The day started out pretty normally with tons of last minute prep and office hours with students coming in to ask all sorts of questions. Several also were aware it was Thanksgiving and made sure to wish me a Happy Thanksgiving (although it was clear they did not understand the holiday). Before teaching I made plans with my office mate Rob to make the most of our Thanksgiving and do something special. We both have to teach from 2-4 and then again from 7-9 so we decided to have Peking Duck at the restaurant on campus in celebration of Thanksgiving. With the plan in tow I headed down to start my walk to class.
On the way out of the building I was met by three different students (two of whom I didn't even know) who came bearing roses and cards wishing me a Happy Thanksgiving (all of the students here at ICB show such great respect toward their professors...even one's they don't have!). How could this not be a great day? I got to my classroom and decided to start class by explaining to the students a little about Thanksgiving. Hmm...well...o.k.
They certainly did NOT understand the part about parades...yeah...not at all. Oh and everyone LINING UP and WAITING IN LINE for half a day EVEN ALL NIGHT to go SHOPPING...they didn't even laugh...they just couldn't comprehend. Remember, there are really no such things as waiting lines here...so the fact that they could see pictures of people lined up for miles around stores was just beyond comprehension. They understood the 'be thankful' part and had somewhere along the line been told a story about pioneers and Indians that vaguely resembles our Thanksgiving holiday. But...what they really grasped onto was my description of how in the States everyone usually eats something delicious. They could certainly get on board with that.
After class I walked back to the office and received 4 more roses...wow! I also think it is funny how EVERYONE knows I'm a professor here...students I've never seen...but I guess I do kind of stick out like a sore thumb. Anyways...it was a very pleasant day so far and our dinner hadn't even begun! I went to the office and found Rob and then went down the hall looking for others to join our festivities. I found one of our English Faculty Christine in her office and talked her into joining as well. Soon Christine, Rob and I were sitting down to a huge feast of Peking Duck, Absolutely wonderful sow-thistle salad (seriously delicious), spicy tofu, spinach greens, and these other seriously delicious treats called cereal dumplings (although they are not dumplings and do not contain cereal...you will just have to come visit me in China to find out their true deliciousness!). We had a wonderful feast and great conversation and it was truly wonderful to be with such kind and wonderful people on Thanksgiving.
Dinner wrapped up and Rob and I both had to teach at 7:00 so we were soon on our way. I had one last mission to accomplish before class. Patrick (unfortunately) introduced me to the most wonderful, delicious, incredible cream-puff stand. I decided as a Thanksgiving treat I would buy my students cream puffs. I go up to the man and order 10 RMB worth of cream puffs. Not a lot of money...but a WHOLE LOT OF CREAM PUFFS!!! I'm half running to class because I think I might be running a little late when I start hearing 'PROFFFFFESSSSSSOR'. It is one of my students from a different class. She is running to catch up with me and shaking her finger at me and scolding. What did I do? What is wrong? I finally begin to understand her. 'YOU CANNOT EAT ALL THOSE CREAM PUFFS!' 'Professor...no!! You will get so sick...they are bad for you!' Oh I get it now. I try so hard not to laugh. She is so concerned and scolding me like a mother would do her 2 year old child who is getting into the cookie jar. I try my best to explain to her they are for all of my students...not myself...that I am bringing them a Thanksgiving treat. She half-way believes me and lets me go on my way.
As I'm running into Building 3 I get to the elevator just as two of my students are climbing in. They both gasp in unison at my bag of Cream Puffs! 'NO!!'. 'Too much cream!' 'Professor...you will get so fat!!! You cannot eat all those! No! Do not buy so many...they are bad for you...professor you cannot eat all those!' I'm just about dying of laughter and this makes them more concerned. We are to the classroom soon enough and everyone else is soon tuned in to the large bag of cream puffs...the look of awe is too much. I yell out Happy Thanksgiving and it takes them awhile to understand and then everyone gets it and they begin to enjoy their delicious treat. Several mentioned that we should have Thanksgiving more than once a year :-)
All in all, there was no turkey, no family, no soup and games Friday, no Black Friday, no It's A Wondeful Life, no week off from school, and no football...but it was a pretty incredible Thanksgiving.
Zaijian,
Gary
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