Call me Ishmael...

I've got a few things to talk about:
1. Christmas
2. Loving people
3. Getting my teacher canned
4. Talking to some friends for the first time since June
5. Investing in people
6. Chinese classes
7. Japanese words based on English words that make me laugh

(No, 2 and 5 are not the same.)

I wasn't going to write in that order, but now that it's in type, I might just as well.

Christmas is coming... sort of. China's department stores are decked out in snowflakes and glittery garlands. They are blaring instrumental music designed to make Asians nostalgic for a holiday they don't celebrate. It's weird, and it's sad. My hand is way up. Ask me about Christmas!

Since Christmas is coming and I'm a celebrant, I'd like to address the obvious(ly American) issue. Presents. Now, it's silly to expect a tree with gifts tidily wrapped and stockings stuffed with candy and fruit and little gifts. And really I don't expect gifts at all. Seriously. However, I will make a request. If you're in the mood to share some holiday cheer, there is something I'd like. I want people to send me the books that have most challenged their lives, impacted their thinking, and shaped the way they view the world. It can be a novel or a philosophy book or a book about the physics. Whatever you please. Just buy a cheap copy and mail it to me with some sort of explanation of why you would send me that book. Don't tell me what it says, just let me know what you got out of it. I'm asking for this nontraditional gift, because, let's face it, this isn't going to be a traditional Christmas. I've got school on the day itself.

also, the Trace's spring vacation fund is now accepting donations, please inquire privately...

Loving people/getting my teacher canned. Today was the last day for my Tingli (Listening) professor. My best understanding is that midterm grades for her classes were too low. She got fired mid-semester. Now, I know I complain about her. I just don't like the class. But she got fired! That would never have been my intention, and I certainly never reported her or anything. So today was her last day, and my class gave her a bouquet of flowers and a framed collage of pictures of the students in the class and a group photo. The woman cried a little bit right there in class. She's probably 23. A 23 year-old woman in China has been fired from her job. She is no doubt a graduate student doing her student-teaching. What happens to someone in that position? I mean, it's back to the drawing board, I assume. At least for remediation. And it occurred to me that she probably didn't cry because she was being fired. Yes, I know that's part of it. She cried because we showed her love in spite of her apparent shortcomings. That happens far, far too infrequently in this hard world. I'd say in China especially, but I doubt there's much grace in the American corporate landscape. How do we show people we love them even when we don't like how they are doing things? A word or two of encouragement would have been a good thing. We always say "Thank you, Teacher" at the end of class, but that has the weight of an "excuse me" when you bump into someone. It's just what you say. This whole happening is making me think a lot about how I act to my peers and my superiors. We're all invested in this thing, whatever it is.

Today I chatted on Skype with some friends back at the good old U of CA. They found me randomly and wanted to chat. I was surprised and pleased to hear from them. They told me the usual things, like "Things aren't the same without you," etc. And I am tempted to believe at least a modicum of it. It makes me feel good to be missed, which may be selfish, but I'm ok with that. I asked why they were up, and the response I got made me remember why I miss them so much: "I have a physics test, and E. is eating cookies." That's not necessarily funny by itself, but the idea that one of them is up at 3 a.m. studying, and the other is up to eat cookies made me laugh out loud in Starbucks. She really, honestly, probably was just up because she wanted to eat cookies. There is a childlike attitude in that particular friend that I miss. Suffer the little children and that jazz, I think. Other things in the conversation include them telling me that the one I was talking to directly had switched her major from Pre-Med to Philosophy. It was a total lie, but it was funny because for a moment I believed it. And she asked if I was seriously believing her. I told her she might have become my coolest friend, but she lost the chance there and then. I don't think she was phased.

Investing in people is perhaps the biggest thing that can happen between two individuals. This is something I've learned through trial and error. Mostly error, though I don't think I'm alone in this. I went to a smallish meeting of friends last night, and I talked to some of the guys there that I've talked to a few times before. Nothing serious. I realized, though, in the time I spent with them last night, that I was being invested in. Now, I realize that economic metaphors make for bad relationship explanations, but it is the best way to explain it I can think. This guy went out of his way to let me know that he was glad I was there, and that I was--not important, but appreciated. It only takes a little of that attitude to make a person want to spend more time with you. I'll be back next week, doubtless. This is sadly contrasted in my life with people who have had the opportunity to do the same, and, in spite of time upon time, have failed. I know that personality accounts for some of this, but I think intentionality also plays a big role. I in no way intend to say that I've never been invested in, rather, I've been invested in many times, and perhaps my expectations are high. To turn the pointy end on myself now, I should fairly say that I hardly ever intentionally invest in people. When I do, it takes copious time. I like to do it, and I try. Now I need to get out there and really do it. Put your hand on someone's shoulder. Ask them about what they did last weekend. Then ask more. And listen for real, don't just nod and smile. Remember their names, give a nickname. Send a text message.

I don't like the phrase "love on" someone. To me you can only verb + "on" someone if you're rubbing or throwing up or something else unsavory. It's weird, and that's my piece.

Chinese classes are getting better. Today's quiz went remarkably better than they have before. My teacher didn't take it up, though, and I told him he'd like to see mine. He told me to hold on to it, and that I'd get to write on the blackboard next quiz time. I'm not entirely excited about that, but I am about learning to write and read.

Japanese has words from English, just like every other language has trans-linguistic cognates. The funny one is the Japanese word for food court, which I learned today. Brooke, dear, forgive me and my spelling, but it sounds like "food-a-court-u" said in a fast, Spanish-y clip. I laughed out loud when my Japanese classmate told me that.

Just thought I'd tell you what's on my mind.

T