Shell in China
Friday, October 20, 2006
Green Action meeting/party/karaoke night
So, we made plans to go with Tomas and Rachel and then go to dinner afterwards. We were told to be there at 6, but when we showed up at 6 they said it was moved to 7. Fine. So we came back to our place and hung out until 7 when we went back. We were ushered into a room with a good 300 people in it, where we were given front row seats and bottles of water. (I basically am at the point where I expect water or tea to be brought to me at all of these functions...it isn't snobby, it just happens!)
As it got underway, we asked one of the leader girls how long it was going to last and she said 3 hours!!! Ack!! Tomas and Thad were both supposed to say a little something about environment stuff, so our plan was to stay until they spoke and then try to sneak out so we could get dinner. Well, not only were we in the front row, but the speaking was last! Before that there was over 2 hours of singing and dancing and other odd entertainment acts. At some point, Rachel happened to mention to someone that our plan was to go to dinner afterwards, so then they realized that we had not eaten dinner. They promptly (with us trying to refuse!) sent a girl out to buy us food! She came back with sweetbread and cookie things and we were given milk in what looks like a juice box! (Now, granted, I buy the exact same milk in the juice box all of the time, but I bring it home and put it in the fridge to get cold and then drink it in the morning. This was straight off the shelf juice-box milk.) Crazy! So, here are the 4 laowai, sitting in the front row with what basically amounted to a picnic! How embarrassing is that?!?! We had to eat it though, because otherwise it would be really rude after this poor girl went out (in the cold!) to buy us food. Awkward!
The performances were actually pretty intersting though. They didn't really have anything to do with the environment, but we finally decided that we think it was an anniversary of the founding of their club and that is why is was a "party." There were people who sang (basically karaoke) and of course there was the required "My Heart Will Go On" which seems to be a favorite in China. I have been asked on numerous occasions to sing it, but have no fear friends and family. I realize my tone-deafness stays with me across continents, so I always decline the offer to break out into Titanic theme-songs. There was also a strange dance/model thing where the girls made clothes out of trash (?) We aren't sure if this was supposed to be a cute "how to reuse stuff" skit or just modeling to Will Smith music, but it was probably the most entertaining thing of the evening!
Anyway, I don't think the environment is any better off for the "meeting" or our attendance at it, but it sure was an interesting way to spend a Friday night in China. :)
(The green font is for those of you that caught on that the post was color-coordinated with the theme. I may be in China, but I'm still Michelle!! hehe...)
2 Comments:
Yanghua
Blog of a Peace Corps China volunteer serving as a TEFL teacher in Cheng Xian, Gansu, China.
About Me
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- Name: Michelle Ross
- Location: Chengxian, Gansu, CN
In America, I teach 8th grade English and reading and really enjoy spending time with middle school students. Some people think I am crazy for it, but Marsing has a great group of kids and I love being a part of their lives as they grow up! Right now I live in China and teach English and teaching methods to students who want to be teachers. I am here through Peace Corps, which I think is a fabulous experience and something that more people should look into doing! The application process can be a bit of a pain, but it is well worth the time and effort. Check out Peace Corps and give something back to the world that has given you so much!! Teaching runs in the family, as just about everyone is involved in education in one way or another. My dad is retired, but he was a teacher, counselor and principal for 30+ years, my mom is an elementary counselor, my sister and husband are both teachers and my brother will finish his teaching degree this next spring! "Those who can, do; those who can do magic, teach!"
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