for Millana - Days of Our Lives

[hankuh]

Well I guess I will also give a synopsis of my quaint life.

Milana, I don't want to be a stick in the mud or convene a Raoul's CCP Criticism Meeting where I have to hang a placard around my neck and kneel on broken glass, but despite the good things foreigners experience here, there are some annoyances, and it's best to remember your experience in China can differentiate from many of our own. Here's a typical day where I am--a small city in Anhui Province:

6 AM Wake up and walk into my kitchen to turn the gas burner stove on to heat my metal coffee pot--last year the sulfide levels in the gas here reached dangerous toxicity levels and three residents died. I was never notified directly about this; in fact, my wife told me not to turn the gas on for three days and it wasn't until we heard the gas company truck parading through the campus neighborhood making a megaphone announcement that we could now turn the gas back on.

I usually drink Mengniu, the official milk of the Chinese astronauts, and eat a piece of bread; then I smoke a cigarette--usually Du Jiang, which go for about 4 and half kuai, and my wife allows me to buy that cheap cigarette; if I am sneaky or pissed off, I will buy Huangshan cigarettes, more expensive--around 9 and half kuai. I don't like Chinese cigarettes, would much rather smoke Marlboros, but in this province, they are extremely strict about selling cigarettes legitimately--support of Anhui Provincial tobacco and liquor products are highly regulated and enforced.

6:15 Coffee's ready! I have coffee shipped to me from the states.

6:20 I enter our living room. Turn the tube on to watch the daily aerobic exercise program from somewhere here in China. It has about 10 hot Chinese gals all prancing around in their tight fitting aerobic "hello kitty" gear, and exposing their midriffs. I don't have the volume on; instead I turn on my Sony CD Walkman and listen to anything from Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers to Judas Priest as I watch the girls prance around to their computer generated backgrounds. Smoke another cigarette.

6:45 I shave. The water usually comes on to our building around 6:00.

7:00 After performing my large contribution in a western toilet, my wife wakes up. I don't like to be in a hurry, so I always wake up early.

7:35 Leave for class. I usually take a shortcut through the woods here, which is littered with everything from a shattered toilet to empty instant noodle containers and a stray soiled condom.
Occasionally I will come across a pile of feces--human feces.

7:50 CLASS! I teach literature classes, but don't expect an reenactment of Hessler's Rivertown here. I have around 70 students per class--a few are very bright and motivated; most are struggling to learn; and unfortunately, a growing number couldn't speak English and are still in the throes of "Tu Lao Mao," which means hollow head. They are poor and are merely in the class for a few laughs and a few jeers.

11:15 Glory! Thank you Jesus! Classes are over. I meet my wife and we walk home together. Our Ayi, or cook, has prepared lunch. Yes, I never could afford to pay a cook back in my own country, but here I can, and I value it--even if I eat Chinese food all the m'kaying time.

12:30 Nap time. I have no problem with this one aspect at all.

2:30 Class again.

4:30 After class, I attend to my only favorite activity: going to the health club. I pump iron 4 to 5 times a week. I am not just a club regular; hell, I'm a mascot. And the women? MERCY!

7:00 Wife and I leave gym and go to a filthy stinking hutong where we eat mian tiao.

7:30 Get back on the bus, come home, get online, read Raouls. Occasionally I will watch VCDs with wife, but sometimes I read a lot or write something and then delete it before posting it here, thinking WTF it doesn't matter.

10:00 turn our mosquito machines on, and prepare for bed.

10:15 Read some.

11:00 Grab my photo of George which is near our bed, and kiss it.

That's all. Thank you.


I think life here is boring and to be really candid, our little trip to Suzhou was the best m'kaying thing I ever did in China! No poo!

Again, this is my experience and where we live.

[Jollyjunklass]

Well Yang,

You don't seem like your a happy camper, granted I understand routine can be boring. I think, for your needs, you may want a larger city. Do you think? Or may be you just aren't crazy about the whole scenario. You could probably use a few more people around, who you can go out and so stuff with. You have to try to make this happen. What about time off, do you get any weekends off, or certain days? Get some exploring in, maybe.

I kind of feel bad for you. Will you stay another year? If so, is it possible for you to get to a larger city with more ex pats. If your only fun was at Raoul's then I think this is what you may need, more communication and people with similar likes. I could see how easy it would be to feel the way your feeling, but, you have to force yourself to do poo. Unfortunately, you can only rely on you become less bored.

BTW, what is a mosquito machine, does it work?

I just posted a resume type thing at a job site, well one resume goes out to many jobs. A question they ask is, Describe what kind of jobs you are looking for. After reading your post I have decide to go and alter it. I am going to add in that I do not wish to have classes with a ridiculous amount of students, like you seem to have there. What amount do you feel is reasonable, so I can jot it down.

I don't know your circumstances, but, If I were you, (from reading some of your prior posts) I would not spend another year in the area you are at, you will only resent it and become a lot more miserable. You may find it totally different in a new area.

Cheer up, and thanks for the post, boring to you, interesting to me. ;D

[Jollyjunklass]

Hey guys, thanks

I'm reading all the posts on a daily basis.

All I have been doing is researching all this China stuff, so I am sitting on the computer often. Your daily dialogues provide me with humorous relief.

Well, today I started to apply for jobs. I am not too familiar with Microsoft word so it took me quite a bit to get the resume up and going. It seems different sites ask for different things, so it's not all generic, which makes it trickier for me. Plus I can't type, really regret not haven taken that high-school typing course, back in the day. My son puts me to shame.

I haven't received my passport yet, so I am still waiting on that.

I'm scared to go get all the shots and blood work done, but, tomorrow I will force myself, or the next day, or the next day...... lol

Tonight I had pork chops cooked in mushroom soup, mashed potatoes with ketchup, lol, corn on the cob, and my nightly salad with vinegar and oil dressing.
Right now I'm drinking ginger ale, listening to the Mission CD and talking with you.

I feel relieved to get that resume in some type of order, I always save the things I dread 'til last. Just like the needles.

So far, for China, I have purchased 10 things of deodorant, it was on sale. 3 hair dyes, will get more. 5 tubes of arm and hammer toothpaste, my dentist suggests this brand, Flash-cards, go fish, crazy 8's and old maid cards, all with colorful pictures. I have purchased 8 key chains with Canadian lucky pennies, kinda neat.

I have rented every China movie possible, from our community library, interesting folk, lol. I have at least 15 books on China, today I got a table top book, so I could look at pictures.

Tomorrow I will e-mail some more resumes, make a dentist appointment, get my final teeth cleaning before I go. Go to a few second hand bookstores and see what they have to offer. I bought a couple of sewing patterns, and hopefully Lotus is right about the tailor business, because I think I will forgo packing clothes.

The weather still sucks here, we had one nice week, but back to the crap. It should end soon, in dire need of glorious sunshine.

Hey Woza where are you located, are you happy with your location? It seems like a lot of you guys are north, was this your choice, or are there just more jobs there.

And Ruth, you mention pools, are there a lot of pools around? Are there a lot of gyms around?

It's good to see your biking around. I bike a lot and actually enjoy it.

Is it expensive for people to send you things? Ruth, do you get things sent to you often. I wouldn't mind having small care packages sent to me every once in a while.

You know what else is kind of spooking me a bit, the more I write and concentrate on proper forms like resumes and things, the more I realize how much I need to brush up on my grammar, stupid things, like using has versus have. I hope I can get by.

Anyway, thanks for the soaps, I think we all need to get some dirt going on, doesn't anyone have any dirt to report.

[Ruth]

Millana - it's very expensive to have care packages sent. But if you have friends or family members willing to put out the time and cash, you are a lucky person. There is one pool in my town. There is one bowling alley in my town (at the hotel where the pool is.) There are several pool halls and they are very cheap. My hubby has played a few games with a local friend, but we don't usually frequent those. There are several Karaoke places in town. Ask the guys about what else can happen at these places. The few times I have gone we have endured enjoyed Karaoke in a private room with drinks and snacks. No health clubs in my town. My health club is climbing the 70 stairs each time I want to go home. Our school is five floors. My office is on the 2nd and I teach on the 4th and 2nd.

What's up with ketchup on the mashed potatoes when you made pork chops with mushroom soup? We always use the mushroom soup as gravy for the potatoes and pork chops. You might want to throw in a few cans of mushroom soup, if this is a favorite for you. Although the food here is so good you probably won't miss it. Corn on the cob here tastes like cattle corn. I miss sweet corn. We gorged last summer when we went home.

Boredom about killed me the first winter I was here. Thank God for the internet and the saloon. We've made friends with another couple (the wife is a co-worker, husband has limited English) and we often go out to eat with them, or invite them over for dinner and board games or Yahtzee. Our private students keep us busy and are (mostly) a delight. We never advertised for these students. It started with my co-workers wanting their kids to learn English from me and spread. Now more than half of my students (I have about 30) are not children of co-workers. Our reputation, or at least presence, is known here now. Referrals come in regularly. I am as busy as I want to be.

YG - I'm really glad you had the opportunity to get to Suzhou. Maybe my husband and I are simple folk, but we are quite happy reading, watching DVDs and doing simple things with friends. It helps that we have made friends here. It really helps to have each other.

[Ruth]

Millana, I don't know if requesting a certain class size is a good idea or not. The classes will be the sizes they are. Admin here can't do anything about it. It is what it is. If you set a criteria, you might be seriously limiting your opportunities.

Of course ideal would be 12-15 or even 30-40. Mine are in the 65+ range.

[Jollyjunklass]

Ruth,

I smother those mashed potatoes with the gravy and the ketchup. If they don't have ketchup there I will miss it dearly, lol.

Hey, what about puzzles, do they have them?

I am dread being bored, I will have to figure out ways to try to prevent this from happening. Boredom is a killer, I don't like it. I have a ton of hobbies, however I am not sure what I will do with my excess time there, I hope I can figure something out. I think you have to do what Lotus says, get out there. But, people can get to me after a while, I like my space, so I guess you have to find a happy medium.

[Lotus Eater]

10:00pm last night - went to hotpot with Chinese friends and other FT. Found a bar on the way home and tested it until they threw us out at 1:00am. Got home and joined Japanese foreign student at his place for a few more drinks. Went to bed around 4:00am.

1:00pm Woke up, showered, discovered mobile phone missing . Looked all though house, called Japanese student - not at his place, went back to bar and hotpot place - meiyou.

2:30 walked the vast distance of 150 metres to my class room (11th floor of the university library). Taught my 2 film appreciation classes (Tomorrow NEver Dies - I love James Bond - the gadgets and the silliness - Judi Dench as M is great)

4:30 student helped me cancel phone service etc.
6:00 going out to dinner with FT and Chinese teacher - will buy another phone.

Another day.

[QiQiGirl]

Millana, Hank stays here for me, and there's quite a bit you don't know. I happen to think that there are quite a few foreigners who come here with stars in their eyes, never learning about the culture and living some dreamy existence. If you're being selective in what you want to hear, then don't make judgements about what he writes or tries to tell you.
Hank has took some hard knocks here, and he knows quite a bit about Chinese. If you have a problem with his sense of reality, maybe you should remember that. He was only trying to help. He's not a travel agent.

[George61]

There you go, Millana. Don't mess with QiQi!!
Everybody has a different experience in China. We all have good, and we all have bad. The great difference, I think, with the people on this board, is that we can all laugh about the bad. We don't whinge and moan, we take things in our stride. If something happens...well, TIFC! Tomorrow is another day. Some days, you feel like poo and you write about it. The next day something happens which makes you reverse your thoughts. It's all good fun.

[Ruth]

millana said:

Anyway, thanks for the soaps, I think we all need to get some dirt going on, doesn't anyone have any dirt to report. nastyz28.com/ubb/icons/boy8.gif

[/IMG] [/quote]

We already reported on dirt. Go back and re-read my post about the rainy day and my walk through the alley. It was a pond and a mud pit. I still have the mud aka dirt on my pants and shoes to prove it. Also, go back and re-read Yangguizi's post about his daily commute through the woods. That's some dirt to have to look at every day. I try to ignore the litter, but it's really difficult to do. So senseless. If they would only put out garbage cans for people to use and teach people to use them. They have managed to do this in Beijing. why not my town?

Lots of dirt in China, Millana. Restaurant floors for example. I haven't been brave enough to stick my head in the kitchens.

[Ruth]

There are puzzles here. Cheap ones. 1000 pieces. This can tie in with Hamish's cheating thread. The two puzzles I purchased have the alphabet printed on the back so you can easily make the puzzle upside down using the letters and then flip it over and pretend how good you are at putting puzzles together.

Several trips to a second hand book store is a good idea. Bring a suitcase full of books. Getting out there and making friends with the locals (in my case, fellow teachers) has helped a lot, but I still feel isolated a lot of the time. Cultural differences add to this feeling. Even people I feel really close to can't help when I feel homesick for western stuff. Everything here is so different. I think I can empathize with Yangguizi, although it is really difficult to know what another person is experiencing. I was really depressed a lot during my first year here.

I can't get ketchup in my small town, but there is plenty for sale in the city just a few miles down the road. You should be okay for ketchup unless you land in the boonies. You're going to have to make your own mashed potatoes to put it on, though.

[Lotus Eater]

Around the section of Xi'an I am in every 30 or 40 metres beside the roads are cardboard boxes for people to toss rubbish in. They seem to be well used.

Coming back home the other day I passed a stationary garbage truck completely surrounded by about 100 guys on the 3 wheel trailer bikes. They were each carrying a massive load of rubbish - to upload to the garbage truck. Fascinating sight and I would have loved to have taken a photo, but figured I was too obvious and I was already late for another appointment so really couldn't stop.

They do try to sweep and clean up - the street sweepers on the highways make me grin. But there will be permanent employment for them, that's for sure.

[Mr Nobody]

I am guessing here, but perhaps Millana meant Dirt dirt not dirt.

If you know what I mean.

Not sure I know what that means myself.

Hmm.

[Jollyjunklass]

QiQi,

I would like to clear something up here. First of, I was responding to his post, it was not meant to offend you in any way, although I get the feeling it has. I do not think he is a travel agent and was only trying to offer some empathy, maybe alternatives, as I felt he was feeling a bit down judging from this, and prior posts (I could be way off base, just a thought). Where did I mention anything about him being a travel agent?

I am very open minded and am not selective, at all, in what I hear or read, I form my own thoughts, through my own experiences. However, we are all kidding, yipping and having fun around here, I think most things are to be taken with a "grain of salt".

My question as to why he stays, if he is not enjoying himself, was a natural one, I see no harm in that. Some days I don't feel like staying in my country and I will, definitely, not take offense to anyone asking me "WHY" I stay. The comments I made, in no way insult you, or your culture.

Had he said, he had been unhappy, in the a State within, his country, I would have asked the same question," Why stay". I believe you are being a touch defensive here. I do not really feel comfortable with your insinuation, that I was in any way, trying to be critical of anyone or anything with regards to my post. And normally, I may not be so blunt, however, you chose to be blunt with me, so I, feel the need to express my thoughts or to clear up any misunderstandings you may have.

If he is staying there, because of you, then that is a good enough reason, in itself. However, if someone puts it out there, it is natural to ask back, don't you think?

Maybe you would like to explain my selectivity to me, I am curious to know what, you feel, I have read wrong or said wrong.

I have no problem with his sense of reality, nor did I claim to. His problems are in, no way, my problems. I was simply replying to his post. It seems you did not like what I had to say, but, more because of your own personal reasons. I do not feel I should be the target of this.

To be completely honest with you, as you have been with me. Obviously I have touched on a soft subject here, if so, my apologies are extended , however, I will say, I think you may have taken my comments way out of context. You are right, I do not know his situation, nor is his situation my business.

Furthermore, with respect to the starry eyed comment, and my own situation. I am not feeling starry eyed, on the contrary, I am going there to learn about the culture. If I felt starry eyed I think my home would provide me with the perfect life style.

Sometimes QiQi, when two people come from two different cultures, things are done in different ways and as a result, misunderstandings are likely.. Had you been from my culture, I do not believe you would have taken offense to my comments. They were harmless, on my end. I think it is important to keep this in mind.

Millana

You know QiQi, I think I know how you took evrything I wrote, just from my own life experiences, but, it is important, to me, that you know, you are barking up the wrong tree here.

[Jollyjunklass]

You are right Bond, I did mean dirt in that way, not filth dirt. I meant the seedy rundown, lol. Misunderstandings, galore, gotta love the internet, lol.

I was reading on and had no clue why they were talking about the dirt on the streets until I came to your post, then it hit me.

[George61]

I'm probably the only one who knows about "dirt" and is not afraid to tell all.
Lotus and Wozzza definitely showed signs of "certain tendencies" in Suzhou, and I have reason to believe that these tendencies are also evident in their respective home cities. Where there is smoke...etc.
Raoul is said to enjoy the "company" of several of his female students, Newbs' charming exterior, masks a vicious streak of sadism. Young birds have been found "de-feathered" and mutilated beneath his bedroom window. Nate looks young and cute, but this is due more to the skilfull hands of plastic surgeons, than to a healthy life-style. Yanguizi has been known to strip, and run around town, completely naked...especially when the moon is full! The Kiwis present themselves as a normal married couple, when in actual fact, they are brother and sister. I noticed several whips and articles of black latex,one morning when I was rummaging through QiQi's suitcase. The Babe is a Bad Bastard, But nothing serious, and Nickel is said to be operating a hairdressing shop, somewhere in downtown Jinan. I think that covers everyone. As you can see, Millana, the pernicious Western Culture is taking root in China, thanks to the efforts of Foreign Teachers. What can you bring ?

[Newbs]

Newbs' charming exterior, masks a vicious streak of sadism. Young birds have been found "de-feathered" and mutilated beneath his bedroom window.

Ah hah, George, so it was YOU outside my bedroom window the other night.

[Lotus Eater]

I too, did know which context of dirt you were talking about, but it was more fun to go the other way!

However, on behalf of Woz (though I truly can't speak for her - and she is totally capable of taking George apart slowly with just her little finger) we resent the insinuations!! We are perfect examples of ladies (not of the night!!) and as such conduct ourselves demurely with true dignity and decorum. Don't we Woz??

George however is another kettle of fish - and often fish that is way past it's sell buy date.

[Jollyjunklass]

Hmm, let me see.

You seemed to have left a certain "George" out of your list of misfits, could it be your fantasizing. Sounds like the makings of Peyton Place to me. Pretty wild group of characters in this storyline of yours, I'm sure I can find a role, somewhere.

Hey, I know, (hangs head in shame) I'm coming to stir the pot. You can just call me Catherine,yes, Catherine Harrington to you!!

Come take a peek my dear George.

members.aol.com/AlisnRod/

Toodaloo

[Mr Nobody]

Deary deary me.

[Lotus Eater]

We have enough pot stirrers here! Come and be civilized with Woz and me!!!

I remember Peyton Place - my parents wouldn't let me watch it, so I used to sneak out of bed and hide around the corner, snealing peeks. I loved Mia Farrow's hair in it - and the guy who played Dr. Rossi was a definition of cool for me at that time (along with Richard Chamberlain)

[George61]

snealing peeks.

[Ruth]

I, too, knew what kind of dirt Millana was looking for. Since I don't have any of that kind of dirt to speak of, I thought I'd use the literal meaning and have a little fun. Maybe I should have gone to Suzhou so I could join in the soap opera.

Back to the boring days of our lives thread - yesterday morning spent helping a collegue. She's entering a competition where she has to give a lesson to some judges. I typed it all up nice and pretty, along with checking grammar and spelling. Also downloaded a couple of pictures and made a few suggestions. She left happy. Gal we helped last year for the same type of competition got first place for the district.

Now I have to get the housework done before students start arriving for evening lessons. (I have three separate groups on Friday night and five on Saturday - so much for relaxing on the weekends).

[Lotus Eater]

5:30 eyes flipped open and refused to shut - I had gone to bed at 11:00pm so they figured they had enough sleep. Checked emails and Raouls. Shower, prepare worksheets on US Presidentail election 2004 for 3rd year students.

8:30 - 10:00 taught class. On way to class ran into stray laowai and invited him to lunch.

10:00 -10:30 organised stuff at faculty office for next week.

10:30-12:00 checked emails/saloon. Attempted some minimal tidying.

12:00 - 2:30 Lunch with stray laowai, plus brief trot arcound the campus to show him main points of interest. Took him to his next class. He is here for 3 weeks with some type of group - Cross Cultural Solutions. Never heard of them.

2:30 - 5:30 caught bus to go shopping at a Deli, and then Lotus Superstore for supplies for the party we are having tomorrow night. Beer arrived from campus store.

6:00 - 7:00 Dinner with FT. Collected extra chairs from FAO for party.

Now checking emails and saloon. Will clean apartment
and organise what I can for tomorrow.

George - SNEAKING peeks - thank you!!

[woza17]

No wonder Con is reluctant to take me up on the offer of a free bed. These innuendos must cease.
Talking about innuendos I have had this pain in my left side towards the front, it started about 6 days ago, quite suddenly and today it just disappeared it was really quite painful could it have been a kidney stone or liver damage.
Hamish did Raoul send you the DVDs or is he still watching them?
Woza