Zi Peng National Park

Today the Sophomore English majors took a trip to Zi Peng as a celebration of getting through Midterms. Zi Peng is a mountain in Hefei, although many students said a "hill" is a more fitting classification. There is a Buddhist temple amongst beautiful scenery and lots of fun games and rides--a perfect combination to fill a sunny spring day!

Class Assignments, etc.

Student radio station on campus


Dinner with some of my students and fellow American teacher, Evan.



In the last few weeks of class, we have been learning about American culture. The students have been excited to learn everything they can about America so I thought it would be a good opportunity to get them involved in discussions and practice their English.

One week, we watched an episode of the American tv show How I Met Your Mother. The only episode I had available was one without subtitles, but the students still did a great job making comparisons between American and Chinese culture and I learned a lot myself during these discussions. They told me they had a hard time understanding it though, and when there was a funny moment they often didn’t understand the humor. So for subsequent classes I showed episodes with English subtitles, and the students seemed to like the show much better!

Of course I explained that the show is only ONE example of American culture and not all Americans live the way portrayed in the show. But I think they made some good observations on their worksheets and in class discussion:

Similarities:

Many friends get together to drink to share interesting things. They want their friends’ advice and ideas. We both treasure friendships. Friendship is vital to both American and Chinese life.

Chinese people also have difficult issues when dealing in the matters of love.

Nowadays, many young people in metropolitan districts tend to go to clubs in China. They also like beer very much and even perform well in the Beer Festival in China.

Finding your true love can be as difficult as winning the lottery.

Differences:

Most Chinese people won’t kiss their boyfriends or girlfriends in public.

Chinese people treat relationships between boyfriends and girlfriends more seriously than Americans.

People in China seldom hold parties in their own homes.

Americans are more direct and talk about private issues in public while Chinese people like to have privacy.

Americans in the show could talk with a taxi driver like a friend. In a Chinese show, the taxi driver would not speak.

American people express their feelings and love to others more directly than Chinese.

Individuals in America are more independent than those in China. The spirit of American culture is independent and free.

Chinese girls are not as open as American girls. In China, girls would not use such words in their conversations as the girls on the show.

We are not so open-minded, at least my father didn’t tell me how he met my mother.


For another week I prepared a PowerPoint presentation about American culture. It covered subjects such as industries, food, school life, religion, holidays, sports, and popular culture. Again they had a handout and we discussed their observations in class.

My students had such comments as:

What surprised you about American culture?

Chinese food in America is not authentic but contains characteristics of both Chinese and American food. There are not fortune cookies here. Also, many Americans use forks to eat Chinese food.

The so-called “Chinese foods” are not that Chinese in America.

I never thought there were so many religions in America. I always thought they were all Christians.

The meaning of “football” in the U.S. is different from the Chinese meaning.

When Americans celebrate Halloween they often dress themselves very strangely.

It is surprising that Americans watch an average of 4+ hours of tv a day. I think this is a little crazy.

I don’t know why so many Americans like such exciting sports like boxing. It a way, it is so violent.

Americans have created so much colorful culture and built so many tall buildings in such a short time.

What are similarities with Chinese culture?

Telecommunications is a top industry in both countries.

In China, we can find American food such as KFC and pizza.

Americans and Chinese are good cooks. We both have many kinds of delicious food.
Food varies from place to place and food is connected with the locals’ food habits.

What are your favorite things about American culture that you would like to experience or learn more about?

I want to go to the U.S. to celebrate Christmas day with an American family. It will be very nice. It is also my dream.

If I have a chance, I would like to go to America to go snowboarding because it is very exciting and I like snow very much.

I think the types of music in America are special and I would like to know more about country music. (I played samples of different types of popular American music including a clip of a country song by Carrie Underwood.)

In high schools, there are lockers for students to put things and I think this is very convenient and comfortable.

I love American movies very much. The writers of the movies are full of imagination.

In rural areas there are big farms and few people live there. I want to buy a big house and a big farm in the USA.

I’ve always wondered what turkey tastes like on Thanksgiving Day.

I want to know more about American boys. Maybe I can fall in love with an American boy.

“Fortune cookies” are one of the funniest foods I’ve ever seen. I would like to try one.

Farming in the City

There is a park near campus where I sometimes run and it is adjacent to some small farms. Farther down the paved path and winding stream are more farms and wooded areas. You hardly know you are still in the city!

Traditional Chinese Medicine: Cupping Therapy

Yesterday I had a great $3 massage. At the end, the masseuse suggested trying a method that uses the principles of acupuncture “to remove cold air from my body.” I supposedly had stagnant air in my body that could have been caused from my recent move to such a humid climate from a dry one. I later discovered that the method used was a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine known as Cupping. A cotton ball with alcohol was lit on fire and inserted into small glass fish bowl-like suction cups to create a vacuum. These cups were suctioned onto my back and left there for about 10 minutes. It just felt like I was being pinched all over. As the air cooled inside the bowls, underlying tissue was raised by being sucked part of the way into the cup. When I got home I realized I had a bunch of red circles all over my back, which I read later should go away in a week. To be fully effective you should have Cupping done several times to feel a result.


Image from http://www.dailyom.com

The method uses acupuncture points to relieve the stagnation of Qi and blood to release toxins from the body. Through suction and negative pressure, massage cupping releases rigid soft tissue, drains excess fluids and toxins, loosen adhesions and lifts connective tissue, and brings blood flow to stagnant skin and muscles. It has been practiced in China for over 3,000 years and also has roots in Ancient Greece and Egypt. Cupping was common as a home remedy in the U.S. during the 18th, 19th and early 20th centuries for relief of congestion and colds. Breast cupping became common for inflamed breasts and lactation dysfunctions, and the familiar breast pump evolved from this practice.

Cupping is beneficial and used for multiple disorders affecting multiple organ systems including:

• Digestive system: constipation, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
• Vital, Metabolic: low energy, fatigue, anemia, atrophy of the tissues, cellulite, emaciation, weight gain - normalizes body weight.
• Nervous system: headaches, depression, emotional problems - balances the nervous system.
• Gynecological: menstrual pain, suppressed or irregular menses.
• Musculoskeletal: Local application, as appropriate, for back pain, arthritis, traumatic injuries, lumbago, sciatica.
• Respiratory & Circulatory: asthma, bronchitis, common cold and flu, high blood pressure. Increased blood flow to the skin is therapeutic for many different skin disorders.

References

http://www.acupunctureproducts.com/cupping_therapy_part1_Ilkay_Chirali.html

http://www.dailyom.com/

http://www.greekmedicine.net/therapies/Hijama_or_Cupping.html

http://www.massagemag.com/spa/treatment/cupping.php

Flying Kites