Pre-Christmas Week

Even though we understand that the Chinese really don't celebrate Christmas, it is surprising the number of activities that we have been invited to this past week.  It all started with an "English Corner" at the Law School last Sunday.  Stan was invited to attend, share a few things about Hillsboro and, with David Cox, a fellow BYU teacher, sing Christmas and other songs for 30 minutes.  They didn't have much opportunity to practice, but the students all seemed to love it.  In fact, they have been invited to do it again next Saturday night.  This time it will be for the Chemistry Majors.  Nancy and David's wife, Zina, also joined in answering questions about life in America.  The students were very interested in furthering their studies in the US following graduation from Law School.  At SDU students can major in law as undergraduates and then they continue on to Law School for an additional three years.  Most were not interested in being in "private" practice but hope to work for corporations.

Stan giving an explanation about Oregon 

 

 Zina and David Cox, Stan singing at the English Corner for Law Students.  They sang Grandma's Feather Bed, Go My Son, Country Road and had the students participate in singing some Christmas songs.   

We hosted two dinners this week.  We invited Jacky, the businessman who has been attending our English classes, plus two of his colleagues to join us for dinner at our apartment.  We thought it was humorous that they were trying to "seat" us according to the position of the host as if they were in charge!  The Chinese are very particular about their seating arrangements.  We very much enjoyed the range of topics we discussed and they were quite open about their feelings about China.  Here is a sampling of our conversation:

• The new Chinese president is very open about his family and personal life which is a change from the past.  He was previously divorced and his second wife is a popular Chinese singer and now considered the First Lady of China.
• They are aware of corruption in their government and are happy the new president is making some changes.  
• Stan had a lesson this week about the 2008 Olympics in China and asked his students "if the cost was worth the benefits?".  Our dinner guests felt it helped the outside world have a more favorable opinion of China.  Even though the Olympics was a huge financial commitment, they felt it was better spent on such an endeavor because otherwise government officials might have used the resources on themselves!
• There has been a debate among the public because the government recently adjusted the holiday calendar.  Supposedly citizens could vote on the internet for some options.  Consequently, there is no longer a 3 day holiday (Jan. 1-3) and only Jan. 1 is the legal holiday so employees need to work the other days.  Plus, traditionally, there is a holiday on the eve of the Spring Festival, which is when many Chinese return to their hometown towards the end of January.  Now that "eve" is not a holiday.  This announcement just came two weeks ago!  Even though this 'choice" was according to a public opinion, the vast majority don't like these changes....and probably the late notification!!
• They are very happy that some families are now allowed to have more than one child.

Robert, Rick, Stan and Jacky

 

Our second dinner was with Brian, the one who dressed up like a tree at Halloween.  His wife is in Taiwan with their 4 yr. son awaiting the birth of another son the first part of the year.  Brian is finishing teaching his classes and then will join them right after Christmas when there is a two month break from school. 

Brian speaks excellent Mandarin so he and Stan headed off for haircuts following our dinner.  He conversed with the barbers and learned that they generally work from 9 am until 10:30 pm. every day!!  They only charge about $2.50 for a haircut.

On Saturday it was a cold crisp day, but we ventured out to Thousand Buddha Mountain, about a 30 minute bus ride from our apartment.  We went with BYU teachers, Wayne and Libby Clarke.  The rest of the BYU group were busy with tutoring, teaching (yes, some teach professionals on Saturday), attending student Christmas parties, etc.  Wayne goes on long walks most days and discovers the most interesting cultural markets, malls, and hidden treasures.  We had been to Buddha Mountain with our young adult friend, Lily, early in the fall, but we did not know about this cave.
There are at least 28,000 Buddha's in the cave.  Some are statues and some are carved into the walls by monks.  The artificial cave goes back at least 1500 feet long!  Halfway into the cave it started to get warm and moist, but eventually we had to return to the outside cold world.  At least the sun was shinning and the air was clear!

This sign on Thousand Buddah Mountain is written in "Chinglish."  We enjoy their unique translations

 

Sunday evening some of Stan's freshman students performed in a "Christmas Gala".  There was a skit about High School Musical, a choir singing Jingle Bells, several dance numbers, a military trainer spoke about studying hard in school, a tribute to teachers, a former SDU graduate "jamming" on an electronic synthesizer, etc.  About half of the dialogue was in English, plus one of Nancy's junior writing students happened to be seated next to us, so he interpreted when needed. 

 This number featured more "traditional" instruments although the number "morphed" into a rock piece.  It was very good.

 This number featured one of Stan's freshmen.  Her English name is Anny and she is very talented.  She choreographed several numbers in the show.

This screen was just off to the side of the stage.  It featured "tweet-like" messages that were coming in all night long.  Stan was surprised when this one was received.  We were considered guests of honor and had privileged seating in the second row.  We were introduced along with other faculty and university dignitaries.  After the show ended, we were instructed to go onto the stage with the performers and have a picture taken.