Fight or flight

I don't sleep much the night before these two journeys to the other side of the world; nor do I sleep on the plane. Packing my life into one suitcase and two carry-ons is a mental effort which, once undertaken, leaves me too wound for rest. Getting ready for a two week trip to China is as complicated as preparing to be there six months. I still pack everything from a Bible to electronic adapters to hiking boots. Just now, I rose from my bed and put a stapler in my suitcase. You need them sometimes when you're doing paperwork, and while they're available in China, it can take awhile to locate one.

Returning

As some of you know, I am returning to China this weekend to help arrange further exchanges between ETSU and Chinese institutions. I am the junior member of the party-- Dr. Jack Rhoton is going as is Dr. Hal Knight, our Dean. Dr. Weixing Chen, a young and extremely accomplished professor of International Studies is coming with us and will serve as our interpreter. I am excited about the programs we're working on, and I'll be delighted if we accomplish what we're hoping to, but it seems a little soon to be leaving home. I've just recovered from reentry. And yellow cat, butter only recently forgave me for being away so long.

I am gifted (or afflicted) with wanderlust, however I like spending time in the Southern Mountains. I love our small house with its surrounding trees. If I'm here too long though, I start to feel hemmed in, and I want to travel. But this is coming very soon.

Above: Butter naps on the couch.

Below: Jasmine, the younger of my cats, makes it hard to pack.

Ceremony

Thanks to Dr. Jack Rhoton's grantmanship, and the generosity of the Eastman Company, ETSU has a new Center for Excellence in math and science. To mark its opening, a big assembly was held in Warf-Pickel Hall. President Stanton was there. So was Dr. Bert Bach and a representative from Eastman There were heads of school districts, heads of departments. Even Senator Lamar Alexander came. We were asked to stand by departments and be "recognized." There was punch and cookies, and lots of speeches. The speeches were rather curious-- everyone was glad the center was opening, and thought it was a good thing. Everyone said the same thing. When I used to go to such programs, I wondered why no one said anything original. But now I understand. This was a CULTURAL CEREMONY. Important people come, everyone is recognized, the most important people talk, and that's how we show the venture is important. Above: Dr. Rhoton addresses the crowd. Dr. Stanton is to his left. Below: A Chinese dragon dance-- a ceremony in another culture..

Random act of kindness

I was looking for an activity to do with my Emergent Literacy class-- one that would demonstrate teaching the alphabet to kinesthetic learners, i.e., kids who learn by touch. Sometimes it's best to have the students actually do the activity instead of listening to me talk. So in Walgreen's, I found some 10-packs of playdough-- just right for a group project. At the checkout, a man with scruffy beard was buying up boxes of leftover valentine candy. He inquired what I planned to do with all that playdough, and I told him. He seemed to understand. He asked if teachers get reimbursed for this stuff. Are you kidding?

So then he picked up all my playdough and paid for it before I could stop him. Told me he really appreciates what teachers do. Even gave me a box of his Valentine candy, which I'll share with my students. It was such an unusual thing. I felt like I'd just met an angel, but he's actually a student nurse at Milligan College.

Reentering social life

In China, my idiosyncrasies were attributed to being American. I was not expected to know all the social rules, and was given lots of credit for trying. In this country, I am more in touch with the social awkwardness which has haunted me since high school. It is always easier for me to focus on tasks, harder to navigate appropriate small talk in my own country. I know people notice. My three children say I’m a nerd, which is true, if tactless. The term, which was coined by Dr. Seuss, is defined by The American Heritage Dictionary as follows (second definition):

Nerd: A person who is single-minded or accomplished in scientific or technical pursuits but is felt to be socially inept. I have to admit that it fits.

We stop looking

In China, I focussed on the beauty around me. Here in America, I'd been tuning a lot of that out. I'd never really looked at the horses in a pasture right near my house, nor had I stopped to enjoy the trees on the ETSU campus.

They call it re-entry

I'd read about it, but had never fully expected it. When you've been out of the country awhile, it doesn't look the same on your return. They call it re-entry-- culture shock in reverse. You look around, and the things you see don't match the mental pictures you've been carrying around. I'd looked at, but never truly seen the horse who lives in the pasture less than a mile from my house. I'd walked right by the mugs and ETSU banners in the bookstore. I'd forgotten how questioning and creative students are in the college of education, and how dedicated in-service teachers are to interesting children in books. I didn't remember the energy of our university, nor did I remember the petty irritations.

Above: ETSU banners in the University Bookstore.

Below: Mrs. Loreen Rorex, a student in our ESL endorsement, dresses as a robot to help children relate to a story..