Wander Life

The Joy of Sandwiches

I guess it really is the little things that matter....  On Thursday, I had a couple students over to make sandwiches, and for four hours, we were culinary artists.  We made peanut butter and jelly; peanut butter, honey and banana; tuna; tuna melts; roast beef deli meat with fixin's; and corn beef(ish) melts.  I think the girls liked the options - if they wanted mustard, they could put mustard; cheese or no cheese; pepper or no pepper....  And, of course, I had fun, as well.  Fun hanging out with students, hearing their opinions, and seeing the creations they'd come up with.

And the winner, in my students' opinions?  Good ol' PB & J.  Guess there's a reason it's a classic - stands the test of time and cultures.  And though my students had never had it before, we are able to get all the supplies in the city.  Jelly and bread are no problem.  Chinese peanut butter is available at our local grocery store, too...though it kind of tastes like that "natural" peanut butter - which, in my opinion, doesn't have a super flavor.  However, Skippy is available at a local store that carries imported items, so...if you were thinking of taking a trip over here but were worried that your finicky kids would go hungry, worry no more!  Sandwiches are sweeping the nation!  (Ok, maybe not the nation...but, at least, a couple of students in northwest China now know about their deliciousness.  And they both said they were going to make them for their parents, so...who knows?  Might be just a matter of time before they take off.  Sure, I hope my legacy will be a bit more than this, but still...it's something.  Spreading the joy of sandwiches, one student at a time.)  : )         

China Life

Some things are normal in China....  Somethings are not.  The following three pictures help illustrate (two of which you may have noticed in the most recent photo album, but I thought perhaps I should expound).

#1)  We found genuine Thai food last night.  In northwest China.  The "really good Thai food in our city" part is something I would probably classify as "not normal life."  The "having fun exploring with friends and finding new places," though...well, yeah, that's pretty normal.  I love my random city...and my up-for-random friends are pretty great, too.  : )

#2) Split pants.  These are very normal in China.  Babies and toddlers  don't wear diapers here - they just have crotchless pants.  The parents are pretty good about knowing when they need to go, I guess.  Sure, there's the occassional mess, but hey, they think the fact that we have our babies and kids walk around in their own filth is gross.  So, you know - both cultures have points.

#3) Decorations.  I just really enjoy the things that are considered aesthetically-pleasing decore over here.  For example, little statue-type things of fruit and vegetables.  I mean, who doesn't want a glass-lettuce figurine sitting on their mantle? 

So, there ya go: a taste of China life - the norms and nons.   

Eight

Well, I guess this is just one of those blogger things.  My sister-in-law, Sarah (of Stout Tales fame), apparently got "tagged" and then passed it on to me.  Now, I don't know all the rules of blogging edicate, but I think that means I'm supposed to do something - from what I can gather, I'm to write eight things that people might not know about me.  Trouble is...I don't like people to know too much about me - anonymity is my comfort blanket.  : )

Nonetheless, since I have nothing but the highest regard for my sister-in-law, I will do as she asks.  Here, then, are eight things perhaps some of you don't know about me.

1)  Speaking of eight, that was my number in college.  That's right - I'm a former jock.  Soccer and softball.  I've got the ACL scar to prove it.  I also still wear my warm ups and use my bag - all of which are proudly emblazoned with the number eight.  Other than that, the number has no special meaning.  ...But I still like soccer and softball.

2)  I'm usually happiest when I'm outside doing something active.  I don't have to be wearing the number eight, but I like to play and work outside: mowing the lawn, hiking, riding motorcycles, diving for footballs and frisbees, etc.  The sweatier, the better.  And, of all outside places, I'd have to say that a soft, bright green grass field is probably my number one favorite place ever.  Just to be able to take off your shoes and sprint and layout for a diving catch or kick of some sort - there's nothing better.

3)  I enjoy writing.  Ok, I enjoy a lot of things, but here's probably the best day ever for me: I'd be on a grass field, playing, diving, etc.  (Preferably, there are mountains nearby).  Then when I got tired of that, I could cruise around some trails and jumps on my motorcylce.  Then swim in some nearby stream.  Then have a really good sandwich (good bread is important).  Then just sit there and read and write.  Then have some pie and coffee.  Then hop on a train and go somewhere new and random.  Those are all things I like.  (Oh, I also like grocery stores...but I don't think I want them near my grass field.)

4) And...I think that's it.  I know I was supposed to do eight, but...sometimes I feel the need to get creative with the rules.  Plus, I'm not particularly fond of talking about myself for too long - like I said, anonymity has its advantages.

So, there ya go: more information about myself than any of us wanted to know.  And since I don't really know what all is entailed in "tagging" people, I think I'll just say, if you're reading this and want to share eight things about yourself, go for it.  Just because I don't like talking about myself doesn't mean I don't like hearing about others - I'm not against others being on my grass field, too, from time to time.  : )

Picky, picky

Well, actually, that should read "picty, picty"...'cause I put some pictures up of my parents' visit (look to the left under "photo albums;" and I only put 30 of my favorites, so don't be all hesitant because you think it's gonna take forever - I know how you are...'cause I'm the same way.  It's really not that much of a time commitment - trust me).

Anyway, the parents came, they saw, they took pictures.  Success.  : )  We did everything from seeing touristy things in Beijing to seeing "famous" things in my province of Ningxia (eg., Sand Lake and these archeological tomb thingies) to seeing (and experiencing) normal things here in my home city of Yinchuan (northwest China).

It was all cool, but I must admit, some of my favorite things were just daily life stuff.  Like riding the  bus.  Or eating street hot dogs.  Going to the market.  Etc.  I like my life here, and I'm glad I got a chance to share it with my folks.  They liked it, too.  : ) 

Oh, and we saw this really weird spider one day.  Freaky, huh?      

Notes from the Parents

Well, the parents' visit is going well.  I thought that instead of me telling about it, I'd let you get a glimpse of China through their eyes.  Here, then, is what they have to say....

Mom writes:

This is the second morning we've been at “A”'s. Yesterday we spent the morning doing laundry and just hanging out and relaxing, so that felt good. We did three loads of wash and then hung them up to dry. Her apartment has a window room just for that. By this morning, everything was dry.

In the afternoon “A”, Steve and I took a bus into downtown

Yinchuan

and walked around. Everything was so interesting! We were amazed at how much fresh food we've seen. All kinds of fruits, vegetables and meats. I don't know where they are getting all the fresh fruit this time of year, but dozens of street vendors were selling it.

We went to the foreign store so “A” could buy butter, heavy cream and tobasco sauce. The local ethic group here are muslims, so when we were walking through the mosque section, we bought a slab of granola like stuff that is so good! All kinds of seeds, nuts and fruit in it. It is very, very sticky, too.

When we got home, Steve and I took a nap while “A” finished some paper grading. Then about 7:30 we went downstairs to have dinner with “N” and “K.” “N” had made chili and corn bread. It was very good.

“A” lives on the 5th floor, so we get quite a workout every time we go anywhere. Oh, yeah, yesterday morning, I went running with “K” and “A.” We ran about 4-1/2 miles.

The weather is very warm.

Today we're going to visit some of their friends at another school which is about a 1/2 hour-taxi ride away. Then we'll probably go out to lunch. One thing we want to be sure to do is see if Steve can get a suit made while we're here....

Dad writes:

Saturday dawned bright and beautiful. We, early risers that we are, were up at 6:00am and made coffee, and the day took off like a swallow diving for bugs. First we visited friends in the new part of

Yinchuan

and then had lunch. Then on the way home we went through the old down town and bought some computer things like a router and cords. Had dessert at KFC then got some groceries at the nice department store. Priced out some items and generally browsed.

After hanging out at the apartment and folding and ironing some clothes we decided to go to Big  Mama’s for jiaozi. N and K came along, and we took the little green bus to the door and as always had wonderful jiaozi. It’s translated “dumpling” but is more of a ravioli. Big Mama herself came over and exchanged pleasantries, and after leaving we cruised the city on foot for a short time and then taxied home with

Nancy

white knuckling the door in the back seat as we sped home.  When in

Beijing

,

Nancy

saw a garbage truck take the bumper off a car as we stood on the curb, and I think this might have slanted her view of the driving in

China

. Like any city it can be disconcerting riding in a darting taxi, and, even though "A" says that she’s not seen very many serious accidents,

Nancy

still feels Brush Prairie is a little safer. Full day with friends, food and fun....

China, meet the parents.

Here's China....  

Here are the folks.... 

It's been a great introduction.

So, yeah, my parents made it over here, safe and sound.  I flew to Beijing and met them on Monday.  On Tuesday, we stormed the Great Wall and became "true men" (because according to Mao's famous quote, "He who has not climbed the Great Wall is not a true man").  That evening we went to a tea house and (mostly) enjoyed a variety of traditional Chinese performances.  (I say "mostly" because one of the acts was a song known as Chinese opera, and I don't know that too many people I know of could honestly say they enjoy Chinese opera - it's basically like someone banging some pots around while a lady squeals and screeches like a cat with its tail on fire).

Wednesday saw us scoping out the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and the Summer Palace.  History and culture and all that.  : )

Today (Thursday), we flew out to my home here in Ningxia Province then spent the rest of the day walking down my street, going to the local nursery, shopping at my grocery store and eating at one of our local favorite restaurants.  Pretty normal every-day life stuff...pretty cool.

So...that's the skinny 'round here.  And tomorrow, I guess the introductions will continue.  I'll keep ya posted.  Until then, here's a hey from over here....