#106 Teaching at Taizhou Teachers College, China (Newport News, Virgina, the Sister City of Taizhou, visits the campus of TTC)


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Asia » China » Jiangsu » Taizhou » Taizhou University
November 22nd 2008
Published: November 22nd 2008
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For the past weeks I have been dealing with "writer's block", and hundreds of photos began to accummulate in my Blog, as I was trying to overcome my daily anxiety dealing with the 2008 Presidential election in America. I have now survived the strain and the stress of the daily English news about the direction and conclusion of the election on China's television CCTV-9, and the internet coverage ... Read Full Entry



Photos are below
Photos: 134, Displayed: 21


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Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #1Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #1
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #1

I was graciously invited to participate to this introduction of a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony by our visiting teachers from Japan.
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #2Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #2
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #2

Our Japanese teacher, Ms. Kitano, made the Tea Ceremony a festive occasion, as students studying Japanese are seated to take part in the elaborate ceremony.
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #3Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #3
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #3

The presentation was a fascinating experience, and the details were carefully explained by Ms. Kitano.
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #4Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #4
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #4

I was also invited to participate.
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #5Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #5
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #5

I am known as a clumsy man, and this ceremony requires a delicate hand.
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #6Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #6
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #6

I had a very patient teacher to guide my hand around the small tea-cup.
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #7Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #7
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #7

My uncoordinated fingers could not match the grace of Ms. Kitano.
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #8Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #8
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #8

"OK, I am getting the hang of it!"
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #9Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #9
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #9

"That tea-cup seems to shrink everytime I touch it"! The little tea-brush in my hand begins to mix the green tea powder with the hot water.
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #10Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #10
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #10

The reward: Tasting a wonderful cup of green tea, and it was surely delicious and worth all the effort.
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #11Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #11
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #11

Grateful for a new and wonderful experience: A Japanese Tea Ceremony on the campus of TTC.
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #12Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #12
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #12

The students were delighted be part of this tea ceremony.
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #13Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #13
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #13

The students showed much more grace in handling the delicate tea-cup.
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #14Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #14
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #14

In their colorful Kimonos, the students of Ms. Katino at TTC gain a better understanding of the Japanese traditions.
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #15Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #15
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #15

After drinking the delicious green tea, Ms. Katino demonstrates how the cup is cleaned.
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #16Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #16
Traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony at TTC, Photo #16

It often requires small steps, to encourage a greater understanding between two nations, which are still healing the wounds of the past. The day's lesson was one of these small steps.
Japanese Festival at TTC, Photo #1Japanese Festival at TTC, Photo #1
Japanese Festival at TTC, Photo #1

Another great event at Taizhou Teachers College was a week of entertainment activities during the Japanese Festival. Students and teachers made great efforts, to bring the two cultures closer and heal some of the wounds still evident between the two countries. (From Left to Right: Mr. Takahashi, Mr.+Mrs. Kitano, and Arthurl Lee)
Japanese Festival at TTC, Photo #2Japanese Festival at TTC, Photo #2
Japanese Festival at TTC, Photo #2

During one of the evenings, students are waiting to witness one of the performances organized by the students, who study Japanese at Taizhou Teachers College.
Japanese Festival at TTC, Photo #3Japanese Festival at TTC, Photo #3
Japanese Festival at TTC, Photo #3

Waiting for the start of tonight activity is my friend Susie, who not only teaches English, but also help Arthur to take care of the needs of the foreign teachers at Taizhou Teachers College.
Japanese Festival at TTC, Photo #4Japanese Festival at TTC, Photo #4
Japanese Festival at TTC, Photo #4

Other guests, as Ms. Cui Jin Yan from the English Department, arrive to enjoy the evenings festivities.
Japanese Festival at TTC, Photo #5Japanese Festival at TTC, Photo #5
Japanese Festival at TTC, Photo #5

Three of the students, whose major is Japanese at TTC.



22nd November 2008

:)
I was definitely a cryer on election night and so happy that I wasn't disappointed yet again. We miss you!
22nd November 2008

Vielen Dank, Herr Schneider
Thank you for posting your insights. While I don't agree with you about the outcome of the election, it is moving to see the hunger for the opportunity to choose one's government your vote had on your students. I cannot think of a more humane act. God bless, mein Lehrer.
23rd November 2008

hurray for the USA
I am very proud to be an American now. The excitement in Atlanta, GA when Obama was elected was phenomonal. No deviseiveness (sp?). Black and white celebrating together. We have come together with hope. I like the optimism.
23rd November 2008

John Nanchang China
Hans, I’m intrigued by many of your photographs, as you seem always to be taking an active part in the ‘running’ and ‘administration’ of your college where you work simply as an English teacher. I assume that the meetings you show in your photographs were conducted in English, though for that to happen the level of English amongst the Chinese staff must be good. I write this; because nothing like this happens at the university I work for. I am simply given a classroom, a textbook and some students and told to get on with it. In fact, I have suggested many times that it would be a very good idea for the foreign teachers here to have a regular meeting – let alone attending any other meetings that might be helpful -, but my words always fall upon deaf ears. Sometimes, because foreign teachers work between two campuses and the accommodation is spread out, we really don’t know any of the other foreign teachers here until well into the term……………………………………………………………………………………………….......” This important week-long event has done much to ease some of the negative feelings of our students, as they still remember the days of the Japanese occupation.” Hans, how old are your students? You make an interesting comment, as I too have visited the Museum in Nanjing, which has documented the massacre, but the students I went with (they were employed as teachers) were certainly more interested in shopping than what the Japanese got up to in the 1930s. At least this provided me with the opportunity to walk around the museum while taking my time and thoroughly enjoying reading the English descriptions…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. I know nothing of American politics I admit, but I did read the comments of an African President once, who commented that his citizens should be allowed to vote in the American election, because their country was bombarded with news about the forthcoming election. This viewpoint I sympathize with. Students often ask me how I celebrate Thanksgiving, though I am British. Sadly, not a single students asks what I do on the 5th, November, though they find to time to bemoan American hegemony.
24th November 2008

Hi from the US of A!
Hi Hans Another great blog and am pleased that the new Japanese teachers are involving themselves in college ctivities. I wish I could be with you to celebrate but I am now in San Diego my last port of call before returning to Oz! I have a challenge for you- learn another song!!
24th November 2008

I cried too! I was one of the lucky several hundreds in Grant Park the night of the elections! It was incredible! Miss you terribly...You should visit Chicago, Hans :] Deine, Sandra
28th November 2008

Schneider wie geht es dir?
Hallo, Hier ist Hans und Cyril und wir schreiben zusammen von Chicago. Heute war thanksgiving und wir haben ein grosses abendessen genossen mit meine schwester Corinne. ----switching to english---- hehe We were talking about the past and had wondered what and where you had disappeared to. It's great to see your blog and that you seem to be very happy in the Far East. It would be great to here from you and catch up a little on all the years past since Gables in 2003. Greetings from Obama country, Hans and Cyril
1st December 2008

Hi! ,I came in
I hve resd your blog .and I know that your life is very busy . hahao()_))o... You should keep fit with exercise daily . A NEW LUCK WEEK!
23rd December 2008

hello
yes,you a great man

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