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2006-12-9
Hand me Downs
One of the most popular movies of all times is the Wizard of Oz. My favorite character is the Tin Man, mostly because silver is my favorite color and the axe is pretty cool too. I could go on-and-on about the Tin Man, but honestly he has nothing to do with this newsletter about hand-me-downs. One of the most remembered parts of the movie is when Dorothy is going through Munchkin Village and is surrounded by them. When I was in the process of telling people about my going to China, that is the perception that some of them had. It was the perception that I also had, mostly because before 24 August 2006 I had not been in contact with many native Chinese people. While I may not be in a land of giants, I received my first hand-me down from one of my students.
On Tuesday nights I go to the house of my Chinese Sister. Other kids from the neighborhood also come over and I teach them what English I know. When I first came to this beautiful land my Chinese Sister asked me to come to her house for the purpose of teaching English to neighborhood kids. They range in age from 12 to 18 and are an absolute joy to teach; however, I’ll tell you about them in another newsletter. As I go to this house on Tuesday night Fate has me stepping into something started by someone else, nevertheless I am happy to water these seeds.
My Chinese sister is middle age and a kindergarten teacher. Her house is big and the furniture is constantly being changed around every week. Which is good, I guess. When I first came to this house on Tuesday nights I had a little extra padding (hey, I’m a writer) and it was warm outside. In the past few weeks I’ve lost quite a bit of weight and it has become colder. As a result I have become colder and I am now waiting for spring to arrive. I realize that by saying this that my fellow co-workers at my former job in Oconomowoc may be in a small state of shock, because this time last year I loved the cold.
My Chinese Sister has made note of this change in me and is determined to help me out. She has a fifteen year old son and he is considerably taller than I am. At the rate he is growing my Bigger Brother is on his way to becoming the next Yao Ming, or Reggie White.
This last Tuesday my Bigger Brother gave me a sweater that no longer fits him. No, I don’t require the shirt of the backs of my male students in order for them to attend my class. This sweater, this hand-me-down, is multi colored and fits nicely. More importantly, it gets my friends off my back because it is warm enough for their standards.
Well, I have been going to the house of my Chinese Sister and Bigger Brother for a long time now. However, in October, I, my Chinese Sister and ten of my friends went to Inner Mongolia. While she enjoyed the trip she was not used to mountain climbing any more than I was. Nevertheless at least walking with her down the mountain was fun and took my mind of the incredible pain I was experiencing.
She is also a teacher or Laoshi (Lay o shee); but she teaches kindergartners, so I would say I have it easier. But I’ll get back to you on that point. My Chinese Sister also serves as my interpreter when I am teaching English at her house. My Bigger Brother is still a student in his second or third year of High School. He is also another brave soul to play me at chess. I’m slowly teaching him what I know about chess and by the time June rolls around I am confident he’ll beat me.
I am grateful for having met my Chinese Sister and Bigger Brother. Individuals such as these have made my experiences in China even better. Well, I’d love to be talking more with you, but I have finals to grade!
Zaijian!
6 weeks until Shanghai!
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