Blogs from Guangdong, China, Asia

For the third exam, I asked my students to talk about an idea that's improtant to them. I used to say, "Talk about something important to you," because most native speakers understand that I'm not asking about tangible things. After too many discussions of cell phones and first computers, I revised the topic. I've listed some of the more intersting topic choices. Of course, I've had many students talk about punctuality, perserverance, "never give up!", hard work, and aspects of the environment. One class had so many students talk about clean water that I started to wonder if there was a team effort I didn't know about. I've also listed some of the more interesting lines from my students. One student talked about how being a member of the CCP was important to him. The following ... read more

Every few years, the Ministry of Education sends a team of experts from Beijing to our college for an evaluation. They evaluate universities all over the country and this year it's our turn. The evaluation will determine if we're fulfilling our obligations as an instituion and are deserving of the accreditation of university. Right now we offer both 3 year and 4 year degrees (essentially, Associate's Degrees and University Degrees), but we're looking to phase out our three year program. We need good marks from the evaluation to do that. They're here for four days and the team looks at everything. They observe classes, interview students and faculty, read stacks of paperwork (some frivilous, some not), and strike fear into the heart of the administration for months beforehand. Our school has been getting ready for this ... read more

Had a story done on me last week by Guangzhou TV. Click here to watch the video It started when Guangzhou News Express did a story about my work at the Folk Arts Museum and my teaching and blogging. I was happy to do a segment for them, but once sitting down for an interview I wasn't much help. The reporter found out that I wasn't at all very foreign. As in, I don't do foreign things. Most foreigners on Chinese TV are goofy, jovial, and live a seemingly carefree life. I didn't exactly fit the profile. I teach history and culture at South China Normal University, and volunteer at The Folk Arts Museum other than that I am finishing a Masters in Historic Preservation. Not the life of the party by a long shot. The ... read more

I've lost my voice. Hard to believe someone who talks as much as I do can be so silent, but I am. I think I strained it by talking too much in class Monday and then not resting when I should have. Now I can barely whisper and even doing that hurts. Teaching has been difficult since I need to write everything on the board. Class moves slowly and my arm should be sore by tomorrow, I think. I've got a huge pile of medicines and teas to drink. Some I've bought and some have been given to me by students and other teachers. The stupid part is that all I need to do is rest my voice for a few days and it will be fine. But around here, esp with Chinese friends, they take ... read more

One irony about Guangzhou’s old villages like shipaichiao and tangchuen is not their tradition but their modernity. Or quiet modernity as it might be known. In tiny corners of the city where elderly people drink tea and do morning exercise, there is always a sex shop around. These sex shops cater more to women than to men. Usually family business operated by elderly women looking after the grand kids. If you walk through an alley and grandma watches a soap opera while five year old plays a computer game leaning against a glass case of Viagra. The first generation to grow up in the local sex shop will have a completely different view on life, and have a different reality for their parents. When they pass the college entrance exam they'll remember all the vibrators Mom ... read more

While doing some research on our end of year China trip, I stumbled upon this site. Reading the blogs has inspired me to start one myself! I have always loved the idea of blogging but have always been too lazy to start one. The idea of maintaining the blog will hopefully motivate me as I have started to let fear overcome my excitement for the trip. This will be my 3rd trip back to China. I was born in a small village in the Guangdong province and lived there until I was eight, when my family migrated to Australia to join the rest of the extended family. I went back to China for the first time after graduating from University, age 20. The main reason for this trip was to visit the extended families that we ... read more

This was a trip taken in August 2011. It was part holiday part work trip. This post is just to get this blog rolling. Enjoy some of the beautiful city night skyline of Guangzhou. Lights dances around on the water, reflecting the mass strip of buildings along the river. Streets are bussled with people 24/7. Traffic congestion is rare and somehow, it gives you the feeling of a busy Sunday, even on a Monday.... read more

In class this week, we're talking about inspiration and dreams. For one activity, I asked my students to tell me about someone who inspires them and why. Me to male student: Who inspires you? Male student: You! Me: Really, wow! Why? Student: Because you have such beautiful eyes. Me: I'll be sure to thank my parents. What does that inspire you to do? Student: Well, my English is so poor... Me: uh-huh. Part of Dreams and Inspiration includes talking about how they would change the world and help people. One group wrote the following: 1. We'd make much money. 2. Marry a beautiful girl. 3. Then we'd make lots of children. 4. The children and the money will protect the environment. I pointed out that I couldn't and didn't want to marry a beautiful girl or ... read more

Ladies and Gentleman, This particular entry will be about a city as a whole, the different places I have visited within the city. Unlike Dongguan where I made an entry for each place i visited Gaungzhou will be different because I do not live there nor do i travel there often. So with each new place i have visited within Guangzhou I will add it to this particular entry. Yes it will be long. The first stop on the trip is the Mausoleum of the NanYue King. The admission to the muesum is 12RMB at the time I went. Its open year round except for two days. There are 8 seperate areas of the place which are vast and very informative. The ticket office is off to the side of the main entrance. As I approached ... read more