The Shandong Vegetable Festival

The decorations around the exhibition halls were all out of vegetables.

So some signs are great because of the poor wording, this one well the water is less than a foot deep you figure it out.

 

Between the vegetable beds were long covered trellises.

As I walked from exhibit hall to exhibit hall I could only think of you Dad. You would have loved it. I’ve never seen such thriving plants. The trellises were spectacular. It was like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Vegetable Version.

A piano made of egg shells.

  

Mr. Cheung, Mr. Kobayashi, Me, Kelly

The overhead decorations looked leathal.

 The overhead veggies were a little too large for my taste. Seriously some looked pretty ripe and a little to close to falling off the vine.  

Some of the art was large and intricate.

The mosaics were composed of corn kernels, beans, and chili peppers.

My zodiac - the Bunny

Another sculpture

These looked like sleeping bats to me. Not exactly something I was thrilled to walk beneath.

Never really considered corn kernels optimum mosaic material but I've been wrong before.

Nothing like a vegetable house, Hanzel and Gretal - healthy version.

The pumpkin patch was a collection of the largest pumpkins I've seen in real life.

Life is complete! I've found a tomato tree, I'll take two.

 There were a number of plants shaped into trees to optimize the fruit bearing surface area. I believe the tubs were filled with water rather than soil.  

Rotating Hydroponics, innovated.

There were a dozen different methods of planting being shown off.

More amazing murals of kernels and chili peppers

This is a model of the China Pavilion at the World Expo 2010.

So these two random strangers asked to take a picture with me so I insisted on a picture with them.

 Living in China you have to get use to being stared and pointed at, but being asked for a picture is not something I will ever get use to.

Kelly and James showing off their new purchases

At the Festival vendors were selling the spidery metal head scratchers all over. They were a huge hit. People were walking all over with them resting on their heads. Kelly and James couldn’t resist the urge.

The Festival was wonderful. It reminded me of home and the Central Valley.

I have been truly fortunate to receive first  hand introductions to Chinese culture. Last semester when James announced his engagement I was thrilled at his invitation to attend. As much as I hoped to attend the entire ceremony I was unsure if the invitation extended to the ceremony as that is usually attended only by family and very close friends. When I returned this semester he confirmed his invitation and asked if I was interested in attending the ceremony. Was I ever!  From start to finish – Grooms side.

Wendy arrived at my apartment at 7am to pick me up. We walked to another teachers home on campus where a car was waiting to drive us to James parents home.  (They lived in an apartment across town.)

At James  home preparations were in full swing. His parents greeted us warmly at the door and as the foreigner I always seemed to get a huge welcome. Wendy and I both got a red flower to denote we were part of the Groom’s wedding party. Each person in the wedding party received a flower. Those with specific titles had a ribbon to denote who they were.

Officially part of the groom's side!

This is a groomsman.

Candy and peanuts are traditional party favors at a wedding. Peanut in Chinese sounds similar to the word for fertility, thus it is believed that eating lots of peanuts will bring luck to the couple.

The wedding schedule.

The entire day down to the minute is meticulously planned. Numbers are extremely auspicious in China and as such events are planned to start at specific times. For example the wedding ceremony was to begin at 8:08 and we were to leave the apartment before 8:28. Wendy gave me the basic rundown for the day.

The family announcement.

The ceremony officially starts with James announcing to his parents he is leaving to get his wife. He bows three times out of respect. The host in the middle is the announcer and mediator throughout the day. The bouquet James is holding is the brides bouquet. It is tradition that the groom gives the bride her flowers.

James Family - Nai Nai is in front

The announcement is then made to the grandparents of the groom again with three bows of respect. This is the groom’s family before departing for the bride’s home.

Red squares everywhere!

I don’t know the significance of covering the utility covers but if you ever see red squares on the ground outside an apartment you can bet there’s a wedding going on.

Wedding Procession

The groom’s party all ride in hired cars that have been decorated with flowers. The larger the party the more cars there are, the wealthier the group the more expensive the car! There were 6 cars in James procession all of which were Audi!

Wendy and I in car #5

The grooms party fills each car. Wendy and I rode by ourselves in car #5. In the ride to the Bride’s home Wendy finally gave me my Chinese name!

It's not a party without the Firecrackers!

As the procession was leaving the family set off FIRECRACKERS!! I always wondered what the sound was you hear at least twice a week. I’m not exactly on the West Side of Tulare anymore.

The tradition of setting off firecrackers is to ward off evil spirits. Trust me with the amount and decibel of those babies more than evil spirits were warded off.

The results of the Firecrackers

Upon arriving at the Brides home more firecrackers were set off. These were even louder!

The first car in the procession. It is the most elaborately decorated. The use of fresh flowers as opposed to fake is another symbol of affluence.

The first blockade to the bride.

The entire day was steeped in tradition. Wendy was my guide and translator. When James first knocks at the door he is refused entrance. The door is guarded by family of the bride. He must bribe his way into the house with red envelopes of money and sweets for the children.

Once he has entered he is guided to a table with his groomsmen to wait. He is presented with sweets and peanuts to snack on while he waits for a meal prepared by the bride’s family.

The groom is not allowed to use his hands during the meal. His Groomsmen must feed him.

James was more than generous as he allowed me to join him at this meal. The meal was various traditional plates. The first plate to arrive made my stomach a little queasy but I ate it! It is the plate just in front of James, some sort of beetle. I have to admit it was tasty. Well anything crispy is tasty right? I’m still not a huge fan of squid though.

The meal....umm...do I have to eat that?

 During the meal James and his party toast 8 times with traditional rice wine. This is when the drinking begins for the day and only picks up speed as it goes! I was truly grateful to be able to politely decline the alcohol. Wendy always had me covered with a quick substitute.

The wait is over! Here comes the Wolf.

Once the meal is over the Groom goes to find the Bride. He knocks at the door of the room and is again denied entrance. When asked who and why he is there he responds he is the Wolf who as come to collect his bride. Again he bribes the relatives to let him in with Red envelopes of money and sweets. James had a hard time bribing the youngest relatives as they thoroughly enjoyed the excitement of holding the door shut.

Once inside the room the festivities continue. First James gave the Bride her flowers. The host then informs both the Groom and their Bride of their future responsibilities.

Accepting the responsibilities ahead - Vows

It's official, she's the bride.

 James then pins on a corsage and Bride Ribbon, making her the official bride. Next James must find her red shoes. One is hidden somewhere beneath the dress, which turns into an interesting hunt. The second shoe is hidden and held for ransom by the young relatives. Again as before it took some extra bribing on James’ part to achieve this step.

A little more candy and another red envelope finally got the second shoe.

Last preparations for the rest of the day.

 James then puts on the Bride’s shoes. The Mother and Grandmother of the Bride then feed the couple dumplings. It is customary for the groom to then carry the bride to her parents to pay they respect. James’ Bride wouldn’t hear of it and insisted on walking out herself.

Dumplings for good luck.

Documenting the Day - Photos

Documenting the Day - Film

 The Bride and Groom pay their respects to the Bride’s family just as the Groom did to his, first parents then Grandparents.

Formal exchanges with Bride's Parents

Let the Foreigner toast in Chinese. Don't James' brightest ideas.

The Wedding Party

Carrying the Bride to the car

 James did insist on carrying her to the car!

More firecrackers for the send off.

The hotel for the reception.

It's not a party without confetti.

The Reception Hall

 The reception was huge. The reception started with James at the front. Speeches were made by family and friends. (Sad side note, the Bride’s family is not invited to the Reception. The Bride leaves behind her family to join her husbands.)

James greeting his bride.

Exchanging of the Rings

Champagne Tower

So obviously a mix of Chinese and Western

Double Balls of Happiness

Toasting the Guests

 Wedding pictures are a huge part of the modern Chinese wedding. Each town has its hot spots for Wedding Photos. Weifang’s is the People’s Park in the center of Town. This step can take hours. I had a wonderful time tagging along chatting with Wendy.

Wedding Pictures

Waiting for the pictures to finish.

Isn't she just gorgeous!

 The Wedding was beautiful and I was greatly honored James invited me to attend.

“Many Westerners plan their schedules at the beginning of the day, or perhaps a day of two in advance. If you would like to meet with a Westerner, you should generally call at least a day in advance. If you want to invite a  Westerner to dinner, you should plan it about one week in advance. If you are planning a party, you should give one or two weeks advance notice. If you do not, the person might plan something else during that time slot. Some people may have a flexible schedule and do not follow this pattern. However, in the Western culture, having a schedule is stressed as a form of good planning and organization in one’s life. “  – pg 26 Challenge to Speak Student Edition

Now if I could just pass that passage around to all the Chinese I come in contact with. Just to be clear I’m not asking for the two weeks notice here, I’m just saying TWO days would be nice. I can easily rearrange my schedule with two days notice.

Last week I’d made plans to go out this evening, they’d changed of course over the week but by this morning they were set! At lunch James springs on me that today was the Korean girl’s birthday. Oh by the way, there will be a dinner for her at 5:30. I couldn’t brush off another dinner. As by the end of last semester I’d stopped rearranging my schedule last min. I called around made new plans and headed for the Dining Hall.

Dinner was pleasant, the usual mouth watering meals, octopus, jellyfish, radish soup, etc. I’m still trying to get use to being the one explaining the ropes to the newbie. Banquet etiquette is a big one and I tried my best.

Towards the end of the meal Shiggy asked if we were still going out as we had invited him to join us a few days ago (note the advanced invitation). He asked if we’d left the school yet today. I was a little puzzled by his comment and admitted I hadn’t yet left the school. He then, much to my horror, began to relate the current state of construction at the end of our road.

James soon chimed in to confirm that the buses were no longer running to the front of the school or along the main road due east of the school. Essentially we have been cut off from town. No cabs, cars or buses are allowed along Qingnian Rd until construction is finished. They are currently trying to update and widen the road as it is becoming a main artery into town. James then recounted oh by the way, the projected completion date is June 22. Yes I typed that correctly the MAIN ROAD along the river will be closed for 3 1/2 months! Well that inconvenient truth merited another round of drinks for everyone and left me fuming. The closest place to catch the bus, as James learned by sad experience this morning on his commute to work is 1.5km up the road!

Well so much for going out tonight that’s for sure. I was ranting the entire walk back to the apartment. Katie and Brad both got more than they bargained for when they took my call this evening. If its not one thing it sure seems to be another around here. Just as I was warming up to the idea of sticking around this school for another semester or so I’m reminded why I want to leave so bad. Location, location, location. Really people how do you cut off a main road like this for 3 and 1/2 months!

I guess I have a weekend to assess the damage and find a solution. Hey life’s all about learning to live with the bumps right?!

This evening Peter and Wendy came over and cooked a delicious meal! I’d been telling Kelly about Peter’s amazing cooking when we went out to dinner last week and Wendy volunteer for an encore!

My two favorite Chefs!

They came around 6 and insisted we just sit back a relaxed, Wendy would come ask for help if they needed anything. Kelly and I waited in the offices as tantalizing smells drifted in from the kitchen.  My mouth was watering by the time Wendy announced dinner!

The dishes included (clockwise) top, 100 year eggs, potato slices (my fav), tomatoes and eggs (another fav), yam slices and the final dish a sliced onion dish.

100 Year Eggs - about as delicious as they sound.

Peter knew my two favorite dishes, Tomatoes and Eggs and Sliced Potatoes! I must admit I did miss good Chinese while I was back in the States, not so much the above dish.

Dinner was most enjoyable as usual. Peter and Wendy are always a pleasure to spend time with. Peter’s English pronunciation is getting really good. I can finally compliment his cooking in complete sentences! After some rather comical stumbles we agreed that our language skills are about even. Although I still think his English is a little better.

I don’t know what I would do without those two!

Another term has started. The first year is suppose to be the hardest, or so they say. I sure hope so. Well one more semester to go and never again will I have my very first  year of teaching. I”m looking forward to being able to look back and say I did it. I have one year under my belt and a full foot in the water of teaching.

This semester I’ve lucked out with a decent schedule. Three morning classes and the rest right after lunch.

I must admit I did not think I would enjoy teaching as much as I do. I could never understand my parents enthusiasm but I’m beginning to understand a little. I’m still not ready to make this my career but I’m thoroughly enjoying my time as a teacher.

This semester I’m excited to use the pronunciation text I’ve brought back. I’ve learned the vital importance of textbooks in lesson planning. Oh how naive I was last year to think freedom from assigned curriculum was a good thing. Ha, well you live and learn I guess.

Cheers to the upcoming semester!

Nothing Screams Practical like TP and Laundry Detergent!

I’m becoming more and more like my mother everyday, which is a very good thing! One such thing is the belief that practicality really wins the heart!

Like all recognizable holidays in China the faculty is presented with a gift.  For Women’s Day each female member of the faculty received 2 bundles of Toilet Paper and 1 bag of Laundry Detergent. With two females in our apartment it looks like we are set for the semester!

One must really admire the Chinese sense of practicality, last semester I received such gifts as boxes of pears, milk and dates. And to be honest I was going to run to the store today to stock up on Toilet Paper as we were running low.

Another trait I learn from my mother, one can never have enough Toilet Paper in storage, that and femine products, which again knowing I was coming to a country with limitations, I’ve got that base WELL covered.

China most definitely has its perks, one is its enthusiasm to celebrate just about any holiday deemed International. One such holiday is Women’s Day. I’ve heard about it, but as I’ve never considered myself a feminist, I’ve never really paid much attention to it. To be honest before last week I couldn’t even tell you what month it was in let alone the date. When James informed me Friday March 5th was Women’s Day he was shocked at my ignorance.

The school would be holding activities on the field in celebration and Kelly and I were invited to attend.  Due to bad weather Friday the event was rescheduled to today. Wendy came and got us at 2.

The event included an assortment of games and races for the female faculty. Each department contributed a team, we joined our department Applied Foreign Languages. The Department head Mrs. Liu asked if we would like to participate in any events. Thanks to Kelly’s more than obliging volunteering we both got roped into an event.

The events included the following (American Counter Part)

• Place the Mouth (Pin the Tail on the Donkey)
• Ball Pass (Over Under)
• Jump Rope
• Shuttle Cock (Hacky-sack)
• Relay Race

Yes this is for real!

The first Event was by far the most entertaining. Instead of Pinning the Tail on a Donkey they pin a mouth on a man.

The art students drew the boards. I loved the worker hats on the last easels.

Aren't those foreigners entertaining!

Want to know the perfect cheat free blindfold? A sports head band, lets just hope they were new.

Luckily the universal start signal is a whistle.

Over Under Ball Pass

Mixed emotions, okay not really, just plain relieved. I’ve survived my first term. One more to make my first year and then Mom promises it only gets better.

Teaching has been surprisingly invigorating. I’ve enjoyed the challenges and am beginning to see real potential for travel opportunities in the future. I still find it odd some days that I have followed in my parents footsteps.

I’ve most definitely learn more about myself this year as I’ve had to confront my fears and frustrations on my own. I’m learning to explain things more clearly and simply. I’m learning for the first time in my life to go with the flow. If there’s only one lesson I’ll take from China it is the lesson of flexibility.

I’ve still not been able to drop my Americaness of needing to know WHY before doing anything but there are worst qualities to hold onto I guess.

Overall this semester has been a learning experience I wouldn’t try for too many things. I’m looking forward to next semester with eager anticipation.

I have this huge apartment with just me this term. I grew up in a home centered around the dinner table. I loved every min of it, even when I was sent away to my room,  those mins right before were always worth it!

I was making plans for this place even before I moved in, top of the list was a good dinner get together with the gang, Bonnie and the Japanese teachers. The good old shrimp and french fries was always a hit so I scheduled an evening and set to work.

In my enthusiasm for a good meal I forgot how terribly labor intensive breaded shrimp was when starting from scratch. Katie and Thomas were kind enough to take over the cooking. They got a head start while Bonnie and I were out buying train tickets to Harbin.

They had the first batch ready to go when we arrived and the Japanese teachers came right on time. I know bad hostess still learning, I entertained in the living room while Katie, Thomas and their friend Anna took over kitchen duty, shelling, battering and frying all evening. The food was delicious.

I love the Japanese teachers, Shiggy is hilarious and Mr. Kobayashi is sweet. I have to admit regardless of what he thinks of his English I think its amazing. We talked about classes and vacation plans. Since they were fellow foreigners I related some of my more interesting Student outburst stories. (Please feel free to ask me once I’m back in the States) As we talked Mr. Kobayashi asked if the Korean teachers would be joining us, I had not invited them as I was under the impression they didn’t speak English.

Lack of prep left us a few eggs short and the Japanese teachers were out. I decided to just cross the landing a ask my Korean neighbors, yes the ones I hadn’t invited. I found the word for egg in Chinese hoping they possibly spoke a little Chinese. I muddled through, “I need eggs, please” in Chinese and she kindly brought me a few.

When I returned with the eggs Shiggy asked why I used Chinese, “They speak English.” My jaw dropped. What, now I feel horrible. I had not invited them assuming they didn’t speak English and it would be uncomfortable for them. I specifically remember someone telling me they didn’t speak English. “Oh I don’t think the girls speak it well but the guy speaks great we chat all the time in English” Shiggy said. Really are we talking about the same Korean, the one I pass in the hall and ask “How are you?” to and he gets completely flustered nods his head then takes the stairs three at a time to escape.

Well now that the language barrier has been cleared up two days before the end of term I feel much better about ignoring them this whole time. Okay honest effort next term will be put in to get to know my neighbors.

The rest of the evening went well, learned a lot about Japanese culture. Looking forward to another term with my Japanese colleagues.

Today was the shortest day of the year. As a traditional Chinese superstition if you eat dumplings, which are shaped like and ear, your ears will stay warm the rest of the winter. In turn you will remain warm throughout the cold months.

Bonnie filled me in on this little tidbit of information while at lunch. While in China do as the Chinese, so I planned on grabbing some dumplings for dinner. I willing to participate in just about anything to get one step ahead of the cold. After the English competition I headed to Cantina #3 Window 15 ahh my favorite. Really I didn’t need any excuse to head for the dumplings as they are my favorites. Then I saw the line, or should I more accurately say the mob.

Unlike the British, the Chinese can’t queue for the life of ‘em. I’m afraid I’ll have to relearn manners when I touch down again in the US. Pushing, shoving and the good ol’ elbow jab has become a way of life. I’ve sadly adopted this mentality for buses, train lines and and any ticket counter,perhaps to quickly at that. Although this new method of impatience has easily been adopted in other areas of my life it is not so in the dinner line. I don’t know maybe the possibility that the person I elbow jab could be  a curious student who always yells “hello” once I’ve past or worse yet a student I would have to see the following day.

This said, I opted not to secure warm ears for the winter and avoid the good 30min wait. So Chinese burrito it was.

You can never get too many dumplings!!

No worries about the dumplings, I should have remembered I have the world’s best friend, Wendy would never let such a day pass. Just as I sat down for my burrito Wendy called and asked about my dinner plans and if I had eaten any dumplings for the day, I confessed I had just bought dinner. She explained she wanted to drop by some dumplings as it was tradition. I of course, gladly accepted.

So leek and meat dumplings it is! Delicious. Yum, why is it that the taste of street food and small shops can knock the socks of any restaurant in the US?