It's been a long time since the last posting, and yes there has been a lot going on and sometimes it’s difficult to reflect for the blogging audience. Tonight changed things - I must tell you what happened; this is what everyone should read.
Usually I have my women's salon for sophomores and freshmen on Thursdays and women's salon for juniors on Fridays. Last night was a "Zai Jian" party for class B. In both women's salons, the students provide the snacks and I provide the space; but I decided that I should provide more. Tonight we held a joint meeting in which they got to experience my 3 bean chili and garlic bread bing zis. Twenty women (my living room can usually only fit 13) crowd together eating a small morsel of the western food in order for everyone to enjoy. This was the first time for some to experience butter for the first time.
Four hours of English speaking! Mingling, small groups all speaking a second language. It's amazing to watch. And that is what I did for most of the time. A couple of students and I start talking in the kitchen about the difference in conversational dynamics within cultures and what we appreciate about each other. They wanted to know if everything can be explained - I said yes - that is what poetry is for - when you cannot find the words, use the literary techniques to explain yourself - our definitions are subjective; what is "interesting" for some might be considered "horrible" - that's the beauty of language.
Then the best thing happened - I felt it - when they changed their view of me - not as a teacher or other, but as a friend. We have made plans to have a slumber party; to spend as much time together as possible.
One student, Katherine, wanted to take a few of my beers because she wanted to learn how to drink - an essential skill for any potential Chinese business person. Once everyone left, Katherine and I had a small tutorial. I got to teach Chinese etiquette to a Chinese person! How cool is that! So much to learn - how to toast, what to toast, the position of your glass (if host is a superior, make sure when you clink your glasses your glass is lower than theirs), how to pour beer, how to avoid hangovers - it was amazing - to jump that boundary of teacher/student and into something else.
We were a bit drunk and I insisted on walking her home and she did something that I have been dying for - she entwined her arm with mine - the symbol of friendship in
I explained to some of them that my heart was the size of my torso, begging to expand even more.
This last month (nay, three weeks!) could be the death of me; the most defining moments of my two years here. I want to cry, can't sleep, digging my heels - I don't want to go. This is the glow time – the time when everything is sprinkled with glitter, the time when everything is perfect and real - felt this before I left the
But I feel it - many of these students will be my good friends for life. My impatient part is pissed and wants to yell "about damn time! I've been waiting for this since day one!" I'm so glad it did come.
These are the times that spank me. Today I love
