Yesterday they finally got us connected to the Internet. They said it took so long because we are using Vista as our operating system. Most people here still use XP as their operating system.
We spent the first two days here cleaning the apartment. We also made multiple trips to the RT Mart (it's like a WalMart) for different things. You walk through the Shandong Normal University Campus to get there. It is about a mile away. We figured that on Friday I walked 8 miles and your mother walked 6 miles. I guess we'll get lots of exercise over here. We haven't really figured what and how to eat yet. We ate at McDonald's once, Kentucky Fried Chicken once, fixed Ramen noodles and peanutbutter sandwiches, and ate in the hotel restaurant twice.
Our apartment has a large living, kitchen, dining area, two bedrooms and two baths. The washing machine is in the middle of the bath off the master bedroom. The washer plays "Jingle Bells" when you lift the lid. Your mother had to wash everything in the apartment, so she has used it a lot. I'll send you some pictures of the apartment later.
On Friday we met with the contacts from our university departments. I will start teaching next week. I will have two Junior writing classes and two Freshman oral English classes. Your mother starts on September 7. She will have some other classes starting the end of September. We visited the building where she will teach. It is the top floor of the music building. I will visit my campus (about a 50 minute commute) Monday and check out my classrooms.
On Saturday, Toby, our waiban (our contact with the university) arranged for us to go to the opening exercises of a cultural exhibit in Ji'nan. It was very nice with lots of exhibits of local art. Since we were the only Americans there they treated us like celebrities. The interviewed us for television asking us what we were doing in China and what we like about Chinese art. They also had us stand with the dignitaries during the opening ceremonies. At the end they gave us some gifts. We got a black pottery vase and a fancy kite. Next spring our waiban is taking us to the International Kite Festival.
Next Saturday and Sunday our Waiban is taking us to the Mount Tai climbing festival. We will be there overnight. Mount Tai is the most holy mountain in China. The emperors used to make sacrifices to the mountain in order to maintain stability in the country.
Today is Sunday. They haven't organized our "group" yet, so I guess we will just read our scriptues for Church. We hope all is well at home. Email or call us and let us know how you are. We love all of you!!!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment