Chinese Bathroom

Eastern-style bathrooms are very efficient. This is the bathroom in my host family's apartment. The washing machine drains directly into the squat toilet, eliminating the need for extra pipes and hoses. The washing machine spins like a dryer, seems to work better than western agitation washing machines, my clothes come out very, very clean. (They are dried on a line outside the window.)


The mops behind the toilet are used to squeegee the water on the floor from the shower into the squat toilet. The squat toilet sits a few centimeters lower than the rest of the room and eventually everything drains into it. They only use hand-size towels (I think because of the size of the washing machine, but I am not sure).


I miss taking baths!

Aftershocks

It's too early for me to be awake, but there was another strong aftershock about two hours ago and the adrenaline rush of being awakened in such a manner is making it difficult to sleep. These happen quite often and I still wonder each time "Is this going to escalate? Do I need to run?"

So far we have had no damage, only shaking. I have been reassured that in the city center the buildings are more stable and I don't need to worry, but my adrenaline has obviously not gotten the message.

Students

Here are some questions my students asked me about America:

1. Do Americans spend a lot of money on exercise?
2. Do Americans kiss each other when they say hello?
3. Is it hard to for a foreigner to get into American universities?
4. What is the 3rd largest city in America?
5. Who do I think will be the next President?

And here is a picture of one of my students. They often give this 'peace' gesture in photos. I am not sure where they learned it, but it is very popular with students.

Pijiu Wednesdays

A few of us get together on Wednesday nights to kickback and drink pijiu at an outdoor beer garden ("pee-geo" = beer). After weeks of cramming Mandarin into my head, eating new foods, walking new streets and generally facing the unfamiliar every day of my life, Pijiu Wednesday is an oasis. And I always laugh really, really hard- my friends here are hilarious. The best mental health medicine ever.

I snapped this recently about halfway through the night. Guess which drink is mine? (And that's my new phone on the table, which I also love. Seriously.)


P.S. Today is Chinese Valentine's Day. I love you all!

Indiana Jones in China

One of my favorite movies is Raiders of the Lost Ark, including the part where the girl blinks "Love You" on her eyelids. (I always wanted to try that on a date, except mine would say "Kiss Me Hard.")

One of my fellow volunteers is Hottie McHottersons and the girls here LOOOVE him, it's all very Indiana Jones-ish. His classroom is across the hall from mine and I love peeking in and seeing the swooning expressions on the girls faces as he teaches them. After class was over he popped into my room to see how things went and I was asked later by some of the girls, "Miss F., is he your boyfriend??" I told them no, they all sighed and said they were sorry. I am not sure what they were sorry for, but I got a kick out of telling him that story later. Today we were trying to leave the building and got delayed 10 minutes or so while they took pictures with him, one by one.

So in case you ever wanted to know what it's like to teach with Indiana Jones, I can tell you. I'm going to start checking the girls' eyelids for messages!

Snakes

We call snacks 'snakes' because one of our volunteers was asked by a local if he wanted to have some snakes. He said yes, but soon realized the local meant 'snacks' not 'snakes.' The terminology stuck though, and it's common to hear during language class, "Hey, do you have any snakes in your bag?" We are unabashed snakes scavengers.

I love that we are living in a reality in which it is totally reasonable to think someone asked you if you wanted to go eat snakes. And totally reasonable to answer "yes."

P.S. we lost the first volunteer from our group, someone went home. Sad! She was really neat. I hope no one else leaves.

Snakes

We call snacks 'snakes' because one of our volunteers was asked by a local if he wanted to have some snakes. He said yes, but soon realized the local meant 'snacks' not 'snakes.' The terminology stuck though, and it's common to hear during language class, "Hey, do you have any snakes in your bag?" We are unabashed snakes scavengers.

I love that we are living in a reality in which it is totally reasonable to think someone asked you if you wanted to go eat snakes. And totally reasonable to answer "yes."

P.S. we lost the first volunteer from our group, someone went home. Sad! She was really neat. I hope no one else leaves.

Peanut Butter

Want to make a Peace Corps Volunteer ecstatic? Give them peanut butter. I found Skippy peanut butter in a large grocery store downtown. I think I could trade it like cigarettes in prison for goods and services amongst my fellow volunteers. Of course I shared for free.


Other American stuff I love:

Fountain Diet Coke
Cheese
My Bed
Family and Friends
Directness
Cold Drinking Water
Hot Showers
Confidence
Clif Bars

Chinese stuff I love:

Garden-fresh fruits and veggies daily
Dumplings
Neat Paper and Calligraphy
Technological goods
Instant Friends
Hopefulness
Jasmine Tea
Public Markets
Neighborliness

KTV is a popular pasttime in China, and the best way I can think of to describe it is "Disco Brothel Karaoke", so you know I am all over it. The place we went to last night had Roman columns on the street marking the entrance and red neon lighting down a long faux-marble hallway leading to the basement front door. There is no overhead light, just floor lamps, the walls are covered in red brocade, the couches are deep, plush and plentiful, and there are red light disco balls in every room. And, air conditioning! It's like being in an old-fashioned brothel, but nicer. You can rent a private, soundproofed room (with a window in the door! The window is very important!) for 100 RMB (about $14.00) an hour. This includes one free round of drinks, fruit and popcorn snacks. Or, you can stay in the main room with a big screen for 15 RMB.

We stayed in the main room last night because the private ones were all taken, but the bartenders and doorman were very nice to us and played three English songs after every three Chinese songs. We basically swapped off with the couch of Chinese patrons next to us. International sing-off! Our set list included Bob Marley, Britney Spears, Abba, Grease and Barry Manilow, so you know it was a good night.

Five Things

1. This "Hello Hitty" shirt. I would so wear this shirt if it were my size.

2. I sent this picture to my computer via bluetooth. I always thought bluetooth was just for looking like a dork talking to yourself in public, but using it to send pictures wirelessly to my computer? Awesome!

3. I made it through my first week of teaching. We get observed by Peace Corps staff and I did not get sent home for being a sucky teacher. Phew!

4. Yesterday I said something in Chinese and didn't think about it first in English. My (albeit simple) thought just came out of my mouth in Chinese. Shocking, but encouraging.

5. It's the rainy season here so it rains almost every afternoon, but I woke up this morning to a thunderstorm. I love thunderstorms. A great way to start the day.