Anzac and new and old friends.

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

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?

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

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

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

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

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