of the Games, they say. Hotels are also imposing other restrictions, like minimum stays and minimum beverage purchases, in one case up to $250 a day. Another unpredictable factor is how many of China's 1.3 billion people might converge on Beijing. Of the event's 7 million tickets, 75 percent are targeted for domestic visitors, but city officials expect fewer than 150,000 daily visitors from within China. Overflow contingency plans include tapping hotels in surrounding suburbs and towns of Hebei province, even as far away as coastal Tianjin, some 115 kms (about 70 miles) to the east.

Number of views as of this blog entry: 5096.

This week, in both my Freshman and Sophomore oral classes, I had them memorize a portion of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech. I split the last 700 words or so of the end of the speech, so each student gave a part. Multiple students would have the same part, so they would “compete” for the highest score within their memorized portion. The more I heard them deliver the speech, the more I realized how powerful MLK’s words were for the time. In many ways, I see them as prophetic, especially the part where he say, “I have a dream today. I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.” It’s very powerful stuff and it wasn’t until I heard the last part of the speech for a total of 28 times this week did I completely realize the full ramifications of his words. I realize now why some small-minded Americans were truly upset with him and his words…because those words would change a nation. I am thankful for MLK and the choice that he made in his life to go against the tide of his day. One day I will see him and thank him for those words.

Below I found a video on YouTube which shows the speech in its entirety.

Number of views as of this blog entry: 5076.

I love to scour the Net for the latest news on whatever. It’s amazing what you’ll find. Here's the latest jewel that I uncovered. Most students and teachers will know Guan Chunmei (sorry, I don't know the Hanzi for her name). She has taught in the English department here at the same school that I teach in Siping. She also owns a translation service in town. Well, recently she finally made her way to America…Evansville, Indiana to be exact. I found an article about her and here is the link: http://www.courierpress.com/news/2007/apr/15/no-headline---15b01china. What I think is most funny about the article is the fact that she is referred to as “Guan Laoshi”, being translated into Chinese “Guan (her family name) Teacher”, a common way to address teachers in China. (In China, the family name is always given first followed by the given name.) For example, some students will say to me “Sonny Teacher” (i.e., “Sonny 老师 [Lăoshī]). Anyway, I wish the best of luck to her as she experiences my home country!

Number of views as of this blog entry: 5064.

One of the new things we are doing in our foreign teachers’ library this term is putting up profiles of all of us for the students to read. There are a set number of things like name, birth date, favorite Chinese foods, and the like. So I told the team that I need to take a picture of everyone for the library walls. Anyway, two smart alecks (is that how you really spell “aleck”) sent me some profile pics that were stinkin’ hilarious. In no way do I choose to demean them; however, below you can see the pictures they sent. Enjoy!

Number of views as of this blog entry: 5039.

For Sophomore oral the lesson this week was over products and advertising. The lesson in the book was okay, but I wanted them to get “hands on” experience with advertising. So I decided that each group (I created six in each class) would create three products, price them, make up a company name, stage a commercial, then present a pitch of their company and products. I only filmed the commercials (though some of the pitches were creatively hilarious). Anyway, below you’ll find eleven links to the videos from two different classes and the video of the commercial that I liked the best. Sometimes the sound is bad because of the acoustics in the room as well as the fact that my little Samsung camera isn’t actually perfect for producing videos. Enjoy!

Perfect Earth: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeOcuqtuzDU

Angel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azPlP575DX4

Milky Way Jewelry: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySdKUk0WSto

Perfect Pretty Girls: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNHIJm5dyLo

Thin House: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8PxOO8Rt3E

Wan Yuan Fruit Shop: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iL9R5KInbXw

Chocolate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhhm53M2MTw

Gingle Bells: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkSfKunyzDc

Love's Oxygen House: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9d_GtfBXc2Y

Nai Yuan Milk Shop: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2Is86rkxNo

Mison: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lICvxzbP07s

Number of views as of this blog entry: 5021.

Last night began our Spring 2007 lectures. The last three terms found each of us giving two lectures; however, this term we are blessed with just one. The topic I chose was “Life & Death in America”. For the first half hour I talked about how babies are born, common names, pink for girls & blue for boys, and vocabulary (such as “pregnant”, “triplets”, and “maternity”). For the second half hour I talked about funeral homes, types of burials, and losing a loved one. Vocabulary words included “cemetery”, “cremation”, and “casket” (yeah, a lot of “c” words). Anyway, the real funny part of the night was when I talked about English phrases dealing with life and death. I said a person can “sleep like a baby” or something can be “soft as a baby’s bottom”. The students thought the latter was funny. When I talked about the death phrases, I mentioned someone can be described as having “passed away” or “went home”. I then shared with them the informal (and somewhat funny) phrases for death. This is where I blame David and Michelle in the front row.

You have to know that the Chinese DO NOT talk about the dead – nor mention the deceased by name – much less have phrases that “joke” about death. Yet this is American culture. I explained this to them before I taught them the phrase “kicked the bucket”, to which I then pretended to kick an imaginary bucket. They partially understood. I then mentioned the phrase “bit the big one”, which is funny because I really couldn’t describe what “the big one” was. (Even stranger was the fact that I mimicked biting something imaginary!) Last I said someone has died could be said as having “bought the farm”. I then explained the word farm and buying it as an analogy of death. It was this explanation that got Dave cracking up and red-faced in the front row. I then explained (again) to the students that death (and these phrases) are humorous to Americans and that is why Dave is laughing in the front row. When I said “bought the farm” again, Dave started losing it and then Michelle started chuckling. I looked at these two and almost lost it myself. At this point the students are just staring at me as if I was nude (no, not really!) – they just couldn’t believe Americans were laughing at the topic of death. I guess it’s true: I’m just an insensitive jerk!

Number of views as of this blog entry: 5004.

For the whole afternoon, I’ve been cookin' up a storm. Since the team will eat together for a Sunday lunch celebration, I’ve been tapped to make my standard “angeled eggs” (since we couldn’t say the “D” word in my childhood home) and mashed potatoes. Being in China, I’ve continued perfecting a dish called “Sonny’s Baked Potato Mashed Potatoes”. The ingredients include butter, Hidden Valley™ ranch dressing, Veleveeta™ cheese, and bacon bits. However, I decided to make another batch differently. I’ve named this one “Sonny’s Tour of Italy Mashed Potatoes”. This batch includes butter, Basil spice, Oregano spice and Parmesan cheese. I had no idea what the latter was going to taste like, but, since I’m the chef, I took a bite of this batch and I about went back in time because THEY ARE SOOOO GOOD! What didn’t I think of this combo before? Amazing!

I also cooked some cookies my dad sent. I had never made cookies from a package; I usually use the “sticks” in the dairy section that you simply cut. Anyway, I followed the instructions and starting baking them in the oven Ruth left for me. (Awww, I miss Ruth!) I didn’t realize they would “grow” like they did. Initially, I had created five cookies, but somehow they merged into one large cookie. It was hilarious. I gave a cookie to Robb and he gave me the best compliment ever: “This cookie is so good you could drink it!” That’s what I wanted to hear. You can see picks of my afternoon cookie adventure in the album entitled “Cook Me”.

Number of views as of this blog entry: 4981.

Today is Saturday and I am in the middle of the Easter weekend. Good Friday was a good day as I had some time to reflect on some of the truths that I believe in. Tomorrow will indeed be a joyous day as well. It was a good time to share with my oral classes (2 Sophomore and 2 Freshman) the meanings of Easter, too. I taught about secular and sacred symbols such as easter eggs, chocolate bunnies, lambs, and lilies. We learned some new vocabulary words such as “betray”, “condemn”, “regret”, and “resurrection”. My students were really touched by the scene from the “Passion” where Mary runs to her Son to help Him stand up. The flashback during the scene truly shows her love for her Son.

I hope I’m not letting the “cat out of the bag”, but Sarah and I were talking about the tuna that gets sent to her by her grandmother. Sarah’s not a fan of tuna, but I am. Each time she gets a package from home, I always know because she gives me the tuna sent to her. I had never had the tuna out of the package and it’s waaaay tastier than the can! I can get a Chinese brand of tuna at the local store but there’s nothing like Bumblebee™ or Chicken of the Sea™ tuna. Delicious! Anyway, I wanted to say thanks to grandma Eyman for the tuna because every time she blesses her granddaughter, she blesses me. Thanks Grandma Eyman!

And below are some recent stories out of China.

Chinese ‘Can’t Afford to Die’ as Funeral Costs Soar (April 5, 2007, Reuters) Chinese celebrated the annual tomb-sweeping festival on Thursday, but state media said soaring funeral costs were leading to people complaining they can no longer afford to die. In Beijing and Shanghai, a proper send-off can cost between 10,000 and 20,000 yuan ($1,300-$2,600), Xinhua news agency said. Funerals for family members cost the average Beijing resident three months' salary. For decades after the 1949 Communist takeover, China forbade burials in order to conserve badly needed land and insisted instead on cremations. The rule was poorly enforced in its vast countryside, though, and now has effectively been abandoned. Earlier this week China announced it was to outlaw the trade in tomb futures -- speculating on the business of selling graves -- after it bankrupted many investors, as the government steps up regulations on a lucrative but poorly regulated industry. Funeral providers rarely charge for services but make money by marking up the cost of products, sometimes as much as 20 times the original price, and mourning relatives are loath to bargain, Xinhua said. In some areas the cost of a grave per square meter can be twice as much as an apartment.

Beijinger Buying Flies to Clean Up City (April 5, 2007, China Daily) Retired restaurateur Guo Zhanqi is buying flies for two yuan ($0.259) apiece to help clean up Beijing for next year's Olympics, local media reported on Wednesday. Echoing Mao Zedong's campaign against the "Four Harms" in the 1950s, Guo can be found outside the city's Chaoyang Park doling out his savings to anybody who hands over a dead fly. "There were always a mass of flies around the entrance to my restaurant, and no fewer inside," the 60-year-old told Beijing Youth Daily. "It was extremely disgusting." Beijing city authorities have instituted campaigns against spitting, littering and queue-jumping in order to improve the environment in the Chinese capital before the Olympics. Guo wants to add his campaign to the list. Guo has reworked Beijing's Olympic bid slogan to advertise his free market twist on Mao's campaign. "No flies, new Beijing. No flies, great Olympics."

Number of views as of this blog entry: 4978.

Even though April Fools’ Day was like six days ago, I have a couple of things to talk about it. First of all, I got three text messages from students to the effect of “Happy April Fools’ Day” which was strange nonetheless. However, one creative text message contained the following (verbatim): “If A is 1, B is 2, C is 3,...,Z is 26 then L+O+V+E=54 and F+R+I+E+N+D+S+H+I+P=108. Friendship is twice stronger than love. Happy April Fools’ Day.” (FYI: I checked out the math using Excel and it is right!) What a funny message indeed.

Yesterday was China’s official day to the honor the dead. It’s called Qĭng Míng (清明) which literally means “clear brightness”. On this day and the days before, you will see people burning special paper on the side of the road. What they’ll do is put a circle on the ground drawn of chalk, place the special paper within the middle, then burn the paper in honor of their ancestors. The paper represents money as is the belief that their ancestors who are deceased will have their financial needs met in the afterlife. Some computer-saavy Chinese will have digital “tomb sweeping” – instead of burning paper, they’ll establish a website to honor their ancestors. Here are a couple of websites that gives more information about Qĭng Míng: http://www.c-c-c.org/chineseculture/festival/qingming/qingming.html & http://chineseculture.about.com/library/weekly/aa031201a.htm.

I was also a little bored during break time yesterday during class, so I took some pictures of the view from the sixth floor in Building One that overlooks the southwest portion of the campus where the sports areas are such as the basketball, tennis, and volleyball courts and the soccer field. You can see the pics below.

Number of views as of this blog entry: 4969.

March Madness has come to an end as Florida has come out on top. Sadly, when it comes to my NCAA Bracket pickens, I sucked myself into a tie for 7^th & 8^th place. Here’s the team Siping breakdown: Kat – 1^st (106 pts.), Jonny – 2^nd (102 pts.), Seth & Robb – 3^rd & 4^th (86 pts.), Sarah – 5^th (85 pts.), Jason – 6^th (82 pts.), Sonny & Jeweliann – 7^th & 8^th (77 pts.), Michelle – 9^th (74 pts.), Rachel – 10^th (71 pts.) and David – 11^th (60 pts.). Katherine walks away with the pot money of 110 Yuan (equal to about $13). I had such a strong showing in the beginning, but I didn’t recover after my horrible picks of the Elite Eight. It was all downhill thereafter.

On the team front, Jonny is doing something quite creative and hilarious with his class. He and his “teaching assistant” Rachel (as she is now so eloquently called by him) created a chart of dates that surround Rachel’s due date. Jonny now takes his chart to every one of his classes and has students choose the TIME and DATE of Rachel’s birth. I don’t know if they get a prize, but every one of his students eats it up. I hope I get to pick, too.

On the home front, the past few days my thoughts have been turning to home. Since Easter season is upon us, I often miss important family gatherings and times of fellowship with others. All I really want is to be transported to Oklahoma for one day then transported back to China. Is that really too much to ask?

Number of views as of this blog entry: 4945.

Saturday, March 31^st

This weekend has been filled with a lot of activity. On Friday we all celebrate Jonny’s birthday at the Pizza Hut in Changchun. The team (save Katherine) were there and a good time was had by all. I always enjoy getting to throw down some good pizza. Yummy indeed! I also did some shopping by getting some Corn Flakes, Doritos and Land O’ Lakes Chedderella cheese. I also hooked myself up with some McDonald’s double cheeseburgers to go.

Saturday was a busy day as I started to meet with students for class dinners again. Last term I had six oral classes and there was not way I was going to get to them all. This year I have four oral classes and have already finished sharing a meal with one Sophomore class. It’s a good time for me to get to know them and see their personalities. I always learn a lot about them even though the same questions appear: Do I like Chinese girls? What is your favorite Chinese city? What is your favorite Chinese food? When will you go home to America? How much is a plane ticket to get home? But, hey, I know it’s part of the job.

I’ve also been busy with grading. Now that school is in full swing, homework is comin’ in quickly. I usually give quizzes for my oral classes, so that gives me a lot of paper work. With the eighty journals I sometimes grade for Junior writing, it can backlog pretty quickly unless I stay on top of it.

Sunday, April 1^st

I met with my second group of freshman for a meal and they were really funny. First of all, we were talking about characteristics of people and one students piped in, “What your favorite body part?” I think I blushed because the question made me want to laugh. After we all had a good chuckle, I simply said I liked my height best (though mentally, that question had WAAAAY too many hilarious answers).

The class monitor then told me that he sent his mother a text message today that he got a girl pregnant. She sent him a message during our meal stating that she was really disappointed. He then replied that it was April Fools’ Day and that it was a big joke. Surprisingly, she thought it was funny though I thought such a joke was slightly jarring and tacky. But to each his own.

Another foreign teacher from Changchun, Beth, left us today. She had come down to visit the team and hang out. She’s a blast. I got to play a game of Scrabble with her and she’s pretty good. She won’t be returning to China next year, so I’m a little saddened because I really like her. See the picture below of us together at a Korean-style restaurant in Siping.

Monday, April 2^nd

For some strange reason I could not access my blog for about four days, henceforth, the lack of updates. I tried everyday multiple times, but it never worked. Finally, just after I got out of my 1:30 PM Sophomore oral class today, it connected. It’s about time!

Ben came down from Harebin and has been hanging out with the team. He is in charge of the teaching side of our duties, so he makes sure we’re studying the language, keeping track of students and grades, and performing general classroom maintenance. He brought a bunch of goodies from Haerbin and will unveil them tonight during game night.

Number of views as of this blog entry: 4932.