飞虎队。。。不是。。飞 ”猫” 队!

飞虎队(FēiHǔDuì) is the Chinese name for the “Flying Tigers” of WWII. The Flying Tigers were a group of volunteer American pilots who flew against the Japanese, to help defend China (prior to, and following the US entrance into the war).

飞猫队(FēiMāoDuì), or “Flying Cats”, is the group of cats that boasts a member who flew off of the sixth floor ledge of the foreign teachers housing, to protect itself from foreigners.

There is a “mother” cat that lives with her two grown “kittens”, in the bicycle parking garage below one of the dormitory buildings near ours. They are wild, and students put food out for them all the time.

This morning, as I left for my 8:00 class, I noticed one had managed to make it into our building and all the way to the landing of the staircase on the sixth floor. It looked a bit frightened, and I knew it was one of the wild cats, so I was not about to try getting it on my own.

I let the lady at the desk on the fourth floor know about the cat, and after reassuring her that I was serious, I left for class.

On the way back from class, about 10:30, I met Pete (an American) in the school store. He informed me that one of the workers from our office, and one of the cleaning ladies were chasing the cat all over the sixth floor, trying to catch it.

When I got back, I asked the lady at the desk if the cat was gone, and she told me that it was still on the sixth floor. I decided to go have a look and see if I could get it. I left her by jokingly reminding her that I, after all, was a “hunter”.

I looked everywhere possible, but I could not find the cat. I noticed that the door to the balcony was open, but the cat was nowhere to be seen. I thought it may have gone to one of the other floors, so I forgot about it.

This evening, Bryan (an Englishman) came out of his room and said “Mate’s… there is a CAT outside my window, on the ledge.”

I knew right away that the cat had decided to take a stroll from the balcony along the ledge. I relayed the story of the cat to Bryan, and reassured him that it was a wild cat, not somebody’s pet.

Pete decided to have a look, so he and Bryan put their heads out the window. At this point, the cat was not immediately outside of the window, so they thought it was safe to “look”. I was standing back, but I could tell from the “Oh… No… No, cat… Don’t”, that something was about to happen.

I don’t know what possessed them to actually watch it complete its journey to the pavement below, but I can tell you that I HEARD it hit.

Maybe I should have been watching, because the image that flashed in my mind was nothing like what happened. The cat actually ran off as soon as it hit the pavement.

Even with the knowledge of what had happened, the look on their faces was enough for me to realize that it was a traumatic site.

We decided to walk out to the balcony to get a better view of where the cat jumped from, and we saw it running like mad around the grounds between the buildings. When we saw this, Bryan and I decided to have a look.

We ended up seeing both of the “kittens”, and they looked in top shape to us. The mother was nowhere to be seen, but I am 100% positive that it was a kitten and not the mother who jumped.

The funniest thing about this was that before this evening, I was joking with a friend and told her that we had a new “foreigner” living on the sixth floor. I made it sound like it was some new woman. Later, when I was going to explain what happened, the following phone message “conversation” took place:

“The cat is no longer on the sixth floor.”
“Oh, she just wanted to leave you, but she will be back.”
“It was not her leaving, but HOW she left…”
“Oh, she just needed a breath of fresh air to clear her mind.”
“Well, she sure got fresh air as she jumped from the sixth floor.”

I wonder if Chinese cats have 9 lives also.

You want to go to school WHERE?!

I try hard to be friends with my students, and I like each one of them. Every so often, among all of these friends, you get a student that literally fills your heart with joy; I have one of those students this term.

I think the reason she has this effect on me is because we seem to share a bizarre sense of humor… In other words, I seem to make her laugh/smile more than the others. Not only that, but she is a very active student (physically and academically). While most students will tell you that they look forward to going to their foreigner taught classes, you would never know it by their involvement in class; she, on the other hand, is always there with a smile and ready to go.

My second highest goal in class, other than to get my students interested in learning English, is to get them laughing. I try to get them to laugh at me rather than at each others mistakes (which is one thing that all of my students realize I will not stand for).

The problem is that I am on constant guard never to laugh at students, whether it is in regards to language or culture. If there is a difference in culture, I am always sure to make myself the focus of the amusement. For example, the other day, after coming back from the 10 minute break in class, I walked to the podium with a look of hopelessness on my face. As soon as I saw concern in the eyes of the class, I said “I’m just NEVER going to get accustomed to Chinese toilets!” I wasn’t making fun of Chinese toilets, I was making fun of my lack of my shortcomings in adjusting to that part of Chinese culture.

To get back to the point of this post…

During class this past week, that student said something that had me struggling not to laugh. I was seriously in physical pain, trying to keep my mouth shut. But, this time it was nothing to do with language or culture, it was at her… “decision making skills”.

During the assignment, she got up and started to explain why she decided to come to BoHai University. (Keep in mind; she is not from this area.)

She said, “When I was choosing which university to go to, I thought BoHai University was in HaiNan, so I decided to come here… When I got here and realized it was not HaiNan, I became very sad. But I have become accustomed to it and I am much happier now.”

For those of you not familiar with China, HaiNan is the island province off of the southern coast of China, between VietNam and the Philippines.


(The red star is where JinZhou is, the pink/purple island is HaiNan.)
I did giggle a little bit, right before I asked her if she was serious, but I could tell right away from her look, that she was dead serious. She said that she thought that since BoHai was a “sea”, that… somehow… it would equate to HaiNan.

That would be like choosing College of the Atlantic, thinking you would end up in Key West, Florida… only to realize that it is in Bar Harbor, Maine.


So... you were expecting this?

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Well, we don't exactly "have white sandy beaches"...
But you can always skate across the lake to class.

Time to pack it up… possibly.

I’ve never been too good at “picking my fights”, but for the most part those fights have been “in the right”. The only physical altercations I have been in have been in the defense of others. Vocal arguments are harder to judge, and I often times disregard all logic that tells me to “walk away”.

But when it comes to taking a stand on injustices that affect me, disregarding the obvious outcomes, I stand firm. The concept of “You can't change things” just rubs me the wrong way. I know that my father considers that one of my weaknesses, but I consider it one of my strengths.

I think my problem comes when I react. Pacifism is not a direction I take often. Yes, I approach these problems calmly, but with an understanding that I will not settle on the status quo; I expect change. And when it comes to the ridiculous, sometimes ridiculous actions are required to instigate that change. This is when I run into problems.

As I stated in the “Thinking of Teaching in China” section of my web page, foreigners can expect to be treated like rock stars or like shit, there is no in-between. BoHai has not taken the “rock star” stance with us.

I have been over those injustices several times in this blog, I don’t think I will rehash them here. For the most part, we accept this, and move on with our daily lives.

The thing that just sends a sharp pain through every fiber of my body is when we are given the excuse of “it is because you are foreigners”. Obviously, racism is a horrible thing, but when you are dished it right to your face, in no uncertain terms, it does have a tendency to push my buttons.

I can deal with the non stop reminders that I am a foreigner. I can deal with the non stop attempts at cheating me out of money. I can deal with the non stop finger pointing, laughing, cursing and spitting. I can deal with being under the microscope ever moment of the day. Racism and bigotry exist in every country. But, when it becomes a mandate… that is when I tend to lose my cool.

Today I went to get a library card. Even before I went, I knew the differences between “Chinese” library cards and “Foreigner” library cards. With a Chinese library card, you are allowed to take out 5 books, and you have access to the computer systems on the first floor, for internet service. The “Foreigner” card… well, that’s a completely different story.

Upon entering the office where I would get the card, I was immediately told of the differences. No access to the internet, and a 100元deposit per book… “Because you are a foreigner”.

This, obviously, did not sit too well with me, but I remained polite, the whole time.

The leader, a well dressed woman with a Communist Party tie tack, smiled nicely the whole time she spewed out what I thought was the most racist words I have heard in a long time.

She basically said that, because we were foreigners, we could steal the books, leave BoHai University, and they would have no way to track us. I quickly informed her that treating us differently in such a way was against Chinese law.

The whole time this conversation was going on, a man was sitting on the sofa, smiling and laughing; this didn’t help my demeanor.

I asked her, “How can you expect me to pay 1000元 to take out 10 books? You know they pay me a Chinese salary!” It was then when she said, “Oh, you won’t have to do that. You will only be allowed to take out two books at a time, and you must return those books before you check out more.”

She said that Chinese people are easy to track, because everyone has an identification card; but if I went to another school, even in JinZhou, they would have no way to track me.

I quickly pointed out that, to work in China, I must have a visa and passport; and for me to change a job I would have to have that visa updated to remain in China, therefore the government always knows where I am. Then, I pointed to her tie tack and said, “And, from what I understand, they (meaning the Communist Party) run BoHai University, and they will know, even if I move to the most western town in China. And, as soon as I walk into customs at the airport, they will know."

Then, I did make a remark that may have been a little too much… I said, “I mean… we ARE talking about China.”

I said, “When our contract is over, they withhold our salary and travel money until we teach every contracted hour. I think they can also get your books back.”

I told her, “The administration of this university is always making comments that the foreign teachers are not prepared for classes. How can we be prepared if we have so much trouble finding teaching materials? Paying 100元 a month for internet, being charged 100元 per book, and only being able to take two?"

Her reply was what really started to unravel my nerves. Mind you, I was still keeping a calm tone the whole time.

She said, “It’s just different… Because you are foreigners.”

I said, “Of course, we are animals, we are locked into our cages at night, while students are allowed to rent apartments. We cannot eat in the faculty lounge, while Chinese people can. We paid 100元 a month for internet, while Chinese people pay 30元. We can only take out two books, as long as we bring money; yet Chinese people can take out more, without money, and they can use the internet… oh, I understand it is ‘different’.”

I then said, “Thank you” and left.

As soon as I left, I turn around, went back in and said, “I hope one day, if you ever have a chance to go to a foreign country, they never treat you the same way you are treating us.”

Although I kept my demeanor calm, I was fuming inside. I took a walk for about an hour, then I went to my office and told them simply, “I have been here for three years, I have not gone back to America, I expect to be treated fairly, and I want a normal library card.”

As with most requests, it was given “the nod”, meaning it went in one ear and out the other. I left the office, but I was not about to leave it to just “pass away”.

I walked for about another hour, and then I sent them the following message:

“Until I receive a normal library card, I will be charging my students 50元 per week, because they are Chinese."

Maybe it was over the top… but I think my point was made.

The last time I went over the top like that, I was being locked out of my home at 9:30pm. I told them to give me a key to my building or I would break the door. After they fixed the door, they gave me a key, and every foreign teacher since, has been issued their own key.

Sometimes you must take a stand, when it comes to injustices.

On the Brink.

Today, literally, China holds in its hands, the hopes of the world… and it doesn’t even know it.

I had written a long post regarding this issue, prior to the events of Monday morning, but obviously the situation has changed drastically.

Prior to the DPRK testing its nuclear device, China seemed to actually be moving forward, and I was quite happy to see it. It made itself clear of its feelings on the issue of a nuclear DPRK; even going as far as printing those views in both the English AND Chinese versions of their news. (Many of us know of some of the glaring differences between the English and Chinese versions of XinHau/People’s Daily/China Daily.)

What do I mean by all of this? Well, I mean exactly what US Ambassador John Bolton meant, in a UN session prior to the test. He made the comment of not being sure of, “what North Korea's protectors on the Council are going to do” in the event of a test. He spoke what many in the west feel when it comes to China and its willingness to side with anyone, as long as it is against the US, or wait for its older brother (Russia) to take a stand on an issue.

Surprisingly, China’s response was out of the ordinary. Chinese Ambassador (Wang GuangYa) said, "I'm not sure which country he (Bolton) is referring to, but I think that for bad behavior in this world no one is going to protect them."

A Chinese ambassador, in open UN session, stating that the DPRK was engaging in “bad behavior”, and nobody was going to protect them? What’s next, flying pigs?

I was pleased that China was finally taking a stand on something, for the betterment of the region, and not just siding with the DPRK out of some, long since past, misplaced sense of loyalty and common mistrust of the US.

I just hope, in the days to come, China will show it will back up its words and feelings, represented in the statements out of BeiJing:

“The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) outrageously conducted a nuclear test on October 9th in defiance of unanimous opposition from the international community, and the Chinese government voices its firm opposition to the test.

It is the Chinese government's unswerving and consistent position to enable the (Korean) Peninsula to go nuclear-free and oppose nuclear proliferation. The Chinese side strongly demands the DPRK side abide by its commitment to going nuclear free, halt all the activities that will possibly lead to the further deterioration of the situation and once again return to the track of the Six-Party talks.” - Chinese Foreign Ministry statement

"China is ready to discuss with other council members to see how the Security Council could react firmly, constructively and prudently with regard to this challenge." - Wang Guangya, Chinese ambassador to the United Nations

Someone in the ruling party must realize that the diplomacy of the past decade has resulted in the polar opposite of what it was set out to do. To continue down this road, allowing the DPRK to make the rules, is only going to cause more instability in the region.

China is teetering on the brink of moving forward, or slowly slipping back into its shell of comfort. It is time for the leaders to stand up and show some substance to the ideals it has been preaching to the world in the past decade.

Now, the world sits and waits. Indonesia, Australia, S. Korea, Japan, Russia, US, UK, and a host of other nations have voiced their strong feelings regarding this, and China seems to be in with the crowd. Let us hope that it does not start to slide back when the time comes to move forward in stopping the procession of instability that the DPRK has been causing.

What has diplomacy gotten us?

• After much diplomacy, the DPRK signed on to the NPT (Non Proliferation Treaty) after S. Korea removed all nuclear warheads.


• The US, and other nations, started to support the DPRK with food, medicine, and oil, in hopes of helping the people of the DPRK, while allowing their government to spend their energy on social development.


• The DPRK signs a treaty with Japan in regards to peace and stability.


• The DPRK test fires a missile over Japan.


• The DPRK kicked out the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) and announced that it had a secret program working on enrichment of uranium, with enough material for 6 bombs.


• The US, and other nations, stopped their support for the DPRK and starts voicing its displeasure over these actions.


• The Six Party Talks continue.


• The DPRK propagandizes this lack of support by the US, and the US displeasure, into being preparation for war against the DPRK.


• The DPRK pulls out of the Six Party Talks.


• The DPRK breaks treaties again, by test firing an ICBM.


• South Korea, Japan, Australia, US, and other nations voice their opposition to the test. Russia and China urge them to return to the talks.


• The DPRK starts another round of propaganda regarding the US preparing for war against the DPRK.


• The DPRK makes a statement that it will test a nuclear device.


• China, Russia, US, Japan, S. Korea, Australia, Indonesia, the UK, and the UN all voice their opposition to this test.


• The DPRK goes against the will of the international community and tests a nuclear device.

And… here we are today…

We are on the very brink of a major nuclear arms race, the likes of which have not been seen since the height of the Cold War. And, with that arms race, the tensions it will cause, will put us right back into that same dreary world of a Cold War; mistrust, propaganda, hatred, and battles.

For the DPRK to remain a nuclear weapons state, the following will happen:

• South Korea will replace its nuclear warheads.


• Japan will rightfully use the excuse the DPRK has been using, and break the NPT for the protection of its people.


• China will adjust its arsenal in response to the Japanese move.


• Russia will do the same.


• With all of these nuclear weapons off the coast, the US will follow suit.


• Australia will start to reconsider its non-nuclear stance.


• The NPT will become meaningless.


• Soon every country, stable or not, will be looking for its own “protection”.

Sides will be chosen, enemies made, allies of one will become enemies of the others, and our children will have to grow up “in the shadow of a mushroom cloud” once again.

China, stand with the international community, do whatever it takes to force the DPRK into alignment. The “sovereign right” of one nation CAN be outweighed by the stability of the world, and peace in the region.

Show the world that you mean what you say when you tell us you are working for world peace.

Show what Mao meant, when he said, “We are advocates of the abolition of war, we do not want war; but war can only be abolished through war, and in order to get rid of the gun it is necessary to take up the gun.” ("Problems of War and Strategy" (November 6, 1938), Selected Works, Vol. II)

The only difference is, the “gun” we can take up, is an embargo of the DPRK, to show it that if it will not listen to the international community, the international community will not deal with it.

Hair?

I do not hide the fact that I am slowly balding; it is a part of life. Although it is said that the gene for balding comes from the mothers side of the family, and although my brother seemed to have that gene “in spades”, I seem to be “thinning” the way my father did. Whereas my brother is bald except for a that little bit that runs above the ears and around the neck, I have a nice little thinned spot on the crown of my head, and thin in the middle.

A few months ago, my #1 little sister (6 years old) told me that she wanted me to get my hair cut. I guess, since it was warm and she saw so many boys with nearly shaved heads, she wished to see me with very short hair. So, being the nice big brother I am, I entertained her with having my head nearly shaved.

When the deed was done, she looked at me intently and said, “我不喜欢” or “I don’t like it.”

I have had my hair cut many times (and shaved off a few times as well), and I have become accustomed to the rate at which it grows back. This time was much different. Yes, it is growing back, but extremely slowly.

I don’t have a problem with my thinning hair, but I do have a problem with looking overly odd. The hair itself is quite thick, so when it is short, it sticks straight up. Since the sides were growing faster, I started to take on a “Flock of Seagulls” look. I would go in and get a trim every so often, to keep this look at bay, but the hair was just growing so slow. Eventually, I took to wearing my cap until it grew to a more manageable length.

Today, I was taking a walk with my new friend Li SiSi (a freshman from the south of China). My hair had finally gotten to a decent length, and I went “uncovered”. When I looked at her and said, “How does my hair look today?” she replied…

“You have HAIR?”

Mike… I apologize for all that ribbing I gave you when you started to lose your hair at 18.

Differences:

Ok, forget China, forget culture… What I am talking about is what has caused me to remain single to this day; the differences between thought processes in men and women.

Why is it I can slowly learn and accept the differences between Chinese and American culture, in a matter of a few years, but the same acceptance of women has eluded me for 37 years?

It is simple; because those differences (for me) are ones that I refuse to integrate into my own personality. Look, if I went to the rain forest and there was a tribe that ritualistically shaved their butts and allowed giant tarantula’s to bite it repeatedly, I am sure I would not integrate into that culture no matter how long it took.

I love women… but there are many things about their thought processes that, quite honestly, repulse me. I have no problem with normal daily interaction with women; those thought processes only seem to come out whenever you start entering a relationship.

I know there are differences that cause women irritation as well. But… I’m not a woman, so I speak only of my irritations. And I know that people overcome these differences on a daily basis; my siblings overcame them.

There are two actions that children take that always perplex us; one is acting without reason, the other is always asking “why”. “Bobby, why did you shave the cat?” “I don’t know...” “Daddy, why do you have to go to work?”

These two differences are the basic foundation for the differences between adult men and women; in other words, we both act like children. The only problem is, men are aware of this (and are constantly reminded of this by women), yet women think they are free of it.

Case in point:

Guys: While talking to your significant other, you inform her that you were talking to one of her co-workers about her. She quickly states “Please… NEVER talk to her about us!” What do you do? You quickly say, “Ok” and hope that the conversation ends. Why? Because you know the reason she does not want you to talk to the co-worker is not a “happy reason” and to discuss it more will only bring out venomous anger.

Ladies: While talking to your significant other, you inform him that you were talking to one of his co-workers about him. He quickly states “Please… NEVER talk to him about us!” What do you do? You quickly say, “Why?”

That is so *(@#$ irritating.

I mean… seriously, do they honestly think there is any need to delve into the reason why? Is it not as obvious to women as it is men?

Not only that, but… if someone asks you not to do something, and it does not harm you, interfere with your daily life, cause you any undue stress, or influence you in any way… do you really need to press the issue? Is this something that women must feel the need to analyze to the point of insanity?

Women will have many of these types of requests for their men during the course of a relationship, “Honey, could you please not leave your socks on the floor?” Do you ever hear a man asking “Why?”

It’s like I realize that life, from now on, is going to be as if I were stuck in a car with a child, on a long trip, and the child keeps asking “Why”. At some point, that urge to toss the child out the window is going to overcome any sanity you have.

I guess it all comes to my favorite saying…

“Marriage is a wonderful institution… I’m just not ready to be institutionalized yet.”