Zhou Village

A few weeks ago, the school wanted to take Sam and I to see the “Zhou Village.”  Apparently it is an ancient village owned just by the Zhou family. There are still a few families that live there. It was cool. Here are some pictures.

Alright, so here’s a funny story. Everyone knows that I am not always the most graceful person. My school wanted to take us to out to lunch before we went to Zhou village (but we couldn’t because I already had plans to go to one of my Student’s birthday parties.) we were supposed to eat at this cave restaurant. After the Zhou village, the school was so excited about this place that they still wanted to show it to Sam and I. It was actually pretty cool.  We went walking through the cave, but it was really dark and we didn’t have any flashlights. We were walking on a small cement plank (the rest was muddy water).  Well leave it to me to somehow fall right into the water! That’s right. I was stuck up to my waist in mud. The friend Luke had to literally pull me out of the mud. We were going to go to dinner, but I was soaking wet. It was pretty funny. My head teacher honestly said this,

“Brooke thank you for always making things exciting and entertaining us.” Yup, that’s what I’m here for.  My school was having a fit saying I was going to get very sick. They suggested we go to Shuangpai (which wasn’t very far away) and I could change into some of Haiden’s clothes. Praise that we are about the same size.

After I got changed, we had a big dinner with my school and Haiden’s school. The dinner lasted about 3 hours.. and we left early. Chinese dinners are quite the event. Pretty much everyone gets drunk and makes toasts to each other the whole night. It’s pretty funny sometimes.

Secret Village?

Ever since Sam and I got to Lingling, we have been trying to find this Confucian temple. We found it on a map, but we have yet to find a way to get there. Last Monday we took out our bikes. We were determined to find it. We found a dirt road that looked like the direction of the temple. We discovered a farming/village community! We have lived here for three months now and we didn’t even know this place existed! It was crazy. We followed a few Chinese boys that were lighting off fireworks. I was freaked out that they were going to burn down all the farms. These boys were so cute. I seriously want to take them back to America. They spoke standard Chinese so Sam and I were able to talk with them. We were stoked that we could have a conversation. Granted they’re little kids and we still didn’t catch everything they said, but it was still pretty cool. One little boy, loved my camera and took pictures of everything. He was so fascinated by it. He asked us to come back and play with him and we promised we would. I can’t wait to play with him again. He was adorable.

Life As A Movie Star?

Living in China is quite the experience. I live in one of the poorest provinces and my city is really small. I am the first foreigner many people have ever seen. I am the first foreign teacher my students have had. The Chinese love white people, especially Americans. They think Americans are the most beautiful people ever. It doesn’t matter if I walk out on the streets in sweats with no make-up, everyone will tell me how beautiful I am. I have white skin, blue eyes, I’m tall, and I have curly hair (or used to) which is all very different from any Chinese person. I definitely stick out. I’m constantly starred at and everywhere I go people shout, “Foreigner!” or “Oh! Beautiful.” It’s actually quite entertaining. I have signed thousands of autographs. It is not unusual for my students to ask me to sign their books or clothes in class. They love taking pictures of me. I thought this would get old after the first month or so, but it is my last week here and I still have students who sneak their cell phones out and take pictures of me during class. I’m sure I am all over the Chinese youtube. I still have at least one student in every class that asks to take my picture after class. Chinese people are crazy.  Sometimes it does get a little annoying, but mostly I think it’s pretty funny. My mom used to joke that if you eve have a low self esteem, move to China. How true that is. They treat you like gold here.

A Million Posts?

So I haven't posted in FOREVES but that doesn't mean I haven't be writing. China decided to block the e-mails sent to blogger so I wasn't unable to post. I have about a million posts I need to post. This is more for journal purposes than anything else. Sorry if this is overwhelming.... don't judge! :)

Twinkle Day

Twinkle is one of my good friends here. She is a grade 3 student so she is very busy getting ready to take her college placement exam. Grade 3 students don’t have a foreign teacher, but I still get to see her every so often.  Yesterday was her birthday and we named it “Twinkle Day.” Haiden, Emily, and I went to Lengshuitan and took Twinkle shopping. (She may or may not have sluffed classes that day.) We bought her a new coat, scarf, gloves, and a backpack. She was so grateful. It was so cute. She told us this was the first birthday that she ever celebrated… she just turned 17. We also took her to KFC for lunch. KFC is a huge deal here in China. It’s a nice restaurant here. She has always wanted to go but it’s kind of expensive. We seriously had to teach her how to eat a chicken sandwich. Fries and an ice cream sunday were also foreign to her. Twinkle has had a difficult life. She was in to drugs and stuff but then she got adopted about two years ago and it has changed her life. Her dream is to become a diplomat. She has the best English. She can even talk faster than me. She calls us her “sisters.” Later that day she wrote us a note…

“Sister one, two, and three, Today I cried in my heart.  Today is the happiest day in my life. This is the first time other people remembered my birthday. The first time other people celebrate for me. I love you three.  I hope we can become sisters forever. Remember today forever. Today is Twinkle Day.”

-Twinkle

 It was pretty cool to celebrate her birthday with her. It reminded me how lucky I am and how I need to be more grateful for the things that I have. Later that day we surprised Twinkle with a cake. I told her she could invite her friends over to my apartment. I thought it was going to be a simple, innocent party. I wasn’t aware of the Chinese customs for birthdays. I was cutting the cake when one of Twinkles friends shoved a piece of cake in my face. Apparently the Chinese don’t really eat the cake. Instead they have a big cake fight! Maybe that’s why they are so skinny here. It was pretty crazy and within minutes the entire cake was demolished and there was cake and frosting all over my apartment. It was definitely one of the craziest things I’ve ever done. Here are a few pics of Twinkle Day adventures.

Guitar:

“Would you ask Picasso to sell one of his guitars…?

This weekend I also bought a guitar. I made friends with a local band here. They gave me a great deal and even offered to give me free guitar lessons. I’m pretty excited about it. My mom asked me why I bought it when I am only here for a few more weeks and I can’t take it home. In the great words of Dewey Finn from school of Rock, “Would you ask Picasso to sell one of his guitars?” I am most definitely taking it back to America. 

Xiao Yue Liang

As a kid I always wanted a frog, lizard, or turtle, but my parents never let me. My parents hate pets. The closest thing I ever got to a pet was a Beta fish that ended up eating my water frog. This weekend I bought a new friend. I guess it was my way of sticking it to the man. My pet turtle is the coolest thing ever. I named him Xiao Yue Liang (little moon). You better believe I am taking him back to America. I’m already working out the details to get him through customs. Here are a few pics of Xiao Yue Liang.