Magores Summarizes May 2006

May 2006 was a boring month in Beijing. But, it was also a pretty eventful one, at the same time.

In no particular order, here is some of what happened...

--I mentioned previously, my roommates moved out. Kinda weird at first, but overall, I think I like it. Back in the US, I lived alone for a long time. It was weird moving to a situation where I had 2, or 3, or 4 roommates. Living with a group of 17-20 year old Chinese girls does have an upside. But, it's not exactly easy either.

--We took the kids to the Beijing Zoo. Apparently, this is a popular tourist destination. To be honest, I don't know why. Very depressing. Tigers in 10 x 10 cages. Lions in 10 x 10 cages. Hippos in 50 x 50 cages. Parts of the landscape were very cool. But the animals in "old-style zoo cages" was not. The penguin was cool though. He put on a show for the kids. It was almost like he knew it was "his turn".

--We took the kids on a different field trip to a different park. LongTan Lake Park, or something like that. It was actually very beautiful. But, it was also very depressing.

I learned something about Beijing, that I don't like.

Think about an urban city in the US... SF, for example. Lots of buildings, roads, concrete. You go to the park. What do you do? You sit on the grass. You play on the grass. You enjoy grass. You can't do this in Beijing. BJ has buildings, roads, concrete, and lots of parks. The parks have lots of grass. But, you aren't allowed on the grass. It's simple. You aren't allowed to walk barefoot (or walk at all) on the grass. In a city of 99 bajillion people, with enough smog to choke an asmatic, and enough concrete to pave a path to the moon.... You aren't allowed to do something that I miss very much... You aren't allowed on the grass.

My Chinese co-workers couldn't understand my befuddlement at first. But, I explained in the most diplomatic terms possible... This is GRASS. People are SUPPOSSED to walk barefoot on grass. Grass is good! Concrete is useful. But, whats the point of having grass, if you can't get off the concrete?

I actually got worked up enough about this, that the other teachers mentioned my bewilderment to the parents later that day.

Still, noone could tell me why to stay off the grass, except for the fact that "you aren't suppossed to go on the grass".

Sigh....

--No nightlife adventures in May. I was a homebody. Spent alot of money very early in the month, and tried not to spend alot later. Bought a bicycle. (again.) Lots of cleaning. Preparations for International Childrens Day. (Did you know this existed? I didn't. It's a big deal in China. June 1st.)

--My Chinese is getting better. Not much, but a little. I started writing the Chinese characters, and the "english" pronunciation on post-its, and putting them all over my aprtement. It looks stupid, I guess, but it does help.
---Computer = Dian4 nao3
---Bed = chuang2
---Bathroom, kitchen, tv, clock, etc

As some of you know, one or two BIG things happened in May also. I won't dwell there. Remembering is good. Dwelling isn't.

Anyway...

That was May 2006 in Beijing. How was YOUR May?