I love... WHAT?

Today, I introduced a new question to my kindergarten class: What do you like to do?  This was meant to be a nice little review of the verbs they learned earlier this week (cook and study).

The students were to answer with a simple,   I like to... cook.   OR    I like to... study.

But as teachers commonly encounter, somethings don't always go as planned...

So after teaching them these new phrases, I randomly went around the room asking students to stand and answer the question.  They tried to stifle their excitement by sitting up straight, but their hands waved wildly and their bodies wiggled with anticipation.   

I called on the first student.  "James, what do you like to do?"  I asked with as much enthusiasm as a television salesman.

"I like to... cook!"  he shouted with passion.

I peeled a red sticker from off the sheet and placed it on his forehead.  Kindergartners go CRAZY for stickers.  Beaming with achievement, he took his seat, glancing proudly at his peers that had yet to be called upon. A few more students stood and answered with such accuracy it would make a teacher blush.  Then, I called on Sophia.

"Sophia, what do you like to do?"

Confidently, she rose from her chair, looked me straight in the eye, and with a smile said, "I like cock!"

The Chinese teacher in the classroom who acts as my interpreter never flinched, but noticed my hesitation.  Oh my, I thought, how do I possibly convey the meaning of "cock" to her in the middle of class?  You can't blame me for trying.  I felt it was important that she knew the students should not say it because of the negative connotation it carries, but I just wasn't successful.

"Megan," she told me, "We are taught to pronounce cook as cuck.  Is this not right?"  

Finally, I told her, "Juline, cock is a chicken.  It does not make sense to say, I like to chicken."  This she understood, and explained to the class.

Mission accomplished.  Tomorrow, I will yet again tackle another day of English!

Where are those fireworks coming from? Life During the Chinese Holidays

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year, from Parkson Mall, Kunshan!

Merry Christmas, from Parkson Mall.

How can someone live in China and miss the single-most important celebration of the entire year?

Yep, that's right.  I missed  the Chinese New Year.  What a disappointment!  In my own comparison, it would be like a foreigner living in the US and not celebrating Thanksgiving with a big turkey dinner.  Who does that?

Even though the holiday continues for almost a month, there is only one week where most of the important festivities occur.  This was the time Chitrak and I were in the US.  Supposedly, you can watch colorful dragon dances in the street,  walk down sidewalks that are littered  with the color red, and view grand firework displays that light up the evening sky.  But to be totally honest, I really just wanted to see a dragon dance.

Because many of the workers in the city are migrant, they take almost a month off to travel back to their families in their hometown.  Schools are off for over a month, businesses shut down for a week or longer, and the city becomes vacant.  This huge shift of people moving from the city to the countryside makes Kunshan, a city of 2.5 million people, look like a ghost town.  My friends who stayed behind told stories of desolate streets and boarded shops.  As if you were preparing for Y2K, you stocked up on all the bare necessities you needed, like milk and bread.  Sarah told me afterwards, I don't know what I would have done if I hadn't stocked up; there were only few stores open.  My friends have vowed never to spend another Chinese New Year in China.

Little did I realize, the Chinese New Year is followed by the Lantern Festival.  Yay!  Another chance to see a dragon dance and some amazing fireworks!

The town becomes a alive again, as a fresh beginning breathes life into the city with firecrackers and laughter.  Mostly everyone has returned to indulge in the traditional eating of rice dumplings, family dinners, and you'll never guess.... fireworks.  These were the small moments I was waiting for...  the loud blasts of light touching the sky, filling it with the smell of gunpowder in beautiful formations.  I know the Chinese are experts in fireworks, and so I waited.

Chitrak worked late that Monday night, so I locked myself up in our warm apartment watching a documentary on National Geographic.  I could hear explosions in the background, and they continued to get louder.  I grabbed my camera and ran to the window.

A man was confidently setting off fireworks on the pavement within feet of my building.  A large blast sent me falling back, trying to get hold of my feet.  The firecracker had exploded right outside the dining room window.  I began filming.  With giggles of delight, I tried to hold the camera steady, but without much luck.  The second blast again took me back, and the camera bobbed up and down.  As I looked below, I panned the camera on the man shooting off the fireworks.  He placed the firecracker on the ground and lit it with a match.  Then, he casually walked away, without threat or fear of hurt.  Is he alone?  I thought, Where is his family?  


Although I cannot confirm that he was all alone, I can say that I did not see anyone with him.  Once finished, he quietly picked up his things and headed towards wherever his destination was.  Before this happened, I saw flashes of light burst out of a nearby window and down onto the ground.  Believe it or not, one of the crazy neighbors in  the building across from us was shooting fireworks out of his window.

The loud blasts and explosions went into the night, with little rest for the weary.  I awoke at 5 o'clock the next morning to another KABOOM just down the street.

Please watch the clip to see the story:

The Famous Tingling Park of Kunshan

Tingling Park, Kunshan

Last weekend, my husband and I visited the infamous Tingling Park in Kunshan.  It is an incredible multi-attraction, encompassing a wide range of entertaining activities, including a bonsai garden, zoo, opera museum, park, and haunted house.

Here is the grand tour...

Entrance

This is the entrance to Tingling Park, which is within a 2 mile walk from our apartment.  It is located towards the north of town in a popular shopping area.  On most nights, Chitrak and I will take our evening walk to the gate and then return home.

Here is our first exploration inside...

After entering the park, you walk down a beautifully landscaped sidewalk to view the mountain.

 After paying a minimal fee of 20 yuan per person, or $3.20, we entered the gates to see a well-manicured, recreational area.  Weathered pagoda buildings stood as bilingual museums to retell the history of Kunshan.  We walked down the path until we reached an open area of a lonely mountain overlooking a pond.  (Kunshan is known for its high rises and industry, but NOT for its natural land formations.)  We were quite taken away with the breathtaking views!




The Mountain

It's a long and steep climb to the top of the mountain.

 We knew what we had to do next, CLIMB!  It was a scary hike, as there is very little railing or fences on the path up.  At a leisurely pace, we climbed the mountain within 15 minutes.

It's worth the climb!  You can see the entire city from the top.

As we neared the top, the city skyline revealed its beauty to us.  It was then that I realized how massive Kunshan really was.  I stood atop the threshold and scouted for Yong Jing Wan, but never found it.

A small oasis sold drinks for a couple of bucks.  Picnic tables filled with resting visitors scattered around a scenic spot and the gazebo.

No trip is complete without some excellent "Engrish."

We walked down the other side of the mountain, and saw this stunning view.

This is the highest point in Kunshan, so as you walk around the mountain, you can see in all directions.
We found a new lake we never knew existed.

The water looked inviting for a romantic boat ride.

There are many things to do once you enter the park.  I especially liked the water ball!

The Haunted House.... Err Mountain....

The entrance to the haunted house.

I noticed a pyramid jutting out the side of the mountain...  It's one of those moments where you think, What in the world? What could it be?  Your right, a haunted house!  I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner!

We bought tickets for this unkown thrill at an additional 20 yuan fee.  We entered an underground tunnel, with heavy sealed doors swung open welcoming us.  This place was definitely eerie, straight out of a drama movie recapping the events of a nuclear holocaust.  The building was far scarier than any "ghostly creature" that was in the place.

The structure was the scariest thing about the haunted house!  It looked more like a dungeon or bomb shelter.

On your walk into the haunted house, the spooky pig greeted you with the song, "Hello Barbie, Let's Go Party."

It didn't take us very long to realize how foolish this haunted house was.  Teenagers followed us in with excited squeals and trembling white fists.  Our first encounter was of a creepy pig, dancing and singing to Barbie Girl by Aqua, a song reminiscent of my childhood.  (Barbie Girl Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZyhrYis509A)

While everyone else screamed, we giggled to ourselves.  

We continued on to the next room, where badly constructed Styrofoam "demons" lurched towards you in the dark.  It wasn't too difficult to understand the contraption:  the figures were attached to some sort of garage door opener that would swing them forward and back again.

Towards the end, there was a closed, impassable door.  The tunnel didn't end.  It was sealed shut.  I am so interested in what might lay behind it... Batman's secret lair? An undercover army operation?  I have my own conspiracies, but as luck might have it, we had to turn around and exit the haunted house the same path we had come in from--through shrieking teenage girls clinging to their boyfriends.

But hey, at least I got a picture of the creepy dancing pig!



 The Bonsai Garden

The most incredible bonsai trees can be found in this garden.

This was the most impressive.  I wonder how old this one is?

International Spouse

The hardest part of being an international spouse is the fear of being jobless.

Well, maybe this isn't everyone's anxiety, as I am sure others have much better things to worry about.  You are probably thinking, geesh, can't you enjoy a little time off?  But if you know me, it's of no surprise that I would obsess over something, and that something was finding a job.

Let me explain...

Many wives and husbands who follow their significant others usually forfeit their careers back home to lead a new life working in a foreign land... if they can find work.  Typically, there are not many opportunities, especially in the field that you are educated.

I was not worried at first.  I am a certified teacher, and teachers are needed everywhere.  Where do you think all the expat children go?  I hardly think an expat family would send their child to a traditional Chinese school, right?

I was very fortunate to have the help of Chitrak's company, who scheduled all of my job interviews.  They even provided me with a driver and Chinese translator to all my potential job sites.  What could go wrong?  It was during June of 2011, when Chitrak was also having his final interviews with his company.  Schools were still looking for teachers, and I have many endorsements which allow me to teach a range of students.  I was certain to get a position somewhere.

But I quickly realized the schools where I interviewed were actually private after-school tutoring agencies in need of native English speakers.  Around China, there are many of these institutions, and they are in high need of foreigners to lead English classes.  This means, the requirements to teach are low, and so is the salary.

My heart shattered into a million pieces.  I had anticipated a hallway full of noisy kids shuffling to class, messy art stapled to bulletin boards strung down the walls of a long hallways, and the voices of stern teachers directing students back to work.

Instead, I entered a tiny lobby with a receptionist who led us to the second floor.  As I climbed the stairs, I passed by small, glass encased rooms that were big enough to hold no more than 4 people.  It was bare and dull, with only a table and whiteboard.  Business men and high school students walked around as if they were in between classes on a college campus.  Some where studying in sofas, with their feet propped up on the arm of their chair, while others were captivated with conversation and snacks.

In my mind, I told myself, you can do this.  It might be nice to have four students as opposed to 30, for once.  But the day continued, and things got worse.

They told me:

"Your schedule must be flexible.  You will be working most nights and weekends from 1-9pm.  We create a schedule for your a week ahead of time, so you know when you work.  We have a few shifts during the day, but they are very difficult to get, as most students and businessmen are at work."

I was almost sick at the thought of it.  I moved halfway around the world to see my husband when he gets off work.  I was not about to work in a tutoring agency that would hire any native English speaker off the street.  I am educated, and I want to see my husband!

I realize I must sound very cocky.  Please don't misinterpret my harsh words.  Can you imagine selling off all your valuables: your car, TVs, tables, and couches to live in a place where no one eats the same food, speaks the same language, or watches the same television shows?  Then to add to the frustration, throw in a job that takes away the only thing you hold dear, time spent with your family...  I just couldn't bear the thought of it.

My motivation kicked into hyper speed.

Shortly after Chitrak had been offered the job, I applied to private schools in the Kunshan area. No response. 

I reluctantly resigned my teaching position at Raymond Park Intermediate Academy, knowing it would be a while before I would teach in front of a real classroom again.  We moved to China.

The first few weeks, I stayed in our apartment and browsed the internet for jobs.  I studied maps of Kunshan and sulked in the fact that it was nearly the end of September, and with a month of school already underway, there was no chance at a teaching position at an international school.

There is a happy ending to this story.  I did get a job at an international school.  Although Chitrak had been working constantly once we arrived in China, I mustered up the courage to summon a taxi driver to take me around to local schools in the area.  It wasn't easy.  No one speaks English, nor do I Chinese.  I had no smart phone or translator to tell a taxi driver, Take me here...  I had no way of telling the taxi driver, Take me home.

I organized myself, having Chitrak print off a few of my resumes at work, I left for another job hunt.  

It was then that I stumbled upon Kunshan International School (http://www.ksis.org.cn/).  After a few interviews with the principal, Lisa Kan, I was hired on as an English teacher in their international program.  My job closely resembles that of a Spanish teacher in The States. 

Though the path to employment was difficult, it was worth the struggle.  Many spouses are not as lucky to obtain jobs similar to the ones they have back home.  Some work at tutoring agencies, while others happily become full-time mothers.  

I am happy to say I am now a proud working member of society at the Kunshan International School!

Pictures to come...

Don't Forget Your Wallet!

Our Apartment Building

Mornings are always uneventful for me, if you don't count this morning...

It all started as we were leaving for work.  As Chitrak boarded the elevator and began his descent, I noticed he had left his wallet on the table.  I ran over to the window, and watched as he walked out of the building without it.  

I shouted at him, "You forgot your wallet!  Let me bring it down to you!"  

"Don't worry about it," he said.  Any extra time would have made him late for his driver.

"Are you sure?"  I asked, because I was pretty sure he needed it today.

"Just throw it down to me," he said.  I contemplated it for a second, thinking of all the worse case scenarios in my head.  The most horrific thought played like a movie in my mind.  I could see all the credit cards and Yuans suspended in the air, moving in slow speed as it showered to the ground among the bushes and rain puddles that had remained stagnant for days.  

"Ok."  I said, and thought of a strategy of how to send it.  I'll send the fold down first, and let it drop straight down... I know the money won't fly out then.

In a matter of seconds, I had released the wallet from my hand and watched it float down to Chitrak... or the window ledge on the second floor.

What a disaster.  My driver would come to collect me in 10 minutes and all our money is now sitting in a puddle on an unreachable ledge.  I was certain there was no way to retrieve it.

At this moment, I had noticed an elderly woman had watched the entire act from beginning to finish from across the street.  She ran up to Chitrak expressing her dismay in Chinese.  She wasn't the only audience I had this morning. 

There was no time to waste.  I grabbed my keys off of the table and hopped in the elevator.  When I reached the ground floor, I found the only way to climb the building was through a balancing act from the wobbly rail, to the creaky door, and a not-so-humanly-possible jump to the ledge..  this wasn't going to work, although I did try one attempt to make absolutely sure the option was ruled out.

In the end, Chitrak made it to work on time, and I did as well.  As luck might have it, I had climbed the stairs to the 2nd floor and found a window.  After sliding it open, I crawled out onto a ledge, then hopped over to the other ledge with the wallet.  

Oh, and what was it that you asked?  Did Chitrak have his wallet for work today?  No, I left it at home on the table to dry.  :-)

New Year's Resolution

So much has happened since I've written my last article, I have had trouble keeping up with my blogs.  Therefore, I have made a New Year's Resolution (yes, in February... I follow the Lunar Calendar along with my fellow Chinese colleagues!), I will update my blog at least once a week.

Hold me to it!

In my high school English class, I had my students journal about their New Year's Resolutions.  They were very aware of this tradition, and made general comments about how they want to better their English.  They didn't win too many brownie points with me though, as they are a pretty transparent class.  For example, the other day I noticed one of my students sauntering up the staircase during break.  As I smiled a hello to him, I caught a glimpse of his cell phone tucked within the sleeve of his shirt.  He turned a ghastly white when I caught him and began to apologize with the reason he had it with him.  With a stern look, I put the "F.O.G.," or the "Fear Of God," into the boy.  A proud moment in my teaching career, with a special thanks to Raymond Park Intermediate Academy.  I don't think he will be bringing it back into class again.

There are many dreams I have for the New Year.  I promise to keep you posted on my progress.

Happy New Year!  Or should I say 新年好

Mani Time!

Down at the nail kiosk!  Stephanie, Rachel, and Lisa came with me this time.

Last night I got the girls together for a manicure.  We walked toward Tingling Road, to venture into a hidden  "Nail Market" on the second floor of a department store building.  As you reach the top of the escalator, you see small kiosks stuffed side-by-side, with narrow aisles lined with eye brow waxing, lip plumping, makeup artistry, and of course, nail polish booths.  For a foreigner, it may not be the most comfortable place to be.  The room is not heated, nor air conditioned.  There is not enough room for "personal space" so you expect bumps and nudges from strangers, and in this particular store, you receive stares as though they have never seen a foreigner before.

We sat down at the nail salon I had been to before.  The people were friendly, but knew very little English.

I remember being a little overwhelmed the first time I had my nails done in China.  In our town, most of the locals do not know English.  They don't really need to because they only have a handful of international guests in the city.  How do you order your nails in Chinese?  The task is difficult, even with a translator.

We pulled out our phones from our bags, typing words and phrases, while passing them back and forth.  We were astonished to find out that gel polish (which is over a $60 USD treatment in the US) is only $10 USD here.  A basic manicure is 20 RMB, which figures out to $3.50.  We were in a girl's paradise.

After doing our best attempt at "Chinglish," we finally pulled out our dictionary.  I have begun composing my own dictionary of words and phrases I learn from others.  The workers were very excited to see it, and began to look through my book and sound out the English words.  

We had a lot of fun, learned a little Chinese, taught a little English, and got our nails done.

Until next time...

Our Home: Kunshan, China

Here is a short tour of our apartment.  Rooms in Yong Jing Wan came completely furnished.  We had to provide basic things like sheets, trash cans, and pillows.  Televisions, side tables, and couch were included. It is an expensive place to live in Kunshan, therefore expats mainly live here and very wealthy Chinese residents.

The apartment is very convenient.  At the entrance gate, you can find a dry cleaner, hair salon, small grocery (like CVS), and even a few restaurants.  Many taxis frequent the area, and a bus stop is not more than a block away.  A taxi is usually between $2-4 to take, depending on your destination.  The bus can be from $0.15 - $0.60, also depending upon your destination.  

Master Bedroom

The view from our living room.

View from our living room, looking down.

View from our office, zoomed in.

Guest room.

Dinning Room.

Opposite our dining room is the living room.

Entrance to our apartment in Yong Jing Wan.

View form our office at night.  The city lights up like Vegas.

View from our kitchen at night.  Sometimes you will see grand firework displays.

Tailoring To My Style

Kunshan.  Picking out a blouse.

Along the walls, reams of fabric sit side-by-side full of colorful designs and texture.  I flip through a neatly kept binder given to me by the shopkeeper to browse.  It was filled with pictures from magazines tucked in worn page protectors.    

"Which one have you decided on?"  my husband asked, looking over my shoulder.

"I don't know...there's so many to choose from." I close my eyes, and try to imagine how the outfit in the picture would look on me.  Finally, I point to a low-cut satin blouse .  "Let's try this one." 

While the shopkeeper scribbles foreign characters down on a blank sheet of paper, her assistant showcases different types of fabric: wool, cotten, silk...they have everything.  My eyes focus on a black silk cloth imprinted with a subtle traditional Chinese pattern.  "This one," I say as I point to the material, giving a thumbs up to show her I like it.

The shopkeeper types a few numbers in a calculator and holds it up to us.  It's the price estimate.  Chitrak divides the number by 6.45, the price of the Chinese currency against the US Dollar.  

The shirt is $60 US Dollars.  

My husband, who has mastered the art of bargaining, brings the price down to $50.  My heart skips a beat--$50 is more than I have ever paid for any shirt I've ever bought.  We accept the offer.  Suddenly, the shopkeeper gets on the phone.  She is calling for the tailor who will size me for my shirt.

A gentleman no older than 40 arrives.  He takes down my measurements, cuts a tiny piece of fabric out of the silk I have selected, and staples it to my bill.  He closely examines the shirt I have selected.  Below his measurements, he sketches the blouse.  He does not take the book with him, only his sketch and measurements.  

After 15 days, we returned to pick up the garment.  It was soft and dainty, but I was disappointed.  The silk blouse did not turn out how I had imaged.  From this experience, I have realized two things:  you must be careful on what type of fabric you choose, because it will lay on your body differently; and you must make sure the tailor you select is experienced in that area.  Many tailors are specific on what work they do, whether it is coats, suits, dresses, or collared shirts.  The best way to tell if a tailor is good at a particular look, is to see the sample outfits they hang around their shop.  

I recently took a shopping trip to the infamous Fabric Market in Shanghai.  I was pleased with the variety of fabric as well as modern fashion designs.  I had a collared shirt stitched from a photo I had taken from the internet.  It was prepared in one week, and fit perfectly.

In front of the Shanghai Fabric Market.

Inside the Fabric Market, getting measured.

Science & Technology Museum Fabric Market, Shanghai.

Science & Technology Museum Fabric Market, Shanghai.

Our Travel Photo Gallery

Walking around the market in Kunshan during National Day vacation.

I take a lot of pictures when I travel.  If you are interested in seeing more than what I have posted on my blog, please visit my Picasa albums by clicking on the link below.  I will be writing captions for the photos, but I strongly encourage you to write comments and questions that might arise.  :-)

To visit my Photo Gallery, please click on the link below:

https://picasaweb.google.com/111683278612332480775?feat=email

High Speed Train

The first time you hear high speed train, what comes to mind?  For me, I think of the Simpsons' episode of the Monorail--but much grander, longer, and faster.  Knowing the high speed train can exceed speeds of 216 mi/h, it makes me wonder if the train's velocity will turn my body to mush...  Will everything be a blur?  I also can't help but ponder whether or not Santa takes this route while distributing his Christmas gifts.

As our taxi pulled into the train station, I see a sleek, concrete structure in a modern design.  From a distance, you cannot accurately forecast its size.  The station looks small, as if only 20 people board each train, but it's not until you walk in that you realize how massive it truly is.

High Speed Train, Kunshan Station

Entering the train station.

You walk in at ground level to see that the station is not enclosed:  they have built two open walls to cheaply cool the area.  This room is a waiting area for those that come early to board.  

Waiting for the train while eating breakfast.

A few convenience shops and eateries, including KFC, line the walls, while the center of the room is filled with seating.  You can easily spot the ticket counter where you can speak with an associate to buy a last-minute ticket, or if you feel lucky, you can use the ticket machine.  We do not advise you to buy your ticket the day of; as you may notice in our pictures, the train fills up quickly.  You don't want to have a beautiful trip planned to Shanghai and never reach!  We buy our tickets in advance.  Interestingly enough, you can only purchase the tickets at the station, NOT the internet.  

Our train ticket.. can you read it?

The ticket is the size of a credit card. You can see the number 35.00, that's how much money it was to buy a one-way ticket.  The sign after it tells you the currency, which is RMB.  It was about $6 USD to ride to Shanghai in first class.  This is an incredible price--think about driving from Indianapolis south side, all the way to Lafayette in 13 minutes.  You don't have to worry about the gas expense or parking.  

Your waiting comes to an end when you see your train number flash in green on a large screen that looks like a scoreboard from a baseball game.  A herd of people gather around you as you push your way through the safety check.  You watch again for the name of your train to light up on the screen, then you scan your ticket, and climb aboard an escalator to the track.

Boarding the escalator to see the train come in.

When you make it to the platform, the crowd dissipates as you find the coach you will travel in.  There are many trains in the station.  Some trains pass so fast that you can't make out the shape of it clearly until they are  a distance from you far away.  When we boarded the train, this is what we saw:

The train, in all its glory. (Minor picture stitching problem, sorry! The track really is safe.)

Waiting for the train to come in.  Massive platform.

The numbers on the floor match the location of the coaches.  We were in coach #1.

The train waits about 5 minutes for people to board.  Economy is very busy, but still a comfortable ride.  If you can imagine the seats on an airplane, then you can easily picture economy seating.  There is a little more room per seat, a television is running, reading material is provided, your seat reclines, there is a fold-out table, and a foot rest.  

First class travels a little differently.  We had comfortable and spacious seats, a large window all to ourselves, a private restroom, and a seat behind the engineer.  There were only six seats in first class.  It was quiet and peaceful the entire ride.  Check it out:

Our exclusive seats.

Before you know it, the ride is over.  A trip that would have taken an hour and 45 minutes lasted 13 minutes on the train.  We depart and make our way to the Shanghai Metro.  

We had an amazing hostess!  I look like an Amazon compared to her!  :-)

Hongqiao Station - Shanghai

Disembarking

We had an incredible experience riding the high speed train.  It was far beyond my wildest dreams.  No, my body didn't turn to mush, and yes, I was able to make out objects as we drove past them.  It still is in question whether or not Santa would use the high speed train for his gift giving, but in all, I encourage everyone that comes to China to have an experience on the Bullet Train.