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... and he's reading these words aloud. It's a little weird hearing everything I write read aloud with an accent, but so it is. And I do get the sense that he can't follow this.
At any rate, after less than 2 weeks here, I'm starting to lose some images of home. I was shopping with a friend (Patricia, the French woman from Singapore, for those of you keeping score at home) and she asked me something about my home and for a moment, I couldn't picture it. A moment later, of course, it all came back clearly, but that was a little disconcerting (like this guy I mentioned reading this over my shoulder).
So keep those cards and letters coming so I can keep my footing in my real life. I'd hate to starting thinking of this place as reality!
Yet more random notes:
The hole in front of my building is nearly filled in. Now there's a construction site on the side of the building. Probably tomorrow it will be done and there'll be one behind us. Funny thing is, things don't look any better before the construction than after.
Several of you asked me about Jews in China. Well, I've asked around a little and, so far, the story seems to be that there are Jews in Shanghai and in Hunan, but none in Beijing. The sensitive may want to skip the rest of this paragraph, but it seems that Jews are not well liked here. One friend told me, "we tease this classmate of ours that he's Jewish." "Why?" "Because he looks Jewish." (Apparently, he has some western blood and he comes from an area where there are--or were--some Jews.) "So you tease him and what does he say?" "He denies it." It seems to be something to deny adamantly. My first source says there are no synagogues in Beijing, but I find that if I keep asking, such a building may very well appear. I will keep asking. The uncomfortable thing was, after we had this chat, he spoke to his girlfriend and they agreed that Jews are (1) very cheap, not very generous and (2) very clever. So, stereotypes travel far. This other bloke is still reading over my shoulder.
My Chinese friends want to know what the US has done in honor of International Woman's Day. Anyone able to help me out on that? (Sandy, I bet the women's wire folks know about some activities that happened on Sunday, eh?) At any rate, here on campus, in honor of this holiday (which is actually a major holiday in Asia--women get the day off from work), they showed Speed 2, the movie. Something about a woman hero, I guess....
I've had little luck with water containers here. Since there is no potable water and since the Diet Cokes are few, far between, and not very tasty, I spent more time than I'd expected to buying a small jug for water. These being Chinese products, my first jug leaked and my second one melted. Hyun Zhong is using the first one for the flowers Janus keeps giving her. I'm debating risking my money on a third. (Oh, and in answer to your question, Elnora--and thanks for paying such close attention, yes, she had a crush on Jerry and yes she went out one night with George, but Janus, ah Janus, he's the man for her. He's actually quite nice, but he mumbles in Chinese--take a moment and picture that, if you will--and knows vastly less English than Hyun Zhong, so we mostly smile at each other.)
Say what you will about the Chinese people, you can't beat steamed buns and spring rolls in the open air at 10 in the morning between classes. Buns are 6c each; spring rolls 12c. Can I ship some home to you?
One German friend lives in Italy. Another lives in Switzerland. Neither appears headed away from China for many, many months. My French friend lives in Singapore. My Korean classmate lives here in China with her husband. A Thai man I know speaks English with an American accent. And it's mostly the British I have trouble understanding. And, I swear, when Robert the Australian say "tasty cheese," I hear "toasty shoes." I'm sure he's puzzled why I look at his feet every time he brings up this cheese. It's Mongolian yak cheese and I mean "bring up" in the verbal sense only.
I bought Mark a small jar of bone and meat jelly. If anyone else would like me to pick up a jar for them, just say the word.
Hyun Zhong is enjoying the jar of peanut butter I brought from the US. And, bless her heart, she's trying very hard to throw around some English words. But, she has trouble with t's and s's--they're hard to distinguish. If she calls it penis butter one more time...
With Janus' help, we all three understand the difference between "peanut" and "penis" and that's all I'm going to say on that matter.
Really.
Move on.
A few words about surfaces. There are very few surfaces. In our dorm, the area around the sink has a leak and is always wet. There is only one desk for the two of us. Study space is unheard of. On the street, people squat. Even the toilets offer no surface for the weary. The floor is off limits to anything you value or want to see clean again.
So, on my behalf, take a moment and appreciate your floor, your toilet paper, good lighting, smooth sidewalks, surfaces, and cheese. As you indulge in these luxuries, think of me suffering without them.
To answer some of your questions:
Jane, thanks for the language chat. We learn xingqui-yi, not libai-yi, for Monday, etc. And, while tong-zi (comrade) is clearly out of style, it's still taught in the textbook that was printed last year. Now, xiao jie and xien sheng, possibly a-yi, are proper. And ni hao has complete replace chi fan le ma?
Nicole, I've shopped for the Suzie Wong dress for you and my authorities say that the dress looks bad if it doesn't fit perfectly, so I think it's not a good idea for me to guess at which would fit you best. Sorry I can't pick one up for you.
And, to those who asked, Mark is doing ok holding down the fort. Word is we are getting a tax refund for the first time in quite some time and word is that Gromit is now reaching into Mark's mouth to enjoy some of his apple. Isn't that cute? <grin> Mark could use a pizza, if anyone wants to stop by and bring him one....
But I'm off. They are showing--ready for this?--Titanic on campus tonight. 3 yuan (36c). Gotta go!!
Love to you all.
Debra.
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