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December, 1998
New Stuff
Christmas in November:
There's a Chinese proverb which says: "You're not a great person until you have climbed the Great Wall." Well, I can now say, "Been there, Done that!" Barb, Michelle and I climbed (and yes, it is quite a climb) the Great Wall at Badaling outside of Beijing on Sunday, 29 November, 1998 (and yes, it is a Great Wall). I spent Thanksgiving weekend
(plus few days) in Beijing with my cousin Barb and her friend Michelle. Barb was kind enough to bring two extra suitcases full of Christmas gifts from my family. So I had Thanksgiving, Christmas, and climbed the Great Wall - all on the same weekend. Talk about memorable!
My New Toy
I had packed a suitcase full of gifts for the folks back home which Barb carried back with her. Of particular relevance to Chuck @ China, I received a scanner so that I am now able to put photos I've taken here up on the website. So I'll soon be posting lots of pictures and going back and re-illustrating the Chuck in Chinas. First Scans
As a teacher, my students always come first. So here's the first results from my new scanner. Meet two of my classes:
Class 96-1
Class 96-4
Paradise Found
I have been in weekly contact with Suzhou University as I prepare to leave Jinzhou to teach at one of the most prominent universities in China situated in one of the most beautiful cities in China (if not the world). Right now, it looks as if I'll be leaving around February 18. Classes begin on March 1.
Shop Till You Drop
Had a great time in Beijing with Barb and Michelle. I have been in China now for more than 3/4ths of a year and I haven't had to deal with so many foreigners (Americans) as I saw in Beijing. It was a bit strange, to be honest. Barb and Michelle were on a mission here, I think. Take two American women one month before Christmas and put them in the shopping capital
of the world (China) and, well their frieds and family will see the results on Christmas Day. As for me, I was relegated to bargaining agent and translator as they plied the hutongs of Beijing in search of the best bargains in silk, jade, and cloissonne. Here they are taking a brief break before it's back to the Silk Wars!
The Tritest:
Media Star
It's very simple in Jinzhou. The only requirement for stardom here is being a foreigner. Wanted: foreigners. Large-noses, partial balding, blue eyes, big feet all pluses. Knowledge of Chinese language not necessary.
First, I was at The Bear Western Food Restaurant for Old People's Day and there was a camera crew there from Jinzhou TV which did a 15 minute documentary on it. I also was quoted in the Jinzhou Evening Newspaper the next day talking about Old Man's Day. Read about it in
The Cultural Evolution. Next, I am appearing in a television commercial in regular rotation now on Jinzhou TV for the Italy Restaurant. In it I am sitting at a table with the owner's 4 year old son. I turn to the
camera and say "I love the Italy Western Food Restaurant!" in Chinese. Finally I have recorded some station ID's and some voiceovers and intros for a "western" music show that my friend Mike is sponsoring on 96.7 FM on your Jinzhou radio dial. (N.b.: not "country and western"; "western" is what they call Rock, Alternative, Techno, and House here). I came up with the name for the
show ("From West to East", brilliant, huh?) and chose a lot of the music: R.E.M., U2, Blur, Prodigy, Nirvana, Oasis, Lemonheads, Radiohead, Portishead, Chemical Brothers, and Green Day. We're trying to de-Carpenterize, de-Celine Dionize, de- Richard Marxize and de-Madonna-ize the music tastes of a lot of the "west-heads" here.
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Photos, Text and page design Copyright © 1998, chuck~@llanson.
Graphic Design Copyright © 1998, Scott
All Rights Reserved.
Last revised: October 15, 2007.
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