Christmas Time in China!

When I was a little girl, my dad always wanted me to be an actress when I grew-up. In the depth, of my 7-year old, as I performed "Baby, Baby" for everyone in my family, I think I wanted to be a singer. Well, for now I am neither of those things, but in my current employment, I have to opportunity to practice my acting and singing skills on a daily basis! The latest practice came at the Christmas party we got to throw with the students and teachers on old-campus. We decided we couldn't let the season go by without throwing a proper Christmas party, complete with friends, a tree, food, dirty santa (white elephant, yankee swap), and of course the Christmas pageant. What better way to tell about the Christmas season than acting out the birth of Jesus?
Each of the team and our friend Cameron had a part in the play. Unfortunately, I didn't get to be the mother Mary, but I did get to play the part of the angel who shares all the good news to everyone! I think I like being the role that brings news of great joy. My hope is not only to do this when I am acting as an angel in a play. The students loved our play and enjoyed hearing the story of the birth of Jesus. The picture to the right shows us acting out the play.
So, now that my practice for acting is complete, it only leaves the need to practice my singing. Oh, but in China these opportunities are never far away. This past week's practice was especially wonderful though because it was singing Christmas carols in my class. I had the honor of teaching a Christmas lesson in my classes for these past weeks and of course, singing had to be included. I made the students sing the Twelve Days of Christmas and broke them into twelve different part for the days. Whenever it came for their turn they had to stand up and sing their part for the classes. Most students really liked it, although some were not loving the standing up and singing part. After working the students up by singing the Twelve Days of Christmas, I always calm them back down a little with Silent Night. Standing in front of my students as they they sang Silent Night always filled me with so much joy. Besides just singing in this class we also read the Christmas Story. Complete with the angels visit, Mary being a virgin, and Shepard's going to visit the baby Jesus! What a sweet time in class!
Not only have I been celebrating Christmas in class, but also with my IECS family here. The Baoding team knows how to do Christmas. We woke up and all came together for french toast and ham. Followed by a few hours of presents! It was amazing! Later in the afternoon the rest of the IECSers joined us here in Baoding! So fun! Em and me were in charge of the big dinner for everyone, so we spent the afternoon getting the food ready and had many helping hands from the boys. Ryan is quite the chef. We later opened even more presents with the rest of the IECS team. Reflecting on the day just reminds me more and more of how blessed I am!

Am I in Wal-Mart or China?

Standing just outside campus, Emily and I looked down the road in waiting and hoping to see the 27 bus. "Man, they usually come faster than this," Emily said as the 22 bus pulled in front of us. As the door opened, a college-aged girl came flying towards Emily with her arms-wide-open. She looked like a bat out of its cave spreading its wings to fly. "Hellooo!" She said and she warmly embraced Emily. A surprised expression crossed Emily's face, but also one of joy and delight. Emily chatted with her student for a few moments before Joy (yes, she lives her name out) ran off in the wrong direction, before running right back in front of us again a moment later. It is unusual for Chinese students to show so much excitement when seeing us. Often times they are really excited, but are also nervous, so they don't show their excitement always through their body language. This was a rare and beautiful experience.
Later, that evening, walking into the KFC for dinner, the first person I saw was two of my students. A girl, and a guy with the former name of Boobie until I made him change it, and now it is Alex. I said hello to them both and they offered me some of their food, which I declined. I think they were on a date because in China it is common for guys to take their girlfriends on dates to KFC. I think guys in the USA would love to hear this, along with their wallets. As I savored a huge gulp from my large cola, a boy came over and pulled the children's chair to our table and sat down. He looked to Emily and then to me. Emily then looked to me as if to say "I don't know him, he has to be your student!" Images of my students flowed through my mind as I tried to desperately local just who this boy could be. Before I could place it...."Hello, do you remember me?" Oh no, that is always the question! "Ummm, maaaybe....." I replied as I still shifted through the faces in my mind. "Do you know Jon Allison?" He asked as head did a sharp nod down, "We are his students. We ate lunch with you." Click and there it was! Jack and his friend chatted for only a moment more before leaving as abruptly as they came. We then finished eating and headed out to do our shopping for the night.
After making our way up and down most of the aisles in the store and examining the bake goods for about 20 minutes with no selection being made we headed for the check-outs. "Hello, Amelia!" I heard as I pushed my cart around the corner. Looking up I saw two of my students from my class that day. It was DeAnn and Jason! They are also both students who I had lunch with on Thanksgiving. I think I was as excited to see them as they were to see us. We chatted with them for a few moments before we all headed as a group through the bottom level, up the down ramp, past the toiletries, past the frozen food, past the boxed and bagged milk to the baking goods. "Is is this baking soda?" We asked as we held up a bag that had Chinese characters all over it and Saleratus written on it. After a consultation with their translators the students confirmed our guess. "Yes, we were right!" Emily yelled out. We all then went back to the front of the store and then left together to head back to our homes for the night. As I reflected on my night I couldn't help but feel joy at seeing so many people I knew. Over the past week, Emily and I have both felt a little homesick and it was nice to have an evening where even though we are in a still very unfamiliar country at times, their are faces popping up everywhere that we know. It reminded me of when you are in the US and you go to Wal-Mart and of course, run into somebody you know.
On another note, I decorated my room this week for Christmas and it is fabulous! Below are pictures of my Chinese Christmas tree!!!! Enjoy! I am so excited for Christmas.

This is my tree!

This is my desk all lit up!! Yah!!

A "Thankful" Everyday!

The Chinese have a funny little English saying here, "have a happy everyday" or just "happy everyday." I am under no impression this is possible, although I do believe we can have joy everyday. After spending a great Thanksgiving in China, I think the saying should be changed to "thankful everyday." Something I am learning each day in China is to be thankful and of course this can only be magnified by spending my first Thanksgiving away from home in China. Many of the events of my thanksgiving week allowed me to have both "happy everyday" and "thankful everyday" moments. I celebrated Thanksgiving a little longer this year, because I taught many Thanksgivings lessons in my classes and often told my Chinese friends about this great holiday. Thanksgiving week became a week of numerous "Thanksgiving" feast with different friends.

Out for a Thanksgiving feast with my students after class on Thanksgiving.

On the actual day of Thanksgiving, even though I was far from home it was hard to feel sad when I was getting a text from a student every hour or so. The students here all wanted to make sure we felt care for while here on the big holiday. Emily even received 40 text messages! That night, the Baoding team even got together to prepare a big "American" meal...although it was fajitas with a finish of chocolate-chip cookies! I am convinced nothing could have tasted better though.

A wonderful plate of cookies!!! Yummy!

Don't worry, I still had a lovely tradition Thanksgiving meal. This past weekend the whole team went to Lang Fang to meet the teachers there, Courtney and Wil, and even Newt and Claire who came all the way from the US to be with us. We had a great meal with turkey, green bean casserole, and even pumpkin pie. Better than the food though was being in the company of the team! I couldn't have asked for a better weekend. Often people will wish a holiday could be everyday, and I think with the case of Thanksgiving it should be.

Everyone on the team playing a little football in honor of the big day!

Running toward the Light

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

I came to China and went a little crazy...why you may be asking? Every weekday morning I wake to the sound of my clock chirruping at the around the hour of 6 am. I pull on my UNCW hoodie and my sweatpants, do a little stretching, go downstairs and wake the lady at the front of my building in order to unlock the door and head out to into the dark morning. As I walk to the track (or the playground as the students here call it) I always think, "It is so cold. What am I doing?" And then I round the corner and see a huge smile waiting for me. "Hello, Amelia!" Nancy says as I greet her in the morning. We are "taking exercise" in the morning by running around the track. Trust me, I am not a runner or a morning person, and this is where the belief that I have gone a little crazy comes in.
"Okay, let's go," Nancy says as we walk towards the track and wait just a few seconds for the myraids of kong fu kids to go speeding by. Then we trudge around the track four times (and yes, we did work up to that number) and when Nancy say "Okay, that's enough" we stop and walk two more times. In in craziness, I've come to learn more and more that the morning is an unique time. It is a blessing every morning to see the sun rise and watch the sky change before my eyes and go from darkness to light. It is a blessing to spend time every morning with Nancy and run with her and many mornings follow with breakfast. The morning has a peace to it like no other time of the day (especially in China!). My hope is to not only see experience these things in the morning, but see it in my students' lives as well. This is a great reminder for me each morning as well.

Nancy and I out for a Birthday dinner for her!!

For awhile, I was afraid I might start a new student organization with my running. Many students have asked to join me as I run in the morning. Some came and some didn't and now there are a few consistent people. Most mornings it is Nancy, Virgo, and Cynthia who come out to run with me (or more like I come out to run with them). They are always gracious as I run a step behind them and have a nose pouring with snot! I don't know how the girls' never have a runny nose running in 30 degree weather, but they don't. Each morning, there is a something in our conversation which reminds me to keep running for the ultimate prize. So, I will continue this crazienss! (Although, when it gets colder I think we will have to take a winter break).

China Idol

A Stage for the Big Night

Chinese people love to sing. At KTV (a karaoke place) if there are a group of Americans and Chinese people there, the Americans will always goof-off and sing out of key. While the Chinese sing as though they are really performing for millions of people each time. They take it seriously and almost always have a good voice. I don't understand how all of them can sing so well! Earlier this week, after my Monday afternoon class one my girls appraoched me, "Amelia, do you want to come and be a judge for the foreign-song singing contest?" How could I resist such an offer? As the week went by some of my students learned of my new position of importance (at least for the moment). "Amelia, are you a judge on Thursday night for the contest?" Rita asked me before she proceeded to ask me to help one of her friends make it to the final round. "Rita, if he is a good singer then I will vote for him, but if not...kerrr" I said as I dragged my finger across my throat to let her know jokingly I'd give him the cut. Of course, in reality, her friend is also my student and I was delighted to know one of my students was going to be in the contest.
On Thursday evening, Emily and I headed over to New Campus to take-in all we could of the big event and be a judge... or at least try to be a judge. Can't the students tell I have no talent for singing or music from me "singing" so often in class? Meagan met us at the front gate and led us to a large room with hundreds of students waving around glow-sticks as a band played in front of a chalk board covered in writing and drawings. The whole room was decorated with ballons, and paintings of pictures. The Little Mermaid even graced us with her presence, though I must say her nose has grown alittle since the last time I saw her...the Chinese sometimes call Westerns "big nose."

The annoncers for the evening...so dressed up!

Three or four rows up was a line of empty seats, with a water bottle and papers on the desk in front of the seats, our seats. I felt a little nervous at this point. "Crap, I have no idea who can really sing," I thought. As Emily and I scooted into our seats though a familiar face came up right behind us. Nic, who is our boss on the New Campus was also a judge. He helped us figure out all the papers, translated some of the Chinese for us, and even entertained us as he passionately sang along to most of the songs for the night.
There were two rounds for the night. the first had two people, or a group go head to head against one another. The judges chose which one they liked better and whoever had the most votes made it into the next round. Jack and Creasy are both in my classes and were in the second of these rounds. They had one matching white coats and sang a Westlife song. After singing, while they were standing waiting for the judges to hold up our numbers, they kept glancing my way with a look which said, "Please Amelia, please vote for us! You are our teacher!" I voted for them.

Jack, Me and Creasy after the performance

Some of the performers that night were really funny, I had to stop myself from laughing a few times. But most were really good. Emily also had one of her students in the competition, Manson. He was very serious the whole time he performed and totally had the look of a young Elvis, competely with a leather jacket, jeans, and full hair in the front. It was great.
Both of our students made it into the second round, and even placed! Jack and Creasy got second place and Manson got third. The girl who won was awesome with a throaty voice and an easy stage presence. Emily and I had a great time at the contest, and we didn't even have to sing or anything! Below are videos of some of the perfomers and a Chinese teachers....so check it out for yourself.

Creasy and Jack singing Linkin' Park


The Winner for the evening...she is awesome.


A talented teacher

A Different Perspective

Mouth watering I reached for the wrapper that promised sweetness inside. The box showed a chocolate covered vanilla (or probably yogurt here) cake with a middle layer of hazelnut! It was an alluring sight for this coffee-loving girl who finds the perfect match for coffee in little sweet things. As the cake whirled and twirled around in my mouth though, my face couldn't hold back the disappointment in the cake. It was almost like eating slightly flavored air, with a hit of some kind of nut and a chemical tasting chocolate outside. This was no Little Debbie!! How deceiving it was! Everything looked right on the outside, but the inside of cake didn't have the fullness or satisfaction I so craved.

These are the little cakes-they are called Qute cakes

After I quit eating the little cake and threw the rest away, I couldn't help but think about how the world is like this often as well. We see things in it that look so attractive and appealing. On the outside it looks like it will satisfy, but then it never seems to fill that craving you so desire. It is empty on the inside. Sometimes, we try to consume more in hopes it we were wrong the first time or just plain out didn't get enough. I must admit, I tried the cake again with the same result the second time. I realize more and more each day though we can only have the fullness of life from our Father. He is the true satisfaction. It is easier for me to say this because I know what this feels like and know the truth. Although, I sometimes am led astray and have to reminded. But what about those of have never had a taste of the truth? What about those who've been eating empty little cakes their whole life and haven't had a chance to try the true delight, like one finds in a Little Debbie. I think this is where it is our part comes it to share with others. Share the truth we know and stop others from walking around in falling into empty traps.
Besides just purchasing little cakes lately, I have also made maybe the best purchase yet...a heat fan!!! This little guy works magic in my room. In China, they have a day that the heat will come on for everyone...Nov. 15th (this Saturday!! ), but it is already getting cold outside. So my room has been many degrees of cold. At night, I wrap myself up in my blankets like a Flaming Amy's burrito with many layers. My new fan keeps me a lot warmer and cuts the chill in my room drastically!

Here is the fan in action!! Praises!

A closer look of the warmth coming from this machine!

Sweet Tea Rice

A look of innocent confusion passed over Vince's face as he looked down at his plate. Bravely, he brought his fork and knife to the plate and began to try to cut into the greasy goodness on his plate. His knife was working against him though, as he had it turned around the wrong way; only resulting in a hacked mess on his plate. He turned his fork and cut a small piece, too small for a boy who always finishes everyone's meals at the Chinese restaurants. As he chewed, and chewed the small piece, his head jerked forward as if this small piece of food just might pop out at

Vince and Emily eating pizza

any moment. "Vince, do you like the pizza?" Emily asked him. "Well, it is okay. It takes some time for our palates to get use to this Western food," Vince replied. "Oh okay," Emily said as she turned and smiled at me. "Yes, I use to always watch movies and see all the men eating lots and lots of pizza and be jealous of them. But now, I think maybe I am not so jealous," Vince said. "So this is your first time to try pizza?" I asked. "Yes."

Most of those at the sitting at the dinner table of the beloved Italian restaurant also had their first taste of pizza that night. In honor of Ryan's Birthday we decided to take him to get pizza and have some of his students and friends come along. Of course, we treated and brought a cake. We ordered 8 pizzas and all were gone by the end of the night. Though, most of those who had their first try of pizza that night probably went back to their dorms and had a bowl of noodles when they got there. Even though all the students didn't LOVE their first try of pizza, it was a great night. Besides just the team here and the students who came with us, we also had Tony with us and our friend and fellow teacher Jason. It was great to celebrate life and be able to pour out our love on Ryan and show and share that with the students.

The whole group after we delighted in pizza and Ryan's (center in the black coat) Birthday!

It does not always take a birthday though to spend good time eating with the students. It is "my pleasure" (the students say this all the time) to break bread with the students. I am becoming close to a groups of girls in one of my new campus classes. Their names are Rita, Semanda, DeAnn(said like Diane), and Betsy.

Betsy, Rita, DeAnn, and Semenda one day when we played ping pong together.

I can't help but love to be in their presence because they are all such good friends and take care of one another. They are also all very different girls. Picture Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants China style. After class on Thursday, we walked out of campus, past all the street food, past all the people selling little trinkets on the street, past all the restaurants a step above street food, and all the way down North street beside the campus. At the end, we arrived at The Green Apple. It is a brand new restaurant, complete with a little green apple on the sign that looks exactly like the Apple brand logo, only perfectly apple green. The inside is even better complete with round booths and decorated in orange and black (but not scary). As I sat and ate with the girls in the booth, I half expected their to be a camera hiding somewhere recording this movie moment. The place begged to be the "hang-out" of some group in a TV show, just like The Max for the Saved by the Bell gang. "Amelia, have you tried the special rice we eat at (some special) festival?" Rita turned and asked me as she talked with the owner of the restaurant who was helping us order. "No, but I'd love to try it," I replied. Five dishes later, the rice came to our table bundled in a leaf. Gooey goodness rested inside the rice. This rice gives "sticky rice" its meaning. As I took my first bite my mouth was greeted like an old friend. This rice tasted just like sweet tea!! What a dream for a southern! Rice that taste like sweet tea, in a restaurant in China with good friends. Maybe life doesn't have to be like a movie or TV show, but is too great to truly capture in such moments.

I think it is the fall, but it feels more like Christmas morning.

The leaves swirled around my feet, scratching me out a tune as I walked past the tennis courts and basketball courts on the way to get the bus to the New Campus to teach my class for the day. The sun shone more brightly than I had ever seen it do in China and even the air was perfectly crisp that day. A smile spread across my face as I thought "This is going to be great day." Not only was that day great, but so were the last few days! Probably the biggest highlight of the last few days was going to English Corner at new campus to carve pumpkins "with" the students. English Corner is a club the students have for practicing English. For this special night they had invited me, Tim, Emily, Jon, Ryan, Cameron, and Kim (some of the other teachers here) to come and participate. We decided to go because it was great opportunity to hang out with the students and of course carve a pumpkin!
As we walked up to the room they were holding the pumpkin carving I couldn't help but feel completely overwhelmed at first. Students stood 5 or 6 deep around the outside of the walls leaving a place in the middle of room for a table full of medium sized pumpkins and a place for all the foreign teachers to sit. They clapped for us as we walked to our seats and their hundreds of eyes gleamed at us like marbles. The excitement was as heavy in the air as the heat. For all this anticipation, it is good to know the Chinese students are easily pleased and can enjoy even the simple things. Down the line of the teachers we went introducing ourselves and telling them how happy we were to be there. Afterwords we (and when I say we I mean Emily) explained some history of Halloween.
When it came time to do the actual carving of the pumpkin, we each took one pumpkin and headed into different directions amidst the students. I wanted to make sure some of my students from my class were in my group, so I scooped up my pumpkin along with Jenny and Candy (a boy) to come and be in my group. Along with our pumpkin our only tools to do the carving was what seemed to be a pocket knife, a spoon, and a plastic bag for trash. As one with little pumpkin carving experience and shaky hands I was a little nervous as the student squeezed in on all sides and many hands tried to hold the pumpkin as I cut it to help me. I let the students squeeze in as close as they needed to see, but must say I just had to push their hands away from the pumpkin. I could just hear it now, "Yeah, that foreign teacher cut off a students finger!"
As a group we decided to make a scary pumpkin and after cutting open the top and cutting one eye I turned my pumpkin over to the creative skills of my students. I think the end result was one that was quite scary and the students had a blast. I must say the teachers had a great time too, especially when our night ended in us singing the students "My Heart Will Go On" (they love it).





Below are two videos from the night. I hope you enjoy them!

This is me showing my pumpkin to the students so they will cheer for it to be the best!


This is the team singing a Halloween song Ryan knew from elementary school.


Along with having the opportunity to carve pumpkins with my the students I have felt blessed the past couple of days in so many ways. I can't help but feel that I am continually receiving a huge gift. So much to the point that I woke up the other morning with the same feeling I always have on Christmas morning. A tingle of excitement went circulated throughout my whole body and there was a slight chill in the air making the morning seem fresh and new. I am so glad that His mercies are anew each morning and are being given such a great gift. I just must remember to take hold of it each day.

A thankful heart

One thing the director of IECS, Newt, told us before he left to return to US was to remember to be thankful each day and for the many ways we are blessed. Since that time I have thought on those words and how I might learn to be more thankful in my everyday life, especially in China. So below I just wanted to list a couple of things I am thankful for here in China!
1. I am no longer sick!!! Praises! It was not fun being sick, but right after the whole team lifted it up as a group I immediately started to get better. He is so faithful to answer.
2. All the Chinese students make me smile each and every day here. It is easy to love the students and to want to have deeper relationships with them. It is so fun to hang-out with them. Each time we spend time with the students, I always have a good time and enjoy myself. I enjoy their company just as much as they enjoy mine. It is always interesting as well to hear what the students will say as well. The other day we were helping our friend Rachel out with a speech she was preparing for a speech contest and we thought she said, "Obviously, I had to help out the blind lady..." but later when asking her a question about the "blind lady" we learned she was really trying to say "blond." Of course, I had to tell Rachel it might not be a good idea to say "Obviously, I had to help out the blond lady..." because of all the blond jokes in the US (I had to stand up for all of us blonds!) It was very funny to explain to the girls though. Below is a video of some of us hanging out and playing a game called Monkey Ball.


3. Tony and Lily's new baby!! I am so excited for my Chinese friends Tony and Lily who just had a new baby. Her name is Ximei (pronounced she-may). This past weekend we went to Beijing again and didn't see the new baby, but did see Tony. He shared these pictures with us. This is Lily with Ximei. Tony definitely had the look of a new proud, tired parent. His face was glowing with pride.






4. I love teaching my classes. Before coming to China, I was a little nervous about teaching, and it was the part of coming to China I felt the most uncomfortable about. Now, though I enjoy going to my classes and teaching them. I think it is fun to come up with creative lesson plans that get the students up and moving. I am so grateful that I can enjoy this time in China as well. Below is a video of my students playing the game swords in class.


5. I am surrounded by a great team both here in Baoding and those who are teaching in Lang Fang and Tian jin. This past weekend, we went to Beijing again to watch Peter and Brad run in the Beijing Marathon and we had the opportunity to meet all together again because of this. Whenever, we meet all together it is always a good. It is nice to be different parts of one body. We need each other and are able to offer different gifts and talents. I love working with the people here.

In a Haze

This morning, as I shuffled over to my chair beside my kitchen table too tired to make it to my bedroom after my shower, I knew I couldn't go to class for the second day in a row. For about two and a half days I've been really sick. In fact, I can't remember the last time I've been this sick. It started as just little tired, then I was feverish with hot and cold sweats, then I had a dull ache in my stomach, and then I couldn't stop the outpouring from my body. Basically, for two days all I've done is lay in my bed. The worst part of this sickness is the complete and total loss of energy. It takes effort for me to walk across my apartment. I think part of this sickness though is a lesson for me about not being in control and just surrendering all that I am. I must admit, being sick cause me to long for home a little bit and the big, fluffy couch at home with my mom to care for me, but it also has reminded me of why I am here and how much I do want to be an active roll in it. I just can't do things in my own way or time or I might get knocked on my butt. I do think I am starting to get better and have felt really cared for by my team here.
On a brighter note, Tony and Lily, our Chinese friends who work with IECS had their baby yesterday!!! It's a girl! I am so excited for them! Her name is Xi Mei (English name = Simi). She is 9 lbs, which is really big for Chinese standards and I can't wait to see her! Chinese babies are sooo cute. Next weekend I hope to go to Beijing again and hopefully I will get to see little Simi. I also really enjoyed teaching all the classes I did get to teach this week. They are going really well. I've decided to play one American song in each class, because the students really want to know more music and this week I started with the Cupid Shuffle. I taught my classes the dance and everything. They loved it.

A Weekend in Beijing

Tony told the taxi driver how to get to the JW Marriott in Chinese and watched as Emily and I crawled into the back of the dark car. After the driver nodded in agreement that he knew where we were going, Tony shut our back door and looked on as though a concerned parent might as the taxi took off into the building-lit Beijing night. In only a short 20 minute ride we would be at the China Salsa Congress!!! Talk about exciting!! The best salsa dancers in China were all gathered together in one room to perform and then dance afterwards, and I just happened to be in the same city that weekend. This event could not be missed. Of course, not everyone on my team was as excited as I was to watch Chinese people step-back-and-forth to the beat of Latin music, especially at the rate of 30 US dollars; not yuan, US dollars. Earlier, in the Pearl Market, as Emily and I sat in a booth surrounded by fake Polo's, Abrocrombie shirts, and Chinese people watching us I begged her to go with me. "Please, please come with me! I know it is a lot of money, but I can't go on my own." Maybe it was the look of desperation in my face or of hope, or more likely just because Emily is just a solid, awesome friend already and decided to come with me.
Whatever the reason, there we sat riding through the city looking out at all the skyscrapers of Beijing. We passed the "pants" building, it basically a building designed so that it has a hole in the middle and looks like pants. Emily got really excited about it, which made me happy, at least if she didn't like the salsa dancing later, maybe she would like the pants building. The taxi slowed to a stop at a light. I noticed the diver reach his hands underneath the steering wheel and he pulled himself up and to the left very close to his open window. Before I had time to think of all the possible things this could mean, "BLAAAUUUUTTTT" came out of this Chinese man's body. It was such a loud fart! Should I react? Was this normal? I mean is this something that just happens all the time in China. These thoughts passed through my head, much like the gas that was just passed as I looked over to Emily to help me find the answers. Her face was contorted into a tight ball and completely red as she tried to prevent the free flow of laughter that was sure to happen. Eye contact and we lost it. It was just too much for us....we laughed and laughed the whole rest of the way to the hotel. A glance in the direction of the taxi driver or Emily and I my belly began to shake like Santa. The next morning, as we sat in Starbucks drinking glorious coffee talking with Tony, Newt and Claire we told them about the taxi driver. We asked, "Tony, is this common in China?" He replied, "No, (and shook his head) no, this is not common." Then after a beat of time, with a child-like innocence Tony looked up at us and asked, "What is fart?" We let Newt explain it to him and then he really told us it was not common. I guess the taxi driver thought more than language couldn't be understood.
Even though we had a stinky ride over to the Salsa congress it certainly didn't put us in a crappy mood. In the front lobby of the hotel there was only one booth for the Salsa Congress. "Is this where we buy tickets for tonight?" I asked the two ladies manning the table. "No, take the escalator downstairs and buy them down there." As we descend to the bottom floor, more and more salsa gear came into view and I couldn't help but feel a little flutter in my heart. To me this was like having a little piece of home, of something familiar with me. This is one of my favorite things about salsa dancing, no matter where I go in the world I can always find a place to dance and people who love it just as much, and many times more than my self. It is comforting and brings people together. Without knowing the language of another person, all their culture, their past, their future, or anything about them we can still come together and communicate in this completely different and beautiful way. It is one of the blessings in life. After reluctantly turning over our 200 yuan we went were able to watch all the performances of the night.
The basic layout of the night was 8 couples were competing to be the Chinese Champion Salsa couple and go on to compete in the World Competition in Orlando later this year. After they had the 8 couples dance, then there are many special performances by people from around the world and also from around the area. My favorite dance of the night was from these performances. It actually was not all salsa dancing either (maybe, you are a little surprised?). A dance company from Shanghai performed a dance which was mix between tradition Chinese dancing with fans and salsa dancing. The fans added an element of visual and auditory excitement as whenever they opened the fan it made a loud noise and the red flashed in front of your eyes in an intriguing way. After the performances, they cleared the floor and had a live band and everyone who came could dance. They were all really good dancers. We only stayed for a little bit of this time, because we knew it would be wise to get back (much to my dismay though). At the bottom of the post I have three videos of some of the dances from the night.
Overall, the whole weekend in Beijing was really amazing besides just salsa dancing. The whole IECS team was FINALLY together. We were able to encourage and hear one another's stories. We also celebrated Peter's, Tony's, and Tony's little one's literal birth day (well to be in a day or so). In the Pearl Market we all were able to get the items we were in need of for the winter, like nice warm coats! Emily and I also bought jeans. This is of course after we tried them on in the back of a small open booth as the Chinese worker held up two white shirts while we dropped drawers. It was a little humbling and drafty. The weekend was a great finish to a holiday to get us ready to teach and be with our students again!

Can You feel the Love Tonight?

"Can you feel the love tonight," we all sang in an off-key loudness that some might call singing and our Chinese students would be sure to call "very beautiful." As we stood around in arms around each other in a semi-circle, swaying to the genius that is Elton John and The Lion King I couldn't help but feel completely content. The love in the room was amazing and I already feel very close to the people I am serving with in China. This past weekend Newt and Claire, the directors of IECS and Tony came to Baoding to visit us. It is always so refreshing to see someone in the family. They brought a lot of encouragement to me and it was just good to see their face. I was struck though while spending time with them and having them ask how we are doing here, how comfortable I am here and by how satisfied with life right in this moment. I am a teacher and a servant here. I am here to love others. I have no huge plans for the future and nothing at home that is causing me anxiety. I am called to China and it is a honor to live out that call. Even more so than that is the excitement I feel for each day. I literally never know what each day will bring and it is fun to live each day an adventure. Of course this adventure is so much better though because I am getting to share it with a team here, elsewhere in China and at home.
Something Newt really wanted to let us know while his was here was how important it is to share with others encouraging words and words of affirmation. We went around a few times and just said nice things about one another, and though this might seem a little cheesy or a like a love fest, I must say it is such a blessing to hear this words and really does make a difference in your life. They are so important. I am also struck by how blessed I am because of the number of people lifting me up at home. I realize how my life is so covered right now in softly spoken words. It makes me realize when I am make the point to remember someone on a regular basis how important it is to let them know I am doing that. What a blessing to know you are being thought about!
Today was also a very good day. Emily and I went to the RT Mart yet again, but this time in pursuit of food. We ended the night happy with home-made salsa (might I add some of the best I've ever had) and chicken tacos (complete with Monterey Jack cheese!). It was so good.

MEI GUO REN!!!

"Mei guo ren (American)," the girl screamed at the top of her lungs as Emily, me and some of our new Chinese friends walked past the elementary school located across the street from our university. In a flash the whole door was full of curious Chinese children who wanted to get their own look at the mei guo ren. This is a normal occurrence outside of campus life. As mei guo ren, the team heard often draws attention and we are considered a spectacle. It does not bother me though. The people are just curious about what they do not know, and usually (not urally) they are extremely nice and want to help you out in any way possible. On this particular afternoon, Emily and I were on our way back from having lunch with some of our new friends here, Ashely (the girl in the video), Grace, Jamelia (yes her name is awesome), and Rachel. After a week here I already am feeling close to Ashely and Rachel and am excited to see our friendship continue!
None of the girls we went to lunch with today are in my classes, but I do have many, many other students in my classes, some include Sammy, Laura, Lane, Hancock, Creasy, Kobe (they love him), Wing, Castle (a boy), and many others. It is always fun when my students have the same names as some of my friends from home. The Laurens at home will be glad to know there are none so far in China, so here their name is all their own. Even after finishing my first week of teaching, it is hard to imagine myself as a teacher. It is fun to get up in front of the class though and help the students learn more about the English culture and language. This whole week I've been teaching the students "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes." They love it!! This is one of my favorite things about teaching, is they love the simple things American students might think is silly. There are some awkward moments in class where the students will all laugh together about something....what they are laughing at I have NO idea! It is the strangest thing. To be fair though, often I will try to make them laugh and all I hear is crickets. In China, with my students, I often don't have jokes, but I try really hard and I think they will eventually catch on.
Last night, Emily and I went to Hebei Financial College where Ryan and Jon teach to go to their conversation corner. At their school, Ryan and Jon are the only foreign teachers right now and so the students are not as use to foreign teachers being around. As soon as we walked in the door all four of us where bombarded with students. It was like we were magnetic! Within a few seconds we were completely surrounded by excited students.
"Where are you from?" "Do you think Chinese food is delicious?" "What do you think of the Olympics?""What do you think of the economics in America?""What do you think of China?""How long will you be here?""Can you sing a song for us?"
These are among some of the questions repeatedly asked at conversation corner. It is a lesson in patience and personal comfort as students are pressing in from every direction.
After leaving to go get dinner, we were riding the bus back in the direction of home. As the bus came to a stop Emily shouted out, "That sign says Champion Pizza!" Without much other thought the four of us ran from the bus and towards the cheese heaven. Inside the restaurant was decorated Western style complete with booths and forks and knives. We ordered the "Typical American Pizza" and a chicken pizza and dined delightfully. This might become one of our favorite restaurants in the future. I am eager to make Baoding my own.

I'll take 6 plates of 25 Dumplings each please, thank you

Tonight was probably the best dinner and the most fun I've had in China yet. It began with my new Chinese friend Ashley coming over to my apartment and helping record a short video of it for your viewing pleasure at home. I let her practice her English by being the guide for the video. She really did a great job and it was a lot fun to do it. For some reason part of the end got cut off, but I still think it is a great video. I posted the video on YouTube under Amelia's apartment. The video is also below:


As we were wrapping our video up the rest of the Baoding team came home and we decided to all go to dinner. Along with Ashley, George, Rachel and Vincent came to dinner with us. In China, parties can get private rooms, but at the restaurant we went to tonight in order to have a private room we had to spend 100 yuan. The main thing we wanted to order was jiao zi again, but it was only between 6-10 yuan per dish. So we endded up having to order lots and lots of jiao zi AND some other dishes. Toward the end of the night we played "the numbers" game. Basically you count the number of people in the room at random, but if two people say a number at the same time you lose, or if you are the last person to say a number. We decided as a group, because we had so much left over, the punishment for losing was you had to eat one dumpling. By the end of the numbers game we had hardly any jiao zi left, except the "mystery" jiao zi we had just ordered because it was the most expensive. Everyone in our group had a lot of fun and laughed hard enough to work off at least a few jiao zi.

Hai O Hai O it's off to work I go

Chunk, click, chuck, click, chunk, click sounds with each rotation of my new bike's pedal rotation. Instead of hearing the nice breeze in the air as I now zoom down the streets of Baoding, my ears are overloaded with the freight train noise of my bike. This might not be such a bad though since the traffic is so crazy in China. The noise of my new bike can serve as a make-shift horn for me. I bought the bike on Saturday with the help of my new Chinese friend Yuessa. First, a large group of us went to Military Square and had jiao zi (dumplings) all together. These dumpling might have been my favorite meal since coming to China. The outside is a flour noodle stuff with various yummy fillings. These range from egg and clintro to pork and onion, both of which might range within my favorites. After lunch we proceeded to go to find bikes. The original place we went to before lunch we found out was shut down by the government a few days earlier. Probably because they were selling stolen bikes. Yuessa heard about another place to check out while we were eating jiao zi. The place ended up having three bikes. Emily and I both were in search of one and so was another new American friend Cameron. We each tried each one of the bikes but all of us were not satisfied. Yuessa tried each one as well, but was bold enough to ride down the street and saw another place to buy bikes. We took off toward that direction, not on the bikes though. An elderly Chinese man who had the looked like George Clooney only older and with a face full of child-like wonder followed us down to the next bike shop. After looking through the bikes and riding them a couple of different times I finally decided on a black bike with Ying Xian(if I am remebering correctly) written on the side.
"My bike has to have a name," I said as we waited for one of the bike-shop men to try to make Emily's bike seat higher. "But I want the name to be something in Chinese...maybe Dragon."
Yuessa quickly replied, "No! That is too over used."
Instinctively, my next idea sproung out from my alma mater and I asked what the name for Seahawk in Chinese is...of course this was silly because a Seahawk is a made up bird!
"What about a Seagull."
"Oh ok, it is Hai (make your voice dip and then up again) O (say the tone by keeping your voice even).
It was a surprise a few moments after naming my bike to look down and see a picture of a bird on Hai O and have Yuessa tell me the name of the bike is something like great bird. So fun!!
Emily also bought a bike, but her bike is purple instead of black and she has yet to give it a proper name. We have had a great time riding our bike around the city and going to the supermarket. I am very proud of Emily, because she was very nervous to ride her bike around the streets and she is doing it now with confidence. It only took one ride to the store.

Super Market Sweep Meets Frogger

When I was ushered to the checkout by the oh so very helpful Chinese worker I knew one of my first shopping experiences needed to come to an end. Yesterday, the team in Baoding all went for a shopping trip together to the big supermarket down the street to buy LOTs and LOTs. The market is called RT Mart and when passing it for the first time I thought it might be a concert, because there are huge semi-circle ballon/inflatibles that are around the outside of the doors. There were also so many people on the outside that is seemed this had to be a huge event and could be something as mundane as people simply needing to shop. The RT Mart is also underground, so even though it is huge, it is a little hard to find the first time around. Tim, Emily, and I walked past it the first time because we couldn't find it.
The Supermarket on the inside first leads into a mall-like area and then goes down to another floor where it is a lot like a Wal-Mart on the bottom. The only differece is it is more like a Wal-Mart at Christmas time. There are so many people everywere. To get around the store we had to dodge this way, then slide past that way. It was quite a task. While shopping we each got a cart and filled it with our needs for our apartments...lamps, bowls, plates, chopsticks, brooms, trashcans, hangers, shelves, etc. I would be looking at bowls, then see something in Jon's cart and decide I needed it too and run to go grab it. As we walked around the store all the Chinese in the store slowly looked at the sizable amount in our baskets and then wide-eyed at us. As I looked a tennis racks, two young Chinese girls came over to me and said hello then ran off. Later though as I walked around the store I kept seeing the girls and realized they were following me. In China, I am always watched by the people around me. It is important to know I am model for those around me and must be a light.
I turned to leave the store, after a successfully shopping and checking out to go out and get a taxi of course and heard beep, beep, beep. Something in my cart set off the alarm. I was immediately pushed back into the store right into a Chinese man who looked as if he was ninety by the helpful Chinese worker. As the worker spoke to me in Chinese, she dug through my belongings and called another worker over. If I was not already drawing enough attention this was sure to really put me on display. Before I had time to even look at my watch though they had found the source of the detonator and took the ink tag off my new rug. Overall, shopping is fun in China.

It Is What It Is

As I stepped off the plane from the US, the sights and smells of China already came rushing back to me from my last visit in May. Outside the Beijing air was hazy, making it hard to see far. The air had the distinct smell only found in China and it was familiar. These things only served to make feel at peace with my choice to return to China for the year. At the moment, I felt very happy to be alive and living out a great adventure.
Now, I am in the city of Baoding. It is a fairly large city, with maybe 4 million people in it. The city, like most Chinese cities I've been too has people and businesses all around it. Every street is full of different shops and people sitting outside on those streets selling little items like books, socks, electronics, pens, and anything you can think of really.
The campus where I am teaching is large with about 40,000 students on both the old and new campus. Hebei University is considered the best school in the Providence for the students to attend. I am hoping my teaching will live up to this standard. My school is also as the Chinese might say "very beautiful". There are many new building with lots of white brick and also there are gardens in the middle of campus. In the gardens there is a small pond and lots of benches for the students to study on. One of the other teachers who came with me, and was here in May told me the students "neck" at night on the benches outside. I was a little surprised to find this out. There are also basketball courts, tennis, and volleyball courts in the middle of campus. No matter what the hour there are students out playing on these courts. The Chinese love basketball. I don't mind since I like basketball as well. Overall, campus feels similar to a college campus in the US.
My apartment on campus is very nice. I have a small kitchen, complete with a little fidge, microwave, hotplate, kettle, and no sink. I have to use my bathroom sink for all cooking and cleaning. A bathroom of my own. Though, the bathrooms here are more like wetrooms, because the shower is right beside the toliet and there is no divide. So all the toliet paper dispensers have covers to protect them from the water. The toliet often gets wet as well. In my shower is also a huge light thing I am told you turn on in the winter to help keep the shower warm. It is so bright. I have a seperate bedroom with a desk for my computer, clothes, and a TV. I am excited because the TV has BBC news, which I of course love. At the end of this post are pictures of my apartment.
With IECS in Baoding there are five teachers, Jon, Ryan, Tim, Emily, and I. We work at two different Universities here. Jon and Ryan work at a Finacial College just a few blocks away. They only live about 5-10 minutes away from Tim, Emily, and I who all work together at Hebei University. I think our team is going to work really well together and we are all getting along really well so far. There is purpose in our being together. The photo at the top is of Emily and I.
We have already come a long way since arriving. I unpacked and have mostly settled my room. We had lunch with some of the officials. This is where I asked someone what one of the dishes we were eating was and he replied, "It is what it is". Who knows what it really was? We also went and bought cell phones today. Tomorrow is the day we will sign our contracts and get our teaching schedules. I think Monday is the first day of classes.
I am so excited to hang out with my students and spend intitional time with them. I think this year is going to be really amazing. I can not wait to see all that is in store.

China Here I Come

As most of you know next year I am teaching English in China. I am so excited about this opportunity to go teach and learn. I cannot wait to meet all my new students and see the university where I will be at. I hope to keep everyone in the US up to date on any new happenings and fun stories. I am going to be in the city of Baoding at Hebei University. This is also in the Hebei providence.



Feel free to email me while I am there as well at martin.amelia1@gmail.com I have also set up a way for you to subscribe to my blog. It is on the right of this screen.