Fieldtrip to the fire station!

Recently we took our 小朋友 (this literally translates to 'little friends' but it's used to mean students) to the fire station.  I wasn't sure what to expect but it was nicely organized, the fire station was clean, the firemen enjoyed their little visitors, and the kids mostly enjoyed it too. 

We had to walk them from school to the fire station. It was about a 20 minute walk, crossing a few busy intersections. They held hands with their partner of the opposite sex, followed the flag, and we made it without even one kid or teacher being hit by a car or motorbike.

The firemen and fire engines were waiting outside for us when we arrived.  First we watched them put on their uniforms.

Then the kids put on the uniforms.

After that there was a tour of all the fire engines.

The highlight seemed to be in the bedroom.  The kids loved to watch the fireman make and unmake his bed.

Finally, we taught the kids English words about the fire station.  We played a couple games and then had a short fire safety lesson from the firemen.

It was a fun day.  I might have liked it more than the kids.  I asked them on the way back if they liked it and most said no.  Liars!  I know they had fun. 

Letting things happen.....

Losing simple things I normally take for granted has made the past couple weeks a challenge. After having a hot workout I couldn't wait to jump in the cold shower. However, while working out the water had been shut off.   The water didn't come back on till the end of the day when I could finally have a shower, make food, flush the toilet, boil drinking water, etc.   I'd be living for the next couple days with the water going on and off.   A few days after the first time the water went out I came home to no electricity.  All I wanted to do was lie in bed in front of my fan, watch tv, drink coffee, do things on the internet, etc (all things that need electricity).  It is anywhere from 93-100 degrees these days and I live on the 21st floor.  I don't have AC and I need my fan to be comfortable.  I arrived home and realized I couldn't do anything I planned to do.  Gratefully, I took a cold shower.  But it was too hot to go outside so as I laid in bed with a wet towel I thought about what I learned this week.

Life doesn't go as planned.  Being able to adapt and go with the flow is hugely important and something China reminds me on a daily basis.  This is true for anyone's life and it is a reminder we don't have much control, if any, of our life.  Let things happen.  If something doesn't go your way or you are forced to change your plans, embrace it.  Too often we don't see the good in these situations.  Having no electricity on an incredibly hot day when all I wanted to do was lay in front of the fan and watch TV gave me time to think and write by candle light instead of doing mindless things.  I was able to take a break from the internet.  It was a reminder to live mindfully and appreciate where I am at this very moment.

Amazing kids!

Recently we held the final round of our speaking competition.  I judged the first round with 2 Chinese managers from our school.  The judges for the final round were me, Linda (the other foreign teacher), and Gabriel (our teacher trainer).

It was a hot day at the top of a mall.  There were windows on the ceiling and the sun came right in. It was sooooo hot.  Like I've said before, the Chinese don't think there is ever an inappropriate time to use an umbrella.

 

Before the competition the girls had their makeup done.

 

The MC's for the competition were one of the Chinese teachers I work with and one of the girls that works at the front desk.

21 students made it to the final round.  Each student had 4 parts to complete.  First, they introduced themselves.  Their introductions usually went like this 'My English name is Angel.  I have a happy family.  There are 3 people in my family.  My mother, my father, and me.  I'm a cute girl.  Everybody likes me, do you like me?'   Then they had to tell a story in English.  After that we asked them 3 questions.   Finally, they had to display a talent.  I had no idea the kids were so talented.   For the talent portion they told jokes, recited 'I have a dream', played the accordion, did a dance, sang a song, and performed magic tricks.  I didn't realize they were so talented.   I was nervous for them but none of them looked nervous.  It's funny how some have more confidence up on a stage then they do in class.

  Oh these boys, some days I hate them and some days I love them.  Bill, on the right, is one of my favorites.  Sometimes I misjudge his out of control behavior in class as naughty behavior.  But actually he just gets really excited and eager.  Jason, on the left, is just naughty sometimes.  However, he worked really hard and won the competition among the younger students. 

Emily is one of my favorite students.  She is 11 years old and really enjoys speaking English.  One day I had this conversation with her:
Emily:  Why don't you wear your own clothes?
Me:  Because I have to wear this blue shirt for work.
Emily:  But I think it is not beautiful.   You should wear your own clothes because they are beautiful.
Me: Emily, you're right.
She has a big personality and literally can't keep her mouth shut sometimes. I hope we can keep in touch because I would really like to see what sort of a woman she grows up to be. She came in 2nd place. 

The winner of the older kids was Jerry.  He is also very talented and wrote his own story in English.  It was impressive and I gave him the highest score.

'Modesty helps one to go forward, where as conceit makes one lag behind.'

Practicing patience

Overall I think I've become a more patient person while living in China.   I am an easily annoy-able person and I've always disliked that about myself.  China has tested my patience in many ways and I'm grateful for the opportunity to practice patience.

When you're living in a foreign country there are many situations that may cause impatience and annoyance.  Everything is different from what you're used to in your home country - from the language to the money to the day to day pace of the country to cultural differences you wouldn't have even thought of.  Since I'm not much of a patient / tolerant person back home when I came to China and the newness wore off, my lack of patience was intensified.  I believe if you can practice patience in your life happiness can be achieved much easier on a day to day basis - especially in a foreign country.

I often have to remind myself of this quote:  “When you travel, remember that a foreign country is not designed to make you comfortable. It is designed to make its own people comfortable.” – Clifton Fadiman

What's ironic is that what bothers me the most about Chinese people is their lack of patience in many situations.  While traveling in Sichuan and being surrounded by so many impatient Chinese tourists I realized I have gotten out of the habit of practicing patience and therefore haven't been as happy as I could be.

I often read zenhabits.net.  It's a wonderful blog about lots of topics that you can easily apply to your daily life.  Not everything applies to me but he has a lot that I can relate to and use in my life.  He wrote a post on achieving happiness that I often refer back to when I find myself especially impatient. 

He started with the basic assumption: 'that we are all human beings capable of goodness, of love, of pain, of broken hearts and passionate love. That we all have bad days, that inside our jaded exteriors is a person who just wants love.'

The following quote really hit me:   '.......we take other people for granted, and we judge others and become irritated with them for almost no good reasons, and we expect everyone to make us happy or at least behave the way we want them to, and if they don’t, our day is ruined. That’s crazy. People are living their own lives, and aren’t trying to please us or act in accordance with our expectations, and once we accept that, we can be happy.'   I think this is obvious but something I wish I had realized years ago.  It can especially apply to my life in China though.   Overall Chinese people are very selfish.    They live in a country with 1.3 billion people.  Most were raised as an only child.  They don't worry or even think about anyone but themselves.  So when they leave the toilet a mess, throw garbage on the ground, push to get on the bus, cut in line, talk loudly on their cell phones- I have to remember where I'm living, that I have chosen to live here, and this is the way the people are.

Back to patience and happiness.

Zenhabits recommends these 3 steps:
1.  Think “I love you, and I’m thankful for you” to every single person today.
2.  Smile at that person, and look them in the eye.
3.  If you feel comfortable, say it aloud to that person.

These steps are pretty difficult to follow in China.  I have no idea how many people I pass on a daily basis but it's a lot.  It's easier to follow in my apartment complex.  I usually walk with my head down while they comment that I'm a foreigner or listen to music while they stare at me in the elevator.   But looking them in the eye and smiling at them makes them real people again.  People that are living their life just as I'm living my life.