Radical Eclecticity

I figured I should write another post since I’ve been here for a bit less than a week. I’m getting settled in, and thoroughly enjoying my time here. I’ve made a couple of trips to Wal-Mart already, but both times I have been escorted so I didn’t want to shop in my normal wandering style. I typically go through the store and look at everything. The visuals help me figure out what I actually need. I know I need to go a third time (I need a mop.), but now I know how to get there on my own. I’m not sure if it’s just because I’m so new here, or if it’s just their style, but my hosts seem like they feel that it is impolite to give me time to myself. It’s a delicate cultural point, to be sure, but I know myself well enough to know that I need some time by myself to process things and get some work done. The way that I work, I need to sit down with many of my books to reflect and plan, then I can crank out my lessons and materials.

I digress. That was actually not the point that I wanted to write about at all, but in the stream of consciousness, “getting settled in” implied getting the things I need for around the apartment which in turn led to Wal-Mart. The thing I most wanted to write about is how much my hosts totally rock! 季老师 (Ji Laoshi) and I have had some great conversations about life and linguistics, Xiaofeng (whose name I still need to learn the characters for) is a lot of fun and really gives me insight into the local culture and style Nancy and 小蔡 are really great at interpreting during conversations with others and they bring a huge helping of joy and laughter with them wherever they go.

I’ll write next time about the first lessons that I’ve done and my experiences being at the local schools, but if I get into now I’ll be in mid thought when it’s time to leave. Until then, greeting to all my friends from the other side of the planet. I’ll talk to you soonish!