
Just over two weeks ago I zipped my suitcase shut and opened the door to a grand new adventure with nineteen teenagers and four confused adults. Time seemed to elapse at warp speed as our travels took us back in time and into the future. Ancient temples and pagodas were surrounded by modern and space-age buildings. Buses, cars, mopeds, bicycles, and pedestrians all vied for the same space somehow

merging together like the landscape. We all learned how to assimilate and cross the street like locals. Thankfully, none of this can be seen on You-Tube as parents would have had to be rushed to hospitals in shock at the sight of us crossing against the light. We all wondered what purpose traffic signals and police officers served as the change of light from green to yellow to red made little difference in the traffic pattern.
Walking around Suzhou and running to trains and city buses gave our lower extremities a work-out and I will not even mention the unmentionable. Swimming in Hangzhou among the colorful umbrellas and warm rain will not be forgotten nor will our extended return home with the wayward bus driver. With backpacks slung on our backs we experienced China in a unique way. Lost students and passports all found their way back with lessons learned. Wrong turns and missteps became new experiences and more chances to use language both verbal and body. All of us around the world can communicate if we put our minds to it. When there's a will there's a way. If children are indeed our future, their ability to community in any language will be a great benefit.
As families go, sometimes siblings

get along and sometimes they just tolerate one another. Being put into a family unit is not much different than being born into one except that after two weeks you can get rid of them. (On second thought, there is a big difference.) There were times of laughter, despair, anger, annoyance, and times of just being happy together. When one of us experienced illness or homesickness our family was very compassionate. When irritated however, kids will be kids. We were not able to choose our families, but I think friendships new and old were strengthened within our groups. Students who would not normally have hung out together had an opportunity to get to know each other.
Living with families afforded us all a chance to experience life locally. While some lived with an affluent family with a maid, others bathed in tubs without curtains and ate the same food day to day. Whatever standard of living of the family, they were all very accommodating and generous to a fault. Gifts received were sometimes beyond a family's

means. I ate the best food ever and am currently going through withdrawals. Except for the bullfrog I enjoyed each dish offered, including but not limited to snails, eel, little fish, pigeon, duck, dumplings, pigs feet, chicken feet, beef innards, shrimp that stared and an array of vegetables I can't even begin to name.
I could go on and on about my experience with the 2009 China Research Residency but will opt to end it here with gratitude and thanks to my cohorts Kojo, Kevin, Woody, and Amy. Additionally, it was a pleasure hav

ing Pam Joyner join us in establishing a sister-school relationship with Suzhou High School.
The initiative to enroll our children in the Mandarin Immersion Program has been a commitment not always easy to accept. This has not always been an easy road but the pay off was worth it. Without such a strong family structure, CRR 09 would not have been the success it was.
I applaud all the students for their diligence and parents for encouraging their children to excel.
2 comments:
Great job. I can tell you enjoyed yourself.
eeeeewwwwwwwww, you ate all that weird stuff?!?!?!?!?!?................and I can't believe you enjoyed it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
p.s. I will consider giving you a hug tomorrow:)
Josh :P
thx for taking the time to share your experience with us. How fun to see you blended right in as one of the kids in the group picture:)on the CRR blog:). You are an awesome writer and a good tour guide. :)I truly enjoyed reading your blog:) Welcome back!
Felicia
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