I kind of made a little mistake in my last entry. I said that women, for one month after they deliver are encouraged to eat only fruits and veggies...it's not fruits and veggies, but eggs. They should eat as many eggs as they can for one month. NOt sure why, but that's that!
Classes are going well! Today, and yesterday actually, I had a request to sing "My Heart Will GO On" for the class...yeah, right! Like that will ever happen. I have told them both no, although for my English Corner last night, I gave them the first line and that was it, today I had the whole class sing "Row, Row, ROw your boat". THen I practiced my Chinese on them and they laughed hysterically! I'm not sure if I should be offended... At least I can entertain them! Today we practiced pronouncing and using some words I got from a website. I have gotten some great ideas from About.com! Many games, word lists, lesson plans and such! THere is a list of 1000 most common words in the english language that I am going over with the kids. They know most of the words, but some they don't and often they only know one way to use it. Next week we will play Scattergories! One game Bob has used often with his students is a word game where one student stands with his/her back to the board and another student writes a word on the board and the student then asks the class yes/no questions to guess the word. The kids love it! We've used it in English Corner, I haven't yet used it in class. I also played "What if" with the classes, they like that one. It gives them a chance to come up with ideas on their own and use their imagination. They each wrote a "what if..." question and a "then..." answer. One person read their question and the next person read the answer to their question. It can be pretty funny. ONe of my favorite combos was "what if I were the queen of the world?" the answer was "then all the girls would be dead". HA! I need to give them more time to just discuss and practice english, so I am working out ideas for that. But this is fun! ANd I have a very relaxed schedule outside of class! It's great! Love you all!
Thursday, November 8, 2007
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Dumplings and Post-pardem (cont)
So, I'm not sure if my last entry was posted, I had to shut down my computer because they needed to turn off the power for a little bit. Anywhoo, I can't remember what I said, I know it wasn't much.
I learned how to make dumplings this week, "jiao zi" in Chinese. They are so good!! AND boy do I have leftovers!! They are so yummy, but very time consuming!! I will post these pics on Photobucket so you can see the process. I also had a yummy dinner on Saturday night with some other students, they made a seafood dish for me! I love people cooking for me, but I want to learn how to make them on my own and it is their custom to allow the "guest" to relax while they cook, so I watched and wrote and then relaxed...and then ate! WHen you eat with Chinese people, be prepared to eat A LOT! You will usually sit down to at least 5 different dishes. Normally there is one soup and then one noodle dish, often served near the end of the meal. AND in Shandong Province you cannot forget the Qingdao beer!
I also, recently, had some interesting conversations with some students regarding some cultural traditions and beliefs. One conversation was kind of depressing to me. A girl asked me if I believed in true love. I said, of course. She does not think it's possible for a man and woman to truly love one another. She said that too many people are depressed and have psychological problems to truly understand love. I also think this stems from the idea and practice of marrying who your parents think fit best with the familys' status and place in society. The husband brings home the bacon, the wife serves the family and raises the child and you do what is best for your country. Everything done in order and in a logical manner. None of this mushy love crap. I said to some other students it seems like more of a business arrangement than a marriage and she said, it is. This practice, however, is not as common as it used to be, although, many families still do this. It used to be the bride and groom didn't even meet each other until the day of the wedding, at least now they will meet prior. Just interesting, another cultural difference. And in America it's way too romanticized, we all (when I say "we all" I mean mostly females and certainly myself) want movie love, which isn't exactly realistic either. I also learned of an interesting wedding tradition. On the wedding night, the family or close friends to into the bedroom of the couple and dangle an apple on a string. They hold the apple above the couple, who are in bed, and they try to eat the apple, of course the friend pulls the apple up so the couple will kiss. WHich is a big deal here, you see NO PDA whatsoever, although, on campus the couples are pretty affectionate. I have not seen one person kiss another, especially on the lips, that is not acceptable.
This is also interesting. Many people still believe and participate in this practice which blows my mind. After a woman has given birth, she is supposed to stay in bed for one month. She cannot wash herself, she cannot walk anywhere and mainly eats fresh fruits and vegetables. Interesting, huh? (How does that sound Shan?)
If someone dies, their sons or male members of the family will stay with the body for at least 2 nights to protect the spirit. THen after they have buried/cremated the body, the family brings food, fake money to burn, paper washing machines or other useful items for the afterlife to the gravesite for 5 weeks, on the 5th week they have a huge celebration with wine and a lot of food. THey burn the money and paper replicas so that their loved one will be cared for in the afterlife with things they may need. There is also a portion of the funeral where the men are dressed all in white and wear while slippers and a white girdle/wrap around their midsection and a white headwrap/hat. Females aren't allowed to the funeral if they are under the age of 18 or if they are unmarried.
I just love learning these things! I also just found out that we are invited to a Chinese reception next Friday night. A teacher is getting married and has invited all the foreign teachers, fun, huh!? I will let you know how that goes! ANd, of course, take pictures!
I love you all! Miss you tons! I am busier which is wonderful! I am off to Qingdao again this weekend and I am very excited to stay with an American family!! I hope all is well with everyone and you are happy and healthy!
Fascinating!
I learned how to make dumplings this week, "jiao zi" in Chinese. They are so good!! AND boy do I have leftovers!! They are so yummy, but very time consuming!! I will post these pics on Photobucket so you can see the process. I also had a yummy dinner on Saturday night with some other students, they made a seafood dish for me! I love people cooking for me, but I want to learn how to make them on my own and it is their custom to allow the "guest" to relax while they cook, so I watched and wrote and then relaxed...and then ate! WHen you eat with Chinese people, be prepared to eat A LOT! You will usually sit down to at least 5 different dishes. Normally there is one soup and then one noodle dish, often served near the end of the meal. AND in Shandong Province you cannot forget the Qingdao beer!
I also, recently, had some interesting conversations with some students regarding some cultural traditions and beliefs. One conversation was kind of depressing to me. A girl asked me if I believed in true love. I said, of course. She does not think it's possible for a man and woman to truly love one another. She said that too many people are depressed and have psychological problems to truly understand love. I also think this stems from the idea and practice of marrying who your parents think fit best with the familys' status and place in society. The husband brings home the bacon, the wife serves the family and raises the child and you do what is best for your country. Everything done in order and in a logical manner. None of this mushy love crap. I said to some other students it seems like more of a business arrangement than a marriage and she said, it is. This practice, however, is not as common as it used to be, although, many families still do this. It used to be the bride and groom didn't even meet each other until the day of the wedding, at least now they will meet prior. Just interesting, another cultural difference. And in America it's way too romanticized, we all (when I say "we all" I mean mostly females and certainly myself) want movie love, which isn't exactly realistic either. I also learned of an interesting wedding tradition. On the wedding night, the family or close friends to into the bedroom of the couple and dangle an apple on a string. They hold the apple above the couple, who are in bed, and they try to eat the apple, of course the friend pulls the apple up so the couple will kiss. WHich is a big deal here, you see NO PDA whatsoever, although, on campus the couples are pretty affectionate. I have not seen one person kiss another, especially on the lips, that is not acceptable.
This is also interesting. Many people still believe and participate in this practice which blows my mind. After a woman has given birth, she is supposed to stay in bed for one month. She cannot wash herself, she cannot walk anywhere and mainly eats fresh fruits and vegetables. Interesting, huh? (How does that sound Shan?)
If someone dies, their sons or male members of the family will stay with the body for at least 2 nights to protect the spirit. THen after they have buried/cremated the body, the family brings food, fake money to burn, paper washing machines or other useful items for the afterlife to the gravesite for 5 weeks, on the 5th week they have a huge celebration with wine and a lot of food. THey burn the money and paper replicas so that their loved one will be cared for in the afterlife with things they may need. There is also a portion of the funeral where the men are dressed all in white and wear while slippers and a white girdle/wrap around their midsection and a white headwrap/hat. Females aren't allowed to the funeral if they are under the age of 18 or if they are unmarried.
I just love learning these things! I also just found out that we are invited to a Chinese reception next Friday night. A teacher is getting married and has invited all the foreign teachers, fun, huh!? I will let you know how that goes! ANd, of course, take pictures!
I love you all! Miss you tons! I am busier which is wonderful! I am off to Qingdao again this weekend and I am very excited to stay with an American family!! I hope all is well with everyone and you are happy and healthy!
Fascinating!
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