Brad and I with the kids after filming of the "fake" English Corner
This week has been marked by the cold winds, “Happy Halloween’s,” and warm friends. Monday began with an adventure. I decided that I would go to Walmart on my own to save us a trip together later in the week. I bravely boarded the bus alone, paid my 1 yuan, and rode across town. I successfully made it to Walmart and made my purchases, but only had 3 yuan leftover. I wasn’t worried, because I’d ridden the bus. I walked out to the bus stop, and thought it unusual that there were no people waiting. It was after dark, and I absent-mindedly studied the Chinese lettering on the sign. That’s when I saw it…and remembered. The bus only runs until 6:30 pm. I checked my watch, only to see that it was 6:45 pm. With no cell phone, and not enough money for a cab, I began the long walk across town.
I wasn’t too worried. I had on good shoes, and my bags weren’t too heavy. I was about half way home when an older woman with a bike taxi pulled over and tried to offer me a ride. I declined, but instead of leaving, she pulled over again about a block ahead of me, and waited. When I reached her, she again urged me to get in her taxi. I took out my wallet and showed her that I didn’t have enough money. I politely refused and started to walk away, but she called me back. I finally climbed in, and she shut the door behind me, gesturing that she didn’t want me to be cold. She drove me the rest of the way home, right up to our doorstep. When I got out, I tried to give her my measly 3 yuan, but she wouldn’t take it! Eventually I had to shove it into her gloved hands. I couldn’t believe her generosity in picking up a total stranger on a dark night and driving her across town for free. The kind hearts of the Chinese people continue to astound me as they daily go out of their way to help us.
The rest of the week went by quickly. Brad bought a hat for himself and one for me as a gift. Vicki and I took his hat to the seamstress to be mended (he’d gotten it for a discount since it was damaged). I invited Vicki out to lunch, and Forrest Gump and Marian joined us for dinner.
The end of the week was very eventful! On Friday night, Brad ran the first “English Club” on the Western Campus. These freshmen don’t have the community and conveniences of living on the main campus in the city. There is very little to do, buses to the city are difficult to arrange, and foreigners are a rare sight. So when three “Laowai” (foreigners) showed up to sing songs, play games, and answer questions, it was to a packed house. The room was electric with enthusiasm as Brad and Shannon led “Peace Like a River” and “Dum Dum Didee.” We also brought Shannon’s friend Maple along, and she did a fantastic job of leading the motions. When we left to catch our bus, kids followed us out, shaking our hands and asking us as many questions as they could.
On Saturday morning, Brad and I were up early to meet three students (Marian, May, and James Bond) with a basket of fruit at our door. They asked us to come to a videotaping on Sunday. We would be representing the foreign language department of our school for their yearly evaluation, and possibly appear on local television. All they needed was for us to show up and lead a “fake” English Corner. We agreed to it, and then the kids left. On their heels were two of my students (Maria and Sally), who had sewn some of our clothes that needed repairing. They also brought me a “surprise”, a light pink scarf that they had knit themselves. I continue to be amazed at the resourcefulness, creativity, and generosity of my students here.
Saturday night was the fabled “Halloween Ball.” We all dressed in costumes, Brad as a bucktoothed hillbilly, Shannon as a cowgirl, Peter as “The Shadow,” and I dressed as “Super Woman.” Maple and Vivian showed up to escort us to the ball. We were escorted to the side stage, where the students formed a tunnel for us to enter the area in front of the stage. After resounding applause, students in pairs entered to dance around us. We judged the costumes and ballroom dancing to the best of our ability. Some kids wore masks, some had rabbit ears, some wore bows, gauzy skirts, and colorful ribbons. Then the winning couples were given awards. Following this, all the kids danced to the “Bunny Hop,” “Macarena,” “Electric Slide,” “Chinese Cha Cha,” and “Achey Breaky Heart.” Shannon has been teaching them these dances over the past few weeks, and then they would teach one another. It was so cool to see so many kids having such a great time dancing together! Afterward, the dormitories brought forward their Jack O’Lanterns and we judged those as well. The emcees asked us (the foreign teachers) to do something special, so Shannon sang “So this is love,” Peter sang “Take me to your heart” with James Bond, and Brad and I swing danced to a Chinese song. We danced all night with the kids and had a great time.
On Sunday, I led our morning meeting with only a little bit of nervousness. After a “Double date” lunch, the four of us headed over to a nearby lecture hall for our “video.” This was actually the third video for which I was requested. Shannon was asked to teach a “fake” class, I sat in a “fake” faculty meeting, and I stood in the courtyard “faking” interactions with students. So now we were “faking” an English corner. It was fun talking to the kids anyway, so we just tried our best to ignore the video cameras following us around. Brad taught the kids “Free Falling,” “Country Roads,” and “Dum Dum Didee.” Afterward, the director told me that he’d been to the U.S. making films, and that he might want me to be an actress in a film one day. The kids got a kick out of this, and I laughed and thanked him. It is common knowledge here that foreigners (especially Caucasians) are considered very beautiful and well-spoken, and are often asked to be in radio and television. Peter has actually been doing some voice-overs himself recently. So I appreciated the compliment, and the idea of foreign fame, but am not planning on a career in the Chinese film industry! After the filming, Marian and James Bond escorted us home. Brad exchanged music and photos with James Bond and Marian and I socialized. On their way out, Maple showed up with D.H. Lawrence’s “Sons and Lovers” in hand. She and I spent the next two hours wading through cockney English as we tried to decipher the more complex concepts of the book. By the time she left, I had just enough time to lesson plan before falling into bed!
It was an exhausting weekend, but we had a great time. As Brad says, “There’s no place I would rather be.” Thank you for thinking of us and supporting us! We love hearing from each of you. Take care, and have a Happy Halloween!
Love,
Brad & Jess
