History Connection

 I love history and how it provides me with insights into the past.  It cultivates within me a sense of belonging and connection to China.

We recently visited the Shaanxi History Museum and the Xi'an Museum.  They are both so fascinating.  They are full of collections spanning thousands of years.

Some of my favorites:

Pot - Neolithic Age (10,000 BC - 2,200 BC)

 

Bronze Basin  - Han Dynasty (202BC - AD220

Jade Cup (206BC - 8AD

Painted Pottery Honor Guards - Excavated from the tomb of Zhu Chengyang.

 (Ming Dynasty)

We also visited a city this week named Hanzhong.  It is known as a famous historical and cultural city, with more than 4,000 years of history,  Many historical sites of the Han Dynasty (202 BC - 220) and The Three Kingdoms (220 - 280) are preserved.  

It is also famous for Rapeseed flower plants, which are harvested and turned into canola oil.  The vibrant yellow flower fields are spectacular.  Along side the fields are thousands of plum trees blossoming with bright pink colors.  Unbelievable beauty.

What a Visit

Our family David, Roxanne, Norman, and Karen came to visit us in China.  We spent 4 weeks touring around.  We really did a deep dive into China and some of our favorites were attending a village festival, being honored with a home-cooked meal of delicious snails, and listening to our guide share his personal spiritual convictions in a sacred Buddhist temple.  

We have 893 pictures in our shared photo file, which remind us of memories made that we will always cherish.

Each stop we picked one descriptive word.

Guilin/Yangshuo:

1. David:  Engaging
2. Norman: Pagodas
3. Karen: New
4. Roxanne: Unforgettable
5. Doug: Peaceful
6. Cindy: Spectacular

Hanoi and Ha Long Bay Vietnam:

1. Norman: Emerald
2. Karen: Friendship
3. Roxanne: Bittersweet
4. Doug: Awesome
5. Cindy:  Magical
6. David: Mysterious

Sapa, Vietnam:

1. Karen: Adventurous
2. Roxanne: Otherworldly
3. Doug: Unimaginable
4. Cindy:  Awareness
5. David: Immersed
6. Norman: Fascinating

Dali/Lijiang: 

1. Roxanne: Symmetry
2. Doug: Quaint
3. Cindy:  Balance
4. David: Convergence
5. Norman: Tolerance
6. Karen:  Levels

Xi'an: 

1. Doug: Home
2. Cindy:  Dynasties
3. David: Friendship
4. Norman: Protection
5. Karen:  Wolves
6. Roxanne: Elaborate

Beijing: 

1. Cindy:  Unfathomable
2. David: Great
3. Norman: Foreboding
4. Karen:  Defensive
5. Roxanne: Businesslike
6. Doug:  Alleys

Christmas in China

Rachel was able to visit China for Christmas.  We had an amazing trip.  She enjoyed visiting all the tourist sites and wonders of China, but what she loved most was meeting our students and friends in China.  She was told she is beautiful hundreds of times.  I have to agree with the people of China!

Two experiences brought me great joy to watch.  

In Guilin our tour guide's husband cooked hot pot for us at their house.  His name is Mr. Li.  Mr. Li doesn't speak any English, but loved to play charades with what he wanted us to understand.  He and Rachel were both Chinese Zodiac Year of the Rabbit.  Mr. Li made rabbit gestures and noises and high fives with Rachel.  It was just the best and they developed a connection.

We went to lunch with 2 friends that we met from Turkmenistan.  Rachel brought them from the USA simple dollar store Christmas stockings.   They were so excited and said they would write their dreams and goals and put them in the stocking and sleep with them under their pillows.  They hugged Rachel and told her they genuinely loved her. 

We visited 6 spots

Beijing: 

Xi'an:

Christmas present from the Feng Family.  An ultimate Tang Dynasty photo shoot.

Chengdu:

Zhangjiajie:

Guilin:

Hong Kong:

The Story of An

An walked into class last week looking dejected, lonely and overwhelmed.  Our class list showed that she had missed the last 2 classes.   Her dark hair covered her face. I talked to her about missing assignments and encouraged her to participate in her group.  She said very little and acted like she understood even less.  I was discouraged about teaching her.  I honestly didn't think she would be handing in any missing assignments.

This week An showed up for class.  Our first assignment was answering a prepared prompt question.  I was shocked when An answered the question in front of her group.  She participated in every activity.  We did Play in a Bag activity where we gave each group 8 random props and they performed a 3 minute play.  I especially loved watching An interact and laugh with her group as they performed their play.

During a little break, An hesitantly brought me her missing assignments.  As she left class, she walked out the door with a big smile on her face. 

I felt a small amount of amazement as a teacher today.  I hope I don't get so enamored with the good English speakers, or the smart kids. and remember the An's of the class.  She is important and I learned a great lesson today.