On Patrick’s advice I have begun a play with the kids. Its a combination of Little Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks. I gave the kids the script on Wednesday and a few of them have already memorized their lines. I went out to collect supplies for the set, etc. and when I returned much of the forest and the path were already created. They are all so eager to learn, and they stand around listening as I teach the other kids their parts. The girl I chose to be Goldilocks, La Zhom Ya Zhom (The spelling is wrong, but you get the idea) has learned her lines and the lines of the three bears. She has also begun to sound out words by herself. The boy I chose to be Baby Bear, his name is Jah Shua (again, the spelling is wrong) knew his lines by heart before the end of our first session, and he has actually begun to teach some of the younger kids their lines as well. When I met with the Mama Bear, and the Papa Bear they already knew their lines!
Do not fret, I will videotape the performance. It’s gonna be good…
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
The hardest thing...
The question that always seems to wrap its cold hands around the throat of my thoughts, and strangle them till there is nothing left but discouragement, is How? In a practical world, this is a practical question. You must work, and work hard if you ever want to achieve anything. It is not false, that statement, but I believe we often interpret it in the wrong way, and we work in the wrong direction.
I do believe that we all strive for happiness, but through our efforts I fear we often miss that goal. We become bogged down with the past, contemplating our mistakes, while at the same time we tell ourselves that it will all be better tomorrow, that the future holds promise. We keep making “mistakes,” because our minds eye is looking ahead, while our feet are trailing behind. We don't notice the root sticking out from the ground, and so we trip, and fall. When we get back up, brushing the dirt from our pants, we look behind us and think about how clumsy we were, and how obvious the root was, and our foot slips on a rock, and we fall once again.
To be truly alive and happy, we must break this cycle. We must forget all of our mistakes, our misgivings, and the myriad faults that riddle our character, and just be our selves. We mustn't worry about the past, or contemplate the future, for we are already where we want to go. To be happy we must acknowledge this truth, but it will not be easy. We must work, and work hard.
I do believe that we all strive for happiness, but through our efforts I fear we often miss that goal. We become bogged down with the past, contemplating our mistakes, while at the same time we tell ourselves that it will all be better tomorrow, that the future holds promise. We keep making “mistakes,” because our minds eye is looking ahead, while our feet are trailing behind. We don't notice the root sticking out from the ground, and so we trip, and fall. When we get back up, brushing the dirt from our pants, we look behind us and think about how clumsy we were, and how obvious the root was, and our foot slips on a rock, and we fall once again.
To be truly alive and happy, we must break this cycle. We must forget all of our mistakes, our misgivings, and the myriad faults that riddle our character, and just be our selves. We mustn't worry about the past, or contemplate the future, for we are already where we want to go. To be happy we must acknowledge this truth, but it will not be easy. We must work, and work hard.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
A story…
A story…
I have now been in Shangri La for four days. The kids at the orphanage are absolutely wonderful. The older ones take care of the younger ones, and they all seem to cling to each other. They are a family…
It is a surreal experience, working with these kids. I often forget that many of them are without a mother and father, and their incredible struggles are impossible to see behind their bright smiles. But during an interview with Patrick, another GR volunteer, one of the kid’s horrific story was described in all too vivid detail. I wish I could recount to you exactly what was said, but I was not present for the interview.
Here is the summary that I obtained from Patrick during our ride home.
As a small child this boy was abandoned and left to fend for himself in the woods. He lived among the trees for four years with no other company. When he was found by Tendol, the woman who created and continues to run the children’s home, he was too wild to attend classes.
The same kid schools me in basketball everyday at the orphanage. He is older now, and has some pretty good moves. He is happy here, with Tendol as his mother, and the other kids as his brothers and sisters… Its impossible to tell by looking at him what he has gone through, but he has suffered more than many of us will in a lifetime…
We are so fortunate…
I have now been in Shangri La for four days. The kids at the orphanage are absolutely wonderful. The older ones take care of the younger ones, and they all seem to cling to each other. They are a family…
It is a surreal experience, working with these kids. I often forget that many of them are without a mother and father, and their incredible struggles are impossible to see behind their bright smiles. But during an interview with Patrick, another GR volunteer, one of the kid’s horrific story was described in all too vivid detail. I wish I could recount to you exactly what was said, but I was not present for the interview.
Here is the summary that I obtained from Patrick during our ride home.
As a small child this boy was abandoned and left to fend for himself in the woods. He lived among the trees for four years with no other company. When he was found by Tendol, the woman who created and continues to run the children’s home, he was too wild to attend classes.
The same kid schools me in basketball everyday at the orphanage. He is older now, and has some pretty good moves. He is happy here, with Tendol as his mother, and the other kids as his brothers and sisters… Its impossible to tell by looking at him what he has gone through, but he has suffered more than many of us will in a lifetime…
We are so fortunate…
Saturday, October 24, 2009
I am in Shangri La
I am in Shangri La, I think I might come to live here someday. Its absolutely great. They have the perfect combination of tibetan culture, and modernized world. This town has actually become a sort of backpackers paradise. A good many people speak english, cafes with comfortable chairs/couches are a plenty, and the people seem pretty nice... Its great. But weird how much I am liking china. I cannot wait to go to college so I can study chinese.
There is this pizza joint called Helen's Pizza like 5 minutes from where I am staying. The owner is a chinese woman, whose english name is Helen, but it is her husband who has made the place. He is about as italian as can be. He talks too loud, all the time, in english with such a heavy accent that the only way I know what he is saying is because of his facial expressions and body movements. I honestly cannot hold a straight face when I talk to him. The food is excellent, and Marco always makes sure that you are eating the right combinations and drinking whatever best compliments the meal. He almost kicked me out when I ordered tea with pizza. It is such a welcome albeit strange sight to see a pure bred italian in China. But it works. He seems to change the people that come in. He calls everyone "my friend" and he always remembers names. He sits down with people to make sure they are enjoying their meal, and when someone leaves he stops whatever he is doing to yell "xia xia" a hundred times and shake their hands. And the people, whom you have never met, will say goodbye to you, or tell you to enjoy your meal, or smile and wave. When you enter Helen's Pizza, you become family... You gotta love it.
There is this pizza joint called Helen's Pizza like 5 minutes from where I am staying. The owner is a chinese woman, whose english name is Helen, but it is her husband who has made the place. He is about as italian as can be. He talks too loud, all the time, in english with such a heavy accent that the only way I know what he is saying is because of his facial expressions and body movements. I honestly cannot hold a straight face when I talk to him. The food is excellent, and Marco always makes sure that you are eating the right combinations and drinking whatever best compliments the meal. He almost kicked me out when I ordered tea with pizza. It is such a welcome albeit strange sight to see a pure bred italian in China. But it works. He seems to change the people that come in. He calls everyone "my friend" and he always remembers names. He sits down with people to make sure they are enjoying their meal, and when someone leaves he stops whatever he is doing to yell "xia xia" a hundred times and shake their hands. And the people, whom you have never met, will say goodbye to you, or tell you to enjoy your meal, or smile and wave. When you enter Helen's Pizza, you become family... You gotta love it.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Diseased Mountains
Flying from Kunming to Shangri La I sat in a window seat. I am beginning to rely like flying. Airports I hate, but flying, especially during the day, is something different. The view from plan during my flight was incredible. The sky was a brilliant blue, and the green sheet of the ground was wrinkled with mountains. It looked like some giant tractor had crossed over the land long ago, and the trees on the mountains were covering up the tread marks. It was incredible. But then as I admired the lay of the land I noticed that many of the mountains appeared to have a rash of some sort. Blotches of red and yellow... I was horrified. And it got worse. The tips of the mountains began to gray. Something was sucking the blood out of these magnificent hills. And what is that white stuff? They looked as if they were freezing... I had forgotten about winter. And oh, how nice it feels to be cold again. That may sound strange, but the smell of winter is comforting. I feel at home.
And Shangri La is beautiful. Its so high up that the sky seems to have a back light. I have never seen so much blue. Am I still flying?
And Shangri La is beautiful. Its so high up that the sky seems to have a back light. I have never seen so much blue. Am I still flying?
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Hong Kong is incredible
I am on the 35th floor of an apartment building and the view from my bedroom window is absolutely nuts.
I mean, Yangshuo was pretty, and the mountains were pretty fantastic, but there is something that is just so welcoming and beautiful about Hong Kong.
Maybe it is the perfect balance of commercialism and the environment, maybe it is the fact that almost everyone here speaks at least a little English, or maybe it is the comfort of seeing a Lamborghini, followed by a Rolls Royce, and a set of two or three Porches.
Its great to say the least. the family that Rick has set me up is also pretty spectacular. They have been extremely welcoming and kind. They have two sons ages 13 and 11. It made me realize how much I missed my little brothers...
My trip here was pretty easy, the MTR, no big deal, and the rest was easy sailing thanks to some directions that I got from my host mom.
I did have to buy a 24 hour wifi membership in the train terminal before I jumped on the MTR, but it only cost like 3 bucks, so no big deal.
Gail's blog today was perfect. you have no idea...
I love/miss you/hope all is well.
I'll write more tomorrow.
Ben
I mean, Yangshuo was pretty, and the mountains were pretty fantastic, but there is something that is just so welcoming and beautiful about Hong Kong.
Maybe it is the perfect balance of commercialism and the environment, maybe it is the fact that almost everyone here speaks at least a little English, or maybe it is the comfort of seeing a Lamborghini, followed by a Rolls Royce, and a set of two or three Porches.
Its great to say the least. the family that Rick has set me up is also pretty spectacular. They have been extremely welcoming and kind. They have two sons ages 13 and 11. It made me realize how much I missed my little brothers...
My trip here was pretty easy, the MTR, no big deal, and the rest was easy sailing thanks to some directions that I got from my host mom.
I did have to buy a 24 hour wifi membership in the train terminal before I jumped on the MTR, but it only cost like 3 bucks, so no big deal.
Gail's blog today was perfect. you have no idea...
I love/miss you/hope all is well.
I'll write more tomorrow.
Ben
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
China
China
Its a strange place. It seems to be in its adolescences, going through growing pains. For instance, on any given street in Yongshuo you can find four types of vehicles. There is the motorcyle, very common, and prefered by most locals. There is the volkswagen, and the square van which has seven seats, but with the addition of some wooden stools and benches doubles its carrying capacity. And then, there are trucks, that have no front. The engine is exposed. There are no doors, and the steering wheel can be anything from a bicycle handlebars, to two planks of wood. In Pin lu, Rickshaws are very common, but they all seem to be homemade. Like a metal box on wheels with half a motorcycle sticking out the front.
The houses really show how much of a developing country China is. If they are painted, they are only painted on the frontside. And they always seem to be crumbling. It may be the fact that I am in the country(ish)side, but everything has a thin layer of dust covering it.
Its a strange place. It seems to be in its adolescences, going through growing pains. For instance, on any given street in Yongshuo you can find four types of vehicles. There is the motorcyle, very common, and prefered by most locals. There is the volkswagen, and the square van which has seven seats, but with the addition of some wooden stools and benches doubles its carrying capacity. And then, there are trucks, that have no front. The engine is exposed. There are no doors, and the steering wheel can be anything from a bicycle handlebars, to two planks of wood. In Pin lu, Rickshaws are very common, but they all seem to be homemade. Like a metal box on wheels with half a motorcycle sticking out the front.
The houses really show how much of a developing country China is. If they are painted, they are only painted on the frontside. And they always seem to be crumbling. It may be the fact that I am in the country(ish)side, but everything has a thin layer of dust covering it.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Oh america
I picked up a newspaper the other day that was in English. I had not realized how much I was missing. In America I never really tried to hear the news, but somehow I was always aware of the things that were happening. Its strange to feel so disconnected. Whats even stranger is that I miss it.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Culture Shock
There have been a few things that caught me off guard during my stay in the village. Now, I was surprised by these things, but not offended. In fact, I indulged in many of them myself.
-The trash can is the ground.
-Farting is done loudly. And yes, it is still funny, but I was usually the only one who laughed... Awkward.
-The men walk around with the bottom of their shirt pulled up so that their bellies hang out. (This is actually pretty comfortable)
-The Chinese love, and I mean love, like they practice, Karaoke. Its very funny. But I guess that isn't really culture shock. Its more of culture surprise!
And thats really it. I mean, the food is different, but you get used to. These are things that really caught my attention... Mostly the karaoke... and the farting...
-The trash can is the ground.
-Farting is done loudly. And yes, it is still funny, but I was usually the only one who laughed... Awkward.
-The men walk around with the bottom of their shirt pulled up so that their bellies hang out. (This is actually pretty comfortable)
-The Chinese love, and I mean love, like they practice, Karaoke. Its very funny. But I guess that isn't really culture shock. Its more of culture surprise!
And thats really it. I mean, the food is different, but you get used to. These are things that really caught my attention... Mostly the karaoke... and the farting...
Friday, October 16, 2009
Next Phase with disclaimer
Memo from MOM,,,,I am attaching this disclaimer, the details may be wrong. I am in fact doing all of those things, but where and when I am unsure of. During my phone conversation with Rick he gave me a lot of information. I wasn't able to grasp most of it, I was stuck on the fact that I am going to meet a walking buddha!
Ben
I leave for Hong Kong on the seventeenth. I'll stay there for three days. Then I am flying to Kunming. From there I will be going to Shangri La, unless Kunming is in Shangri La. I don't have a map handy, so I might sound somewhat clueless... Which, I am... some what.
I will be doing a couple things in Shangri La, both of which made my heart stop and my hair stand on end when I heard about them. The first, I will be working on a boat. Teaching and assisting. Whom am I assisting you ask? Well, the boat that I am going to be on is a hospital boat, and I will be working with doctors to care for the kids and the orphans that they picked up from the streets. Some of these kids were put onto the sex market at the age of twelve. Its absolutely disgusting, and atrocious what these kids have gone through.
I told one of the staff members at the Snow Lion(where i am staying for a couple of days) about these kids and she began to cry. Those tears, I realized, are one of the reasons I am here. It is that feeling that we all experience when we hear about the horrible things that people live with that is driving me.
It is that indignant voice that rises up from within the deepest part of our selves that I am listening to. I keep telling people that this is not my journey, but ours. It comes off sounding like BS, but it is the truth. I am here for everyone who feels angry at the nastiness that seems to plague our wonderful world. I am here to walk the walk, for you, for me, for those people who cry when they hear about the prostitution of an eleven year old.
The second, during my time in Shangri La, or Cambodia, or Tibet... Wherever it is I am going, I am going to meet what the Tibetans refer to as a "walking buddha." Basically what that means is that he is considered to be a reincarnation of a lama. He was born enlightened. And I am going to meet him. The Dali Lama witnessed his birth after having a vision!!! And I am going to be talking to this guy!!!
And you should hear about the guy that is going to be my guide during my time in Shangri La. He is a nomad. When he was young he was taught by someone who followed his tribe in a van! that man then took the smartest of his students into the city to take the high school the examination. They all passed! But, they weren't allowed to continue their education because they didn;t have a certificate from a school! BS, I know. Well, he knew that he needed an education. So, he trekked over the Himalayans, almost died from elevation sickness, arrived in the Tibetan retreat in India, had to run away from the Chinese police that were waiting for him at their gates to intercept him and climb over the wall. Then, after getting his education he snuck back into china to find his tribe. Soon thereafter Rick met him... I mean, come on, this is nuts!!!
So off I go....
Ben
I leave for Hong Kong on the seventeenth. I'll stay there for three days. Then I am flying to Kunming. From there I will be going to Shangri La, unless Kunming is in Shangri La. I don't have a map handy, so I might sound somewhat clueless... Which, I am... some what.
I will be doing a couple things in Shangri La, both of which made my heart stop and my hair stand on end when I heard about them. The first, I will be working on a boat. Teaching and assisting. Whom am I assisting you ask? Well, the boat that I am going to be on is a hospital boat, and I will be working with doctors to care for the kids and the orphans that they picked up from the streets. Some of these kids were put onto the sex market at the age of twelve. Its absolutely disgusting, and atrocious what these kids have gone through.
I told one of the staff members at the Snow Lion(where i am staying for a couple of days) about these kids and she began to cry. Those tears, I realized, are one of the reasons I am here. It is that feeling that we all experience when we hear about the horrible things that people live with that is driving me.
It is that indignant voice that rises up from within the deepest part of our selves that I am listening to. I keep telling people that this is not my journey, but ours. It comes off sounding like BS, but it is the truth. I am here for everyone who feels angry at the nastiness that seems to plague our wonderful world. I am here to walk the walk, for you, for me, for those people who cry when they hear about the prostitution of an eleven year old.
The second, during my time in Shangri La, or Cambodia, or Tibet... Wherever it is I am going, I am going to meet what the Tibetans refer to as a "walking buddha." Basically what that means is that he is considered to be a reincarnation of a lama. He was born enlightened. And I am going to meet him. The Dali Lama witnessed his birth after having a vision!!! And I am going to be talking to this guy!!!
And you should hear about the guy that is going to be my guide during my time in Shangri La. He is a nomad. When he was young he was taught by someone who followed his tribe in a van! that man then took the smartest of his students into the city to take the high school the examination. They all passed! But, they weren't allowed to continue their education because they didn;t have a certificate from a school! BS, I know. Well, he knew that he needed an education. So, he trekked over the Himalayans, almost died from elevation sickness, arrived in the Tibetan retreat in India, had to run away from the Chinese police that were waiting for him at their gates to intercept him and climb over the wall. Then, after getting his education he snuck back into china to find his tribe. Soon thereafter Rick met him... I mean, come on, this is nuts!!!
So off I go....
Thursday, October 15, 2009
What a funny funny family
Its a strange phenomenon. I do not miss my family. Now, that is not to say I don't think about them. I do, more often than I had expected to. And what is even stranger is that being apart from them has allowed me to take an outsiders perspective on the "Broadbents".
I blogged a while ago about the "College Collage" that i was not going to receive. Well, my Nana and mother were probably hurt worse than I was by that realization. So, they put together, with the help of my siblings, what I, in my love for alliteration, termed as the "Cross-cultural Crossword Collage." Basically they took a book of crosswords and put pictures on some of the pages and attached some notes. I know that description doesn't do it justice, but you get the point.
Anyhow, whenever I look at it, a different person from my family seems to stand out to me.
Max attached a writing piece that he must have written for english. He may seem like some dopey skateboarder kid, but his writing reveals his true self. He is creative, and smart, and I'm not sure he realizes it. I am so excited to see how he progresses, and to witness that moment when he realizes his ability and he truly begins to flourish...
Sam almost mad me cry. He told me that he looked up to me, and he signed his letter "your rapping brother Sam, aka Jigsaw." What a cute kid. We used to call him "Tony!" because he looked italian, and now he acts italian. He is probably the Broadbent that loves the idea of our family the most. His heart is as big as anyone I have met, and when he finally finds out how to use, the world will know his name.
Ellie... Oh Elle. I often wonder whether or not she is just me, in girl form. She is not as shy as I was, or nearly as self-conscious, but her sense of humor, is unmistakable. Her letter instructed me to miss her the most which in some ways I do. For instance, I have taken video, or pictures of all of the animals that I see, because I know she will love it... But man, what a goof. She wants to be a veterinarian, and you know... I have a feeling that she will be someday.
My dad, under a picture of us at dinner, where his face was the only straight one (Max, Sam, and I were all wearing ridiulous expressions), he said, and I quote "Dinner won't be the same without you. Enjoy the Rice! Love ya." Even now it makes me chuckle. This is the essence of my dad. Short, sweet, and oddly hilarious.
That is all I will say for now, my mom and Nana would both take three whole pages to describe, so I will spare you.
I blogged a while ago about the "College Collage" that i was not going to receive. Well, my Nana and mother were probably hurt worse than I was by that realization. So, they put together, with the help of my siblings, what I, in my love for alliteration, termed as the "Cross-cultural Crossword Collage." Basically they took a book of crosswords and put pictures on some of the pages and attached some notes. I know that description doesn't do it justice, but you get the point.
Anyhow, whenever I look at it, a different person from my family seems to stand out to me.
Max attached a writing piece that he must have written for english. He may seem like some dopey skateboarder kid, but his writing reveals his true self. He is creative, and smart, and I'm not sure he realizes it. I am so excited to see how he progresses, and to witness that moment when he realizes his ability and he truly begins to flourish...
Sam almost mad me cry. He told me that he looked up to me, and he signed his letter "your rapping brother Sam, aka Jigsaw." What a cute kid. We used to call him "Tony!" because he looked italian, and now he acts italian. He is probably the Broadbent that loves the idea of our family the most. His heart is as big as anyone I have met, and when he finally finds out how to use, the world will know his name.
Ellie... Oh Elle. I often wonder whether or not she is just me, in girl form. She is not as shy as I was, or nearly as self-conscious, but her sense of humor, is unmistakable. Her letter instructed me to miss her the most which in some ways I do. For instance, I have taken video, or pictures of all of the animals that I see, because I know she will love it... But man, what a goof. She wants to be a veterinarian, and you know... I have a feeling that she will be someday.
My dad, under a picture of us at dinner, where his face was the only straight one (Max, Sam, and I were all wearing ridiulous expressions), he said, and I quote "Dinner won't be the same without you. Enjoy the Rice! Love ya." Even now it makes me chuckle. This is the essence of my dad. Short, sweet, and oddly hilarious.
That is all I will say for now, my mom and Nana would both take three whole pages to describe, so I will spare you.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Getting ready
In Yongshuo
I am in Yongshuo again, “licking my wounds from my time on the countryside” as Rick says. But they are not so much wounds, though my head still hurts from trying to absorb it all.
Maybe there are some wounds, some gashes in my mind, that are leaking thought and passion. And I suppose you could say I am licking my wounds if you are thinking about them in that sense- trying to get every last drop of understanding… I think it is more like the steam that escapes the rice pot… Of course, that might just be because I am hungry.
The rest of my trip is going to be amazing. I will post the specifics as soon as I can get them in written form from Rick so I know that I am not making anything up, or confusing what I am doing where.
I will be in Yongshuo for another couple of days. The comfort of a hotel is much appreciated, and the pleasure of being able to talk to the staff has not escaped me. Of course I was not in such a bad situation during my stay in the village. Yes, there was no internet, and no one in my family spoke English, but I slept on a queen sized bed, in an air-conditioned room, that had a surround sound stereo system and TV…
Ah well, the next portion of my trip will be less comfortable, which I am excited about. That may sound strange, but I mean, how am I supposed to gain any deep understanding, or glimpse the cause of suffering if I am comfortable?!
Alas, I may be biting my tongue in a week.
More to come, though maybe not tonight.
I'll send the postcard tomorrow.
I am in Yongshuo again, “licking my wounds from my time on the countryside” as Rick says. But they are not so much wounds, though my head still hurts from trying to absorb it all.
Maybe there are some wounds, some gashes in my mind, that are leaking thought and passion. And I suppose you could say I am licking my wounds if you are thinking about them in that sense- trying to get every last drop of understanding… I think it is more like the steam that escapes the rice pot… Of course, that might just be because I am hungry.
The rest of my trip is going to be amazing. I will post the specifics as soon as I can get them in written form from Rick so I know that I am not making anything up, or confusing what I am doing where.
I will be in Yongshuo for another couple of days. The comfort of a hotel is much appreciated, and the pleasure of being able to talk to the staff has not escaped me. Of course I was not in such a bad situation during my stay in the village. Yes, there was no internet, and no one in my family spoke English, but I slept on a queen sized bed, in an air-conditioned room, that had a surround sound stereo system and TV…
Ah well, the next portion of my trip will be less comfortable, which I am excited about. That may sound strange, but I mean, how am I supposed to gain any deep understanding, or glimpse the cause of suffering if I am comfortable?!
Alas, I may be biting my tongue in a week.
More to come, though maybe not tonight.
I'll send the postcard tomorrow.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
An afternoon stroll...
There are stray dogs running around all over town. They all have scars or at least a disfiguration of some sort. What is even sadder is that there are also stray puppies running around. I see them all over the place. This sight is made even stranger by seeing people walking their buffalo! Maybe they are bringing them to feed somewhere, or to lay in one of the ditches so that they don’t get hot, but occasionally I see someone and there buffalo, a rope tied through its nostrils just walking around. I can’t help but imagine that they are out for an afternoon stroll… In short, buffalo are not as cute as puppies… Though I am sure they taste better.
Ben
Ben
Sunday, October 11, 2009
My Family (in China)
The family I am staying with is great, though I get the feeling that they are trying to fatten me up, for some big “Ben Roast” where I will be the main course.
I wouldn’t know if this were the case, I can’t understand anything they are saying. For all I know they could be talking to eachother about what I would taste like, or what kinds of herbs and spices they should use when they cook me…
There is a grandmother and grandfather who both live in the house. The grandmother never leaves, and the grandfather seldom does, although they are always doing work around the house or in the garden. The grandmother is the cook. The grandfather does most of the garden work. The father and the mother are both very nice as well, though loud and a bit overbearing. The father is constantly wearing a big silly grin. Of course I am happy I know him, he is a pretty scary looking fellow. The mother is nice, but she screams a lot… about 73% of the time that she is talking. What is said is that I’m not entirely sure how many kids they have. I know they have two sons. One is in the army, the other is 7 and is home from his boarding school for the break. I also know they have a daughter, I am sleeping in her room. But other than that I am not completely sure, there are always a lot of people walking in and out of the house, and I have no way of deciphering whether it is someone who works for the family, if they are just friends, or if they are related by blood.
It’s all very confusing. My family owns many small businesses, and they are pretty wealthy, that is compared to the rest of the village. I am pretty sure that the mother does something with clothing, she has a room full of needles, thread and plastic diamonds and other sparkling accessories. She ais also the accountant/financer. I often find her with a few of what I presume to be the managers of their stores punching away at a calculator, counting money. The father is a fisherman, I’m pretty sure. Maybe he does more than that, he does leave often for the entire day, but I have never accompanied him on any of these trips so I can only speculate. (maybe he is a hitman? A mob boss? I have an active imagination)
I wish I could understand what they say, so I coul talk to them, so we could have a relationship. I suppose it is enough with body language, but oh how I long to find out about them, to understand them, to truly meet them.
Someday I will come back to China after studying Chinese in college and will return to this house. I will show up unannounced. I cannot wait. I look forward to that day almost as much as I do the day I actually go to college. Oh yeah, which reminds me.
I have to start applying!!!
I wouldn’t know if this were the case, I can’t understand anything they are saying. For all I know they could be talking to eachother about what I would taste like, or what kinds of herbs and spices they should use when they cook me…
There is a grandmother and grandfather who both live in the house. The grandmother never leaves, and the grandfather seldom does, although they are always doing work around the house or in the garden. The grandmother is the cook. The grandfather does most of the garden work. The father and the mother are both very nice as well, though loud and a bit overbearing. The father is constantly wearing a big silly grin. Of course I am happy I know him, he is a pretty scary looking fellow. The mother is nice, but she screams a lot… about 73% of the time that she is talking. What is said is that I’m not entirely sure how many kids they have. I know they have two sons. One is in the army, the other is 7 and is home from his boarding school for the break. I also know they have a daughter, I am sleeping in her room. But other than that I am not completely sure, there are always a lot of people walking in and out of the house, and I have no way of deciphering whether it is someone who works for the family, if they are just friends, or if they are related by blood.
It’s all very confusing. My family owns many small businesses, and they are pretty wealthy, that is compared to the rest of the village. I am pretty sure that the mother does something with clothing, she has a room full of needles, thread and plastic diamonds and other sparkling accessories. She ais also the accountant/financer. I often find her with a few of what I presume to be the managers of their stores punching away at a calculator, counting money. The father is a fisherman, I’m pretty sure. Maybe he does more than that, he does leave often for the entire day, but I have never accompanied him on any of these trips so I can only speculate. (maybe he is a hitman? A mob boss? I have an active imagination)
I wish I could understand what they say, so I coul talk to them, so we could have a relationship. I suppose it is enough with body language, but oh how I long to find out about them, to understand them, to truly meet them.
Someday I will come back to China after studying Chinese in college and will return to this house. I will show up unannounced. I cannot wait. I look forward to that day almost as much as I do the day I actually go to college. Oh yeah, which reminds me.
I have to start applying!!!
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Oh the harmonic…
I cannot tell you how nice it is to have. I am not very good at playing, to be honest, but it satisfies my musical thirst. When I begin to miss something, whether it be my friends, family, or piano, I take my harmonica out of its case, close my eyes and play. The kids love it, and I let them all have a turn playing it. I laugh when I think about how they will remember: the big, tall, white American, who’s Chinese speaking ability went as far as saying boo (no) and no further, who played a harmonica whenever he walked and wasn’t listening that pink Ipod of his. I hope they think fondly of these memories of me, I know I will think fondly of them.
Friday, October 9, 2009
What I miss most:
What I miss most:
- My bed.
- The English language.
- Laughing because I understand.
- My piano.
- Borders.
- Hanging out with my friends.
- The fall weather.
- The stillness of the church
- Coffee!!!
- My bed.
- The English language.
- Laughing because I understand.
- My piano.
- Borders.
- Hanging out with my friends.
- The fall weather.
- The stillness of the church
- Coffee!!!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Schedule
So, as you know I teach three classes a day, grades 1,2, and 3. Well, to give you a better picture I have put below my average school day schedule:
8:15- Leave home.
8:30- Arrive at school.
8:30-8:50- Kids prepare for class- doing some exercise, reciting lessons, etc.
9:00-9:40- Class. I sit in the office with the other teacher who is currently on break.
9:40-10:00- Free time.
10:00-10:40- Class. I teach the first graders.
10:50-11:30- Class. I teach second grade.
11:40-2: Lunch. Everyone goes home.
12:10- Arrive home.
1:00- Eat lunch.
2:00- Leave home.
2:15- Arrive at school.
2:20-3:00- Class. I take a break in the office.
3:10-3:50- Class. I teach third grade.
3:50-4:00- Free time.
4:00-4:40- Class. I take break in the office.
4:45-5:15- Walk home for dinner.
6:30- Dinner.
9:00- Bed!!!
During my “breaks” I usually study Chinese or will occasionally slip into one of the other classrooms where the kids are learning pinyin, which is another way to write Chinese other than with the characters. Those classes are somewhat helpful.
You may have noticed that my walks home from school take twice as long as the walk to school takes me. This is because on the way home I am usually playing with the kids- swordfights, harmonica jams, ambushes, etc.
The time between dinner and bed filled with a combination of listening to conversations I don’t understand and reading…
8:15- Leave home.
8:30- Arrive at school.
8:30-8:50- Kids prepare for class- doing some exercise, reciting lessons, etc.
9:00-9:40- Class. I sit in the office with the other teacher who is currently on break.
9:40-10:00- Free time.
10:00-10:40- Class. I teach the first graders.
10:50-11:30- Class. I teach second grade.
11:40-2: Lunch. Everyone goes home.
12:10- Arrive home.
1:00- Eat lunch.
2:00- Leave home.
2:15- Arrive at school.
2:20-3:00- Class. I take a break in the office.
3:10-3:50- Class. I teach third grade.
3:50-4:00- Free time.
4:00-4:40- Class. I take break in the office.
4:45-5:15- Walk home for dinner.
6:30- Dinner.
9:00- Bed!!!
During my “breaks” I usually study Chinese or will occasionally slip into one of the other classrooms where the kids are learning pinyin, which is another way to write Chinese other than with the characters. Those classes are somewhat helpful.
You may have noticed that my walks home from school take twice as long as the walk to school takes me. This is because on the way home I am usually playing with the kids- swordfights, harmonica jams, ambushes, etc.
The time between dinner and bed filled with a combination of listening to conversations I don’t understand and reading…
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Ready, Set, Go
Okay, so we can all agree that Americans, in general, eat their meals rather fast. At least when compared to what I have heard about those European types, it seems Americans don’t take any time at all to eat their food. I thought it was safe to claim that Americans were the fastest eaters in the world… Well, I have some very disturbing news- the Chinese have been training, and we have got a lot of work to do if we want to catch up. Luckily, I have taken some mental notes of their techniques, which I hope can give us the upper hand. Here’s their equipment list:
- Small silver bowl
- Two chopsticks, no more, no less.
- One large, flattish spoon for scooping the rice out of the pot.
- One ladle for the soup in the Wok.*
I have detailed to you before the arrangement of the food, and what types are present: fish in the wok with the soup, vegetables in a bowl on one side, and some kind of meat in another. The table is low to the ground, and the chairs I believe I have told were made for preschoolers. Now, what I am about to describe to you was very hard for me to form into complete sentences. It as if it happened too fast to even form a complete thought about it. To avoid confusion we are going to assume that the bowls are already filled with rice, which usually happens before the race, excuse me, meal has begun… Now Get ready… CHU FEN!!!
1) Pick up bowl (note: it doesn’t touch table again until meal is finished.) Grab ladle from wok. 2) Scoop soup with fish. 3)Place/pour into bowl. 4)Stick tail of fish in mouth- chopsticks grab head-pull forward. 5) Throw/spit bones on ground. 6) Place bowl so that it touches lip, scoop rice with chopsticks into mouth/drink soup.** 7) Lower bowl, grab meat with chopsticks and place in mouth, (repeat three to four times- or as desired). 8) Grab vegetables place on rice. Grab rice/vegetables with chopsticks put into mouth.***
9) Repeat step 6 until bowl is empty. 10) Stand and walk to rice pot, two to three feet from table, scoop rice into bowl.**** 11) Return to seat and repeat.
Total time: 6-9 minutes.
You may have noticed I did not mention any drinks… Well, frankly, there is no time. You drink before or after the meal.
Also, wear as little clothing as possible. The heat of the food, combined with that of the air, combined with the heat produced by your muscles, can be lethal, or just make you sweaty and gross…
*The technique used with this ladle is of the utmost importance to master. The soup is extremely hot and if you mess up and spill some on your fingers… Well, all I can say is- welcome to the injured list, my friend. We can’t manage to win if we have a man down, so practice!
** The technigue here is something like reversed circular breathing. You blow out through your nose to cool the soup, and drink the soup/eat the rice through your mouth. Once this technique is mastered you will lose a good 4 minutes on your time!
*** Don’t forget to chew!
**** This is the only time for rest, so enjoy it.
- Small silver bowl
- Two chopsticks, no more, no less.
- One large, flattish spoon for scooping the rice out of the pot.
- One ladle for the soup in the Wok.*
I have detailed to you before the arrangement of the food, and what types are present: fish in the wok with the soup, vegetables in a bowl on one side, and some kind of meat in another. The table is low to the ground, and the chairs I believe I have told were made for preschoolers. Now, what I am about to describe to you was very hard for me to form into complete sentences. It as if it happened too fast to even form a complete thought about it. To avoid confusion we are going to assume that the bowls are already filled with rice, which usually happens before the race, excuse me, meal has begun… Now Get ready… CHU FEN!!!
1) Pick up bowl (note: it doesn’t touch table again until meal is finished.) Grab ladle from wok. 2) Scoop soup with fish. 3)Place/pour into bowl. 4)Stick tail of fish in mouth- chopsticks grab head-pull forward. 5) Throw/spit bones on ground. 6) Place bowl so that it touches lip, scoop rice with chopsticks into mouth/drink soup.** 7) Lower bowl, grab meat with chopsticks and place in mouth, (repeat three to four times- or as desired). 8) Grab vegetables place on rice. Grab rice/vegetables with chopsticks put into mouth.***
9) Repeat step 6 until bowl is empty. 10) Stand and walk to rice pot, two to three feet from table, scoop rice into bowl.**** 11) Return to seat and repeat.
Total time: 6-9 minutes.
You may have noticed I did not mention any drinks… Well, frankly, there is no time. You drink before or after the meal.
Also, wear as little clothing as possible. The heat of the food, combined with that of the air, combined with the heat produced by your muscles, can be lethal, or just make you sweaty and gross…
*The technique used with this ladle is of the utmost importance to master. The soup is extremely hot and if you mess up and spill some on your fingers… Well, all I can say is- welcome to the injured list, my friend. We can’t manage to win if we have a man down, so practice!
** The technigue here is something like reversed circular breathing. You blow out through your nose to cool the soup, and drink the soup/eat the rice through your mouth. Once this technique is mastered you will lose a good 4 minutes on your time!
*** Don’t forget to chew!
**** This is the only time for rest, so enjoy it.
Picture this :)
If a picture is worth a thousand words then when I return home I will have an epoch novel. But for the moment, I suppose I will just have to write a thousand words.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Highlights Yongshuo week two
Some highlights...
This last week I have been staying with a family in a small village just outside of Yangshuo. I teach three classes a day, grades 1,2,3. its a lot of fun, the kids are great. I have been reading a lot too, and am almost done with Atlas Shrugged, which has officially become one of my all-time favorites. Seriously, if you have the time look it up, its thick, but soo worth it.
Anyway, today is the mid-autumn festival. I am going to a barbecue later with my host family. One of the sons in the family I am staying with was recently married and more or less the entire village came to the ceremony, and pre/post parties. The festivities consisted of drinking lots of strong alcohol (the part in which I did not partake- I was playing with the kids in the sandbox) eating tons of delicious food, and playing card games. It was a lot of fun, and all of the village people (no, not the YMCA village people) were very happy to have me there... or at least I think.
In general, the food is good. Every meal is basically the same. There is a wok in the center of the table filled with some sort of broth, along with assorted fish, or meat. There is the rice in a big bowl that is set on the ground a few feet away from the table. On either side of the wok are usually two or three bowls of either vegetables or some sort of spicy beef. Its all very good. The chairs we sit in are very small, about the size you would imagine for a preschooler. The seat is no more than a foot off the ground! Very uncomfortable, but I have gotten used to it.
There are chicken and wild dogs running around all over the place, and cows lay on the side of all the roads. No one speaks English. But I get by with body language, barely.
The kids love it when I play the harmonica, so I have been doing a lot of that. I am currently in a town called Pin Lu, though that's not how its spelt. I have met a few people that can speak English, they both majored in English in college, and are extremely nice.
I went fishing the other day. Although it is not the kind of fishing we are familiar with. Basically what happens is we go out in a boat, find a spot where fish seem to be active. Take a bottle filled with some sort of explosive, light a fuse and throw into a spot where the fish seem to be. Then BOOOOM!!! The explosion kills every fish within a 30 foot radius. I think I may have told you about this before, so please forgive me if I have, it's just that cool. Other than that I haven't really been doing all that much. I spend my down time listening to conversations I can't understand, reading Atlas, and writing... Hopefully I can find a steady Internet connection so I can stay in contact.
Hope all is well!
Zai jian!
This last week I have been staying with a family in a small village just outside of Yangshuo. I teach three classes a day, grades 1,2,3. its a lot of fun, the kids are great. I have been reading a lot too, and am almost done with Atlas Shrugged, which has officially become one of my all-time favorites. Seriously, if you have the time look it up, its thick, but soo worth it.
Anyway, today is the mid-autumn festival. I am going to a barbecue later with my host family. One of the sons in the family I am staying with was recently married and more or less the entire village came to the ceremony, and pre/post parties. The festivities consisted of drinking lots of strong alcohol (the part in which I did not partake- I was playing with the kids in the sandbox) eating tons of delicious food, and playing card games. It was a lot of fun, and all of the village people (no, not the YMCA village people) were very happy to have me there... or at least I think.
In general, the food is good. Every meal is basically the same. There is a wok in the center of the table filled with some sort of broth, along with assorted fish, or meat. There is the rice in a big bowl that is set on the ground a few feet away from the table. On either side of the wok are usually two or three bowls of either vegetables or some sort of spicy beef. Its all very good. The chairs we sit in are very small, about the size you would imagine for a preschooler. The seat is no more than a foot off the ground! Very uncomfortable, but I have gotten used to it.
There are chicken and wild dogs running around all over the place, and cows lay on the side of all the roads. No one speaks English. But I get by with body language, barely.
The kids love it when I play the harmonica, so I have been doing a lot of that. I am currently in a town called Pin Lu, though that's not how its spelt. I have met a few people that can speak English, they both majored in English in college, and are extremely nice.
I went fishing the other day. Although it is not the kind of fishing we are familiar with. Basically what happens is we go out in a boat, find a spot where fish seem to be active. Take a bottle filled with some sort of explosive, light a fuse and throw into a spot where the fish seem to be. Then BOOOOM!!! The explosion kills every fish within a 30 foot radius. I think I may have told you about this before, so please forgive me if I have, it's just that cool. Other than that I haven't really been doing all that much. I spend my down time listening to conversations I can't understand, reading Atlas, and writing... Hopefully I can find a steady Internet connection so I can stay in contact.
Hope all is well!
Zai jian!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Mom is posting again
I asked Ben if this was what he thought it would be, Is it more or less, how does he feel? and of course all the other motherly questions, are you getting enough to eat, are you happy etc. you know the drill, as a Mom this is hard, and in the e-mail below I can hear weariness in his voice, it is hard to hear his questions and not be able to see him, hug him, reassure him,I have always in his entire life been able to touch him and now I can not I can only listen....
Ben writes
Its all real. Its all strangely familiar. It all is as it is, and that's what has perplexed me for the last couple days. Hopefully I can blog about it later, but here is the problem I am facing. These people seem happy, the kids are content, and who am I to judge what kind of life they should lead? Why is it important for them to learn English, and is my week of teaching going to make a difference in their abilities? What am I doing here? The answer will come in time, but I am too busy and have to go.
Know that I am fine, and that everything is good. The money situation is absolutely fine. A. I haven't been spending any money, and B. Rick is going to give me some of my funds whenever we meet, which will be infrequent and brief. I talk to him on the phone whenever I can, but I am unable to contact him, he has to call me.
All is well, i hope the same is for you,
Ben
love you
Ben writes
Its all real. Its all strangely familiar. It all is as it is, and that's what has perplexed me for the last couple days. Hopefully I can blog about it later, but here is the problem I am facing. These people seem happy, the kids are content, and who am I to judge what kind of life they should lead? Why is it important for them to learn English, and is my week of teaching going to make a difference in their abilities? What am I doing here? The answer will come in time, but I am too busy and have to go.
Know that I am fine, and that everything is good. The money situation is absolutely fine. A. I haven't been spending any money, and B. Rick is going to give me some of my funds whenever we meet, which will be infrequent and brief. I talk to him on the phone whenever I can, but I am unable to contact him, he has to call me.
All is well, i hope the same is for you,
Ben
love you
Friday, October 2, 2009
Mom is posting !
Ben has been unable to post from his current location so with his permission I will use his lastest e-mails as a post until he can.
I am so sorry that i have been out of to-uch this last week. I have been in a small village TEACHING and neglected to bring my computer because i figured there would be no internet... which there wasn't. I am sending this email to you from Yongshuo. But I am well! Do not fret! The teaching is going well, my family is extremely welcoming and kind. I am not hungry, in fact I feel i may be gaining weight. The family that I am staying with lives in a huge three story pink house. It sticks out like a sore thumb. The rest of the village is relatively poor, but not dismally so. I hope to move to a new area soon because i am too comfortable here.
The kids are great, my fellow teachers are very kind as well. In fact everyone in china that I have met has been extremely nice.
No one speaks english in my host family, and the english teacher at the school is just a step ahead of the kids we are teaching. I get by with the chinese I have learned and the language of teh body... Its all very good and exciting! I do not know my plan, or if i will be going to a new area soon.
It is the spring festival here so there is no school until the eighth. I will be leaving for hong kong on the 14th?
I will try to blog, but I am short on time. I love you, and I apologize for your frayed nerves. Give everyone my love.
Ben
I am so sorry that i have been out of to-uch this last week. I have been in a small village TEACHING and neglected to bring my computer because i figured there would be no internet... which there wasn't. I am sending this email to you from Yongshuo. But I am well! Do not fret! The teaching is going well, my family is extremely welcoming and kind. I am not hungry, in fact I feel i may be gaining weight. The family that I am staying with lives in a huge three story pink house. It sticks out like a sore thumb. The rest of the village is relatively poor, but not dismally so. I hope to move to a new area soon because i am too comfortable here.
The kids are great, my fellow teachers are very kind as well. In fact everyone in china that I have met has been extremely nice.
No one speaks english in my host family, and the english teacher at the school is just a step ahead of the kids we are teaching. I get by with the chinese I have learned and the language of teh body... Its all very good and exciting! I do not know my plan, or if i will be going to a new area soon.
It is the spring festival here so there is no school until the eighth. I will be leaving for hong kong on the 14th?
I will try to blog, but I am short on time. I love you, and I apologize for your frayed nerves. Give everyone my love.
Ben
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