And so the water will come

It began as a patter on the window above my bed, waking me from my slumber around 1am. Longing for the west coast rain I came to love, I found some quiet peace as it tapped it's irregular beat on the glass. Then realizing that it's summer time and I have my windows and doors cracked to let in fresh air, I rolled out of bed to make sure I hadn't created any small rivers in my apartment. Lucky for me, pretty much all surfaces were desert-dry.

I could not have known, though, that this home of mine in China would become victim to a tropical storm that is living off the coast of South Korea as we speak. The rain began last night with some serious energy and hasn't let up since. It's now 4pm on a sombre and dreary Sunday afternoon and the water continues to stream off the roof and the wind continues to gust in through the open patio doors. Earlier, I decided to take advantage of the water and went and mopped my patio, washing away all the DongBei dust that accumulates throughout the winter and spring. I felt like a slightly awkward participant in a wet t-shirt contest afterward, but luckily for, well, everyone, there was no audience to witness it. Or at least the audience was limited to one.

As I sit here on my couch, the water continues to come down in sheets. Buckets. Streams. Rivers flow down the roads and sidewalks. Babbling brooks occupy every footpath. I swear I even saw some Koi jumping in the newly made pond in the TongNiuLing park beside my house (the one with the UFO structure and the animated corn statues and the Golden, Bull-Riding Baby as attractions). I've never seen this much rain in Dalian. I'm also slightly nervous, since the little sun room attached to my patio now has about a centimeter of water on the floor, even after scooping it out and toweling it down once today.

I know that my parents back home are not so happy about the rain... the southern Alberta fields have become swampland and many farmers are staring a fallow season in the face, being unable to put down any seed. And even though my sunroom is threatening to flood my small abode, the rain is forcing me to relax and enjoy some quiet during one of my last free days in China for the year. I'm home on Friday to Van Isle. It's hard to hide my excitement. However, I'm content to watch the heavens shower this dusty city with all the moxy it can muster. 

I'll see you all soon enough, mes amis. Canada or bust.

T

A hard sell

Walking through Victory Square in downtown Dalian yesterday, I am approached by a young girl who is clutching an armful of flowers. Holding them out to me and asking me to buy one, I politely decline. "Bu yao-le, xie xie," I say to her multiple times as she pleads with me. In an attempt to continue on my way, she steps in front of me. I respond in the same apologetic way, "Don't want any, thank you." Again, she steps in front of me, this time needling her small, sharp elbows into my legs and thrusting the flowers toward my face.

This went on for a couple minutes before reaching my tipping point. Lightly holding her shoulders to prevent any further assault, I say to her, "Hey. Xiao ren (little person). Look at me! Bu keyi (not okay). Bu yao (don't want). Zai jian (goodbye)." Finally she relents, head drooping in sadness. As she walks away, she spies a nearby couple and swoops in on the unassuming future victims, carrying out her assault in the same manner. Sorry kid, no luck this time.

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As I'm writing this, two pigeons are trying to get in my open patio door. I'm not lying. Little do they know that they're in for a world of fury if they succeed.

T

Weighing in on the chaos

I've believed for a long time that we are not different from animals simply because of our rationality or religion. Not because we are a literate species. And not because of our ability to create. It seems to me that a particularly human trait is our ability to justify our actions, no matter how horrible, how inconceivable. Just look at history and you can see what I mean.

The riot following the Canucks loss was heartbreaking and maddening at the same time. People destroying their own city because of a hockey game and a mob mentality. People assaulting others who try to protect the downtown core. People setting cars on fire because... ????? As Canadians, we should all feel a little bit of collective shame. Others across the country may say, "I would've never done that." But honestly, Vancouver is not unique in what happened. Given the same circumstances, the riots would've occurred in any other major city in Canada. You may disagree, but there are idiots worldwide and such disgraceful nonsense would've taken place in the same situation in a different city.

Thanks to my big bro for posting this link today on FB. If you're from Vancouver or you were at the game and can identify some of those who are particularly worthy of shame and a short trip to jail, go here:

http://www.identifyrioters.com

T

Long days and a weekend of freedom

It's been 7 weeks since my last free weekend where I wasn't signed up or I hadn't committed to some sort of activity or sport or trip or excursion, and I think it took it's toll. Running, volleyball, ultimate, travel, etc. Yes, I understand that these commitments are predominantly voluntary. But what would life be like as a non-weekend warrior? I'm now exhausted and my patience (which I often believe to be of Job-esque proportion) is dwindling like a 2-0 series lead by the Vancouver Canucks. (Sorry Van fans... had to throw that one in there). I'm yawning by third block (before lunch), I'm barely keeping my eyes open by 7:30pm, and I pretty much want to toss students off the fifth floor of our teaching building when they interrupt me or when they come to me and ask, "Mr. M, how can I pass?"

Here's my response to that suddenly ambitious kid:

Well, Mr. Student, you have lots of time and lots of opportunities... but not until next year. Currently, I will be using the past tense for that verb: you had opportunities. Remember that tutorial you didn't show up for? Yup, that would've helped. Remember when I gave you my email address and set up a time for us to meet so we could go over your essay? Yes sir, that would've been an excellent remedy for the Fail Flu. Remember that essay rewrite I provided an opportunity for and told you about AND which I'm currently supervising? You know, the one you neglected to show up for? Yes, that would've done wonders for your grade. Oh... and that time when I gave you a 3-part novel study assignment that would've rescued last term's grade from the dumpster? The one that you plagiarised and didn't complete AND told me you did your best on? Uh huh... that was pretty much a bar of gold that you simply had to cash at the bank. I'm the bank. I received no gold. Just I.O.U. slips in the Canada Post mail.

I haven't lost hope in these kids. And I still believe that they can be taught and they can learn and succeed. They will all succeed in their time. However, I know bad decisions when I see them (in others, at least. For myself, well, that's another story). Combine low ability with lower ambition and a previous schooling system which encouraged them to slack off for as long as possible before writing an all-encompassing exam and being bumped up to the next grade level and you have a quiche of disappointment on your hands.

Tomorrow is Friday and I'll finally be free of the rascals who have been with me all year. I get to say goodbye to my PE 12 boys as they graduate, and will wish luck to my PE 11s and they disappear for a summer of likely studying and family time. My English 10s aren't off the hook yet, as they still have their provincial exam next week and I'll be doing my best to hold tutorials and provide last-minute advice for the test writers before the exam slays them (and sadly, it will do that to most). In exactly two weeks tomorrow, I'll be touching down on coastal Canadian soil, wrapping my hands around a delicious burger and pijiu at the closest pub I can find and throwing my arms around the friends and family I've missed for the past 10 months. TGIF tomorrow and I'll be home to see ya'll soon enough. Much China love, everyone. I miss you Canada.

T

Sports extravaganzas

It seems like every day there's another sport on the go. Our staff sticks it out throughout the cold, Dongbei winter and by the time the Siberian winds disappear and springtime hits, everyone goes nuts. We all just want to get out of the house and start up some sort of sporting activity every day of the week. Currently, an active/sporty member of our staff (remember, there's a total of about 120 of us and no more) can get involved with a group in pretty much any/all of the following activities: volleyball, basketball, ball hockey, badminton, baseball, ladies baseball, ultimate frisbee, volleyball, hockey, running, and even squash or swimming. I'm sure I missed one, but it's already a lengthy list.

Also remember, half of my teaching load is PE so I'm currently teaching baseball and basketball units to my Grade 11/12 boys.

Now that the Great Wall is done, my weeks look like this:

Monday: Volleyball after school, then a short trip to the gym if I have the energy.

Tuesday: Student badminton club (me and a few teachers will often play. And again, with a short stop at the gym afterward)

Wednesday: More volleyball (and I get together with a crew from school to test out new restaurants around the town I live in)

Thursday: Basketball (often staff vs. Boys bball team every second week)

Friday: Generally reserved for BBQ on a patio somewhere, after a trip to the gym

Saturday/Sunday: Who knows. Last weekend it was sports day on Saturday and an Ultimate Frisbee tourney on Sunday, the Great Wall Race was the week before, and this weekend it's volleyball.

Most of the time we're playing amongst ourselves, which is a lot of fun. But there's always something happening. I've been going like a madman for the past few weeks and would love a weekend off. But at the same time, I live for this stuff. I love being active and I'm super competitive, so anything I can get into I'll sign up for. But I just can't keep up. I've got turf rash from Ultimate last weekend, my knees are aching from volleyball practice last night, my achilles is still tender from running, and my abs are sore from Tuesday's workout. The invitations for baseball, squash, ball hockey, etc. keep pouring in and I keep having to say no. All this work stuff sure gets in the way of having fun.

But really, I can't complain. This is a good life.

Now, if only I could import my friends/family into this fantasy I call my reality. Then, mes amis, I could taste a bit of perfection. For now (and as always) much love from China as I tick the days off the calendar. 29 turns of our planet and I'm home in Vic. See ya'll on Canada Day, which will be here soon enough.

T