Posts from — September 2011

My dear Friends and Family:
What a day we have had! The threatened rain and cold didn’t carry over from last night) and we had a beautiful day! We went to church this morning with some of the Christian students. There must have been about 800 people in the Church (upstairs) because they have another service (mostly men-about 200) downstairs. I don’t know the reason for the “division”; but when I wanted to go downstairs (you know how me love stairs), they directed me, very politely but firmly, to go upstairs. They also had a Sunday school. And the Choir! -about 30 glorious voices, who sing mostly unaccompanied. They are just given their notes. and away they go. I knew many of the hymns, so I sang along, lustily, in English, of course .
The preacher was dynamic and seemed to have been very good, as people nodded and occasionally applauded. The students said that he was exhorting them to read the Scriptures every day and follow the example of St.John.

I don’t think that I will make this a“weekly pilgrimage”, as that’s what it was – 40 minutes taxi, walking, a beautiful train-ride, walking again (for about 15 minutes) avoiding, taxis, pedestrians and dog “poo”. Then the long trip back (Service was almost 2 hours).  When I got back to the school , I literally crashed -slept for a solid 6 hours. Now I am up,(at 1:00 a.m.) catching up with E-mails and the “9/11″ Memorial news, which remarkably, got full coverage on both the Australian and Singapore TV channels.

It’s now Monday 6:45a.m. ( 6:45p.m on Sunday, for you) and it’s a Holiday “Moon Festival” here (As you will remember). People visit each other and eat the traditional Moon Cakes (not my favorites) There is quite a story behind the festival.
Well it’s another day, and life goes on – More laundry, stewed pork (with potatoes and carrots) and rice .
I did treat myself to some “Starbucks” muffins (there seems to be a Starbucks on every block downtown ) and will have one with my newly arrived Mint teas  and some of my “doctored/ blended ” orange juice (it really taste good – almost like “ fresh squeezed”) – for Breakfast – NO “MOONCAKES”.
And mail does arrive – It goes slowly but surely – so keep it coming-                                                                                          Blessings & “Walk Good”

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Mi dear Friends & Fambly,
You ask me if I’m bored?  What name so? That word definitely does not exist in China (at least not in my vocabulary, as there are so many things to do and learn. Plus right now, I coulda get a job as a “high-class”  Domestic Engineer –everything  on schedule, and down to a “T” . Me wash – at night so me cyan hang de clothes fe dry, in the shower stall, do “light cleaning –no windows, Mam”  cook and iron. (Me even find some old fashioned  “bwile and draw starch” , after another session of miming with the Housekeeping staff) me finally know the word “dianfen”(a word I am not likely to forget).

Did I tell you that I am seriously studying the language? I engaged a tutor(one of the students –so we exist symbiotically, as I clarify and supplement her English. (even learning to write) . For it’s amazing, and rewarding,  to see the “light” that comes on, and the smile that erupts, when you can communicate in the language “mingbai ma?”/ understand?”
Well after the ironing (while the floor is still clean –just mopped.) I am going to cook. (The MSG is playing havoc wid me Blood pressure) and yes- I am making stewed pork, (with ginger) and rice. (Yesterday it was Rice and stewed pork, as the rice was more than the “salt kind”). Tomorrow?- who knows; the saga continues . Plus me learn at least 6 different ways to cook chicken and pork (in a skillet). So no mi dear- me no bored – me creative. An’ now, me tiahd.

Keep me informed   of  the “Yard News”, especially of the plans for the “50th”. Me really miss mi yard fe true.

Teck care, my love and “Walk Good’

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My dear Friends
We are doing it one day at a time -quite a challenge (most of the time) and hilarious too!

We have had a series of adventures – some really funny! Here’s one that will make you smile:

I went shopping, to purchase some cosmetics -hand lotion etc. which I had forgotten. Picked up “safe” brands (luckily small sizes) of “Nivea” and “Dove” – good thing, as they both turned out to be “Body wash”/Hand Soap.

Have you ever taken a bath and then “oiled” yourself thoroughly with thick, liquid soap? Well is dat me do – had to bathe all over again, with Maas Herbie commenting that “one good bath, deserves another”
Now I am forced to have someone write the Chinese for what I need, or go back to having a shopping ‘escort’.

The following week, on another expedition -this one with a Chinese Faculty member, we hired a taxi for the evening. On our return trip, the driver took a back road, passing a group of about 8 people, who were waiting for him.
We got to the back gate, which was already locked, had to turn around, again passing by the group of people, who at this time were standing in the middle of the road. Our driver did not slow down, nor did he swerve. I closed my eyes, as people scattered left and right (Serious drivers).

He then decided to take a “short cut” through a construction site. It had been raining, so there was some serious ‘puttu-puttu, mud – the outcome – of course we got stuck! We had to get out, while he tried to maneuver his way out of the rut and I had visions of the “morning headlines – FOREIGNERS ABANDONED IN CONSTRUCTION SITE!” (because at this time, he was very angry –muttering, in Chinese, “Now I must pass those people –(his customers)- 3 times”) And meck
me tell you something. When smaddy bex an’ a complain inna Chinese, it really sound intimidating.

Well, he got unstuck, picked us up and headed out (passing the angry passengers again). This time, he took the longer route to the University’s Front Gate, which by this time, was barred/closed to vehicular traffic.

The Security Guard refused to move the barriers for us, so we had to schlepp all our shopping, about a city block -no fun. But here’s the strangely hilarious thing – the Guard, abandoned his post, and helped us carry our shopping to the Elevator in the Lobby. (maybe him did feel sorry fe de poor “old” (God bless the grey hair) waiguoren, foreigners.(For by dis time, we so tired, mi pride could’n stop me from hobbling.) What can I tell you – this is China and I am having the time of my life – I LOVE IT.

Nuff-nuff blessings and“Walk Good”

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