The Unexpected on Television

Hey everyone out there, this is a blog that I should have uploaded earlier last week, but due to a number of factors, I did not. There will be a longer post talking about my first days of teaching. If I had to guess, it will either be up by Wednesday or Thursday (once I have had all of my classes at least once). Right now though, I want to talk about something that happened the night before Yom Kippur. I will give fair word and fair waring, what I am going to describe may be disturbing to some people. I know it was to me. With my warning now given, I can only say that if you choose to read from here on out, it's all on you.

The night before Yom Kippur, the very last night we were dealing the effects of the typhoon, one of my fellow foreign teachers and I decided to go to dinner together. Rather than go to any of our usual places, we decided to see if there was a restaurant that might be a little bit closer to the back gate of the university (the back gate being the most convenient one for our apartment building). We found a small restaurant where we each ordered a plate of 炒面 (chow mein). It was only then that I looked up and noticed what was on the television, a dog fight.

I am not a member of PETA, nor would any of those that know me well call me the greatest lover of animals. I have been to a number of races with either family or friends and I have placed money down at those races. However, despite my betting on races and relative indifference to most animals, there is a part of me that is...repulsed by the idea of a dog fight. Seeing one on television with at least four or five other patrons of the restaurant watching it is even a less appealing idea. As I do not know how to say "Would you please turn the channel?" in Mandarin and not wanting to cause a scene, I did the only logical thing I could think about doing, I changed my seat so I wouldn't be in eye line of the television easily.

The dogfight was playing in the background for most of our meal. During it, my fellow American teacher and myself had a series of conversations about the ethics of such a thing. My objection is based on when two prize fighters go into a ring, they go in fully knowing and consenting. I doubt dogs in dogfights have such an understanding of what may happen. Logically, I know full well that dog fights happen in America. Hell, there's probably at least one dog fighting ring in San Diego, most likely there are many. However seeing it on a television is something else entirely.

Fortunately, the dog fight was not to the death (I think I would have lost my dinner right there and then if it had been) and was not on broadcast television. It was part of a DVD that also had a number of other things on it. It took a young child of perhaps 8, maybe 9 years to change it to something else, and that was only after the dogfight segment had ended. Although the 炒面at that particular restaurant is very good, the location of the restaurant itself convenient, and the probability of seeing that same event again relatively slim...I don't know if I want to go back. Perhaps I am being a bit too paranoid. Maybe I am making a mountain out of a molehill. Frankly, it's not something I care to think about.

Meditations before a Fast

My second Yom Kippur in China is here, well rephrasing slightly, my second Yom Kippur in China begins in less than 12 hours. I know that there are special rituals one is supposed to do when Yom Kippur falls on the Sabbath, but for the life of me, I cannot remember what those are. Although I have fasted alone before (for my previous Yom Kippur in China as well as last Tisha B'av), I have found it is easier to keep the fast when one is near others who are fasting. All things considered, I am looking forward to this time of meditation and reflection. What I am not looking forward to is that tomorrow, during my fast, I may be teaching for the first time.

Traditionally, one is not supposed to work either on the Sabbath or Yom Kippur. I am not Baal Teshuva or observant of all the commandments given in Torah. Even if I were, I am an employee of the Chinese Government, at least in name, there are certain favors that one does not ask for. Among those favors is an extra day to oneself for whatever purpose. I am slightly confused by my schedule, and there is a possibility that I might not be teaching. All I know is that I should be prepared to teach. So I will use this last day of the holiday to get a plan ready for class tomorrow. Hopefully, I won't need it and I will be able to fine tune my plans (such as they are) for Monday. However begin prepared never hurt anyone, at least not the best of my knowledge.

Regardless, I start teaching full time on Monday. It won't be an easy weekend. I have about 80 different emotions all going through my head right now. If I could express any of them with any eloquence, I would. Suffice it to say though that I am looking forward to the challenge. Hopefully I will rise to meet it.

National Holidays, a Special Birthday, and Days of Shock and Awe

So this update must serve a three fold purpose. The first being to wish my wonderful/talented/amazing mother a happy birthday. I would be an unfilial son if I did not extend my mother in some way a birthday wish. Hopefully, I will be able to speak with her in a few hours. However it may have to wait until tomorrow morning, but it will still be her birthday stateside. Sometimes the massive time difference does actually work in one's favor. True there are disadvantages to having at least half a day between myself and most of my friends/family, but there are other times where it does work out well.

The second is a brief update with what I have been doing over the national day holidays. The national day holiday in China is the equivalent of the American 4th of July stretched over the course of 1 week. The weather has been overcast and raining since Thursday of last week, so I haven't had as much of an opportunity to explore Yizhou as I may have wanted. Mostly, I have been in my apartment, beginning to work on lesson plans as I start teaching in earnest next week. I am, of course, a little nervous about my coming responsibility, but I am also looking forward to it. I just hope that I am able to hold my own with my students.

Earlier today, I went with the rest of the foreign teachers of Hechi Daxue ( 河池大学) to Liuzhou (柳洲). Liuzhou is the nearest large city, having an urban population of over 1,000,000 and a total population (including outlying areas) of just over 3,500,000. It's just about an hour and a half by bus, so I was able to grab a quite restful catnap during both legs of the journey. Due to the size of Liuzhou, it was much easier to find Western groceries for prices that weren't quite as high as one would see them in Yizhou. In fact there were some items, such as French Bread and peanut butter, that I have yet to find anywhere in Yizhou. After going through several stores, we ended our time in Liuzhou eating the first truly Western food I've had since coming to China (Pizza Hut).

Finally, these are the Days of Shock and Awe, otherwise known as the High Holy Days. Otherwise put, it is the period between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. According to tradition, 'On Rosh Hashanah it is written, on Yom Kippur it is sealed.' These are days of great personal meditation and reflection. It is also in this time that we ask our fellow man forgiveness for our transgressions. Normally, I go about asking forgiveness either in person or over the phone. However as all people I need forgiveness from are on the other side of the world and as contact is not assured, I have to use my blog to do this. For all of my transgressions, in thought, in word, and in deed, against you, I ask your forgiveness. I know I most likely won't be granted it, but I have to at least attempt it so I can say to myself (if no one else) "Although I have failed, I did earnestly try"

Until again,

D.