whats up with me

The days are getting shorter and my 2-story townhouse is where I burrow in my bed reading novels, reciting Chinese words and grading assignments. I'd prefer to live in a yurt like my student's families do, but the school would rather give a foreign teacher this square, cement dwelling that is too big to fill.

I'm in the chalk dusted classrooms by 7:30am, and my students greet me with "good mornings" and giggles and shining faces--only a couple years younger than me, but seemingly innocent and curious about the world.

Everything I eat is steamed. My favorite drink is called Pearl Milk Tea (zhen zhu ni cha). I have a large yellow thermos that I take to the boiler room just around the corner and fill with hot water. The water stays boiling hot all night but I don't use it to wash my hands and face when I wake up. I'm used to cold water now.

Ned and I take naps, and are in bed by 9:30pm. we read, and share stories only those utter over summer camp fires and long nights.

I don't miss much back home. I don't have much to worry about. No house, no car, no children. If I have strings untied, let them be. My friends are happy and occupied. So am I.

Neem Karoli Baba is here. He admonished me for traveling so far north because he dislikes the cold. The dumplings and steamed greens are good for his health.

China suits me better than India. I appreciate the order China imposes. I know what's expected of me; what's forbidden. The streets are clean. There is no such thing as teen pregnancy or divorce here. I don't fear walking alone at night.

My student's despise the Dalai Lama. They don't know what it means to have an opinion. The Chinese language does not allow for abstract expression. They want Taiwan to come back to mother China. They want American hair styles and I-pods. They want good jobs when they graduate not far from their hometown so they can take care of their parents.

I want to write a short story. I want to inspire my students. I want a dog--a pug, to play with and take care of. I want a bowl of dumpling soup for dinner and an orange soda.