Do the fireworks in China rock? Yes, like a hurricane....

So this week is National Day week or Golden Week and if you think China had a lot of people before, this week's clogged streets make you think again. Last night Hagel and along with two TA's from USST went to a fireworks show at Century Park in Pudong. Now I've seen a few firework displays in my day, but going to the place where they were invented...well you know how the commercial goes. The show went on for about an hour and was set over a man made lake. This was a good idea considering some of the things that were done. Different fountains and things were set up on a bridge to make it look like an old Chinese dragon boat. Different samurai figures and two dragons were lit up around the lake along with a spark shower, which consisted of a line stretched across the lake that streamed sparks and was something that I definitely would want if I owned my own lake. The one thing that I had definitely hadn't seen done on purpose. There were balls of green that were shot across the lake. Now after I got over my 4th of July at the farm flashbacks, I was impressed and thankful that this was being shot out over a lake. There were so many things that could have been considered the finale, but if you were at the Pyrotechnics Guild shows last summer and remember that finale, well it was like that but better. For those of you not lucky enough to see that, think of those big exploders that spread out like geraniums and then see about 10 coming at you at once. I, for one, nearly fell over because I though the explosions were coming right at me. Fully satisfied and pumped up after the excellent show, we went out on the town.
Yes when you go to the place something is made, that particular thing is usually mindblowing. Each time I expect things to be good (Guinness in Dublin, Gyros in Greece) but yet never ceased to be amazed. A tip of my cap to the Chinese for doing something else that knocked my socks off.

The first week on the job...

It’s been a popular question this week: How are your classes going? Well now that the first week is over and I’m on vacation for a week for the National Day Holiday (think 4^th of July lasting for one week) I have time to reflect.

Monday: This was what I though would be my first day. I was very nervous because this is the first time I’ve done anything like teaching and had little idea what to expect from the Chinese students. I worked all morning on calming my nerves and at 1300 I walked into my class. It was a big shock to see that there were no students and the lights were off. I asked another teacher what to do and she directed me to the building secretary. The building secretary (who reminded me a lot of Darlene Gratton in manner) made some phone calls and told me that I can relax and the freshmen start class on Wednesday. I was a little surprised that no one told me this, but it gave me a bit more time to relax.

I do not teach classes on Tuesday so I prepared to have my first day again on Wednesday. This time when I walked into class, expecting 12 students, I heard a loud “Ahhhhhh” and a full classroom of 20 students. This was a few more than I expected but I kept a cool head. Class progressed smoothly and the only real problem I had was that the students talk amongst themselves near constantly. I had been told this by other teachers, but did not realize the extent until I was in my own class. I finished my first class and went back to my office to get a few more things for my second class that followed. I returned to my office, made a few extra photocopies because I had had more students than I expected. As I returned to the building and my next classroom, I was confused to find a class already in session in the room that I was supposed to be using. Fortunately the class showed up just as I did, so I brought them out into the atrium to wait as I went back to the building secretary to see if she could help me again. I could see her chuckle a bit as she saw me again, but no matter. Two of my students came along with me to help translate and we eventually did find a class room that we could use. After this initial bit of confusion, the rest of the class went well.

Thursday, my classes start at 0800, so this is a bit of a change. I was prepared to walk into another class of 20 chattering students, but this time I saw 10 quiet students, all boys. Ok, I thought, this will be a bit of a change. They were very interested in the map of the United States where I showed where some cities were and where North Dakota is. Also they were excited about the pictures that I brought to class including a family picture, farm machinery, and pictures from Steve and Kelly’s wedding. I have been using a picture of T-Bone to demonstrate what blond hair is. Several students have commented on how handsome he is. I was pleased that this class had been lower key than the other two I had. So when the next class came in, I was a bit startled by the fact that I had seen all these students before. I do have six classes, but the only meet once per week. When I saw that these were all students I had a few days ago. I called my department’s secretary and she said that she had told the students that normally have class on Monday to just join another section for this week. That would have been helpful information for me. We figured out a slight strategy and I had the students divide themselves up, told them to have a nice holiday, and cancelled class. There wasn’t much that I could do since that would have put this group (I’m still not exactly sure which class I’ll see them in next) ahead of the rest of the classes. Now that I’ve had an eventful week, it’s time for a week off. I love the way things work here. Even someone who likes change and chaos as much as I do can get thrown off her guard. Who knew?

Tonight we’re going over to Pudong (East of the Pu River) to watch fireworks. Happy National Day!

How not to end the night...

After a long hard week of prepping for my classes and I would say successfully avoiding too many gross food items, what could one do to celebrate? That's right, kids! Go to two of this summer's most legend making places in Shanghai: Ajisen Noodles and Maoming Lu. I will say that there are more Ajisen Noodles that I thought, so when I told the taxi driver to go to (what I thought was the usual) the one on Huaihai, I was surprised when he turned the opposite way down the street. No problem though, we still had a great meal.

The plan was to meet up with two friends of my friend Erik, who I went on ECHT with in 2001. Hagel and I had some time before we said we would meet them, so we wandered around the old Huaihai haunts and strolled through Xintiandi ("new heaven on earth") I love that part of the city and if it wasn't so far from campus, I would try to live there.

We met up with Beth and Meghan at Windows (their suggestion) and learned about their teaching in Shanghai. It was fun to get out with some different people. A few of their neighbors and other teachers at the school were there and Windows was getting a little crowded. Where do you go when the bar you are at is letting you down? Plan B! Yes I finally made it. The bunch of us (6 girls and Hagel) went over to Plan B and they ended up all being from or going to school in Michigan, where the manager is from and his friend who was playing pool. All too small of a world if you ask me. We stayed there for some time and one of the girls had had too much fun, so they decided to take her home. Beth, Meghan, Hagel and I walked back down Maoming and didn't find anything that interested us or a place to grab some grub. With no more options,we decided to part ways for the night.

Hagel and I grabbed a cab back up to campus and I looked forward to a bottle of water and some sleep. We entered the gate with no problem and walked back to our building. As we reached the door, we were chagrined to find that it was locked! No problem, I know how to handle this. Just knock on the door till someone comes. We did this, no one came. So we looked around the building for another way in to no avail. After about 10 minutes of trying and no success, we resigned ourselves to spending the night outside. This brought me to a few realizations:
1. I cannot be homeless. Concrete is not comfortable.
2. If I have to sleep outside, do not wear a skirt. It's not only uncomfortable but impractical.
3. By hour 1.5 I was a mess and did crack under the pressure.

So we arrived at 2:30am and the front desk woman woke up a bit before 6am. Needless to say I wasn't in the best state by then and just really really wanted to use the bathroom, take a shower, and sleep for a week. She was very surprised to see us and let us know that we should have just knocked on the window to the front desk room.....the only thing that we did not do. We had tried the sliding doors beside it but that one slipped our minds. I told her it was ok because talking was wasting time that I could have been sleeping.

All in all it was a humbling experience and probably the most face I've lost in a while. I'll remember this for next time along with some munchies and a pillow in my purse.

I'm hanging out, watching some ping pong and the match is getting pretty intense. Will red defeat yellow? Let me go find out...

Room with a View…fueled by green tea

I get to walk to work. This is a concept that is all too often ignored, not considered, or not possible in the States. Fortunately, I live near my office so I am able. This morning started out at about 5 a.m. again due to a neglected “Wake me up and we’ll go to supper,” last night. Not welcome, but I had a chance to get going slowly and watch the Chivo v. Inter futbol match. I live on the fourth floor of my building so the decent is easy, but I have the added weight from my computer to keep me honest. I choose a canteen to eat my breakfast which usually costs between 12-50 cents. As I walk, I pass retired men and women playing croquet on a cement pad. It is a relaxed yet competitive atmosphere in which they play. Next is the main street into campus. This is by no means like University Ave at UND, but I have nearly been taken out by a unobservant pedestrian or scooter. This week holds special fare because the freshmen are doing their military training. They all wear white hats but are dressed as civilians. The students have been divided up into small groups maybe units (?) and do their drilling starting very early in the morning. I can hear them as I am getting up and that has been around 5 am. Today they must be practicing for their presentation on Saturday, because there was a color guard and more organized marching by the units. Luckily today is in the 70’s F compared to the high 90’s F from earlier this week. When I reach my building, it’s up to the fourth floor and into my office which I share with another English teacher from Ireland along with Tom and Elizabeth (in the second room) from Central Michigain University. They teach multimedia something. Everyone is nice although my view is that of a Christmas tree and box of decorations but behind me is a few trees, basketball courts and a futbol pitch/track.

Also have to pass along the mean mug of the day award, although it’s from two days ago, that goes to Hagel’s groceries. We went to the LotusMart (read Japan based Super Wal-Mart type place) to get groceries. I had one small bag because everything I needed was pretty tiny (alarm clock note pads, chop sticks), but Hagel was on a mission for some brewskies. To his credit he came prepared by bringing his backpack. We paid for our supplies and headed out into the heat. Hagel rearranged his groceries into his backpack but left it in his cart until the end of the block because it was heavy. A Chinese man passed us walking and turned around to have a look at the cart, not once but twice. I could tell he wanted a third glance but decided to move on. First inanimate object I know of to get the mean mug, but hey it’s China: the place where anything can happen.

I also have a cell phone. Let the txting begin!

Here I am...and it's the moon festival

Glad to have an uneventful trip over this time. Got to the airport in Grand Forks with no problem, though mom tells me there was a severely low tire that could have easily blown but thank goodness it didn't. In Minneapolis we had a 5 hour layover and that went well. Quick stop at JCrew and a good sit in the massage chairs. Props go out to the executive lunch taken by Mead and Justin B who decided it was a good idea on a Friday. It was good to see a few more familiar faces before I left the country.

The 12.5 hour flight over was like nothing I've experienced before, it was really empty. I was able to have 3 seats all to myself and it was the second best flight I've had internationally.

We arrived in Shanghai and took Sunday to explore. Thanks to Tim O'Keefe for recommending a great restaurant. We spent some time walking around to explore, but being not quite used to the heat and humidity we spent time in our air conditioned rooms. I jumped right into the movie buying with Hitchhiker's Guide and Sin City. I've watched the first and may watch the latter tonight.

I've just settled into my office this morning and get my teaching schedule this afternoon or tomorrow. Things are good thus far and I am looking forward to a good semester.

Birthday madness...

Wow, sitting at home on a Monday night hasn't been this quiet in a while. I went to The Cities (Minneapolis to some of you) to ring in a quarter century and help my friend Mead break in his new place. Both were accomplished, though I don't know how much Mead's neighbors still like him. Time will tell. Saturday (the day) I participated in the James Page Blubber Run, a 5K run that is actually a race but also is taken by the majority to be a nice walk and a having a few beers along the route.

After the "race" portion was over, we hung out with the rest of the participants in the hot parking lot for the costume contest winners. The individual winner was a guy dressed as a LegoMan with yellow peg head and all and the group contest was four guys dressed as the Fanta girls from the commercial. They were just ahead of us at the finish line (the only time I ran the whole race) and did a cheer when the finished. Much creativity all around. The final event was a concert in the parking lot that was the HQ for the day. Better Than Ezra played and they were not only the biggest band that's ever played my birthday (my apologies to Modus Operandi for now owning second place) but also pretty decent. They are from New Orleans so there was a lot to say on that front but didn't get too preachy. We left after hearing their biggest hits because we were getting ready for the evenings festivities. I was able to reconnect with some old friends and even celebrate in the Downtown Minneapolis bar scene. Kudos to all for an entertaining night. It was definately the latest I've ever done the whole blow out your birthday candles (after coming back from the bar) and I do have a heads up for those who end up with trick candles.
***Please do not try to put them out with your fingers. It does not work, plus the taste of ash is not worth it. If you are not skilled with fire you also may burn yourself. ( I will take the time to say I came away burn free.)***

If I were NOFX, I would say so long and thanks for the shoes. Catch you in Shanghai.....