Chapter 1: In the Beginning

Preface: Coming from the Hong Kong Airport to mainland China in a taxi--- After viewing my luggage through the x-ray machine, Border Patrol examined the luggage bag that had DVDs in it, but made no comment about the bag that had long screw drivers in it.

Here I sit in my apartment on the 13^th floor. I have two bedrooms and two balconies; one balcony is connected to the living room and one is connected to my bedroom. I have air condition, one unit in the living room and one in each bedroom. The first night, I couldn’t get the one in my bedroom to work because the remote was written in Chinese… so after hitting every button on it multiple times in no particular order, I moved my couch so it was underneath of the vent in the living room and slept. It was very hot in every place except that one spot. The housing director, got it working the next day when he picked me up to begin the first day introductions.

Introduction 1: the weather- It’s hot and muggy, hotter and muggier than anything I ever imagined. Since arriving, I have learned that my number one worldly goal is to find an air conditioned spot anywhere I can, any time, even if I am doing something important and it will be interrupted. The most humid 100 degree day in Virginia is more pleasant than the air in Shekou.

Lesson 1: I’m blessed.

Not everyone has air condition in their apartment. Also, although my elevator is very hot and the hallways are very hot, the apartments across the street, with at least 11 floors, do NOT have an elevator. I am blessed. No matter I am, I am richly blessed. 

Introduction 2: the bus system- It’s air conditioned. I am considering taking it each morning to work. Did I mention I can see my work from my balcony? It’s very close. It’s one bus stop away, about 500 yards away at most. Okay, maybe I won’t take it to work everyday, but I’m glad it is there as a resource for when I am too tired to walk (due to the humidity of course).

Lesson 2: I’m spoiled…

or is that blessed? Maybe a little of both.

Introduction 3: the high school- It’s air conditioned, mostly. My supervisor gave me a planner and my schedule and introduced me to both my substitute teacher and my department chair. When the dept. chair asked me if I had any questions, I said, “Where can I find some make-up? I accidentally left mine at home.”

Lesson 3: I’m glad my department chair is a woman.

Introduction 4 & 5: Main Campus and Chinese Hospitals- It’s even more airconditioned (Main Campus).  Also, it is attached to a Western grocery store with an entrance/exit IN the main lobby of the school.  Here, I met my boss and his assistant, the woman who orchestrated my arrival. I also met a sweet young lady who introduced me to the Chinese hospital. In order to obtain my resident permit, I had to undergo a physical exam at the local Chinese hospital… Ella made sure I was first in line and she translated for me. I had to go from one exam room to the next getting the boxes checked off by the various technicians and nurses, along with all of the other people required to obtain a physical.

I had my blood drawn. Immediately, they were able to tell me my blood type, O, something I’ve never known and something that my doctor’s office, which has performed blood work on me multiple times, stated they did not know. I also had to have a sonogram of my stomach. The technician was an older Chinese woman who didn’t smile—or even speak or gesture at all. I had an ECG. I had some sonogram thing done to my feet. I had a chest x-ray without any protective gear while still wearing my jewelry… But the technician was in another room behind a glass window and an electronically sealed door. I had to pee in a cup in a squat toilet without toilet paper and place the cup, without a lid onto a tray of about thirty other specimens that had been there for hours, also without lids. The sink had no soap.

Oddly enough, my mind did not notice the temperature while I was at the hospital. I must have been distracted by something. I was told that the government did not accept my physical from the USA because they had different standards...

Lesson 4: Grocery stores connected to work are awesome.

I’m slightly envious.

Lesson 5: Efficiency is not to be confused with effectiveness.

Lesson 6: I will always carry hand sanitizer.

Introduction 5: washing dishes- It doesn’t require a rag or a sponge. At first, all I had was hot water and my hands. Then, I remembered that I had some bar soap in the bathroom. What made it even better was when I remembered I packed some dishrags.   

Lesson 7: Little is enough when it’s all you have.

Introduction 6: the washing machine-

The curtains are so dusty, I’m afraid I’ll get sick. I took them down and put them in the washing machine. I have no soap, but who needs soap? I’ll just rinse the dust out of them. I’m not sure which button does what since I can’t read Chinese, but I’ll just push them until they start. Oh there are numbers. I bet they are degrees. I’ll turn it down in case hot water is bad for the fabric. That’s definitely the power button.  It’s clearly on, but where is the water? Why isn’t it working? It’s plugged in. It’s connected to a water source. I wonder what might happen if I turn the handle to the water hose. Oh there it is. It is filling with water. It is spinning…. Several hours later… It’s still washing. Maybe I need to manually shut it off. Okay, there it is. It stopped. I might need to ring it out, but at least I know it is not soapy. Okay, open. It’s stuck. I can’t get it open. Ergh… I’ll just leave it and come back. Maybe it needs to reset… an hour or so later… okay open. Maybe it wasn’t done and it needs to drain or something. I’ll just turn it back on and hope it picks up where it left off… no stop! It’s washing again. I Repeated this process an hour later.

Directions: Fill in the blank to determine lesson 8.

What is the definition of insanity? _______________________

Introduction 8: The water (drinking water that is)- The school gave me about a gallon and a half of drinking water on Thursday along with a number to order more water later. It is now Saturday afternoon and I’m almost out of water, just a few sips left… Wait they don’t speak English and I don’t speak Chinese. The phone call won’t bear any fruit. I’ll call my department chair and ask her about water. She walked enough water over to me to last the weekend. She would have ordered it to my apartment, but I couldn’t read my full address.

Lesson 9: Learn Chinese!

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about my first day and a half in China. I’m sitting in my apartment this afternoon waiting for the internet guy to arrive so I can post this note for you to read. So if you are reading this, he showed up.

Please write me. Being so far away, I wouldn’t mind handwritten notes if that is your thing.

One more thing. I was sitting this morning and talked to my Father, please show me what I’m supposed to be doing. Why am I here? I opened my Book and out fell a card from a good friend with the words "Be joyful always; [talk to your Father] continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is His will for you in CJ.” All I need to know right now is to be joyful, talk to Him, and remain thankful.

In conclusion, after thoroughly examining the appliance on my balcony along with the photograph on it, I can’t determine for certain if it is a clothes dryer or a bread-maker.

I love you!