Greetings friends and family,
My first weekend in Shenyang. At first I was concerned that I would work through most of it, but as it turned, my fears were unfounded.
Day 7 – Saturday:
We had class today to make up for starting two days late.
Last day of the super hero skits. Tie Boy defeated Out of Fashion Fabio by making his clothes fashionable. As I (Fabio) ran into the room in my socks I slid on the floor, and slid much better than expected. I was about to overbalance, but Nathan caught me and wrestled me behind the puppet curtain. I had my out of fashion clothes on over dress clothes, so I stripped those off and came out from behind the curtain “Fashionable.”
Oh yes, directly before the skit I helped Mr. Hu take a large flat screen TV over to the exhibition hall, located right beside our building. As we attempted to leave, security stopped us. This is the first time I have seen security personnel anywhere (and seemingly every building with a lobby has security) do anything but direct parking.
That afternoon I went to the exhibition hall and looked American in the International School of China and the Brave Training Center booth. It was slow, but I had good conversation with Peter Simmonds, and some with Julie Ping.
On the way home I was stopped by another older couple. This time I’m pretty certain they were asking for dinner money. She just kept repeating whatever she was saying and wasn’t really listening to what I was trying to say and ask.
That evening I ate at the Forrest’s. Emily made some fantastic stir fry. William joined us, and after dinner Nathan, William, and I played “A Game of Thrones.” Risk, but more complicated. I think I got the hang of it, so next time I will be ready.
It’s a definite blessing to be working with these people. All of them are dedicated and friendly, and have made my time here so far a great experience.
Day 8 – Sunday:
On Sunday morning I went back to the Forrest’s at 9 a.m. and made video call to Bristen. It was wonderful to see her. I would have called home too, but ran out of time; fellowship began at about 10 at Kiera’s.
We discussed a minor prophet. Malachi was very clear in his message I think.
After fellowship, there was a potluck meal there. Plenty of good food, and I had plenty, especially since Benny pushed the last of the chicken, spaghetti noodles, bell peppers and onion created. I was good to eat, “hao chi.”
That afternoon I figured out the washing machine in my apartment. All the controls are in Chinese, so wrote them all down, went to my computer and used the program Pablo to translate them. Then I looked at the detergent, Tide, and very carefully worked out the characters on the bag. I had no desire to accidentally bleach all of my clothing, and the white shirt pictured gave me cause to worry. Laundry washing was a success, and I dried everything in an unorthodox fashion. Apartment has probably twenty plastic lawn furniture chairs for entertaining company and fellowship, so I set those around in the general vicinity of the air conditioner’s breeze.
Then that evening I with Therese and Andrew’s family (the family I had pizza with) and went bowling. Everyone in my lane bowled well: David, Andrew, Bibi (Chinese), and me.
Ah me, what can I say about Chinese bathrooms without disgusting my readers… not much. They are definitely low priority on cleanliness
Then dinner at little joint I might actually be able to find again. The streets here wind quite a bit.
After dinner, Andrew, Bibi, and I went and got massages. Interesting experience, cheap, especially compared to what you would pay at an American spa. The three girls commented enviously on how white my feet were. I said no, most American’s preferred tans like they had. The girls had a lot to say, and Bibi translated when necessary, otherwise it might have been boring or awkward. I think they were confused as to how a Chinese man, a man from New Zealand, and an American all came to be friends.
Then it came. Bibi told me they had questions for me and wanted to know if I would answer. I said sure. They said something to the effect of, “Any question?” I had Bibi tell them they could ask, but I might not answer.
Right off the bat, they asked if I was married. I answered, in Chinese, that I had a girlfriend. Zhongguo (Chinese) or Meiguo (American) they asked. American, I told them.
They didn’t have many questions after that. J
Walked home, said goodbye to Andrew, who I likely won’t see for a very long time (He, and his sons David and Mitchell are going back to New Zealand on Wednesday.), and then went home.
Because I must...
Jesse
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Too American in ShenyangFor four weeks, July 18-August 15 2009, I lived and worked in Shenyang, China at the Shenyang Brave English Language Training School. ArchivesCategories
All
|