Little did I realize back in 1971 as I entered BYU as a freshman Heritage Hall-ian and passed this sign on the edge of campus, that one day I would encounter these words again in an apartment in China...and in that same vein let me pause and pay homage to my brother John. 1). In his eyes there WAS no other university, and therefore BYU was the only place I applied. 2) He told me eye to eye last Christmas, "Yes, unequivocably you should apply to BYU China Teachers." Although last week I was a flea's hair follicle's distance away from walking home via Mongolia, Russia, the Bering Strait, Alaska and Canada (figuring I could call a friend from the Idaho border there and bum a ride home), I think this was a good choice. These are flowers from last week's Teacher Appreciation day. The little package with the orange bow was a gift from a student--little round Hello Kitty chocolate balls in a tin which I shared but mostly hovered over facing a corner growling when Jerry chanced too close.
Yeah, I know...right?
Check out the ancient hand held scale. Multi multi generational I'm sure. This lady mans a space in the very lively street market a block or so from our home.
I love this logo. And the name! I'm threatening to book Paco here if he gets out of order. Please feel free to leave your imagined treatments in the comments block. I'll start it off--hair implants.
I've been wanting to post about what I hear daily just through the windows of our apartment. Today is Sunday. I've been wrestling a bug for several days, so I opted to spare my fellow church members and bypass church. The windows are wide open because it is still hot here. Without further fanfare! WHAT I HEAR FROM MY APARTMENT:
- a dog barking--the same one daily. I recognize him and have even thought of taking him some scraps!
- two cats...well...caterwalling! They go at it around the clock. May the best man win! I hope she's worth it!
- throat clearing and expectorating over and over and over...it's a national sport. I would hate to miss the Throat Clearing "Wimbledon" by accident. I hope the finals are advertised. And over and over and over and over...Whoops, there's another! Loud and clear!!!!
- vocal practice--usually about 4 hours a day. I always think of sirens, Die Lorelai--that sort of thing. Pleasant. Has become an anticipated part of the days I'm home. She's really very lovely.
- children laughing and playing--a hum, constant white noise
- women calling to children and each other
- the Whistler!! I think my father was reincarnated as a Chinese peasant! Yet something else I anticipate.
- an ever constant ripping sound. It sounds like cardboard being hand shredded. How? Why? Riiiiiiiiiip. Riiiiiiiiiip. Repeat 300 times a day.
- I was warned about this one. Early in the day you may hear a barbaric YAWP of sorts which is, as close as I can translate, a cleansing yell. The first couple I heard startled me until a church member clued me in. Don't try this at home without sending around a flyer or something!
5 comments:
Thanks for sharing! For a brief second I was transported to China,sitting next to you! Back to reality! Get feeling better! Hugs!
That was a lovely audio tour. When I got new windows I was very sad to realize that although I was going to save a bundle of money, I couldn't hear my daily list of audibles any more. Glad you have your ears (and windows) open. Hope you are right as rain real soon!
Vasectomy...how DO they control the birthings there?
And, is it possible that whistling is genetic? Charlie is a non-stop whistler. I wonder if his teacher minds.
Charlie's recent teeth reconfiguration hasn't thwarted his whistling?
Speaking of gifts from students, it is that time of year when your students will inundate you with . . . Moon Cakes! Look for the ones made of green bean puree. My students thought they were the best, though I held a different view.
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