I’m a WHAT?

http://wfu.cuepa.cn/show_more.php?tkey=&bkey=&doc_id=422844 The school Newspaper this semester hightlighted each of the Foreign Teachers. As a continual story they decided to make a garden. So the first question I got asked in my interview was “What kind of flower are you?”  I actually laughed at the reported. “Well, that’s a truly Chinese question” I answered. My student,

Dumplings with my Students

Dumplings are an important part of the Chinese New Years. During the holiday you eat them until you can’t stomach any more then down another plate full. If you think I’m exaggerating read my post about spending Spring Festival in the countryside. Before the students went home for the winter holiday the student union organized a dumpling

Yet another working Saturday

So I worked yet another Saturday thanks to this country’s holiday reckoning system. I know my students come to live for these Saturdays as I refused to make a Saturday class hard or serious.  I’m sorry if I have to wake up early on a day designated for sleep no one is going to force

hummm how do I write this diplomatically?

Oh what ever, I’m frustrated, well no that is the understatement of the week. I’M FUMING!!! All I can say is this, substitute where you feel appropriate, I trust you get the gist. I have no idea why I ever feared Middle Earth would take over the world. Yes their short program is wonderful. All flash

Happy Tomb Sweeping Day…here’s a box of eggs.

    Yesterday was a national holiday here in China.  Tomb Sweeping Day. It is a day families visit their relatives’ graves to clean and pay their respects. For this holiday in usual faculty appreciation custom James dropped off a gift. He had called ahead to tell us he would be dropping off a box

A Chinese Wedding – From the Groom’s side

I have been truly fortunate to receive first  hand introductions to Chinese culture. Last semester when James announced his engagement I was thrilled at his invitation to attend. As much as I hoped to attend the entire ceremony I was unsure if the invitation extended to the ceremony as that is usually attended only by

Its official!

Saturday morning Kelly and I set out to assess the damage. The road was blocked clear to the train station and no traffic is allowed in or out via Qingnian Road, or so we were told. We set out and sure enough upon exiting the campus we noticed an empty street. (Just to be clear

Oh by the way…

“Many Westerners plan their schedules at the beginning of the day, or perhaps a day of two in advance. If you would like to meet with a Westerner, you should generally call at least a day in advance. If you want to invite a  Westerner to dinner, you should plan it about one week in

Another Term Started

Another term has started. The first year is suppose to be the hardest, or so they say. I sure hope so. Well one more semester to go and never again will I have my very first  year of teaching. I”m looking forward to being able to look back and say I did it. I have

Perk #2: Practicle Gifts

I’m becoming more and more like my mother everyday, which is a very good thing! One such thing is the belief that practicality really wins the heart! Like all recognizable holidays in China the faculty is presented with a gift.  For Women’s Day each female member of the faculty received 2 bundles of Toilet Paper