September 2002...
I was safely deposited in Changsha China...
capital of Hunan province w/a population of 7,044,118 in 2010.
From my last post you know why we were there...God had answered my question very quickly. It seems someone had been waiting. You should know this...that someone is presently doing His work in China with great success...God certainly knows what He's doing w/o a doubt. Right?
See that Bald Eagle? Talk about strange sights...in strange places? Well, yes...I would never have thought a bald eagle on a large billboard would watch us every day of our lives in Changsha! Talk about a surprise...a very nice one! When the semester began the eagle was aglow w/lights from dusk until 4:30 A.M....every day! This was just a few feet from our bedroom windows. Wow!
The Golden Arches are a welcome sight...
 |
| Six of the American teachers placed in the city of Changsha |
There were eleven Americans in the group assigned to Changsha. Three went to a school in the heart of the city; three other couples were in three different schools in other parts of the city...Michael and I were sent to 'the mountains'...as the area was dubbed. Maybe like Texas hills? Yeah!
We worshipped together the first Sunday in Changsha (and the Sundays after)...we got a little hot that day since there was no a/c and we were closed in so no one could/would hear us singing, praying or talking. Plenty hot...then we trooped to McDonald's...oh boy! Little different as you can see...they're entertaining children! And thankfully, burgers do not require chopsticks! Good, that's good!
We had to get cracking as classes would begin soon...nothing furnished so we did our own curriculum which for this newbie was out of the ballpark...Michael took that responsibility and did a great job of it. Whew!
Even though we were in our apartment we were without some necessities...such as a couple of sheets...we had no sheets for our king-sized Chinese bed...trust me...I'm not picky but it needed a cover/disguise! Pillows...a couple of pillows and of course covers for them...a few plates, cups...few forks, etc. and of course a couple of pans to cook with. Now, let's see, what else? Oh yes, a few groceries might come in handy. Ooh, and a towel or two would be good for...well, showering!
I seem to remember a hint of panic as this called for a shopping expedition (our first) w/none other than our appointed guide/advisor and guardian!!! Wow, did we ever need one...enter Andrew w/perfect English skills......oh thank you, Father. Whew! (Andrew remains a very close friend...in fact he called us a few days ago)
You know, when you can't read anything...NOTHING...and you cannot speak one word of Chinese...HELP. One needs all the help possible and for goodness sakes, don't skip out on us, please! We were 'followers'...and better believe we were always tailing Andrew! Poor guy, he was more than a tad uncomfortable 'cause M and I were attracting people like magnets!!!
Oh my...now it's Doomsday...the time has come for my debut...classes w/me teaching? Oh please, God...I do not want to get out of this bed...I do not want to teach. Never mind all the drama, the day has come and you will teach...wildly terrified or not...go, girl.
Now being a female, what do you suppose was next in my mind? Hmm, yes...what to wear? Who cares what you teach if you look good, right? Not, but it's up there on the list. And mind you, it is hot...early September like it is here...hot, hot, hot. I know, you're thinking 'Oh, but you have a/c'...not on your life.
Up and out by myself to walk to class...like running/walking a gauntlet with hundreds of eyes watching my every move and you need to know...I am a 'super Klutz'...I mean I'm clumsy and very self-conscious. Plus I'm getting warmer by the step...ta-dah. Here's my building...now all I need to do is 'spring' up to the 7th floor. Mr. Otis hadn't made it there w/his wonderful elevators!
Safely inside the classroom I'm facing 50 FIFTY...male and female Chinese people...all of whom have black hair...coal black hair...and they are all checking me out. I could imagine by their expressions what must've been going through their minds. And they look so cool...so cool.
Each class session was two hours; supposedly I would get a 10-15 minute break...for an entire school year I didn't 'break'. When one is such a celebrity one's public demands attention. (Okay, I confess that I did, in fact, take two extremely short rest room breaks...to simply enter the rest room took more than tons of courage...trust me!)
My admirers...Conan, James (you can call me 007), Toast, Evil, Apple, Swan, Shine...to name just a few...were something else; I really didn't mind because they were quite charming and we were falling for each other...more importantly, they were learning! Way to go, class!
You know, when you can't read anything...NOTHING...and you cannot speak one word of Chinese...HELP. One needs all the help possible and for goodness sakes, don't skip out on us, please! We were 'followers'...and better believe we were always tailing Andrew! Poor guy, he was more than a tad uncomfortable 'cause M and I were attracting people like magnets!!!
Oh my...now it's Doomsday...the time has come for my debut...classes w/me teaching? Oh please, God...I do not want to get out of this bed...I do not want to teach. Never mind all the drama, the day has come and you will teach...wildly terrified or not...go, girl.
Now being a female, what do you suppose was next in my mind? Hmm, yes...what to wear? Who cares what you teach if you look good, right? Not, but it's up there on the list. And mind you, it is hot...early September like it is here...hot, hot, hot. I know, you're thinking 'Oh, but you have a/c'...not on your life.
I took a 90% black wardrobe to China...the kind you can roll up in your baggage. Wash it in the sink, hang it to dry...put it back on. I had three pair of slacks, some tops and a couple of black jackets...black shoes, too. You see, black doesn't show anything...necessity! I almost always looked the same for a very long time...either very hot or very cold!!! Still, decisions! Time to go...oh no!
Up and out by myself to walk to class...like running/walking a gauntlet with hundreds of eyes watching my every move and you need to know...I am a 'super Klutz'...I mean I'm clumsy and very self-conscious. Plus I'm getting warmer by the step...ta-dah. Here's my building...now all I need to do is 'spring' up to the 7th floor. Mr. Otis hadn't made it there w/his wonderful elevators!
Safely inside the classroom I'm facing 50 FIFTY...male and female Chinese people...all of whom have black hair...coal black hair...and they are all checking me out. I could imagine by their expressions what must've been going through their minds. And they look so cool...so cool.
Of all the things you wear,
your expression is
the most important.
Janet Lane
Janet Lane
My expression? My expression was bathed in sweat. Was that important? They are not sweating...I am sweating...sweating buckets and it fills and overflows from my eyes.
'Who cares what I'm wearing, God...please just get me through these next two hours'!
Each class session was two hours; supposedly I would get a 10-15 minute break...for an entire school year I didn't 'break'. When one is such a celebrity one's public demands attention. (Okay, I confess that I did, in fact, take two extremely short rest room breaks...to simply enter the rest room took more than tons of courage...trust me!)
My admirers...Conan, James (you can call me 007), Toast, Evil, Apple, Swan, Shine...to name just a few...were something else; I really didn't mind because they were quite charming and we were falling for each other...more importantly, they were learning! Way to go, class!
Our couch was very uncomfortable...so M and I took it apart and what we uncovered was...???
Cushions were stuffed with nails, wire, trash of all sorts.
No wonder it was a chore to sit on.
Okay, we gave it an overhaul...deluxe!
Umm, are you smiling?
Yes, I think you're smiling!
So am I and remember,
"There are no language barriers when you are smiling"
...Allen Klein (might as well...vb)
From my heart...to yours!
Vasca
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