Hong Kong, Shanghai and the I-Don't-Know-What-You-Are-Saying-Face

Hong Kong hop.

Hong Kong is just a hop away so I knew I'd go back. 

Traveling solo.
Combine a small English speaking community and people's different working schedules and what you get is, the need to be able to do things alone. The traveling opportunities are vast so if I want to take full advantage of them, I need to travel by myself. And I CAN do that. Really! I think...

Okay, I admit it still takes a little courage. Courage: When you are scared, but do. it. anyway.

I decided to practice this with an Independence Trip. It was also a kick-off-my-new-year (October birthday girl here). My thinking was I'd start with a place I didn't know well, but that wasn't completely foreign either. Hong Kong seemed fitting. The trip required a few 'firsts'. I picked up my train ticket from the intimidating Chinese train station, took the train by myself, transferred to the metro, went through customs and the border crossing(from mainland China to Hong Kong). I even chose to stay in a shared room hostel(females only) for the first time. It all went smoothly. I took a refreshing hike, went to church (my 2 high points), but decided, overall, Hong Kong is a bit too shopping and people heavy for me. Not that I won't go back. There are other great hikes and food establishments for me to explore. I haven't even been to the top of Victoria Peak yet!

SHanghai SHannon.
SHanghai kinda sound like SHannon. I had such a nice time this past weekend in Shanghai. Foremost, because of the people. I met up with an American friend, working there, from my time in Budapest. I had not seen her for several years. At that time, I was a volunteer with a non-profit organization and she was teaching in an international school. Meeting her in Hungary actually got me contemplating this path of international teaching. The idea was new, since I was planning to be a volunteer for the rest of my life. Sometimes, I miss that more simple, idealistic me. It was great to reconnect and experience a bit of her Shanghai life. I also traveled with a friend from Xiamen and met lots of new folks.

Imagine if our planet was really polluted.

I love dystopian novels, of which I have read my fair share. I felt like I was in one of those novels, during my time in Shanghai. Imagine the opening of one such novel.

One crazy man enters, or maybe not so crazy, it is still too early in the novel to determine. Picture him approaching the main character, perhaps a seemingly typical, but actually courageously above average, boy of about 14 years old. Imagine him telling the protagonist about a time, in the past, when people could look out from the western bank of the Huangpu River and actually see the Pearl on the other side (famous locations in Shanghai, where the novel, of course, takes place). Perhaps Crazy Man would even claim the sky used to be... blue! At which the boy would scoff. Imagine that, a BLUE sky!

It was dreamlike. Unreal. 
The pollution in Shanghai was pretty bad. It can fluctuate, though typically, it is not great and the fall and winter are the worst seasons for it.

In Shanghai I also got to eat fried dumplings and cake donuts (old fashioned doughnuts even), go to Old Navy (happiness), check out a 200 year old tea house, and visit my friend's fancy international school. I was a little jealous of their metro and the variety of churches (we visited one) available in the city of 26 million, even with the pollution. 

Learning Chinese and the I-have-no-idea-what-you-are-saying-face.

I love studying languages, but I'm not so great at learning them because I don't enjoy it when toddlers can speak better than me. And who wants to see the 'I have no idea what you are saying' face. Again and again.

Right now Mandarin is my favorite. I meet with my private tutor, at my favorite coffeehouse, twice a week, for an hour and a half each time.

Learning to read Chinese characters. 

I. can. read. some. characters!! And I think it is the coolest thing. Ever. I know so, so little in the whole scheme of the language, but I am giddy that I can recognize over 100 common characters. I am preparing to take the standardized proficiency tests for Chinese. These exams (there are 6) are recognized by public universities and such but I just like having goals. I'd like to pass 2 levels a year, but I'm not going to stress about it.

Teaching first graders is great. They are adorable and they learn and grow right. in. front. of. my. eyes. They are learning to read and they think it is the coolest thing! So do I. Since I am also learning to read it makes it even richer.

I can relate to the processes they are going through. I hear my choppy reading and how I guess at words that have the same parts as other characters. Like my students, I need to go back and reread. Sometimes I read a whole sentence and get praised for it only to admit I have no idea what those words actually mean when combined together. I laugh out loud because I sound just like my first graders. It's awesome. I have never had this experience before. I have only studied languages with latin characters, besides Arabic. And let's be honest, I didn't learn a lot of Arabic. Learning how to read and write the Arabic characters was amazing, but I didn't learn how to communicate in the language much. I think I know more Chinese after 4 months than Arabic, after 2 years. It is motivational that what I learn is useful to my daily life.

Settling In.
My apartment is comfortable, if not cozy. I have a treadmill for if I don't want to fight the crowds or face the pollution (we have some bad days in that area, too). I even attained a toaster oven this week. Typically homes don't come with ovens.

Slowly I'm building a community around myself. I have a supportive work environment, kind colleagues, I've been attending a church(even teaching sunday school this week), helping lead a small group at an English Corner (I say club, you say corner), and meeting new people here and there.

Happy Thanks and Giving Reminder Day.

Thanksgiving went by almost without recognition. The school I am teaching at is not "American", like in Kuwait, (it's International) and many of my colleagues from other countries and don't celebrate American Thanksgiving (imagine that). A couple of us did gather, shared what we were thankful for and ate our fill of traditional food. Turkey, stuffing and pumpkin cheesecake. Oh my!

National Week's Top 6

Last Week was China's National Day and I had a week off of work because of it. I did what I was told to do. "Do not visit anything in China, during any national holiday!" Okay, okay.

So here are the highlights from my excursion to Hong Kong and Cebu, Philippines.

1. The Bullet Train
My first time on one of these. It went 200 miles an hour, though it didn't seem like it, and it still had to make several stops. It was comfortable enough, and only 30 dollars for the 4-hour jaunt to the Chinese border.  Unfortunately, from there, it was another 2 hours of border crossing and other transportation into Hong Kong- which is, yes technically, still China. Officially it is called the "Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China." 

2. The Skyline of Hong Kong
Nicest from the mainland, and also pretty when you are on the ferry. 

5. The Big Buddha View
Surprised by delight. This is only my second huge one but, I like visiting the enormous statues(the other was the reclining Buddha in Bangkok). I loved the beautiful, affordable bus ride to the remote site and uh-mazing view from the top of the many STAIRS (I like stairs, as well!) up to the carved figure. It was also strikingly quieter than the city.

3. The Tarsiers
These little monkey-looking creatures!  They are endangered, rare and simply cute. We saw them at a sanctuary in Bohol, Cebu.

4. The Beach
Wow. Could not believe my eyes. Overwhelmed to be in such a place. Jealous of whoever is at this Anda, Cebu, Philippines' seaside now. 

6. Chocolate Hills
I wish is was clearer and that I could have hiked or rode around IN them, but still happy to have seen them. They are the main reason I decided to head to the country comprised of more than 7,000 islands.

How could I not like a trip with these 6 amazing highlights?!?
I won't go into detail about the raincheck-needing weather, the closed port, the crowds, the long lines, the beggars, nor the crazy amount of time traveling. :) These highlights are outstanding; zenith even, so all in all- a great trip to Hong Kong and number 4-0. 

Things You Don't See in Nebraska

Super Typhoon
I've been in mild earthquakes in California and tornado warnings in Tornado Alley though I've never had one touch down near me. I read, I Survived the Japanese Tsunami of 2011 to my students, last year and I thought for sure I was giving some of them nightmares. If I did I never heard about it, but it was definitely on my mind throughout the night of the Super Typhoon. Really a typhoon? Growing up, like most children, I found natural disasters interesting, but I am pretty sure typhoons were not on my radar.

After doing a little research, I found out that the atmospheric cyclone commonly known as the typhoon is,... like... a hurricane. They have different names in different parts of the world.  See the map below.



I don't want to blather on about the devastation in Xiamen. I'll just say day to day life for many of the locals is pretty tough. They work hard and end up without much to show for it. So the impact is felt the most by them. I'm posting a couple pictures I took of my neighborhood. I admit I got choked up when I gingerly emerged yesterday. It looked a lot like those videos you see on the news after major catastrophes and I was in it. But this is not devastating in comparison with many world tragedies. No lives have been officially reported lost in Xiamen, though I have heard of a death by electrocution, after the storm.

Every room in my home has big windows. Yes, even the bathroom. And they don't have typhoon shelters, so I just went to bed. When the heat (my air conditioner stopped working when the electricity went off) or the sound of the storm woke me... I jumped down into the space between my bed and wardrobe because, it was deafening and I was sure a some huge piece of debris was going to fly threw my window, at any moment, and hit me where I lay. When I dropped down I landed in water. Yep. My 13th floor apartment was covered in 2-3 inches of water. Turns out it came in, under the door, from the hallway(there are a ton of windows out there) and from under the sliding glass door, because the balcony drain was clogged. Regardless of why, it was quite surprising. I was informed later that actually I should have also been scared of being sucked out of the window. Oh.

I live alone with no other teacher or foreigner, that I know of, residing in my building, but the whole time I was in conversation with other teachers and local friends through WeChat, the social media platform of choice, in China. They were saying things like, "I'm scared.", "My building is really swaying" and "One of my windows just blew out.", so.. I'm not sure why I was comforted, :) , but I was.

I am back. I left for a short time because I heard my water turn back on. I re-filled all my containers, did the dishes and... I'm back. I had water for most of the day, but then it stopped again. There is a rumor or not- maybe it's true, that Xiamen will turn off their water for 96 hours starting at 11pm tonight to fix some problems. I hope it is a fake message, as some are saying.


The floors in both bedrooms are ruined.


The washing machine was ripped from the wall,
knocked over and cracked, but it still works.
And it's still ugly.


My favorite walking/ running trail :( .

Tonight's hope filled sky.

Mid-Autumn Festival; Moon cakes and a dice game
So there is this 3,000 year old holiday happening this weekend, too.
This is a 4 day weekend for most people in China. It's Mid-Autumn Festival.

Here's What I Know: 
-After New Year's, it is the biggest annual celebration. 

-It happens when the moon is at its fullest. People used to worship the moon during the festival. 

-Moon cakes are shared and eaten at this time. Some are expensive and fancy and some are not. There is a multitude of types and flavors. I got some pretty nice ones as a gift from a student. Starbucks, Godiva and Haagen Dazs even make moon cakes.

-A traditional dice game is played everywhere around the time of the festival. They use a red glass bowl and dice to play it. You hear the distinct sound everywhere. If you spend more than the designated amount at most retail stores, you get to play for the chance to win stuff. I won! It doesn't really matter what, I was just so happy to win. I saw someone win a small package of tissue, so I think I did well. 

There is also some legend about an elixir and someone's wife flying to the moon.

Church
I've went to the Xiamen International Church a few times. There is only one like it here. They can share what they like with two restrictions. China has two rules: you MUST wear a name tag and be a foreign passport holder or be married to one (and have your passport with you) to attend. They occasionally come and check, though not since I've been here.

They do have nationally recognized churches that Chinese citizens can attend but, from what I understand, they can only preach from certain sections of the bible and they cannot talk about the resurrection. Christianity without the resurrection...hmm?

Things You Don't See in Nebraska
So here we are- the whole reason I quickly wrote this post. I need to share my two big blunders. 

First of all, today I threw out my salt because it's gross! I've talked about my salt with many people. "Is your salt not very salty either?" and "Is your salt strangely shaped?" , etc. I have been, at times, salt obsessed. I even bought the salt with another foreigner. 

"I haven't seen salt anywhere?"-Me. 
"Here." walking and motioning, "It has sodium in the title."- fellow foreigner. 
"Oh. Yeah. I didn't see that" Me, sheepishly tossing one into my basket.

Well, today, after tossing it out, I typed the name of my 'salt' into Google. It is called Monosodium Glutamate and that, friends, is MSG. 

Yep, I have been adding. MSG. to my own. food. 

And it doesn't even taste good.

Secondly, I found out two days ago that the smaller facet on the right of my sink above the smaller sink is not the filtered water. The main tap is and I, (insert dramatic pause) have been drinking straight China water during my time here, thus far. 

Other Things You Don't See Everywhere

Is that a Sting Ray? I see them everywhere. 

All dried seafood. 

Oreos come in a lot of flavors. 

What are these for? 

All the brooms are half sized. Why? 

That is a big canister. Over 30 pounds. 

Shoe covers. For when it
rains. Maybe not a bad idea. 

I usually try to do something new and exciting each weekend. I was actually suppose to run a 5K this weekend, 4 hours west of here in Sanming but I didn't go due to the storm. Instead, I have been doing a puzzle as I listen to the Little House on the Prairie book, The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder.

And I think that is enough 'adventure' for this weekend.

Staff Day Trip.

"This is China and Things Like This Happen"

My workplace offered a day trip to the Tong'an hot springs and I readily accepted. I was, and am, itching to see more of China and I wanted to get a peek of something, anything! outside of Xiamen. Not because I'm bored of Xiamen, only because I'm curious and not very patient. Turns out it was still in Xiamen or so close I didn't feel like we left Xiamen. But, I was not disappointed and I had a great time.

Initially, we thought we were going on an overnight trip, but, in the end, that was not the case. Many new and returning teachers, their spouses and children wanted to go on the planned weekend trip, so we booked several rooms at a shmancy hotel by the hot springs. A few days before the aforementioned weekend our organizer was informed that our reservations had been canceled. If I understand correctly they were literally told, "This is China and things like this happen." 

This resulted in less cost and one weekend day to introvert; in hindsight I'm glad for the change.

After arrived at the cultural center, or rather a "folk whole experience" <that served seal meat (see sign)>, we got to make dough balls filled with black sesame seeds, spring rolls and pottery. We were also served a big lunch in traditional Lazy Susan sharing-style.

Seal meat!?

We got to make thin Spring Roll wrappers.

I may have unwittingly flung and splattered 
that dough (there in the foreground).

Yummy-ness. We filled the fresh
wrappers with sticky rice, salad-ish
mix, crushed-dried-seaweed (I could
take or leave that), peanut sauce and
crushed peanuts. Could have eaten
those all day.

It unwrapped as I took the picture.

The Tong'an area is
known for pottery.

My bowl. My first time
using a pottery wheel.
I had help. We didn't fire
them or anything though.

Oh and I got to meet the world's cutest lady. ;)

The meat was wrapped in
a cloth and cooked in that.

Then we went onward to the hot springs.

All Hot Springs are not Created Equally. 

Admittedly, I am not a hot springs expert. The only hot springs I have experienced have been, essentially, swimming pools that are, supposedly, naturally heated. These were like no other hot springs I've ever seen or even heard of. They had a large pool and slides, but also, 20 or more, little 'springs' at different temperatures and infused with different herbs or natural substances. For example, rose oil, cucumber essence and peppermint. But even coffee, beer, wine and soy sauce. Most were noted to promote health.

The hot springs are on the grounds of the resort
we made reservations at.

An entrance to the locker room
and one of the few character I
can, now, write and recognize.

Swim caps were required
when we were in the water.
First time for everything.

I even the above for the first time. Those fish were not little. As I sat down, I remembered that I'm kind of scared of fish. I freaked out and shooed them away a few times, but I endured. It was a fun experience, but now I can cross that one, permanently, off the bucket list.

The below video was performed in honor of the Olympics, in Rio. Ironically they are dancing to a Spanish song. They also had a collection of Mexican foods in the Olympic display (think canned pintos, a bag or tortilla chips and package of flour tortillas).

Other Things That Have Worked out.

So I began the school year as the grade 2 English support teacher for both second grade classes, but after only 4 days with students, I was asked if I would be willing to, fill a need, and be a grade 1 classroom teacher. I accepted and it turns out this is a good fit for me. Until this year I have only, ever, been a classroom teacher and I think would have missed being one. And I'm surprised at how much I like the littler ones. I have 25 students again but there is a teaching assistant with me all the time and an ELL support teacher available half of the day. 25 students in one classroom is not ideal, but those two factors make a noticeable difference.  

How they will be
good students.

"I can play with everyone"
But not, yet, put spaces
between his words.:)

Translation: "I can walk"

Weekly all school assembly.

My class working with the ELL teacher.