Language & Grammar discussion

Here you go Rob....your own 'powerful water of wakefulness'! Change the title if you like (or tell me what you would prefer instead and I will fix it).

So... what's up on the other side of the world (you know, in Commie Sutra land).?

*Snort* - Water of Wakefulness more likely Trickle of Tenafulness

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Wonderful title - it weally weads like I have a whotacism [rhotacism:]- wather widiculous or a wight waving ejit!

*sigh*

Well NE, there might be plenty of Commies but no Sutra's that I can see. I think it's forbidden - although there is some groping in the park and I hear that the swimming pool has a few touchy-feely couples there - I guess when y'all live in a hutong you have to make do with what's available.

The big fuss at the moment is to "Block and Stop" - in the lead up to the big 60th anniversary of the People's Republic (paradox) so many www things have to be accessed at home when I can use my 'alternate pathway'. Thank goodness for a sanity break. Good Reads is not blocked though - so I can sometimes leap on at work.

I love it in Beijing - it is the absolute opposite of my hometown so I shouldn't feel so comfortable here.

That word I never thought I would use in a normal sentence ~'juxtaposition' was coined for Beijing - beside the pedicab is a donkey and cart; beside those are 20 bicycles, a porche and 3 Beamers. Grandma walks by with her breasts bouncing on her knees and coming the other way will be three young Chinese women who have breasts the size of walnuts; heels the height of the Himalayas and waists half my handspan.

Of course the shops open seven days a week until 9.00 or 10.00 p.m., the massages, manicures, facials and cheap restaurants don't hurt either.

What? No touchy feely in China? How do you explain the population over there? Seems they're in touch with their feelies SOMEhow...

Actually the general populace are very 'touchy feely' - so much so initially I was surprised, but generally same gender. The young girls on staff would grab someone's arm very naturally, and it is not unusual to see men with their arms around each other - and pink shirts and white shoes are quite popular too; not at all like home.

But overt public sexual behaviour is rarely seen - a little snogging in the park late at night perhaps as I said, but even then nothing like what you'd see on the average movie... quite frowned upon, I gather.

Hiya Robyn!
Great thread, enjoying it immensely.
Parks? late at night? Rob? elaborate?

Have you read Mark Salzman's Iron & Silk? He was a teacher of English in China and these vignettes are quite good. I'll bet not much has changed, either, knowing China (which hates change).

This is me and my three children at my younger daughter's wedding at the end of January.

This is the latest photo I have of us all together because we live rather scattered across the planet.

Becky, the bride, and her husband Kane live in my house in Masterton, New Zealand (around the corner from Deb).

My older daughter, Michelle, lives in Brisbane with her long time partner, Darren.

My son Scott, until recently "The Traveller" lives in Sydney at North Bondi.

I had a chance to visit each one in the recent July holiday, and it was nice to see them one-on-one but I do hope that I will get to see them together at Christmas (in New Zealand).

Gorgeous family Rob, you look beautiful and tres happy and proud of them. XJ.

Yes, I am very lucky with my kids - lovely people.


***

No, I haven't read Mark Salzman's Iron & Silk - I must look it out.

I have read River Town, by Peter Hessler, who was also a teacher who spent two years on the Yangtze. Life was much more difficult for him than for me, as I am in an International School and I live in a modern apartment complex. His book's worth reading as it gives different insights as he learned the language.

Fiction wise Adam William's The Palace of Heavenly Pleasure set in 1899, the Boxer revolution era is worth looking out for.

***


re the Parks, late at night - it is very safe here. We all agree that we feel much safer here than we do at home (no matter where 'home' is) - partly because China is in an era of gathering foreign expertise and bringing them to China to learn all they can from them - so everyone knows there would be trouble if anything happened to one of these 'experts'.

Even so, the locals seem to feel very safe too. Life is lived in the streets. I am sure there are places where people would not be safe at night but around here is not one of them.

Over the years people who live in close proximity, as in the hutongs, have developed a really social community lifestyle. Every morning people go to the park and join in various activities such as Tai Chi, Chinese Chess, Bird Walking (you take your pet bird for a walk in its cage), Dancing, Chinese calligraphy with huge brushes dipped in water and painted on the pavement, exercises, etc.

Every evening people go out to eat, chairs are brought out of restaurants and people eat on the footpaths - then they go for a walk and a natter.

Many people walk in the park or play sport in the park. I live opposite the biggest park in Beijing and often walk there in the evening. It is very beautiful - it has beautiful gardens and walking paths meandering through trees as well as streams and a river, sports fields and a running track for those more energetic. I havent named half the things in the park - it is huge.

In the summer there are paddling pools filled with goldfish and little children can try to catch them on a fishing rod (yeah right) and then after that fails they can try to catch them with a mini net.

When they are finally helped by Mum and Dad they get to keep what they catch and take them home in a plastic bag.




There are many things in the park for children, but at night, when I usually go, there are usually just adults.

The Chinese do other exercises while they walk. They are not in the least self-conscious - and they dont expect you to be either. Staring is not rude.

They walk along waving their arms about, or walk backwards, or clap their hands together or sing out loud. It is really rather charming.

In amongst all that on two occasions we have seen a few couples engaging in some other gentle exercises. Nothing at all to write home about - just some cuddling and kissing. This is not the norm...once was on a random Sunday when I was walking to church and the other time was on a special fireworks night, perhaps Spring Festival and we had walked over to watch the fireworks over the lake - twice as special with the reflections added in.

By the way - the park has a man made ski field in the winter and they made a beach there this summer. One way of using natural resources - the hill was created before it snowed and they extended the season by making snow with a snow machine. It hardly ever snows here but it stays very cold so the snow didnt melt. There was a rope tow and everything.

The beach is one way of reusing the sand from the Olympic Beach Volleyball competition.

Amazing what you can do when 'man-power' is plentiful.

Life sounds truly civilised and idyllic Rob, you must be loving your time there, the bird walking? a trifle bizarre? mais non? but your park sounds heavenly.

So, my day today.

Woke at 12.10pm - yes really! Had very little sleep two or three nights there; I think I had a compressed nerve in my lower back... pins and needles in hands and feet, hot burning skin on lower back, shooting pains down the back of my legs into the back of my knees and pains down my arms. Even pains in two places on my face! Difficult to sleep. I had to get up and eat chocolate. Even that didn't work - then I was rooting around in my cupboards looking for drugs. Amazing how many I found - finally took some codeine and had swirly dreams - late to work, felt like shit.

So, woke late today which meant I missed the post office. I went to acupuncture - my weekly session. I have been using acupuncture to help me lose weight - almost 30kg lighter now than when I arrived in China.

I spent my hour flat on my back on the bed covered in needles under the heat lamp. I usually go to sleep but my late start to the day coupled with the discomfort of lying on my back kept me awake today. I had planned to have a few needles poked in my sore back after that, but acupuncturist kept me on the table for longer than usual so I then had to hurry in order to be able fit in my cake and coffee before walking to the rugby.

I sat too long over the cake and coffee and ended up having to get a taxi to the rugby. It was lovely to see an old colleague who had come to Beijing for the day to have her hair cut and coloured. She's moved to Tianjin now (better pay and conditions - they even get their own driver supplied by the school, but no western supermarkets in Tianjin or hair colourists that you can trust not to make your hair orange.)

Got shouted free beer by the bar owner, followed by a handle for fifteen yuan, (about $3 NZ) - lots of Kiwis at the match, just a few South Africans. The South Africans from school didn't turn up. Perhaps my invitation to join us and to bring their tissues, had put them off... since we lost and they won I was pleased about that.

Walked from there to Thai Thai, a lovely Thai restaurant. Two years ago it was hard to get a table there, it was so popular. The food is just as good but today we were the only people upstairs in the non smoking part of the restaurant and there were less than 10 people downstairs. So much competition here - thousands of fantastic restaurants.

After dinner we walked to the little local market where I bought my daughter some new clothes - she has lost weight too and nothing fits her. I got her six tops, short and long sleeved "Billabong", "D & G" and "Roxy" - let you guess why the quotation marks there... cost two hundred yuan, about $40 NZ - plus a pair of jeans for around $15.

Then we went in to the little booth where we get our nails done. Lovely pink lazyboy arm chairs, so soft, just calling you to sleep while you are pampered.

I had a manicure and pedicure with massage for about $30. Wandered from there, being ever so careful of the nails of course, to the western supermarket on the corner.

I don't shop at the import supermarkets for much but I do have to buy my chocolate there and my cereal. Today I missed out on raspberries which is a shame - they go lovely with my natural yoghurt for breakfast or dinner, depending on my mood.

I was a bit laiden down when I came out of there with all the shopping so I couldn't get into my money for the beggars at the door.

Lots of people don't give to them for fear that they are professional beggars. I usually give them a couple of kuai, about 0.40c - I figure even if they are professionals, it's a lousy job. She had a wee boy with her, grubby young chap.

There aren't too many in Beijing - well, I rethink that - any are too many - but I have been to cities where the streets are lined with them. There are less here.

Over the Olympics they all disappeared and we wondered about their health! After the ParaOlympics we were quite relieved when they turned up back on their usual corners. I wish I could have asked them where they'd been.

So, after my strenuous day I arrived back home about 9.00 pm and have checked my emails - written a grovelling email to the South Africans, throwing myself at their mercy in abject apology for the things I said yesterday - and now will have a quick round of Farkle and of Bejewled on Facebook before I retire for the evening with my book, hot milk and my chocolate :)

And you? How was your day?

Here is the picture I sent to the South Africans (hope to avoid too much ribbing on Monday):


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I'm worn out just reading about it.

Bushed in Beijing. Lovely picture of rugrats in pain/fatigues/meditation/a Holiday Inn.

Swirly dreams sound nice...Rob.

OH! Rob, I started a thread so c'mon in and do a 'party piece' won't ya??

Sooo....acupuncture you reckon? (I saw Rob when she was here for a visit a coupla months ago and she looked AMAZING!!!)

Keeps me honest - she weighs me, and writes it down. I looked up acupuncture for weight loss and while there was no scientific evidence that it helps, there did seem to be some scientific support for the idea that it curbs cravings, and minimises hunger. Seems to work for me.

My method is to watch grossly overweight people struggle to walk out in public. And watch them eat at a restaurant. That'll do it everytime.

(Disclaimer: I realize some of these folks cannot help their condition. I also realize many of them can -- but don't.)

Actually I also watch The Biggest Loser - it helps to motivate me too :)

And I find 'the ugliest' is always a 'mirror mirror on the wall' validation for me..Show me grotesque, does cart wheels for my self esteem!

Well disruption left right and centre - truly bad time for us to have our Accreditation scheduled - the new road outside school which has been promised for about 3 years is finally coming to pass; H1N1 invented itself and because of the 60th Anniversary of the People's Republic we have many 'guidelines' about how to deal with it.

We are now up to temperature taking twice a day, and the whole school sterilised every day. Other schools have started to close but we dont have any confirmed cases yet.

Certain amount of paranoia leading up to the 60th - the 200,000 people expected to see the celebrations have all been vaccinated.

So:
new road = no proper access for our 40+ daily buses
H1N1 = when the kids do arrive temperature taking required (they already had to have it taken before they got on the bus - but the ones who come in cars have to have it taken on arrival and everyone has it taken again midday)
60th Anniversary = paranoia, so no Parent Teacher gatherings, no BBQ, no big events where people will be gathered (until theirs) and roads closed for rehearsals
Accreditation = half the staff in a blue tizz because they cant cope with the stress - cant cope with being asked to do anything - dont talk about working any harder etc...

The Primary teachers teach an average of 19 hours a week...

get paid a truckload, get free accommodation, free insurance, flights home, fantastic resources, model kids who like to achieve, get to go home at 4.30, and don't have any before school staff meetings

...and they are stressed! I'll give them stressed!

(I already told them not to go to New Zealand, Deb - they couldn't hack the pace).

It's not just the teachers - for the last two years I have done Operational Plans and Strategic Plans and Action plans, and reports on achievement - just because you do. Up until now no one was interested - indeed, may I say slightly scathing in some quarters.

Suddenly a flurry - the Superintendent lets everyone know that they'll (Accreditation team) will want to see the above! Egads - no one (almost no one, heh heh) has any, nor, it appears, knows even which is which or what to put on. When the question is raised someone's model (blank)(whose do you suppose?) turns up...then we start to get tips on what is needed e.g.

It needs to say who is responsible for what
Yes, I know - it does
It needs to say how much each thing will cost
Yes, I know - it does

THEN (the cheek of it) a certain person had the audacity to tell me that mine should be cut back.

I pointed out that mine was for last year and that you can't change history - and that all the things on it had been achieved as noted. (I refrained from pointing out that it was also under budget - because I am a bloody nice person)

So now someone has asked me for mine for this year at least three times... I have not sent it in anywhere yet.

Do your own, I say!

I have completed the whole schools Strategic Plan - but that was because I wanted to make sure my stuff is in there.

I have forgotten to mention that the things in the Strategic Plan need to be reflected in the Action Plan - the Strategic Plan is the broad brush strokes of WHAT and the Action Plan is the detail about the WHO and WHEN and HOW MUCH...

I think I'll mention that on the last day before the holiday - or even the last day before the team arrives... or when the team is already there... depending on my mood.

That'll larn 'em, I say - shoulda listened to me two years ago. I even sent everyone a copy 2 years ago and last year - dont think anyone looked at it.

*fizz and pop*

and how are you all?

Oh dear Rob!... Don't cave in!
You've done the work and when the fog clears, you'll get your just reward...that's a law of someone famous! :-)

The scare over this flu is a bit over the top, but understandable given all the hype it's had.

Hold your course...the sea is always changing. But, yeah, the timing appears to be awful!

Hey Rob.....;-) !!
Think I'd still rather be here! Hard work never killed anyone...........oh............well..........anyway!
I'd still rather live in a democracy!

Nah, I still think the best option is a Dictatorship -
so long as I am the Dictator!

A benevolent dictator can be a good thing! (See Lincoln comma Abraham)

Change of stream:
From time-to-time I am going to add in some of my favourite insults. It used to be a game we played - the idea was to be clever with words, not falling back on obscene language. Started around the "May the fleas of a thousand camels infest your armpits" time.

Shakespeare was a master, and so I have a daily Shakespearean insult sent to me by widget - here's today's:

Do you set down your name in the scroll of youth, that are written down old with all the characters of age? Have you not a moist eye, a dry hand, a yellow cheek, a white beard, a decreasing leg, an increasing belly? Is not your voice broken, your wind short, your chin double, your wit single, and every part about you blasted with antiquity? And will you yet call yourself young?
-Taken from: Henry IV, part 2

Oh, I love it.

'blasted with antiquity' Brilliant Rob.
(I will reuse that ad infinitum, love it)

Peace, good pintpot, peace, good tickle-brain.
-Taken from: Henry IV, part I

Shoulda paid more attention to Shakespeare when we studied it at school! I could have had such fun abusing the teachers, then telling them I was just revising my quotes for exams...

*sigh* opportunities lost.... oh ye tickle-brains

Words to ponder:

No tyranny is so irksome as petty tyranny: the officious demands of policemen, government clerks, and electromechanical gadgets.
- Edward Abbey

There are two ways to slide easily through life; to believe everything or to doubt everything. Both ways save us from thinking.
- Alfred Korzybski

Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge.
- Paul Gauguin

Bollocks

Bollocks

Bollocks

China bans foreigners from Tibet: tourism office
AFP - ‎5 hours ago‎

BEIJING — China has barred foreigners from travelling to Tibet until after sensitive October 1 celebrations marking the 60th birthday of communist China, ...

BEIJING — China has banned foreign tourists from traveling to Tibet ahead of a parade in the capital to mark 60 years of Communist rule, an official said ...

Tibet Tourism Bureau stops issuing entry permits to foreigners...Australia Network News - Desmond Ang - ‎2 hours ago‎

http://news.google.co.nz/news/more?um...

So no Tibet! Bollocks indeed!!

You will be glad to hear that the Chinese media has released a statement to say that foreigners are not banned from travelling to Tibet.

Yay.

I can't get a visa until after the holiday, however.

Now there's an exotic destination (sigh). About as good I'll do is Schenectady.

Head off to Yunnan province instead, Kunming then to Shangrila - guess I can't complain if I am going to 'Paradise'.

Yes I know what you mean about core muscles as I have two fractured vertebrae in my spine - (well where else would they be?) and so I can't do any sit ups etc - but a bit of online searching and I have found some exercises that are supposed to help without straining my back...


but I am considering the lazy option (you might have guessed I am generally looking for the easy way out) - I can go and get stomach muscles 'massaged' into tightness. Apparently it hurts, not like my other lovely massages, but if its quick and easy and I don't have to exercise it might be worth it.

My favourite kinds of exercise are walking, some gentle treking, especially with good company, shopping and mixing Black Russians...

I'll let you know how my exercise programme goes.

As of this morning I have 1 kg to goal! BUT as we head off on holiday Wednesday night, on a fully catered trip, chances are there will still be one kilo to go in a few weeks time!

Oops I forgot, re salaries... the average salary is around 28,000 RMB per month (mine is higher) so not so much more as in some countries but where you make it is your accommodation is fully paid for, heating etc, and insurance, and the cost of living is pretty good. I've left my house behind with my daughter as tenant and she's paying rent. I live here on 10,000 RMB a month and that is enough for travel here and a pretty nice life - and I send the rest home.

I haven't paid off any mortgage yet as my daughter got engaged almost as soon as I left!!! and so there was a wedding to pay for, travel home an extra time and also the house to do up before everyone arrived...

At the end of every two years contract you get a bonus, which I should have paid more off my mortgage but instead I spent some on travel :)

Okie dokie - if you haven't seen this it is a real hoot... you can't help smile and a smile is worthwhile!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqA-YG...

I have been reading postings and lurking a bit to catch up on all the news...

It was certainly a shock to the system to return to Beijing in snow following Christmas at the beach. We had an aborted landing attempt, but landed smoothly and (obviously) safely on the second attempt. Frankly I thought the passengers clapped far too early when we touched down, as the locals have little idea about what to do with so much snow there was likely to be ice on the runway and coming to a safe stop was not guaranteed by landing! Last year when it snowed in Shanghai they dealt with it by hosing the roads :)

I do see the cultural differences in ways of thinking often; the local Chinese education system is still by lecture and write & accept what you are told. The concept of asking questions or thinking about the “What would happen if…?” possibilities is not generally understood.

The snow in Beijing is piled onto the gardens so that (a) it will insulate from the cold and (b) when it melts it will water the gardens…however the quantity of snow was not considered this time; therefore when the temperature rose (albeit briefly) yesterday lunchtime the snow on top started to melt. Piled as high as it was the natural flowing path was not to be into the gardens so it ran over the footpaths, the playground at school, the roads etc. Before 3 pm the temperature dipped again and ‘Hey Presto’ we had ice-skating rinks at school, on the footpaths and on the roads. The “What about when the snow melts?” questions had not been asked.

Not to worry - in short time a bevy of workers had chipped away at the ice and it was gone this morning. At least at school the problem was anticipated today… no such evident learning takes place in the village area I walk through on the way to work and back every day. The day time shops are night time homes and most do not have running water but a shared tap in the street. Every morning bowls full of water are tipped from the open doors onto the footpath – sadly not onto the gardens which would make more sense in all seasons.



After living in the area for decades, where it freezes every winter (rarely snows or rains which is why the government seeds every passing cloud) it might be concluded that there would be some attempt to remember that tipping the water at ones doorstep in freezing conditions made it treacherous to get in or out of the shop – needless to say I daily pay attention to where I place my feet – and hope that a bowl of flying water doesn't douse me in my neglect to look sideways too.

Today the temperature got as high as 3 degrees, but it will be back to -11 tonight.

I have spent half the day in bed and the other half doing not a lot of much.

Reading The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo at the moment - gave up on Impossible by Danielle Steel - hardly ever can I bring myself to not finish a book - but this one truly is Impossible. Cannot believe that this woman got this published - the writing is so stilted...

Tomorrow off to see Avatar - taking a young local Uni student who wouldn't be able to afford to go. I wanted to take her to an iMax theatre but there are lines to Africa - so ordinary old garden variety 3D it will be for us.

Til later

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The four of us (plus Sammy, Becky and Kane's new member of the family) at Castlepoint Beach for Christmas.

Smart looking family (save the "dog"), Robyn!

You have a lovely family and the newest member is adorable. Is it a terrier poodle mix?

Hi Rob.....you haven't missed much here.....it has rained all January (except for 2 days).....the last 3 days have seen southerlies, thunder and lightning, torrential rain, power cuts and temps of 15C. I bet summer starts the day school goes back!!
You HAVE to see Avatar in 3-D....Mallory and I did and it was like an out-of-body experience....awesome!

I have to see it also. Hopefully tomorrow at the Imax.

Ack, don't go on Sunday, Carol! School's out. The place will be a steaming circus!

Ah , Thanks we will have to go Wed, then.

Yes for sure, 3D - but just not the iMax version - I think even if you dislike science fiction you should see this movie, as it is probably a forerunner of things to come. Really enjoyed it - Faith (the uni student) asked me after it - did I feel 'tense' during the movie - for sure! I felt as if I had held my breath for far too long and as if I had been part of the battle.

Watched The Lovely Bones, (downloaded version) last night, enjoyed that too, and am currently downloading The Book of Eli... all that to say that I will have seen quite a lot of special effects by the time I have seen the third.

re Sammy the dog, he is a Bichon/Maltese mix - especially bred cross - giving the special 'wool' rather than dog hair, hyperallergenic and doesn't shed... (felt like doing that last bit in caps). He truly doesn't shed - you can cuddle him in black and not one hair! Bliss! He's soft like the new teddy bears fake fur and just loves to be cuddled and petted.

He is sooooooooooooo cute.

re iMax Avatar:Any reason other than it is very intense and iMmax might be too much?

Sammy the Dog is just another dustmop on legs. All you need is to stick a pole in him and ... ta-dah! ... the floors'll be clean in no time!

What about the blood and stuff you need to clean up after sticking a pole in him? huh(men they don't know how to clean anything). Give Sammy a rag to chew on and try to take it away,thus pulling the doggie along the floor. TaDa two birds with one stone,clean floors and keeping doggie entertained.

Ah yes, I reread my post - sorry, it was in answer to Deb's earlier post.

We would have gone to iMax if we could have... we couldn't get tickets. Deb said to make sure we went to 3D (rather than 2D, which is available as an option) so I said, 3D for sure!

The iMax with the surround screens would have been really fantastic - and if you can get in, then go for it. Now that I've seen it I wish I'd been more organised and got tickets for the iMax ahead of time. Never mind, the 3D version was awesome.

Great pix Robyn! and I love the pup...and yes the are shed free and wonderful lap dogs!

My Maltese doesn't DO floors!


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