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!

Now I can say, “I’m here!”

That was all… talk to you later.

Hmm… Ok, ok, I’ll elaborate. 

The first thing that I noticed is that, when speaking with locals, it’s really pretty easy for me to get the gist, and really easy to utterly miss the point, too. Nancy and Xu Xiaofeng picked me up at the airport. I have to apologize at this point, because I never got Nancy’s Chinese name, and I have no idea which characters to use for Xiaofeng’s name. I’m working on it.

Anyway, Nancy speaks excellent English, Xioafeng speaks only a little bit of English. Neither one of them knows my linguistic abilities yet, so to start, Nancy did much of the communicating, and I stayed mostly with English for the long drive from Shanghai (上海) to Changzhou (常州). During that time I tried to express myself in Chinese to augment my English, or I would use both. Typically, though, whenever they would have a side-bar conversation, it was really easy for me to get the gist of it. When we were talking and the the meaning hinged on a word that I didn’t know or understand, it was really easy to derail the whole process. Sometimes I think that, if they were around when I was learning Chinese, they’d know which way to say things and this would be exceptionally easy. Unfortunately, there are lots of ways to say any one idea. Just because I would understand one or two of them, doesn’t mean I will follow whichever way the speaker chooses to express it.

Our trip to 常州 took long enough that, once we arrived, Nancy had to rush to her Philosophy class, so Xiaofeng and I went for dinner together. We went to a fabulous place for hot pots and roast duck. I totally should have taken pictures of it. Unfortunately, taking pictures of food is one of those things that I always thought was silly, so I didn’t bring my camera in. Now, I totally see why it makes sense. I can’t describe most of the food, especially not the subtleties of it or what made it so great, because I have nothing sufficient to compare it to.

Conversations with Xu Xiaofeng were a bit more limited, obviously. I probably would have fared better, but I was ridiculously tired from my travels and not functioning at my best. My general impression, though, is that he’s got the sense of humor that would mesh really well with mine. He’s pretty cool, we’ll just have to work on the whole communication thing. That’s part of why I’m here, though, so I’m up for the task.

The apartment they’ve got for me is huge-ish, and has the most beautiful hardwood floors. I’d upload pictures, but I’m still using my cellular card for internet access, and photos would definitely put me over my data limits and get expensive very quickly. If I find a cheaper way to do so, I’ll upload photos and such when I get back. That’ll leave a lot of catching up for y’all, and reduces the chances that I’d actually write stuff about the pictures, so I’m going to try to set something up while I’m here.

By the way my crazy plans of staying up all night before departure and not eating anything on the plane really helped me get pretty close to this timezone. I’m an early riser, as it is, and I only got up this morning at 4:00, so I’d say I’m pretty close to adjusted. Now I’m going to go unpack and get showered and such. Watch this space for more updates!

I write this blog entry at 35,000 feet over the Bearing Sea. Of course, by the time anyone reads it, I’ll already be in China, but I have resisted the temptation to compose my words as though I was aready there. For one thing, what I write once I actually arrive will have a lot more cool details in it than this will. If I were to announce “I’m here!” and then have nothing to say about China itself, that would be a lame read. Take heart in knowing that I am there, but that’s not the point of this entry.

The point of this entry has a little something to do with how I managed to skip the entire month of May. My last blog entry was the “Yay, I’m going to China!” entry. A whole lot has happened since then, and that’s part of the reason why there’s been no blogginess. In fact, for a good stretch of time there, I became one of those dudes that didn’t have any time for people because he had too much work to do.

Now, please understand, not only do I strive to not be one of those people, I genuinely believe that connecting with others is one of the most important things we do in our lives. It is through our interrelation with others that we learn the most important lessons in life. It is only through our interactions with others that we are able to put those lessons into practice and be decent people. It is downright unacceptable to me to be a person that has no time for others.

This may explain why, when I needed to tear myself away from my workload in order to maintain my sanity, I didn’t write any blog entries. I went out and connected with someone, even if only for a short time. Be it Manny, or Michelle, or Amanda, or even the staff at the Dandelion, I need human contact to keep myself balanced and functional. Granted, my contact has been much more limited than I’m used to, but it’s been there.

So why so much work, you ask? Heh… Let me tell you about my uber-genius maneuver. See, I wanted to take a full-time class load at UCF this summer, because then I get my full GI Bill benefits, which in the absence of paychecks in the summertime, was kind of appealing to me. That meant I had to take two online classes, because I knew that I was going to be out of the area this summer. There was no way to make it to class on campus when the commute would be 18 hours long. The only two classes that were offered online this summer that fit my degree plan and program were a reading class and Learning Theories. Here’s the thing, though. Learning Theories was a Summer A class. Most of that class happened before I was even done teaching. In fact, just before I started writing this blog entry I completed my final assignment for that class. I’ll turn that in once I get on the ground.

So here’s the thing: Imagine taking an entire semester’s worth of graduate work, and cram it into five weeks, which just happen to be the last five weeks of the school year for the students you teach. Oh yeah, you also have to make sure that you’re ready to leave the country for two full months and make sure the stuff back home is taken care off while you’re gone, too. Then I also have my reading course, which is now only half over, but keeping up with just that one thing while I’m in China sounds like a vacation to me now.

Needless to say, I don’t anticipate doing this again. Too much stuff all at once. I didn’t actually bite off more than I could chew, but I was definitely at capacity. On the flipside, though, I’ve brought a bunch of books and materials with me on my trip. Over the next two months, I want to plan my courses for next year, too. That’s right, courses. I’ll be teaching sixth grade math, like last year, but I’ve also gotten the go-ahead to teach a section of Chinese Mandarin, too. I’m very excited about this. It will be a lot of fun to teach a course for which there is no curriculum and no defined standards, requirements, or benchmarks. It gives me the latitude to create the program that I believe will be the most effective. Not that I’m not given to doing that, anyway, when I think it’s necessary. The math class I teach next year is going to look very different than the math class I taught this past year, too.

In fact, I told my students on the last day of school, that I learn a lot every year. In fact, when I look back on this past year, I realize how much better I could have done it all. I even said to myself, “Wow! You really blew that, didn’t you? You didn’t actually accomplish half of the things you set out to do.”

But the point is (and I told them this, too) that I am constantly trying to learn and grow and improve myself as a teacher. I was a much better teacher this year than I was last year, and I’ll be a better teacher next year than I was this year. It was because of my students this year, and the way they helped me learn to be better, that I have grown as much as I have.

Anyway, I’m going to bring this episode of blogginess to a rather abrupt close. My neck is getting stiff and my wrist is bent all weird. Being this tall is not so great for air travel. What can I say?

Changzhou by Night

Originally uploaded by Ajax the Pirate

I’m going to shuffle the LITDSTPTSOA list around a little bit. My summer plans have officially changed. I will be spending all but about six days of my summer break in ChangZhou (pictured here, thanks to Ajax) teaching English to Chinese kids, improving my Chinese abilities, and taking six bajillion photographs of my first trip to another continent. (What? Pheh… don’t pester me with Hawaii. It may not be on the same tectonic plate, but I certainly wouldn’t call it another continent.)

I fully intend to write more later, much as have intended to write stuff all along. The only problem is, I really do have a lot on my plate right now. I will blog more later. It just might not be really extensive until after school’s over. Of course, then I’ll be in the middle of heavy college coursework. <shrug> I can rest later. All this stuff is too important, and too cool, to not do it right. When stuff starts getting crossed of the list, the blog tends to be one of the first to go.

I had the most interesting image in my head, just now. I pictured Maslow and the Buddha meeting on the street and getting to talking. In my head, it goes a little something like this:

Maslow: So, you’re the Buddha? It’s really great to meet you!

Buddha: Likewise.

M: It’s interesting, actually. We have very similar theories, you and I.

B: Not so much.

M: What do you mean? My hierarchy is just like your Second Noble Truth. You said that the origin of suffering is desire. I call it “need” in my writings.

B: Yes, that is very similar to the Second Noble Truth.

M: Then my work goes on to say that these needs stand in the way of self actualization.

B: They do.

M: Well then, we both advocate the same thing. Your Third Noble Truth deals with the cessation of suffering.

B: It does.

M: That leads to self actualization. Don’t you understand what I’m saying here?

B: I do.

M: Then what difference do you see? Where are we different in our views? “Need prevents self-actualization” seems pretty fundamental in both our theses. So what am I missing?

B: Everything.

M: What? I don’t understand what you’re saying! I need you to explain yourself!

B: I know. I don’t experience that need, though. Thus, it does not prevent my self-actualization.

M: Are you kidding? That need hasn’t been satisfied! There is no understanding between us! Right now you are creating a deficiency in my Esteem needs! I do not feel understood, respected, or accepted here!

B: Nor do I. The difference between you and I, however, is that you seek to correct that by satisfying the need, whereas I have chosen to no longer need it.

M: <mutters incoherently with much flailing of arms, impolite speech, and heightened blood pressure; then storms off>

B: It has been a pleasure to meet you.

It’s ironic, actually. Everyone kept asking me, “So, got any big plans for spring break?”

“Yeah, actually,” I thought to myself, “I’ve got a proposal I want to write, I want to try out Moodle and build some items for that, update my classroom website, and plan the fourth quarter. I need more spring break!!”

There are two problems with that kind of answer, though. The first is, that the people who asked me were looking for vacation plans. They wanted to hear that I was going to the beach, or traveling to visit far-off friends or relatives, or going on some sort of adventure. My plans made them think I was some sad, sorry, little man that needs to work less and get a life.

The second problem is that these are my vacation plans. The thing that keeps me refreshed, refueled, relaxed, and any other appropriate “re-” word, is connecting my self to my purpose all over again, and feeling my role in the universe. I know. It sounds like the words of a workaholic trying to sound esoteric and well adjusted. Here’s the thing, though: It’s the truth.

Do you know how many people I have known who feel like they are floating through life with no real purpose? Who keep searching for something real, a foothold, an anchor to hold on to? I feel like I have found my purpose.

Yeah, I know there are lot’s of people who hide from life in their work. I’m sure that the words I am saying may sound like the words of one of those guys. The difference is subtle, though. It’s internal. There is a plan in the universe, and it is not my plan. I just feel refreshed in knowing my role in it.

When you do the thing that you are made to do, that thing which unites you perfectly with your place in the universe, that is the very best vacation of all. I realized quite some time ago that I am biologically incapable of thinking small. I am not wired that way. I have spent my entire break reconnecting with big-picture thinking. It’s revitalizing to be who you are in a complete sort of a way. It’s better than any silly beach.

On top of all that, though, I have enjoyed some serious recreation as well. I found the spiffiest establishment ever (see my previous post), and I have spent two full days here already, enjoying the atmosphere and doing my work. I have had a chance to spend time with good friends; at game, at dim sum, at the Dandelion, and at the Laughing Cat. My only regret from this break is that I could totally use another two days or so to be fully ready for Monday.

No worries. Monday comes when it’s ready. I can either choose to be ready for it, or choose to be off-guard when it gets here. Most of that is a state of mind, anyway, and the rest is preparation that I have done already, even if it’s not on paper yet.

I’m off to go meet that challenge, now. See you all out there somewhere.

Oh, yeah. I had also intended to do a lot more blogging over the break. I believe I even mentioned “every day.” You can see how well that worked out for me. Such is life.

Dandelion Communitea Cafe

Originally uploaded by Social Citizen

I had the chance to spend some time today with a good friend that I haven’t gotten to talk with in quite a while. I always value the time I get to spend with Manny since, invariably, I learn something new or gain a perspective I didn’t have before. Today was no exception.

I digress. First I must tell you about the dim sum! No, that has nothing to do with the photo. The place in the photo came later. I wanted some good dim sum, so I subjected Manny to that particular whim of mine. It was ridiculously good (a category of goodness that I had to explain to our server so that she didn’t think I was calling the restaurant silly). The food was amazing, the service was excellent, and the prices were reasonable. Unfortunately, restaurant vocabulary is my weakest point in the Chinese language. Maybe when I get back from Shanghai I’ll be able to go through the whole experience without using English, but today I relied upon it heavily.

Oh, have I not mentioned Shanghai? I’ll tell you more about it at another time. I’m in the middle of a different story right now. What’s the rush? (No, that’s actually not where the title comes from. It was just a serendipitous opportunity to use it, so I did.)

After the dim sum goodness, Manny introduced me to the Dandelion Communitea Cafe, a vegetarian/vegan restaurant and teahouse in Orlando. That is the place in the picture above. I probably wouldn’t have thought to go on flickr and look for a photo of it except that while we were in there chilling on the bright yellow couch, a local photographer came in to try out his brand new lens. I should have asked for a copy of the shot he took, but I wasn’t that concerned about it.

While we were there, however, Manny brought up an excellent point: “What’s the rush?”

If we look at the grand scheme of things, stuff has a tendency to happen according to its own time-table. As we discussed things we both acknowledged that by attempting to make things happen before their time, one risks them not happening at all. I know I’ve been there. “But, I want it now!” almost always backfires.

heh… “God grant me patience… and I want it right now. “

Spring break is finally here, and while that is a source of great joy for me, it may not be for the most common reasons. On a day to day basis, I am able to accomplish those things that need to be done. I grade assignments, make tests, read the assigned readings for my class, and write the papers I’ve been assigned. I even have some semi-regular time arranged with my friends so that I can keep sane (or at least, maintain present levels of sanity) and socialize with normal peers (or at least, as normal as my friends are).

When I get a week off, however, I am able to catch up on some stuff, and get ahead on others. One of my colleagues referred to this as his “little project” time. He had scheduled time to complete major projects, and worked them to completion, but still had many projects on his list that were too small to demand his attention, but not small enough to knock them out in five minutes before dinner. Since they seem to fall in that in-between zone, they sit and wait.

I can relate to this, except I tend to have big projects that get held at bay lest they overwhelm me. I have some research that I need to do, a proposal to write, a unit to build using online course ware, my classroom website to update, and plans to write through the end of the year. I will tackle them all in bits throughout this week, but there is a lot of work ahead of me. This is the work I love, however, and will enjoy being on the border of overwhelmed by them.

I’ll let y’all know how the break progresses.

It’s been long enough since I’ve written a blog entry that I thought it was time. Unfortunately, I wasn’t in the mood to write the next LITDSTPTSOA entry, so I almost didn’t write one at all. Then it occurred to me: The name of the blog is “Radical Eclecticity.” Limiting myself to sequential posts on the same topic is not even remotely eclectic, let alone radically so. Furthermore, by not permitting myself the freedom to ramble and free associate, my last few on-topic posts really wanted to include off-topic wanderings. For the most part I stifled it but, since this blog is supposed to be my outlet, I have amended that decision.

That’s what category tags are for anyway. If you want to read all the stuff on a certain topic, click the category tag in the list there, and wham! Read away! I genuinely believe that my thought process gains strength from associating and synthesizing ideas from multiple areas and categories. The process of writing gives shape to that synthesis. I write for an audience because, without the audience, I wouldn’t actually write. Besides, reflection is much more useful with feedback. Even if no one comments on the blog itself, I tend to get verbal comments from friends and coworkers that read along with my wanderings.

Hmm… I think that’s going to be a new category tag that I use for my entries, “My Wandering Path.” I’ve been thinking  recently about the different experiences in my life and how they have all, in their own unique way, brought me to this point. I am the person that I am today because of all my varied experiences. I am in the place that I am in today because my wandering path brought me here.

The shortest distance between two points may be a straight line, but often times, the most effective one is somewhat crooked. When I get even further along on my journey, I will look back and see significance where I currently see none. It is, as I recently said in a conversation with a friend of mine, like a great cosmic dance that God choreographs. We may never see the purpose of each little step, but there most certainly is one. As the dancers, we play a huge part in determining our own outcomes, but we may never see the full extent of the interplay between the steps, turns, and choices we make, and the shape of the final picture.

The glorious part of it all is that we don’t need to. We need, simply, to understand the role we fill in the dance. Who we are, where we have been, where we feel led, and what surrounds us on the stage, all combine to make the next step more clear. There is a rhythm to it. We both set and follow it. There is a flow to it. We both direct it and are directed by it. And, while the closer we get to the end of the show, the more clear the beginning of the show may become, we may never understand all its nuance until we leave the stage and survey it all.

I got a little more deepish there than I was intending to. I planned to ramble about taking sick days, being behind in the day to day tasks I need to do, and a visit from my sister. Instead, the Stream of Consciousness flowed me into an extended, introspective metaphor and universal kinds of reflection. I think this is the thought I needed to process right now, though, and that’s why I do this. I needed to be reminded of the importance of the wandering path, and the inherent value of what seem like obstacles.

Thinking out loud is a good thing.

Though I fully intend to hit Vegas this summer on my way to three of the four states that I haven’t been to yet, I can’t afford tickets to all the Cirque du Soleil shows this year, so I’ll have to go back later. I’ll probably try to hit one of them, but we’ll see.

Keep in mind that it is not Vegas, itself, that holds the draw for me. Yes, I’d like to see Vegas, but it’s not listworthy all by itself. It’s Cirque that makes the LITDSTPTSOA list. Ever since I went to see La Nouba that first time, I have been completely enamored with Cirque du Soleil and their style of production. They bring all the requisite pieces together in an amazing way. The costumes, the choreography, the music, the storyline that gets woven in to it all… it’s unique and masterful.

To that end, though, I actually have no desire to see Zumanity, their adults-only nude show.  Forgive me for saying this out loud, but some bits are held in place and prevented from flopping and wiggling for a reason. I really can’t picture this working for lots of reasons that I won’t go into, but suffice it to say that, what I love about Cirque can simply not exist in this show, and if I ever was interested in what this show had to offer, I would not want to see it with a thousand other people.

Their other four shows in that city, however, are cutting edge and promise brilliance. From their newest venture, Love, which is a masterwork Beatles’s tribute, to O, which relies heavily on aquatics and underwater acts, they are all examples of the kind of forward thinking artistry that draws me to their acts. It should be quite the experience.