An American Ex-Pat Living And Working In East Asia
Happy New Year everyone!
Even though I’ve lived in China for 9 years, I’ve never actually been in China on THE eve of Chinese New Year. I can hardly describe what I just experienced!
All I can say is this, China just re-did that famous scene from Crocodile Dundee where he pulls out his huge knife and says “That’s not a knife, THIS is a knife!” China just said, “Those aren’t fireworks, THESE are fireworks!”
There is a new mode of transportation in town, and we are pretty excited about it!
When I first moved to Yueyang (about 9 years ago) there were two ways to get to this city from the closest city with an airport. The ‘highway’, which took 3-4 hours in good weather and the train which was a pretty consistent 2-2.5 hours. Then the ’super highway’ opened up and you could ride a bus in about 2 hours and then take a taxi from the bus station into town in another 40 mins to an hour.
Those of you who have braved the trip to come and visit us can testify to how getting to us was not an easy task!
But things have changed. On December 26th, the day after we celebrated the birth of Christ, the high-speed train started operating. It’s amazing (it’s the fastest train in the world with an average speed of 350 Kmph and a high speed of 400 Kmph)! It will take us to the capital city of our province in just 30 minutes! The city to the north of us, which used to be 3.5-4 hours away, is now only 50 minutes! This has potential to change things in a big way.
We are hoping to ride it soon – when we do, we’ll be sure to share the story and post some photos!
The Fall ‘09 semester has arrived and I’ve been very busy juggling several responsibilities. As most of you may know, last year I taught a course on the Society & Culture of English Speaking Countries. Well, I’m teaching that class again this year. In addition to that, I’m also heading up a new program at my university that focuses on cross-cultural topics, specifically the things that would be helpful for those who are preparing to go abroad for study or work.
We’ve been in the planning stages for the past month or so with the first class set to begin the second week in October. I have no idea how many students I’ll have or what the level of English I’ll be dealing with… it should be fun!
I was surfing for some college football news and I came across the above video. Most of you who know me, know that I LOVE college football, I LOVE the Florida Gators and that living in China, I don’t get to watch any live football games.
I’m okay with that, I’m willing to give that up. But when this video also has to very prominently display that it is the “Dr. Pepper” drive for the championship… well, that’’s just rubbing it in!
Go Gators!
It turns out, they really are made of corn…who would have thought it!
Corn nuts are prepared by soaking whole corn in water for three days, then deep-frying them in oil until they are hard and brittle.
A friend brought over a [really big] bag of ‘nut’ looking things yesterday but did not tell us what they were. After that friend left and I had a chance to see them up close, I looked at them and said, “Those look like Corn Nuts!” Turns out they were!
Now I need to figure out what they are called in Chinese. Anyone know?
The China National Meteorological Center (NMC) urged the country to prepare for a harsh winter and to be prepared for freezing rain and snow disasters.
BEIJING, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) – Over the past month, heavy snow or blizzard have hit many north China provinces and regions, while Hunan, Guizhou and some other south China provinces suffered freezing rain or snow related complication.
Last year, between Jan. 10 to Feb. 2 of 2008, Hunan province was hit by freezing rain and snow four times in a row, shutting down transportation and cutting off basic necessities (water, food, electricity) for weeks.
We were not in China last winter, but everyone I talk to who was here last year said it was terrible.
I think we might prepare some ’supplies’ just in case…
My absolute favorite part of this Christmas classic… made even more funny by where I am writing this blog post from this Christmas!
Merry Christmas! Tis-the-season to be Jorry Jolly!
I went to the Yueyang Tower (岳阳楼) with my family yesterday and to say it was ‘crowded’ would be a huge understatement. The attention the kids received was very overwhelming for them (and for us!)
The kids did have fun feeding these fish who were having a ‘frenzy’ of their own.
Tonight when I was buying some milk for the girls to drink, a little lady at our local grocery store approached me and told me that if I bought a box of the ‘new’ milk, they would give me a box of the ‘old’ milk for free.
I politely said no thanks… but she persisted, why wouldn’t anyone want FREE MILK?!
Then I took the wimpy route, I said that “my wife” would not allow our kids to drink ‘old milk’… then I gave a shrug and walked away with my ‘new milk’.
I know, it’s been real quiet around here at stevewebel.com, there are a few reasons for this. Besides being extremely busy, I just haven’t been able to get motivated to post anything here. This is mostly due to the issue that my last post cryptically refers to… milk in China. It’s depressing.
BEIJING (AP) — China’s Cabinet vowed a complete overhaul of the scandal-ridden dairy industry Monday, pledging to inspect every link from the farm to the dinner table to try to restore public trust in Chinese-made food products.
In its strongest action yet, China’s highest level of government called the industry “chaotic” and acknowledged there was a lack of oversight.
Hi! I'm Steve Webel and this is my blog. Thanks for stopping by!Follow me on Twitter.
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