This blog post is dedicated to the weird things foreigners living in Beijing say to Kendra and me.
F=Foreigner
M=Me
F: How do you get into the city?
M: We take a bus or the metro.
F: REALLY!? Wow! You guys are so brave! That is so cool!
F: You've taken a sleeper train? Oh, you are so brave.
M: We just had lunch in a little Chinese restaurant.
F: Are you sick?
F: Are you eating street food? That's brave.
I live in the most Westernized area in all of Beijing. I am very blessed to be in the situation I am in and I really enjoy it! However, I miss real China. We live in Shunyi district which is in the Northeastern part of Beijing near the international airport. This is where all the foreign expatriates come and live so natually, it's filled with import stores and western restaurants like Mrs. Fields, Subway, Dominos, etc.
F: I don't live in China. I live in Shunyi.
I miss real China.
Roundabout does book fairs every so often to raise money for kids and their families that need help paying hospital bills. We went to help set it up. There wasn't room in the van so they asked if we'd be okay to sit in the truck with the drivers bringing the books.
F: If you don't mind going on an adventure, you can go in the trucks with the books.
M: That's fine. (Picturing us in the back of the truck in the dark)
F: Are you sure?
M: Yes, absolutely.
LATER
The trucks come and we sit in front with the truck driver. Our Chinese friend and coworker, Lily says,
L: Are you okay?
M： Yes.
L: Okay? You'll have to tell me how you feel after.Are you sure you're okay?
By the way, in 3 weeks, I'll be leaving Beijing to renew my visa and go to NANJING! WOOHOO! I'll miss Beijing though (No really, I will!) and the friends I've made. It's been an adventure.
I love China.
Friday, April 26, 2013
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Holiday Weekend
This past weekend was the Qingming Festival. This is somewhat similar to Memorial Day in the States. In ancient times and still a little today, they use the holiday to sweep their ancestors graves. Now, most people use it to travel. We didn't do any traveling, instead we stayed in Beijing. Robin, whose home we stay in, took us to Huanghuacheng, a portion of the Great Wall that is partially reconstructed and partially completely wild. There weren't any people around for most of the time which is SO different from the last time I went to the Great Wall. I went to the most touristy section in all of Beijing. Half way through (probably not even) it started to rain so after waiting 10 minutes or so in a guard tower, we decided it would be best if we got off the wall. The stone is pretty slippery and we didn't want to risk it. I was disappointed because I really want to spend a lot of time on the wild portion of the wall. Instead I spent 5 minutes on it while Robin and Kendra waited for me below in the valley. It. Was. So. Cool! I want to go back really badly! Someday, I'll bring my Dad. He'd love it.
After hiking on the wall, we went to a little restaurant in the nearby village. Robin ordered us some fish and they caught it, filleted it, and grilled it right in front of us. It doesn't get much fresher unless you are eating sushi. He also ordered something that is literally translated at prickly ash. They dipped the leaves in some batter and fried it. It was good except the thorn I found with the leaves. Bleh. We also had eggplant which is my favorite, egg and tomatoe, and some pork dish. Chinese food is sooo good. I NEED to know how to cook it.
On Saturday, we went with a large group of foreigners and Chinese to the Beijing Zoo. Chinese zoos are not as bearable as American zoos. The habitats are less homelike for the animals. However, the Panda's were in a really nice enclosure. Most of them were sleeping, but the last one was eating bamboo like it was going to disappear at any second. He was cute and Chinese.
I also met someone who knows one of my Chinese friends in Nanjing. That is not really something that happens very often in a country with over a billion people. I could go on forever about how crazy it is, but I'll spare you.
At Roundabout, Kendra and I are both getting more responsibilities, daily jobs, etc. It's going so well. I enjoy every day at Roundabout and being with the people, both staff and volunteers. Everyday is fulfilling and worthwhile.
We have a Chinese friend at Roundabout named Julianna. She is 27, pregnant, and alone. In the US, this is sad, but she would have a lot of options. In China, it's different. In order to have a baby "legally" you must have a certificate with you at the hospital. In order to get this certificate, you need to be married. If you don't have this certificate, your baby doesn't get the equivalent of our social security number. They also can't go to school at any public or private schools in China except the migrant schools which are not funded by the government and are always in very poor condition without enough text books and other needed school supplies. This is the situation Julianna is in. The father said he loves the baby, but not her and will not marry her. That's all easy for him because he isn't required to take care of the baby by law. Julianna didn't tell her parent's that she is pregnant because they would be very angry and might disown her. I worry about her more every day, but after yesterday, I can't get her off my mind.
Yesterday was Julianna's birthday. She invited Kendra and me to her home for hot pot (one of the best types of Chinese food ever). She rents one room from a landlord along a strip of old buildings. The next room over houses a family and their 3 kids. There is no kitchen, there is no bathroom or shower. She has to walk a few minutes to the public bath house. She hangs her clothes on a string she strung across one corner of the room. The couch and the bed are crammed on one side of the room. Outside there is a water spigot and by her door is a table where she cooks her meals. She has a small propane tank that is connected to a single portable gas stove top. That is the extent of Julianna's home. I kept thinking of ways I could hide some money for her to find later when she most needed it. I worry about the baby and what his/her life will be like. Will they have enough to get by? What happens to the baby while Julianna works? So many questions. Luckily she is working at Roundabout where more than one person is worrying about her a great deal. It's not often that I ask publicly for people to pray for someone or something but in this case, if you read this, pray for Julianna. Pray that her parents' hearts are softened and that her situation becomes better. Pray that she has strength and that the baby is healthy. Julianna is so cute and positive. Her English isn't very good so she speaks half English half sound effects. It's so funny! She seems happy, but who knows what is going on under the surface. Keep her in your thoughts.
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| That arch is going to crumble at any minute. Sort of scary. |
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| Purely wild wall. |
On Saturday, we went with a large group of foreigners and Chinese to the Beijing Zoo. Chinese zoos are not as bearable as American zoos. The habitats are less homelike for the animals. However, the Panda's were in a really nice enclosure. Most of them were sleeping, but the last one was eating bamboo like it was going to disappear at any second. He was cute and Chinese.
I also met someone who knows one of my Chinese friends in Nanjing. That is not really something that happens very often in a country with over a billion people. I could go on forever about how crazy it is, but I'll spare you.
At Roundabout, Kendra and I are both getting more responsibilities, daily jobs, etc. It's going so well. I enjoy every day at Roundabout and being with the people, both staff and volunteers. Everyday is fulfilling and worthwhile.
We have a Chinese friend at Roundabout named Julianna. She is 27, pregnant, and alone. In the US, this is sad, but she would have a lot of options. In China, it's different. In order to have a baby "legally" you must have a certificate with you at the hospital. In order to get this certificate, you need to be married. If you don't have this certificate, your baby doesn't get the equivalent of our social security number. They also can't go to school at any public or private schools in China except the migrant schools which are not funded by the government and are always in very poor condition without enough text books and other needed school supplies. This is the situation Julianna is in. The father said he loves the baby, but not her and will not marry her. That's all easy for him because he isn't required to take care of the baby by law. Julianna didn't tell her parent's that she is pregnant because they would be very angry and might disown her. I worry about her more every day, but after yesterday, I can't get her off my mind.
Yesterday was Julianna's birthday. She invited Kendra and me to her home for hot pot (one of the best types of Chinese food ever). She rents one room from a landlord along a strip of old buildings. The next room over houses a family and their 3 kids. There is no kitchen, there is no bathroom or shower. She has to walk a few minutes to the public bath house. She hangs her clothes on a string she strung across one corner of the room. The couch and the bed are crammed on one side of the room. Outside there is a water spigot and by her door is a table where she cooks her meals. She has a small propane tank that is connected to a single portable gas stove top. That is the extent of Julianna's home. I kept thinking of ways I could hide some money for her to find later when she most needed it. I worry about the baby and what his/her life will be like. Will they have enough to get by? What happens to the baby while Julianna works? So many questions. Luckily she is working at Roundabout where more than one person is worrying about her a great deal. It's not often that I ask publicly for people to pray for someone or something but in this case, if you read this, pray for Julianna. Pray that her parents' hearts are softened and that her situation becomes better. Pray that she has strength and that the baby is healthy. Julianna is so cute and positive. Her English isn't very good so she speaks half English half sound effects. It's so funny! She seems happy, but who knows what is going on under the surface. Keep her in your thoughts.
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Roundabout
The Roundabout website is now up and running. Click here to learn all about the place I'm working.
I can't tell you how much I enjoy working at Roundabout. Everyday is a new experience and everyday I meet new incredible people. This world is full of people in need and it is also full of people who want to help. Most of the people at Roundabout are volunteers who come in a few times a week or more to help out. Some people are "expert pricers" so they come in and price all the items that go out in the store. Others work on displays in the store. People come to share their talents and their time. 100% of the money made in the store is given to those in need. That is absolutely a problem because it makes it so much easier for me to spend money there knowing that the money will be passed on to people who really need the help.
Working here has given me an idea. I'd love to start another store similar to Roundabout somewhere else in China. Shanghai or Nanjing to be exact, a place where it would help make a difference in another beautiful part of China. China changes my life every time I come here. It's just so magical!
Kendra and I work from 9:30 to 5:30 or so every day. Roundabout is literally less than 5 minutes walk from where we live so it's easy to come and go. There are both Chinese and Foreign people who work there. I've started to get used to the many accents and since China used UK English before US English, I have to use strange words to describe things so people know what I'm talking about. Rubbish instead of garbage, trolley instead of grocery cart, crisps instead of chips, fringe instead of bangs, etc.
Kendra and I went to the Forbidden City a couple weekends ago. We usually seem to pick the greatest time to go out because the sky was so beautifully blue and it wasn't super cold either. Even though I've been there before, it was a blast! We wandered in some areas I didn't see last time.
I also got the illegal picture. When Sadie came to Beijing in 2009, she took a picture in front of one of the gold and red doors in the Forbidden City. When I went last year, I thought it would be cool to get the same one, but when I found the door, they had put up a new fence so no one could get to the door anymore. I was all disappointed because I couldn't get the picture. When I came home we talked about getting the "illegal picture" the next time I went, even if it meant climbing over a fence. On our way out of the Forbidden City, there weren't many people around because it was closing. After about five minutes of freaking out, I hopped the fence, Kendra got two pictures of me at the door, and then I hopped back over the fence. What a rush! Then not two minute later, we saw some guys somewhere else doing the same thing at another place. I felt much better. I'm not good at hopping fences I guess.
This past weekend, we stayed with our friend Joanne and together, with some other foreigners, we went to Cats 44, an authentic cat cafe. First, let's get this straight: I'm not a cat person. Second, it was smelly. Third, they serve drinks and desserts while you sit in fur covered seats while inhaling the scent of cat. If you love cats, this would definitely be cat heaven like it was for Kendra. She loved every second. Shunta fell asleep with a cat on one of the couches, and Joanne took about 8 million pictures of the cats. The environment was really relaxing even though it was smelly. We sat out in the garden with some good ventilation which made it much better It was such a strange combination, but I liked the strangeness of it. All the people enjoying themselves in the cafe obviously love cats. Everyone was trying to pet the cats and you could tell they were so sick of people bugging them every second. I can't tell you how many cats they had in there because every few minutes I'd see a new one I hadn't seen earlier. At least 10 different cats and there were probably more.
We also got a mani-pedi which was a lot of fun. I've never had a pedicure and it was pretty weird to have someone touching my feet. He was a perfectionist too so my feet were pretty much free of any imperfections by the time he was done with them. Also, my toes were beautiful. However, there are no pictures because that'd be weird.
Easter Sunday didn't really feel much like Easter at all. Sacrament was great because they did a choir program. We went to one of the branch members homes for dinner with all the YSAs and that was really nice. Since China doesn't celebrate Easter, there weren't any chocolate bunnies or Easter eggs around. It's actually really good to go with out those things. It makes it much easier for me to focus on the real reason we celebrate Easter and I think it was really beneficial to my testimony.
China is truly wonderful everyday. We work with such amazing people, we get to explore Beijing (we are going to the Great Wall this weekend!), and I get to practice my Chinese on a daily basis! I really miss the kids at the orphanage, but my mom and I agree that it was easier to leave after a month than it would be to leave after 3. Blessing in disguise? Probably.
I hope you are enjoying life. Stay safe, stay healthy, and know that I love you!
P.S. Cat Cafe and Roundabout pictures taken by Kendra. I stole them from her Facebook. :) Thanks, K-dawg.
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| On good days, we sort things outside in the sun! |
Kendra and I went to the Forbidden City a couple weekends ago. We usually seem to pick the greatest time to go out because the sky was so beautifully blue and it wasn't super cold either. Even though I've been there before, it was a blast! We wandered in some areas I didn't see last time.
I also got the illegal picture. When Sadie came to Beijing in 2009, she took a picture in front of one of the gold and red doors in the Forbidden City. When I went last year, I thought it would be cool to get the same one, but when I found the door, they had put up a new fence so no one could get to the door anymore. I was all disappointed because I couldn't get the picture. When I came home we talked about getting the "illegal picture" the next time I went, even if it meant climbing over a fence. On our way out of the Forbidden City, there weren't many people around because it was closing. After about five minutes of freaking out, I hopped the fence, Kendra got two pictures of me at the door, and then I hopped back over the fence. What a rush! Then not two minute later, we saw some guys somewhere else doing the same thing at another place. I felt much better. I'm not good at hopping fences I guess.
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| 2013 2009 |
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| Cat cake and cheesecake complete with a cat napkin. |
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| Kendra in cat heaven, and me. ;) |
Easter Sunday didn't really feel much like Easter at all. Sacrament was great because they did a choir program. We went to one of the branch members homes for dinner with all the YSAs and that was really nice. Since China doesn't celebrate Easter, there weren't any chocolate bunnies or Easter eggs around. It's actually really good to go with out those things. It makes it much easier for me to focus on the real reason we celebrate Easter and I think it was really beneficial to my testimony.
China is truly wonderful everyday. We work with such amazing people, we get to explore Beijing (we are going to the Great Wall this weekend!), and I get to practice my Chinese on a daily basis! I really miss the kids at the orphanage, but my mom and I agree that it was easier to leave after a month than it would be to leave after 3. Blessing in disguise? Probably.
I hope you are enjoying life. Stay safe, stay healthy, and know that I love you!
P.S. Cat Cafe and Roundabout pictures taken by Kendra. I stole them from her Facebook. :) Thanks, K-dawg.
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