Chengdu News: Auspicious Weddings and Diet Camp

Posted on September 8, 2009 by connieinasia
 
              It’s the second week of my return to Chengdu as I wait out the start of my school year in Longzhou on October 9.
             As always, my evenings have been spent with the Yang family, my former neighbors when I studied Chinese here for 1 year at Sichuan University.  Jalin, the daughter, just turned 16 and is likewise in her second week of starting high school.  I was so looking forward to spending more time with her but, alas, her junior high years of carefree studies have come to an end.
             Jalin leaves for high school at 7:10 a.m. and doesn’t return until 8:30 p.m., her last class of the day ending at 8 in the evening.  This is the life of a high schooler in China, Monday to Saturday.  Already, Jalin has signed up for Sunday courses in the morning at a cram school to improve her chemistry and math skills.  We are meeting up but usually at 10:30 p.m., after she’s finally finished the last of her homework for the night.  
            In the earlier part of the evening, her mom, dad and I sit down to dinner where Jalin’s mom has always prepared great homecooked meals which I’m  invited to.  Then it’s an hour of watching the Channel 5 Chengdu news where I catch up on what’s going on in the city. 
 
Auspicious Weddings:  Triple 9 Day is Here!  Good Luck . . .
 
           This evening, Jalin’s father introduced me to the big news which seems to be filling not only the TV channels but the newspapers as well. 
           Wedding banquets and celebrations are a big deal in China, usually taking place during national holidays or weekends so lots of guests can attend. Choosing the right date is likewise important.  Eights, for example, are considered lucky numbers because they sound similar to the Chinese word which means treasure or riches.   So unless the dates are really special, it’s unusual to have weddings in the middle of a week but tomorrow seems to be an exception for some.
     September 9, 2009 (9-9-9) has been touted as being a good day for marriage.  The number 9 sounds like and is symbolic of "a long time"  and "forever"  in Mandarin Chinese, naturally meaning your marriage, and love, will last into eternity.
           On  the news, various couples in Chengdu were getting their licenses at the city’s government marriage office.  Jalin’s dad likewise told me tomorrow would be a good day for snapping wedding pictures.  Western style white satin gowned brides with their grooms standing outside restaurant doors will begin greeting guests for noontime banquets.   Cars bedecked with roses in the shape of huge hearts  and huge white bows will  also be parading throughout the city, the lead vehicle holding the happy couple within as they are whisked about to and from their celebrations.
 
. . . Or Bad Luck?
 
          But other young couples are more hesitant about celebrating their special day on the triple 9 date.
          August 20 to September 16 is regarded as the Hungry Ghost Festival among many Chinese communities in China, Singapore and Taiwan.
          According to  folklore, the gates of hell are opened during this month to free the hungry ghosts who wander the earth in search of food.  The Chinese remember their dead family members during this time and pay tribute to them in various ways.  One of these is to offer food to the dead to ward off bad luck.  Fruit, cakes and canned drinks (coke, sprite, beer) are often seen during this time presented at the altars of temples or at the gravesites of relatives.   Fake paper money is also burned and joss sticks as well outside of the house, in the yard or along the sidewalk in front of apartment buildings or home owners’ doorways. The paper money is to be used by deceased  relatives in heaven so they can buy whatever they want in the after-life. 
            (Well-stocked department stores and shops manned by angelic sellers?  One does wonder if the phrase "I’m in shoppers’ heaven!" actually comes from the Chinese.)
         Also by the superstitious, it’s not a wise idea to go swimming during these hungry ghost days.  An evil spirit might very well drag you under water and cause you to drowned.
         But from my daily jaunts to the swimming pool here in Chengdu, I find city folk might take their supersitions a little less seriously than those in other parts of China.  In our 90-degree heat and steamy atmosphere, I noticed Sunday had our crowds just as busy splashing about in the cool waters of the Meng Zhui Wan Swimming Complex  as  during the summer months when school wasn’t in session.
 
Wait and See!
 
         I guess the only way to find out if tomorrow’s Triple 9 will hold in Chengdu as a great day for a wedding celebration is to wait and find out.  
        I’m already juicing up my rechargeable batteries for my digital camera as we speak.  I’m not about to miss out on a great photo opportunity when it comes to weddings in China.  The brides go all-out in their poofy, glitterly, princess-like garments and look gorgeous having such  slim and slender figures.
        Very few crash bridal diets in China for our Sichuan gals.  They’re already quite fit and trim, which is a far cry from Americans and other Westerners, that’s for sure.
 
Diet Camp for One Chinese Gal
 
         Not all Sichuan girls are in such great shape, I must admit. 
       After 6 weeks with her babysitter, Mrs. He, Little Flower’s pretty little figure has gone to the dogs.  Hotdog pieces, meaty bones, and heaping bowls of rice gruel topped with leftover dinner scraps have taken their toll.  Although my strict instructions on food portions for LF (1/4 cup of dry food only   2 times daily) are fully understood, Mrs. He can’t help but spoil my dog by feeding her the same as she does her  own overweight poodle.
       Both dogs end up getting 3 meals a day (Chinese are very particular about their hearty 3 meals a day and insist pets should get the same).  Both dogs end up getting tidbits of extra goodies.  And both dogs also receive their dry food on top of everything else.  
           All this  and no exercise made for a very fat  Flower when I returned to pick her up 2 weeks ago.
         Her 8.8 pound figure had ballooned up to 10.1 pounds.  Not a lot on a person but definitely noticable on a little Chihuahua.
         Thus for the past 2 weeks, Little Flower has been participating in Connie’s Diet Camp.  No snacks and a lot of walks around the city streets and the nearby Sichuan University campus  are trimming her slowly back down to her normal size.  Yesterday’s weigh-in had her at 9.8 on the scales, which is a great achievement in my books.
         When we land at our new home in Longzhou a month from now, I want her looking her best to greet neighbors, students and faculty. 
Same goes for me so that’s why I swim every day, Hungry Ghost Festival or not.
 
       And on that last note, I close off for now wishing you Ping An (Peace) for your day!
 
        
 
Posted in A September in Chengdu | Leave a comment

My New Home: “She Arrives!”

Posted on August 24, 2009 by connieinasia

 

            From the Nanning airport, I looked in amazement out the window of the delightfully air-conditioned school van.

            The vehicle swerved, swayed, and wove its way through  vast sugar cane fields and low-lying rice paddies, all nestled between jagged mountain peaks that exploded skyward over the flat landscape.

            Bright blue skies with mushrooming cumulous clouds perched themselves over our heads.

            Tiny villages with water buffalos tied to brick homes popped up at every turn.

            This was Guangxi Province, my new home.

 

Beginnings of a New Adventure in China

 

            Already, 6 days have passed since I arrived at Guangxi Normal University for Nationalities, located in the small town of Longzhou (long – joe), whose population includes just 1 foreigner, me.

            Since school hasn’t started yet, the campus has remained quiet and empty aside from the many faculty families living here.   Teachers and administrators likewise are not in offices quite yet, still enjoying their last days of summer vacation before entering a new semester.  This has allowed me plenty of time to unpack over 60 boxes and try my best to find places to put everything, which certainly hasn’t been a problem.

            My apartment on the 3rd floor of the faculty building No. 6 is spacious and huge. I have 2 bedrooms, 2 office rooms, a large sitting room, 2 restrooms (one with western sit-down toilet, one with Asian squat style), a tidy little kitchen and a balcony area for hanging out clothes to dry.

            Everything was thoroughly cleaned before I arrived and all the equipment checked out to make sure it was working.  Never have I received such a great welcome in China before, where new residents to apartments are usually confronted by a filthy mess.  It’s the custom that the new occupants clean things themselves and the old ones don’t bother as they no longer are living there.

           

The Sizzling Heat:  Adapting To a New Daytime Schedule

 

            As is usual in China, one bedroom is equipped with an air-conditioning unit for comfortable sleeping purposes.   The rest of my large dwelling, however, is left to the mercy of the stifling heat.

            And this place is hot.

            The sun is wicked and sizzles the skin in just a matter of seconds as soon as you step into it.  Umbrellas are the savior of all here.  We carry them everywhere.  These shield us from burning rays, but they don’t protect us from the intense heat wafting up and around us from the concrete pavements. 

            In this climate, grandparents and parents are out early around campus with the children.  Since school has not yet begun, the excited cries of kids playing in the park in front of my apartment are a constant.  Everyone sits under shady trees to chat, especially the tiny elderly whose wrinkled, weathered skin show the damage of years of living in this region.

            Noontime to 4 p.m., the unbearably hottest times of the day,  people remain indoors.  There’s not a single soul outside on the school grounds.  The streets of the Longzhou are likewise quite empty as people hide within, not yet venturing out until evening.  Things again start to bustle after dinner, around 6:30 p.m., and then its more adult visiting and playtime for the kids.   This might go on until 11:30 p.m. when everyone calls it quits for the night.

            When our school year begins, the first class is at 7:40 a.m., giving us 5 class periods of 40 minutes each which end at 11:40.  There is an 11:40 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. siesta before we’ll start up again at 2:40 to 5:00.  Evening classes take over at 7 p.m. and close off by 9 p.m.  

            All of this is quite new to me.

            I’m not used to a schedule built soley around the weather but I certainly am grateful for it.  Teaching in classrooms with ceiling fans swirling around oppressive, sticky air wouldn’t be much fun if we had to endure it all during the hottest hours of the day.

 

The Small Place Where I Live:  Understanding The Divisions of Government in China

 

            To understand a little about where I am, it’s important to understand the division of government levels in China.

            There are basically 5 levels of administrative hierarchy in China:  provinces (like our US States), prefectures (government level between a province and a county), counties (like our own state counties), townships and villages.  

            Under the division of “county”, there are a number of levels as well:  autonomous counties (those with ethnic minorities, of which China has 56 different ethnic groups), county-level cities, districts (subdivisions of urban areas), banners and autonomous banners (same as counties except the name is different).

            In Sichuan, I lived in Luzhou county with the city Luzhou (3 million) being the government county seat.  It’s what is called a prefecture-level city. 

            In Guangxi, I live in Longzhou (long-joe) county (270,000) with the town of Longzhou (maybe 50,000?) being a county-level city only.  Mostly, that means it’s much smaller, with no government level offices that are authorized to perform government duties, such as hearing court cases, export-import business documents, visas for Chinese travelers going abroad, work visas for visiting foreigners, and so forth.

            To do any of those kind of transactions, you have to go to the prefecture-level city Chongzuo, 1 ½ hours away.

 

Exploring Longzhou

 

            I arrived in Longzhou from the airport, a 3-hour drive away, and was whisked into my apartment quite late, at 8 p.m. I had no time to see Longzhou, even on Monday when I was driven to Chongzuo to register for my work visa.

             My waiban, Mr. Luo (the foreign affairs director of our school) and two young Chinese teachers (Millie and Kate) accompanied me.

            That left little time upon my return to do much of anything except begin to unpack, which I’ve been doing continuously for 3 days.  (That and sweating away in this sweltering heat.)

            Finally, the last box taken care of, I ventured out into the town for more than just a quick stop at the grocery store.

            Last Thursday led me on an exploratory journey outside the school’s back gate during the 11:30 rush hour of bicycles, a few cars and 3-wheeled taxi motorcades.  Here I found rows upon rows of fruit sellers under their canopied stands.  What exotic fruit greeted my eyes!  

            With us being so close to the border of Vietnam, only 1 hour away, you can imagine all the different kinds of south-Asian citrus displayed by sellers.  Half of the produce offered I’d never seen before. I’m just wondering if they even have English names.

             I’m sure when school is in session, the fruit sellers do a great business from students.

            This road also hugs the famous Li River, which is a part of the Guilin River to the east of us.  The Li River zigzags through a multitude of Guangxi hills for over 50 miles and passes hundreds of towns such as Longzhou. 

            Its muddy waters are doted by sampans and low-riding barges.  The tall, steep cliffs make for quite a picturesque view as boat owners cruise by. 

            Also quite majestic is the town’s stone bridge  which crosses the Li.  The locals call it Da Qiao, or Big Bridge.   Built in the early 1960’s by the back-breaking labor of thousands, this bridge gave greater access to those from the distant farmlands into the town.  It also helped supply local merchants with more goods and services from bigger cities.

 

The Town Itself:  A Visit To The Market

 

            Longzhou is small. 

            One can walk from one side to another in about 20 minutes at a fast clip. 

            Beyond the town limits, you’ll find more sugarcane fields, rice paddies and mountains. 

            In the town, the center boasts the Longzhou Hotel, the fanciest one we’ve got.                          

            Buzz the gut and you’ll pass numerous family-run shops:  stationery, cakes and breads, small and large household appliances, cellphones, traditional herbal medicines, common people’s restaurants, and so forth.

            If you’d like to buy everything in one place, like we do at our U.S. Walmart or K-mart stores, then it’s best to visit the largest indoor supermarket.  There are 2 floors, one with food items and one with personal supplies and household goods. 

            There are 2 other such indoor supermarkets that offer similar things but they are much smaller.

            Buying fresh, decent produce and meat, however, is best done in the town’s covered open market.  Like many such concrete building markets in China, Longzhou’s market brings in sellers from all over. 

           Freshly slaughtered animals give buyers choice cuts  of beef, chicken, pork and duck.  All these are displayed openly on concrete slab tables.

            Flies abound so it’s best to purchase your meat early morning.

            Seafood is yet another section of the market, along with vegetables and fruit.

            On my walk-through Thursday, I found what normally I’d see in Sichuan except for one very odd item.

            Squatting low to the ground, 2 women and a child were opening up cocoons and depositing fat, wiggling grubs onto a canvas sheet.  The green caterpillars squirmed and writhed in the heap they were tossed onto.

            After conversing with the women, I learned can jian (as they are called in Chinese) are a favorite with the children. They are stir-fried and eaten as a snack. 

            “Hao chi!  Hao chi! (Good eats!  Good eats!)” the women grinned, trying to entice me to buy.

            Later, I was told by a new teaching colleague that their soft, pudgy bodies make for a squishy, delicious meal.

            Maybe so for the Longzhou crowd but as for me, I’ll pass.

 

Getting An Extended Summer Vacation:  October 9th Starting Date

 

            The complicated make-up of Guangxi University for Nationalities will take a while to explain.  I’d leave it for later but since it has to do with my start to teaching on October 9, I’d better spell it out now.

             There are 3 campuses to this school.  

             One is here in Longzhou (the original campus), one is in Chongzuo city (1 ½ hours away) and one is outside of Chongzuo city in the middle of  nowhere, literally on the vacant plains without a  village, shop or bus stop in sight.

             The middle-of-nowhere campus is currently under construction.  Officials are determined it will be ready to go by October 9, which is after the 1-week National Day holidays, but I have my doubts. We passed it on my way to the government offices to get my visa.  The entire place is a muddy mess, with no walkways, sidewalks or roads yet, and the buildings are covered in scaffolding.  It’ll be a miracle to have it done in 6 months much less 6 weeks but one never knows in this country of incredibly speedy, seemingly “overnight” constructed buildings.

            Because all 1st year students in China must have military training for a month, and because the new campus is yet to be completed, our freshmen are all coming here to Longzhou to do their mandatory marching, drilling, unity-bonding course. 

            There’s not enough dormitory space for the 2nd and 3rd year students if the freshmen are here so we have a delay of starting classes until October 9, after the National Day holidays.

              By that time, the 1st year students assigned to the new campus will be moved to their school and all of our Longzhou students will be able to return to begin their fall semester..

            In other words, I now have an extended vacation of an extra 6 weeks.

 

Until October 9

 

            After the Amity Teachers’ Summer Conference in Nanjing is finished on Aug. 26th, I’ll be returning to Chengdu to hang out with friends for awhile.  Then, with Little Flower, I’ll eventually make my way back to Guangxi by the end of September to gear up for my new teaching position here.

            It’s somewhat disappointing not to be able to teach immediately but this does give me yet more time to say my goodbyes to my Sichuan friends. 

I’m guessing by October 9th, I’ll be more than ready to start fresh in a place of such beauty and interest here in Guangxi Province.

            As always, stay tuned for updates!  


            From Guangxi, here’s my first (and certainly not the last) Ping An  (peace) sent your way.  

           

             

           

 

 

           

           

Posted in Tiny Town on the Li River | Leave a comment

A New Adventure About To Begin!

Posted on August 15, 2009 by connieinasia
 
              Tomorrow, a new adventure in China is about to begin for me.
              At 12:30, at the Nanning airport, my colleague from Longzhou will be greeting me and seeing me off in the school van to my new placement, a 3-hour drive from the big city. 
              I’ve already been back in China for over a week, first in Chengdu and then a return to Luzhou to say a few final farewells. 
              I was truly taken back when I walked through our quiet campus, still absent of all student life, to find a new 7-story dormitory had gone up in just 7 weeks.  Luzhou Vocational and Technical College was in great need of more housing for students so this is really a blessing.          
             The office spaces of 2 years ago that were being used for dormitory rooms last year were likewise under renovation.  The workers were creating walls and making smaller rooms while I was there. 
              In the English departmental office, everyone was busy at work getting ready for the new arrivals on the 20th.  I heard 130 spaces were open for our English major freshmen but 200 had been accepted.  In these small colleges, no one is turned away as more students mean more tuition money.  Our poor English teachers will be once again overwhelmed and have overloaded schedules.  There will be no foreign teacher to help them out, either. 
               Recruiting for small schools in non-capital city areas is always a problem.  Whether Chinese or foreigner, no one wants to go due to low pay and "out there" locations.  I’ve been trying to help them out for possible foreign teachers by announcing in EFL professional websites but still no takers, I’m afraid. 
              The music department, through the gossip grapevine, has greater woes.  Last year, 30 music students were enrolled but this year, only 4.  The administrators are now scrambling to figure out what to do with them.  Most likely, there will be some mergers between departments to take care of the 4 who are here. 
              While in Luzhou, I enjoyed swimming in our park’s outdoor pool and meeting new employees I’d never met before.  Despite the hot and muggy weather, when August hits, the number of swimmers always decreases.  I noticed this happens in America as well.  The kids start to think about school and the desire to do recreational activities starts to diminish. However,  I did have a small following of children at the pool who wanted to learn how to swim. 
              For 4 days, after I finished my own work-out, I joined them in the shallow end where we had some time together.  As I instructed the boys and girls how to breath and properly use their arms, their moms walked alongside the pool and shouted instructions.
            "Listen to the foreign teacher!"
            "Do like she says.  Don’t turn your head so much!"
            "Stretch out your arms!  Watch Teacher!"
            How very familiar was that experience.  I still remember years ago, when teaching swimming in my hometown pool, how the parents were likewise encouraging their own kids from alongside the pool in a similar manner. 
            It must be some kind of universal.
            Little Flower and I arrived back in Chengdu on Friday and she will be sent off to her babysitter’s home this evening.  I’ll then go to Guangxi on my own to settle into my flat, have my working visa processed and explore the town. 
          The Amity Nanjing conference, from Aug. 23 – 26,  is my next trip from Guangxi.  After that, I’ll return to pick up LF in Chengdu for our journey via plane to my new placement.
           I’m hoping to eventually have Internet hook-up in my new home but it might be awhile. 
           For now, I wish you all a great weekend.  I know mine will certainly be a special one.  New school.  New friends.  New surroundings. 
          Now that’s definitely the start of an exciting adventure in China!
   
         Here’s Ping An (peace) coming your way, as always.
 
  
Posted in Return to China | Leave a comment

The Summer Visit Ends

Posted on August 5, 2009 by connieinasia
 

                It was a great 3 weeks back in my hometown, visiting with friends, family and settling Lao-lao into his new home with my parents.

               I especially enjoy summertime in my small town due to the summer band concerts on Friday evening and the many gorgeous yards that are so painstakingly cared for by our loving gardeners.  This also includes my mother, whose old-fashioned array of tall grasses, carefully placed flowers and forever-blooming specialties keep the back yard looking spry and chipper all the way into fall.

            Her only sore spot (and the sore spot of others as well) are the Japanese beetles, who tend to attack with a vengeance.  She was out there numerous times each day, flicking the little metallic-colored winged beasties into empty yogurt cups filled with water.  

            Every gardener has his or her own way of dealing with these invaders from Japan.  Drowning is one but another might work just as well. 

            Years ago, inspired by my fascination of Gypsies, I came up with a beetle curse.  Circling the yard in the early spring and throughout the summer, my mother and I were once known to chant away our sing-song warning in the hopes of hexing those  who dared stray into our midst.  Now, it’s my mom who takes on this task. 

            Does it work? 

           Well, each time it’s used, my mom swears there aren’t as many beetles around as the year before.

            For those who wish to try it, be my guest!  (It’s a bit graphic and violent for PG viewing.  You might want to steer clear of more youthful ears when you use it.)

 

The Japanese Beetle Curse

By Connie Wieck

 

Curses, curses, beetle hoards.
Suppress your sex drives,

Sin no more!
Caste your lust looks hither, yon

On neighbors’ roses and beyond.

 

Curses, curses.  Heed my cry.

 Pass by this garden, lest you die!

Armed with hoses, rakes and sprays

We’ll win this battle and end your days.

 

Curses, curses, beetle bands.

Watch your backs for vengeful hands.

This warning comes from very near

With one clear message:

Don’t appear.

 

 

            From China, here’s wishing you a lovely August, full of cool breezes and less beetle chewings. 

            Be looking for news from my new placement in Guangxi, Little Flower adventures and updates about Lao-lao’s adjustments to family life without me.

 

            Ping An (Peace), everyone!

              

 

              

 

Posted in Visit To The States | Leave a comment

Our Chinese Immigrant Finds a Home

Posted on July 23, 2009 by connieinasia
It’s been a busy week-and-ahalf back here in America.  This is one reason why my slow response in blogging.  An article I sent to my local newspaper appeared before my arrival, outlining Lao-lao’s story, in the hopes of helping my hometown veterinarian find him a good home.  As it turns out, that wasn’t needed quite as much as I had thought.  Read the follow-up essay to find out what has happened to our little Chinese immigrant and discover who his new family will be!
 

For the first time in my life, I was about to enter my country via US custom’s red "claim" zone at Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport.

When it was my turn in line, I walked up to the immigration official, set my dog’s carrier on the floor and handed in my custom’s declaration form.

The uniformed gentleman seated in his cubicle scanned down the checklist.

"I see you marked ‘yes’ for meat, vegetable and other agricultural products," he said, eyeing me seriously. "And what kind of meat did you bring with you?"

I wasn’t quite sure how to answer that so I just said, "Uh, dog."

His eyes widened.

"Dog? You brought dog meat with you?" he asked incredulously.

"No, no! I mean, I brought a dog."

He looked doubtful.

"What dog? Where’s the dog? I don’t see a dog," he frowned.

He peered over his counter and was still unable to see the area around my feet where I had placed my canine companion. I made sure to lift up my Chihuahua’s small airline approved kennel so he could take a good look inside.

"See?" I said. "A dog. A little dog. From China."

The immigration official seemed relieved. He smiled, wrote "DOG" in big red letters on my form, circled it and sent me off through the inspection center for clearance.

And that’s how our little Chinese immigrant entered the country: not as dog meat, but just plain "DOG."

For a recap: I am an English language teacher in a small college in southwestern China and often travel to our province’s capital city, Chengdu, for weekend visits. A previous article in The Advocate described my finding, 5 months ago, a small Chihuahua who was a stray in Chengdu, which is situated on the outskirts of last year’s Sichuan earthquake zone.

After taking care of the dog’s health issues, it was time to find him a home. This proved to be a difficult task in China where pet ownership is still a new concept among many. In China, a majority of people are just worried about putting food on the table and paying for basic needs much less having an animal around the house to deal with. Then, too, due to ignorance in vaccinations or the cost involved, only 3 % of pet owners vaccinate their animals against diseases. There are over 2,300 rabies deaths a year due to dog bites with a majority of those deaths being children.

Dogs, in many areas of the country, are definitely not a welcome sight.

This poor little guy was also semi-toothless, which added yet another negative element to his adoption. An old injury of a shattered lower jaw and periodontal disease left him without much to chew on.

So Xiao Lao-lao (pronounced she-ou l-ou l-ou, with ou as in "ouch"), or Little Old, returned with me to Marshall where Ericka Yeley, our very own Marshall veterinarian, was sure she’d find him a great home among those she knew.

Actually, he almost found himself a home on several occasions during our journey to America. His quiet, sweet nature made him the darling of everyone we met, from the Shanghai Globypet relocation staff to passengers and flight attendants on our overseas’ plane journey. Even those we ran into during our 5-hour layover in Detroit held a special place in their hearts for Lao-lao.

Everyone who saw him was enamored by his sad story.

They cooed to him in his carrier. They held him for photo ops. They waved goodbye as they parted his company.

I had many email exchanges and genuine offers of: "Really, and I’m not kidding, if you can’t find him a home where you live, please contact me."

I was touched by the kindness of so many Americans willing to give this tiny, 5-pound, special needs dog a loving home and happy life.

Even in Marshall, during our walks around the neighborhood, I’ve run into a number of our citizens who have asked after his well-being, given him a gentle pet, and exclaimed how cute he is.

After our visit to Marshall’s Animal Care Clinic for a health check, Ericka Yeley volunteered to foster Lao-lao after I returned to China on August 3. She even had a few individuals in mind who might want to keep him.

Such a generous offer!

But Lao-lao seems to have already stolen the pity vote for adoption from another Marshall couple.

It’s none other than my own parents, Bill and Priscilla Wieck.

"Well," my mom said, gazing down at his tiny figure for the first time. His tongue hung perpetually downward (no teeth to hold it in). His short legs bowed outward. His little face looked up at hers.

"He is kind of cute."

My dad?

"Bring the immigrant up here on the bed. Let me pet him."

So it looks like Lao-lao has found himself the perfect home among people who will give him all the love and care he deserves after such a hard life overseas.

Now that’s about the best happy-ever-after story I could possibly have hoped for.

As always, here’s Ping An for your day, this time from the USA.

Posted in A Visit Home to America | Leave a comment

Arrival In Shanghai: The Second Time Around

Posted on July 9, 2009 by connieinasia

 

            The Shanghai Airport is one which has a bit more class than our little Chengdu city’s out-of-town landing pad.

            I learned that in a hurry upon my arrival here last week to drop off Lao-lao into the hands of Globy Pet.

             Just as an update, Lao-lao (our semi-toothless stray found in Chengdu) has been with Globy Pet Relocation Co., Ltd. here in Shanghai for one week.

            Globy Pet is an international pet transportation service which saw to all of Lao-lao’s documentation requirements, overseas’ health checks and export-import needs from both countries, China and the U.S. 

            I brought him last Friday since a week was needed for Globy Pet to get him officially ready for overseas’ departure. After handing him over to staff member Emily, I returned to Chengdu and Luzhou to finish up my  goodbyes.  Now I’ve returned to Shanghai for an overnight before leaving early morning tomorrow to America, with Lao-lao sharing the room with me as well.

 

A Happy Reunion

     

            This afternoon at 4:30, I landed in the new wing of the airport, which is was filled with fancy shops and beautiful wide, glass-enclosed walkways.

            After I picked up my luggage, Globy Pet Shanghai staffer, Emily (Shen Jun) was once again waiting for me with a very happy Lao-lao.  He was so excited to see me! 

            After opening his carrier, he scrambled out into my arms.  We drew quite a large crowd of curious Chinese who came to peer at the squirming, excited little dog.

             “Oh!  It’s a Chihuahua!  How cute,” they said.

            Emily handed over his documents and explained what I needed to do with these. I now have what I need to show tomorrow for check-in and also on the US end.  This will be my first time through the "red" zone.  Sure hope it goes as planned. 

            For the U.S., as long as Lao-lao’s papers are in order, there will be no quarantine. We just directly land in Detroit, go through the necessary declaration area and exit into the terminal for our continued flight to Indianapolis.

            I have a special in-cabin carrier for his journey and will be lining that with absorbent padding.  He can’t exit from his carrier the entire flight (14 hours), which is going to be hard for him, but those are the rules. 

            I’m certainly not about to break them and get us kicked off the plane.

 

Setting Up A Dog-Friendly Hotel

           

            Emily and Lao-lao weren’t the only friendly faces  to greet me at the passenger arrival gate. 

            Ken was there as well.

            Last week, before I boarded on my flight back to Chengdu, I went to the Shanghai Hotel Reservation desk to ask about a hotel that would allow a small dog for a night.

            The two Chinese gentlemen manning the desk were “Ken” and “Sky”. 

            Ken made some calls but wasn’t having any luck as he was trying  the up-scale foreigner hotels. 

            “No dogs,”the managers were telling him, thinking it very strange that he was even asking. 

            When I explained that I could speak some Chinese and was looking for a cheap place, Ken’s face lit up.

            “Just a minute!” he said, hailing Sky in the next cubicle. “My colleague knows all these places.  He can help you.”

            Sure enough, after a few phone calls, Sky had 3 dog-friendly airport lodging choices for me where  the average Chinese taveler usually stays:  A $78 hotel, a $45 hotel and a $40 one. 

            I wanted a nice place for dog walks so Sky suggested the $45 one, which is where I am at the moment.

            All I needed to do was give Sky or Ken a ring upon my arrival on Thursday. One of them would meet me, see to helping with my luggage and get me onto the hotel shuttle.

            And that’s exactly what I did.

 

Our Airport Hotel

 

            Ken showed up and ushered me to the shuttle, where I had a very nice chat with the driver to our destination, the Eastern Stars Garden Scenery Hotel.

            The name itself certainly describes the setting. We’re out in the farmland area surrounding the airport, making this a very fresh-air kind of dwelling.  But the real selling point for me and Lao-lao is a lovely grassy park in front of the hotel.  There’s a little gazebo, wooden walking bridge that arches over a small pond, lots of pretty grassy landscape and pretty stone walkways for strolling about. 

            As soon as Lao-lao followed me down the hotel steps and out into the parking lot, he joyfully took off for a roll in  grass.  Being cooped up in a kennel for 6 days, he was ready to get the run out of his system. 

            We didn’t stay out long, however.  Shanghai is incredibly hot, sticky and humid this evening but in the air-conditioned comfort of our hotel, we are really enjoying this place.  And free Net hook-up as well!  Who can beat that for $45 a night?

 

            Next entry I hope will be of a happy landing in America without any unexpected glitches. 

            So for now, from the countryside of Shanghai, here’s sending you Ping An (peace) for your weekend.

 

 

           

 

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One Man’s Trash is Another Man’s Treasure

Posted on July 7, 2009 by connieinasia
 

            This morning, Little Flower and I took a final walk around the campus of  Luzhou Vocational and Technical College before leaving for Chengdu. 

            Cruising by the empty dormitories, I was met by quite a sight:  A huge mess of trash and left-behind articles from students who had gone home for their summer break.  The workers were busy starting from the top 7th and 6th  floors and sweeping everything out into the hallway, then down the stairwells toward the 1st floor exits. 

            I remember in the States how utterly amazed I was as a 32-year-old MA student when I saw what my university classmates were leaving behind in heaps outside of dormitory buildings:  couches, sofas, beds, still operational computers, stereo sets, TVs, unwanted clothing, electrical appliances .  .  . the list went on.

             I was stunned by the amount of waste. 

            As an undergraduate in the late 1980’s, I certainly didn’t remember this kind of wealth being left behind in such astronomical quantities.

            I remember thinking, 10 years later,  how college school life had certainly changed, maybe not for the better.

            I’m sure it’s gotten  worse in the States when schools dismiss for the summer, even with the current financial crisis.

            In China, the student rubbish left behind is of a different variety:  worn plastic thermos bottles, used toiletries, metal  mugs, unwanted textbooks, notebooks, broken suitcases, old shoes and clothing. 

            The dorm rooms are left a disgusting mess which workers are left to thoroughly clean out by hand before the summer’s end.

           It’s a tireless job and one which they certainly don’t look forward to, especially as their pay is at best 300 yuan ($40) a month, but it does come with perks.

            Walking by one of the dorm buildings, I noticed several cleaning ladies had already carefully  separated and packaged students’ discarded items into neat packages.  The recycling man, with his hand-pulled cart, was busy on the scene, weighing each one and shouting out the number of pounds by his hand-held Chinese scale.  The assistants wrote it down, later multiplying the pounds by the money each variety group was bringing in. Plastics, rubber, cardboard, metal and glass were going for a few cents per pound. 

            Doesn’t sound like much but these certainly added up.

            By the end of his weighing session, the total recyclable materials brought the ladies 511 yuan, about $75.  Split between them, that was quite a haul and this was only several floors’ worth of stuff.

            I can imagine after going through all our dormitories on campus, that hard work and agony of hauling, separating and packaging unwanted belongings makes for a very profitable venture.

            As the old saying goes:  “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”

            On our college campus, and I’m guessing thousands of other campuses across the country, that’s a definite given when it comes to the end of a school year.

 

             Here’s Little Flower and me wishing you a final July Ping An (peace) from the campus of our school.  We’re heading off tomorrow for Chengdu and my visit to the States with Lao-lao.  More updates on that journey yet to come.

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Leaving Luzhou: The Last Hurrah . . . Sort Of

Posted on July 6, 2009 by connieinasia

 

The 2-Week Whirlwind Ride

 

            These past 2 weeks of leaving Luzhou have been a whirlwind.  I entitle them “The Last Hurah,” although they actually aren’t exactly the finalized steps of saying goodbye yet.

            The first week (also the week of final exams) had me being visited by friends and students, banqueted by staff and administrators, packing up belongings into boxes, taking care of the doggies, squeezing in my swimming time and getting those last-minute details settled for my move to Guangxi.

            Last Sunday morning, June 28, the movers came to load everything onto the truck.  It was a 4-day drive to deliver my things to Longzhou (long-joe),  my new school far to the south near the Vietnamese border.

            Immediately after everything had been shoved onto the truck (all 69 boxes and small furnishings), Little Flower, Little Old and I left for the capital city Chengdu to prepare our little foster dog for his overseas’ travel to America and my summer visit to the States. 

            Originally, that was to be my final departure from Luzhou.

            But I ran into planning difficulties of not being able to truly say goodbye to some very good friends, as well as my Luzhou church community.  Pastor Liao especially was concerned when she heard I was leaving and wouldn’t return.

 

Schedule Change

 

            So a rearranging of my schedule had me in Chengdu for 6 days (June 28 – July 4), getting LO ready for his flight to Shanghai and visiting with Jalin’s family.  On Friday the 3rd, LO and I flew to Shanghai for his 6-day kennel stay prior to his overseas’ trip with me.  He is currently there at the relocation pet company’s kennel where all his customs forms can be accurately completed.

            I then returned to Chengdu, grabbed up a few things and returned to Luzhou with Little Flower so I could have a better closure than the original whirlwind departure.

 

Back In Luzhou:  A Quiet Campus

 

            It’s a strange feeling to be back in my small apartment on the campus, especially as all the clutter and most of my things are gone.  The school was very generous in allowing me to return for a few days, even though I am officially no longer their teacher.

            The silence of the campus is yet another strange feeling, especially late in the evenings. 

            During our late-night strolls, all the dormitories are silent with just a few lights on for students who applied for summer stays.  Some are here looking for jobs in order to pay for school as their countryside areas have nothing much to offer them as far as work goes.  Others don’t have the money to spend to get home as it’s a very long journey.  Still others have parents who are migrant workers.  They’re across country, in Shanghai or Guangzhou, doing factory work or temporary construction jobs.  The students have no way of staying with them as factory dormitories are for workers, not so much family members. 

          Parents, too, would rather have their kids safely looked after on our campus than roaming about among strange areas where thieves and disreputable people are often found.

           

Leisure Goodbyes

 

           I am really appreciating these few days back because I am now able to enjoy my time with the people I like the most.  Church yesterday was so appropriate as I had my last communion with the congregation members.  Pastor Liao was quite busy with a visiting Chengdu Theological Seminary pastor  so we didn’t have a lot of time to chat but it was enough for a prayer and cheerful farewell.

            My dear friend and former dean of this college, “Cathy” Li, and I are spending the evenings together.  I’ve already seen her son, “Jack”, after his 1st year as a student in Beijing.  Little Flower and I visited her apartment the other evening.  Tonight, we’ll be heading out again for dinner.

            It’s been a very relaxing, fun return, one which will get me ready for a more adventurous journey soon with Lao-lao (Little Old) on our travel to America.

 

The Schedule From Now On

 

            Tomorrow, July 7, will see me back to Chengdu. 

            July 8, Wednesday, Little Flower will be sent to her babysitter’s home (Mrs. He) for her stay there for 3 weeks. 

            July 9, Thursday, has me in Shanghai with Lao-lao (Little Old) for an overnight at the hotel before we fly out early morning  on July 10, Friday, to America.

            July 10 to August 3 will have me in Marshall, Illinois, with my parents, and getting important matters taken care of.

            On August 5, I will be back in Chengdu. I’ve already planned a re-visit to Luzhou for a few days to spend more time with dear friends there.

            Aug. 15,  I must visit my new school far to the south to have my work visa completed, which will take 1 week.  During that time, I have no passport so I must remain in the small town of Longzhou. 

            This is actually quite fine with me.  It will allow me to unpack, open a bank account and telephone line, meet the locals, go shopping and get myself settled in.

            Aug. 23 has me flying directly to Nanjing for our Amity Foundation Summer Conference.  We have only 4 new teachers this year, all from Europe.  It makes our numbers extremely thin but better four than none. 

            Aug. 26 has me back in Chengdu to pick up Little Flower from her babysitter’s home.  Then we will travel down to Guangxi Province and arrive just in time to begin the fall semester in our new home, Guangxi Normal University for Nationalities.

 

Updates To Come

 

            During the summer, I will do my best to update you on our foster dog’s progress in finding a home as well as other events going on.  I hope to have Net access as well in my new placement when I arrive so as to orient everyone to my new surroundings. 

           80% of Guangxi Province and my area are the Zhuang nationality people, not the Han Chinese, so this will truly be an amazing venture: different landscape, different dialect, different people, different culture and customs, and different church community.

            A very exciting way to start off a school year! 

           

          Until those further stories arrive, wishing you all Ping An (peace) for your week.

 

             

 

 

           

           

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Lao-lao’s Return

Posted on June 26, 2009 by connieinasia
 

            “We’re just so busy,” Chen Li, Mr. Xiong’s wife, said as I sat in the family’s small apartment.

            The heat was terribly oppressive in their flat.  Sweat was pouring off of me, dripping down on Lao-lao’s little body where he was perched contentedly on my lap. 

            We had cut our 3-day visit short because the family was worried about their ability to care for the dog.  

            Chen Li had a government job which kept her working late into the night, often carrying out special hosting duties with official dignitaries in town.  Mr. Xiong  likewise was extremely busy at our school, not only teaching evening classes but also writing educational documents that needed to be turned in quickly.

            Their 13-year-old son, Xiong Chen, was in his 1st year as a junior high student.  He had classes all day and didn’t get home until 7 p.m.  Then there were Saturday and Sunday courses that he also attended in order to prepare himself for the entrance exam into high school.  Although those tests were 2 years away, like a typical teenager in China, he was already busy preparing for them now.

            It was after 9 p.m. as I sat together with the three of them and also 2 of my students.  Seven had come over that evening to help assemble more boxes for my packing.  When I mentioned to the group I was heading out by taxi to pick up Lao-lao, two wanted to tag along.

            The stories of Lao-lao’s short visit began to unfold as we all visited in the sweltering, stuffy sitting room. 

             He was very frightened at first of everyone, especially the young boy who so much wanted a little dog top play with.  The teen had taken him for a few walks but Lao-lao wanted mostly to run away.  And he certainly didn’t want to return to the apartment but continue on longer treks around their neighborhood.

             Chen Li mentioned that it was difficult for her to continue going up and down the 6 flights of stairs to take him out.  She was tired and just wanted a quick outing. Lao-lao, on the other hand, had been cooped up all day and was ready for a real walk like he often had with Little Flower and me. 

            While listening to their apologies of not being good enough caretakers for Lao-lao, I truly felt sorry for them.  Mr. Xiong had been so pleased and excited about getting a little dog.  And it was obvious his son was already attached, even after 2 days.  He sat next to me, his little face saddened to have to say goodbye.  He gently stroked Lao-lao, who squirmed with enjoyment, and seemed to be holding back tears. 

            Mom, on the other hand, was more like the sensible, practical one in the family.  I got the impression that she was groaning when the dog landed in the apartment.  She wasn’t at all pleased her husband had done this.  She probably griped at him that no one had time to care for a dog and she’d be the one left taking care of it.

            (I did notice she had mentioned having to climb up and down the 6 flights of stairs several times to let the dog out.  Not sure where the son and husband were when she was doing that but they obviously weren’t in the picture.)

              It was a disappointing trial but at least we tried. 

           After thanking them again for all their help, and also apologizing for causing them so much trouble, I took my leave. 

           My students carried Lao-lao’s carrier and things downstairs.  Lao-lao enthusiastically pulled on his leash to get going.  He knew exactly where we were heading off to:  Home and big sister, Little Flower!

            Now we are all settled back into our comfortable, happy places:  Lao-lao sighing contentedly as he sleeps in his bassinet, Little Flower flopped on my bed in the air-conditiong and me, typing away on the computer.

 

What Will Become of Little Old? 

 

            All of my efforts to find a home for Little Old over the past 5 months have failed.  I’ve done posted Net videos in Chinese and English.  I’ve had a reporter actually write an article about him.  I’ve tried him out at 2 homes.  I’ve asked numerous neighbors and folks I trust.  The answer has always been, "He’s cute, but we just have no time for a dog."        

           As for myself, it’s very difficult for me to take two dogs to my new placement, which is a semi-remote area and one which would probably not be too pleased for a foreigner to have 2 dogs.  Rabies is quite common in China with over 2,000 rabies deaths per year because of dog bites.  My dogs have their vaccinations but not everyone understands that in China.  For a foreign teacher at a new school, where people don’t know me or what kind of a person I am, to show up with not one but two dogs is not only disrespectful but somewhat rude.  The officials know about Little Flower coming but yet another pet?!  

          Not a very good start at a new placement for a veteran Amity teacher such as myself.          

         And I can’t forget to mention Little Flower. She is still very jealous and upset that there is a second animal in the house.  Sharing Mom’s affection is not at all to her liking.

 

It’s Plan B:  Off to America!

 

            For several months, I’ve instigated a Plan B and prepared for that, which is bring Lao-lao back to the States where he will be placed with a loving family.

             My hometown vet, Ericka Yeley, sent a very encouraging email saying that she was 100% certain this little dog would find a great home.  Her connections with area animal shelter and foster care programs, plus the U of I vet school where she graduated, make her an angel for dogs like Lao-lao.

           

            So this Sunday afternoon, after the movers have loaded up my things onto the truck, dogs and I will be leaving for Chengdu.  There, Lao-lao will begin his official documentation procedures for customs and in-country  flights.  Little Flower will be enjoying herself in the hotel room and getting ready for her summer visit to Mrs. He (huh), her babysitter.

            And I?  I’ll be gearing up for quite an adventure accompanying our little earthquake zone Chihuahua to my home country, the USA.

            Stay tuned for updates on our travels, beginning next Friday with a flight to Shanghai for overseas’ health checks and procedures.

 

            Until next time, Ping An (Peace), everyone!

             

Posted in Tales from Sichuan's Yangtze Rivertown, Luzhou | Leave a comment

Xiao Lao-lao (Little Old) Visits Another Family

Posted on June 24, 2009 by connieinasia

 

             Over the past 5 months, our semi-toothless Chihuahua little brother, Xiao Lao-lao (Little Old) has had his home here with me and big sister, Little Flower.

            During that time, he has transformed from a dirty, malnourished, frightened stray to the perfect little house dog.  He loves to be petted.  He loves to run and go for walks.  He loves to crunch down bones (using what little back teeth he has.)

            His stained, coarse coat has turned to soft white.  His hairless tail and ears have now filled in beautifully.  His few, green-coated teeth (a nasty color due to poor eating habits) are now clean and shiny.

            Our first venture for a home was a bust due to the small child that lived there.  A hyperactive, exuberant 4-year-old is just not the best company for a small, quiet, gentle 5-pound dog.

            It was back to the drawing board.

 

            Over the weeks of walking the campus, Lao-lao has drawn many admirers and sympathetic neighbors but everyone hedged when it came to taking in a dog.  That’s a lot of responsibility but I kept asking. 

            During the lunchtime hours, I often take Little Flower and Lao-lao to one of the administration offices where my mail is kept.  Since no one is around, having the dogs in the building is not a problem.

 

            On a recent visit to the office, I found Mr. Xiong (shee-ohng) busy at his computer.   He is one of the administrators in charge of school affairs.  His biggest job is to write all the official documents and reports for the school to submit to higher government authorities. 

            His Chinese writing skills are excellent, according to many, mostly due to the fact his vocation is that of a Chinese teacher. Like a majority of those at the lower administration level, he also teaches 6 hours a week to the Chinese teaching majors at our college.  

            In other words, he’s a very busy guy.

 

           When we stopped by the office, Mr. Xiong was very excited to see the two dogs and wanted to pet one of them.  Lao-lao is the friendlier of the two so I placed him in his arms.

            It seemed a perfect match. 

            Mr. Xiong petted him gently, a big smile on his face as he gazed down at his little lap dog.

            “I’m looking for a home for him,” I said hopefully.  “Would you like to adopt him?  You can ask your family.”

            Mr. Xiong brightened immediately. 

            He said his wife and son both love dogs.

            Uh-oh. 

            My “Terrorizing Chinese Kid”  light went off.

            “How old is your son?” I asked.

            “13,” he replied.

            Ah!  Good age for a dog like Lao-lao.

 

            So after discussing the when and where for a trial period, we settled on this week for a dog visit. 

            In my great concern for Lao-lao’s happiness, I wrote out a long list of instructions about our little Chi:  his toilet outings, his eating habits, his shy nature, his likes and dislikes.  These I had translated so the family could turn to them if there was a problem.

            Then yesterday evening, I accompanied Mr. Xiong to his home to settle Lao-lao into a new place.   One of my students, Wing, came along with me for fun.  She wanted to say goodbye to Lao-lao before she leaves for her summer vacation on Thursday.

             No one was home at the time so I didn’t get to meet the rest of the family, which was somewhat of a concern, but I just had hope that all would go well.

            After 3 days, Mr. Xiong will give the verdict about keeping Lao-lao or not.

            If the answer is “yes”, our little brother will come back to me for a few days to say goodbye before returning him to Mr. Xiong’s family for a permanent home.

            If the answer is “no”, then it’s back to searching again.

 

            Keep your fingers crossed!

 

            From Luzhou, Ping An (peace) sent you way for the day.

 

 

           

                 

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