I guess my writing got put on hold as life caught up with me for a little while. Rex and I spent some time fighting off a mystery illness and then I spent a week doing nothing but grading and figuring out what I was going to type in for report cards. So not a whole lot of interesting stuff there.
We spent our second Turkey Day in a row working and away from family. It definitely does not really feel like Thanksgiving without broccoli rice casserole and that yummy turkey gravy made by mom! Rex and I were eating burgers at JJ's Texas Bar and Grill the weekend before Thanksgiving and Josh (one of the "J's" in JJ's), good ol' Texas boy from Kyle, Texas, came up and told us that he would be doing fried turkeys with "all the fixin's" if we'd like to come out for Thanksgiving. We were totally sold (and spent the whole week looking forward to the turkey).
Josh did not disappoint! The food was delicious and there was even pumpkin and pecan pie a la mode! We did have to bypass Yvonne's potluck dinner to enjoy the JJ's festivities... but what would I have brought to a potluck anyway? Burnt spaghetti?
Christmas shopping has begun! This is always tough in China. There are so many things that could be considered really cool to people back home who never see Chinese stuff, but I think I've been a bit desensitized. It's hard to know what to buy anyone anymore, and it seems that when you do get an idea it's something that requires special handling.
Riding the ferry from Xiamen Island to Gulong Yu Island...
that is Xiamen Island business district in the background.
First stop for shopping: Gulong Yu Island. Gulong Yu has a history of being an international island for hundreds of years. Although it now fully belongs to China, many old consulate buildings can still be seen among the unique architecture of the island. There are also a couple of beautiful churches and many music stores. Gulong Yu Island is now known for it's many pianos and famous composers who studied here.
Dairy Queen on Gulong Yu Island... just like home!
The few things we have found have been fun to bargain for! I think I enjoy the art much more than my husband, but he plays a good devil's advocate! We've pissed off many a market-stall lady by bargaining her down so low that she "makes no money" which I don't for a second believe. In Beijing this past summer, one lady got so mad at me for trying to get her t-shirts down from 150RMB to 20RMB that she called Rex a "stupid man" and threw a shirt at us as we walked away. She didn't seem to care much for my explanation about buying t-shirts all the time in Guangzhou for 20RMB each... although in the end she "would have" sold hers to us for 25, but we didn't appreciate her attitude and walked =) It's all about the bargaining experience.
Probably our biggest news is the addition of Kung Fu class to our weekly routine. This originated as Ian's idea and Rex was reeled in. After the first class (and Rex was told to go home and practice) I got my butt kicked so badly just trying to follow along with what Rex could remember from the class that I decided to join in the next time.
Not only am I getting one of the best workouts I've had since high school athletics (I think I will be in a state of perpetual soreness), I'm learning a bit of Chinese culture while I'm at it. Mr. Yang speaks wonderful English but is very Chinese in his ways and beliefs. He spends time each class explaining to us the beliefs, customs, and ways of the Chinese. Many of these beliefs are integrated into the theory of their martial arts. I'm composing a collection of notes that I will post as an entry once more complete. It's interesting stuff, and a lot of it is hard to swallow! You can almost see some of China's "old ways" coming out when he speaks about martial arts... intriguing.
We spent some time exploring a new area this weekend. Just like always in China, adventures and surprises around each and every corner. I wish I could film a typical afternoon walk just to give you an inkling.
Walking around Xiamen... the old amongst the new.
No comments:
Post a Comment