A Single Life.

I know one day I will simply cease to exist.  I know there will be no grand reunion in some mythical afterlife.  I know what I do and what I am is transient, but I take solace in the things I see, the places I travel, and the people I touch.

What Doesn't Kill You . . .

I've been given the task of facing my fears, of grabbing the bull by the horns and hanging on for the ride.  Well, maybe that's a little bit of a over dramatization, but I have been asked to comment on something I've avoided or hesitated doing, here in China.  The first thing that came to mind was Fuxin itself.  I have to some extent avoided straying from the beaten track.  I walk to work, walk back, walk to the local store, walk back, never really stepping beyond.  So this week I decided to figure out how to walk to downtown Fuxin.  The benefits of this foot driven adventure were clear to see.  I found several indoor markets, my first Chinese video game store, a mobile phone market (iphune and Samsang seemed very popular), and figured out we live pretty close to downtown Fuxin.  Here are some pictures of my travels:

Apparently giant mutant frogs are a popular food item in Fuxin:

One of the indoor markets I found.  The word big doesn't do it justice:

I also found a very cute dog who reminded my of my two pugs:

Here are some gentleman I ran into whilst walking through a park.  They played this song for me as I watched:

Another thing I have tried to do more of, is hang out with my students.  I think at first I was worried about the teacher/student relationship.  The legal concerns that are a big deal in America held me back the first few weeks, but the realization that this really isn't an issue in China, and the fact I get to spend more time with them, eventually made it a no brainer.


Playing some pool with some of my students:

And having lunch with more of my students:

"Confronting my fears" has without a doubt left me a better person.  I have experienced more, made new friends, and become a better person for it.


Until next time.

The Beginning of the End?

Maybe it's because I've been ill for the last week, but for the first time on this trip I've begun to miss things.  The top culprit this week has been my bed back home; spending just an hour in its downy embrace has been a recurring, fever induced dream, of a week spent coughing, wheezing, aching, tossing and turning, and shivering, in the most unwelcoming, uncomfortable, sorry excuse of a bed possible.

A close second (as a big fan of our bed also, I'm sure she'll understand second billing), is my wife.  We talk most days on Skype, so I know I don't miss talking to her.  I miss her touch, her skin against mine.  I miss that primal human need to be touched, to feel the affection contained in the simple act of someone grasping your hand.  I miss my wife.  It's really the little things I miss: riding my bike, the warmth of Spring, a nice cup of British tea, blending into the crowd, the things we often don't even realize.

Oh well, I can feel my sickness slowly begin to ebb away; I can feel the warmth of Spring begin to slowly raise it's head here in the frigid north of China, and I can hear time slowly tick away as I realize there is so much more I still have yet to experience before I go home.

Boldy Going Where No One Else Can Be Bothered.

The last week or so, I have been busy with school work, both for China and back home.  If anything, this week has almost felt ordinary.  Work, rest, work, rest, and little else.  I have finally managed to get back into a good fitness routine, which has also contributed to the last week or so feeling mundane.  To make up for the lack of awesome stuff going on in my life right now, I thought I would post a few pics of things that have remained on the fringes of the unusual.


Finally managed to get a picture of the huge Chairman Mao statue in downtown Fuxin:

We did visit Fuxin's only tourist attraction this week - a giant hole in the ground, that was once a coal mine.  Truly the Eighth Wonder of the World:

 

Oh, but they do have a massive Soviet crane:

Having a massive, man-made hole as your main tourist attraction, says more about Fuxin than I ever could.

On one of my walks around Fuxin, I found this lying on the ground:

 I also discovered my first Chinese arcade, much fun was had inside:

Hey cat, how's it hanging:

Me about town with a few of my students:

Lastly, a photo of some of my colleagues children, who I bribe on a daily basis with sweets and trinkets.  I'm like some evil capitalistic, Piped Piper of Hamlin, muhahahaha:

Until we meet again.