Challenges.....

One of the big challenges for me is virtually being alone here on campus. Being alone in the sense that there's no one else living here who can use English easily. I can't just sit down with someone and have a relaxing conversation - it always takes concentration and effort. I do have an American colleague, but he's on campus only a couple days of the week for the classes he teaches. And with his busy schedule (he teaches at another university, as well), he can't just hang around once he's done. Fortunately we get to spend some time together in the middle of his 2 days.

Another challenge is going to the dining room and not being able to ask about the food available. I can see it, but not know what seasonings are in it or how it will be prepared or tell them how I want it done. The dining room is huge with 3 floors. The first two have steam tables and prep areas, run by the university. Some food is already cooked and other food is prepared on the spot. It's all ala carte. The 3rd floor is set up like a food court at the mall, with separate outside vendors along 3 walls.

A couple nights ago, after a long day of teaching, I was lamenting to G about my situation (both feeling alone and the dining situation) , asking for someone who could help me. Then I pulled myself together and marched off to the dining room. As I entered the first floor 2 of my students stopped as they were leaving to say hi. When they discovered I needed help (remember, this is not fluid English!), they went back to the line with me and started conversing with the cooks about what I wanted. In the process, along came some of my other students to get in on the act. Angels! So, I sit down finally to have my bowl of veges in broth. Over at the next table are 3 other girls (not my students), and after a few minutes one of them joins me to ask if I am Jim - my colleague had just told them that day about me. So, then it's a conversation with her and the other girls (again with some effort and I am also learning some Chinese). As we talk I discover all 3 are from Harbin proper. It ended up that they are going to join me Saturday in the city for an English B. fellowship for Chinese students held at one of the churches there. G does it again!