InDependentThinking

The past week or so. Friday-Sunday, June 21-23, 2013 I left work early today to head out to Siyang, to meet Curtis and Ken and have the advantage of a translator when we go to the mountain tomorrow morning.   Just getting to Siyang was much more difficult than I expected.   In taking the taxi to the South bus station my driver kept forgetting that I didn’t speak Chinese (apparently telling them you don’t speak Chinese, in Chinese, is kind of counterproductive).   One guy pulled up next to us and started pointing and freaking out, rolling down his window and exclaiming and accented “HOW DO YOU DO?!” Even after the light turned green, it took several honks from the cars behind him, before he would move on.   I am still the only blonde person I have seen in China.   Once we finally arrived at the South bus station and struggled with the ticket lady, I f...

June 14, 2013 Well, today is the second day of work and I am watching Pretty Little Liars.   I also started reading the book The Arm of the Starfish, which is good so far although very vague.   I hope to also finish the book Uprising by Edwin McManus, my pastor at Mosaic. If work doesn’t pick us I suppose I can also listen to the podcasts.   Speaking of work, perhaps I should describe the office.   Ours is small and about a 10 minute walk from the apartment.   We sit in the one room that does not have air conditioning L and the woman’s bathroom is down a random staircase and has no light.   I would like to get to know my co-workers but it is extremely hard when no one understands what you’re saying.

June 7, 2013, first day in China-Suyu Learned a lot about Chinese culture mostly just through going to dinner with Matt, Brian, Curtis and the men from the branch of OIC.   Matt was not exaggerating when he said they love to drink. A lot! It is a part of their culture and the drinks are served with dinner and are either a very strong (and foul tasting) liquor (60%), or a very weak beer.   It is poured into a cup and toasts are given with miniature shot glasses. The guests of honor sit facing the door and are likely to be toasted the most throughout the evening (in other words they are not supposed to be able to walk straight by the time they leave dinner.) Toasts are always done in twos and are done often.   So someone will say your name and you must drink with them, or at least pretend to.   Then you are expected to toast them back or they can toast you again, but the number must be even.   If they stand, you should stand too, and if they d...

June 7, 2013 Today is my first real day in China.  Interestingly, this website along with facebook and gmail is blocked, so this blog may be difficult to update.  I will try though.  So far there isn't much to say.  I go to my apartment in a few days.  The plane ride was long and tedious a,d Chinese people do not believe in lines or waiting, but everything has gone fine, and our supervisor Matt is great.  I will write more later when there is more to write about!! Xai jian! Katie