Good Things to Send to Someone Overseas

Here are some of my favorite things I brought back with me. If you know someone living overseas, these might be things they'd really enjoy:

Dry spice mixes, like pesto, alfredo, chili and taco seasonsings

Dry ranch dressing powder

Dry hot chocolate mix

Protein bars (Clif, Atkins, Slimfast, etc.)

Swiffer dusters

Comet powder

Hot sauce

Individual lemonade packets (the ones meant for water bottles. I brought back tons of Cherry Limeade and I am loving these)

Microwave mini chocolate cakes - just add water

Peanut Butter cups (peanut butter is a very American/Canadian thing. When I offered to bring things back for fellow volunteers, this was the number one request!)

These are all things that are difficult to find overseas, are pretty small, and can make a big difference in the psyche of someone living without the comforts of home. 

Purple Roots

I dye my hair roots dark, and luckily there is no shortage of black hair dye in China. But the black dye I used today turned my roots purple!  Either the box had the wrong color dye in it, or there was some weird chemical reaction. Anyway, now I have purple roots. Fun! 

Instability

I've read a few reports recently concerned about the stability of the hundreds of millions of peasants in the countryside who rely on factory jobs to survive. Many, many factories have closed, due to the poor economy in the West and reduced orders for goods. 

Traditionally, government coups in China have been instigated by peasant revolts. (The Communist takeover in 1949 was the result of a peasant uprising.) From what I have read, the peasants have been more willing to accept corruption, human rights abuses, and other injustices because they were making good money. As long as the money was flowing, the government was not too concerned about revolts from the peasants. 

Now the jobs are disappearing, the money is disappearing, and there is nothing to placate people's anger over the hardships in their lives that they attribute to the government. I don't know what is going to happen here. I do know that if there is any instability that arises, we will be evacuated before we are placed in any danger. So I am not concerned for myself. But I am concerned about the lives of the people here. 

We are not allowed to talk openly about this here, of course. 

How China Views the U.S. Human Rights Movement

This article was on the front page of the Chinese English news today: 

Source: Xinhua | 02-26-2009 10:59

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. State Department interfered with the internal affairs of China and some other countries again, groundlessly criticizing them in its 2008 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices presented to the U.S. Congress Wednesday.

The report turned a blind eye to the efforts and historic achievements China has made in human rights that have been widely recognized by the international community.

It willfully ignored and distorted basic facts, groundlessly assailing China's human rights conditions and making random and irresponsible remarks on China's ethnic, religious and legal systems.

It also pointed its fingers at the human rights conditions in some other countries such as Russia, Pakistan, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Cuba, Iran, Somalia and Zimbabwe.

The U.S. State Department has issued a report almost every year since 1977 on the human rights conditions of other countries, using it as an excuse to interfere with others' internal affairs.

Famous

Did you know I'm famous in China?  Well, I am. People on the street take my picture, stare, sometimes even film me. Today I happened to run into two of the other American teachers at my school, we stopped in the plaza to chat for a minute. One of the guys suddenly said, "Don't look over, but that guy is filming us." It didn't really phase us, we just kept talking. You get used to it. Foreigners are still such a novelty here, people are curious about us. I understand the staring, we catch them off guard. I don't really understand the taking pictures and filming though: are you going to make a slideshow/video for your next party??

One thing I loved about being back in America is blending in. I don't really enjoy the attention we get here, but I've gotten used to it. I didn't even look over at the guy filming. In the end, it doesn't really matter. 

Chinese Cartoons

I found a kid's channel on CCTV that is the equivilant of PBS, so I leave it on quite a bit to practice listening to Chinese. They speak more slowly and use simpler language, so it's great for a learner like me. I can't really bring myself to sit down and watch it for more than about 15 minutes, but they do have Thomas the Tank Engine, SpongeBob SquarePants, Teletubbies, and a really cute little penguin cartoon called Penguin Clan, all dubbed in Mandarin. I wish they had Chinese Sesame Street, now that would really be fun! 

I also study with Rosetta Stone software on my computer and study characters and grammar with a few study books. And I try to memorize characters from my dictionary. It is very frustrating at times to not be able to learn more quickly than I am. I can't help but think if I had been in France or Spain for 8 months, I'd be speaking a lot better Spanish or French than I am Chinese. But, I'm going to keep plugging away. 

Listening is the hardest part, as in having to talk to Chinese people and figure out what the heck they are saying!  Reading is the easiest, I can do it slowly. It's just a matter of memorizing the characters. So it takes A LOT of time, but it's not necessarily hard. Anyone could do it with enough time.

Clocks

I added two clocks to this page, one in China (which is all on one time zone) and one for U.S. Mountain Time. But the box is doing weird things on my end. Is it doing weird things for you too? Or does it look okay?  If it's weird to you too, I'll play around with it to fix it. Let me know! 

My birthday party was fun. I made a big pot full of chili in my rice cooker, and we also had cornbread and apple cake and sugar cookies. Around 15-20 people came and we just spent time talking together and eating. My kind of evening. 

Birthdays in China

My birthday is tomorrow. I've invited some of the other volunteers to come to my apartment for a chili dinner. (I brought the spices back with me from America.) I also brought back some of that sugar cookie dough mix and I'm making cookies tonight. In China it is a tradition that you take your friends out for dinner and YOU pay, not them. So, I am sorta trying to celebrate the Chinese way. 

I was at the store and they had one birthday cake candle and it was a 7. I am not sure what you do all the other years here!  I thought it was pretty funny though, because they had a few candles, but they were all 7's. Cake is not really popular here. You can get it, but it's mostly weird foamy stuff that is only sorta sweet. Kind of a cross between shaving cream and whipped cream. So I'll just stick to the cookies and chili. 

Update

Hello!  Sorry it has been a while since I have written, but it is mostly because nothing very eventful has been happening, so that is a good thing! 

I had a great 3 weeks at home, and got back to Chongqing with no problems. It was just a very long trip though, almost 48 hours with layovers. Phew, was I happy when I finally made it! My luggage arrived with me with no problems, and the three boxes of supplies I mailed to myself also got here with no problems. I was definitely watched over. 

School has not started yet, so I am just preparing for classes, working my lessons, studying Chinese and fixing up/cleaning my apartment. Hence the lack of updates, not much going on here yet. 

But, I do feel much more at peace being here this time around. I don't know why, but it is a blessing to feel good about being here. Marilyn reminded me that my dad used to say a lot of happiness is managing expectations, and I guess this time around, I know what to expect. It does make a big difference. 

I love you all, please drop me a line! I have a local number you can call, it rings to my computer through skpe. It's 801-542-9378. I am 15 hours ahead of Mountain Time. Call me anytime! 

Update

Hello!  Sorry it has been a while since I have written, but it is mostly because nothing very eventful has been happening, so that is a good thing! 

I had a great 3 weeks at home, and got back to Chongqing with no problems. It was just a very long trip though, almost 48 hours with layovers. Phew, was I happy when I finally made it! My luggage arrived with me with no problems, and the three boxes of supplies I mailed to myself also got here with no problems. I was definitely watched over. 

School has not started yet, so I am just preparing for classes, working my lessons, studying Chinese and fixing up/cleaning my apartment. Hence the lack of updates, not much going on here yet. 

But, I do feel much more at peace being here this time around. I don't know why, but it is a blessing to feel good about being here. Marilyn reminded me that my dad used to say a lot of happiness is managing expectations, and I guess this time around, I know what to expect. It does make a big difference. 

I love you all, please drop me a line! I have a local number you can call, it rings to my computer through skpe. It's 801-542-9378. I am 15 hours ahead of Mountain Time. Call me anytime! 

Naps, Spooning, and Other Sleep Accoutrement

So in the latest episode of The Office, Jim offers Kelly an hour long tv session, or an hour long nap. She wisely chooses the nap. And then Jim semi-tucks her in!  Okay, he handed her a blanket and turned out the light, but so close. Jim tucking you in for a nap: what could be better? Only this: spooning. The whole fun of napping with another person is, of course, the spooning. I have a hard time relaxing, but spooning in a man's arms is liquid valium to me. You can never have too much of this. 

Currently I sleep alone, so I must be content with my fluffy pillows (5 on my bed), electric blanket (under the sheets, and I turn it on an hour before sleep) and down comforter (I like weight on me when I sleep). These things are not as good as spooning!  Or being tucked in by Jim!  But, for the time being, they must do. 

Picture link

Firehouses

Firehouses are beautiful to me for their unique architectural and historical place in society. Unlike office buildings, restaurants, and sometimes even churches, no two firehouses are exactly alike even though most of them provide the same services. Pretty cool!

 

Many firehouses in NYC are listed on the historic register. Using a historical register guide, I took myself on a walking tour, taking photographs along the way. (The picture at left is one of them.)  Once or twice someone working inside saw me taking pictures and talked with me about the history of the fire companies and the firehouse in that neighborhood. I loved hearing more about the neighborhoods and the people who have lived in these houses. 

If you want to see more of my pictures of NYC firehouses, click here. 

Skype

I got a U.S. based telephone number through Skype and now anyone can call or text* me here in China by calling/texting a U.S. phone number. Magic!  And I can make unlimited calls to the U.S. and Canada.  The only downside is that I have to be at my computer to talk and text, but still: calling and texting again!  For only $5.00 a month! (I'm not going to post my number here for obvious reasons, but it's a regular telephone/cell number, you'd never know it goes to a computer.) Skype even let's you choose the area code you want your number to be in. I feel a bit like Kip in Napolean Dynamite: "I love technology...not as much as you, you see...but I still love technology..." Yeah, I do.  

*Addendum: people can't text me, I can only text them. BOOO, improve this, skype!

www.skype.com

Licking This Guy

Okay, I haven't licked him, but I'm pretty sure I would love it. I think it's the eyes. And the hair. He reminds me of a quotation I once read: "It's unfortunate that women find rash men so appealing, but they do, because deep down every woman knows a man who won't kill for her is useless." 

I have a habit of saying I want to lick people. And by "people" I mean "hot men." I don't mean it literally, it just means: "Mmmmm, tasty!" If I describe a guy as "I kinda wanted to lick him," i.e. my co-teacher and neighbor Andrew answering the door shirtless, I mean it as a compliment.

(Picture: Actor Robert Pattinson) 

Painting, In Memory Of My Father

The hospital where my father was treated for cancer, Hunstman Cancer Institute, has an artwork donation program. A few weeks ago my stepmom and my sister picked out a painting to buy and donate to the hospital in my father's name. (The hospital pre-approves artwork; they chose one by artist Minerva Teichert.) While I was home, we were notified the painting had been hung in the Special Care Unit wing where my father had been treated. We stopped by to see it in its new home. My father loved the outdoors, so I'm glad they chose an outdoor scene. I think he'd really like it. A small plaque will be added below the painting identifying it as being in his memory.

It was a little strange going back to the hospital after spending so much time there while he was being treated, but it was good, too. A bit of closure. 

"You're Dead To Me"

In tonight's AWESOME episode of The Office, Kelly Kapoor tells Jim and Dwight "You're dead to me" after they forget her birthday. I love the "You're dead to me" line!  I say this all the time, usually to your face. (Steve S., freshman year of college, to me: "I don't understand how someone so smart can also be so flighty." Me to Steve: "You're dead to me." Turn, flip the hair, walk away.) I also use it to describe people who have pissed me off, i.e., "Can you believe she said that? She is dead to me." 

Now, I don't REALLY shut them out forever. It's just a more fun way to say, "I'm pissed at you." I only say it with love. And sometimes I don't even say it at all, I just give a slashing motion across my throat from across the room. With a smile. The message gets across. (Another thing I will do only if I love you is silently flip you off; I've never flipped off someone I don't know, only friends and loved ones. I have accidentally flipped someone off at church, that's how much I love doing it.)

Kelly is a minor character, but she is one of my faves. Click here for a video someone compiled of awesome Kelly moments. 

The Body Shop Oils

I picked up a few of these tiny home fragrance oil concentrates to take back to China. I can't control the smells of rotting meat, sewage and stinky tofu that assault you in the streets, but I can make my apartment smell pretty. These are especially great for travelers because they weigh hardly anything. Fresh-Cut Grass, Red Poppy, and Tobacco Flower are my favorites. 

The Body Shop Home Fragrance Oils, $7.50 each

Good Kissers

I saw this picture today on the interweb and thought, "Mmmmm...he looks like a good kisser."  Here's why:

1. The hand on the back of her head. I love this move! Along with the cheek, chin, and hand sliding inside the hair on the back of the head; these are the sweet spots of a good kiss.

2. Other hand on her hip, no lower, no higher. (Good for first-ish kisses and public kisses, unless you KNOW she likes more in public, which I do not. So I like this.)

3. He thoughtfully brings along a plank for her to stand on so she doesn't get neck-crick. (Haha.)

4. Kissing her fully on the lips. I used to take this for granted, but you get a lot of variation with this one. I like a lip-to-tongue ratio of about 2/3 to 1/3 in action. So I like this.

5. A man who will keep you warm with kisses is a good man to find. 

 p.s., if you have time to think about any of these things during the kiss, it ain't so great. I'm just saying is all. 

Jim and Pam Sweetness

From the most recent episode of The Office:

Pam, to Jim: "[My father] said that you told him how much you love me, about how you feel when I walk in a room, and about how you've never doubted for a second I'm the woman you want to spend the rest of your life with." 

[hugging and tears between Jim and Pam here]

Pam, to the camera: "When you're a kid you assume your parents are soulmates. My kids are gong to be right about that." 

Awww....

Yeah, I know, it's just a show. But here's what I love about Jim and Pam: the sweetness. They don't always say and do the perfect things, they've been not-so-sensitive to each other on occasion, they've experienced awkwardness and uncertainty about each other, and they've both had moments of heartache. Pretty realistic stuff. But they both care, and they both try. Of course, this is tv, so things finally have worked out in the end, but still...it's one of my favorite depictions of fictionalized romance. 

(And yes, I do aspire to have someone think that when I walk in the room, they are the luckiest man alive. I aspire to feel the same way about him!)

Boundaries

We all have boundaries: emotional, physical, and social. In the past, I've let my boundaries be crossed, mostly to avoid conflict. It feels awful when your boundaries are not respected, or when you don't stand up for them.  

At grief counseling, the counselor talked a lot about boundaries. Even if others do not agree with your boundaries, it is never wrong to have them, or act on them, or expect others to respect them. And to give others the same respect. It took some real heartache and an egregious incident to see the wisdom of what he was trying to teach. 

I think a lot of women struggle with this. We are raised to be nice, unselfish, and to put others first. These are all good things. But not when it happens at the expense of your own comfort level and self-esteem. You can't help others when you feel defeated, inadequate, or in some cases, traumatized.  

Your boundaries will probably change over time, and with circumstances. This is normal. But knowing where they are at all times, and standing up for them, is really important.