While rereading my previous blog, I was struck by an epiphany. It is not "Living Chinese" that creates our adventures but "Living Canadian in China" that is our problem. Things are different here, to say the least and every day we are faced with that fact. Rather than accept it, we are constantly looking for reminders of home or opportunities to enjoy something, anything that reminds us of the lifestyle we left behind. Something as simple as finding a jar of Skipy sends shivers of excitement down our spine. It is not easy embracing a totally different culture, in fact I would suggest impossible. I have discovered a new found respect and understanding for people who have the courage to immigrate to a new life in a new world. I can now understand their need to retain a bit of their old life style and culture. Nonie and I get to go home when we have had enough, our life in Canada was just put on hold or a while. Makes it so much easier to live as we do, knowing we always have a safe haven to return to.
December has flown by. This is the first opportunity I have had to access our blog in a while. The Great Wall continues to make it difficult to get to it on a regular basis and when I do, it is so sloooooooow. Downloading a picture can take an eternity. Well actually, about 2 minutes, but when you are used to instantaneous access to everything, 2 minutes can seem like forever.
The "Second All Most Annual Christmas Ornament Making for the Cornell's Cheap Christmas Tree Party" was a success. We managed once again, to con all our friends and colleagues into creating wonderful and inventive ornaments for our Christmas tree. All for free. Well Nonie did provide some of her fabulous desserts as an incentive for their artistry. It took her the better part of a weekend to prepare.
She was joined by Janie and Eiko for the baking part and Justin for the Gingerbread cooking decorating part. Justin is from Inner Mongolia so the Gingerbread Men started to look more like Gingerbread Mongols especially when they started attacking and subjugating the Shortbread Santa cookies.
We have spent the last week listening to our students complete their final exams. The exams consist of a 6 minute unscripted conversation between two students followed by a few questions to test their comprehension. I have listened to over 50 conversations this week, perhaps one was unscripted. Another 50 or so conversations to be heard next week. Peking Opera is starting to sound like a much better option.
We have a winner from our most recent reader contest. Once again the Warners have come from nowhere and guessed that there are three Canadians in the picture. Please note the decorative tattoos on two of the Canadians. The rest of you should have looked much closer at the picture. For thier trouble the Warners have won a brand new Ford ????. Drive safely Warners.
Stay tuned for the rogue goats.
No comments:
Post a Comment