Chinglish

There is a large sign at the campus swimming pool that reads, “Do Not Rough”.  I never “rough” when I swim.  There are too many comical signs to include here so I will just share a few of the interesting words used to communicate a Chinese message in English.  I have greater respect for the phrase, “lost in translation.”

Thunderstorm days, call the cell phone ban in time to avoid.

There is nothing I can add to that sign of warning.

The rotating viewing floor in Qingdao was a wonderful place to see the entire city.  We stopped there after climbing to the mountain top in a beautiful forest area.  I discovered this sign:

Protection environment    Everybody has duty

Our lovely Mia was the MC for the College of Physics freshman talent show.  We could not understand the title posted on the stage:

Are Shinning Physics

We were in Splendid China on a cool day so I welcomed the sight of the sign:

Warm Tips

Unfortunately, there was nothing to warm my hands here but rather a WARNING about false ticket purchases.  

I always thought Toi let was one word?

Mind your head    Avoid affenfion

Can anyone define ‘affenfion’?

Protect the Cultural Relics  No Nuisance

This was on the Great Wall.  Believe me, we created no nuisance while there.

Is it safe to park your boat at the Yacht Whart or will it develop unusual growths on the surface?

The Friends of the Concern is the Most Warm

Friendship:  no matter the words used friends are always a blessing.

Beijing - Part II

We returned to Beijing in February.  We are on Tiananmen Square in front of the Sheath like structure dedicated to fallen soldiers.  Our ‘Tomb of the Unknown Soldier’ would be a comparable memorial.

We are standing in front of China’s People’s Congress building with the Gordons and their son Jake and his wife Heidi. We enjoyed their youthful energy.

Jolly was our marvelous guide.  We met her during our first Beijing visit and asked her to guide us through these important locations. 

The tortoise with the dragon head is a sign of longevity.

The crane is also a sign of long life.

Rick stands at the entrance of the Forbidden City.

The lion sculpture on the right side of the building entrance represents the male with one hand on the world.  The lion on the left side represents the female with one hand on the offspring.

The Forbidden City was vast.  It is one kilometer in length.  The buildings and courtyards continued on and on.  Jolly kept us informed of the customs and Chinese traditions that made this city so significant.

This structure marks the end of the Forbidden City.  

We enjoyed a rickshaw ride in an old, residential part of the city.  Wow, the “driver” certainly had strong legs.

The rickshaw was our transportation to this woman’s home.  She prepared our marvelous lunch.  We returned by rickshaw.

Rick cooked our meat and vegetables at this Korean BBQ restaurant.  He is turning the eggplant and sweet potatoes.  Everything was delicious.

Dipping sauces and leafy vegetables added to the tasty entrée items.

We visited the pearl market.  The bargaining was particularly aggressive here and at the silk market, too aggressive for my comfort zone.  I mostly looked because one touch draws salespeople like flies and I was held physically against my will at a few shops.  This behavior is so un Chinese.  

We returned to Beijing in March to visit Kari Gali and her father Mr. Basa.  We enjoyed a delightful evening as they endured jet lag preparatory to starting their tour of China.  We were so refreshed by those beautiful faces from home.  

Spring Semester

We were genuinely excited to see our students again and begin the new semester.  I don’t post much about school, which is the reason we are here.  I’m including a few photos of our students, some of the greatest youth in the world.

My students are waving to you, convincing themselves they are happy to back for Spring semester.

This is another class setting goals (New Year Resolutions) for the semester.  They are not quite as animated as the first group.

Mia and Wade (our Chinese daughter and son) treated us to a Korean dinner.  They are both excellent students and have very busy schedules this Spring.

Mia was chosen to MC the school of Physics talent show in the Fall.  She was marvelous and so beautiful in her rented gown.

I was honored to be invited.  It was my treat to appear backstage for photos with this very popular MC.

Two of my students asked to interview Rick and me about American traditions in raising children.  We had a delightful time and laughed about our cultural differences.   Ray, standing next to me, lived in Salt Lake City for six weeks one summer while studying English. 

Rick often meets his students when we are on a bus for a Saturday outing.

It happened again!!  These students are part of the medical campus debate team.  We thought of MaryAnne and her many debate tournaments on weekends.

This man is our favorite parking attendant on the medical campus.  He always smiles and asks, “Is it cold?”  “How are you today?”  “Hello there.”  He smiles and laughs every time we meet him.   He is a bright spot on every teaching day.  In fact, I’m disappointed if I don’t see him.   

Lantern Festival

The Lantern Festival signals the end of the New Year celebration.  We visited Baotu Springs for the big event.  Remember, Jinan is the city of natural springs.  Many traditional stories were told through lighted displays.  The Disneyland parade would be a similar comparison.

Rick is posing with the “qiezi” sign.  It sounds like “cheese” but means eggplant.  The Chinese always use that in photos.

Cristal Gordon and I are in front of another story display.  The lights are not yet illuminated.  Notice my Chinese haircut, or rather, scalping.  It may take four more months to see hair again.  I’m afraid the gray is here to stay.

Masks are an important part of the celebration.

The displays are beautiful.   There must have been one million people there that night who would also agree.

The heart shaped walkway was spectacular!

The fish/dragon is an important symbol for any year in China.

These artificial, lighted birds also “sang” throughout the evening.  The real birds left their mark.  One such mark was on Rick’s coat.

This traditional money bag presented a stunning scene as it reflected in the natural spring.  What a sight!

Every scene is better with Rick in the picture.

This hilarious display depicts a boy lighting fireworks.  Notice he has one eye closed.  Fireworks frighten away the evil spirits that would afflict the new year.  They are a very important part of the celebration.  I have never seen/heard so many in a two week period.