connie's space

(This article has been published in area newspapers. Connie Wieck is a Marshall, Illinois native who will soon be leaving for Vientiane, Laos.   She will be assuming duties as Coordinator of the Sunbeam Vocational and Language Center, which serves the needs of local elementary, secondary and tertiary schools, as well as outlying villages, by providing educational workshops, seminars and English language courses. )

“I don’t want a big fuss.”

That was my mom’s recent comment concerning her birthday. 

 But how can I, her daughter, not want a big fuss?  Aside from it being her 90th, her November 23^rd celebrations fall directly on Thanksgiving Day itself. 

       For those who have late November birthdays, you might have similar stories of doubling jubilees.   November 22 – 28 births, on certain years, fall on Turkey Day itself. Anyone reading this know of a friend, a relative or even yourself whose pumpkin pie has become the focal point for candles and the traditional “Happy Birthday” song?  

      If you’re like me, you might have wondered how often such birthdays fall on Thanksgiving Day.  A Google search found me reading an interesting post written by Scott Forbes in 2010.  The patent attorney’s blog, which he wrote out of Seattle, gave his fact-finding research concerning his own Thanksgiving Day birthday.  It’s a mish-mash of calculations, and took me several reads for full clarity, but I include it below as it does make for a fascinating read:  

      ”The simple formula for calculating the date of Thanksgiving is to take last year’s date and subtract a day, and then add seven days if you’ve ended up on the 21st… so if Thanksgiving 2009 was on the 26th (which it was), then Thanksgiving 2010 would be on the 25th, and in 2011 it will be on the 24th.”

“But then things start getting complicated, because 2012 is a leap year. Thanksgiving 2012  is on the 22nd, not the 23rd – that extra day in February pushes us back two days instead of just one. And then, in 2013, we wrap around: One day earlier than the 22nd would be the 21st, but now we’re looking at the third Thursday of the month, so we add seven days to get Thanksgiving on the 28th.”

       “All this adds up to a pattern that takes 2800 years to go through a full cycle, thanks to our calendar’s quirky rules for determining whether it’s a leap year or not. In the short term (that is, from 1901 to 2099) there’s a leap year every four years, and your birthday will be on Thanksgiving four times out of every 28: If your birthday falls on Thanksgiving in a given year, then it falls on Thanksgiving again exactly 28 years later, and three other times in between at intervals of six years, five years, six years, and then eleven years.”

      Scott’s article included a rundown of Thanksgiving Day birthdays from 2017 onward, including my mom’s on November 23rd.  Here’s what he had listed for her special day:  2017, 2023, 2028, 2034, 2045, 2051, 2056, 2062, 2073, 2079, 2084, 2090.(Scott’s full Thanksgiving Day chart for November 22 – 28 birthdays can be found at scottforbes.net, the July 7, 2010 blog entry.)

But what about my mom’s past Thanksgiving Day birthdays?  

Yet another search gave me the ability to count how many birthdays my mom, in her 90 years, had landed a turkey dinner for her birthday festivities.  

For my mom, this has happened 12 times in her lifetime, with this year being her 13th.  If you believe that number is unlucky, read on:  My mom’s 13 actually should be 14.  

 In 1863,  President Abraham Lincoln called for “A Day of Praise and Thanksgiving” to fall on the last Thursday of November as a national holiday.  In 1933, my mom’s birth year, November had 5 Thursdays.  Thus the fifth Thursday, November 30^th , became Thanksgiving Day instead of the fourth Thursday, November 23^rd. (That would have given her 14 Thanksgiving Day birthdays  instead of this year’s 13).  In November 1939, yet another 5^th Thursday calendar year came around.  President Franklin D. Roosevelt changed Thanksgiving a week earlier to make business leaders happy by adding more days for Christmas shopping.  In rebellion, some state legislatures voted their states celebrate on the 5^th Thursday of November; others sided with the president by celebrating on the 4^th Thursday.   Two years later, the holiday dilemma was settled.   On December 26, 1941, FDR signed Congress’ executive bill making the 4^th Thursday in November the official day of Thanksgiving for the United States.   It has remained so today.

 I know my mom insisted on a no-fuss 90th, but looks to me as if her special day can’t be anything but. Sorry, Mom. You’ll just have to put up with a little bit of birthday hoopla mixed in with a whole lot of love.

(From daughter Connie:  Anyone wishing to add to my mom’s “no-fuss” celebrations can mail cards to:  Priscilla Wieck  710 Mulberry Street  Marshall, IL 62441.  Your birthday wishes will be greatly appreciated.)  

Retracing the footsteps of Charles and Louise Killie brought about my recollection of more China stories from years past.

These happened to be from the Canadian Methodist missionaries who founded the church I attended in Luzhou. Those missionary founders were Rev. Charles Jolliffe and his wife, Gertrude. The two, along with their children, left for China in 1906. Charles went with his tight-knit graduating class whom all became known as the “Victorian Eight” or the “Vic Eight” for short. They attended the Methodist founded Victoria College, in Toronto, thus the name Victorian Eight. (This educational institute is now known as Victoria University, connected with the University of Toronto.)

The “Vic Eight” were given the following assignments:

Chengtu — N.E. Bowles–Church, Junior and Senior Primary and Charity Schools and H.D. Robertson — Theological and Middle Schools
Penghsien –W.E. Sibley – Church and Outstations, including Tsungninghsien Day and Boarding Schools (until Sept. 1st)
Chungking –E. W. Wallace — Schools (On rise of Council).
Luchow (Luzhou) — C.J.P. Jolliffe – Church, School and Outstations
On furlough–E.W. Morgan

Excerpt of Memories by Charles in his “Our Work in China” memoirs

A Reminiscence of the 1906 Voyage on the Empress of China

I must tell you about the other members of our party. There were Rev. R.B. McAmmond and wife, both of whom are now living at Beamsville Ont. Mr. and Mrs. Harold Robertson, Mr. and Mrs. Egbert Carson. The latter is Aunt Florence. He died in 1910 of typhus fever, got when itinerating. Typhus is caught from the bite of a body louse, sometimes referred to in China as China’s millions. Rev. W.E. Sibley and wife. The latter was beheaded on a Chengtu street in 1926 by a demented Chinese man. Then there were 3 unmarried men, Bowles, Morgan and Wallace. The last of these was afterwards Chancellor of Victoria University. He and Wes. Morgan are both gone. There was another couple, Dr. and Mrs. Frank Allan. Frank was in charge of the Chungking hospital. He worked himself to death. One day after a hard morning he lay down on a couch and went to sleep, his long last sleep. Besides these men and women there were 3 W.M.S. Ladies, Miss Caroline Wellwood, Hattie Woodsworth, afterwards Mrs. Morgan and Uberta Steele. The latter two still live.
“We Go to China”, Our Work in China, (1) & (2)

(Note: Pictures of those mentioned above can be found here: https://library.vicu.utoronto.ca/exhibitions/vic_in_china/portraits/)

Szechwan Traditions and Expressions

The Confucian classics teach filial piety as you know. But is is sometimes shown in ways strange to us. Hsu Hwan Tin helped me [C.J.P. Jolliffe] with building operations [in Luchow] for several years. When his old mother became sick and they thought she was going to die, Hsu had carpenters bring lumber and make her a coffin in the courtyard just outside her window. The sound of the men working on her coffin was music to her ears. Especially did it please her to know that she had such a filial son.
“Notes and Incidents”, Our Work in China, VII (b).

Missionary Dress Code Prior to the 1911 Revolution

The members of the China Inland Mission, who went to China as missionaries from Great Britain, Canada, Australia, U.S.A. and other countries were compelled to wear Chinese clothes as well as the “pig tail”. 
   Gertrude Jolliffe, “The Queue”, Album, [page 39-40], undated.

Recalling a Gruesome Gertrude Story from “Our Work in China”

Years ago, I met the grandson and great-grandson of the Jolliffe’s who shared with me a copy of Our Work in China, the memoirs of Gertrude and Charles. I remember one story I read that stood out to me so vividly that I have always remembered it. Here is my recollection of the incident:

Dr. Ferguson was among us and helped to establish the Western dispensary, which was greatly used by our small clinic. He told this story concerning a Chinese woman who had gone into labor. He was called to assist, and so was the midwife. She had fashionably long fingernails, which the Chinese women of high status wore. Such nails indicated that one did not have to engage in manual labor. Often times, to protect the nails from breaking, the women wore metal guards. In this instance, the midwife had removed the guards, exposing extremely sharp and deadly nails which, as the child was removed from the womb, accidentally sliced across the tender belly of the newborn child. The intestines were exposed, pouring out in such a manner that I was unable to relieve the child’s distress. Needless to say, the baby did not survive.

To this day, I have always wondered if Dr. Ferguson ever again allowed a Chinese midwife with such knife-like appendages to assist in his deliveries.

The Entire “Our Work in China”

If you are truly interested in reading the Jolliffe’s full account of their time in China, here is the digital copy of all 99 pages.  It is one fascinating read.  I encourage anyone who has a curiosity about life in China over 100 years ago to take a look.  It will NOT disappoint!

https://digitalcollections.vicu.utoronto.ca/RS/pages/view.php?ref=6472&k=

The voicemail from one of the Clark County Historical Society members was a surprising one.

“Connie, this is Edie. I’m putting together a cemetery walk as a historical society fundraiser. Different people will portray a Marshall person of interest who is buried at our Marshall cemetery. I came across a couple who were missionaries in China for 27 years and thought you’d be a perfect fit. You’ll have to dress in costume. I already have the script for you to read. Let me know if you’re interested or if you’ll be gone by then. “

Interested?! Absolutely! Gone by then? Fortunately not.

Before receiving Charles and Louise Killie’s story from Edie, I researched a bit more about this couple. I found quite a lot about missionaries to China via the Presbyterian Historical Society’s carefully documented website.

Charles Killie’s brief history

Charles Killie was born in Marshall, Illinois in 1857. After completing high school, he obtained work first at a newspaper, then as railroad clerk and finally in the insurance business. In 1879 he married Louise Scott. In 1886, at the age of 29, Killie entered Princeton Seminary. Following his graduation in 1889 Killie and his wife applied and were accepted as itinerating missionaries for the PCUSA’s Board of Foreign Missions. (PCUSA is the Presbyterian Church of the USA.)

Killie’s first appointment was to the Shantung Mission at Ichou-fu. (See the above, the Killies and Chinese converts at the mission). In 1899, he and his wife were transferred to the Peking Mission. Killie’s work in Peking corresponded with the Boxer Rebellion in 1900 and he used that opportunity to report and photograph the events. (See a few of his photos below)

As a result of his services during the siege of Peking, Killie was voted the bronze and gold medal of the Military Order of the Dragon by the U.S. Army and Navy officers. Killie left Peking in 1902 and was then transferred to Paoting-fu where he served until 1912. In 1912 he withdrew from the field in ill-health, and returned to the U.S. with his wife and spent the remainder of his years lecturing for the Board of Foreign Missions.

More of Charles’ Photos Available Online

Interested in viewing even more of his incredible photos documenting the Boxer Rebellion? See the below link

https://digital.history.pcusa.org/islandora/search/%22rg%20226%22?type=dismax

And this one will lead you to his published album, 50 Views of Siege of Peking (1900).

My Person, Louise Scott Killie: Her Story and Life

My research into Charles intrigued me greatly but what about Louise, my person?

Once I gave the go-ahead, Edie emailed me what she had put together for Louise. Here she is:

Hello. I’m Louise Scott Killie, widow of Rev. Charles Andrews Killie.  My husband and I were married in Vermillion County, IL in early 1879.  He was born here in Clark County, IL and I was born in Iowa.  By 1880 we were living in Indianapolis, IN where he was a salesman in a cigar store.  In 1881, when President McKinley was assassinated, my husband sent the Indianapolis newspapers back to Marshall so that the local paper could have all the details.  He had not forgotten his home town!

A few years later, while we were in Washington, D.C., we heard Dwight L. Moody preaching and my husband felt a call to the foreign missions.  He attended Princeton Theological Seminary and, in the Spring of 1889, we sailed for China under the direction of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions.  We lived at the Shantung Mission, at Ichowfu and later at Peking and Paotingfu.  During the Boxer Rebellion we were in Peking, but were inside the British Compound during those terrible months.  After the Rebellion we were allowed into the Forbidden City, a beautiful palace complex which is surrounded by opulent gardens. Rev. Killie was able to photograph the beauty. We traveled from community to community often on the back of a donkey or in a Chinese style wheelbarrow.  We covered thousands of miles from 1889-May, 1912.  That is 27 years!  Rev. Killie had the educational background as a preacher, but I was there with him during those years.  I helped in whatever ways I could.  Rev. Killie became seriously ill and we returned to the States.  He was under a doctors care for about 18 months.  You might think that a man in his mid 50s would be at the end of his career, but you don’t know Rev. Killie!  He loaded up his photos(which he had made into slides)  and his experiences in China, and of course, his Bible.  For the next 2 ½ years he logged over 61,000 miles, making over 900 speeches.  Through these talks all over America, thirty-seven young people joined the foreign missions!  But Rev. Killie was still not well.  In the summer of 1916, after his third serious operation, Rev. Killie died and body was brought back here to Marshall.

I came back to Marshall also.  I found several ways to honor Rev. Killie. In 1938 a U.S. flag that he purchased in China was donated to Marshall Township High School for Armistice Day in his memory. During the Centennial Celebration for the Congregational Church I donated one of the large floral arrangements for the celebration.  In 1943 I was laid here beside him. 

Photo of Louise in China

Thanks to the Internet and the excellent Presbyterian Historical Society archives of PCUSA missionaries, I found the below photo. Charles is standing, on the far left, and Louise is standing to the far right. Others missionaries are pictured here as well, serving alongside them. No date was given but I would assume 1890 – 1900.

My Reflections during the Sunday, November 5 Event

There were 9 stations throughout the cemetery, with 9 of us taking on the roles of past residents of my hometown. During our 11 – 2 p.m. impersonations, over 50 attended, clustered in groups of two to six. In all, I gave Louise story a total of 8 times with each repetition creating more and more of a connection to this person a few weeks before I had never known.

When we finally finished, I hung back after all had left to reflect upon Louise.

I contemplated her commitment to missionary service, her deep-rooted love of China and its people, not to mention her fears, joys and struggles of living during such a turbulent time period in her Asian home. Then there came her final years back in the States, traveling with her husband to share their overseas experiences and the outcome of their 27 years preaching the gospel to the Chinese. What a life fully lived, and one worthy of recognition. I felt honored and humbled to be included in this wonderful, meaningful event.

Such a fitting send-off for me, one who has a similar commitment of serving others, as I leave for my new overseas placement in Laos.

So let me give you the updates from here and what is happening with poor, yet highly determined, Connie.  

My Halloween Night passing out candy to over 200 Trick-or-Treaters was to be my send-off to the neighborhood, the last big fling before heading off to Laos. I really overdid, too! Carved my pumpkins, dressed, prepared my candy . . . . October 31st was great fun, as you can see below.

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Almost!

I had exactly 4 days from today (Nov. 5) until I was to leave: China first for a month, to say goodbye to friends, to attend choir once again at my Chinese church, and most importantly to go through my things stored in my friend’s apartment, arrange the shippers to come and have all this dealt with so it would arrive in my new country, Laos. There I’d begin my new life as an English teacher in the capital city, Vientiane.

Everything was in perfect alignment for the above schedule until . . . my tourist visa to China was denied with no reason given.

Heading directly to Laos

This left me rather in a discombobulated state. It had me spending a day in somewhat of a daze, not to mention a few tears, before taking a deep breath and launching into Travel Plan 2.

I will now be leaving directly for Vientiane, Laos, from America, on Friday, December 8. This was the earliest air-ticket possible that was cost-effective and would allow all Laos visa preparations to fall into place before leaving the country. I will be flying out of Indianapolis to Atlanta where Korea Airlines will send me first to Seoul, Korea, then onward on December 10 to Vientiane, Laos.

My work visa for Laos is being processed as I write this. Those in Laos will have it ready for me by mid-November. I will be able to smoothly enter the country, process the full work permit in 3 weeks, and obtain a full 1-year employment visa. This will allow me to begin puzzling together the many pieces needed to get me settled into my new overseas home: searching for an apartment, meeting the Sunbeam Vocational and Language Center staff, exploring the city, meeting colleagues and being introduced to area English teachers that I’ll be working with. I’ll learn my duties and expectations from others, plus start planning how to get my China things shipped to my new home without me being present to oversee the necessary procedures.

A Much- Appreciated Holdup: My mom’s birthday, Advent, Christmas City Celebrations

Despite this disappointing, sudden and shocking delay, I must say all is well. Don’t worry about me. I’m OK and continue rejoicing in my upcoming new life move.

First, my mom will be celebrating her 90th birthday this month and I will be here to make sure it’s a special occasion. The day itself? November 23, Thanksgiving Day! We are planning to dress up and go out to eat. There will be just the two of us, aside from China rescue dog Bridget, so might as well make it extra special by NOT fixing dinner, nor making a huge mess of the kitchen which we’d have to clean up.

Second, I’ll be able to enjoy a bit of my traditional Advent customs before I leave for a country that is 60% Buddhist with only a minuscule part of the population being Christians, 1.4 %. I always make Christmas no matter where I am in the world, as I did in China and will do in Laos, but for now, it’s nice to enter into the holidays without too much of an effort in doing so.

Third, my hometown’s Holly Days on December 2 will have numerous activities to participate in. There will be choirs singing uptown, live nativity scenes around the square and holiday shopping booths galore. I’ll have yet another great opportunity to record it all for my future students. I can’t wait to put together power point presentations highlighting Marshall’s downtown 2023 Christmas celebrations rather than rely on what I collected the last few years, which hasn’t been much.

Lastly, I’ll be able to help my mom drag out all the Christmas decoration bins from the garage and set up our seasonal favorites: the Christmas tree, heirloom knick-knacks, age-old tree ornaments, our 1930’s Christmas scene, outside lights and whatever else we’d like to add to celebrate our 2023 holiday before I leave.

Believe me, I will make this gifted extra 1 month very special, unique, and memorable, not wasting a single minute before beginning my upcoming life in Laos.

Watch this space for all the details of fun in the next few weeks. There will be a lot of them!

“Connie, you’ve been approved to go to Laos. Do you accept?”

My reply? “I do!”

That email came 5 months ago, leaving me excitedly hopping about the back room (my tiny living space in my mom’s house) in anticipation of my next journey as an overseas English teacher.

But that joy turned to anxiety. Looking down at my feet, prancing along with me were my China rescues, Lucy and Beanie, who as yet had no takers for adoption. This bonded pair just were NOT happy separated. All my advertising efforts continued to be in vain. Fliers had gone out, Facebook postings given, announcements emailed to friends and church communities nearby and urgent pleas to anyone willing to listen.

And, as a Christian, of course I prayed.

I prayed for a calm spirit. I prayed for faith and trusting in God’s plan. And I prayed for my two to find a match made in heaven.

A Nibble of Adoption Interest

Days later came a message on Facebook from my local veterinarian, Dr. Ericka Yeley, who had given check-ups and teeth cleaning to both of my canines.

“I have a client who recently lost her dog and is looking for another furry companion,” Dr. Ericka wrote. “She understands you have a bonded pair. She’d like to meet them. Her name is PJ and her number is XXX.”

Needless to say, I called her right away to arrange a visit. She was home! In a matter of minutes, I loaded up the dogs and off we went. She lived just 5 minutes outside of town, in Livingston, an unincorporated rural community in our county. In fact, I’d driven by her Rt. 40 home on numerous occasions as I drove to Terre Haute for my lap swims. It was a lovely 1-story brown-sided home, with a huge yard and a side deck overflowing with beautiful potted flowers. I often thought, “I wonder who lives in such a nice home? Obviously someone who takes pride in making the house look pretty and cared for.”

Wouldn’t you know it: that was PJ’s home, where I was about to go to.

The Initial Meet-and-Greet

On our first visit, it was fairly obvious Lucy and Beanie were right at home. Neither one hesitated in dashing out of the car’s back seat and racing up to PJ’s deck to enter the house. Beanie was first, paying no attention to the sand-papered strips on the steps. Lucy wasn’t happy with the feeling of such a new sensation on her feet so she leapt up from the ground to the top floorboard planks. That was quite an impressive height for such a small dog to manage but she had no trouble at all.

PJ’s greeting was one which welcomed us in such a way that I knew here was a definite dog-lover.

As the two explored the kitchen area, PJ and I sat to talk a bit.

PJ’s Story

I learned she was originally from Michigan, working for TRW when she was moved to Marshall’s TRW plant. Her husband was working for the State of Michigan as their “wrench guy”. He designed specialized wrenches to use for specific equipment. Eventually, her husband moved to Marshall as well.

Her son married a local girl and is just up the road from her. But she lost her husband in February, 2020. And just recently, the last of the 5 dogs she and her husband had raised together died. This is what sent her on a search to find a companion, some loving little doggie to come home to from her Walmart position as a check-out clerk.

PJ had searched eagerly for a smaller dog, looking at rescue websites and mentioning to friends her needs and wants in a canine. Nothing seemed to pan out. She even considered buying a dog. Those dealings didn’t happen as some rather suspicious contacts gave her the run-around about purchasing and sending the animal to her.

When Dr. Ericka came through her check-out line at the Walmart, PJ mentioned she was still looking for a dog. That’s where the phone number exchange happened and Ericka’s connection with me.

Voila! The forever home journey began.

“The Girls” Find a Home

PJ and I took our time introducing “the girls” (as PJ called them) to a hoped-for new home.

We had short visits of a few hours, extending into full days and finally overnights. PJ carefully prepared them for the use of an electronic collar. This allowed them to fully enjoy out times, playing and sniffing about her large yard, without the fear of them taking off. It also gave both time to get used to a new routine, a new person, different surroundings and separation from me.

When we launched into a full week’s stay, it was time for the final hand-over.

Here we are below, Mother 1 (myself, holding Beanie) and Mother 2 (PJ with Lucy).

Grateful, Happy and Blessed

As my departure date (November 8) comes closer and closer, I am so very grateful to Dr. Ericka for the connection, and to PJ for her  loving acceptance of my canine pair.  Their quirks, interesting mannerisms and strange appearance (Lucy’s underbite is quite a noticeable feature) are not something many would find endearing but PJ does.  

Her last report to me was taking a nap on the couch with Lucy sprawled out full length next to her and Beanie curled up on the pillow at her head.

What more could I ask for my rescues than that:  A match made in heaven.

Until next time, here’s wishing you Peace for your day. 

That welcoming phrase, in both Chinese and English, has been a constant “ding” on my cell phone.

After almost 4 years, I finally announced my return to Luzhou in my China WeChat moments, a platform somewhat similar to Facebook and What’s App.

“To all my Chinese faithful friends, former students and colleagues,” I wrote. “I’ll be landing in Luzhou on November 10 and leave for Vientiane, Laos, my next teaching placement, on December 8. During my stay, I will be going through ALL my 80 boxes of things and 15 huge bags of books. I have so much stuff! No, I am not taking everything with me. I will announce in my moments the days you are welcome to come take whatever you want. I have quite a few English books which some of you might be interested in. There will also be wall pictures, house decorations, toys, stuffed animals and table-top items which I don’t want. Anyone coming will be welcome to take whatever you want a reminder of Teacher Connie. And I suggest bringing big bags. The more you take, the happier I will be.”

Connie’s Time Line

November 9, I will be flying out of the Indianapolis airport at 5:05 a.m. Central to begin my journey. I’m absolutely spending the night. I don’t think my older brother would appreciate driving me 1 1/2 hours from Marshall, Illinois at 1 a.m.

My wonderful dad did that once in February, many, many years ago, in horrible snow and ice on I-70. I was heading back to my teaching placement in Taiwan after a 1-month winter break. I remember trucks and cars sliding right and left off the Interstate as we crept oh-so-carefully along. My mom and I insisted we just forget it, turn around and go home. I’d be missing my flight but better miss the flight than end up in an accident.

My obstinate, stubborn father refused.

The result was we did make it on time, with the airport crazily having received not even a dusting of snow or ice.

That also ended any of my same-day, same-night drives to the Indy Airport. From then on, I did overnights at the local hotels.

So think of me on November 8 as I settle comfortably in my Indy accommodations, on my way to another teaching adventure overseas.

And my China rescues, Lucy and Beanie? Stay tuned, folks, for pictures and a truly remarkable story of their forever-home adoption. (If you missed their story before, check out the previous entry: https://connieinchina.org/2023/05/07/rescue-dogs-from-china-awaiting-a-new-home/)

I have a departure date, folks! I’ll announce in the next entry.

And along with that announcement will come the much anticipated story of my rescue dogs from China, terrier-mix Beanie and campus stray Lucy. They’ve been with me since March and after several unsuccessful visits with possible adopters where they were separated, I discovered pretty quickly they must remain as a pair. This kind of bonding is one which causes great difficulty in placement. Not many people want two dogs, and these two especially have specific quirks and persnickety behaviors which not everyone wants to put up with.

After advertising numerous times in my local newspapers, on Facebook, posting flyers around my community, emailing friends and just word-of-mouth, my two have found their forever homes.

It’s quite the story, one which still has me astounded and affirms that, yes, prayers are absolutely answered. Be watching for that to follow as well. (See below Beanie with Lucy, in the back seat of the car, after spending a week with their new mom and loving every minute of it! Full hand-over is tomorrow.)

In my 27 years of teaching English overseas, the word “exotic” never entered the descriptions of my environment. I did have a few that came rather close.

The Monkeys

There were the rather mischievous creatures which came with visits to a Japanese mountainous area, Arashiyama, where I fed wild monkeys. That was 1988-89, during a year I spent as an English language teacher at the Kyoto Japan YWCA. That was my first overseas stint as a professional teacher. To this day, I still hold a strong image of my mom’s visit, with us enclosed in a protective caged area while eager monkey hands reached through wire fencing to snatch at our peanut offerings.

Colorful Birds

Taiwan came a close second with colorful indigenous birds perched on bushes outside of my apartment. Every morning, I marveled over the green Taiwan Barbet or the vibrant Blue Magpie. These I saw on a regular basis while walking across the small bridge that led to Wesley Girls High School, where I taught English for 3 years.

The Panda

China had me in panda country for many years but I never saw any in the wild. I only saw them from a distance at the Chengdu Giant Panda Breeding Center, although for a donation fee of $50 US, anyone could hug/hold a panda for a nifty tourist picture.

I remember several of us Amity Foundation teachers, all with very limited salaries, had discussed on our visit if we should pay what we felt was an outrageous $50 for a panda photo. We nixed the idea At least, in 2005 that was the price but then it exploded (inching upward every year) to $350 US. And now, from what I’ve read, in 2018 this opportunity was suspended in all research centers throughout China despite tour websites saying otherwise.

I guess we missed our chance, never to come again.

The Elephant

For this Midwestern American, an elephant I consider exotic, although I never saw myself being anywhere near one except in the zoo. My comfort and desire in working in northern Asia, not in the African continent, kept me far from those mammoth beasts . . . until now.

Yes, folks, my new teaching position will have me in a very special region of the world where elephants are still used to work the land, although in a limited capacity.

The country Laos used to be known as the Kingdom of Lan Xang (1354 to 1707), which translates to “Land of a Million Elephants.” As Laos had extensive forests and sparse human population, wild herds of elephants roamed all over. However, due to environmental factors and encroaching on habitat, the Laos government and conservation groups estimate there are only about 800 elephants left in the country — 400 wild elephants, 400 in captivity.

Elephants and Buddhism

From my research, the fact that the elephant is a Laotian national animal originates from Buddhism, the major religion of the country. From the Buddhist perspective, the elephant represents luck, peace, and wealth, especially the sacred and rare white elephant which represents power and royalty.

The colors of the elephant refer to the conscious mind.

When people are born, they are as a grey elephant. They don’t know what is right or what is wrong and can’t control their actions. This is similar to a wild elephant which runs freely and destroys everything it encounters. After a person leads a religious life, however, the person becomes like a a white elephant, one that controls his/her actions and is powerful enough to eliminate all obstacles.

Interesting, yes?

Opportunities to Volunteer

I fully understand I’ll be busy as Coordinator of the Sunbeam Language and Vocational Center in Vientiane, the capital city. I expect the first month will have me racing about, getting housing, arranging my things to arrive from China, meeting the Center’s staff, continuing with existing programs while contemplating new ones and just figuring out how to live in a different environment and culture. But I’m certain I’ll eventually have opportunities to volunteer in the communities I come in contact with.

While it’s nice to volunteer my time as a language teacher, what I’d really enjoy doing is something different. Visiting an elephant sanctuary for a week and helping take care of these beautiful, unique creatures would be such an incredible experience. Reading the article below truly inspires me.

Anyone here want to join me? Give me a year to get my feet on the ground, and a bit of the language under my belt, and I’ll be good to go!

As you know, if following this site, I will be off soon to be engulfed in experiencing a new country, new teaching position, new people, new culture and overall new everything.

Years ago for my teenage overseas ventures (age 16 to Germany as a summer exchange student; age 18 to Tunisia on an archeological dig), technology was not advanced enough with today’s computers and cell phones. I had to go to outdated book encyclopedias for most of my information.

But now we have incredible resources at our fingertips that give us the most updated information possible about every area of the world. We can easily learn about all kinds of people: their stories, their cultures, their heartaches, their personal struggles. . . . Searches on the Internet reveal inspiring and informative documentaries, personal blog sites, Youtube video tours, hourly published articles and even give us the ability to actually connect via email or text message with anyone anywhere in the world.

A Hmong Connection

For my future home in Laos, I discovered of the roughly 7 million people in the country, “the Lao people comprise four main ethno-linguistic families: Lao-Tai (62.4 percent), Mon-Khmer (23.7 percent), Hmong-Iu Mien (9.7 percent), and Chine-Tibetan (2.9 percent), which are officially divided into 50 ethnic groups. The 50 ethnic groups in the country can be further broken down into more than 200 ethnic subgroups.” Each has its own language, tradition, culture, traditional dress and way of life.

When I read this, the Hmong stood out immediately. This group I have encountered in several areas of China on my different teaching placements. Guangxi Province, where I spent 3 years, had many of my students being of the Miao minority peoples, with a subdivision being Hmong. Sad to say, my contact was limited to only the classroom and campus activities. I learned very little of their special traditions or lifestyles in their small-town homes or villages.

With my upcoming departure to Vientiane, the Lao capital city, I looked into what brings people to this metropolis. Many Hmong and others come from poverty-stricken villages to find work or sell goods. Others stay contained in their village environments, never receiving much education beyond 3rd grade, getting married as early as 14 with children quickly following. Farming is the life of many and making ends meet is a challenge.

An Eye-opening Documentary of a Hmong Girl in Vietnam

It was just by chance my mom and I tuned into PBS on Monday evening to watch the Point of View (POV) segment. Every week, an independent documentary is chosen which illustrates a fascinating personal story of families, cultures, countries or individual people. I share with you the below, which gives a very raw view of a young girl’s carefree life thrown into turmoil as she navigates her teenage years.

I’ve also linked an interview with the director far below. Such a bright, sensitive young woman.

Both make for an enlightening viewing. I found the documentary to be heartbreaking at points, sometimes disturbing and difficult to watch. If you take the time to view either one, let me know your thoughts.

Interview tied Ha Le Diem, the Director

I’m unable to change my domain name to another unless I purchase it every year and link it to my current one. That means I’ll be paying for two names at full price. I would rather save that money so I will continue with connieinchina.org, despite me not being in China but somewhere else. (You all are bright enough to figure it out!)

Hope the above will answer questions about why I am continuing with the China tag. I’m still in Asia, though. In fact, I’ll be sharing a China border in my new country. There’s a high-speed bullet train built by the Chinese that goes directly into Vientiane, the capital city where I’ll be located. I can visit “my” China at any time, which will only be 3 hours away. What a perfect best-of-two-worlds (or rather best-of-two-countries) option I have for weekend get-aways.

Lucky me!