The strange weather continued- I actually saw fog for the first time in almost a year! We’ve had a very tame summer so far and the rain has made the skies very clear. Things have been super busy, but more on that later- I got to finish this catching-up!

The Race is On!!!

A couple months ago, I heard about something our team was hosting called “Maniac Kids Weekend.” Since this was on my first 3-day weekend, I was going to do everything in my power to avoid working with a bunch of “maniac” kids. Well, one way or another, I ended up volunteering. To my surprise, I wasn’t going to be spending the weekend with a bunch of children climbing all over me. Instead, I was going to be helping in an Amazing Race-type competition between some of the older kids!

Not totally sure what I was getting into, I arrived at the Sofitel, the hotel where the weekend events were taking place, at about 8 am on Saturday. The Sofitel is by far the nicest hotel in Xi’an and quite possibly the nicest Hotel I’ve ever been to! At the Sofitel, I was given my official “Race Around Xi’an” shirt and I made my way to the lobby to meet with my teammates Chase (the only senior at our school with a hilarious sense of humor) and Keera (a tough sixth grader who second oldest out of four children).

Left to right: Tori, member of Cari's team, Chase and Keera

Due to Ty’s injury, Jake, one of the people responsible for planning the race, was a leader of a team (and he said he wouldn’t cheat… more on that later). The other team was lead by Cari. All together there were 3 teams with a total of nine people. As a facilitator, Cari, Jake and I were there to keep the students safe and take pictures… and give as much moral support as possible. After a short talk about the rules and some pre-race pictures, the race officially started!

Below is a map of the race we took around Xi’an. There were 10 challenges in all and I’ll explain each as we go.

Click on Image for larger view.

Challenge 1

Because my team had won a Wii tournament from the previous night, we were allowed a 10 minute head start. After finding a cab, we headed to the directions on the clue; the historical downtown area of Xi’an called the Muslim Quarters. Once there, we found the restaurant that was pictured in our clue. Making our way to the back of the restaurant (running the whole time of course), we found the official hosts standing near tables and were instructed how to make dumplings.

While we were making, the other two teams arrived and started making their dumplings as well. After we had made 20 dumpling that could stand up-right, we were giving our second challenge. We raced out the door only moment ahead of another team.

Challenge 2

We were given our second clue which lead us deeper into the Muslim Quarters. As we frantically searched for the house on our clue, we began to see the other teams running all around the street. I saw Jake, who was claiming not to cheat, loudly cleared his throat to his teammates and gave a little head nod as the passed the entrance to an old historical home. After that point, I vowed to do everything I could to help my team in gaining victory!

Following Jake’s team, we made our way into the house and searched for the carving that was in our clue. We found it and removed some charcoal and paper that was in the backpacks our team was giving. We began tracing over the etching by the time the next team arrived. In our excitement, we raced to the officials and showed them our etching- which they said was not good enough. Meanwhile, another team stole our carving!!! We were force to wait as the other team finish. Receiving our clue, we left, felling rather defeated on that challenge.

Challenge 3

We were told by some store owners that the next location was at the end of the street and to the right. After running for about ¾ of a mile and being passed by another team, we decided to grab a Beng-beng Che to get us there. As we arrived at our destination, we saw Jake’s team leaving the temple! Frantically, we found another team inside listing to a monk for a clue. After the clue, we searched for a sculpture. After finding it, both teams received the clue and raced out of the temple, neck-n-neck.

Our team cut through a side street in order to find a taxi and made up huge time! We saw one team in cab next us and the others scrambling around on the sidewalk- we felt good being back in first!

Challenge 4

At a park, both teammates had to enter large inflated balls and sand up-right for 10 seconds. It was not easy work. The final solution came when Chase, attempting to keep his balance began running in place like a hamster. He managed to make it the whole 10 seconds so our team was given the next clue… the other two teams still inside the balls!


Challenge 5 & 6

Next, our clue lead us to the Small Goose Pagoda. Loyal followers of my blog might remember the “Big” Goose Pagoda. This one is very similar, except… smaller. I don’t have many pictures because of the rush we were in and that other people were taking pictures when we arrived to each challenge. The Small Goose Pagoda is not only small, but missing the top. For Challenge 6 we had o talk to someone to find out how the top of the pagoda was destroyed. Chase had recently studied this in his Chinese class, so we were able to answer immediately (I think it was lightening… or an earthquake. I can’t remember).

After we finished Challenge 6, we had a 30 minute, timed lunch break. We were at lunch 5 minutes before the next team arrived.

Challenge 7

Next, we were off to XIS, the school where I work and my teammates have class! Once there, our team had to move 30 bricks using a yoke and some bags. Chase attempted taking 20 his first trip, but the wooden yoke splintered. He ended up taking a few less, but impressive none the less. After 3 trips, the brick had all been moved and the broken yoke was quite defensive since one team had to watch and wait until we were finished.



Challenge 8 & 9

Our next clue took us to Xingqing Park. Being May Day Holiday, the park was flooded with people (人山人海)! We made our way to the paddle boats. We were giving the challenge to paddle out and around an island. Once there, the students would have to take part in an eating challenge. On the first trip, my team missed the eating challenge! They had to paddle back a second time and attempt eating an 1,000 Year Old Egg, the name of a Chinese delicacy. They tried it but could not finish it. Either way, we were given our last challenge and left the park ahead of the other two teams.


Challenge 10

The last Challenge lead us to the Xi’an City Wall. We were instructed to get on some rented bikes and to ride the wall. Riding as fast and safe as we could (the wall is old and the bricks are far from even…), we made the 1-2 mile bike ride in great time. As we hurried to the finish line, we didn’t notice any other teams in sight. After standing on a mat (just like in the Amazing Race) our team was informed that we were FIRST!!! It was another 10-15 minutes before Jake's team arrived followed by Cari’s team only 5 minutes after. It was such a close finish for a morning of racing around the city.

I had my GPS the whole morning tracking our path. With all the cab rides, running, searching and the final bike ride, the race totaled 24.6 miles around the city. It was such an incredible way to spend a Saturday and I’m so glad I was able to be a part of it. For coming in first, the students each received an I-pod Nano!

In Other News

I am SOOOO busy!!! This month has been a blur of exciting events and hard work. The fact that I am only now finishing my blog for the first of May should be evidence of that. And on top of all the business, I sprained my ankle! I was playing basketball and rolled my ankle… there was definitely a ‘popping’ sound. Being inexperienced in ankle injuries, I failed to act immediately so there is still a bit of swelling and bruising now (5 days after the injury). None-the-less, I feel much better and I’m planning on making a quick recovery… since I don’t really have an option with my upcoming schedule!

Also, today was Teacher Appreciation Day at school! I was given cards and gifts from my students and for dinner, all the teachers were treated to a buffet at the Sofitel- it was incredible and I stuffed myself!

The Countdown!

With all this excitement, the days are slipping way rather quickly! Here’s the updated countdown!

Last Day of School: 17 Days! (That's only 12.5 days of class- WOW!)
T.Matt Arrives: 25 Days - Less than a Month!
My Parents Arrive: 43 Days
I return to the US of A: 64 Days

In the business of catching up...

Well, almost 2 months late, here it is TJ- your Birthday Greeting from my class!!! It was recorded on your birthday and was supposed to be posted that week but due to some complications (China shutting down YouTube... and my laziness), it's only now ready for your viewing. Better late than never! Happy Birthday TJ!


Thanks for Reading!

A Broken Roommate and a Holiday!

Right now, I'm nearing the end Spirit Week here at school. Today is Fictional Character day and I'm dressed as Mr. Duck... again! In an effort to get all 'caught up,' here's the excitement from two weeks ago:

Ty's Accident

Late one warm spring evening (April 28th to be exact), Ty, Lester (another teacher at my school) and I decided to go on a little bike trip. As we have done before, we decided to play "Rock, Paper, Scissors" at every intersection to let fate decide our destination. In an effort to make it to Lotus (a large grocery store) before it closed, we began biking especially aggressive.

We made it to an exceptionally smooth piece of road and flew under an overpass. That's when it happened. Under the overpass, the light that previously lit the roads was completely block and we could only see the road that exited on the other side. Being in the back of the group- I saw it all take place.

As Ty came into the light, his bike was wobbling a great deal. There came a moment where he almost seemed to have it under control. After that, things went into slow motion. His handle bars jolted perpendicular with the road and he went flying forward. True to instincts, his hands shot forward to brace himself for the fall. As he bounce off the road at high speeds, the bike became tangled in his long legs (Ty stands at a tower 6'4") and his body acted as a catapult, hurling the bike forward as he went into a role.

Ty, covered in dirt, laid on the ground and cradled his right arm. Hidden in the dark was a pile of dirt and a huge tree branch that Ty hit. He was worried that he had broke his wrist and his knees were skinned pretty bad. Lester and I got him to his feet and flagged down a cab. I called Cari and she met him at the apartment. Meanwhile, Lester and I walked back the three bikes. Once we got there, the plans had already been made for Ty's trip to the hospital. Jon, a veteran foreigner here in China, accompanied Ty, Cari and I to the hospital.

We arrived at the hospital at about midnight. Although the facilities were slightly below American standards, we didn't have to wait all night just to see the doctor! After about 20 minutes, Ty was already getting an x-ray! At one point in the evening, Ty was being asked questions by the nurse and a man walked in off the street with a bloody hand and shirt splattered with blood. He stood right in front of Ty and held the hand in front of the nurse, as if waiting for a hand shake. The nurse rolled her eyes and began to bandage the hand. Then, the man left. Moments later, a police car arrived and started asking question. During the interruptions, Ty waited patiently holding his arm.


On our way to the exit, the man who had given Ty his x-ray ran up to me and waved me to follow him. We went pass the x-ray machine and to the room where it was controlled. He began to pull something up on his computer and I couldn't help but laugh out loud. To my surprise, he opened a folder labeled "Knight Rider" and smiled as he first seconds of the show began to play (it was the new "Knight Rider"- no Hasselhof!). He was clearly excited to have the opportunity to share his knowledge of American Culture and it was a humorous and strangely appropriate way to wrap-up our interesting evening in a Chinese Hospital.

Ty Update: The doctors said there was no break but placed his arm in a cast and gave him a bunch of medicine, mostly herbal, telling him to return after several days. After a week of rest and painkillers, a foreign doctor who is learning Chinese at the same school as Ty offered to look at the x-rays. He said that the the bone was most-like compacted and that Ty should try to get his arm out of the cast and begin stretching it. Ty has painfully worked through some stretching and is almost back to 100% in less than 3 weeks! Nothing less than a miracle after the fall he took!

May Day

May Day, my first holiday since February, was greatly anticipated throughout the long months of March and April. Ty and I spent our May Day with a couple of good Chinese friends, Joy and Faith. Our first order of business was food. We went to a restaurant named Golden Hans, it was AMAZING! It was an all-you-can-eat buffet with a German theme and it, maybe most important, SALAD BAR. Fresh vegetables are really hard to find here in restaurants in China. It was really good and felt very American (which is a plus at this point in the game). We enjoyed it so much, we've even gone back since to share it with Cari!

After lunch, I experienced another Chinese "first." The four of us went to Chinese movie, in Chinese! I've been to the theaters in Xi'an, but only to watch movies in English. We watched a brand new movie here in China named 南京！南京！:City of Life and Death. It was an intense dramatization of massacre/rape of the city of Nanjing (南京) during the Japanese occupation of China during 1937. Although I understood little of what was said, the acting and directing did a wonderful job telling the story and showing the seriousness and historical importance of this bloody time in Chinese history.

After May Day, the weekened got even more exciting... but that's for the next blog; AMAZING RACE Xi'an! I'll try and get that up this weekend.

Thanks for reading!

Yan'an: Mao's Stomping Grounds

I have fallen two weeks behind- and this time its not because of a lack of interesting things to write about! So, I'm going to be posting several times this week to get you caught up. I hope its not too overwhelming but there is a lot of cool stuff that has been happening!

Roadtrip!

Ever since my trip to Thailand that ended in the beginning of February, school has been a constant with no breaks. Being here in the big city day after day, week after week, month after month- the gray of the sky and the tall buildings became all too familiar. My world was a viewed through a gray filter. Needless-to-say, when the opportunity came to get out of the city and visit some fellow 外国人 (foreigners) in the city of Yan'an, I gladly excepted!

I was packed Thursday night and left right after school on Friday. Ty, Cari, myself and four other familiar faces loaded onto the bus and headed North. It was a 5 hour ride and from the view I immediately noticed the fresh air and green colors I had been missing. Most of my bus ride was spent reading the novel "Marley and Me."


After several rest stops, we arrived in Yan'an at night. We were trying to get there by 7:00 pm for an English Corner at the University, but did not make it in time. Ty and I were sharing "unique" hotel room for the weekend. It was on the fourth floor of the hotel and the third floor had a karaoke bar... I was very thankful to be a heavy sleeper.

Saturday was an eventful day full of excitement! We started bright and early heading to one of the many mountains in the nearby areas. After a sixty minute bumpy ride, we arrived to the base of a mountain and began climbing. The scenery was breath-taking! The air was so clear I could see for miles! The rolling mountains (actually just large hills)reminded me of leaving the Cascade Mountains and driving to East Washington. We spent the morning and into the afternoon breathing fresh air and taking in the beautiful scenery.



After our climb, we visited the nearby 'tomb' of Mulan- the legendary heroine of Ancient China who joined an all-male army; a sort of Joan of Arc of Asia. This popular story was made into a Disney cartoon. You can be the judge on Disney's job recreating Mulan:

After hiking the mountain, we spent the evening at English Corner. Much like the English corner I am a part of here in Xi'an, we spent time talking with students from the university in Yan'an about everything and anything- helping them practice their English. One major difference was the Yan'an English Corner had their own cafe with chairs and tables- it was nice to be able to sit!

The students loved the opportunity to practice their English with so many native English speakers. There were nine foreigners there and each one had at least 10 students talking with them. We finished the evening singing some of the same songs that are a hit at the Xi'an English Corner; Hey Jude, My Heart Will Go On and Can You Feel the Love Tonight? just to name a few!

It was an incredible weekend in a unique city of China. You can feel the slow pace of Yan'an's history as a farming city yet development in Yan'an, like anywhere in China, is growing and a break-neck pace. The landscape is so earthy and you can sense the history of this place as you see the cave homes lining the slopes. As we visited the sites of the city, I reflect upon the significance this area played during second half of the twentieth century as Chinese Communism started to grow from the very ground I walked on, it was enough to give me goosebumps!


Other News

Since I'm two weeks behind, I'll be updating again soon with some of these stories:

• My First Trip to a Chinese Hospital (AKA Ty's Accident)
• May Day Holiday
• Amazing Race: Xi'an

And now, the COUNTDOWN!

Ty and My Move: 15 Days? (I recently heard this date might be pushed back)
Last Day of Class: 35- Wow!
Trevor's Arrival: 42 Days
Mom and Dad's Arrival: 60 Days
Departure for the United States: 79 Days!

Last but not least: HAPPY MOTHERS DAY MOMMY! I LOVE YOU VERY, VERY, VERY MUCH! You are the best Mommy ever! TJ and Dad- take very good care of mom on her special day. You'll have to be giving 150% in my absence!

Love this picture- although I have no idea what was going on!

Mommy giving me some much needed support during the last bit of the marathon!

Aunty Gayle and Aunty Karen, another pair of great mothers, have a great Mothers day!

Also, a very Happy Mothers Day to you, Grandma/Great Grandma Jo and Grandma SaLeal! You two did soooooooooo good raising my parents!

Three mothers (two are grandmothers, one a great grandmother), two sons
And all the newest mothers of the family; Leah, Dana and soon-to-be, AMANDA! (sorry cousins, no picture on my computer!)

Thanks for Reading!

Found this wild horse on the mountains of Yan'an... oh yeah, I tamed it!

That SUCKED!

Today, I will spend my blog telling a story. This is one I won't soon forget and definitely captures the spirit of living in China.

My First Experience with Chinese Therapy

Saturday was an eventful day. I spent the morning busy with the normal weekend duties- working on some laundry, chatting with friends on the internet, staying in my boxer briefs for as long as possible- a very average start to the day and weekend.

After a lunch from some nearby street vendors (Pineapple and these yummy vegetable sandwiches), Ty and I took off on our bikes to meet two of our Chinese friends at their university. They wanted to take us to a famous restaurant outside of the city that specializes in cold rice noodles. When we arrived at the university, we boarded a bus and rode for an hour to this very rural farm area on the edge of Xi'an City limits.

It was great to get out of the city, even though it had began to rain (and would continue to rain for the rest of the day). Ty bought an umbrella, I bought a hat that I saw a lot of the farmers wearing (I didn't want to look like a goofy tourist after all...). At the bus stop, we crossed a bridge and arrived at our destination. The noodles were GREAT and I definitely want to return to that restaurant again. After the meal, we got back on the bus for an hour.



During the day, we were invited to visit another Chinese friends house for dinner and we accepted (hoping our bikes would still be at the university the next day). At the house, we were met by Cari who just finished a baby shower for one of the teachers at my school. We enjoyed dinner and the company of our three Chinese friends and one hilarious, in-your-face Chinese mother. The mother works at the university that Ty and I were at earlier, teaching Japanese. This makes her fluent in Chinese and Japanese but she knows almost no English, which is difficult for us because there is rarely a moment of silence with her! She is very friendly though and excited to host foreign guests. This was our second time seeing her and first time to visit her home.

The dinner was very good and we received the traditional Chinese hospitality; your plate or cup would never be empty because the mother would be coming at you with a spoonful of something as soon as she noticed it was. Since the tea cups were so small, she would be there to refilled after almost every sip. After dinner there was a moment of silence as we all leaned back from the dinner. Adjusting my posture, I straightened up and pushed on my back to relieve some pressure. There were several thuds that came from the popping of cartilage in my back that everyone heard, but nothing out of the ordinary... or so I thought.

Upon hearing the seemingly normal sound of a back popping, the mother jumped from her chair as if I had just given a cry for help. She went to a nearby shelf opening a box and grabbing some tubes and equipment I didn't quite understand. Before I really knew what was happening, she had already rounded the table and proceeded to place a plastic suction cup on my back. What followed was a pumping that pulled my skin into that suction cup. I didn't realize it at the time, but I was about to receive my first experience of a traditional Chinese Cupping massage.

Although the events that took place were sudden, the mother made sure I knew (through some translation help of our friends) that I could quit at any time if I wanted. I figured, since the first one was already on, I should just go the distance! She continued to place suction cups on my back. I was trying to relax and see if I could find the desire of the suction massage but the sensation was very strange (exactly what you would imagine it feeling like- a Hover vacuum stuck on your back) and it was hard to relax with all your friends laughing at every flinch in your facial expressions! By the time I was finish, I had six suction cups on my back and two on either side of my neck. I felt like Frankenstein's monster or Keanu Reeves in the Matrix when he wakes up in the goo.

After all the cups had been applied. I sat with them on my back for several minutes. During this time, I was thrilled to see that Cari was also getting to experience this unique form of massage. End the end, I received a more 'traditional' style back massage, which was a nice change of pace... but still a little awkward. As strange as the Cupping Massage was, I considered myself fortunate not to take part in the Chinese therapy that took place after. Several of our Chinese friends and the mother herself received the Chinese practice called Gua Sha. This make the cupping massage seem like a walk in the park!

My conclusion:

Immediately following my Cupping Massage- I know, GROSS!	The day after my Cupping Massage

Hmmmm. I didn't notice anything but bruises.... and a lot of explaining the of the strange hickey-like marks on my neck (yes, even to my 5th graders). Maybe it did help with my toxins but a good diet will do that trick too with out as much discomfort. I will not be in a hurry to try again and I strongly advise anyone considering paying money for this procedure to do some more research before diving in. After reviewing the pictures taken that night, I'm confident I would have opted out of the procedure- yuck! I have added an album... if you really want to see- very strange.

Other News

Because of the outrageous-ness of the Cupping Massage, I wanted to clearly paint a picture for you. Other things that have been happen include a lot of bike riding by Ty and I. The weather continues to be a comfortable mid-60s to high 70s. We've been biking like its no body's business! I also finished my last Parent-Teacher Conferences at school, CRAZY! Time is running out! Here's the countdown:

Ty and My Move: 31 Days (not sure where we are moving to, we just got to vacate!)
Last Day of Class: 51 Days (only 37 days of class!)
Trevor's Arrival: 59 Days
Mom and Dad's Arrival: 87 Days
Departure for the United States: 96 Days!?! DOUBLE DIGITS! I can't believe it!!

Yeah, I'm still here!

Hello Everyone! It's been a long time since my last update- sorry about that. I am still alive and I am still here in China. Here is some of the latest!

The Grooters Update

The Good News: It official- Sarah and Tracy have saved enough money to send Sappy back to the United States! Thank you all for your support in this effort. Sarah and Tracy are very excited to have been able to help save this dog from Thailand.

The Bad News: Sarah was in a moped accident while her and Tracy were volunteering at the Gibbons Rehabilitation Center in Phuket Thailand. The sisters spent a stressful, sleepless weekend in a Thai hospital where Sarah had to have surgery on her jaw. A couple days later, their father flew out to meet them. Sarah is much better now but her jaw has been wired shut. Also, the sisters flew home last week and are now back in California.

It was an unfortunate end to their trip and they wished they could have stayed a little longer but they both and a great time traveling Southeast Asia. Check out their website for the last updates.

My life?!

Recently, Ty, Cari and I have been spending a lot of time with our friends we've met here in China. They are all so much fun and we've really enjoyed getting to know them. Some of our latest adventures have included visiting the most prestigious university here in Xi'an (and one of the top 20 in all of China) to see the beautiful signs of springs. There were cherry blossoms everywhere- It was beautiful! Our friends also treated Ty, Cari and I to hot pot and this weekend played some games in one of the many loud arcades here in Xi'an.



2 weeks ago, I was invited to attend lunch with one of my students and their parents. I went with my principal, his wife and one of the other teachers. It was wonderful! My student's family is Korean so we enjoyed a delicious lunch with all the Kimbap and Kimchi you could eat- yummy! After the meal, we had the opportunity to watch this incredibly talented family perform for us! Jenny, my student, played the cello. Her brother played the violin while her mother played the piano and her father sang. It was a very unique and fun experience. One of those perks of being a teacher in China!

Another "big" update; me, Ty and some of the other teachers have recently been obsessed with a game named Ticket To Ride. Its an incredible board game where you try to connect train routes across Europe. I would strongly suggest this game to anyone who enjoys a good board game or is a fan of the game Settlers of Catan (Monica, Andrew and Doug- I'm talking to you. If one of you don't own it by the time I get home, I'm buying a copy!). Apparently there is an American version too, but I am yet to play it.

I had my first half-day at school this week since my vacation to Thailand. 45 uninterrupted school days... and it seemed only like a couple weeks! I can't believe how fast everything is coming to an end! Parent-Teacher conferences next week and after that, wow- its almost over!

HAPPY EASTER!

Definitely a holiday not observed here in China. Maybe less visible than Thanksgiving! I hope all my friends and family are having/had a great Easter back home. Although I didn't get to be a part of an Easter Egg hunt this year, I helped hide eggs for the small kids on our team- I felt so grown up! I had a great Easter with my close friends here in China!

Well, that's about it; here's the countdown again!

Last Day of Class: 60 Days
Trevor's Arrival: 68 Days
Mom and Dad's Arrival: 86 Days
Departure for the United States: 105 Days!?! Ahhh!!

Thanks for Reading!