Karaoke

The climax of last weekend's Christmas was a party at the International Center's Karaoke Bar. A number of nationalities and dialect regions were represented. We were presented with a huge booklet listing popular and traditional songs in Korean, Chinese, and English. Complemented by videos and occasional strobe lights, we took turns singing to the recorded tunes (above).

When I participate in activities such as this, my children are deeply ashamed of me. However, since Ben, Mike, Emily and Steve were 16,000 miles away, I could participate with impunity. My rendition of "Blowing in the Wind" (don't laugh!) was particularly appreciated by the audience, which included the General Secretary of the local Communist Party. For my efforts, I was presented with a bouquet of artificial flowers (below).

Ping pong

Ping pong is a national sport here. It is played by people of all ages. Even I played it the other day. Children learn the game early, and in the middle class, they are often sent to special ping pong classes as we send children to baseball or soccer camp. Above, a professor close to my age plays ping-pong. Below, an elementary school child plays the game as his mother watches proudly.

Manger Scene?

The so-called "foreign experts" here were treated to dinner and an afternoon of entertainment at the international conference center in Weihai. In the lobby was an interesting construction, resembling a western manger scene. Only here, it was populated by Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

How are Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs associated with Christmas? A Chinese friend thinks the association is 'white,' as in White Christmas. In China, the Christmas story is not recounted much, but I gather it is viewed as something out of Walt Disney.

Recently, a student wrote that "Confucianism" is not a religion. As I prompted him to defend his ideas, I asked him why. His answer was interesting, "Because the teachings of Confucius are true. A religion must have elements which are not true." Like a princess and seven dwarves?