Studying Hard

We're still here. Studying hard. Studying doesn't make for great picture opportunities and usually doesn't make for great stories either, but the good news is we are studying hard and making progress everyday.

We finished our Introduction to Characters class this week. We had a big test over radicals (basic components found in many characters) and we had to write our address, name, and a verse by memory in characters. I am proud to say that I only missed one point on the test. Unfortunately, the one point off was for a missing stroke in my Chinese name.

In recent weeks we have studied money and purchasing, directions, family, weather, and next week's chapter is simply entitled, "What are you doing?" where we will learn how to ask and share what we've been doing lately. Oh! And in practicum class we have been practicing talking on the telephone. I successfully called Information, got the phone number for Pizza Hut, and then called Pizza Hut to find out what time they close. All in Chinese. Yep, that's progress.

Cornerstone

Qufu didn't have a coffee house. Okay, there was one, but trust me, it really didn't count. It was more of a restaurant with overpriced drinks, and they happened to be the only place in town that sold non-instant coffee. Changchun has many coffee houses. There is just something great about sitting in a coffee shop doing homework, writing e-mails, or meeting a friend.

Chip and I have made it a habit to go study at Cornerstone Cafe, a local coffee shop, once a week. This particular coffee shop is supported by one of the local three-self churches. It's a bookstore and coffee shop in one. It's clean, they play great music, and the brownies cost about 50cents.

I took my language partner and friend, Flora, to Cornerstone yesterday. She asked me what I usually order and before I could answer the server said, "Americano." What can I say? I feel like a regular.

Flora enjoying her cappuccino and cinnamon cookie--it was her first time to taste cinnamon.

Flora really enjoyed Cornerstone, too. In fact, we stayed there for four hours talking. After living for a year in a place without many comforts, I am so grateful to have a place like Cornerstone Cafe.

Sports Day Parade

Sports Day at universities in China is no small thing. You may remember that last year we watched our Qufu English majors compete during sports day. This year, as foreign students at Northeast Normal University, we were a part of the entry parade during the opening ceremonies.


All of the foreign students were given floral scarves.
At first we thought they were for wearing, much to the guy's delight.

Turns out, they were for waving as we paraded around the track.

Students sit with their department and cheer as people circle the track.

Other parade participants included:

Little yellow daffodil girls

Pink attired ribbon spinners. So cute!

Serious military marchers

Students in cheer-leading outfits?

And white silk suits

And then colored powder was shot up into the sky. Pretty exciting event. We even got to miss a class to attend. It was a welcome change of schedule.

Vegetable Preservation

Tis the season for vegetable preservation. Everyone is buying in bulk and then preserving their veggies for the long winter.


Truck o' green onions

I'm not exactly sure what laying your green onions and cabbage outside does, but I suppose it dries them out. All I know is, you can lay your vegetables just about anywhere.

On the path where people walk


In an alley or outside your restaurant


Next to your car


Under your apartment complex


In your windows (or the ones in the stairwell)


On top of your bushes


Or in a parking spot at the karaoke bar


You can even dry apples, radishes, or carrots on the plaza fountain.

I haven't been buying cabbage or onions in bulk, but I am getting in on the potatoes. I bought a bag full for less than 1 USD! I plan to put them on my porch where they will stay cold, and people say they should last all winter long.

Puyi's Palace

Last week I toured one of the popular tourist sites here in our city of Changchun. Read on to learn a little Chinese history. . .

Born in 1906, Puyi became of the Emperor of China after appointment by Empress Dowager just before his third birthday and reigned from 1908-1911 (and later for 12 days in 1917 when he was nine years old). He was the twelfth and last emperor of the Qing dynasty--China's last dynasty. These were years of turmoil and change as China moved from an empire to a republic.

Wax figure of young Puyi on the throne

You may remember that in August of 2010, Chip and I toured the Forbidden City in Beijing. See link. This was Puyi's home during his short reign and where he was allowed to continuing living after he abdicated his throne.


Puyi had a British tutor who taught him about the outside world--eye-opening knowledge for a boy who had never been outside the walls of the Forbidden City. Through his tutor's connections he applied to study abroad in England, but was denied because the British government did not want to offend China. As China's political instability grew, Puyi knew he needed to get out so he talked to one of his advisers who had strong connections to Japan. And that is what brought him to Changchun, where we live today!


Me and my friend, Jeanna, outside the gates to Puyi's Palace

Japan planned to take control of China in its weak state starting with the Northeast known as Manchuria (Heilongjiang, Liaoning, and Jilin provinces--Changchun is in Jilin province) where the Qing people, Puyi's ancestors, originated. The Japanese placed Puyi on the throne as leader, and later Emperor, of Manchuria. This was not exactly what Puyi dreamed of, but it was one step closer to becoming Emperor of China again someday.


Puyi's home in Changchun


The bedrooms of his wife, Wan Rong, and his favorite concubine, Tan Yuling.


It quickly became clear to Puyi that he would only be a puppet emperor. He had no real power--he simply followed the orders of the Japanese.


Touring the lovely grounds


Japan ruled Manchuria for 14 years (1931-1945). At the end of WWII, Soviet forces invaded Manchuria and Puyi was captured by the Red Soviet Army and was tried as a war criminal in the USSR. In 1950, Puyi was sent to a prison camp in China for nine years where he was re-educated and became a supporter of the communist party. When he was released, he worked as a gardener. Throughout the course of his life, he moved from emperor to common citizen.


Wax figure of Puyi


Puyi and Li Shuxian, his wife in later life

Of course, there is a lot more to Puyi's story. If you are interested, check out the movie "The Last Emperor." It is definitely worth watching.



Included in admission to Puyi's Palace is a museum documenting the years that Japan ruled Manchuria. I didn't take photos. The museum is dark, depressing, and graphic at times. The Japanese tortured, tested weapons, and did biological experiments on the Chinese people. The sign at the entrance says "Never Forget" in many languages. Some things are impossible to forget, but please ask that the Chinese people are able to forgive.

Chip's Chewable

Chew on this:  "Each day in China, 35,000 baby girls are aborted and 500 women commit suicide."  (Please click on the link above to read the entire article.)