I'll Never Let Go, Jack

I have a theory that if you ask most Chinese people what their top five favorite movies are, most of them will include Titanic in one of those slots, most often at #1 or #2.

Seriously.


Want to know what would also be included in the top five? Forrest Gump. Because of ping pong.

Seriously.


When I ask my students what their favorite movie is, they sigh and say, "Titanic," quickly followed by "Oh, it's so romantic."

When I have students tell me that I look like Rose from Titanic, I know it is a HUGE compliment in their eyes. (I personally don't see the resemblance)

So, when my students were given the opportunity to participate in an English Drama Competition, what else would they do but recreate Titanic? Here is the basic story:

1. Rose and Jack meet and fall in love.

2. Rose and Jack share a special moment on the bow of the boat. (While narrator, future Rose, and her granddaughter look on)

3. Suddenly, Jack is in the icy water, hanging onto Rose as she floats on a desk.

4. Then, Jack dies.

The End.

That is basically the story, with a few details left out here or there for time sake.

Happy Reformation Day

Today, I had a note put on my door. Now, I know I don't live in Wittenberg, Germany... or in a church for that matter. The note wasn't nailed to the door, nor was it the 95 Theses, and it didn't even mention indulgences. And, we are far removed from October 31st, 1517

But, I still got a note on my door on today, because my teammie Theresa is awesome.

I dub this the 1 Thesis.

Happy Reformation Day everyone!

I think I'll watch Luther tonight. Fun times.

Visiting Student's Dorms

I had it so good!

Living in Owen at WBU, my freshman and sophomore years of college, I had it so good: two girls to a room, and just four girls sharing a bathroom and shower. Davis was even better. I had my own room, my own bathroom, and just shared a living room.

At ZhengDa, things are different. There are eight girls to a room, and they share a bathroom with at least 50.

Showers? They have to walk across campus for those, to the shower building, and pay every time they take one. But, there is no complaining. This is just normal for them, normal for all universities in China.

I have it so good here. I have a cozy little apartment with a bathroom and a shower! What a huge blessing. It is amazing how perspectives can change.

I have visited several of my students dorms. Here are a couple of pics:

Thank You, Dad

I will always remember the day. It was a day that forever changed my life. My dad, without any reason or pretext, brought me a most wonderful gift: my first jazz cd. It was the greatest hits of one Mel Torme. This was my first introduction to the genre. I fell in love with the music of Mel Torme, his smooth vocals and wonderful lyrics. It pulled me away from other bands like NSYNC. Thank you, Dad! After Torme, many other greats were soon to follow. The cds were given without any fanfare. I would often be sitting in the living room, reading a book, and a jazz cd would show up at my side. Among the treasures were Bobby Darin, Ray Charles, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holliday, and Frank Sinatra. 

Sitting in my cozy apartment in China tonight, I put on that first Mel Torme cd, and it brought such sweet memories. Thank you, Dad, for giving me such wonderful music, and such wonderful memories.

This is one of the infinity of reasons that I love my Dad. He's the best in the world.

And now, for your listening pleasure:

Mel Torme

Bobby Darin

Maybe I'm such a hopeless romantic because I grew up listening to songs like this. :)

View From My Classroom

Yesterday was Mid-Autumn Day. Today is National Day. And, my campus is looking beautiful.

This is the view from one of the classrooms I teach in.

 This week, I haven't had to teach any classes, and most students have gone home. I walked to my classroom building and snapped a few pics. This is my classroom building:

What is missing from this picture? A few hundred bikes. On a normal class day, you can't see the building for the bikes. :)

This next one is the staircase leading up to classrooms. I teach half the time on the second floor, and half the time on the third floor.

This is what all of my classrooms look like. No technology, but the blackboards slide up and down!

I love the fall colors in the trees. This view is on the way back to my apartment (which is receiving a good scrubbing this week)

Happy Fall!