On the BBC, Brains, and Opera

It was a truly wonderful Saturday, filled with relaxation, good food, and great entertainment.  Our apartment on the 15th floor has gotten chillier in the last few weeks, so my roommate and I made the most of our coldness and watched TV for a good part of the day today.  It wasn't just any TV though, it was a BBC miniseries.  Sooooo good.  We had to put a pause in our viewing, though, to head out with a group from school for hot pot and Sichuan Opera.  I've had hot pot before, so that wasn't entirely a new experience (although I ate pig's throat tonight, which was a definitely first), but the opera was definitely new and exciting.  It wasn't so much an opera (or at least what I picture when I hear the word opera) as a variety show, but it was very well done and entertaining.

Those bits and pieces alone would have made for a great day, but it was topped off by a marvelous conversation with some of the ladies from a small group that I was a part of back in Washington.  Hearing them laugh and seeing them all together was such an incredible blessing.  I am so thankful for a family that spreads all the way around the world!

Location: Chengdu, China

Local Time (CST -- GMT+8): 1:39 a.m. (11/11/2012)

Auburn Time (PST -- GMT-7): 9:39 a.m. (11/10/2012)

Picture

The other day, I mentioned my house-help from Rwanda and the picture of the two of us.  My dad still has it on his desk in Ethiopia, and so I wanted to share it with you here.  Great memories of years gone by...

Location: Chengdu, China

Local Time (CST -- GMT+8): 10:06 a.m. (11/8/2012)

Auburn Time (PST -- GMT-7): 6:06 p.m. (11/7/2012)

Impending Insanity and Virtuosos, all in one day...

It's funny the things that can drive a person crazy, whether rational or irrational.  I always feel a bit better when I know that I'm not alone in my impending insanity, though.  Today, I sat in Starbucks for a good chunk of time while my roommate picked up a few things down the street at Ikea.  It's beginning to feel a bit more like winter in Chengdu and the wind definitely had a bite to it today, so every time someone went outside and the door stayed open behind them, my warm reading environment was harshly disrupted.  A few of us sitting near-ish to the door seemed to quickly develop a bit of a rotation pulling it shut again so we wouldn't freeze.  It was nice to know I wasn't the only one developing a nervous twitch whenever someone came in or went out and I wasn't quite sure if the door was going to swing shut or stay open.  It took me back to last winter in Auburn, grading or writing papers in Starbucks and catching the uncomfortable gusts of wind each time someone walked in or pulled up to the drive-through window.  It amazes me that something as silly as wind combined with coffee can hold such a memory.

On a totally unrelated note, I bought myself a handmade Chinese violin today.  The entire set (bow, violin, case, extra strings, shoulder rest and rosin) cost less combined than my case int eh States had, and I honestly feel a bit guilty about how little I paid.  Silley, I know.  I'm excited to plan, again, though.  Tonight, I spent more than an hour playing some of my old favorites and sight-reading through a few new ones.  There is a part of my that will always be a would-be violinist.  No use trying to suppress it anymore.

Location: Chengdu, China

Local Time (CST -- GMT+8): 8:48 p.m. (11/3/2012)

Auburn Time (PST -- GMT-7): 5:48 a.m. (11/3/2012)

Oh the question box...

I started the 5th grade question/comment/suggestion/whatever box this week.  Here are a few of the highlights thus far:
 - Do you have a car?
 - Can we get a class pet?
 - Can we have fun tomorrow?
 - Can we get 20 extra minutes of math?
 - Do you have a boyfriend?
 - How many languages do you speak?
 - I know it's not polite, but how old are you?
 - How tall are you?
 - When did you get your first kiss?
 - Why are zebra's black and white instead of purple and blue?
 - Why don't you marry?

Oh man, this could be an interesting year of questions...

Location: Chengdu, China

Local Time (CST -- GMT+8): 3:51 p.m. (11/2/2012)

Auburn Time (PST -- GMT-7): 12:51 a.m. (11/2/2012)

I feel your pain...

Sometimes I forget how much pain and loss is associated with being a TCK, and that pain is often found in the least expected places.  Just this morning, I was thinking about what people have played pivotal roles in my life, and I was reminded of many faces that are very dear to me.  One that popped into my head was our house-helper when I was a little girl in Rwanda.  She truly loved me, and I loved her.  There is a picture (that I have lost and wish I could hold and gaze at just now) of her holding me on her back when I was 3 or 4, wrapped in a blanket and holding her close.  She would take me to her house some days and let me just enjoy being a little white Rwandan girl.  I still can remember sitting on a plastic stool eating candy and just laughing with her.  Such good memories.

I just happened upon one of the middle school girls that I’ve gotten to know here, sitting by herself and looking rather sad at lunch time.  I took a seat and asked her what is up…and it turns out that her helper is moving away.  (When I say helper here, I'm referring to the person that works in a person's house, often in the capacity of a cook or cleaner.) She is heartbroken, and all of a sudden I’m a little girl again, feeling that same immense sense of loss.  It’s a problem I would never be able to identify with if I didn’t have the same experiences in my life.  She’s just a person who works in her house, right?  Wrong.  She is a member of their family.

I’m so thankful for memories and experiences, although looking back on them can be painful and heartbreaking.  ‘Tis better to have loved and lost, right?  Maybe true, but it doesn't always feel that way...

Location: Chengdu, China

Local Time (CST -- GMT+8): 12:24 p.m. (11/1/2012)

Auburn Time (PST -- GMT-7): 9:24 a.m. (10/31/2012)

Seasons

Some day, I would like to live in a place long enough to understand the weather.  As I adjust to my first year in Chengdu, I am experiencing new seasons in a new place with new signs that the next wave of weather is coming.  It has been getting colder lately, so I was beginning to think that it was time to put away the warm-weather attire and break out the scarves and hats.  As soon as I do that, of course, it’s warm again and I’m boiling in my comfy clothes.  The name of the game really is layers, isn’t it?

As I was thinking about understanding the weather of a location, all the while riding my scooter home from school, I realized that I have never known a place well enough or long enough to feel and predict the weather change consistently.  My parents, who have now been living in Ethiopia for over a decade, know the signs.  Sure, there might be years that are a bit quirky and semi-unpredictable, but at the end of the day you know what season you are in.

All I know is that summer is over.  It’s no longer sticky hot (thank the Lord!) and I am comfortable outside in more than shorts and a T-shirt.  But it isn’t fall…not really.  I don’t need boots and a sweater to be okay. . .most days.  But then there are those days where it might be winter.  *sigh*  Oh well, might as well enjoy whatever season this is :)

Oh the joys of being a global nomad.

Location: Chengdu, China

Local Time (CST -- GMT+8): 4:43 p.m. (10/30/2012)

Auburn Time (PST -- GMT-7): 1:43 a.m. (10/30/2012)

I'm not dead, I promise!

When I moved to Chengdu, I really did have good intentions about blogging...I promise.  However, it seems that it falls quickly down the totem pole of importance as the days and month go on.  It's been a good month, filled with vacations, grading, eating lots and lots of rice and noodles, and getting to know my city more and more.  First quarter is now done at school, so it's nice to be at that point of knowing my students that we can be comfortable and truly enjoy the learning process.

Once again, rather than talking about what has gone on since the last time I wrote, I shall give you a picture journey :)

 The building that will be our school next year.

 I am a huge fan of how Starbucks looks in some parts of Chengdu

 The plastic to help the grass grow looks a little like snow :)

It's scooter riding time!

 Lanterns at an abandoned building.

 

Time for some traditional Chengdu hot pot.

  

Pig brain time!

  

Cow stomach? Don't mind if we do!

The typical pose for my roommate and I

Chestnuts roasting in an open wok...

 

 My scooter died on the way home one night, so I rode with it in the back of a moto-cab.

Dancing Pandas

They may or may not freak me out just a bit! :)

Location: Chengdu, China

Local Time (CST -- GMT+8): 8:21 p.m. (10/23/2012)

Auburn Time (PST -- GMT-7): 5:21 a.m. (10/23/2012)

Vacation :)

We've been on a break from school this week for the Mid-Autumn Festival, so life has been full of sleeping in, mooncakes, and exploring Chengdu.  I'll write more and post some pictures a little later.  I did just send out my September newsletter, though, so if you'd like to receive that, just comment on this post with your email address.

Happy October!

Location: Chengdu, China

Local Time (CST -- GMT+8): 2:39 p.m. (10/6/2012)

Auburn Time (PST -- GMT-7): 11:39 p.m. (10/5/2012)

Another Great Week

It's been another good week in Chengdu.  Not really inspired to write a whole lot, so a few pictures will just have to do.  Hope you are well, whoever and wherever you are.

 

Sichuan Food.  So spicy!

 Any meal is better with a bit of Starbucks :)

 Oh, Chengdu scooter traffic.

Our fish :)

Teacher appreciation day was fun...the kids show that they love you through stickers :)

 Tibetan food!

 One of the Tibetan streets in Chengdu.

Location: Chengdu, China

Local Time (CST -- GMT+8): 8:08 p.m. (9/22/2012)

Auburn Time (PST -- GMT-7): 5:08 a.m. (9/22/2012)

Yay Duck Moment

I had a yay duck moment looking out from my classroom today...drumroll please....I live in China :)  Exciting, I know.

Location: Chengdu, China

Local Time (CST -- GMT+8): 8:54 p.m. (9/18/2012)

Auburn Time (PST -- GMT-7): 5:54 a.m. (9/18/2012)