Watermelons, Etc.

If you read my brother and sister-in-law's blog (joshanddanielle.blogspot.com), then you may have already read about the watermelon truck spill. If not; yesterday morning, on the way to international fellowship, we encountered a traffic jam. After a long time of waiting, we finally made it up to the front of the line and realized the trouble. In the left lane of the highway, laying on the pavement, was the back end of a truck which had completely broken off and fallen to the ground. Following the back end were hundreds of watermelons laying all over that far lane; some crushed, some not. It was hilarious. Traffic was backed up so far because of a watermelon spill. It was by far the most interesting cause of a traffic jam that I had ever seen. (If you want to see a picture, go to the blog afore mentioned.)

After International Fellowship, we went across the street to eat a delicious Chinese meal. When we put down our chopsticks, it was time for Josh and Danielle to go run some errands before going to the airport so Danielle could catch her flight to Beijing, where she will remain for a few days.

While they did all that, I caught a taxi and went to Chicago Coffee (a nice little western coffee shop) to wait for a few hours for Josh to return. Grace and Amy (two of my new friends) were there so I talked to them for a long time about going to Chapel Hill. I'm still in shock that I'm going to be attending UNC in less than 5 months...

Anyway, when Josh got to the coffee shop and we were all ready to head home, something very interesting happened. First of all, it has not rained in this province in 7 months!!!! Thats a very long time, especially for all of the farmers who haven't been able to plant. With that in mind, listen to what happened. As we were about to walk to the car, clouds came overhead, the wind started blowing, and it began to sprinkle. When we opened the door, the bottom fell out. It was crazy. Jarred, Shelley, and Grace all said that they heard people out in the streets cheering about the rain. It was great.

Well, it's about time to start my monday. Today is the only weekday that we don't have class, so today we are going to get haircuts, maybe take a bike ride, put up smoke detectors, play a little music, study some, and who knows what. It is going to be an interesting week to say the least...

Oh I just remembered, last Friday, a guy named Luke (American who's one of my best friends over here) asked me to help him lead the music at the International Youth Group so I played guitar with him. That was really cool coming in and actually participating the second week I'm there. Luke's a really cool guy and I'm looking forward to chilling with him for the next month and a half... Ok bye for now

Center of Attention

Today was pretty interesting. I went to the cafeteria for lunch like I usually do. I got my food and looked for some friendly-looking students. I saw two guys sitting at a table and they looked like they could possibly be English-speakers, and at the very least, friendly. I began speaking with them, testing to see how well they could speak my native tongue. I found out pretty quickly that their the English was ok and that we could converse. After we finished eating, they invited me back to their dorm (this is fairly common, by the way) and so I quickly finished my meal and headed out with them. We we got to their dorm, we climbed five flights of stairs to get to their room. It had three bunk beds, a little porch, and a desk... for six students.

They offered me a stool to sit on. I sat down and continued our small talk. As we chatted, more and more guys kept coming into the room to listen. It was hilarious. They were obviously not used to talking with a white guy, and especially not having one sit in their dorm room. I was sitting on a stool with eleven Chinese students all crowded around me watching my every move. That is one of the huge differences between here and back home: they are (for the most part) very interested in foreigners.

They asked about where I lived and I drew a crude map of North Carolina in relation to the rest of America. A very popular question came up unsurprisingly, "You like NBA?" That led to a lengthy discussion about their/my favorite teams/players. We also talked about school, my very few Chinese friends, sports, and anything we could think of to talk about (in English, of course).

They were very friendly. I really enjoyed my time sitting there with the crowd of Chinese guys crowded in that small room laughing at every funny (and sometimes not that funny) thing I said. (I could really get used to this kind of crowd; you dont have to be that funny; you dont have to be that interesting; you just have to be foreign)

After that, I went to class with my laoshi (teacher) that has been in the hospital for the last week. That was fun and it was my first class with him. Now I'm finally on to the 10 hours of class a week.

Class ended and I walked over to the neighboring university where Danielle was so that I could get the dian dong che (motor scooter thing). Once that was acquired, I drove back to my campus to play some pickup basketball. Some of the guys from the dorm room were there and we played for a while. That was really fun and I really enjoyed my day.

So now I'm back home watching Spiderman 1 as I type this blog. Tomorrow will be filled with many more surprises I'm sure. I am planning on going to class from 1-4 and then heading straight into town to help my new friend Luke lead the singing at the International youth group. He is such a cool guy and I really enjoy playing with him. Anyway, that was my day today and my plans for tomorrow. Catcha later

Well here it is... finally. The Beijing video. It's pretty long so only the hardcore will make it all the way through... but you may be quizzed on it so you may want to pay attention...

Sick Monday

Woke up this morning kinda blue... To be more specific, I was sick. I spent my entire morning going through the effects that these kinds of sickness have on people (I'll spare you the details). It is now mid afternoon and I'm finally up and about, only feeling slightly dizzy and sickly. Tonight: we'll eat hamburgers (really testing my healing stomach) with Jarred and Shelley and then we'll all watch a movie or something. I'm pretty excited because I'm sick and tired (pun intended) of sitting around all day. Company is just what I need.

Anyway, I hope I'll be back out tomorrow as I have class and stuff.

I still don't know why I got sick though. Maybe the wind blew on my feet last night; or perhaps I walked on a cold floor without slippers; or it could be that I mixed bottled water with boiled water. If you are thinking that these reasons are impossible to be the cause, just ask the Chinese. These are legit "reasons" for getting sick that Josh told me about; at least they're legit reasons in the Chinese point of view.

Chapel Hill and My Saturday

Busy busy busy... So much stuff (as usual) has happened since my last blog. First of all, I was informed that I am going to be singing the National Anthem at the Greensboro Grasshoppers game this summer on July 7th. The game is at 12:30, just in case anybody wants to come.

Well then comes along a crazy Saturday. In the morning, I went with Josh to teach an English class for Chinese kids. He did most of it this week, but for the Saturdays remaining in my trip, I will be the primary teacher... Kinda scary, but hopefully it will all work out; they know an incredible amount of English vocabulary, so that will help.

Then I went with Josh to campus where, after eating lunch, I played some pickup basketball and a little tennis. It was fun, but I learned something about Chinese pickup sports: they never quit!!! After what seemed like 2 hours of playing 3 on 3 basketball in the blazing hot sun, I was in desperate need of water and rest. However, they didn't speak much English at all and of course, my Chinese is no better. So that meant I had to keep playing until this "endless game" ended. Finally, we kinda stopped for water and some of the guys grabbed their stuff, so I took off to the tennis courts where Josh was hitting around with three other guys. By this time, I had a pretty annoying headache. After a while, Josh wanted a break so we traded his racket for my resting time and I played a little tennis. Chinese students also apparently never get tired of playing tennis... even in the hot sun. With my headache growing steadily worse, I really wanted to take a break and sit down. I ran through all of the Chinese words that I have learned so far, trying to figure out something to say to tell them that I wanted to rest. Finally, I figured out how to say "I am tired" in Chinese. I said it and one of the guys told me to rest, so I gratefully sat down and drank the pepsi he had bought for me (unfortunately, he had no water).

After a long time of being at campus, it was finally time to go home. Josh and I got to the car and drove back to the apartment. We got there and when we were halfway up the stairs, Josh said he forgot something in the car. I went back to get it, came back up the stairs, and was ready to unlock to the door. However, before I did so, I notice an envelope taped to the door that said "Joe, open this before you come inside"... As I opened it, I wondered if it was my "you have not been accepted to Chapel Hill" letter; but then I thought, Josh and Danielle wouldn't be cruel enough to make me open that outside. I unfolded the paper and noticed the old well picture that is on the top of the UNC letters. I think my heart skipped a beat when I glanced down to the first line of the letter; I saw "It gives me great pleasure to offer you admission..." I couldn't believe it. I remember saying "Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness," as I unlocked the door.

When I opened it, Josh, Danielle, and six of our friends were standing there in a line and busted out in the UNC fight song. It was such a great surprise and I really appreciated it. I was so in shock. After they finished singing, they all congratulated me. It was then that I realized how shocked I was; I hadn't even noticed all of the decoration. There was a huge UNC flag hanging from the ceiling, the table was covered in a UNC table cloth, there were UNC plates, UNC napkins, and a UNC cake; not to mention some of the UNC grads there were wearing UNC shirts. It was really cool... Very UNC concentrated for sure!!!

After I got over the initial shock of being accepted to THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL, we went to dinner with some of Josh and Danielle's friends. We had so much fun. The dinner conversation was very interesting: we talked about the earthquake that had happened that day (apparently there was a very small earthquake in that city that day. Unfortunately, I didn't have the pleasure of feeling it. Oh well, maybe the next one). We also talked about hilarious things that these two couples have noticed/experienced during their time in China. Oh those stories were hysterical.

So anyway, that was my Saturday. Mmhmm it was incredible. I really appreciated, enjoyed, and am thankful for that day

For all of you music lovers, I recorded a short little song as a test for the video camera. Videos of actual China things will come soon, but for now, this is all I got. Videos of interesting Chinese things, such as the market and life in the Middle Country, will be coming soon. Enjoy

Wo De Laoshi (my teacher) is Sick

Good morning everybody. Well, my teacher called this morning and said that he is still sick and cannot teach me yet again (yesterday was supposed to be my first class with him but he was sick then too). He said that he has a fever and thus cannot teach. So now I must wait until tomorrow when I can sit under the teaching of my other teacher, the same one from Tuesday.

Oh wait... I just had an epiphany of sorts. I had been planning on going to campus early to eat lunch before class. After that, I was going to play some pickup basketball with students out there and hopefully make a few English-speaking friends. However, this may all change seeing that my teacher was suddenly overtaken by this horrible disease of a fever. Hmmm I will have to ask Josh and Danielle about this. Perhaps I will just go to eat and play basketball, or perhaps I will hang around here.

There are a lot of things here that need to be done. I need to study more of the Chinese that I learned on Tuesday. I was practicing yesterday with Danielle and I can put together some simple phrases (grammatically-correct, even). I was talking to an English-speaking student yesterday and I would throw in a Chinese word or phrase in the conversation every chance I could. I was pretty proud of myself. I also could go running around the lake which I described in a previous post. Plus, I was also planning on going to Jarred's tonight to pump a little iron (It's tough to keep up with all of these Chinese jocks around, you know?). If not all of that, I need to figure out my video camera, tune the violin that was lent to me for my stay, and........................

Well that was an adventure. Many things just happened in between the writing of these two paragraphs... First, my parents called on skype from America, so I talked with them for a while. Halfway through the conversation, the phone rings (FYI: this phone rings when someone at the gate of the apartment building wants to be let in)... (and by the way, I am home alone, because Josh and Danielle are still at the police station). So I told my parents to hang on a minute while I go see who it is. This conversation then takes place:

Me: "Hello?"

Them: "Please open door" (in a Chinese accent)

Me: "Who is this?"

Them: (Chinese words)

Me: "I dont speak Chinese..."

Them: (More Chinese words)

Me: "Hang on. Let me go ask my brother" (I said this knowing that they obviously had no idea what I was talking about).

I then walked away from the phone, leaving these unknown Chinese people outside with hopes that they will go away and not come in to beat me up. I then told my parents that people wanted to get in and then I called Josh... No answer. Danielle, thank goodness, picked up her phone and told me what to do. So I went back over, pushed the button to open the gate, opened the apartment door, and waited as they slowly climbed the three flights of steps to where I stood. The ominous echoes of the steps of the four pairs of feet rung through the stairwell. When they got to the door, I noticed that they were younger than me and were wearing very nice business suits. I handed the phone to the guy and let Danielle talk to them in Chinese. When they hung up, they gave the phone back, said goodbye, and I shut the door.

I walked back to the computer where my parents were waiting for my return. Unfortunately, my microphone started messing up. Apparently, all that they could hear on their end was the noises of the microphone moving around and me yelling "Mom!!" (I yelled "Mom" just so they could hear me, but it came across to her as a cry for help). They had a webcam so I could see them freaking out, thinking that their son was being beaten by Chinese government officials on the other side of the world; and I had no way of telling them otherwise. FINALLY, I got through to them by just typing my messages to them. So, we're all good. But it was pretty funny; that whole situation.

So anyway, Josh and Danielle just got back so Im gonna go eat my breakfast and get started on my day. So long from across the world...

Dian Dong Che Pictures

So Danielle took a couple pictures yesterday when we were riding on the dian dong che... My mom and sister wanted me to put up pictures, so here they are: (Sorry to everybody else who could care less).

Wo de gege Song Jie (my big brother Josh)

Settling In

Well, here we go.

I left off last time with me about to enter Josh and Danielle's apartment for the first time. I can now say, as I sit here in their living room, that I absolutely love their living quarters. Everything about it; my room, the open kitchen, the living room with the cool red couches, the three short flights of steps to get inside (their last apartment was five), and pretty much everything about it I love so much. On Monday, I went running with Danielle around a gorgeous lake right near their house. It is a fantastic run, starting only like 30 meters from their apartment, going across the street, down some steps, around the lake (which is surrounded by a beautiful park with flowers, different paths, and just sheer peacefulness) twice, back up the steps, back across the street, and back to their apartment. All of this totals about 5 kilometers, and I cannot wait to start running it regularly. It is such a nice place to stay.

I had my first language class yesterday, which completely got me so psyched to study and to keep learning. I love the language so much and I can't wait until I can pick up some phrases here and there. I am really looking forward to these next several weeks of intense study and slow progress.

I went to the market yesterday with Danielle to get some chicken and some fresh vegetables for a week's-worth of dinners. The market is one of the most interesting things about life over here (at least in my opinion). As we walked through, Danielle picked out fresh vegetables, we saw meat hanging out all over the place, and even (skip this if you are squeamish) saw dead goats hanging up for all to see. The dirt floors, the money being exchanged with the same uncovered hands that handle the food, and just the sheer feeling of being in a Chinese market all work together to make this trip one of extreme excitement. I got all of it on video (including me eating some nasty meat in the "never gonna happen" section, as Danielle calls it), but unfortunately, I haven't been able to figure out how to get it "edit"able. Hopefully Josh will figure it out soon so I can blog it for your viewing pleasure.

I just now got back from a campus where I ate lunch with Josh and another guy and where I met one of my first English-speaking Chinese friends. He is a really nice guy and I am looking forward to chilling with him some in the near future.

Well, thats most of what has happened to me since I've gotten "home" (for 2 months). I am so excited about the rest of the week and hopefully I'll have more time to blog more consistently (with videos if Josh can get it working and maybe some pictures). But for now, this is all I have. So long for now from the Middle Country. Zaijian

Beijing

Words cannot express what I am feeling as I begin this post. Do you realize how many things have happened to me since four days ago when I boarded the plane back home? I feels like weeks have gone by, with so much stuff happening that it would be virtually impossible to type it all. With this in mind, I will do my best to give only the highlights.

After a great flight to Newark, my patience was tested when my four hour layover was extended by a couple hours for major aircraft malfunctions. Time did pass quicker, however, because I met a few new friends (who would be on the same flight as me) who made the wait a little more enjoyable. After the long, arduous journey of 14 hours, I arrived safely in beautiful Beijing.

The next few days were spent with my brother Josh and two of his/my friends and some other people. The Great Wall (including the extremely fun ride down from it on the "toboggan" or something like that), the Olympic Village, a park overlooking the Forbidden City, and the amazing Chinese Acrobats offered a fantastic start to my 2 month trip. The pearl market the next day was loads of fun. Listening to Josh bargain is a show in itself. The tactics, demeanor, and not to mention the foreign language that he uses are simply incredible to watch as he goes to work to make sure we don't get ripped off. It was a fantastic weekend.

As our time in Beijing expired, the time came to move on to Josh and Danielle's city. We flew on an airline that I believe has been affectionately nicknamed "China Death" or something to that effect. Anyway, disproving the nickname, we arrived safely into much warmer weather (almost hot) and set out to get settled into my new temporary home. I was so excited to see the inside as we walked up the three flights of stairs to the door of their apartment. I couldn't wait to get inside.........

And So It Begins...

Well it's about that time. In two days, I will be leaving dark and early (around 4:15 am) for the airport where I will begin my lengthy excursion over many miles of land and water to stay with my beloved brother and sister-in-law. For those of you who plan on "following" me there (and those who just will make occasional check-ups), I will write updates over the next several weeks about my daily life across the water. Don't expect the laughs, tears, and excitement that you get from my older siblings' blog; but maybe they can give me a few tips when I get there...

I am getting more and more excited as each day passes. The anticipation, mixed with the long to-do list, is enough to make me wish I was already there. But I guess that that would take out half the fun of going; so that leaves me where I am now... Packing and preparing for this incredible time I'm about to have.

So... check back on my blog occasionally; read it often; or if you want to get crazy, you can bookmark it.

Well, that's all for now. See you on the other side of the world.