China is a big fan of nowism. Nothing illustrates this fact more clearly than the news I received this afternoon that my teaching schedule will completely change, starting tomorrow morning.
Yes, as of tomorrow, I will no longer be teaching 15 third and fourth grade classes. Instead, I will teach 16 first grade classes.
1. Order a pre-made turkey from Sam’s Club
2. Make a bunch of food on a hot plate
3. Celebrate!
Pronounced: gǎnēnjié kuài lè! Translation: Happy Thanksgiving!
Here's a hand turkey I drew as a demo for my students!
Today I am thankful for international phone calls from my all my relatives currently in Chicago.
This is pretty much what every Michigan/Ohio State game has looked like for the past 6 years.
Ohio State extended its winning streak over Michigan in football yesterday, defeating the Wolverines 21-10. I tried my best to follow the entire game here in China, but at about 3:30 AM — when the Buckeyes got their third touchdown — I had to call it quits.
The last time Michigan defeated Ohio State was on November 22, 2003, when John Navarre was still quarterback (!) and I was just 16 years old. In the 2,192 days that have passed since then, the following newsworthy, sports and personal events have taken place… Continue Reading →
Back in the States, Christmas ads start popping up the same day Halloween decorations are taken down. I’m sure that would be the same case here in Shenzhen, that is if the decorations from Halloween are ever taken down.
Yes, you read that correctly. As of today, Wednesday, November 18, the Halloween-themed ads for Pepsi Max are still lining the sidewalks of Shenzhen:
Some strange font embellishments on the text of an ad for Pepsi Max.
Of course, along with Halloween ad campaigns come strange font embellishments for the copy. You may recall that I spotted a sign last month outside my school that had equally strange holiday font gimmicks.
EDIT: If I’m reading this correctly, the phrase with the Jack-O-Lantern characters should read “做鬼不做胆小鬼.” Roughly translated, that’s “Get into mischief, don’t be a coward.”
On Thursday, November 5, 2009, I had the unique opportunity to see the opening ceremony for the Guangdong Cultural Festival in Shenzhen. The event was held at Window of the World.
I captured some photos and footage from the event, and compiled them together in this short video:
(If Vimeo isn’t working, try the Youtube version)
Ladies and gentlemen, my alternative to the iPhone I lost a few weeks back: The Nokia RH-105.
Check. It. Out.
I didn’t need to indulge myself, but I mean, with these features:
who could resist?
I’m pretty sure I had the same phone my freshman year. Of High school.
Excuse me while I go cry now.
From the Washington Post: “Mark Okoth Obama Ndesandjo … has lived in the Southern Chinese city of Shenzhen for seven years and has just produced his autobiographical novel, ‘From Nairobi to Shenzhen.’”
Word on the street is Ndesandjo owns a restaurant here. I am determined to find it.
EDIT: Shenzhenparty.com details the book release press conference here. I have also learned that Ndesandjo owns, not one, but a chain of restaurants called Cabin BBQ (木屋烧烤 or mu wu ciao kao) in Shenzhen. He also owns WorldNexus, an Internet consulting company in the city.
One thing that really bugs me about Chinese culture: Nowism. It’s when you find out important things like meeting times, vacation days and canceled classes right as they are happening.
As frustrating as it is, nowism is an inescapable phenomenon that happens to everyone here, including myself.
Exhibit A: I came to teach my first class at 8:35 today, only to find that another teacher had taken over. When she saw me in the hallway, waiting to begin class, she stepped out to talk to me.
“Class started at 8:10 today,” she said.
“What?!” I asked incredulously.
“Oh, they didn’t tell you?”
I later found out that the school follows a slightly altered schedule once the winter season begins. Since the temperatures are now cooler, the students can’t do their morning exercises outside until later. Hence, first period begins at 8:10 instead of 8:40.
Wish I had known that before I showed up to class 30 minutes late.
Exhibit B: On three separate occasions, I showed up to empty classrooms.
“Oh, they didn’t tell you? All the children are sick, so they are at home today.”
Exhibit C: Sometimes I come back to my English office, only to find that the doors are locked and the other teachers gone. These days are known as Meeting Days.
Once, not knowing that it was a Meeting Day, I left my purse, wallet and cell phone in the office and figured I’d just go back and grab them at the end of the school day. Not having a key, I had to go to the Dean’s Office and find out where the other teachers were so that I could unlock the door and take my things.
“Oh, they didn’t tell you? The other English teachers are at a meeting off campus. It might take a few hours for you to get in.”
Now, I bring my purse with me to all my classes.
The weather in Shenzhen for today, November 4
It was just 60 degrees outside when I walked to school this morning, according to Weather Underground. That’s a dramatic drop in the temperature I’ve been getting used to here.
You’d think being from Michigan would mean I wouldn’t have any problems with this “cold” weather. But it’s surprising how quickly I’ve adapted to Shenzhen’s tropical climate. I was a little ashamed to find myself shivering and desiring a coat.
Bridget O'Donnell, 24, is a designer for the Shanghai Daily. She previously worked for the China Daily and graduated from the University of Michigan in 2009. More »