Hi All!
Another update from China!
I have had a couple of games of basketball with some of the Chinese and US students. These being my first games ever I was not exactly too familiar with the rules nor very accurate with getting the ball through the little net. In fact, several of my early attempts sailed way over the top of the back-board (I believe it is called). I learned that "hao-qiu" follows a good shot at goal. Not that I received any "hao-qiu"s myself.
At least I got some exercise to hopefully work off some of the massive volume of food I have eaten. I have taken to avoiding unnecessarily large meals where possible, but we still seem to end up having a banquet every other day.
I have been putting a lot of time during the past week into our discussion paper. I have put it up on the web at
if you would like to have a read. This is the third revision. It has changed a lot from the first draft. Thanks to all who provided thoughts.
Last Thursday I went with my room-mate Richard to visit Yu Kai, one of Richard's friends, who was home in Shanghai visiting his parents during his U.S. college break. Yu Kai met us at our hotel and we went to their unit about 20 minutes away by taxi. His mother had prepared a fantastic spread, which I rate as probably the best food I have had in China. I have added some photo's to my album at
Also on Saturday I went along to St Peter's church with my cheap guitar that I bought and took part in the folk group music practice for a couple fo hours. They did a whole lot of songs that I have never heard. They were also trying to work out some Chinese lyrics for a new song they are learning, so I made a suggestion for that, too! (Although I'm not sure whether it will make it in, but I think it was perfect.) I then went to 5pm vigil mass. Unfortunately I forgot to take my camera along. Next week for sure! For a change I decided to take the train. This turned out to be a lot more convenient than the bus, and quicker.
On my way out of the hotel on Saturday the lady in the store saw me with my guitar. She is always very friendly and talkative although I sometimes aren't quite sure what language we are using - certainly not English and probably not Chinese. Perhaps the term is Englese witha touch of another dialect. In any case, last night when I popped into the store to buy something she wanted me to bring my guitar down. So I did! I was joined initially by a couple of comrades. After a rather dodgy rendition of a popular Chinese song that we have been learning, I did a couple of instrumentals and then finished with 'Father and Son' as I thought this would bridge both the cultural and generational gaps (having been recently re-released by some current boy-band). Well, we certainly drew a crowd! My unexpected payment was a cold bottle of water - my first professional gig in China!
Over the last couple of days I have tried to do more character writing practice. This has gone by the wayside through the first few weeks as I was doing all the reading and writing for the academic side of the course. But now I really want to concentrate properly on the language component. Our language classes have been a bit sporadic to date, but hopefully they will be more regular from here forward.
Next Saturday I'll be off to the folk group practice and mass again. Then next week there is the Oracle conference and a meeting with a local IBM representative on Monday. I'd better find out where to iron my shirts.
That's all for the moment.
Sean
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