Henan

The Foreign Language Department at our university takes a trip every year. The trip is open to teachers and their families. The foreign teachers were also invited, so Alison and I decided to go on a Chinese-style tour to Henan province.

The attraction was called Ba Li Gou--basically a gorge

Alison, Bernie (French teacher), and me wearing our tour group red caps.



Photo with the tour guide (our red hats didn't last long)



Our fellow foreign language teachers


The scenery was truly captivating



In a cave behind the waterfall



Canoeing on a bamboo raft

Then we took these crazy blue steps up the side of the mountain.

An awesome view from the top

Gettin' on my gear to go down the alpine slide. Sure beats the stairs!


The entire group from Qufu. Can you find the three foreigners?

Two of the teachers' children. They took awhile to warm up to us, but on the way home on the bus, they gave Alison and I one sunflower seed each--a sure sign of friendship.

The Campus Restaurant

Check out one of our favorite Qufu restaurants! Click the link above to see photos of the restaurant on our teammate's blog.

Friday

So I have this Freshmen named Friday.

She's a bit odd. I haven't quite figured her out.

I took photos on the first day of class because it helps me learn students' names. The second week, I ask the students to glue their photo to an information card that they fill out (name, e-mail, hometown, cell number, etc.). When Friday turned in her card, there was no photo.

I asked her why.

No clear response.

I asked her where the photo was, and then she threw a tantrum like a small child.

Everyone was looking. I told her to come talk to me after class.

After class, she explained that she hated the picture, so she ripped it up. I patiently explained that the photo is only for me to learn names. No one else sees it.

Fact was, it didn't matter at that point, so I let it go and she left.

I take lots of photos when students come over so that I can share the photos with them later. One day during the break of class, I showed some photos from a Free Talk. Friday was coming to a Free Talk the next day. She asked me after class if she would be required to be in photos when she came to my house to make cookies. I smiled and said, "at least one." She obstinately told me she would refuse to be in any pictures.

I told her that I take pictures so I can remember all of my students.

And I will never forget how she responded. She looked me right in the eyes and demanded, "You can remember everyone else, but don't remember me."

I acquiesced and never took her photo all night, but every time I grabbed my camera she would run behind me so as to dodge the photo.

Based on the facts above, I thought Friday hated me.

This week Friday found out Chip and I will be leaving Qufu at the end of the year. I told students months ago, but somehow it hadn't sunk in.

Tonight she showed up at my door. I was really surprised. She was holding a bucket of Snickers (not cheap here in Qufu). I asked what they were for and like it was obvious she said, "because you are leaving."

She told me to put them in the fridge because it is so hot. I gave her a hug. She stood awkwardly. She didn't say much. I was honestly blindsided.

Later I got this text: Chocolate fears hot weather. I was too nervous to speak just now. YOU are the sweetest teacher I have ever seen. I regret to see that you will leave the college. Anyway, best wishes for you and Chip.

I hope I always remember Friday.

Pen Pals

When our culture students were learning about Higher Education in America, we thought it would be fun if our Qufu students could ask some questions to real-life American college students. I called up my good friends at Spring Arbor University in Michigan, and they got some students on board. It was so fun to have these two worlds collide. The best was how much it meant to our Qufu students. They felt so honored to write and receive e-mails from American college students. Read some of their pressing comments and questions below:

• What's your opinion about happy life?
• Have you seen the movie Titanic?
• Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend? What do you think about sex before the wedding?
• What kind of man is cool in your college? I mean, who can cause the crazy among girls when he is passing by.
• Do you bring snacks to class in case you get angry (I think she meant hungry. . .)?
• I can tell from the American student that Confucius is not so popular.
• Do you think the world will end in 2012?

Text from a student to me: I'm glad to tell you that Hailey replied me two hours ago and she answered all of questions for me. I'm so excited, so I read it again and again, even do not want to go to bed, I'm sure I will fall asleep with smile.

E-mail from a student to me: It's really a surprise to receive an email from America!It's great! I sent an email to a student you have introduced to us last night. And this morning when I checked my email box ,I found she replied me! I jumped and laughed! I attached two pictures of myself and she also attached one .How wonderful it is. I just can't wait but to send you an email to tell you how nice you are to let us have this opportunity to talk with them!Thank you ! I'm excited,maybe crazy now! hahah^^

Our First Chinese Wedding

Last night we went to our first Chinese wedding. The bride is a teacher in Qufu, and also a sister, so we were delighted to attend her wedding. She looked stunning!

I should stop here and point out that this was not a classy wedding by American standards. You might describe it is tacky, cheesey, or immature, but by Chinese standards, it was beautiful.

Fake flower arches

Light up columns

A rotating screen of images of the bride and groom with flashing cartoons.

The groom in spotlight singing to his approaching bride.

Bubbles!

Indoor fireworks. . .maybe my favorite part.


Lighting a candle with the groom's parents. The bride's parents are not invited to attend. Each family should have a separate wedding banquet.

The Bride in her red qi pao (traditional Chinese wedding dress)

And way too much food. When we thought they couldn't possibly bring anymore, they just piled the dishes on top!

The names of the bride and groom on an arch outside of the hotel hosting the wedding.


The day before the wedding. . .

Alison and I went to the home the day before the wedding to pick up wedding candy and invitations. There was an archway of fake flowers in front of her apartment complex.

A new bed that would be made up by her husband's family on the morning of the wedding.

The room was decorated by friends and family.

With many warm wishes for a son!

Chip's Chewable: 18 Facts about China

Chew on this: 18 Facts About China That Will Blow Your Mind

"For all the crazy stories you've heard about China, the world's biggest country is going to keep blowing your mind." (Please click on the link to read the entire article)

Wen zi

Now that it's warm, mosquitoes (Chinese: wen zi) are swarming. Despite our efforts, somehow the pesky little bugs fly into our home. So this is the latest in our efforts to avoid waking up with mosquito bites!