because I have to get my kicks somewhere

This is my sister. Not only is she special because she is remembering the Alamo, but she has also sprouted a Texas flag from her scalp thanks to the tropical Waco environment. I must say, the pictures on my computer provide me with more entertainment than I ever would have guessed. (so don't be surprised to see yourself on here some day!). Sorry for the last depressing blog, I think my influx of completely devastating movies in the past few weeks has rather affected my usually sunny personality (that was irony). I am tackling each moment with a determinant to be comfortable in the completely unknown of the future and to enjoy my time here. It really isn't too hard. My kids are wonderful, I think I laugh more during class than I teach--I never know what is going to come out of their mouths--the food is divine, and it is exciting to being comprehending a language! Furthermore, I have actually been receiving the mail that has been sent to me. I believe I declared last blog that I couldn't remember my last hug, I realized lately I am so silly and forgetful. Remember Auntie Yang (the gatekeeper with the rooster in her bike basket?) I can't understand a word she says to me for the most part (for some reason, her Chinese is particularly incomprehensible) but she checks on me every few days and fiercely hugs the life out of me before she leaves. I have no clue where she picked up this habit (it is uncommon to hug in this culture) I think she must know that foreigners need it!
This weekend, some of other teachers and I are going to Suzhou--a city known as the Venice of the East. We are quite excited to spend a little time outside Hangzhou. Perhaps I will have some more exciting mis-adventures to relay soon!

I want to bang my head on the table and sing "sometimes I feel like a motherless child"

Some days I love China. Some days I absolutely hate it. Today, I hate it. It is an all-consuming, passionate, frustrated hate. It sort of blocks out any rational thoughts. Laura Mims, a teacher who taught in my province last year, told me before she went home, that each day's outcome drastically depends upon one's attitude--I know this is true, but even my most valiant efforts toward positive thinking fizzle before lunch-time. Things are challenging here, but sometimes I don't want the challenge, I crave familiarity. I crave touch---affection touch. I am surrounded by 4 million of my closest friends all day long practically standing on top of me but all I want is a hug (aren't you proud Susie?), or a hand, or just to lounge next to a friend (oh for the days of the red couch or The OC and Happy Tracks marathons).

On the lighter side, a very very very happy birthday week to Anne Caldwell (23) and Erin Burroughs (8)!! I miss you!!

Happy mid-autumn festival!!!!! (it is today!)

I know Katie, Emily and Patrick all think they have the cutest, best cat in the world.....I hate to disappoint them and steal the glory---but I am fairly sure my new kitten (Xiao Mao) is the cutest, sweetest, funnest cat in the world. I mean, look at her wee little face. How can you not agree?????

sorry its been so long since I posted. I am not dead (though I did spend about 2 hours in the police station the other day over some visa issues and I started to think I may never again see the light of day). Teaching is going well, my freshmen are even more hysterical than my juniors, and I am sure they think I am from a different planet (I am a little weird sometimes, believe it or not). The good news is, I now have internet and drinking water (and a cat) in my apartment. My living standard has improved rather well.

better late than never


oi! internet in my apartment! these are some pics from Tibet, sorry they are so late.......

well blow me over

I could view my blog today for the first time in China. Honestly, I wonder when I will stop being surprised by the shear randomness of this country. Anyway, I thought you might think it was interesting. I am using Seth's (another teacher) computer in his apartment from last year. This gives me hope that whenever I get the internet in my own apartment, it might let me see my blog too and then we can all go back to posting! (but i am not getting tooooo hopeful). I found out yesterday that the freshmen don't come until next week so I have the rest of my week off. I think I am going to do some road-tripping out to Quzhou and Suzhou or Shanghai. I'll catch up with you again soon. (you can still call me if you miss me :)

if you weren't inspired by the orphanage pictures....

this is a copy the email and some pictures Zheng Si Si sent me today....... once again, if you want to help, or know anyone ele who would be interested, just shoot me an email!

i visited two families in Tibet Dangxiong county, above 4000m, near namchu lake. One family father died, and 4 children, older brother takes care of animals with his mother, and older sister study in mainland high middle school, in Jiangsu province near Zhejiang. 1900yuan rmb a year. she had no money so in her 4years study in middle school, she only visited home once, and the trip was finaniced by others. in picture is the young sister, now in primary school. a young brother also in school now. they are one of the most poor families among locals though most local families are very poor, it is a hard place to survive. Another family is a very big family, with a lot of children, also an infant in tent. these children are not healthy, because of poor nutrition. the man with glasses in pic is a local doctor. he is a very very nice doctor. he worked in a county hospital, and volunteered to work in this hard country area, 4yrs, i asked why, his explain, these farmers when to county hospital, their illness already too late to be cured, country lack doctors. his wife still in county hospital, is a nurse, and support him very much, they have no child. he is also a poet. he is well admired by the local people, i can feel when i was with him

just another day in china

I moved today. I feel guilty moving from a perfectly fine home to an even nicer home. I am grateful for what the school has given me, but it just doesn't seem right that I ought to be living in the lap of luxury when the other teachers on staff, the students, and the rest of the college community are living at a sub-standard level. I want my house to be a place people can always come visit, but I am ashamed of its niceness and don't want Chinese to come over....it would be like saying "hey, why don't you come over to my place so you can see all the nice shit I have that you won't ever be able to have, even though you are a hard worker, because i am an American and you are not." Argh.

I can't believe what I am seeing on the news about the aftermath of hurricane Katrina. I know the subject has probably been beat to death in America, but here we've only been getting a bit of news about it. I know people are the same everywhere, but it just seems that the anarchy that is going on should be happening in another country or another era. It is strange to read about how everything has been turned on its head in New Orleans. It is truly unbelievable and dreadful.

I went to the hospital the other day. No worries, I am fine, a Chinese friend was just helping me to a prescription for meds I take in America, so I can buy them here. First, though, I had to be examined. Like a regular hospital there are examining rooms, but when you get there, you take a number and wait outside the door. When it was finally my turn I went in. I hadn't been in the examine room for more than 2 minutes before the door opened and some Chinese people that were waiting for there number to come up shuffled in . Then a few more people, and then more, and more, and finally half the nation of China was standing in my examine room to see what was wrong with the foreigner sitting on the examine table.It was like a play in which the starring characters (the doctor and I) have speaking roles, and then there is the chorus that speaks in one voice. The doctor continued the examination taking no mind to the 20-plus people in the room with us. He knew a little English so he would ask me a question, make a note, and then turn to translate for the group. In unison the group would then respond to the answer with "OOOHHH," or AHHHHH and the like. He started asking what the medicines I was taking were for. I answered grudgingly and then he turned and told the curious group "Oho!" they responded. By the time I left the hospital, I am quite sure that everyone there knew the exact details of my medical file. Ah, well.....just another day in China.

I start teaching tomorrow. I got the textbooks this afternoon. I have a three hour class on "selected newspaper readings" and then later in the week will have my oral English classes. I am very nervous, but I am looking forward to getting started. Too much time in idleness causes one to become a little self-involved--I am reading to be a little others-involved.

recipe help

Whenever I get around to moving, my Chinese friends want me to have a housewarming party and they want me to cook American food. That is all fine and good, but for the life of me I can't think what to cook for a group of about 10 people. It can't contain meat, pasta, tomato sauce, or cheese (because I don't eat meat and there isn't any pasta, sauce, or cheese here) and can't bake anything (because I don't have an oven). So, if you have any suggestions, I am desperate. Thanks.
p.s. I am feeling guilty b/c my sister sent me her blog today (see the link brennan homiak's blog on the sidebar) and it is so full of wisdom and self-examination etc, I am sorry my blog has nothing of this sort to offer!(but it does have rooster stories!)

have you ever tried to buy a slip in this godforsaken city???????????

I met with my Chinese friend Su Jian yesterday. For those of you who have been following my life for more than this blog, you might know that he is my former Chinese crush. Yes, I said former Chinese crush. Though he is the only Chinese person I have ever been attracted to, and he is amazing and wonderful and pushed my bike for two hours so I didn't have to, he is former. As much as it pains me to say it, his girlfriend is moving to Hangzhou next month and he is planning to ask her to marry him so I've decided that I can no longer pretend she doesn't exist. *sigh* But aside from that crushing (no pun intended) news, I had a wonderful time with him. Yesterday was the best day I've had since I came here. Su Jian's English is such that we can branch out into various topics w/o being fettered by a vocabulary barrier. I felt like I was with a friend from back home. I can only explain it as being relaxed in conversation. Most of the time when I am conversing with folks here, I am very tense, thinking of what I will say next, how I will say it in a way that they can understand me, and what we can talk about that they have the English vocabulary for. It was a welcome change! Somehow I shall manage to beat down my undying love for him and settle for friendship.

So the official moving day is here, and in Chinese fashion, there is no moving going on whatsoever. Furthermore, naturally, no one has a clue when or where we might be moving for real. School starts in three days and we have no rosters, no classroom assignments, no textbooks or daily class schedule (i.e. what time the classes begin and end). Ha. This place is a trip. I am not sure I will ever get over my bafflement at Chinese logic.

Also, I would like to announce that the winner of the "Who-responds-the-most-to-Cammie's-blogs" contest is........drum roll please........Corrine (Cream) Cooper!!!!!!1 Now, I know those of you that didn't win will protest that you didn't know there was a contest going on.......I kept it a secret so I could see how you acted naturally, without the impetus of a contest.

clarifications

protests on the contest already!!! just clarifying there wasn't really a contest and I do love everyone equally whether they respond or not. Furthermore, while I think Su Jian is great I might have gotten a little dramatic and carried away in my last blog. I am not as heartbroken as I made myself out to be. But it is true that I haven't manage to find a slip in this whole city. No exaggeration there. Honestly people, can't you recognize good sarcastic, dramatic humor anymore?????????????