These updates are coming fewer and farther between, for which I apologize. Would you believe that I'm very busy and it's hard to find the time and material for new updates? No? Well, it was worth a try. Sadly, this one is going to be short, as I need to get to bed.
To say a lot has happened since the last post would be a gross understatement. As it turns out, what we silly westerners imagine when we think of Chinese New Year is only the tip of a gigantic iceberg, made purely out of fireworks that get set off at all hours of the day. I know what you're thinking, "We're American. We have some pretty damn fine fireworks displays." I will not debate you on that, American readers (for those of you reading who aren't American, you can ignore the majority of this paragraph if you so wish). American cities do put lots of money into their civic displays. Where the Chinese people take things to the next level, or really to the level at least 7 times higher than ours, is when it comes to what fireworks, and in what quantity, the average Li Six-Pack is unleashing on the sleeping public. I would try to explain the extent to which the holiday disrupted my sleep, but I don't think words can express the sheer quantity of flammable material that got between me and my much cherished shut eye. In short, the city sounded much closer to a war zone than any Fourth of July I've experienced. Though I'm sure I will regret saying this, I will write an update purely about the experience, complete with pictures.
The next highlight was my trip to the wonderful city of Guangzhou. I encourage all of you reading this to do a quick google search. I could write multiple blog posts about the trip, which, again, I will regret saying this, I will write after the Chinese New Year post.
Finally, I wish to say that I have resumed teaching and have completed my first full week back. Unfortunately the weather has skipped spring and gone straight to summer. Two weeks ago I was still wearing my winter coat. Today, we had a high of 80 degrees F. I am displeased. For whatever reason, the Chinese physiology seems to be impervious to heat; I had students wearing t-shirts, sweatshirts, and coats today. They thought I was crazy for wearing a short-sleeve shirt and jeans, and I thought I was crazy because I decided not to wear shorts. Of course, the students aren't moving around much in the classrooms, so they aren't as warm as I am, but still, 3 layers is a bit ridiculous.
On a somewhat related note, some friends went back to the States for their holiday and were kind enough to bring me back a bottle of Gordon's gin. I think every time somebody gifts a bottle of gin an angel gets its wings; that's how the quote goes right? Anyways, tonight, I am enjoying a makeshift gin and tonic, makeshift due to the lack of lime and presence of lemon. It was my fault for forgetting to look for limes at the store.
Well, that's all for now. Tell all your friends that, while the blog may have fallen by the wayside, I have not completely abandoned it, I only did temporarily. For now, have a drink for me back home, everyone. Zai jian and cheers!
To say a lot has happened since the last post would be a gross understatement. As it turns out, what we silly westerners imagine when we think of Chinese New Year is only the tip of a gigantic iceberg, made purely out of fireworks that get set off at all hours of the day. I know what you're thinking, "We're American. We have some pretty damn fine fireworks displays." I will not debate you on that, American readers (for those of you reading who aren't American, you can ignore the majority of this paragraph if you so wish). American cities do put lots of money into their civic displays. Where the Chinese people take things to the next level, or really to the level at least 7 times higher than ours, is when it comes to what fireworks, and in what quantity, the average Li Six-Pack is unleashing on the sleeping public. I would try to explain the extent to which the holiday disrupted my sleep, but I don't think words can express the sheer quantity of flammable material that got between me and my much cherished shut eye. In short, the city sounded much closer to a war zone than any Fourth of July I've experienced. Though I'm sure I will regret saying this, I will write an update purely about the experience, complete with pictures.
The next highlight was my trip to the wonderful city of Guangzhou. I encourage all of you reading this to do a quick google search. I could write multiple blog posts about the trip, which, again, I will regret saying this, I will write after the Chinese New Year post.
Finally, I wish to say that I have resumed teaching and have completed my first full week back. Unfortunately the weather has skipped spring and gone straight to summer. Two weeks ago I was still wearing my winter coat. Today, we had a high of 80 degrees F. I am displeased. For whatever reason, the Chinese physiology seems to be impervious to heat; I had students wearing t-shirts, sweatshirts, and coats today. They thought I was crazy for wearing a short-sleeve shirt and jeans, and I thought I was crazy because I decided not to wear shorts. Of course, the students aren't moving around much in the classrooms, so they aren't as warm as I am, but still, 3 layers is a bit ridiculous.
On a somewhat related note, some friends went back to the States for their holiday and were kind enough to bring me back a bottle of Gordon's gin. I think every time somebody gifts a bottle of gin an angel gets its wings; that's how the quote goes right? Anyways, tonight, I am enjoying a makeshift gin and tonic, makeshift due to the lack of lime and presence of lemon. It was my fault for forgetting to look for limes at the store.
Well, that's all for now. Tell all your friends that, while the blog may have fallen by the wayside, I have not completely abandoned it, I only did temporarily. For now, have a drink for me back home, everyone. Zai jian and cheers!