Amoy Wanderings

You can't. That's the short answer. Because of rampant cheating on the SAT throughout China, students who want to take the test must take it in another nation. Fortunately for us, there are two other nations immediately nearby: Taiwan and Hong Kong. Unfortunately, getting into a testing center is a whole different ballgame. As part of her curriculum for this year, Emily has been studying to take the SAT. Although the specifics of her schooling next year are still uncertain, we wanted to make sure she took the test just in case she needed it, and the best date to take it was December 1, since the next administration is in March. The process, however, was complicated by the fact that as of January 9, Emily will no longer be on my resident visa and needs her own, which must be applied for in Hong Kong. So, it just made sense that we would combine the two trips into one longer trip with Emily and Sandy staying  few extra days in Hong Kong. But, since this is a new process

We had a good summer and were very happy we got to see so many friends and family. Although two months is a long time, it passed very quickly and we found ourselves back in China preparing for another year. However, there was a lot to do...more than we knew. Our last week before returning to the States was crammed. I was busily preparing grades and final documentation for my school year. We also were packing up our house because the lease was up on our apartment and the school wanted us to move into a school-owned apartment. Added to that, four days before we left -- and before we had really started packing -- Sandy sprained her knee which confined her to an office chair. Fortunately, one day some friends came over to help her pack the kitchen and the next day several friends came over to help the movers move our stuff. We didn't have far to go (just about 100 yards) but we still had to pack up everything, and because it was so close, the movers didn't bring a truck, so every

Many of you know that I have been an active powerlifter for the past few years. Although for many powerlifting appears to just be a lot of testosterone-rich men trying to pump up their frail egos with iron, it has become a life-changing activity for me -- a way for me not only to reduce my stomach but also to rejuvenate my body so that I feel much better physically than I did five years ago. So, when we arrived in China, one of my priorities was to find a gym at which I could continue my powerlifting. As it turned out, there was a new gym opening across from the university, a gym that had new equipment and much of what I needed. So, after receiving assurances they would get more plates (they had about 400lbs total for the gym) and some better bars, we signed up for a year, costing about $15 a month. Not bad. I also should note that lifting styles in the US and China vary drastically. While the weight room in China is still frequented mainly by young men intent on improving the

 As we spend our last few hours in our apartment, a funeral is starting in the apartment complex center square. This will mean several hours of loud music, singing, wailing, and general noise. Generally, foreigners leave the apartment complex during these days because it can be difficult to think because of all the noise. Unfortunately, our new apartment will be right next to the square. A few weeks ago, there was another funeral in the complex, and I went down to take some photos. Funerals are quite the community event, and although I was obviously just curious about the goings on, I was received well and even given a water bottle. They generally set up two tents in the square for the friends and family of the deceased, and then onlookers gather around outside. They often bring in a band (or two in this case) who generally focus more on volume than accuracy believing that to be loudly off key or off beat is better than not being heard distinctly. I politely, and quietly,

Although Dragon Boat Festival was officially June 18 (which was very convenient for our anniversary) the races were on June 2 and 3, and we would have missed them had a thoughtful Chinese not informed us of the date. I guess the date is never quite set in stone and can quickly be moved and society adjusts. Being an organized, time-driven, calendar-driven person, I have found this cultural tendency to be more than a little annoying. The reason the date changed this year was that the original date conflicted with the GaoKao (the college entrance exam). Now, the GaoKao is an event in China. Every high school student takes the test, and the scores from the test determine if students can go to university, the quality of university they can attend, and the possible majors they can select. So, this test has more than a slight impact on millions of students' futures, and the country is vested in making them successful. There are are even public service announcements about the timing of

It is amazing what one can accumulate in a year. Our upcoming move has forced me to look at all the possessions we now have and consider once again the role stuff plays in out lives. We arrived 10 months ago with three suitcases apiece and a foggy understanding of life in China. Now, it will take some significant effort to relocate and set up a new apartment.  I sort of thought I had gotten all this reevaluation of stuff out of my system last year when we sold the majority of our possessions and downsized from a 3,100 square foot home (with two barns and a garage) to a 10x10 storage unit and some space in my son's garage. Now that was a monumental achievement. But somehow new stuff crept back into our lives, taking up additional space in our apartment and our lives.  Don't get me wrong. It there is a certain amount of stuff we need to live life and a certain amount we need to function within the society we live in. And, I kinda like having a bread machin

For my birthday this year, Sandy and Emily decided to take me to an old fishing village near the ocean for the purpose of shooting photos. It was a wonderfully relaxing evening which began with some beautiful seascapes. Sandy and Emily also posed some for me to let me work on portraits. There were several wedding shoots in the area (a very popular spot for them) and we even were treated to some beach musicians. As night came on, we wend to the fishing village, which actually is more of a night market/tourist trap. The vendors were pushy and loud (so my headphones were fully engaged), but I was pleasantly surprised by some of the unusual architecture. It was definitely worth the visit, and I wish I had more time  to explore and experiment, but the girls weren't feeling the best and the noise was annoying. As to the photos, yes, that is a roasted pig (sans head). I also really enjoyed finding a cat who posed for me. We end