A Skip and a Hop to China!
Thursday, February 26, 2009
It Aint Like Momma Fixed It!!!
Today I think was the first time that I truly wished I was home!!!!! I miss my momma's good ol' Southern cookin' complete with a stick of butter and plenty of love. Sam and I have been cooking for ourselves for the last week. I wanted to try something from home, chicken noodle soup. I went to the market two days ago and bought a chicken, complete with head, feet, and some feathers.
I also bought some vegetables, noodles, and chicken bouillon.
I was so excited when I got home to start cooking. I started to boil the chicken. I couldn't cut off the foot or wing so I just left it on there. EWW!!! While that was boiling I cut up the veggies. Adding the veggies to the broth and letting those cook together I started the task of getting the meat off the chicken. What meat??? There was nothing on this scrawny chicken!! I overcooked it, I think, which is better than under cooking it when I wasn't sure exactly how long it had been sitting in the market. At this point I was starting to lose confidence in this soup. Adding what little meat I could find on that chicken and the noodles I left the concoction to stew. Oh, I also added the chicken bouillion and some white pepper. When it was done it tasted nothing like my mom's chicken noodle soup. Sam was so brave and tried some of it. He said that it could be saved if I just maybe added some water. Way to be the optimist Sam!! I tried that and it didn't work!! I think that chicken bouillion was what made it taste bad or the white pepper. All I know is that Sam and I later went out to eat at a resturant instead of eating my soup. I ended up not touching it and throwing away the whole batch! Oh well, at least I get points for trying right?
Chinese Funeral
Early this morning I went to the market to buy some veggies for my grand attempt at chicken noodle soup. I love going to the market and just walking around. There is something about it that is so fascinating. When I was walking home I heard the loud noise of firecrackers going off. As I looked over to see what was making that loud noise I saw these beautiful colorful discs. There are many shops here in Shuangpai where people make these circles out of tissue paper and tree limbs. At first, I thought that they were for some kind of celebration coming up but I later found out, through my students, that they are for funerals. Anyways, after the fireworks I saw a row of people carrying these discs with ribbons on them. I realized that it wasn't some kind of parade but rather a funeral percessional. I walked toward the street and started to take out my camera. After the people walked by with the colorful discs a dragon was next. It was one of those dragons that people stand under.
Every once and a while the dragon would stop and the people underneath it would make it dance. As you can see in the video. The noise in the background is all the firecrackers that were going off. Sorry its sideways!!!It was mezmerizing to see this dragon dance. I then realized that I should stop taking pictures and just watch what was happening. I think that it would have been disrespectful for me to continue to take pictures. Cars followed the dragon and then the coffin. It was held up by men with wooden beams. It was coverd with colorful paper and with white. The family followed in front of it wearing white. White in China is a symbol of mourning. As I watched the family pass by I couldn't help but feel sad for them. They held a picture of an old man. A father, brother, grandfather, or friend to probably many people in the crowd and more importantly to the people in front of the coffin. It made me think of my family and of the loved ones that I have had pass away. I am so grateful for my family. I realized once again how percious life is, even here in China. Each moment is so priceless that we must make the most of each and value each moment.
Oreos!!!
I have found the food that they will be serving in heaven!! OREOS!!!! ok ok at least having them here in China is heaven!! Sam and I found them at the store today!! I'm so excited!! It is amazing how finding a little bit of home can make your day brighter. I have already eaten a whole sleave and a half just in one sitting. The chocolate creme filled kind are the best but the peanut butter kind are good too! I'm going to have to start running a few miles everyday just to be able to eat a few of them. haha oh well!! I'm so glad to have this little pick me up for days that go crummy or just for movies nights. Just writing this post has made me hungry for a few. All I need is milk that doesn't taste like apples and I will be set!!! Is there anyway to send milk in FedEx for next day delivery???
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
No DUI in China
Just for the record, I have never drunk a single glass of beer, wine, or any other alcohol in my life! My parents don't drink and none of my friends do so I have never really been around drunk people until I came here to China. Holy Cow! People drink alcohol here like its water at dinner! Whenever Sam and I go to dinner with our liaison and his buddies they drink. I have been offered beer but I kindly refuse them and ask for Coca Cola. I am learning to love Coca Cola and hot water. One time when we went out to eat with our liaison it was quite an experience.
It was a few weeks ago before I started teaching. Our liaison Russell invited us to go have dinner with him and a few of his classmates who were teachers here at the middle school. Sam and I accepted and headed to dinner on the back of Russell's motorcycle. Those things are meant to only hold two people but we somehow managed to fit three on it. It must have been a shock for the people in town to see two white Americans on the back of a motorcycle. I clung to Sam as we weaved through cars and buses to get to the restaurant. I have never been a fan of motorcycles ever since my dad got in a wreck on his and broke his collar bone. I flinched whenever we started to get close to a car. Finally we made it to the restaurant in one piece.
First Sam and I were introduced to everyone. Besides our liaison only one other person spoke English. They were all smoking and drinking. I sat down by this man who was smoking and Sam sat next to me and to Russell. As we I sat down they brought out new bottles of golden liquor that I think was beer. The man to my left set it right in front of me expecting me to, I think, start pouring a glass. When we convinced everyone that we didn't drink and that we wanted Coca-Cola they brought in the food. The food was really good! I'm really starting to love the food here and its spiciness. Anyways, the whole time we were eating everyone was drinking. In China it is custom to toast people at the table during dinner, usually with alcohol. They finished a box of probably 10 beers in 30 min. and kept going!! Sam and I started to feel a little uncomfortable. Russell kept on leaning over to Sam and saying, "I'm almost drunk I'm almost drunk" or "I'm very drunk!" after he said that he proceeded to drink more!!! Sam and I finally looked at each other and said that we are definately not riding back with Russell on his bike!! Sam asked Russell if he would get a DUI for drinking so much and driving his bike. He told us no. We left dinner early saying that we needed to call our families for Valentines day. We said goodbye and started walking home. Needless to say it was great to get out of the small smoky room full of drunk people and have some fresh air. It was definately an expirience that I will never forget! Sam and I now look back on it and laugh.
Monday, February 23, 2009
The Market
The market..... it is so difficult to descirbe every aspect of it. There are so many sounds, smells, and colors there. Early each morning the shop keepers come and set up their goods to be sold that day. The market is set up in a small ally way in between two buildings. Colorful umbrellas are set up to give shade above the shoppers. 
If you stand at one end of the ally and look at the market, it looks like a forest with trees of multiple 
colors. And under their leaves are little ants scurring around carrying the things that they need for the day. It sometimes is so busy that you have to push your way through the crowd to even see what is on the other side of the street.
If you stand at one end of the ally and look at the market, it looks like a forest with trees of multiple 
colors. And under their leaves are little ants scurring around carrying the things that they need for the day. It sometimes is so busy that you have to push your way through the crowd to even see what is on the other side of the street. Food is not the only thing sold. Clothing, shoes, farming tools, kitchen ware, and a plethra of other things but a majority of the items that can be found is food. Vegtables are sold by little old women who carry the veggies on their shoulders in little baskets. 
Their clothes are dirty and if you even look at their goods for two seconds they are instantly trying to ask how many you want. Sometimes it is difficult to turn down these women. They look so worn and tired. 
I wish that I could buy all of their vegtables and a hot bowl of soup too just to warm them up. The fruit is sold in bins. Apples, oranges, bananas, grapes, pears, pineapple, dragon fruit, and watermelon are a few of the produce sold along with some local fruit that I do not know the name of. The oranges, pears, and watermelon is often wrapped up in a kind of foam netting to protect it. All of the fruit that I have gotten is really good. We have been advised to buy only fruit that can be peeled. I 
usually soak my fruit in pure water with a little bleach to clean it and then I peel it. So far I haven't gotten really sick (knock on wood). The only time I did feel a little under the weather was just for one day when I had a stomach ache. But the next day I felt fine. 
Their clothes are dirty and if you even look at their goods for two seconds they are instantly trying to ask how many you want. Sometimes it is difficult to turn down these women. They look so worn and tired. 
I wish that I could buy all of their vegtables and a hot bowl of soup too just to warm them up. The fruit is sold in bins. Apples, oranges, bananas, grapes, pears, pineapple, dragon fruit, and watermelon are a few of the produce sold along with some local fruit that I do not know the name of. The oranges, pears, and watermelon is often wrapped up in a kind of foam netting to protect it. All of the fruit that I have gotten is really good. We have been advised to buy only fruit that can be peeled. I 
usually soak my fruit in pure water with a little bleach to clean it and then I peel it. So far I haven't gotten really sick (knock on wood). The only time I did feel a little under the weather was just for one day when I had a stomach ache. But the next day I felt fine. 
The meat here is sold on cutting board out in the open. The meat isn't wrapped up and refridgerated. It is sold in chunks that sometimes still have hoofs or snouts still attached. As you saw in my last post they aren't afraid to eat anything.
The only meat that I have bought is eggs. I'm too afraid to buy the meat that has been sitting out in the open. I just keep thinking that the FDA would definately not approve of this market!! Sometimes I have to hold my breath as a walk past the meat. The smell is overwhelming. Fish is sold still alive in little pools on the ground. Some of the fishes in the pools are dead but the merchants doesn't seem to worried about it. The fishes range from little minnows and mud dwellers to ones that look like huge catfish. Frogs, snakes, and turtles are also sold in pools. I think I'll pass on the frogs eww! 
The only meat that I have bought is eggs. I'm too afraid to buy the meat that has been sitting out in the open. I just keep thinking that the FDA would definately not approve of this market!! Sometimes I have to hold my breath as a walk past the meat. The smell is overwhelming. Fish is sold still alive in little pools on the ground. Some of the fishes in the pools are dead but the merchants doesn't seem to worried about it. The fishes range from little minnows and mud dwellers to ones that look like huge catfish. Frogs, snakes, and turtles are also sold in pools. I think I'll pass on the frogs eww! 
Spices and herbs can be found everywhere. As I walked down the street, on each side of the ally I saw huge bags of peppers and powders that look really spicy. Mushrooms are sold too along with the spices. I wish that I knew which spice was which so that I could buy them. The only thing that I put in the food that I cook is salt and a jar of this spicy paste I bought that my mom uses in fried rice.
Sam and I are both cluless when it comes to spices. Although this market is completely different than the WINCO that I to shop at at home, I love it here! I love how busy it is and how different it is from anything that I expected and know at home. To me, it just makes this expirience in China more rich and unique. I love to go shopping here!!
Sam and I are both cluless when it comes to spices. Although this market is completely different than the WINCO that I to shop at at home, I love it here! I love how busy it is and how different it is from anything that I expected and know at home. To me, it just makes this expirience in China more rich and unique. I love to go shopping here!! Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Dog...... Its whats for dinner!!!!
Have you ever wondered what mom is making for dinner?? Moms, here is a great solution to that age old question. Dog!! You can buy it at any local Chinese market. Complete with the tail or paw still attached. It is great in protein and other nutrients. 
Or if you can bring yourself to buying dog with the fur or limbs attached you can buy it in a bag! Complete with a picture of a Lab or Huskey on the front so you can know what you are buying!!
I am seriously not making this up!!! I saw this in the market here in Shuangpai!! It was so gross!!! Now whenever we see a live stray walking around the street Sam and I always joke that that is what we are going to eat for lunch or dinner. So needless to say don't bring our dog here to China. It just might end up on your plate!!
The People
I love the people here!! Especially the children. Everytime I walk down the street people stare at me but when I say hello they are so friendly. They smile and say it back. The staring is a little unerving at times but I am getting used to it. Many of the students giggle as I pass but they love to say "Hallo!!!" Here are a few pictures of the people here in Shaungpai.
The kids in these next pictures were so cute!! I saw them when I was taking a walk. They were playing in a lot beside their house. They were playing with sticks and with some of the garbage that lined was in the ditch. But when they saw me they all stopped and stared. When I started to take pictures they laughed and wanted to see my camera. The boy in the orange stripes would call out to the other kids and also pose for pictures. He was such a ham!! All of them would pose for a picture and then run to me to see it. They laughed and did that about 10 times. They couldn't get enough of it!! The boy in the orange stripes would even push some of the other kids so I could just get a picture of him. It was great! 
The kids in these next pictures were so cute!! I saw them when I was taking a walk. They were playing in a lot beside their house. They were playing with sticks and with some of the garbage that lined was in the ditch. But when they saw me they all stopped and stared. When I started to take pictures they laughed and wanted to see my camera. The boy in the orange stripes would call out to the other kids and also pose for pictures. He was such a ham!! All of them would pose for a picture and then run to me to see it. They laughed and did that about 10 times. They couldn't get enough of it!! The boy in the orange stripes would even push some of the other kids so I could just get a picture of him. It was great! Sunday, February 15, 2009
Shuangpai
I'm sorry that I haven't written in a while. It has be very busy trying to get ready for classes to start and cleaning my apartment. I arrived in Shuangpai two days ago. It is amazing here!! The town is small which is great. I love small towns!
The streets are in some places lined with garbage but they are also lined with trees.
In the day the air is filled with a cocofeny of sounds from the motorcycles, taxis, buses, and the people. But at night and in the early morning the town is very quiet. Shaungpai lies in the mountains so the ride up was very bumpy and filled with twists and turns but I loved it! In the distance the mountains hide behind a layer of mist and fog.
The streets are in some places lined with garbage but they are also lined with trees.
In the day the air is filled with a cocofeny of sounds from the motorcycles, taxis, buses, and the people. But at night and in the early morning the town is very quiet. Shaungpai lies in the mountains so the ride up was very bumpy and filled with twists and turns but I loved it! In the distance the mountains hide behind a layer of mist and fog. 
The people here are so friendly! They stare a lot but when you say ni hao to them they smile and stay it back. I haven't seen any other Americans here in Shuangpai so Sam and I are quite the celebrities here. Even people on their motorcycles will stare at us as we walk by, which isn't all that safe. The students that walk by giggle as we pass them. Its really weird to be stared at all the time but I am slowly getting used to it. 
Their clothes are very simple and often dirty but their smiles are always so warm and friendly. 
Many people are so helpful too. They will go out of their way to help us with anything that we need. Sam and I have made some friends from the students on campus. Leon and Jason. They have showed us around town and have been willing to help with anything we need. Its great since both of us don't know that much Chinese yet. We have offered to help them with their English in exchange for help with our Chinese. I am very excited to have that help. In town when people start talking to us we have to say " wo bu dong" , I don't understand, which can be frustrating. I wish I could understand them!! I want to ask so many questions. I want to get to know these great people here in Shuangpai. Luckily I have 5 months to learn!!
Their clothes are very simple and often dirty but their smiles are always so warm and friendly. 
Many people are so helpful too. They will go out of their way to help us with anything that we need. Sam and I have made some friends from the students on campus. Leon and Jason. They have showed us around town and have been willing to help with anything we need. Its great since both of us don't know that much Chinese yet. We have offered to help them with their English in exchange for help with our Chinese. I am very excited to have that help. In town when people start talking to us we have to say " wo bu dong" , I don't understand, which can be frustrating. I wish I could understand them!! I want to ask so many questions. I want to get to know these great people here in Shuangpai. Luckily I have 5 months to learn!!Monday, February 9, 2009
Hunan food
Holy moly!!! The food here is spicy!! Talk about clearing your sinuses!!! I knew that food in Hunan was spicy but I had no idea it was this spicy. Every time I eat I feel like my lips are going to burn off!! I love the food here! It is nothing like Chinese food back at home! In Hong Kong when we would go to eat each dish had such a variety of colors and flavors. My first meal in China was at this small resturant by the docks in Hong Kong. It was a chicken chow mein. It was very mild but way good!! 
This picture is of part of our group eating. We had to split our group into 2 tables.
From left to right is Sam, Anna, Savannah, Megan, Danielle and Melinda.
When we arrived in Changsha we ate dinner at the hotel. Lany, our leason bought us dinner. It was so good! The Chinese eat many courses each varying from veggies to fish to chicken and beef. She had the cooks make it not as spicy. It was still very spicy to me. Just imagine that you eat a halbenaro pepper with Tabasco sauce... thats about how spicy it was! My favorite dish was the fish. I'm not sure what kind of fish it was but it was delicious! I even at one of the fish eyes! Hey when in Rome!!! It really wasn't that bad! It tasted like the spicies that were on the fish so it wasn't fishy at all and the texture was a little slimmy and crunchy. Yum!! lol
This picture is of part of our group eating. We had to split our group into 2 tables.
From left to right is Sam, Anna, Savannah, Megan, Danielle and Melinda.When we arrived in Changsha we ate dinner at the hotel. Lany, our leason bought us dinner. It was so good! The Chinese eat many courses each varying from veggies to fish to chicken and beef. She had the cooks make it not as spicy. It was still very spicy to me. Just imagine that you eat a halbenaro pepper with Tabasco sauce... thats about how spicy it was! My favorite dish was the fish. I'm not sure what kind of fish it was but it was delicious! I even at one of the fish eyes! Hey when in Rome!!! It really wasn't that bad! It tasted like the spicies that were on the fish so it wasn't fishy at all and the texture was a little slimmy and crunchy. Yum!! lol
Friday, February 6, 2009
I love to see the Temple!!
The temple is absolutely amazing!!!!! I feel so blessed to be able to go there and to serve there. For those of you who don't know I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I love being a member of this great church and to have the Gospel in my life. The temple is a place where member can go and be closer to God and to recieve guidance. The Hong Kong temple was built right in the middle of the city. Right next to it are two huge buildings and it is right next to busy Cornwall Street. But once you enter inside it is completly quiet and peaceful. The spirit was so strong. I didn't want to leave. When I was in there I wished that my family could be there with me. The people serving in the temple were so sweet and helpful. It amazed me that no matter where you go in the world there are people in the church who are so sweet and are so willing to serve others. I hope that when we come back to Hong Kong again in a few months that I will again be able to go to the temple.
After we went to the temple my group exchanged money. One US dollar is about 7.5 Hong Kong dollars. It was awesome to exchange 50 US dollars and to get about 375 back. The money here is so beautiful. It was pictures of lions and trees. The coins are also really unique. 
They have coins that are 1,2, 5, and 10 dollars along with the normal cent coins. The 2 dollar bill has a wavy edge that looks like a flower. Its really cool. The malls here are HUGE!!!!!! They are like 4 or 5 stories and have a ton of really nice shops. A lot of the brand names that we have in the states can be found here, which was kind of suprising to me. I love it here in Hong Kong. There are alot of people here that smoke. Pretty much everyone does which can be pretty overwhelming sometimes. They smoke everwhere not just outside in every building and even in resturants while they are eating. Its really gross!! My clothes reak with the stench of cigarettes but I am slowly getting used to it. Other than that small detail the city is nice. Suprisingly it is very green here. All of the streets are tree lined. The parks are really nice with tons of trees. The weather is still really humid but warm. I love it!!! I can finally start to wear shorts!!! My only problem is that I am so white and pasty that I will probably blind the poor Chinese people that I meet. Maybe I should just start handing out sunglasses to everyone I meet so that won't lose their sight. :)
They have coins that are 1,2, 5, and 10 dollars along with the normal cent coins. The 2 dollar bill has a wavy edge that looks like a flower. Its really cool. The malls here are HUGE!!!!!! They are like 4 or 5 stories and have a ton of really nice shops. A lot of the brand names that we have in the states can be found here, which was kind of suprising to me. I love it here in Hong Kong. There are alot of people here that smoke. Pretty much everyone does which can be pretty overwhelming sometimes. They smoke everwhere not just outside in every building and even in resturants while they are eating. Its really gross!! My clothes reak with the stench of cigarettes but I am slowly getting used to it. Other than that small detail the city is nice. Suprisingly it is very green here. All of the streets are tree lined. The parks are really nice with tons of trees. The weather is still really humid but warm. I love it!!! I can finally start to wear shorts!!! My only problem is that I am so white and pasty that I will probably blind the poor Chinese people that I meet. Maybe I should just start handing out sunglasses to everyone I meet so that won't lose their sight. :) Traveling to Hong Kong
I flew from Portland to San Francisco today. Saying goodbye to all of Oregon's lovely greenness and all of my loved ones there was hard but I was so excited to be finally on my journey. When I arrived at the San Fran airport I walked over the the international airport and waited for my flight. While I was waiting I met some of the others from my group who would be joining me on this adventure. All of them were really nice and we all became friends instantly. When it was finally time to board our plane I began to get a little nervous. I couldn't believe that I was actually leaving my country that I love dearly and my comfort zone completely to live in China!!! Even now as I write this I can't believe it. Quickly though my overwhelming excitment came back. I finally also met Sam Brubaker. He is my teacher partner in Shuangpai. He is from California and a really sweet guy. I am excited to get to know him better and to be teaching with him. Finally our flight was called and we boarded the plane. We flew Cathay Pacific airline. The plane was HUGE!!!! It was two stories. Each seat had its own tv with a ton of movies to watch. I sat
next to these two Chinese women who didn't speak any English. The funny thing about it though was when they fell asleep they held little oranges to their noses while they slept. I guess it was some kind of comfort or it just smelt good I have no idea!! The flight seemed like an eternity!! I only slept like 5 or 6 hours. I was able to walk around and stretch my legs which was nice. I arrived in Hong Kong 6 am their time on the 6th. We completely skipped the 5th which was kind of weird! It is so humid here!! I can't believe it! I broke into a sweat within the first 10 seconds of being off the plane. We took our luggage to the bus which to me seemed like miles away. It was then that I wish I had packed lighter!! My bag seemed like lead in my hands and with every step it seemed to weigh more. My hands began to throb after a while but I continued just thinking to myself that it was only a few steps more before I could lay my bags down for a second. Soon we will arrived at the temple housing where we will be staying for the next two days. Today has been a long day but I have loved every moment!!! I will tell you in my next post everything about it. I love you all and miss you so much!!!!
next to these two Chinese women who didn't speak any English. The funny thing about it though was when they fell asleep they held little oranges to their noses while they slept. I guess it was some kind of comfort or it just smelt good I have no idea!! The flight seemed like an eternity!! I only slept like 5 or 6 hours. I was able to walk around and stretch my legs which was nice. I arrived in Hong Kong 6 am their time on the 6th. We completely skipped the 5th which was kind of weird! It is so humid here!! I can't believe it! I broke into a sweat within the first 10 seconds of being off the plane. We took our luggage to the bus which to me seemed like miles away. It was then that I wish I had packed lighter!! My bag seemed like lead in my hands and with every step it seemed to weigh more. My hands began to throb after a while but I continued just thinking to myself that it was only a few steps more before I could lay my bags down for a second. Soon we will arrived at the temple housing where we will be staying for the next two days. Today has been a long day but I have loved every moment!!! I will tell you in my next post everything about it. I love you all and miss you so much!!!!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
My bags are packed and I'm ready to go!!!
This is it!!!! I have be waiting for this moment for a long time and now its finally here!!! Packing was a nightmare but I finally fit my whole life into two suitcases! I can not even begin to describe how excited I am to be leaving on this grand adventure!!! It was hard leaving my family. I hugged my mom and dad at least 20 times. My little sisters Alaina and Abby were really hard to leave because they kept telling me how much they missed me and that they wanted to go. I wish that I could just pack them in my suitcases!!!
I'm sitting here at my gate waiting for my flight to San Francisco. I can't wait!!!! Its going to be a long next few days. But I can't wait to get going!!! I will try to update as soon as I can. I don't know how good the internet will be in Hong Kong. But I will try to update you all very soon!!
