Rape

Good morning America! Go Bears!

This is another steamed stuffed bun that I really like.

It is a vegetable and meat stuffed bun and the vegetable in it translates into "rape"

While on the topic of rape, in recent weeks there have been a few instances of university girls who have become victims of rape. This is pretty uncommon in China...one happened in the city I live in a week or so ago. As a result the police have issued some advice to young women.

Check out the list here--it is unbelievable...cartoons included.

The last one says the best way to avoid rape is to just be ugly. The insensitivity towards the issue is apparent in the comments "haha the last one is the best one!"

These are more practical tips issued from the Security Council of a different province.  They are a little elementary (I think we were educated on this when we were in 6th grade)

Number 5 is my favorite:

5. Never get inebriated in a place outside of your home. This is an iron rule for women because you will risk losing your morals, your etiquette, your indiscretion, your heart and even your virginity (!)

Ridiculous. Yes women should be cautious when they drink and people do make more bad choices when they are drunk, but being drunk does not make it ok to victimize someone, to take advantage of someone or to rape them.

This is the story of the girl who was raped in Jinan.

It is pretty eye opening to see the difference between the two cultures and how they address the issue of rape.

Cornered at the Morning Market

So yesterday (Sunday) I was out grabbing breakfast and some fruits/vegetables from the street market right out the back gate of our school (I'll post pictures of the market soon)

I was in my gym shoes and clothes, planning to grab a few things and go workout. As I was walking down the street a few women came up to me and asked me (in Chinese) if I could speak chinese
"你说中文吗？” --do you speak chinese?
“对，我知道一点点。” yes, i know a little
“你住在耐力？” where do you live (whoa all ready getting personal)
“我是老师” “握住在实验中学” (I am a teacher, I live at the school I teach at"

Then a woman who spoke English came up. They convinced me I needed to buy this fruit from Thailand (it took me about 20 minutes to figure out what the eff it was on google later), and then they forced me to write down all their numbers. The one who speaks English is going to give me Chinese lessons (not sure when I'll have time for that) and the other ones want me to tutor their children (not sure if I want to do that either---I'd rather enjoy my weekend) but anyways one made me get on the back of her scooter and showed me where she lived. Just a typical Sunday.

Result: I have 6 people in my wechat named "market lady" who are all overly enthusiastic to speak to me

Here is the fruit that I bought--the first time they weighted it it was $30. I ended up telling the dude to give me half--lol $15 later and fruit that I don't really like...it kind of tastes like a fig

After researching it is called tamarind and is native to India (or Africa according to another source) it is not a fruit it is actually a legume. 

Chinese Breakfast

You can find street food everywhere in China, which most people take advantage of on their way to work in the morning or on their lunch break. 

                      

One of my favorite foods to eat for either breakfast or lunch is a steamed stuffed bun (bao zi). There are many different options of stuffed buns--egg, tofu, meat--and of course vegetables (everything in China generally comes with vegetables). 

My favorite is mushroom and meat (I think it is pork), cabbage and meat, or another vegetable with meat called "you cai"--which translates to "rape". I didn't realize rape was a vegetable ;) 

Breakfast complete with instant coffee! (I think I'm becoming addicted to the sugar in these packets) 

My entire meal total cost...50 cents. 

(Since I don't get paid until next month, I have been trying to live on about $5 per day---eek!) 

First Week of Classes and Mid-Autumn Festival

My teaching schedule...luckily another teacher is coming next week to take one of my preps. 

Two of my classes have 40+ students. :( I gave them a pre-assessment test and it has taken me far too long to grade. 

Last week was teachers day so each of the classes got us a gift

And we had monday off for mid-autumn festival, a tradition where families get together and admire the full moon and eat mooncakes.

One of the local bars had a mooncake tasting party (theyre kind of like the fruitcake of holiday food)

The inside is usually red bean or lotus paste. sometimes there is fruit paste and nuts inside....but the one above is a chocolate pastry with beef inside.