Graduation is always a bittersweet occasion. Of course, it’s the celebration of the completion of our students’ years at university, and that’s a happy thing. And yet, at the same time, it also means farewell from those students who we have gotten to know a little closer, and that is a less pleasant event. Yet, every year, it’s time to say good-bye to thousands of students, and this year it’s no difference.
It’s homecoming season. And that always means parades and the famous homecoming ceremony. And that of course means show time. Students (and teachers) of the art departments get to show off their talents as they dance, sing, and perform whatever other skills they have, and we get to enjoy a somewhat grand performance. Chinese style, of course!
Yes, we have dryers and washers. And they regularly make it on the list of topics that need to be discussed during our faculty meetings. Here’s just one of the reasons why (and since we received the notification in such a wonderful email, I thought, I’d simply share the contents of that email with you here): Dear _____, Since the new dryer was installed, we found out some teachers put the very wet clothes in the dryer. The dryer would be broken by this. The attachments are the pictures of the wet clothes. We have asked the worker to fix the dryer once. Can you please mention all the teachers who live in your building that spin and dry the clothes before put them in the dryer? And would you please mention all the teachers that please pour the water in the box of the dryer before use it. It because that if the box fulls of the water and the dryer won’t work. Thank you for your help. No more questions, right?
It was just the other day, when I looked from the elevator through the glass of the far away front door to our building, that I realized: Spring has come! Having been so busy recently, I never realized that everything outside had changed, and trees and shrubberies are in full bloom. But today, I ventured out for a little half-hour stroll, and I’m very inclined to share with you what I was able to enjoy:
Holidays in China are a peculiar thing. Why I’m saying this, you ask? Well, take this weekend, for example. We all have to work and go to class both Saturday and Sunday, because next week, there’s a holiday. Yep, you heard me right. In order to get three days off, we have to work two extra days. If that doesn’t quite make sense to you, don’t worry. It doesn’t make much sense to me either. Fact is, that we have a busy weekend ahead (giving up our free time for classes on Saturday and Sunday) so that we can have Monday-Wednesday off. Well, they say, it’s because of the holiday. That way students actually can use the holiday to go home or travel. And yeah, if you think hard enough about it, you can see how some of them may benefit from this change. I for myself, would have rather had this weekend off, as it’s going to be sunny and beautiful outside.
First, let me start out with this: A couple of years ago, I’d never have thought that drinking hot water would grow on me. But I guess, living in China has marked me some way or another. Now, on a cold winter day, I couldn’t even imagine downing a cold cup of water that would make me shiver all over. And that’s my problem now. Like today, when I was getting ready for class, and wanted to fill my water bottle with warm water from the water dispenser. (I have to add, though, that our classrooms here can be as cold as outside, so I use the hot water from my bottle not only for warming up my insides, but also to warm up my outsides!) But alas! Problem #1: One of the two water coolers on our floor was completely out of water by the time I had to leave for class today, and Problem #2: The second of the two dispensers was turned off, which means: Cold water only for class today. Brrrr! So, …
Today is the day when for the first time this winter I could go and play tennis without a scarf since it was nice and sunny outside. Today is the day when for the first time this winter I was overrun by people and balls at the tennis court – yes, the students are back! (But I also get to have someone to play with, which is fun!) Today is the day when the streets on campus are filled with students again, and most of the stores are open. Today is the day when the supermarket downstairs has piles of toilet paper set up in front of the entrance – yes, the students need to stock up on necessities. Today is the day when I decided that I’ll go and get a meal in one of the student cafeteria some time soon, and treat myself to a cup of caramel milk tea. Today is the day when I’m glad that life is back to normal again.
The end is near. The end of the winter break, that is. I can tell because of all the changes that are going on on campus. … Like the washing of the streets and squares they did yesterday. Yes, that’s right! They were scrubbing all the major roads and walkways. After all, streets and squares need bath-days, too, i presume! … Or like the number of students carrying their little suitcases around campus. That number of suitcase-carrying students is increasing daily, and so are the number of folks just hanging around campus. And so are the number of students gathering around the basketball facilities (and tennis court for that matter – yay for me!). Soon, our campus will be hustling and bustling again, and I’m not sure whether I’m excited about the return of the students, or rather sad that soon there’ll be no more quiet corner on campus! Anyways, the end is near, and I’d better make the most of my last days of the winter break!
