Back in China

Chinese food

I've been eating some really interesting food these past few weeks.  I never thought I'd have pigs feet often enough to be sick of them rather than squeamish about them.  A couple kinds of seaweed.  Jellyfish.  Colleague Ed asked me what kind of meat was in with the curry tofu at lunch and I knew it was chicken because of the chicken foot in it.  And there's lots of food that I forget used to be exotic to me like duck, preserved duck eggs, oily fish head stew, sheep's internal organs, and pig guts.  Night before last, I didn't even think to ask what was in with the turnips, but it came up in conversation that it wasn't beef or water buffalo and Frank said he'd tell us in a few days.  But then his brother told us yesterday while we were still eating it, so I have now eaten dog both while aware of it and while unaware (though a little less once I knew.)  I've also been eating lots of rice, noodles, vegetables, and tofu.  And some sushi sometimes.  Frank's brother has been cooking a lot for us, and I think he did some research on American food because one day he gave us fried chicken, salad, and french fries. 

Some of my favorite foods here are jiaozi (dumplings), wanton soup, fried noodles, and most kinds of seafood.  Also, I've had some awesome calimari fried with jalopino peppers. 

Two more weeks until spring festival (Chinese New Year).  I'm going to Taiwan to see my friend Rae from college. 

I went to a grocery store called Park 'n' Shop today in Shekou.  I hadn't seen so much good cheese this close to my home yet; I'd been buying my limited cheese supply in Hong Kong or downtown, and they also sold some breads, so I bought a baguette and ate it for lunch with cheese and mustard and peanut butter and honey, but not all together. 

We're in out winter term of the training program, which occurs after the fall school term is over but before Chinese New Year, so I'm teaching all one age group, which is grades 4-8, and all in one setting.  Weekdays, 8 am to 4:15 (usually).  Wow that's almost like a normal job. 

I had nice Christmas season.  Here in Shenzhen, the weather is right for poinsetias, so a lot of businesses have been using them for decoration.

Still here

 Star 104, the hit music station in Erie, has a contest most summers.  The theme is "Live in it to win it," and five or so people live in a car (or boat) with limited bathroom breaks etc., and whoever can stay longest is the winner.  As time goes by they add some adversities to encourage the participants to give up and leave, or some challenges making it difficult to stay. 

My point is this:  I am the clear winner of my apartment and my job, because Amy is long gone and Billy has put in his two weeks and is buying a plane ticket out of here.  I've resigned myself to the fact that my work situation will continue in its constant state of transition and crisis, so I'm just deciding and declaring what I am and am not willing to do to accomodate that, and the rest falls on my boss.  He's resiliant and hard-working and at the end of the day, this is the life he's chosen and continues to choose.  And I'm glad that there are people in the world like who take responsibilities and risks, and also glad it's not me!  (And if it were me, I pray God would help me to operate within my abilities and to seek education, information, and mentorship and to anticipate and prevent problems, or resolve them as they are just beginning or as soon as they come to light... all of which I'm sure is easier said than done).  Meanwhile boss is showing acceptance of my limits and is genuinely hearing me when I say I need fewer teaching hours and more fun and joy. 

So here I am and remain, ostensibly until late August.  We'll see.  The picture is the view from my balcony.  To see more pictures including some new ones, click on the "photos" tab.

Currently Listening The Anatomy of the Tongue in Cheek By Relient K For the Moments I Feel Faint see related

Never

Am I at the point of no improvement?
What are the deaths I still dwell in?
I try to excel but I feel no movement
Can I be free of this unreleasable sin
oOoOoOoO

CHORUS:
Never underestimate my Jesus
your tellin me that there's no hope
Im tellin you your wrong
Never underestimate my Jesus
when the world around you crumbles
He will be strong he will be strong

This song is giving he hope in frustrating situations.  Not that anything tangible is frustrating me too badly right now, but I feel like my boss and I are talking past each other.  But I think recently I'm the one being kind of selfish, so I need to stop for now my attempts to improve Frank's communication skills (his being Chinese is not as much a problem as he's just... ugh!  A man, and a bachelor at that), and just focus on my own or be more accepting of talking to him on terms we are both ok with.  He's much more frequently waiting for me to make my whole point before replying with his thoughts, and now I'm refusing to listen unless he acknowleges that my concerns are very real and validates my feelings?  I think I need to take a much more positive attitude and cut him a lot more slack for now. 

So the bottom line is, for all the changing that probably ought to happen here, the laws of proximity and responsibility mandate that I start with myself.  Which is where Jesus comes in.  Wish me luck.