This is not a raunchy blog, but there is no way it could start with anything but my new best marking story ever. There are always amusing things that emerge during marking. Sometimes it is the blatant attempts at flattery, “Mr. Faber you are the best teacher ever” (These certainly never hurt grades!). Other days it is the amazing attempts at BS to fill in an answer. I can respect that. I have sat through many lengthy written exams and occasionally spelt out some extremely wordy, but prettily dressed up BS. Finally, there are just simply the stupid answers that can make you laugh and die slightly inside. ESL (English Second Language) students are a whole new ball game. Especially when they understand about two thirds of what I say (yes it is English 11). They do not understand slang and they do not get jokes. Simply because what they do know they take literally. Go over a poem with metaphors comparing people to flower and weeds and you read 25 responses that explain how the writer is an ugly weed who lives on his own and the flower are attractive people who are pampered. It definitely made for some lungful glances at my beer-less fridge. It also means that when you are analyzing “Unwritten” a song by Natasha Bedingfield you have some interesting attempts at quotation integration. Our theme has been identity and the students had to write a response explaining what Natasha (may I never hear that song again or there will be no blank pages left before her) thought about Identity. This led to many awful, som okay responses. It also led to the best misquotes of all time and ones that only ESL kids can do. The song says “the penis in my hand” which means… They do not know what penis means haha. This happened in three of my 25 responses and it happened in other classes as well. It was a little awkward explain that a penis in your hand does not mean you are free to control your own future. It probably means you had too much to drink. Or not enough…
What else is new in China? Well I ate donkey dumplings. They were good. That being said the restaurant, as I have mentioned before, “Donkey Dumplings” is just simply amazing all around. The pineapple sweet and sour pork and the eggplant potato mix is unbeatable. But ya definitely add donkey to the edible list. It is kind of sweet meat with a gamey tinge. I also made a meal and did not poison myself! It tursn out that the more bones meat has here, the more expensive. Well that works for me! A large cut of almost perfect pork tenderloin, probably enough meat for three people, made two meals for me, was 14 Qui, so 2.50. I also learned that nicely marbled and very fresh cut boneless sirloin steaks can be had for about 3-4 dollars a good sized steak. Cannot say I will not take that up. My expiration panic, at least on some things is overblown. Many of the things I am seeing may simply be production dates. That being said I still will have to tread carefully.
The week had been pretty uneventful. I have settled into a bit of a lunch time gym routine. We have a two hour lunch and when my prep falls before or after I have a three hour break. It gives me plenty of time to head over there. Quanyuan continues to be a gracious host granted being brought stuff, while working out can be awkward. That being said nothing beats random people that stop a foot away from you on the bike and just stare are your legs for 5 minutes. No words. Chinese attempts to run on treadmills are also rather priceless. They won’t let go! It is nice though in a sense as the gym is the one place they are looking at me to learn something rather than looking at me like I am in a zoo, waiting for the next trick to emerge. Or a slip up. That being said I have learned one trick and it is not necessarily one to be proud of, but it helps. Being white I can pretty much do anything. If I walk anywhere with a purpose, people just assume I am allowed and know what I am doing and say nothing. Therefore, at the fancy new facility across the street whenever we or I go alone it simply takes a determined walk in. It works other places as well. I think this principle applies to travelling anywhere in a sense. If you plan/think ahead in advance and are quiet and watchful when you arrive you pick things up and do not cause a scene. Nothing is worse (then one of the teachers who came thankfully just for the summer that everyone now avoids) then those who “American” (stereotype I know) and come in loud and demand to hear English. Like think about it if I Chinese person walked into a restaurant in Duncan BC and started shouting in Mandarin for someone to speak Mandarin would anyone understand. They could be having a baby for all we know. Furthermore, it is slightly different from a travellers perspective, but when you are places you should try not to do things you wouldn’t do on a street at home. Taking a picture Thumbs up. Randomly saying hello to people trying to enjoy a patio dinner in a language they do not understand… not so much. Ironically, it is the Canadians who are with me (not you Ali or Tyler) that cause me the most frustration not the Chinese. We are in China get used to it. Things are not the same. That is mind-blowing information for some (The minds original existence is in question).
Yesterday, we checked out the new mall/market in Jinshitan. It is impressive and certainly means much of my local shopping needs for groceries can be met. Good bulk section and some solid import foods. There are so many German import things here, much like Costa Rica, it is no wonder their economy is so strong. Canada could learn a few things there no doubt. This mall also had the best sunglasses knock of store of all time Rau balms anyones?
Finally, I will finish off with a bang, while not really. I had my Chinese medical today! Aliki and I, the other summer school teacher also staying full time, had to get a full medical done by the Chinese government today. In order to enter China you have to apply for and receive an entrance visa. This allows you 60 days in the country, but with some restricted travel in the country and only one entrance into the country during that time. It can be difficult to receive, but once you have it entering the country through security is a breeze. However, to live here you have to apply for a residency permit and get it before the 60 days expires. You will only receive this residency visa with the sponsorship of your employer. Luckily the school has an amazing bilingual Chinese woman named Candy (yes, she looks like a Candy). She takes your passports and all the required paperwork. This is a lot. All of my certification copies and reference letters, immunization records, etc. She takes it to wherever it has to go. I don’t know if I want to know. And starts the process. This also requires you to pass the medical. Therefore, I had to fast this morning and teach my first block. We were then driven in a school car to the clinic. It was the most extensive medical I have ever had, but also in no way scary. Very nice facility. It was clean and the technology is actually ahead of Canada. It was like a mad race to complete the stations. Blood, Urine, Eye, Ultrasound, Chest X-Ray, EKG, Blood Pressure. I was happy to see 116 over 61, but otherwise I will find out Monday if I passed. It is actually possible I could fail. I have had two abnormal EKG’s in the past and have low hemoglobin in my blood naturally, but I am hoping this does not emerge as a problem.
Well I will be in touch soon! The staff has a trip to Kaifaqu Friday night for a Leg of Lamb restaurant. I am told the lamb is cooked on a spit in the middle of the table!!
Cheers.
What else is new in China? Well I ate donkey dumplings. They were good. That being said the restaurant, as I have mentioned before, “Donkey Dumplings” is just simply amazing all around. The pineapple sweet and sour pork and the eggplant potato mix is unbeatable. But ya definitely add donkey to the edible list. It is kind of sweet meat with a gamey tinge. I also made a meal and did not poison myself! It tursn out that the more bones meat has here, the more expensive. Well that works for me! A large cut of almost perfect pork tenderloin, probably enough meat for three people, made two meals for me, was 14 Qui, so 2.50. I also learned that nicely marbled and very fresh cut boneless sirloin steaks can be had for about 3-4 dollars a good sized steak. Cannot say I will not take that up. My expiration panic, at least on some things is overblown. Many of the things I am seeing may simply be production dates. That being said I still will have to tread carefully.
The week had been pretty uneventful. I have settled into a bit of a lunch time gym routine. We have a two hour lunch and when my prep falls before or after I have a three hour break. It gives me plenty of time to head over there. Quanyuan continues to be a gracious host granted being brought stuff, while working out can be awkward. That being said nothing beats random people that stop a foot away from you on the bike and just stare are your legs for 5 minutes. No words. Chinese attempts to run on treadmills are also rather priceless. They won’t let go! It is nice though in a sense as the gym is the one place they are looking at me to learn something rather than looking at me like I am in a zoo, waiting for the next trick to emerge. Or a slip up. That being said I have learned one trick and it is not necessarily one to be proud of, but it helps. Being white I can pretty much do anything. If I walk anywhere with a purpose, people just assume I am allowed and know what I am doing and say nothing. Therefore, at the fancy new facility across the street whenever we or I go alone it simply takes a determined walk in. It works other places as well. I think this principle applies to travelling anywhere in a sense. If you plan/think ahead in advance and are quiet and watchful when you arrive you pick things up and do not cause a scene. Nothing is worse (then one of the teachers who came thankfully just for the summer that everyone now avoids) then those who “American” (stereotype I know) and come in loud and demand to hear English. Like think about it if I Chinese person walked into a restaurant in Duncan BC and started shouting in Mandarin for someone to speak Mandarin would anyone understand. They could be having a baby for all we know. Furthermore, it is slightly different from a travellers perspective, but when you are places you should try not to do things you wouldn’t do on a street at home. Taking a picture Thumbs up. Randomly saying hello to people trying to enjoy a patio dinner in a language they do not understand… not so much. Ironically, it is the Canadians who are with me (not you Ali or Tyler) that cause me the most frustration not the Chinese. We are in China get used to it. Things are not the same. That is mind-blowing information for some (The minds original existence is in question).
Yesterday, we checked out the new mall/market in Jinshitan. It is impressive and certainly means much of my local shopping needs for groceries can be met. Good bulk section and some solid import foods. There are so many German import things here, much like Costa Rica, it is no wonder their economy is so strong. Canada could learn a few things there no doubt. This mall also had the best sunglasses knock of store of all time Rau balms anyones?
Finally, I will finish off with a bang, while not really. I had my Chinese medical today! Aliki and I, the other summer school teacher also staying full time, had to get a full medical done by the Chinese government today. In order to enter China you have to apply for and receive an entrance visa. This allows you 60 days in the country, but with some restricted travel in the country and only one entrance into the country during that time. It can be difficult to receive, but once you have it entering the country through security is a breeze. However, to live here you have to apply for a residency permit and get it before the 60 days expires. You will only receive this residency visa with the sponsorship of your employer. Luckily the school has an amazing bilingual Chinese woman named Candy (yes, she looks like a Candy). She takes your passports and all the required paperwork. This is a lot. All of my certification copies and reference letters, immunization records, etc. She takes it to wherever it has to go. I don’t know if I want to know. And starts the process. This also requires you to pass the medical. Therefore, I had to fast this morning and teach my first block. We were then driven in a school car to the clinic. It was the most extensive medical I have ever had, but also in no way scary. Very nice facility. It was clean and the technology is actually ahead of Canada. It was like a mad race to complete the stations. Blood, Urine, Eye, Ultrasound, Chest X-Ray, EKG, Blood Pressure. I was happy to see 116 over 61, but otherwise I will find out Monday if I passed. It is actually possible I could fail. I have had two abnormal EKG’s in the past and have low hemoglobin in my blood naturally, but I am hoping this does not emerge as a problem.
Well I will be in touch soon! The staff has a trip to Kaifaqu Friday night for a Leg of Lamb restaurant. I am told the lamb is cooked on a spit in the middle of the table!!
Cheers.