Katie's student is on the far right. She was wonderful.

The Play as translated was “Mouse Falls in Love with Cat”. The synopsis, a famous writer gets caught up in a fraud investigation headed by the local police. He is a well known figure being biographed by a leading journalist, who finds his escapades unworthy of print. The whole while a confusing love triangle takes place between the journalist’s girlfriend who is a police woman, the writer and the writer’s sister. The theme is about following one’s ambitions to the end and not giving up on one’s dream.  (Or at least that is what I got of the play.)

Katie, Thomas and I sat in the front row. Two of Katie’s students sat in the row behind and quietly translated the play. Leaning forward all evening couldn’t have been comfortable. I was very impressed with their translation skills and am greatly looking forward to working with students of their caliber next year.

No imagination necessary, if the script says smoke, he will smoke.

The play was scheduled to start at 6:30pm but as the Officials were running late due to a meeting the play was postponed until their arrival. So the play got underway about 7pm. As we were unsure the total length of the play I decided I’d sneak out at intermission to make another appointment. By the time 9pm rolled around I gave up on an intermission and sneaked out during a scene change. Katie and Thomas stuck it out to the bitter end which ended up being after 10pm, and that was with no intermission.

The entire production from start to finish was produced by students which I found to be quite impressive. The simple sets were quite effective and truly Chinese. The students were cast in roles that resembled their personalities according to Katie. At the end of the play each and every participate was allowed to make a Thank you Speech.

I had a very enjoyable evening. I forget how much I enjoy live theater even if it is not in English. It is amazing how much body language can convey.

I realized I’ve forgotten to post my Chinese name. Wendy came by today and I had her write it down for me again. I’m still having a hard time with my family name but I can write the other two characters decently.

Here is the breakdown-

赵 – Zhào – Family Name

心 – Xïn – Heartfelt

仪 – Yí – Person from a dream

I took Wendy’s family name, so she is officially my 姐姐 (big sister). I know the name is on the sweet side not exactly revealing my true nature. I asked for something along the lines of ornery or obstinate but Wendy refused.

As I’ve began the job search I asked James to write a letter of reference for me in Chinese that I could pass along with my resume when asked. As it was in Chinese I was curious as to what it said. I put it through a translator, then another translator finally deciding I would just have to wait until my Chinese is better. If you think you can do a better translation job please be my guest.

Chinese Version:

证 明

相关部门负责人：

您好！

Ms. Kayte Reagan(凯特·里根女士），是我院2009——2010学年聘请的美籍教师，主要教授英语口语工作，她在我院工作期间，认真备课，教学认真，除了完成学院规定的教学任务，还利用自己的个人时间帮学生辅导，深受学院师生的喜欢。

特此证明。

山东经贸职业学院外事办公室

孙嵬 科长

二〇一〇年四月二十一日

Google Translate:

Proof
Relevant department heads:
Hello!
          Ms. Kayte Reagan (President Reagan Kate) is a hospital 2009 – 2010 school year to hire an American teacher, mainly teaching English spoken work, she is in my hospital work, careful lesson preparation, teaching seriously, in addition to teaching required to complete college tasks, but also use their personal time to help students to counseling, college students and teachers well liked.
       I hereby certify that.

 Foreign Affairs Office of Shandong Economic and Trade Vocational College
                                    Sun Wei Chief
                                                April 21, 2010

World Lingo.com:

Card Bright
Related department people in charge:
You are good! 
         Ms. Kayte Reagan (Kate · Reagan Ms.), is my courtyard 2009–2010 school year invitation American nationality teacher, main professor English spoken language work, she in my courtyard work period, prepares a lesson earnestly, the teaching is earnest, except completes the teaching task which the institute stipulated, but also uses own individual time to help the student to counsel, deeply institute teacher’s and student’s like.
            Proved specially.

Shandong economics and trade professional institute foreign affairs office
                                    Section Chief Sun Wei                                     
                              A two 〇 〇 year on April 21

So after that all was typed and translated, humm which version do I prefer? Being a hospital or a courtyard?

I guess I’ll just have to learn Chinese faster.

So I’ve debated typing this post but I might as well get it out in the open, once I tell a few people its going to get out there anyway and blown out of proportion so I might as well get my side out….

Goodness knows I could count the dates I’ve been on, on one hand but could someone please define what qualifies as a date because I think I accidentally went on one with a complete stranger I met on the train.

I got home from Weihai at 11:30, cleaned up, packed up and headed to Qingdao by 5. I purchased a ticket last min and hoped for the best. There was a huge line at the gate already so stupidly I went and stood in it. Why, I don’t know after five months in China you would think I’d wised up by now. Mom please skip the following paragraph.

I stood in line and then they open the gate. Here is where my stupidity comes in. Lines mean nothing in China, as soon as the gate opened the line turned into a mob. Forgive the expression but there is just no other way to explain it. You feel like you are back in the birthing canal. I’ve learned to throw a mean elbow while here and being a foreigner and a head taller than everyone else it tends to work quite well. But today that wasn’t even helpful. I’ve never been pressed so bad in my life. Never understood the concept of stampede until today. I finally gave up struggling and just let the crowd push me. Some lady’s carry on caught the back of my legs but luckily the crowd kept me upright as she pulled forward.

Anyway I finally made it to the platform relatively unscathed and headed for my car. As if going through birth for a second time wasn’t bad enough I soon realized there was no seat to be found on the train. Great, two hours to Qingdao and I get the aisle. Okay truth be told I had a second option, smoker ally between cars. I figured relatively smoke free air standing in the aisle getting hit with a food trolley every 15min was better. I found a bench to rest against, turned on my kindle, put in my head phones and zoned out as best as possible. I did notice the decent looking guy standing next to me but kept my scowl to myself as the the trolley and I danced each time it past.

An hour into the ride a kind gentleman offered and held his seat for me when he disembarked. The guy who had been standing next to me soon found a seat across the aisle. He leaned over and began asking about my Kindle. His English was definitely not the best I’ve encountered but he was nice, okay sweet. The fact he said he read Plato gave him major points. Before I knew it he was asking me to coffee. I didn’t know what to say so I tried to mumble under my breath, as his English was not great he  took it as an affirmative and started suggesting places.

I figured I would lose him once I got to the station, but he helped get my backpack off the rack and insisted on carrying it for me. (It was only after did I realize how bad that could have gone if he had decided to run, Passport and Y2,000 bad.) Him having my bag and all I decided not to lose him. We caught the 304, he insisted on paying my fare, and headed into town. We decided on Coffee Spark as it was located on both our bus routes. On the bus he began helping me with Chinese. A few points in his favor. One, his is one of the first Chinese people who have actually wanted to help me learn Chinese rather than just wanting to speak and learn English. Two, when teaching me Chinese he actually spoke slowly and clearly, repeating words often, wow what a concept when teaching someone a language. (In China like many places people often think it is the volume that makes foreign words magically become understandable.) Lastly, he encouraged learning Chinese Characters as he feels it is a vital component of learning Chinese.

Now before you flip out and think I’ve completely lost my senses, I did text Victoria and let her know the change in plans. I also asked for a bailout call come 8:15 if wasn’t on the bus to the University yet. My Chinese lesson was going so well we missed our stop, but he had a contingency plan apparently. He quickly suggested another place that was just two stops further. We went to Starbucks and I ordered a Hot Chocolate, after a brief argument over the bill he said something curt in Mandarin to the cashier and she refused to take my money. He ordered two and found a table.

We sat and conversed for about 45min before I had to head out. Between his minimal English and my non-existent Chinese I was surprised the conversation lasted as long as it did. It did come to an interesting point when I finally asked for his name. Okay yes one would think before we got to Starbucks names would have been established but in China names are just tricky. Family names go first, then first name. To top it off you refer to new acquaintances by their family name. His name is Hu pronounced ‘who’. When he asked for mine I of course gave him Kayte, he was a little taken back and asked if he should call me Miss. That was a definite NO! Names got squared away and numbers exchanged. I was soon on my way to Victoria’s before the designated bailout time.

Overall the evening was fun. Most definitely not a usual evening for me but if China has taught me one thing it is taken every opportunity thrown at you.

So back to the original question, if he asked, escorted to and paid for everything was it considered a date? If so I guess I just went on my first Chinese date. Oh and for all those wondering he is barely my height but hey he’s not shorter!

 I met up with Wendy at 8:40 this morning. The chairman’s daughter and her classmate met us at the at t

 

Wood-Cut station, amazing details.

 

Watching the printing was breath taking, the maticulous efforts that are applied are awe inspiring to say the least.

 

The kites are made from thin sheets of silk. The paint is applied one color at a time let each color dry before applying the next.

 

Bamboo framework, all done by hand from selection to completion.

 

 

 

All the kites are handmade. The large one was Y600, reasonable I felt after seeing the entire process.

 

Yi, me & Yi, the wood-cuts on the door are protective deities to keep evil spirits from entering.

 

Intricate Paper-cuts, handmade

 

"Original" Ming Dynasty home.

 

Yi & me, can you see our personal stoves?

 

Hot Pot, it just might be my new favorite.

 

Driver, Yi & Wendy

 

Lobby, Largest Kite Museum in the World

 

My favorite kite in the Museum. Gold meddal winner at the Kite Festival.

 

An international kite donated to the Museum after one of the International Kite Festivals

 

a Ledgendary kite that is recognizable all over China

 

How many old men do you see? (answer: 3)

 

An aerial of Weifang, really if only I could expereince such a clear day.

 

Cabbage is a winter flower here, it does provide beautiful color in an otherwise dull landscape.

 

I never asked what this particular pagoda is currently used for but my guess is observation.

 

The path ran right along the water, more than once I gave Wendy a scare by walking too close to the edge.

 

______ Park, I just loved the Pagoda.

Today was delightful. From start to finish it was a great.

Yesterday evening after a triumphant return from my first excursion out of my apartment, all my by self, I discovered I had no Internet. I was completely devastated that I was not going to be able to bask in the glory of my accomplishment, not only had I managed to make a purchase but more astounding I was able to open my front doorby myself  in under five min, which is no small feat! 

I had gone to the small store on campus to purchase hooks to hang the decorative scrolls. I ran into a little confusion when I decided to purchased some bananas. I selected a few and was walking them to the register to pay when a gentleman tapped me on the shoulder and proceeded to explain something to me. He could tell he was getting nothing across and elicited the help of a fellow worker. Again the explanation was lost. Finally I surrendered the bananas as that was the obvious source of contention. He beckoned for me to follow as he proceeded to the center of the store to a weighing station. I had assumed they would weigh and price at the register but no harm done, once priced the bananas where returned to me and the kind gentleman escorted me to the shortest line with a smile. So lesson learned produce – weigh station -  then the register!

Psychologically the trip helped conqure the fear of survival! It is truely amazing what you can get across with gestures and looks. So eventually I hope to learn Mandarin but until then the confused Westerner look will have to do. But hey as long as I can buy bananas and bread I will survive!

I was hoping the Internet problem would resolve itself but to no avail, I awoke to no Internet. I felt rather cut off and as Sunday tradition dictates in the Reagan household I was allowed to check in without pushing the boundaries of being homesick.  After two tech Officers the problem was resolved! Thank you James! So Mom or Dad would you please call again!