Coming home, I found some of the little things that I didn’t think make such a difference—really ended up having an effect on me. Being able to sit out in the sun…and breathe in fresh air. Actually being able to SEE the sun – the smog/haze in Beijing was such that while we were there, I couldn’t see the sun the way we do here at home. I kind of saw a vague bright spot in the sky—round and brighter than the rest of the sky, but without the clear definition that we might see on a clear sunny day. Because Christmas is a religious holiday, it is not celebrated or recognized in China. In the USA it’s become so secularized that you will see Christmas themed things everywhere. Not so in China. Our hotel did make a concession for Christmas—there were a few small decorations in the lobby, including a small tree and a couple other figures—maybe a toy solider and a reindeer (I can’t remember). They were rather small and nondescript. And definitely no ubiquitous playing of Christmas carols! I know how people here in the US get tired of hearing them because they are played so much (and it does get a bit much to hear Christmas songs the day after Halloween). However, I joyfully listened to the Christmas songs playing at the neighborhood cafe this morning—it was another welcome reminder that I was home.
Modern high-rise buildings sit right next to ancient buildings. There are many attempts at free enterprise, even in the line to view the father of Chinese Communism. Vendors sell religious themed souvenirs (quite a few of the vendors sold souvenirs like crosses and images of Jesus) in a country that does not advocate religion of any kind, including Christianity. A dumpling shop sits right across the street from a KFC. There are lines of three-wheeled bicycles heavily laden with goods ride on the road alongside new cars. I went to Beijing thinking that it’s a capital city of a superpower country…so I guess I expected to see most of the modern conveniences that I’m accustomed to. In many ways, this is true. However, in many ways, even my friends from China tell me that in many parts of China—it still is a third-world-country. Beijing is a large city with a growing population in a changing country that’s part of a changing world. And Beijing is full of contrasts, but the contrasts are what make Beijing such an interesting place to be, especially viewing this through the lens of an outsider.
In my short visit to China, I observed Beijing to be a city of contrasts.Coming home, I found some of the little things that I didn’t think make such a difference—really ended up having an effect on me. Being able to sit out in the sun…and breathe in fresh air. Actually being able to SEE the sun – the smog/haze in Beijing was such that while we were there, I couldn’t see the sun the way we do here at home. I kind of saw a vague bright spot in the sky—round and brighter than the rest of the sky, but without the clear definition that we might see on a clear sunny day. Because Christmas is a religious holiday, it is not celebrated or recognized in China. In the USA it’s become so secularized that you will see Christmas themed things everywhere. Not so in China. Our hotel did make a concession for Christmas—there were a few small decorations in the lobby, including a small tree and a couple other figures—maybe a toy solider and a reindeer (I can’t remember). They were rather small and nondescript. And definitely no ubiquitous playing of Christmas carols! I know how people here in the US get tired of hearing them because they are played so much (and it does get a bit much to hear Christmas songs the day after Halloween). However, I joyfully listened to the Christmas songs playing at the neighborhood cafe this morning—it was another welcome reminder that I was home.
0 Comments
There's so much technology out there and available to use. There's a ton of technology websites and applications designed for teachers or that can be used by teachers. I'm going to be sharing some here as I discover them. I already have some favorites that I know I'll be sharing here on this blog. However, there never seems to be quite enough time to find and learn how to use everything that's out there. It's so much easier and more user-friendly now than back in the "dark ages" when I was putting together my first website for work...or even further back into the "bronze age," when I was participating in the Student Conference Project at the University of Michigan...or even the Stone age, when we were using the teletype-like printers that printed at 300 baud at its top speed, and connected in via acoustic couplers.
But I digress. I'm just marveling at this website where I can create my own web environment so easily. I don't consider myself a novice, but relatively proficient for someone who uses computers a lot but not as my primary job. I'd never even heard of Weebly. Now that I've discovered it, it seems to be pretty cool...with lots of really handy tools. I know this isn't the only place where I can create my own web environment...I have also have a blog on LiveJournal and am on Facebook regularly. I used to be active on CafeMom.com and was a "Go-To" mom that wrote articles for ClubMom.com. Some of those articles have also been published on AssociatedContent.com. And now I collaborate with another teacher on the blog site "classroomconnections.tumblr.com." I was asked to join Weebly.com by another Chinese Teacher, and learn how to use its features, so we can work on some collaborations. I definitely think that there is much potential with what I can do with Weebly.com. Only time will tell, though as to whether I can sustain the momentum...or if I go back to just Facebook...or I find the next new thing. In the meantime, enjoy my ramblings! |
About MeChristina has been a Chinese language teacher for the last 5 years and now teaches "Think Tank," a Critical Thinking class to elementary students. She is also mom to two amazing girls, wife to a wonderful husband, violinist, and Christian (not necessarily in that order). Archives
August 2014
Categories
All
|