Bei Da Huang has become one of my favorite restaurants. Unfortunately, tonight it did not hold up to all the hype I’d dumped on it when showing it off to Katie and Thomas. They still enjoyed it and promised to return but I was disappointed in the usually fantastic meals. 

One of the reasons I love it so much is the amazing picture menu! You don’t need to know a character to order your favorite food.  I had originally planned the dinner so Wendy and Peter could meet Victoria but Wendy didn’t feel well at the last minute. I hadn’t backed out of the dinner knowing with out Wendy I could still order clearly. That seems to be the catch at trying to restaurants.

Pumpkin Fries dipped in sugar

This dish is the reason to live. Yes, Pumpkin fries dipped in sugar. The two best things to happen to food, a deep fryer and a sugar coating. This is the costomary results of the dish, delightful deliciousness. 

Today however the oil was old and saturated with the previous dish FISH. Yes it was as horrible as it sounds.

Luckily Katie and Thomas knew no better and enjoyed the rest of the dishes immensely. I guess we will just have to return to remedy the bad experience.

While I was home in February I would often find myself recounting various daily events that I’ve never blogged about as daily events seemed inconsequential and boring here.  My father on the other hand was quite intrigued and asked for more pictures of daily life. So here are a few.

Not too many resturants can beat street food.

Street food is the new Take Out. I’ve been quite fortunate, knock on wood, my stomach has not revolted against the greasy and sometimes questionable street food I often partake of. I’ve decided I’m just building my immune system each time I try a new vendor.

Recycling is a living for some.

You can often find people rummaging through trash cans to find recyclable materials. Cardboard and plastic are the two most commonly collected items. The various modes of transportation are also quite inventive here. I’ve never seen so many peddled vehicles.

They start 'em young in the family business.

I was out one afternoon and came across someone hammering away. I just couldn’t help but take a picture when I realized it was a 3 year old kid.

IT’S SNOWING!

Snow is falling all around, on the house tops on the ground.

The heats been turned off in a gesture of good faith that the weather will warm yet it hasn’t. Thank heaven I bought that Contraband space heater. Better go dig it out and plug it in. On the bright side I only have one early class today so I can spend the rest of the day cuddled on the couch with hot chocolate! So today is looking bright after all!

As I was searching around I-to-I’s Chalkboard (a network site for teachers through their program to mingle and share ideas) I came across a blog written by another teacher here in China. I thought the advice was truly inspiring so have posted a link. Now if I could just memorize, strive for and live each of these suggestions! But lets be honest if I did just that my sarcastic, ornery rants about China would end and my blog just wouldn’t be that fun or therapeutic to write. So I’ll stick to the ones I like and I’ll leave the rest to conquer in another country.

http://www.tefl-chalkboard.com/sasheen4/posts/751-the-only-foreigner-for-miles-and-surviving

The only way out!

We set out and sure enough upon exiting the campus we noticed an empty street. (Just to be clear on school faces north two city blocks west of Qingnian Rd) We walked to the end of our road where it meets Qingnian, a blue construction fence had been put up overnight.

A narrow cut out allows pedestrians and cyclist through. 

Upon exiting our street I was astounded at the sight beyond. With the speed of deconstruction I could hardly believe the finish date to be so far off. But I guess here in lies China’s personality, tear it all up, let it sit for a while then get back to it to finish it up.  

 

Finding the gate to my street is a maze of sorts.

When we returned this afternoon the path back to our road had changed. Yes, we are walking through an active construction zone with only party decorations separating  us from the more dangerous areas.

Qingnian Road – When they rip up a rode they rip up a road!

 The outer fence of the blockade was up and plastered with advertisements just as quickly. The closest bus stop is now a brisk 30 min walk.

When I saw the advertisements I knew I was doomed.

  

Only in China does heavy construction take place within a hop and skip of the walking path.

Weifang – International Kite City

I don’t think that title fits today. You release a kite today and it will be torn to shreds in under a min. I’ve never experienced wind like this. Rexburg didn’t even compare. One positive, it was a warm wind. The freezing Siberian winds decided to take a day off.

As Kelly and I clocked our new hike into town we had to adjust for wind factor. I’m just grateful I wear glasses for an added shield, but even with glasses I had to keep blinking particles out of my eyes!

At one point I was walking in front of Kelly and I heard a short scream. I turned to find Kelly recovering from an attack by a stray piece of cardboard. The most nerve racking sight on blustery days is the swaying of light poles. I’ve seen the arms move in an occasional storm but not the post!

Oh the blustery days I endure in Weifang. I enjoy wind to be perfectly honest, it cools things down and is well entertaining. The only drawback in Weifang is the dust it kicks up. The dust and debris in the air did a number of visibility for the day.

It was like somebody put a sepia lense on the sun!

What flag do you fly after red for bad air quality? Black? Today Weifang should have a black flag billowing in the wind, but I doubt it would last.

This morning I awoke to warmth, not something I had anticipated. Today is March 16th. March 15th is the final day of heat for China. The government controls the heating for buildings throughout the country.

At first I did not understand how the government could possibly control the heat until someone explained the heat in China is provided via the coal factories. Come March 15th the coal factories are then turned off? (That’s my best uneducated guess) Anyway,  who really cares about the logistics I was just bracing for the repercussions. So, I was more than pleasantly surprised to find the heat still on upon waking this morning.

Katie and Thomas had mentioned, they’d been informed the heat would be extended through the beginning of April but I didn’t dare hope it was true. Apparently it is! Hip Hip Hooray for the Chinese Government, and thank you for severe weather conditions in Northern China.

The day’s have been getting warmer and my blood has seemed to thicken. I even brave the classroom at times and remove my winter coat, much to the horror of my students. We reached all the way to 40* the other day, Heatwave! 

Side note:  Today’s crazy picture worthy moment, which I did not have my camera for was a women on the corner of the street tending to a campfire in the gutter. No joke full on campfire! It looked like a nice Tepee set up with great ventilation and an ample supply of kindling.

Katie and Thomas fearlessly went to the box office to asses the situation. Through the help of a student via cellphone they discovered the movie was as predicted dubbed in Chinese but the theater did have a copy of the film in English with Chinese subtitles. The great thing about being a westerner in China is the fact that businesses are always trying to please you! They offered to show the movie in English with Chinese subtitles for the final showing at 10pm as it was hardly booked. Of course we jumped on it.  

Word is now spreading in Weifang that there is a possibility to see a film at the theater! A high point in everyone’s week. We’re going to push for Alice in Wonderland 3D, I’m trying to get a group for Sherlock Holmes. Movie tickets are American prices, ¥60 for a 3D film and ¥40 for a regular but well worth the treat.

Don't we look cool!

According the theFreeDictionary.com Fall means:

1. To drop or come down freely under the influence of gravity.

The last time I checked gravity pulled downward, so can someone please explain how the snow is FALLING sideways out my window.

Everyone is speculating a warm burst for Wednesday this week but I’m not that optimistic. My only prayer is that come March 15th when the heat for all of China gets turned off the government takes pity and leaves it on. I can hope can’t I, and hey they did turn it on early this year due to severe weather up North.

I know here I am complaining once again about the weather but to be fair, I’m getting use to it. Really I just needed a few rather poignant lessons in layering and proper winter attire which usually means donning rather less than attractive outerwear. On a whole I don’t mind as I know I will always return to my toasty apartment and be able to thaw in a matter of minutes. With the heat off I’m afraid I’ll have no respite for my frozen marrow.

Just a quick glance into my life, for a person who loathes snow to a rather unhealthy level at times how is it I always manage to end up in cold snowy places? Rexburg, Id – Jacob Lake, Az – Weifang, China Who is booking my travel arrangements? I should fire them.

Kelly and I landed safely in China yesterday. After 36 hours traveling I was relieved to finally get back to my apartment and pile my bags in the entry way, mind you half are still sprawled there as I dug through to get out the few things I needed. 

My trip home was worth all the trouble. It provided a much needed relief and a fresh start to the upcoming semester. With a roommate now and a new found determination to learn Mandarin it is already shaping up to be a great semester.

The trip began with me eating my words I gave the previous day to my friend Maria. When dropping her off at Bakersfield to head home I’d teased her about the Prop-Plane at the Airport. I’d never ridden in one and hoped never to have to. Everything comes back to bite you I’ve learned and sure enough before I knew it i was boarding a Prop-Plane to LAX. It was everything and worse I’d imagined!

Upon exiting the Prop-Plane my purse broke! I’d always made fun of luggage and bag stores in Airports, I mean come-on by the time you are getting onto the plane shouldn’t you already be packed!! But here I was stranded with a broken purse still facing another 24 hours of travel, I was willing to pay anything for relief! I found a tacky Hollywood bag at Hudson News and headed to my next gate to settle in for a long layover. Poor Kelly, we were to meet up at LAX and catch the same flight to Beijing together. She got stopped at every security check and pulled aside for further scrutiny. We tried to change seats to sit together but it was a full flight.

As they began boarding we ran to Starbucks for a last meal. Fiji water, blueberry scones and shrink-wrapped turkey sandwiches. I found my seat and was relived to find yet another window seat. I’m sticking with Expedia, since adding a window seat preference, that’s all I’ve scored on flights through them. I’m finally learning the trick to sleeping on international flights, oh another dozen and I should be a pro! Flights went smooth. In line after costumes I ran into the Sorensons, the BYU teachers from Jinan. I had ran into them going through security at LAX when flying home in January. We all had breakfast then headed to our domestic flights.

The puddle jump from Beijing to Qingdao was quick and James was waiting at the luggage carousel. It was intriguing watching Kelly’s reaction to Mainland China on the two hour drive home. I felt relieved to be done with flights and back into a normal routine. Qingdao to Weifang seems to be practically a Tulare – Visalia run most weeks.

James took us out to lunch before heading to the apartment. Lunch was wonderful. I’m thrilled to no longer be the novice with chopsticks, knock on wood. Kelly is reminding me of all my first experiences that have now become casual everyday events. Lunch was a usual conglomerate of vegetables, meats and tofus, chopped, diced and sauced up! With a hot bowl of noodle soup for the main course.

Once back on campus and in the apartment I finally felt I could relax after 36 hours of travel.

It’s good to be home and settled back in!