Joys of Technology

In the Fall of 1996 just ten years ago, during a tutorial with the late Carl Mills, I shared my consternation that the UC library had no card catalogue. Very patiently, this distinguished linguist taught me to use an online library. Then he asked if I had any other questions. Furtively I responded, "What's email?"

So much has changed. About half the stuff I'm taking to China is electronic technology. A laptop, a projector, a digital camera, and all the peripherals. Today, Joe and I practiced Google Talking to each other, and tomorrow afternoon I have a Googledate with Ben. I've succeeded in making our phone ring using Yahoo Messenger. For someone my age, technology is something of a foreign language. I was totally clueless during the faculty "leadership" technology course I took in 2003. But now I wonder how I taught without electronic technology. It's a language. And as with other languages, you learn it when you need it.

A Reason to Travel

Preparing to leave the country makes a person very conscious of family ties. I've sent "snail mails" to my husband, to each of my children, and to my son-in-law, and also to Emily's in-laws. Stamped letters that come in a mailbox have a charm that emails lack. Amazing how quickly they started seeming archaic.

Leave-taking also makes us aware beauty in the place where we live. The Appalachians are beautiful.










I thought I had packed everything when I realized I didn't have puppets. Joe is an accomplished puppeteer, and watching him, I realized they'd be useful for teaching foreign language. People listen to a puppet more readily than to a teacher. They will risk making a puppet sound silly rather than be vulnerable themselves.

















Somehow, we squished the bobcat and snowy owl puppets into my loaded suitcase, the owl's body partly covering the bottle of wine (yes, wine) I was advised to bring as a gift. Many thanks to Marie and Dennis Cope for helping us obtain it. I have absolutely no idea how to distinguish a good wine from a bad one.

All Sorts of Obligations

I doubt I'm any more likely to draw my last breath while traveling in China than when I'm muddling through life here. But getting ready for a major trip compels us to get our affairs in order. For the first time in many years, I replaced my license plate well before the deadline. And Joe and I finally got around to updating our wills-- something we haven't done for thirty years or so.

Luggage Limits

Who would have thought? The Chinese have rather different ideas about luggage limits from ours. On a Chinese airline, travelers are restricted to one suitcase of modest dimensions, and its weight may not exceed 40 lbs. In addition, the traveler is permitted one carry on bag, not to exceed 11 lbs. My nifty combination laptop and data projector combo, for which I purchased a wonderful rolling case , weighs over 15 lbs. Language teachers live by their pictures. I can't give up my data projector-- how else am I going to show the students pictures?

Solution: Half my suitcase is devoted to the data projector. The laptop goes in a lightweight canvas bag, and that's my carry-on. Ship the dictionaries I was planning to take via priority parcel post. What about clothes? I'm taking the minimum. Guess I'll be doing lots of laundry.

Talismans

How do you get ready to travel halfway around the world? The journey is of epic proportions, even if made in the relative comfort of a jumbo jet. The operative term is relative. In an email today, Dr. Steve Gross, who is in China now, informed me the trip is horrible.





A couple of friends have given me keychains intended to protect a person going that far away. Charlotte Pubal gave me a medal with St. Anthony on one side and St. Christopher on the other. Both saints are said to protect travelers, and St. Anthony is supposed to help you find lost objects as well. Jewish by birth and Methodist by choice, I know nothing about saints; yet I am touched by my friend's wish to protect me, and I will carry the medal.

Amy Govett a science educator with whom I work, has a different approach: carrying an object that addresses all contingencies. This list little gizmo which is part compass, part outdoor thermometer, and part magnifying glass has a whistle at its apex which the bearer may blow should she find herself in danger.