Manchurian Teacher's Tales

Happy New Year!

2012-01-07T05:21:00.000+08:00

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year.

This year was the first home in a long time. It was great spending time with friends and family. Seeing all my nieces and cousins kids was a blast. Favorite moments would have to be the Christmas Eve service when my nieces and their cousins were running around and the white elephant gift exchange at my parents house. It was a lot of fun just being around for the holidays. Being able to see these guys during holidays was a true gift.

Everything you need to know about China in 10 minutes

2012-01-07T05:15:00.002+08:00

Here is good video giving a general introduction of what is China. It is hard to understand everything the narrator is saying so here is a link with subtitles.

It covers a large spectrum of Chinese culture, history and everyday life.

Sonny posted it on his renren acount (The Chinese version of facebook)

Hope you enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMuKxxY774g

The Ugly Christmas Sweaters of Coffee

2011-12-14T09:52:00.001+08:00

It is that time of year again. Not just for wearing the ugliest possible Christmas sweater you can find, but time to bust out your Christmas mugs! That's right, the ones you've been storing in the back of the pantry all year taking up valuable can vegetable space. It's finally time, bring them to the kitchen and force them into the cupboard with the rest of daily coffee and tea receptacles.

Now I am excited to finally use these wonders of art (usually imported... from China, where else?). Any excuse to use and be seen with the ugliest of ugly is okay by me. And what better way to celebrate this season then to be seen with your own Christmas mug. Merry Christmas everyone and Happy beverage drinking in the christmas sweaters of coffee.

My sermon notes blog

2011-11-30T03:25:00.001+08:00

I decided to start taking my notes from sermons and posting them on my wordpress site. I find it gives me a way to review what I have been taught. and who knows, maybe someone who stumbles across it will be encouraged or spurred on to live a life which Christ has called them to through my unworthy and poorly written posts. http://vanhalligan.wordpress.com/

Livin in America...

2011-11-28T01:13:00.001+08:00

I am back! Well, it has been about 3 months. But I am back living in America, cue up the James Brown song... (or watch the youtube video you won't be disappointed.)

As I just finished the first holiday weekend, I am grateful to be back at my home with my family and friends. As I look to what is next, i want to first enjoy the time I do have here back home. Being here for the arrival of my new niece is something I will always be grateful for. I look forward to what this crazy land called America has in store for me in the upcoming months. And I excited to reconnect with friends and family.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Harbin... land of ligers, the wheel of death and quality time

2011-06-08T12:35:00.007+08:00

Last weekend our team of teachers took a trip to Harbin. It was a time of R&R and time to reflect and just spend another outing together. All in all it was a wonderful trip.

A few notable experiences include but are not limited to:

1. The Manchurian Tiger Park.

With a caged car and two sets of gates the open and close as you enter the different parts of the park you can't but help thinking of the first Jurassic Park. While many groups probably don't approve of buying live animals being sold merely to be eaten in front of a live audience the chance to be close to these incredible creatures is remarkable.

2. Caught in the rain.

Harbin has a great walking street that has a mix of new shopping malls that feature brands such as Gucci, Nike and bubble tea to older restaurants that feature Russian cuisine. It is a cool area to just shop and people walk. It also has 2 or 3 McDonald's to fill my American junk food needs. After an nice afternoon stroll that included many russian junk stops... i mean souvenir shops, we decided it was time to catch a taxi back to the hotel. So of course, the wind and rain started. And it just poured! Of course many of us were not prepared for the weather and of course... there was no taxis to be found. It is also common phenomenon that whenever rain starts, taxis are not available. So 12 people of the group were huddled under an awning while the other 2 tried to hail taxis. After a few large branches of nearby trees fell down near us, the group decided it was maybe this would be a good time for a meeting at the corner Mcdonalds.

3. Wheel of death.

If you have ever been in China you are familiar with the out door playgrounds for adults. While at first glance they may seem like a playground we have in the states you'll notice that most of the playgrounds in China cliental consist of the elderly. And the equipment ranges from your standard monkey bars to some strange back stretching device. My favorite grown-ups playground so far is located at the Northeast Forestry Institute in Harbin. This one is like the x-games of playgrounds. You can climb up 2 story ladders and poles, dangle on olympic sized rings, climb up military-esque nets, and ... the wheel of death. On this device you hold on to one of the ends a steel ladder that has a fulcrum in the middle so you can swing yourself upside down! It is actually kind of difficult and a bit scary. After a good minute and a half I managed to swing myself completely around. I felt sick for a little white after, but hope I get a chance to return one day.

Those are the top three events of this past Harbin trip. It was a great end of year trip to reminisce on all that we have experienced in the past year.

Neglect

2011-06-06T19:53:00.002+08:00

Dear blogspot,

I know I haven't updated you in a while. I've been seeing more of facebook, twitter, renren and weibo lately. It doesn't mean that I am gone forever, I have been just using other sites. But they can't update like you can. You just take a lot more time to update. Hopefully I won't stay away as long this time.

Sincerely,

The Slow Updater

the hike

2011-05-17T07:25:00.001+08:00

the hike
Originally uploaded by vanhalligan

Just for the record, I went hiking near Siping. It wasn't too long but it wasn't too easy either. Our foreign affairs office took us out for a weekend getaway just 45 minutes outside of the city. It was very relaxing and refreshing. Who knew a good hike was such a short distance away?

Happy Easter from Siping!

2011-04-28T15:14:00.001+08:00

Happy Easter from Siping!
Originally uploaded by vanhalligan

Easter has come and gone. Although we didn't have a ham our KFC friend chicken served as a nice replacement. We had some of the new teachers over for a little piece of home for Easter dinner. Afterwards the Easter Bunny (played by Wu and myself) hid some eggs in the park for Sam and Matty to find. Since Matty can't quite walk yet... Sam had the upper hand. It was a very nice and quiet Easter.

As we remembered the sacrifice of the Son I can’t help but notice the changing seasons all around me. The weather has had its flashes of both cool and warm days but has been generally a very nice beginning to the Spring. Flowers are blooming, what little grass we have is now green and whatever tree hasn’t been pruned to within an inch of its life is starting to sprout flowers. There is a general feel of optimism and change in the air. But with this new change will undoubtedly bring a new understanding of the word busy. As this week marks our mid-way point through semester I know that the school year will be over before I know it. So with that in mind… I am off to enjoy the rest of my semester in Siping! Spring, I’ve missed you. I can’t wait to spend time together outside on blacktops and artificial turf and pavement. Winter I am not sad to see you go, but am sure we will see each other before we know it.

Top 5 Flags

2011-04-17T23:00:00.001+08:00

Top 5 Flags
Originally uploaded by vanhalligan

Oh yeah I forgot to show the winners of the flag competition. These five students get to go out to pizza with the foreign teachers! (I think they are excited...not sure)

Soccer tourney

2011-04-17T22:32:00.002+08:00

The Action!
Originally uploaded by vanhalligan

Well basketball got canceled, but fear not I am still getting up at 5:45 to help coach. Although I am just assisting head coach Wu, so the pressure is off. (not that the pressure was ever really on) I am getting a flashback of those early morning practices at HIU. I remember just being exhausted in my classes, which is kind of how I feel now, but more people notice when I fall asleep in class.

In other news the building behind my apartment is being torn apart, which provides plenty of distractions from grading and lesson planning. Although I am about sick of the dust that has been constantly swarming out apartment building. Today's rain was definitely a relief from the constant dust cloud.

As this week of remembrance comes up i think of the passage in John:

Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion;
see, your king is coming...

The Flags

2011-04-10T00:54:00.001+08:00

The Flags
Originally uploaded by vanhalligan

13 colonies, 50 states... I remember the US flag lessons that included Betsy Ross and the Star Spangled Banner. Yet here i find myself teaching lessons about not only the US flag but also the Mexican, Spanish, French and of course Chinese flag. As we teach the meanings of the symbols, colors and shapes of the flags we have our students take that knowledge and develop a flag of their own that represents China in their eyes. The results are as varied as one could imagine. The most popular color is of course red, and the most common symbol is a star yet I am always impressed by the creativity year after year.

Now to add a little intrigue we have students (and teachers) vote for the best flags in the class. The top 3 flags will be hung in the foreign teachers' Library. After all the top flags are narrowed down to a top 10, all of the foreign teachers vote on the best one.

The top 10 have been chosen; all that remains is choosing a winner.

I haven't voted yet and I am always up for suggestions. Feel free to tell me which flag you think is the best. I will let you know the final winner very soon...

3 day "Holiday"

2011-04-03T12:51:00.004+08:00

Yesterday was Saturday. Yet it was Monday... class wise. Over the last few years China has been pushing more Nationalistic Holidays. Qing Ming Jie 清明节 has always been celebrated in China yet in the last 3 or 4 years it has been instituted to have a national holiday. Now... the funny thing is that national holidays are not quite what they seem.

I was told we would have a 3-day holiday.

My response: "oh cool, when?"

Their response: "Sunday, Monday and Tuesday."

Me: "Who teaches on Sunday?"

Them: "Well we will teach Monday's class on Saturday."

Me: (no response)

So there you have it. Our 3-day "holiday."

So basically we get Tuesday off. And our weekend is messed up. Also... Tuesday classes are now a week behind the rest of the week. I am not sure the logic behind it, but I am going to wait until the next national holiday before trying to get my classes to realign.

In other news, the weather has been getting a lot nicer and the basketball courts and soccer fields have been filling up. However spring is also the time of insane winds in Siping. There is a saying in Siping, "The wind only blows two times a year. But each time it blows it lasts for half a year." Well, our Chinese version of the windy city has unleashed the wind's spring session. Yet despite the wind finally being able to say goodbye to the ice and snow has been warmly welcomed. (pun not really intended...)

Pandas are delicious...or back row Americans studying Chinese

2011-03-30T20:59:00.003+08:00

Tuesday and Wednesday mornings are very similar. The order varies only a little. On Tuesday my day starts with a Chinese class and is quickly followed by me teaching a listening class across campus. Wednesday starts with listening class and finishes the morning with Chinese class. It is kind of fun changing from teacher to student in a manner of 15 minutes, and it does help me empathize with my students more, but for some reason it doesn't motivate me to be a better student... hmm, ironic.

This is my first semester actually taking a formal Chinese class. Although I have had years of tutors who come over and taught me Chinese one-on-one, there is nothing quite like learning in a real classroom. My classroom consists of students from Korea, Russia and Mongolia. On Tuesdays I sit in the back row with fellow American Sonny. Sonny's love for the Chinese language is most apparent when he gets to break down the different parts of a character to come to the "logical" definition. (actually, I joke about this, but it is actually very interesting). As our fairly short, energetic 30 something teacher jokes with the class and asks the if we understand Sonny is giving me 23 other possible uses of the new vocabulary word that he has found on his ipad while the teacher was talking.

Wednesday add another element of fun because Johnny joins Sonny and me in the back row of the classroom. Now, I have to admit my Chinese is the lowest of the 3, so I have to pay close attention to what the teacher is saying. In the meantime Jon and Sonny are using the new grammar structures to make various jokes usually involving pandas. So for example today's grammar pattern was: "not only (A) but also (B)." Which of course became; “Not only are Pandas (cute) but they are also (delicious).” （不但熊猫可爱而且好吃）Or the pattern; "A compared to B, A is adj adv." So naturally this became, "Panda meat compared to pork, Panda is much better." (熊猫肉比猪肉很好吃）And finally the structure; "You shouldn't just (verb) (noun) without (verb) (noun)." Which could likely became, you shouldn't just drink tiger blood but also eat panda. （不要光喝老虎血不吃熊猫肉）Okay... maybe they didn't come up with that last one.

Either way my first introduction to a formal Chinese classroom has been a positive experience. And although joking about eating one of the national treasures may not be found in the next Chinese textbook I buy anytime soon, it is sure helping remember grammar structures!

my alternative (online) universe.

2011-03-26T20:56:00.004+08:00

For those who don't know about China's online world there are basically 3 things things you need to know.

1. China has about as many people online as the US has people.

2. China has a firewall. And it blocks pretty much everything we use on an everyday basis in the states. Okay that might be an exaggeration, but basically no facebook, twitter, youtube and most blogs. If you want to see what is blocked, check here.

3. Yet how has China appeased all of it's netizens? China has a pretty much all the same stuff that the US has... kind of. China has a copy of each popular program that the US has.

For example:

a. They blocked facebook, and then suddenly this website called Xiao Nei 校内网 appeared. (now called Ren Ren 人人网).

b. Youtube was blocked and then I learned about Youku.

c. Tweeting in China? Forget it. But you can always micro blog! 微博 (wēi bó)

d. Did I mention Google?? yeah they have Baidu.

So what is an American in China to do? Fight it with VPNs or proxies? Or... just join them?

Here is my renren and microblog accounts. Now I just have to find a way to link my facebook with my renren and my twitter with my microblog...

The Madness of March

2011-03-19T23:14:00.003+08:00

I am pretty sure the biggest contribution I made to the Central High School Panthers' basketball team was a hole in the wall. I was a overanxious short 5'7" kid who was quick to pick up on "D" and foul out. (3 fouls in under a minute was my record if I recall.) I really do love basketball and I think I have good looking form when I shot... however, the ball rarely went in if I recall most of my high school basketball career. So I will probably be most remembered for the day I got kicked out of practice for attempting a flip off the wall over Sean Deadorff on the new gym wall.

The whole thing was going so well. I got plenty of height on my lift off, Sean was right behind me as I was running. How was I to know the wall was made out of just plaster? My size 12 foot went right through it. On the upside I still made it over Sean with no injury to neither him nor me. The bad news... coach walked in immediately after that. He wasn't too pleased. (did I mention that I may or may not have accidentally kicked a hole in the Library wall messing around with the team earlier that week? Seriously why the thin walls for new school buildings?) So i got kicked out of practice and that is pretty much where my basketball legacy ended. Sure I still played a lot, but I think that was my "highlight" of playing high school basketball.

Which brings me to today, I just started coaching my third men's basketball team in China. Who knew all those drills I did for hours after school would actually come in handy 13 years later? I have been going over plays and of course my Chinese Vocabulary for basketball terms. Go figure that the best website for college term was done by Kansas University. Now lets see if those Jayhawks can live up to their #1 seed this year. So as you follow your brackets for March Madness know that Coach "hole in the wall" Halligan will be running his boys at the wee hours of the morning getting ready for the school wide tourney next month.

Japan Tsunami Reactions from the Northeast of China

2011-03-19T01:23:00.004+08:00

Although the China blog world has been more open about their opinions about the earthquake and past feelings of pain and present feelings of appreciation for the way Japan has reacted in the face of such destruction, my students have not volunteered their personal feelings as readily. I am aware of the ultra-nationalistic feelings my students have so I tread on most issues with Japan lightly.

Yet we have got wind of the rumors. There have been a couple rumors that have been going around our area. One has caused a salt shortage in China. Some cities have been forced to rationing the amount of salt sold in stores. This comes from a belief that iodized salt can prevent effects from nuclear radiation. Here are a couple stories translated from the CMP in HK.

I also got a text message from a student warning me not to go outside, wear a mask and beware of toxic rain. hmm.... Well since I am pretty sure I am not close enough to worry I still went outside. I thanked my student for the advice nevertheless. A Beijing blogger had some great comments about these "toxic cloud rumors."

As I think of the pain and hurt I don't what to write. I am glad my friends in Japan are safe but I hurt for those whose friends and family are not. Godspeed to those "Fukiushima 50" and all those who are helping with the relief effort. Japan you have our thoughts and prayers in these dark times.

blog-worthy

2011-03-13T08:14:00.005+08:00

I am still not in the habit of weekly blogging. I was once reading a site that talked about how to maintain a good blog. I think out of all the recommendations given I did... none. But I will try to keep to one: Voice.

I was talking to my fellow expat teachers and we were discussing how our everyday activities might actually be interesting. I have been in this country to close to 7 years now and I forget how different every little step of life is here my home in the states.

So, for example, in the winter this is my common day walking to class:

As I come out my revolving door to tear-causing, then tear-freezing cold air, I slide on the black ice / frozen snow to class as I narrowly miss cars and bikes that, while also sliding on the same mix of ice and snow, are engaged in their constant game of "how close can I get to you while I pass you" that is common of these Northeast China streets.

As I balance my coffee, overstuffed bag (my students always comment on how the foreign teachers bring too much stuff to class), and whatever third object I always seem to be taking to class for some reason, I think through the days lessons as I walk through the small frozen park that sits in between my apartment building and the main building on campus. I am usually in front of or following a local teacher who seems to always be wearing the highest heels I've ever seen...on the ice and snow. If following, I always am asking my self, “It is a cultural faux pas to pass her or not?”

After passing her (this is usually my course of action... I blame driving in LA for 4 years), I find myself in the main teaching building asking the elevator operator (actually he just makes sure that students take the stairs) if he has eaten. He always has. After the awkward elevator entry and exit with other teachers. (You have to make sure you let the older and higher position teachers get off first. Who knew Confucian principles applied to the elevator?) I get to my best part of the day... the moment I walk into the classroom and see my students. They are usually waiting with smiles and then proceed to tell me I need to wear more clothes and I drink too much coffee.

New Zealand Rugby

2011-03-04T17:20:00.007+08:00

Tonight the Canterbury Crusaders defeated the New South Wales Waratahs in the New Zealand city of Nelson. I am not by any means a fan of Rugby and am probably the last guy you would ask what the difference between the New Zealand Rugby league and the New Zealand Rugby Union, but I know I wanted the Crusaders to win more than any other team I cheer for in the states. I have been keeping in contact with a friend from Christchurch and I just got a message from him simply saying, "our local rugby team won tonight... happy news."

Happy News. Something that Christchurch has heard very little of for the last 10 days.

As Christchurch rebuilds remember her and her people in your thoughts and prayers. There is a long road ahead, but spirits in Christchurch are high tonight.

This past vacation I was able to visit New Zealand. I had a wonderful time and fell in love with that country. Its varying landscapes and twisting roads are unlike anything I have ever seen. I had heard about the sheep and seen the landscape in movies such as Narnia and Lord of the Rings but still was amazed. Rain or shine the sights were breath taking.

The city of Christchurch was remarkable. Although there were swarms of tourists everything was still very kiwi (New Zealand-ie). The traditional architecture had me baffled.

"there are so many churches here." I say in an astonished tone.

"Its called traditional british buildings." says the condescending Canadian. (only joking... kind of)

"oh." I answer sheepishly.

The city of Christchurch was beautiful. It is hard to imagine it being in ruins. Here is a link of some pictures from before and after that my New Zealand friend sent me.

a new semester

2011-02-27T02:09:00.003+08:00

Ming Dynansty South Gate
Originally uploaded by vanhalligan

This is another beginning of something new and unknown. The snow outside reminds me that I am still in the frozen Northeast. Yet spring is very close, and change is already in the air. Students and teachers are slowly making their way back into the sleepy town of Siping. Shops and restaurants are reopening after the long winter break. The train station and downtown have been bustling all day. For the 14th time, a new semester begins. So much possibility...So many new lives and personalities that will collide with my own to make up my life this new semester. And after all these years, I am still excited for whats next.

Babies!

2011-02-10T13:15:00.002+08:00

Congrats to the two fathers Kim and Jesse. Two new babies Allie and Reese. (oh yeah congrats to their wives Nichole and Joanne too)

Still waiting to hear about Cousin Lora and from Emily.

My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Babies and more

2011-02-01T20:47:00.005+08:00

I just wanted to share how thankful I am for all the new life that has come or is coming into my friends and family's life in the recent months. My prayers are also with those who are still waiting, I can't wait to meet everyone this summer.

I have also posted some pictures on my flickr site of my trip around some of the old Beijing houses that have are being torn down. After the Military Museum Anthony and I headed out in search of the Beijing Underground, a large connected tunnels that were built during the 1970s when the Soviet-Sino relations were not so good and China was anticipating a nuclear war. We did eventually find the entrance but had no luck getting down underground. Here are a few links that talk about it:
Wikipedia
China.org
Beijing Olympics

Garage or gar..idge

2011-01-21T12:56:00.002+08:00

My travels in China have ended. Anthony and I have parted ways. He is off to classes in Thailand and I have headed further south to meet up with some friends from Lhasa. I am currently comparing the accents of Canada, US and New Zealand. I am bummed my trip with Anthony is over but excited to spend time with some old friends I used to teach with. Well... this is quick end to the blog. There is a cat in the garage (pronunciation varying) that needs to be rescued....

Noah's Ark

2011-01-18T10:22:00.002+08:00

Yesterday's big adventure took Anthony and I to Noah's Arc. No really, it's in Hong Kong. I am going to look up more info about it later when I have more time, but it is the only life size replica of Noah's Arc in the world. Pretty impressive. More to come later...

Shanghai to Xiamen to Shenzhen to Macau to Shenzhen to Hong Kong

2011-01-17T08:16:00.002+08:00

Well I got a few more stamps in my passport. Even though Hong Kong and Macau are both technically part of China now, you need different kind of visas for each. Luckily the only one you have to pay money for (being an American citizen) is the mainland China visa which I already have.

First of, Anthony and I finished our time in Shanghai visiting with an old pal who taught with us in years prior. Shanghai is another city with a relatively short history (for China, long for the US) but action packed in the last 100 years.

After Shanghai we took off to Xiamen, another ocean port city. We flew a budget Chinese airline (imagine...) called Spring airlines. I can't imagine the seats being any closer together. Apparently the owner is famously quoted to have saying something to the effect of, "If we were allowed to sell standing tickets in an airplane I would." Now because of the increase in passengers you are only allowed to take 15 kilograms (about 33 lbs) of luggage... both your checked AND CARRY ON!!! So Anthony and I got creative and had to head to another terminal to ship some of our winter clothes to Beijing for our return visit to the north.

Xiamen is a great city that is rarely visited by Western foreigners. It was one of the port cities forced open by the Opium Wars, a rather grim period in British history. However the architecture in parts of Xiamen are beautiful. My favorite part was an island called Gulan Yu. This island is where all the embassies were located at the turn of the century. However my favorite part of Xiamen was seeing my old student and friend Brandon who has since been married and will have a child on the way soon. Such a blessing to be able to see him.

After Xiamen we went to the port city of mainland China of Shenzhen. From this hub we visited Macau, home to the first missionaries to ever come to China both protestant and catholic and Casinos. A rather strange mix. But I have been trying to see the ruins of St. Paul's Church for years. This is the same building that Matteo Ricci would have visited. Another of my favorite sights was the graveyard of protestant missionaries. This included the tomb of Robert Morrison the first protestant missionary to China. He also was famous for translating the Bible into Chinese and the first Chinese English dictionary. It was awe inspiring to be in the place where both of these men once stood.

After walking through of couple of the Casinos such as the MGM grand and the Wynn we headed back to ferry to the mainland. The next day we set out for Hong Kong...

On a personal note this trip has been a blessing. Being able to experience more of this tremendously large country's culture, food, people and life has really challenged the way I look at the China as a whole. Although there is much I haven't seen I feel blessed to experience what I have.

Travel with Anthony has also been a blast. We get up every morning find our breakfast and see what the day brings us. The Father has really blessed us this trip and we thank Him for He provides.

Suzhou to Shanghai

2011-01-11T15:07:00.005+08:00

Today I find myself in the modern city of Shanghai. Arrived on the bullet train, started the morning watching the National Championship game at the Bamboo Sports Bar. (great game, heartbreaking end...) Then eating Burger King for lunch, shopping at the GAP, drinking Coffee Bean coffee and deciding which Art Museum to visit. Shanghai is a truly international city. I heard rumors there were more expats than nationals living here... could be just a rumor but it feels true.

The last two days Anthony and I spent in Suzhou, a city known as the Venice of China. There are supposedly more bridges than roads in Suzhou. We spent our days exploring the old city and viewing ancient gardens. We were also fortunate enough to meet up with the lovely Ms. Kelly whom I taught with before on the rooftop. She was with a couple teacher friends and treated us to a wonderful dinner.

Suzhou was a beautiful city but the weather was been cold. Not the dry cold that I am used to in northeast China and Oregon, but a wet cold. You just never seem to get warm. So although we loved Suzhou, we were not sad to head off to warmer cities.

Tomorrow we will head to Xiamen to visit an old student as our slow trip down south continues.

Nanjing pt. 2 Taiping Rebellion

2011-01-09T21:21:00.006+08:00

The Taiping Rebellion

I am currently finishing up God's Chinese Son by Jonathan Spense. It is a fascinating book about the largest uprising in History. This book chronicles the rise of the Heavenly Kingdom where Hong Xiuquan started a following saying he was the younger brother of Jesus. The tale is fascinating and unbelievable. While the US had its own internal struggle between the North and the South. China's last dynasty was struggling to keep power against Hong and his "heavenly forces." Hong's armies were so successful that they captured the former Capital city Nanjing (South Capital) which he renamed Tianjing (Heavenly capital). I was curious what this looked like in the historic city of Nanjing so Ant and I went explored

This included two sites. The first site was the actual museum of the rebellion. This included lots of maps, weapons, drawings, coins and various documents from the movement. It was a little run down and hard but still very fascinating. I was left wanting more but it still was a very interesting museum.

The next stop was the Presidential Palace. This was the former capitol of the KMT and the Ming Dynasty. The Presidential Palace was the house of so many different ruling parties of China.

What fascinated me more was how both museums showed the Taiping Rebellion in a favorable light. It was the beginning of the movement that changed China from dynastic rule to a republic. Yet as more wise people than I also noted, it gave China proof of why they should be careful of religious influence on their citizens. It is not that the original intention of the religious teachings was revolutionary, but that the revolutionaries could use those teachings as a revolutionary tool.

History is still alive today. Sometimes it hinders...yet, other times hopefully we can learn from it and be enabled.

Nanjing

2011-01-07T17:53:00.005+08:00

Museums. History. Culture.

Nanjing

I have been to 4 museums in the last 2 days. 3 today.

Yesterday was the Nanjing Massacre Memorial Museum. It was packed with information and pain of past atrocities. I read the Rape of Nanking a few years ago and was reminded of all the pain. I was especially interested in the angle and message of the museum.

The theme seemed to be: The more injustices are exposed and brought to light can bring a sense of justice from an unjust incident. The story that seemed to come full circle was the two Japanese leaders who had a "Kill Contest." These exploits were highlighted earlier in the museum and the trail and execution of these two leaders were presented towards the end as a kind of finale.

The next museum was the John Rabe house. It is in the midst of skyscrapers and busy metropolitan life. A small courtyard surrounds the early 19th century house. As you enter the courtyard you are no longer on a crowded Chinese street but instead you are whisked back to a different time and world. The house is wonderfully preserved and tells the story of the "International Safety Committee of Nanjing." A group of brave and selfless expats who risked their lives to save Chinese lives and dignity during one of the middle kingdom's darkest hours.

The message of this museum seemed to be one of the goodness of the people involved and as you walked up to the higher floors of Rabe's former resident turned into something of a memorial to the good relationship China has formed with Germany.

Although I was a little put off by the top floors, I felt honored to be at the spot where such brave individuals took a stand against such evil and injustice happening around them. To put life in perspective of what really matters...

May their braveness inspire numerous others in generations to come.

May we remember John Rabe, Minnie Vautrin and the all the others who stayed behind to stand up against injustice during those awful times.

For those who are interested more in this topic please read:
Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang
The Good Man of Nanking
There is also a documentary that is well done which reads many of the diaries of those involved in the Nanjing Safety Committee simply called "Nanking" released in 2007.

A season coming to an end.

2011-01-04T19:01:00.003+08:00

As I finish cleaning out my stuff from my apartment I realize... it's over. The semester is over. I don't really know how to feel.

Another season of my life quickly passes me by. I am not too sad to say goodbye to this season, but it has taught me a lot more about NE China and more about myself.

As I face another semester before heading back to Monmouth for a year I realize all that I have to be thankful for. The Father has always provided for me in so many ways. If it takes a hard season to remind of His goodness than I am grateful.

I am preparing for my winter travels down south to meet up with old friends and spend some R and R time.

I hope everyone had a great holiday season. I miss you all and am always looking forward to the next time we get together.

VPN and Visiting parents

2010-12-16T11:36:00.004+08:00

So I haven't updated for a little while, okay for a long while. But I finally upgraded my computer from Tiger to Snow Leopard so I can finally use my company's VPN. So now I have no excuse to not update. :)

I am currently visiting my parents in Southern China in a city called Nanning. They have undergone a two-week long teaching extravaganza to prepare some students who are planning to go to Maine to study in 3 years. I re-arranged some of my classes so I could get a week off to spend with them.

The time together has been mostly preparing for classes the next day but has also been such a blessing to be able to see my parents so close to the holiday season. I head back to Siping this weekend with a crazy schedule ahead to finish out the year.

The semester has been difficult and I won't be sad to say goodbye but the blessings have been many and the Father never ceases to amaze me how He provides.

Crazy for Siping

2010-09-15T10:20:00.002+08:00

After two years teaching on the rooftop of the world and using google's blog I find myself back where I started. Siping, Jilin in what was formally Manchuria. As I reacquaint myself to the city, I am reminded what the city is famous for:

1. da rou bing: meat stuffed in a sort of biscuit. I believe either Mao or Zhou En Lai came through town years ago and said, "it wasn't bad." I need to check on that next time I eat at the restaurant.

2. and a mental institution. To call some one a "Sipingren," (person from Siping) is to call some one crazy. However rumor is the original mental institution was moved to Changchun. So perhaps the reason is gone, but the phrase remains.

So call me crazy but I am back where my China experience started and I am looking forward to discovering the always developing city with fresh eyes and renewed energy to explore the Chinese language and culture of the northeast. Year 7 here we go...

In other news... I am trying to update my xanga page because it is no longer blocked in China... unlike blogspot which is harder to update.

Cornerstone Books

2010-05-02T12:37:00.002+08:00

Well my parent's bookstore is still going strong.

Here is the latest from the local newspaper:

http://www.statesmanjournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20104140361

and here is their website:

http://www.cornerstoneb.com

One Week Down...

2010-03-11T16:16:00.001+08:00

A good week and a half of teaching. Certainly do love being back in the classroom. Nothing big to report but we are learning sports vocabulary in one class and directions in the other. As for my two co-teaching classes both teachers like their coffee with milk and only a little sugar. Not too sweet. Here's a couple pics of my "kids."

Teaching, Back in action.

2010-03-04T10:37:00.000+08:00

I am back in Lhasa and teaching is well underway. No new students but a new class. I have three classes where I am co-teaching the subject of intensive reading. This is where I basically come along side the local teacher and add my "expert" cultural experience to the text. Today I was teaching for the first time my new co-teaching class. The local teacher and I came across the word "figure." And the English definition was referring the figure of one's body... well then the lead teacher started to talk about the first king of Tibet. I was a bit confused, so i asked whether or not he had a nice figure. Then she realized what I asked she just started cracking up. She was trying to explain an "important figure in history," not the hot body of the first king of Tibet... My mistake.

As some of you know I live at quite a high altitude. This serves to be problematic for many who come up here. My first time here it was difficult to sleep and I often felt like I was suffocating if I laid flat. However, this transition has been my best yet. Almost no headache and only a little shortness of breath. I am not about to run a marathon, but I think I will able to start playing basketball again soon. I hope this March finds you all doing well. Be thinking of this area, it is always a little sensitive around this time.

Ben's Village

2010-02-26T11:50:00.001+08:00

So we got on the bus and had one of the bumpiest rides I have ever been on! I must've hit my head on the ceiling of the bus 3 or 4 times, and that was while trying not to! 6 or so hours later we finally did make it. We were cold and miserable walking around the "downtown." But soon a tan Jeep Cherokee can cruising up and the driver was yelling my name. It was Ben! You can drive? Cool. So we loaded up and set out to his home. Being exhasted Ben fed us and showed us his house and then... we crashed. I took a 2 hour nap. But after that I felt great and was excited for the next three days. Which started early the next morning with a ritual the family does every Tibetan New Year with their semi-truck followed by a Groom from the nearby village coming to visit all of the bride's family before the actual wedding day.

The next few days included watching Ben's family's everyday life, eating lots of Yak dumplings and drinking walnut milk tea, visiting the local stupas, temples and monestaries and climbing a mountain. (with help from the family's Jeep of course :))

I am now in Chengdu waiting for my flight back to Lhasa and feel blessed to have been able to see what rural life for the Kham Tibetan looks like.

Chengdu

2010-02-26T11:48:00.001+08:00

Well 24 hours away from loading up to head back to the rooftop. Yesterday Bethany and I rode a bus for 13 hours to get back to the big city of Chengdu famous for it's panda breeding center. My trip is ending with a good reminder of where I have been and what I am going back to. For the past week I have had the privilege of spending time with a friend in his hometown. His town, village would probably be more accurate, is perhaps what my city looked like a couple decades ago. His family was very hospitable and they all were constantly feeding and making sure I was comfortable. I was just blessed to be able to be there at all. The drive was long both ways, but the scenery was breathtaking. Trees, mountains, bamboo, i fell asleep and woke up in a postcard. However the coldness was not from a postcard.

On the way there we stopped in a city named Kanding. The only open restaurant was a fast food chicken place called Dicos, but that friend chicken never tasted so good. The hostel we stayed at had traditional Tibetan bed and was freezing, however they had electric blankets! So that made sleep very possible. The next morning at 6:30 we walked to the bus station to try and get a ticket. The ticket counter told us to wait and wait. And finally (about 2 mins before the bus was going to leave) they let me buy a ticket. I am not sure why I had to wait, or what the reason was, but when we both got on the bus we discovered we had the last two seats. And later we found out that the bus just started that morning. If we had come a day earlier we wouldn't hve been able to buy a ticket! Wow.

more to come...

February really? already?

2010-02-13T19:23:00.002+08:00

So I haven't posted in forever. Usually this time of year I am not consistently by a computer. This is due to the holiday. Unlike the US and Canada winter is the long vacation while summer is the shorter one.

Tomorrow other then being Valentines day, will be Chinese New Year. It will also be Tibetan New Years. Quite a busy day if I say so myself. Tonight I find myself in a Bangkok hostel on my way back to China in a couple days. China town is about a 5 minute walk and I expecting little sleep tonight due to the fireworks and celebration.

Either way I wanted to write and say all is well and I am excited for a new semester on the rooftop. But for now I will try and take in all I can in Chinatown in Bangkok.

Hope all is well.

December Review

2009-12-19T19:14:00.002+08:00

As I sit in the Korean owned coffee shop watching pop songs I am sitting here thinking about the past month. Is it really almost 2010?

Well, classes are done. Grading is finished.

I just gave a lecture on Christmas in the local English Corner for a friend. Tried my best to lead a few songs... not sure how that worked out.

My fellow teachers have left for Nepal. Most of the students have left campus, it must be the end.

Well it has been a fun couple weeks. Last weekend Duane, Becky Heidi and I got the opportunity to help out a school about three hours outside of the city. A lot of firsts during that trip:

First time teaching in a Tibet Middle School.

First time to a Tibetan Ngangma:

First time seeing Tibetan Men slow dancing...

and this hat...

That's all for this entry... I will give some more updates soon.

Cornerstone Books

2009-12-07T11:58:00.000+08:00

This entry is a little shout out to my parents back home in Monmouth, Oregon.

The Grand opening was a success and it is official. Cornerstone Bookstore is open for business. This is a testimony to how the Father provides. It has been an exciting process according to my parents but one where they have had to put complete trust in Him for the resources and support. For those readers in the Polk County area it is located on 110 Monmouth Ave in Monmouth.

In other news, I have officially finished classes and just have one formal exam to do in a week and a half and to finish up my grading. Didn't I just get here last month? No? Well it sure feels like it.

I do want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. It is always a blessed time of year wherever I am being able to share the story that makes this time of year special. I hope you all have a blessed holiday season.

Palden Lhamo Festival

2009-12-03T08:49:00.000+08:00

Yesterday was Palden Lhamo Festival. Perhaps the most feared day for Tibetan men. There is an idol of Palden Lhamo's daughter that is revealed only one day a year. My friends Duane, Becky and Heidi braved the crowds and got this pic of the unveiled goddess. Recently this has also become sort of a "Woman's day" where women can ask for money. So many of my Tibetan friends say this is a good day to stay indoors.

here is the story of this idol:
http://en.tibet.cn/news/tin/t20071126_288851.htm

I was reading Jeremiah this morning and got really sad. It really makes me wonder about the love for these carved objects. Babylon doesn't seem that far away.

Singing Competition

2009-11-17T23:38:00.002+08:00

For the past two weeks my school has been putting on various competitions and performances for The Foreign Language Festival. Apparently this only happens every 3 years. Either way tonight I just finished Judging an English Singing Competition. The girl who sang Thriller as a tribute to MJ got third place. Meanwhile the guy who was singing Madonna got second place... go figure.

I am afraid I might have to be performing by the end of the week... I just hope I don't have to sing Country Roads or My Heart Will Go On.

Oba Mao

2009-11-16T16:14:00.003+08:00

That's right it is Obama-Mania. Well the president is visiting Shanghai today and my freshman students couldn't wait to tell me. At first I thought there was some sort of special holiday. Oh no, just Obama making his first visit to the Middle Kingdom.

I don't know how the trip will end up, but if it is half as successful as the hype... well then I would say it is a pretty good step in China US relations.

Either way I think I want the t-shirt:
http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/shop/obamao-tshirt-658266

Time it is a flyin'

2009-11-15T01:17:00.002+08:00

After a hard week last week where I heard some hard but good words the Father has really blessed this week with His timing. It seemed like it could of been one of those crazy weeks where I barely have time to catch my breath, yet in the end all my appointments seemed to work out. By either combining or some canceling while leaders called me at the last second... either way it was a full week that still had a time where I felt rested. It is amazing how if you really leave things in His hands he does provide.

On another note I just got my power chord for my computer today. 5 days without it... it was tough for grading and teaching but in the end it really wasn't horrible. Perhaps I should take a few days off more often.

So apparently I have less then a month of teaching left for the semester. Didn't it just start last week? Time it is a flyin'

Plugging along

2009-10-16T00:03:00.000+08:00

I find myself drained emotionally recently. It is amazing when you find things going well something always seems to come up. Yet I have been really encouraged recently by how my readings and teachings have always seemed to directly speak to resting in Him and realizing worry can be my lack of attention to Him. As I try to figure out a game plan to fix all the world's problems I realize I am not the One in control. There is a lot of comfort in that.

Class time has been going really well as well as my building relationships with my co-teachers and other colleagues. It seems there is always an occasion to hang out. And being that their English level is a bit higher then many in the city the conversations always seem to take a turn to the more meaningful. Perspective is an interesting beast. And there always seems to be another perspective out there.

Last weekend was the first time we have been really allowed out of the city, so we took the opportunity to do a bit of hiking and rock climbing. It was a blast but I was exhausted afterward. But an exhausted I was happy to be.

I hope He is enriching your lives and growth and wisdom, despite the pain that usually comes with the process. It is usually worth it, whether we realize it at that moment or not.

Camping

2009-09-13T23:31:00.003+08:00

Now, space is a sacred thing in the west. We value our space. Don't get in it, keep the bubble, this is my land, this land ain't your land... I could go on. However this is not true in Tibet. When camping in the US our usual goal is to find a spot far away from everyone else. This isn't necessarily the case. I guess while our thinking is the farther away from someone the better, perhaps their thinking is "this must be a good spot, other people are here. We don't want to miss out, lets join them." The good news is all of us have been in asia before. Most of us 5+ years. So having a family picnicking right next to our camp site and starring at us doesn't even phase us anymore. I wonder if this is how famous people live? You just get used to the stares.

Anywho, the camping trip was a lot of fun. We got to know each other a lot better and hopefully prepped ourselves for another semester on the rooftop. Tomorrow, my first class with the new freshman class. Here we go on another semester... Hope those students are ready for me.

another hard week

2009-09-09T23:53:00.006+08:00

So this week I taught a total of one class. I know, I know, I am working too hard. But somehow I will get through it. Teacher's Day is Tomorrow so we have Thursday and Friday off. However my posh schedule is about to come to a halt, come Monday the freshmen will start classes. So although today was a very uneventful (I had office hours today... no one came.) I think this week of peace and relaxation will come to an end soon. In the meantime I have been looking up some of my favorite rock albums, catching up on some reading (Currently reading China Road), running, and doing a little Chinese and Tibetan language study. Tomorrow will be a traditional Tibetan picnic with the other teachers of my school. It should be a lot of fun. And who knows this weekend might include a little camping and rock climbing if the weather stays nice.

Hope you are all doing well.

Rooftop Out.

first week down.

2009-09-04T16:24:00.000+08:00

First week of teaching, done. Well, it isn't as much of an accomplishment... Most of my classes are freshman classes and they won't start until the 13th. So I have a little bit of a half-holiday until then.

One thing i have been grateful for is my co-teaching class. This is where I actually get to teach side by side with a local teacher. It has been such an insightful process. The student-teacher relationship is very different from the US and also different from other parts of China. So to be able to not only watch but participate with that process with a local teacher helps me in relating to all my students. I hope these teaching relationships can be a great way to share about the important things of our lives.

Coming back to this city is always different. Things still seem tense but moving along. As I walk and bike the streets life is bustling right along. Riding my bike down the main road is just as death-defying as ever if not more! But it is nice to be back amongst it all.

Back on the rooftop

2009-08-31T13:53:00.000+08:00

Well another action packed summer is over.

I find myself at the newly opened cafe looking over two of the main streets in Lhasa. I have been back for a week now and am trying to get more organized and pumped for the new semester and year of teaching and living.

The summer seemed to fly... as usual. There were definitely some people I didn't get a chance to really spend much time with or see at all. But I am grateful for the time with the people I did see.

I am blessed to be able to be here for one more year. For all those who have given so much support in numerous ways I am thankful. I keep wondering how my life has ended up being what it is today and it seems I had little to do with it. I am just thankful His plans a bigger then my own.

I hope you all have a blessed year. If you do want to get in contact me, facebook is blocked for the time being so emails are probably your best bet.

Oregon

2009-07-21T00:15:00.002+08:00

It is coming up on a month since I have been back in Oregon. I find myself in the airport on my way to Southern California to catch up with some old friends and help my cousin move to Seattle. So far this summer I have been re-introduced to America through a couple rodeos, a couple concerts in the park, riding the tractors and seeing old friends and family at church. It has been a good month so far and it is good to be home.

My mom did have to take an emergency trip to the hospital due to some problems with her gall bladder. Apparently it has been a problem for a while but my mom just dismissed it as stomach problems and moved on. When they finally got an ultrasound the technician said she has only seen it this bad in text books. So we went quickly to the hospital and started the process of surgery that ended up taking almost 6 days start to finish. She is back home and is moving around more and more and getting back into her garden.

I am very thankful for His timing. Some family friends were over for breakfast and Mom's was having some pain. She described the pain to our friends and Tom, who had recently had his gall bladder removed, suggested that my mom's pain sounded very similar to what he experienced. So later that day she went to see the family doctor and before we knew it she was getting a surgery the next morning. Everything worked out, but we are grateful for His timing.

Monmouth, Oregon

2009-06-30T02:02:00.003+08:00

Now I live in an amazing beautiful place all year long... but I am still how amazed the beauty of home.

As I woke up early this morning to a brisk morning temp of 53 I found myself surprisingly cold on my morning run, yet as the sun rose I found the flowers, fields and trees to be just stunning. I should be used to it, but I never am. It is always a pleasant shock. After spending my morning hanging out on the farm, checking out the new combines (John Deere this year) I grabbed a couple donuts and headed back home to walk around the old property and find what had changed in the last year.

As I walked the back yard my parents new dog Teddy followed slowly. Still not sure if he trusts me he was still willing to accompany me on the walk. After seeing the new projects around the property. A couple ponds are being built to hopefully encourage an endangered tree frog to live around here. Also the creek (stream... crick... whatever form of small flowing water you want to call it) is being modified so more local wildlife and plants won't be overtaken by some of the import beasts, such as nutria.

Its good to be home. Nothing like it in the world.

I hope things are going well this summer for everyone. I have enjoyed the first day back.

Riting Monastery

2009-06-17T20:12:00.002+08:00

So there we were, Craig, Sarah and myself on a bus with 30 students and 3 Chinese teachers. We loaded around 2pm on a Friday. Seven short hours later we found ourselves (after two or three bus breakdowns) going up another hill (there are a few in the Tibet area :) This hill was different, it had something I haven't seen too many of in the outskirts of lhasa. Trees, and not just the 2 year old poplars planted by the government, but old cedar trees. They were beautiful. As we climbed we got closer to our destination. Riting Monastery. Sarah had been there before (because Sarah has been everywhere in Tibet!) but it was a first time for Craig the students and I.

We were all exhausted from the long trip and got ready for the night. Craig, Sarah and I set up our tents while the rest of our crew got bed inside the monastery. The next was going to be a full one so we didn't talk much before falling asleep.

Things I learned from the three day in Riting Monastery:
1. Monasteries outside of Lhasa have lots of dogs.
2. Stinging nettles are quite possibly the worst plant of all time.
3. American college students are not the only college students who can live off of instant noodles for long periods of time
4. Craig is amazing at leading games! (Helium pole, The Eliminator, Mine field, and several others...)
5. Tibetan student love, love love singing! (on the way up some of the student were singing an old farming song where the women and the men have a sing off, It kinda reminded me of a rap battle from 8 mile. But they really got into it!)
6. Students notice when you are interested in temples and Monasteries... and as the case may have been... Not interested. They are very perceptive when I didn't walk the cora (clock-wise circles around statues or temples) or really care to look at many of the idols and statues.
7. Performances are always about the group, and almost everyone has to perform something... and you better be prepared (this was the same as China, but just as true if not more true with a mix of Chinese and Tibetan students)

So... the trip was great, the students were great, hanging out with the teachers was a blast. The Monastery was okay, but the scenery around it was gorgeous. A great trip at the end of the year before heading back to the States. As I look at my last week of teaching I realize the blessing it has been to be able to live here.

After an 8 hour trip back to the university we called it a weekend and crashed hard...

Here's looking forward to my last week in Lhasa for the semester!

Home remedies from Class A 2009

2009-06-05T13:41:00.001+08:00

Here are some of my students’ homework assignment about home and folk remedies for various ailments. Hope you enjoy:

Jill:
I have a good home remedy for a cough. I learned about it from my mother. Buy several oranges and burn one until it is black. Then (eat) have it. It’s also a good idea to drink some water. Sometimes it works. I don’t believe the remedy.

(at least she is honest)

Susan
I have a good home remedy for a cold. I learned about it from my own experience. I often have a cold. Chop up some ginger and cook it in wine. Then drink (it) them. And you better go to bed and rest. When you go out, you should put on more clothes (classic Chinese answer!) This always works.

Sheila
I have a good home remedy for a cough. I have learned about it from my grandmother. Cut a piece of ginger and add a pear. Boil them iwht some black sugar (not sure what black sugar is…) in water. Then drink the boiled water. And eat the pear. The is strange, but it is good for your cough. And this always works!

(I will try this as soon as I find that black sugar.)

Jason:
Drink a mixture of red peppers, hot water, lemon juice, milk and vinegar. It’s good for you.

(WOW! Sounds like a youth group dare to me.)

Lake Itso

2009-05-29T19:57:00.000+08:00

24 hours later and I am still exhausted. But really... it was a great trip. I could slant it a couple different ways.

The pessimistic view:
Rain, snow, wind, 5100 meters, ridiculously small lake, two students were injured one which we had to carry down. Not many of the students brought enough clothes so many were too cold, no one knew where they were going and the bus drivers kept trying to rip us off.

The optimistic view:
We got to see Lake Itso!! This was the one spot where Sarah P. had not been to, and wanted to. We climbed over 5,100 meters! almost 5200 meters, (that about 17,000 feet!!) The weather although temperamental never got too cold or hot. We were also blessed to have a nomad show us the way to the lake. Very appreciated since none of us have actually been there before. Although it was hard everyone made all the way up and all the way down. In the end we were able to see everything and get home in one piece. All in all a very successful trip.

So the next day I am here blogging and glad for the day off from doing much else but getting emails answered. Did I mention the trip was gorgeous?

2009-05-24T11:03:00.001+08:00

Test Test Blog Test

Parents' Trip Wrap Up pt.1

2009-05-21T23:13:00.001+08:00

After the first couple days of shopping and old town site seeing, Ma and Pa (you know... cause that's what Oregonians call their parents) made a guest appearance in 3 of my classes. The first couple went by without too much ado, but then came my last class on friday. Now this class is perhaps my most energetic class I have ever had. Yet they are also so excited to learn just about anything! It is amazing. Needless to say when we arrive my parents were attacked by a flurry of white scarfs. The white scarfs are called Katas and are used for almost every occasion. However they seem to be most common when someone comes to Tibet for the first time. I think they are suppose to give the people wearing them good luck or blessings. Not sure the exact meaning.

So now my Parents look like snowmen trying to juggle the massive amounts of white silk strewn around their necks. The class really enjoyed the whole event. Even if there were times where maybe they couldn't understand exactly what was being said they asked good questions and even sang 3 different songs. Two solos and a roaring sing-a-long the whole class whole-heartily sang together a classic well known Tibetan song. And of course, they asked my mom to sing. (I may have tipped them off that she used to study music.) So she ended the class with a verse of Amazing Grace. It was a good start to the day.

Later in the day we went to visit my buddy who is a monk at Sera monastery. We arrived around 3:30 and were able to look around a bit before the debates started. The debates are kind of interesting to watch but it might be a lot more enjoyable if I spoke the classic Tibetan that they are arguing in. But some of the young guys were getting pretty intense. They were even throwing each other around and pushing each other's heads down with a bit more force then usual.

Parents' Trip Wrap Up pt.2

2009-05-21T22:59:00.000+08:00

The next day was devoted to Namsto Lake. A beautiful lake with a beautiful drive... usually. However we had a lovely stop at a checkpoint because the security guard at the check point had bad blood with our driver. So we had a nice little 2 hour wait at a gas station until the guard's boss came and yelled at him and finally let us through. We however had no idea what was going on the entire time, so there we were... waiting. So we did a little walk around the stores and played with my new travel guitar and everyone else bought some bubble tea. We did make it the Lake eventually and it was beautiful. However it will not be too soon before I have to take a trip like that again.

My Parents walking towards Lake Namsto

Our Detour beverages

The next day was mother's day so we celebrated by getting together with the team for some singing and teachings. Later the day was devoted to Mom's shopping needs.

The final full day involved a tour of the Potala Palace and of course a bit more shopping.

The next day they loaded the bus for airport and headed off to see their friends in Northeast China. A short trip but it was nice to have them in Lhasa. It was just a blessing for them to be able to see my new teaching home and spend time with them in the beautiful place. I do want to thank those who made this trip possible. Your generosity is humbling.

oh yea.. my mom also got to ride in a bicycle cab. I think that might of been one of her highlights.

Tragedy strikes

2009-05-20T22:25:00.000+08:00

In recent news... blogger just got blocked in China. Good times. But thanks to the magic of proxies I can still update.

First update, tragedy strikes. After 4 1/2 years of loyal service my grinder finally called it quits. But it went out with a BANG! I mean a huge bang with ridiculously huge sparks. I mean these are the biggest sparks I have ever seen, and I have been shocked more then a couple times in my time overseas.

I am pretty sure I won't be able to replace it in Lhasa, but luckily the coffee shop down town will let me grind my beans in their industrial grinder.
So RIP grinder, you had a good run.

Shopping and Jokhanging

2009-05-13T12:12:00.003+08:00

Day 2 of my parents' trip included going into the Jokhang and shopping around the Barkhor.

The downtown area of Lhasa is called the Barkhor. The Barkhor is actually the downtown part of Lhasa. A student friend of mine was telling me that in the past this Barkhor area usued to be Lhasa in it's entirety. But now it is simply a small part of the bigger city. Craig, Heidi, Bethany and our new friend Kelly joined us for the tour of the the Jokhang Temple.

The roof was my favorite. As we took pictures of all the surrounding buildings and mountain tops we could see all the tourists and locals walking the cora. The people here really are beautiful. If only they desired more...

And of course another very positive aspect of the Barkhor area is the shopping. My mom really enjoyed looking through all the jewelry, rugs, clothing and other local treats. My dad even seemed to enjoy looking at some of the older knives and relics. After a couple stops at our favorite coffee spots we headed home and called it a day.

The Adventures of Parents... Lhasa pt. 1

2009-05-12T22:36:00.002+08:00

They did it. They came and conquered!

Well at least they came and didn't feel out of breath the entire time. My Parents came to China last weekend and came to Lhasa last tuesday. They just left this afternoon and are on their way to Dalian in Northeast China to see some friends who went to school in Monmouth.

The first day was rather uneventful. I had to teach all day tuesday, so my parents, by themselves, got off the plane and took the bus to downtown Lhasa. (the airport is about 50 minutes outside of town) I met them at the bus station and went directly to a Tibetan teahouse and had some sweet tea and noodles. They handled it all like champs.

After that we made our way back to my aparment and got ready for our next day which included the Johkang and shopping at the Barkhor.

DONG BEI 东北

2009-05-08T17:28:00.004+08:00

One more highlight: when I visited the orphanage I was able to talk with one of the workers. The worker asked, why do you keep coming here? It's because your beliefs isn't it?

东北... going back to Siping.

2009-05-05T01:46:00.005+08:00

After a not so fun beginning to my trip that included not landing in Shenyang at all but rather getting shipped to Harbin, and rushing to catch the last train to Siping and finally getting in at 4 am, I had a wonderful time going back to my old city of Siping. I was greeted by my old friend Syen and new friend Matt (both were waiting for me in Shenyang before the weather problems moved my final destination)

After a couple hours of sleep I went down to the Wu's house and met up with the rest of the team and we all had breakfast together. It felt like I still lived there, I say my old boss and a lot of the old workers that were there when I still lived there. We were both happy to see each other and in my limited Chinese I express my excitement to see them.

After breakfast most of us headed off to Nanhu 南胡 (southlake) Park. Being that it was May Holiday the park was packed with kids and parents going on all the rides. We made quite a spectacle, our parade of foreigners. We also felt obliged to try out a couple of the rides, the inflatable water tube was my personal favorite.

Five of us headed to the orphanage after that. And Wow! The new orphanage is sooo nice! And it is much closer, very convenient. It was awesome to see the kids. Quite a few new kids, but a lot of the kids I knew from before. They all are growing up into little people. Amazing, so much has changed in the last 5 years... The workers seemed glad to see me. They told us how much the kids look forward to us visiting and asked why we came to visit. And we were able to tell them :) He provides.

After the orphanage I was able to visit some old teacher friends and have dinner with them. After dinner we were able to get together for fellowship with each other. I was able to play guitar with Rach while she played piano. So much fun, and encouraging.

After staying up talking a few of us retired to Sonny's room to play a little guitar hero. I was a little rusty but it was still a blast. The next morning we left for Shenyang and my trip to siping was over. Short but oh so sweet.

Anzac and new and old friends.

2009-04-27T19:30:00.000+08:00

This week has started out well. Starting with a fun remembrance of Anzac day on Saturday. A few of us got together at Heidi's and ate New Zealand snacks (thanks to her wonderful parents) and watched a couple New Zealand movies including Whale Rider. (not to be confused with the shoplifting movie star Winona Rider....) Whale Rider is an excellent introduction to New Zealand and Maori culture. After watching this movie i felt I could understand Heidi that much better.

I did my best to fit in by making a make-shift All Blacks Rugby Jersey. Not sure i pulled it off... but it's the thought that counts right?

Sunday was a beautiful day where a group of us teachers met a former teacher and were able to spend some time with her. Despite recent health problems she was still able to join us on the rooftop and meet with former friends and coworkers. Such a blessing for all who is around. Our Father is good to us.

After a somewhat productive Monday I am almost ready for the week of teaching and traveling. My parents will hopefully be joining me here next weekend so I have to make sure all my loose ends are tied up.

Sports Weekend 2009

2009-04-24T23:30:00.000+08:00

It started with a brand new stadium, hundreds of marching students, and flag salute with several miscues....

That's right my first sports weekend in Tibet University! It was quite an impressive site. I have been part of sports days in the past, but with the new beautiful stadium filled with students and teachers. The beautiful scenic background which has become a normal part of my life I was very impressed.

The first day started out with the usual marching (which included the foreign students marching in their white polos and sweet hats circa 1984) and then moved on to some traditional Tibetan dancing. There were students who danced in yak outfits, traditional clothes, with traditional tibetan guitars knows as a damnyen. It has been ridiculously hot in Lhasa the last week. I can't imagine what it was like for the dancers inside the yak suit.

I started out just showing up to the opening ceremonies. But before i knew it a teacher asked me to take his place in the 100 meters. So I got ready, biked back to my house picked up my shoes and shorts. By the time I got back to the stadium apparently things had changed. So... apparently you have to sign up before the day of the event. And being that I was literally the only white person in the thousands of people still at the stadium ... it would be obvious that I wasn't the Tibetan man who signed up for the event. So later they offered to let me participate in the shot put (yea.. you can stop laughing now) but again they first thought it was okay... but alas, in the end the foreigner couldn't compete.

Today was day two. Today they said I could participate in the 4X100 relay. I didn't want to get my hopes up too high, but I figured I would be willing to help out our department as much as possible. So after a morning of rock climbing with Craig and Sarah I headed back to the stadium. When I arrived, I sat in the teacher's tent ate some peanuts talked with the teachers and deans about some my experiences from Northeast China and American culture. Before I knew it, it was go time. And as far I knew, I was still in the race! So we walked into the stadium and sure enough, I was legit! My team of four practiced a couple hand offs with a water bottle to get the feel and then we were on the track.

All in all it was a great to hang out with the teachers. We ended up getting second in the race (the PE department smoked us!) But getting a chance to feel more a part of our department was worth all the miscues and waiting. So I think I would say sports day 2009 was a success.

April 1st... April fools day?

2009-04-01T19:26:00.000+08:00

This may be April fools day, but it feels good in a different way. The town seems to have exhaled just a little bit knowing March is over. Craig and I went hiking this morning to some old ruins. It was a bit tricky at times but felt so good to be up there. Seeing the ruins of old monasteries are always such a pleasant site. I love the feeling of discovering something that used to have so much life and now is lifeless. It begs the question of why. Why did this get torn down? Why did it stop being used. But more so... it is a reminder of the temporal state of this world. What may seem here to stay can break down and crumble very quickly. This is why I am here, to live beyond the temporal. The crumbling strongholds of past are falling...

March

2009-03-25T16:32:00.000+08:00

After this Saturday is over I am awaiting a big sigh of relief. It has been a quiet month. A month where everyone here is waiting to exhale. Peaceful yes, restful hardly. Although my classes seem to be going on as normal. I have actually really enjoyed my time in the classroom. My schedule differs from my former Schedule in Northeast China in that I get to see my students twice a week rather then just once. I feel I get to know them better and a lot faster. I am still working on finding ways where they feel more welcome to come to my place and hang out. In the meantime the basketball court seems to be our common place of interest where we can hang out.

In other news... I am an uncle! Chloe Katherine Halligan was born last week weighing 8 lbs. 3 oz. My brother and sister-in-law are finally back at home (hopefully getting some rest). I got to video skype with them, it is just so unreal seeing my bro with his new daughter. Can't wait to see them.

Students Day One of teaching

2009-03-05T22:32:00.000+08:00

Some Student Quotes from intro class hand out:
Some funny, other just revealing some of their interests.

"I like suffering the internet"
(been there)
"I like green colour, doing sports and reading << harry potter >>"
(Britain strikes again)
"I like reading, playing badminton and going rollerblading"
(rollerblading... they know the word rollerblading? A+ for this student)
"I want to learn more knowledge"
(Yes...)
"I want to learn English gramme"
(how about spelling?)
"I like listing Music and soft internet and go out"
(makes sense to me)
"I want to learn how to cook coffee"
(that's a true sign of being my student... grammar's not quite correct but at least they have their priorities strait)

Second Class coming tomorrow.

Teaching Tomorrow

2009-03-04T11:37:00.000+08:00

This has been a strange week. The mood been unsure. Yet life moves on as usual. Last night around midnight I heard singing of traditional songs. That was the first time I had heard songs this holiday season. Kinda strange for a New Year.

Tonight I am lesson planning, getting my grade sheets all figured out, and putting on another layer of paint in my living room. It is getting close but painting always take longer then you expect. So my apartment is still a mess but the end is somewhat near... hopefully.

I am excited to see my students and co-teachers. We will see what this semester brings.

Snow and Fire

2009-02-25T08:52:00.000+08:00

I made back to Lhasa yesterday after a flyby cancellation and having to spend one more day in Chengdu. The airline put us up for the night and fed us so at least I got some good sleep and full belly out of the deal. But yesterday on our second attempt we made it! I was accompanied by Heidi and the new teacher Bethany so at least we had some company for our day of useless travels. We got in around 2 p.m. and were able to make it for a sticks hot-pot birthday party for Craig. This is basically what is sounds like, the food is on the end of sticks and you put it in a hot-pot. Pretty ingenious really. We were all pretty tired so we called it a early night... until midnight. Then the fireworks started. I was in and out of sleep all night (probably from the altitude not the fireworks) but they seemed to last all night. As I woke up this morning I was pleased to find the ground covered with snow.(as fireworks continued to go off in the distance)

The just says a few things to me:
1. I am back! Vacation is officially over.
2. Losar has begun (Tibetan New Year)
3. And winter is still here... burr.
4. Tibet sure is beautiful

Hope you all are have a good end of February. I will post some of my travel adventures later. I have a Losar party with the teaching staff this morning.

Blessings

Hong Kong!

2009-01-11T14:09:00.000+08:00

From culture shock to culture shock. Our next stop was Hong Kong. If anyone has visited this amazing city they know how is unlike any other city it is. We meet up with the Wus and went on a Gondola ride to a big Buddha. The Gondola was amazing and it was fun to meet up with those crazy kids.

We did a little exploring in the city seeing the sites and enjoying the food.

Then later we meet up with the rest of the my former team Siping.... and went to Disneyland!!

Xian

2009-01-11T12:48:00.000+08:00

Well part 2 and 3 of trip 2008-2009 are now finished I am currently waiting in a coffee shop in Kunming with some friends who teach in Wuhan. I am drinking some Yunan coffee and just finished my apple pie... with raisins... why not? Anyways, Part 2 of the trip was to Xian. We actually stayed in the Tibetan Minority College outside of Xian in a city called Xianyang. Good news though... they had the terricotta soldiers, only they were much smaller.

Apparently they found these about 10 years before the real soldiers and are actually older. Apparently these were from the dynasty prior to the Qin and were taken over by the Qin.

We did spend a day or two in Xian checking out the Stone Forrest of Steles. The highlight was the Nestorian stone from 635 AD. Later that night we visited the Big Goose Pagoda and checked out the fountain show. A must see in Xian.

From there we were were off to Hong Kong.

The village of Zhen Jia, Qinghai Province

2009-01-05T13:10:00.000+08:00

As we bounced around the dirt road I knew I was getting into something I had never experienced before. As we got out of the black Chinese car I got some dust all over my bag and black coat... a bit of foreshadowing of what was to come. Ganzang's town was something out of an ancient travel magazine. The walls of all the houses were made of dried dirt and reminded me of something I read in history class or my Hebrew History class in college. We were met by Ganzang's sister-in-law and escorted into our home for the next week. It was unlike anything I could have imagined...

A week of eating obscene amounts of meat, drinking obscene amounts of Amdo black tea was to follow.

Some of the highlights of the week away from reality were:
1. the amazing Amdo bread awaiting me as I woke up
2. moto crash, sounds more exciting then it actually was.
3. Riding a Yak
4. Visiting the Yak - the outdoor restroom (or hole) was behind the family's yak. So visiting the yak has a whole new meaning
5. Archery - apparently it is all the rage in Qinghai villages.
6. Amazing family - they shared so much with us and really made us feel at home.
7. a change to experience life in a whole new way. - no accessories, but so much I may never see again
8. His beauty, everywhere. The stars never looked so bright, the fields were breathtaking and the mountains powerful

As I type this in the warmth of the apartment of a fellow teaching in Xianyang, just outside Xian I am so greatful for the experience and chance to be a part of our friend's family for a week in Zhen Jia.

Butter Lamp Festival and Christmas

2008-12-28T07:40:00.000+08:00

Butter Lamp Festival came and went. There were a lot of people and a lot of authorities. My fellow teachers said it was rather toned down from the years prior. Yet I was still quite amazed by all the commotion and amount of incense.

Christmas went quite well. We have a few parties with different groups of people. Some involved games, santa claus costume making, soccer, uno, ugly sweater contests and lots of food. It was a fun filled holiday season. The last party was tonight with the English Department Teachers. Tomorrow I start my long journey to Thailand going through Xining, Xian, Hong Kong, Kunming and finally to Chaing Mai Thailand. I am excited for the trip and maybe more excited for the sleep I am going to get on the long train rides. Hope all is well and Blessings to all this Holiday Season.

Butter Lamp Festival Is Coming...

2008-12-21T16:33:00.000+08:00

In the US we have neighborhoods decorated in lights and we load up our cars get our coffee to go and set out. Usually singing or listening to some sort of Christmas Carol. Well here in Lhasa it isn't quite the same. Okay, well it isn't the same at all. But tonight there is going to be a special light holiday. It is roughly translated Butter Lamp Festival. Although I haven't experienced it before from those who have been here for many years told of the beauty of the lights throughout the city. So I won't load up my car, but rather my bike. Instead of Christmas carols there may be chanting. Yet I know who I will be thinking about this season; that small child who changed the world and showed us what it means to be a light in a dark place.

All of the stalls are empty in preparation.

Some last minute repairs in preparation for the Butter Lamp Festival

sk8 in Lhasa

2008-12-19T20:40:00.001+08:00

exhausting.

a few days ago Heidi's student Tenzin Chile invited us to go skating. I was stoked! It has been forever since I have touch a skateboard. As i entered this artist's house (i am not even joking... he is a professional artist) he busts out a nice deck (skateboard) rollerblades, and one of those twisty boards. (no idea what they are called)

We head out to his work unit. His dreads held back with his headband. I feel cooler just walking next to him. Then we get there and there is a large lot of smooth concrete. (believe me this is rare round these parts.) And we start to skate.

I have never been so tired! I though basketball and running wore me out. I ollied just a couple times and I was winded. Man...

By the end of the day I actually managed a couple tricks and jumps but boy did I have to work for it. Then we were off to his house for some sweet tea and a little UNO. Good times. Skate or Die... in Lhasa.

Winter is here but so is the sun.

2008-12-11T20:19:00.000+08:00

Lhasa winters aren't that bad at all. You know in the past I when I thought about Tibet I figured it would be one of the coldest places on earth. But this winter has been really nice. I can still go out and play basketball and be reasonably comfortable. The Northeast of China was much worse! And the reason you ask? Sure I am about 2 miles high, but I am at the approximate latitude of Tijuana Mexico. I figure the two miles up and the latitude kinda cancel each other out. The main factor is the sun! That thing is powerful here! The weather is dry and my lips have never been so chapped. But I do appreciate it, makes december very bearable.

Well I am pretty much finished with my semester. And its December 11th!?! So... I guess I have a little more free time then I thought. Classes ended fairly well. Only a couple melt downs during the oral exams but overall I think it was a pretty successful semester. A lot of differences with my school in the North East of China but it has been an amazing experience. I am excited for the coming traveling and another semester here on the rooftop.

I hope you all are having a blessed holiday season and find the time to enjoy all thats around you.

Bystander Effect

2008-12-02T21:35:00.000+08:00

As I prepared for my student's final exam I found myself searching Wikipedia (again) for ideas and I ran across the an article on Tipping Point, a book by Malcolm Gladwell. As i read through the article I jumped to the "bystander effect" a theory that basically says the more people that are around, the less likely they are to help. I then went through my head of times when I have actually stopped to help and times when I haven't, mostly in driving situations. But then I thought about this Sunday. I was riding my bike to my house. My fellow teachers and I were about to celebrate a late Thanksgiving and my job was the mashed potatoes. So i had my front bike basket full (yes... i have a basket on my bike) and one hand on the handlebars and the other holding a sack of peeled potatoes. As I entered my school gate my little potato bag decided it had had enough. The Potatoes made a break for it...
Sure enough my potatoes were rolling all over the street. Now, I have dropped many things in the last four years. More often then not people around me are a little afraid to help the foreigner not knowing if they should pretend they didn't see anything so I won't lose face or are afraid of the possibility of trying to communicate with me. Today was different. There was a group of about 7-10 Tibetan ladies standing nearby who quickly came over to help and help pick up my potatoes. There was no hesitation, they saw a need and they quickly came over. It was a great start to my day, and something to be thankful for.

Getting Colder...

2008-11-23T23:54:00.000+08:00

So we (Kelly, a new friend Max and myself) were cruising through Lhasa being tourists, taking pics of all the sites and doing a little exploring this last saturday, and we found this incredible site. We were right next the Norbalinka which is the summer palace of Lhasa, and it looked like Jack Frost had a field day.

It kinda reminded me of that old cartoon where Jack Frost is blowing on trees and they instantly become icicles, except he got tired after freezing only one corner of the block and decided to take a break... indefinitely. Mind you, when we found this it was around noon. The sun was shinning. Yet here was a fifty meter area that looked like it got on the White Witch from Narnia's bad side. Either way it was a nice and surprising photo break from the bike ride around the city.

Night at the Potala

2008-11-03T14:10:00.001+08:00

Teaching is cruising right along. A lot of my time recently has been devoted to my research project concerning learning style differences between Han and Tibetan students in my context. It has been a lot of fun to meet up with a lot of the teachers and get their opinions of some of the better teaching methods to use in the classroom. But as one of my breaks from work I cruised down to the Potala Palace around 9 p.m. and decided to see what pics I could come up with. It was really a nice night, and surprisingly not as freezing as it has been the last couple nights. There were even kids playing in the water fountain! Not warm enough for me to get near the water, but warm enough to try and get a couple shots.

Snow

2008-10-28T09:30:00.000+08:00

It's snowing. It's cold. Although the mountain that I wake up to every morning was covered. It looks beautiful. I don't I am going to take a trip across town this morning... that can wait. Instead, maybe a cup of coffee.

Running... finally

2008-10-14T21:21:00.000+08:00

Well I did it. I ran in Lhasa. 5 miles. about 8 1/2 min miles. The first 15 mins felt like death, but after that things felt pretty normal. I guess I don't have any more excuses... hopefully the beginning will be better next time.

Earthquake Fever

2008-10-09T23:19:00.000+08:00

It's in the air. 5 earthquakes in the last few days has left the city of Lhasa on edge. After our thursday night coffee and cake date four of us took a quick tour around the Jokhang Temple. When we got closer we thought it was unusual to see so many people. Then we got closer and realized what was going on. The Jokhang cora (the circle around the temple) had become a temporary camp site. Half of the town were all camped out all around the temple. People were afraid to sleep inside! (As I write this from my third floor apartment, the place I have no intention of leaving anytime soon.)

As the four of us talked I found out that our students were woken up last night around midnight and were told to sleep outside for their own safety. The girls on the track and the boys on the basketball courts. Then even had teachers stay up to monitor the students all night. Crazy times. At least now I know why my students were so tired today. I am hoping things calm down a little bit but it apparent Lhasa hasn't ever had to deal with earthquakes before. So everyone in the city is a little more cautious these days and getting a lot less sleep.

Well, thinking about sleeping outside is making me tired... so i am off to bed.

Earthquakes and End of October Holiday

2008-10-06T16:07:00.000+08:00

So apparently there was an earthquake today. I was playing basketball so I didn't feel a thing. Checking around it was near Namsto Lake (about 50 miles away) and the epicenter was about 6.3-6.8. Depending which news source you are reading. None got hurt according to the recent news but a lot of people were a bit scared. There were several student who pretty shaken up, there are a lot of student from Sichuan so I am sure this didn't bring up happy memories.

But in the meantime, classes have begun and October Holiday is over. Today started out well and I always like spending time with my students. I have been introducing two or three new songs a class so my students can hear a variety of music and hear someone else speaking English. I am still afraid the songs are too fast. Any ideas for songs? With slow, easy to understand lyrics?

October Holiday ended well. Six of us went up to a valley and went camping friday through Saturday. The weather was beautiful and the scenery was amazing.... It starts to become the norm, beautiful scenery. But it is still breathtaking each chance I get to experience it.

Our new teacher Kelly joined us and loved the Yaks. We started to call her the Yak wisperer. If we didn't know where she was she was usually chasing the yaks around the valley. Someday they let you pet them, someday Kelly.

Well I need to do some grading I didn't quite get to before the break...

Team Building - Team Tibet Style

2008-10-02T15:37:00.000+08:00

October Holiday!!! You know what that means:
1. No Classes!
2. Chinese National Day
3. And Team building exercises.... not my favorite.

But this year was different. Much different.

For team Tibet University we went rock climbing and we all belayed for each other (held the rope). This of course built a stronger bond of trust between the three of us. We even were able to try some new routes that we (mostly Sarah and Craig since this is my second time out) were never able to do before. Who knows we may be able to climb the Chimney Rock we have been eyeing for the last couple weeks. We did get a few bruises and Craig had a pretty good drop before the rope caught him. It was the first real "long" fall he has had so I believe it made him a better climber.

As for the whole Lhasa teaching team our team building exercise was white water rafting. Another considerable step up from other team building exercises I have had in the past. Don't get me wrong it always fun hanging out with past teams... but somehow floating down a river in a beautiful surroundings makes everything more enjoyable.

We did look like skiers from the 80's with our bright blue and neon green wet suits but when I got it the water I was more then glad to be wearing the piece of fashion fau paux. We were tired by the end but had a wonderful time. My suggestion for all future team building exercises... include the water somehow.

Basketball. 4 hours later...

2008-09-21T21:27:00.000+08:00

Another post about basketball, I apologize. Yesterday my buddy Gazang (not sure on the spelling) called me up to play ball around 3:45. The weather was beautiful and the games had some good competition. Before I knew it the sun was going down and it was 8 o'clock. This was by far my longest time playing. Then I started to feel it...

I made it back to my apartment just fine, but by the time I got there I was beat, didn't want to move beat. And so i drug myself into my shower because my body was starting to get cold. The hot water felt good, but yet something was still wrong. I wasn't sure what it was, until later.

After putting on several layer I crawled into bed, a hour or so later I wasn't cold anymore. Instead hot, really hot. And a feeling that doesn't usually come over me unless I am visiting Thailand.

Off to the bathroom I ran, sure enough my lunch decided it was time to go. Thankfully after that episode was over I felt pretty good. After a few swishes of mouth wash and countless cups of water that I spit out, I felt good enough to watch a couple episodes of Prison Break. I never thought I could get that sick from playing ball.

I still don't really understand. I was drinking water, so I don't think I was dehydrated. I don't think it was food poisoning. Either way I think I will take it easy next time. 2 hours instead of 4 at 3,000 meters should be enough basketball for one day.

Teacher's Day to Rock Climbing

2008-09-14T09:18:00.000+08:00

Last Wednesday was teacher's day, so all the teachers in our departments went to have a teacher's day picnic. It was a lot of fun. We all sat around drinking tea and hanging out. Everyone was very relaxed and everything was a lot of fun. We did a little hiking on the hill behind the picnic site which had a beautiful view of the city. All in all it was a great day.

Yesterday marked the first day for me to ever try rock climbing. It was tough!! I could barely play guitar when I got back my fingers we so sore. I have a new respect for all those hard core rock climbers. It was a great experience. There were four of us. Craig, Sarah a former colleague of their from the middle school and myself. It was great weather and the view was beautiful. I think I can safely say we all had a great time.

Basketball. feww...

2008-09-09T19:44:00.000+08:00

Well I did it. I played basketball in Lhasa. It wasn't easy and I do not feel so great at the moment. But i played, I played slowly, but i played. Is this what it feels like to be old? It must be. Well little step by little step. Soon I will be able to play 100% but in the meantime I am just happy I can step on the court.

Lhasa: land of picnics

2008-09-06T17:16:00.000+08:00

As I drink some of my imported Stumptown coffee (thank you Oregon coffee makers) and read a paper on the history of Tibet on my balcony, I am interrupted by the sound of laughing is shrieking through the air. Loud Chinese jokes and laughing can be heard crystal clear. "But where are they?" I ask myself. Then I spot them, a group of middle aged Chinese and Tibetan men and women sitting and lying in the grass drinking from small paper cups and have a fine ole time.

As I have been riding through the city the past week it would seem grass is not treated the same as in the city of Siping in Northeast China where I have been living the last four year. In Siping all grass, which is very little, is accompanied by either a keep off sign, or a fence giving the same message. Yet, here in Lhasa people not only walk on the grass (gasp) but at all times of the day can be spotted, laying, reading, eating or just hanging out laying on the grass! Coming strait from Oregon this would have not been as big of shock, but coming from the NE of China where grass is valued commodity that is to be seen but not actually touched, I still cautiously walk around the lawns and feel all these picnickers are all rebels...

but as I sit in my apartment I realize... I get to walk on the grass too! It's a long road but I'll figure out this Lhasa culture sooner or later. In the meantime I think I might go down and finish some of my reading on the lawn in front of my apartment.

Teaching Day One

2008-09-04T21:49:00.001+08:00

My first day of teaching is over. It was really enjoyable. Not only do I get to interact with the students but I also get to interact with the Chinese/Tibetan teachers. I am really excited for this opportunity!
The day involved an interesting conversation with a Tibetan Businessman whose english was excellent. He took me out to lunch and told me of a club he had formed where he and a group of other Tibetans who were educated in mainland China were searching for their Tibetan identity. It is fascinating to see how the new generation of Tibetans are trying to rediscover what it means to be ethnically Tibetan. The conversation continued into many areas of each of our lives, then I headed off to check out his english club and help with adding some subtitles to a talk show for a class he will be teaching later.

Ended the day with dinner and a movie at Craig and Sarah's house and am about to head to bed before another big day of teaching... one class.

Welcome To Lhasa

2008-09-03T15:13:00.000+08:00

After another fast, event filled summer I find myself at Tibet University about to start classes tomorrow.

The summer was filled with fun, school work, heart break and various stages of life I found my friends and family going through. It is always a blessing to feel welcomed back by all those I was able to see, for however short of time it was. This summer included my final summer semester at Wheaton College (I passed the final comprehensive exams, Woo Hoo!) which I will miss tremendously, the classes and research have proved invaluable. I will also miss the summers in Chicago which were always a blast.

The end of my summer was very relaxing. I was able to spend the last couple weeks back at the parent's house. Strangely enough it rained a ton. (not so good for the farm) However I never minded the rain. I was still able to get out to the beach, ride the tractor and play a couple matches of tennis. I was even able to drag my parents to a small Josh Garrels concert. All in all it was a great summer. Still had it's share of sadness and pain, but it was home and it felt so good to be there with friends and family.

Today I am one day short of a week of living on the "rooftop of the world" as it has been deemed by previous travelers. I am still catching my breath every time I go up more then one flight of stairs... the air is definitely thin up here. However, no headaches or any other symptoms so I am encouraged by that. Tomorrow I start my teaching schedule with a co-teaching class where I will be teaching side by side a local teacher to help explain cultural and difficult english issues. Tomorrow's lesson: The Beginning of the Political Parties in America; Jefferson vs. Hamilton. Looks like I will have to brush up on my knowledge of political parties.

Lhasa is beautiful. I was able to visit a lake outside the city about a 3 hour drive away. The roads were surrounded with everything from rivers, mountains, nomads, sheep, goats, yaks, open plains, 5,000 meter summits, Bulgarian tourists and finally Lake Namtso. The city is gorgeous and the people are beautiful. It is a strange time to live here, but I feel blessed to have the chance.

My First Post

2008-01-18T01:07:00.000+08:00

Eventually I will settle with one blog... In the meantime here is my attempt on blogger. I am currently in Thailand for my Grad Classes. I have another week of classes followed by a week of conference. Prior to arriving in Thailand I had a wonderful stay in Xiamen visiting my former students (now friends) in their new new jobs. Xiamen is a city located extremely close to the island of Taiwan in the south eastern part of China. It was city full of different cultural influences and historical events. It personally felt like a mix between Thailand and China. But now the travels are over and the work has begun. Three papers to finish for the weekend...

Help me to serve Thee.

Sonny, Brandon and I at the piano island next to Xiamen.