Chinese Kaidangku

This is called, "kaidangku", literally "open-crotch pants"a Chinese baby pants with a split pants design for convenient elimination purposes. Most babies that I have seen on the street wear this type of pants. I first saw this when I visited my friend's apartment. When she changed the diaper of her daughter, she just used the middle opening to put the new one. At first I thought she just made this type of pants, but when I went out and saw other kids they were also wearing the same style. I also visited several kids' shops and all their baby pants are designed with split in the middle. They don't have to train the baby on waste elimination since the baby just instinctively squat on the floor or the ground to poo or pee. Good thing if an adult is around to scoop it up.
During winter season, it is very convenient for parents sine the baby usually wears 2-3 pants. They can easily change the diaper without taking off the pants. I think it would be cold for other babies who don't have diapers on them just like the one on the picture. I even saw a kid about 5-6 years old wearing kaidangku at a restaurant and when he walked up the stairs his butt was showing, I thought of grabbing my camera to take a picture but I didn't have the courage. In suzhou, specially in Dongzhou, almost all the kids on the streets are wearing this kids' fashion.

(Great Expectations = Disappointment)=Patience

This is the second week for the second semester of my teaching career here in China. The first week went smoothly as planned. I divided the class into small groups consisting of 2-4 members in each group. The main purpose for this is for the class to be involved in an interactive classroom to have "student-student " interactions by presenting a short dialogue or role plays. I also requested that everyone should bring a notebook for their listening exercises. I have given some examples on the things that they can do in class as long as they will speak in ENGLISH. I explained these things with examples taken from the web. These are the examples:

1. Short Drama/ Role Play: They are free to copy an excerpt from a movie or a story and they are also encourage to write their own play. (Example: Homeward Bound 1 when Shadow fell into a pit and Chance telling him not to quit.
2. News Reporting: They can tell something new that is happening in school, in the country or any types of information they want to share. (examples of news CNN Soulja Boy and CNN weather news)
3. TV Commercials: They can also copy a famous tv advertisement, if they don't have access to English tv channel they can translate some Chinese tv ads. (example: "I am PC" by Microsoft)
4. Interview: The group can prepare set of questions for the other member to answer. A simple question and answer would do. (Example: a CNN interview of a Taiwanese star Wang Lee Hom)

Since we only meet once a week, I have arranged two presentations for each class so that they would have enough time to prepare. To make sure that the instructions were clear I asked them if they understood me, many said "YES". In some classes, I even asked the best student to explain the instructions in Mandarin "Putonghua". When they said they understood, I thought they meant it. So when the week of orientation and giving of instruction ended, I was looking forward to the second week to see what they would be showing to the class. I had expected that most of them would be bringing their notebooks and of course the group scheduled for this week is very much ready. I even imagined that they would bring some costumes or some materials for their group presentations. Here's the result...
First Expectation: After checking the class attendance,
I asked them, "Did you bring a notebook today?"
Some just stared at me blankly and others managed to say,

"什么" Shen ma? as in "What"!!!
"Well, I told you last week that you need to bring it today right?" I replied.
"Oh we forgot..." was the answer.
"真的吗" zhēn de ma ？Really!???.... I said which I sounded and looked disappointed.
"I'm sorry teacher." One of the boys said. (Tuesday class)
Well, I couldn't punish them for forgetting, so I just said, "I understand." I remember a friend who once told me that "forgetting" is a gift for when we forget we can easily forgive. I hope this is really the case, that "forgetting" and "forgiving" are related since this is my main weakness too. I was disappointed since only 10% of the class managed to remember my instruction. Then I told myself, "Please try understand these students are still young, they have many things in their minds and perhaps they're still not over with the Spring Festival Holiday to remember such small detail". Now that's Defense Mechanism no. 1 "The relationship of forgetting and forgiving and thinking that they have their own reasons why they forgot." It made me felt better. I'm glad it worked!
Second Expecation: Group performance.
"Okay, before we start the class let's have group No. so and so to have their presentation today."
I then proceeded to call the names in the group. In some classes, students stood up. Looked at me, looked at their classmates from left to right, then muttered,

"什么？Shen Me?" again.......
"为什么？wéi shén me?" as in why??? how come????
Others didn't even know why I called them, they thought I was asking them to read some dialogues from their textbooks so they tried to scan for pages and asked other students what page to read.
The scenes that were playing on my mind where totally different with what I was experiencing. For this week, at least 14 groups were scheduled to have their presenations, but out of these 14 groups only 3 managed to make it. One group had a good dialogue taken from the movie, "300" one group was reading from a magazine and the other wrote their own dialogue but the members were too shy to read it.
The percentage is really below the objective. My goal is that 70-80% of them would do something for the sake of enhancing their "English learning experience" but I failed. I have learned to set this expectation when I started teaching and so far my objectives were realized. Defense mechanism no. 2, "There's always a second chance and everyone deserves a second chance right?" Now, I'm smiling!
I have known myself to be impatient. I understand that in learning repetition is very important. But when I was a student, I didn't like this theory of learning applied to lessons , like when the teacher would start repeating the previous lessons I would always see that as a waste of time and it would make me bored to death. Then, when I started teaching I realized that this theory is indeed very important. I just love being a teacher, this profession totally changed me. When great expectations fail, the sum is disappointment, then the product would be Patience. I can say that I becoming less impatient now, or let me state in a positive way, I learned to be more patient.
This is my formula for this week's teaching experience, my English Math.
(Great Expectations = Disappointment)=Patience

Save the Earth: Ride A Bike

Though it may sound like a first grade intellect but I think that people should start saving the earth by riding a bicycle instead of driving their own cars. In China, I was totally amazed with the numbers of bikers they have on the streets. They even have a road intended to be used for bikers which is big enough for a bus to pass. In my opinion, I think that China is the bikers' capital of the world. I don't have any facts to support this except from my own observations. I have seen so many Chinese people riding bicycles on the streets. The problem is that many of these are electric bicycles which are not environmentally friendly. The used e-bike battery can cause pollution since there is no proper disposal and companies who sold these e-bikes don't actually take much responsibities of battery disposal. I just hope that people would realize this and try to use the normal bicycle instead.

Here are some street photos taken in Suzhou, China.

Problems and Battery

This is my new electric guitar tuner. Last night, I tried using it since my guitar was really out of tune. I read the manual and everything was clear. I started at 10pm, trying to get it right. More than an hour passed and still nothing happened. The tuner screen just displayed a red screen, that means it's not right. I adjusted all the strings and turn on and off the tuner but still it didn't work. My patience was really wearing thin and all I wanted to do was throw this thing out to the window. I was too desperate that I decided not to sleep until I could figure out what's wrong. I turned it off and tried tuning my guitar using the standard tuning, Fretted Notes, using a LOW E tone from my phone. I tried to make the 6th string(E) sound like the low E. It sounded almost the same so I continued the rest of the steps using the 5th fret and 4th fret for the 3rd string. After I thought everything was alright, I tried to play the open E chord...whew! My guitar was just too out of tune, I actually just messed it up. Another idea came up, throwing both the guitar and the electric tuner out of the window. It was getting late and I was restless. I checked my clock and it was already past midnight. I should be sleeping at that time since I have 6 classes the next day. But I didn't, I picked up the electric tuner again, turn it off, remove the battery. Then, I realized that it could be that the battery was weak! I searched for the box then I found an extra battery. I put it on turn it on and strum my guitar. Then I noticed the lines moving and I was too glad to see the light turn green! Finally, I was able to tune my guitar though I have wasted too much time and the reason was very simple, the battery. Sometimes people may think that this kind of things is just a mere stupidity, but life is like this, we sometimes think that our problems are too complicated when in fact the solution is just right before our eyes. Satisfied with my work I went to be thinking about similar situations that I have encountered when I worked as a technical support for US telecommunication service provider. I have dealt with too irate customers about some problems and this is one of conversation that I can remember:

Me: Thank you for calling _____, my name is ___, how can I help you today? (scripted)
Cust: You better solve my problem or I'll kick your ass! (the man sounded so irate and sarcastic)
Me: I'm sorry to hear that you're having some troubles. I will be very glad to help you today. (scripted)
Cust: That's what you're trained to say right? yeah you helped all customers and you suck all our money!!!! (wow he knows the script)
Me: I understand that you're too upset but really Mr._______ I couldn't help you if you won't let me know what your problem is. (now this is not scripted)
Cust: My phone won't turn on!!! I have been waiting for a very important call and it just wouldn't turn on!!!
(I was thinking of transferring the call to India (higher technical support). I checked the customer's profile and see that he belongs to a Business accounts. He owns several accounts with the company, that's why he sounded too powerful).
Me: Did you charge your mobile phone for the lately?
Cust: Of course! I just charged it yesterday morning. This phone is new, I got this from your store last month.
( I Checked the phone, TOUCH by HTC, smart phone huh??? and pulled up the manual then start the usual line)
Me: Please remove the battery and try to put it back after a few seconds.
Cust: Okay!
.............line was silent.......................................................
Me: Mr. ________ are you still there?
Cust: Hmmmmm... I couldn't find the battery.....
Me: At the back of the phone, you need to open it and then remove and put it back...
Cust: Yes I did it and the battery is not here. I'm sorry, my son used this last night he must have removed it...
(now that's just too simple if he thought of checking the battery before he started shouting on the phone)
Me: I see. You could ask your son about it and in case you will encounter some problem on your phone, you can always call us back at 1800+++++.
Cust: I guess I'll call home now since I'm at work at the moment. Look, I'm sorry for shouting at you earlier, things are really bad here and this phone seems to make things worse)
Oh no! he sounded too sincere with his apology that I wanted to cry. I think he's the only customer who knows what apology means. I was too touched and to keep my tears from flowing I then delivered the closing spill)
Me: Would there be anything else, Mr._________?
Cust: Nope, I'm glad you didn't hung up on me! (well we would face some serious consequences if we do this) You know....(and the conversation went on for a few minutes...I know it was call avoidance since I was talking to him when his problem has been identified and solved)
I delivered the scripted closing spill and with a smile.

There are many situations in our life when we get too irate, too restless about something we think is too complicated, only to find out that these things are actually too simple. All we need to do is take time to find out and have patience for "Patience is a Virtue".

Life is like battery in a sense that it needs to be recharged in order for it to function fully. A battery is also a simple solution to many problems that some people think it's complicated.

If Hills Could Talk

If these hills could talk they would say, STOP!!!

1. You're hurting us!
2. You taking away our beauty!
3. You destroying our trees!
4. You erasing us from geography!
5. Please set us FREE!

College students playing basketball, but look at the hill at the background, if they continue to remove some soil from this hill this would be gone in a few years...

The result would be like this...a bare hill, gone were the beautiful trees.

Oranges for "Thank You"

My students gave these oranges during our trip to Tai Lake. I found these oranges special because these were sold by the locals and most of them were old women. I thought of buying some, but I was confused since many of them really wanted to make a sale. Although I have experienced working as a sales executive I still found it hard to say no to these people. I wanted to buy some oranges from each one of them so it would be fair, but one student told me not to.
I thought my students had the same dilemma. They had a hard time saying "no" and deicing which vendor they should buy. Perhaps, like me, they also felt that those women need some extra help. One student even bought more than what he could carry. Then we walked together going to the bus station carrying these oranges.

My Winter Wishes

Angelita H. Cuevas
I composed this poem after I went out and felt the cold breeze swept through my entire body in spite of the fact that I was already wearing thick and heavy winter clothes. This is my first experience of winter in China. What I have imagined was entirely different from what I have experienced. One thing I realized, wishes do come true and when they do, be prepared for some surprises, for not all of them would really please us.

As I traveled around some places,
I have seen lifeless trees and frozen lakes.
I have longed for white streets,
When snow would cover the earth.

White Christmas would just be great.
Yet, the idea was not at all terrific.
It brings beauty yet it tortures me.
It sweeps the beautiful leaves from the trees.

I longed for a warm sunshine everyday.
When I don't have to hide under these thick coats and boots.
I miss the green leaves and warm breeze.
When I can just walk around with my bare feet.

My Real Chinese New Year

During my one month spring vacation I had a great opportunity to visit some beautiful cities in Jiangsu Province. It was the most difficult time to travel since almost all Chinese people are moving around China. Spring Festival seems to be the most important holiday for Chinese. It is the time when they go back to their home towns and spend time with families. I appreciate the Chinese culture when it comes to family relationship. In every places I've been I was always invited to big family meals and I could see that they are very close. They are also very hospitable people that they would always make sure that I had something in my plate and everything that I needed was well taken care of. I was asked to try every dish that was on the table. Saying, "Thank You" would not be enough for all these kind people who let me stayed in their homes and experienced the spirit of Chinese New Year. China literally turned red during this special season. I could always see something red in every home, business establishment, transportation and in the street. I just wish that I could speak Chinese so I could really say I grateful I am for having the opportunity to experience Chinese culture. I would like to say, "Xie Xie Ni and Gong Xi Fa Cai to Bianca's Family, to my 2 students; Ms. Chen and Mr. Gou, and to Ms. Pan's family.

These are some of the places that I have visited during the Chinese Spring festival and the people whom I spent the season with.

Chinese New Year's decorations, displayed on the street.














Half frozen pond in Xuzhou, Jiangsu where we spent an hour on a small boat.
















We tried to break the ice to go to the other side but we were scared since the boat was too small.














The road from Suzhou to Xuzhou.















Just trying to be an archer. It's hard to hit the bull's eye!














Having a "barbecue", a dog meat, mushroom, pepper, cucumber. It's cute, we were given a small grill were we could cook them.














New Year's eve dinner in Xuzhou's 4-star hotel.














Go nuts! yes nuts were their favorite snacks for the season. These two nuts made me nuts they would always follow wherever I go.















Yancheng city at night!















Dafeng City. Trying to throw a hoop to catch a rabbit or a bird. I never got one!














Gao You City amusement park.

Grand Canal in China (Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal)

Grand Canal in China or the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal is said to be the oldest and the longest Canal in the world. I couldn't begin to imagine how many people poured their sweats in order to build this Canal. The work started somewhere in the late 400 B.C as was my friend told me. I salute those people who became part of great work of human hands.

These are the views of the Grand Canal. I took these photos from Gao You City, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province. On the west side of the Grand Canal is the Gao You Lake.


A view from a small port only used by government ships.














Two fleets of cargo ships (from Gao You city view) from Beijing to Southern part.














A view of the Grand Canal from the road.















A Grand Canal bridge connecting to the western part of Gao You where there is a big lake.

Things I Did for the First Time in China.

1. Going to the "Public Bath".
I have heard this from my Korean students but I never thought that they have this place in China. My student's mother invited me to go for a hot shower and I said yes because I felt really cold during the Spring Festival season. I didn't know that we were going to a place where there were about 10-15 women in one room. She can't speak English and I can't speak Chinese so we just communicated using gestures and sometimes silence is the only option. When we arrived at the place she went to the counter and paid but she told the front desk that I'm a foreigner and couldn't speak Chinese. The people around all stared at me so I just look at them and said, "Ni Hao", the only phrase I mastered to say. Then we went to the locker room, the moment I pushed the door opened, all I wanted to do was turned away and run. I was too shocked! I may be old but I have never seen people walking around naked and comfortably applying some lotion and others were drying their hair and getting dressed. I turned around and saw my companion looking at me as if asking what's wrong? So I slowly walked in and put my things inside my locker. My companion motioned to take off my clothes as if I was a child who didn't know what to do. Most shocking for me was inside the bath room, when everyone knew that I am a foreigner they were all surprised and stared at me like I was a specimen inside the microscope. Some couldn't believe it because they thought I was like them. It's an advantage because most of the time no one would notice me unless I would speak. The rest is a history, I congratulated my self for I was able to do it. I came back to the apartment refreshed and I felt that I just conquered something within me.

2. Eating Dog Meat.
I think it was delicious because I kept on thinking that I was eating a chicken meat. Actually, I forgot the taste. First a barbecue then later a steak or I don't know what the name but it looks like a stake. Honestly, I don't like dogs, in fact I am afraid of dogs because my two brothers almost died when they were bitten by a mad dog. Eating their meat doesn't seem to be the perfect revenge and I felt guilty because I see them as pets and many people consider them as best friends. I didn't imagine myself eating someone's best friend but I did it!

3. Riding on the Wrong Bus/Going to the wrong place.
Well, I have to learn to remember bus numbers and of course remember the Chinese character on the bus because one bus numbe like 333 doesn't always go to the same destination, another 333 would go to another part of the city, the only difference is the Chinese character displayed infront. The result is I spent a lot because I had to get back to the city by taxi. Lesson: don't trust numbers too much when you're in China. Learn to distinguish characters even if you don't understand them.

4. Performing.
I sing and played the guitar in front of our college faculty and staff. It's fun singing Chinese song and wearing the traditional Chinese dress called, Chipao.

5. Seeing live snakes at the restaurant.
Some Filipinos from the Northern part also eat snake. I already knew that Chinese people also make them as exotic food. When I entered into a Chinese restaurant I notice some cages beside the aquarium. I was curious so I went closer to see them, wow! different colors and different kinds. They look scary and ready to attack, then I thought what if there would be no other food left except snakes? Would I rather die of hunger or just eat them to survive?