SATURDAY, 6/7/14

The weekend starts slowly with Judy working on school stuff, and I’m following up on trip planning details. She goes over for a haircut later, and I get in a swim session. Afterwards we meet at Fatburger for lunch.

Our goal for today is to try and find a good place to take our kids to visit and eat their first night in Beijing. They’ll have just finished an 18-hour trip from DFW, and may want to crash. Or they may want to “hit the town”, or and get something to eat. We travel over to Sanlitun, looking for some good places to visit, and an interesting place to eat. We found some places we like, and finish the evening off with a nice meal at Taverna in “1949”, an enclosed courtyard area with several nice restaurants inside.

SUNDAY, 6/8/14

Today, we go on a search for the “798 Arts District”. We’ve heard it’s a really “cool” area to visit, with museums, shops, and cafes. We went looking for it a few weeks ago, but couldn’t find it. We found it today, but it took a confused search. A taxi dropped us on an unfamiliar street, and we walked around a while before noticing an intersection with a lot of taxis hanging out. We walked up the street, and voila’, the “Arts District”.

It was a beautiful evening, cool and clear. It rained earlier in the day, and the pollution level was as low as we’ve seen it in Beijing since we arrived. We found a few interesting shops to check out, and finished off the evening on the patio of small café.

Judy has an assembly today. Her Pre-K class performed and did a great job. After school there’s a social activity for faculty and staff with lots of food. The end of the year is coming, and the “leaving” teachers all are talking about their new destinations. Deb and Graham, our Australian friends are headed to Cambodia next year. They have two bicycles given them by a “leaving” teacher last year. They have decided to give us their bikes when they leave. We’re excited to join the ranks of the “Beijing bikers” next fall.

My morning is spent getting my self-esteem lowered at the TT club. I’m improving, but two of the guys I played today worked me over pretty well. A 3^rd guy I played was 89 years old. He didn’t move very fast, but he hit the ball really well. Every player has a different style with different spins and speeds. I’m beginning to recognize what’s coming, but I still don’t react fast enough and consistently enough. I’m having a blast figuring it out, though.

After a morning of getting pounded at the TT club, I went over to Sanlitun for lunch, and to buy some fake Nike tennis shoes at the Yashow Market. Later I went for a swim session, and then back to the apartment. I joined Judy at BISS after school for their get-together before meeting a group from BHSFIC. Several of the faculty members are going out to eat with some of the visiting chaperones from the visiting schools. I meet them at a Hot Pot restaurant, and we enjoy a great evening of talking about our experiences in China. After a year, there are lots of stories.

Although, it’s a short week, Judy has lots to do.  She has students performing at the 5^th grade graduation on Wednesday.  Thursday, several of the teachers are getting together after school to video a humorous tribute to the faculty and staff that are leaving BISS at the end of the year.  Friday, she has students performing at an assembly.  Busy, Busy, Busy!

The BISS graduating 5th graders.

Since I’m finished at school, my three days are spent a little differently.  I’m trying to balance my busy schedule with table tennis outings, swim sessions, and the occasional grocery outing.  Tuesday, I went to the park for some table tennis.  There’s always new people and experiences, and they’re beginning to get comfortable with my presence.  One lady has decided to teach me Chinese.  She can hardly play without stopping, pulling out her phone, and searching for a word to teach me.  I worked in a swim session, and a haircut later in the afternoon.  I also walked over to Solana Mall to get some of Judy’s watches fixed (batteries), and to tighten up the diamond in her wedding ring.  The watch repair shop is gone?  The jeweler looked at the ring, brought a manager over to look at it, and then shook me off.  I’m not sure what the issue is, but they didn’t want to have anything to do with the ring, or repairing it?  This was not a productive visit.

Wednesday, I went to the TT club.  I’ve been there in the middle of the day when it was hot, and there weren’t many players.  I’ve been there on a Saturday evening when it was crowded.  Today, I arrived at 9:00 am, and there was a big crowd.  It wasn’t as busy as Saturday night, but most of the tables were being used.  I walked down to the middle of the playing area, where there’s a grouping of benches.  I set my stuff down, turned around and someone was offering me a chance to play.  He was really good!  Everything I hit to him, he calmly returned it.  As we played, he was smiling, and even began to look bored.  The longer we played the more he began to probe the weak areas of my game, and the ball kept coming back at me right at the weak spot.  On the positive side, I’ll improve, but my ego is going to take a beating!

Thursday, I went back to the park, searching for my self-esteem.  Again, there were some characters around.  One guy rolled in on his bike, pulled out a small jambox, turned the volume way up, and started singing along with what I think were Chinese traditional songs.  Someone finally convinced him to turn down the volume.  Then one of the guys I had been playing TT with, walked by, showing me what looked like a weird bike chain.  I turned back to the table to play, and a loud pop had me jumping out of my shoes.  The “weird bike chain”, was what I would call a bull whip, and he was snapping it like a circus performer getting control of his tigers.  It consisted of a handle, then a chain similar to a bike chain (about 10 feet).  At the end of the chain, a length of rope was tied in, for about 2 feet, and the last foot of the whip was an even smaller piece of rope.  It was a strange looking thing, but boy, it could make a lot of noise.  He could really handle it!.

Later in the day, I managed to get to Metro for some groceries, and followed that up with a swim session.  Judy and I finished up the evening with some episode of season 2 of “Major Crimes.”

SUNDAY, 6/1/14

Today is Day 2 of the Dragon Boat Festival Holiday.  Judy starts off the day with schoolwork. I work on some of our summer travel arrangements. We get the chance later to visit Dragonfly Spa for a massage. We’re spoiled to having the occasional massage and spa visit.

After the massage, we grab lunch at Fatburger, before the long walk to the Lady Street Market. Judy needed to find a cheap curling iron for Courtney when she visits in a couple of weeks. It’s easier than worrying about burning up one from the US because of the electrical conversion. We found what we needed. We split up when we leave. I head over to the nearby Marriott for a swim session, and Judy heads home.

MONDAY, 6/2/14

More holiday fun as we make a trip today to Sanlitun for a little shopping and eating. Judy learns some valuable lessons about shopping for clothes at H&M, at least in Beijing. There’s a really long line for the fitting rooms. There are no policies posted (at least in English) on how many clothes she’s allowed to take into the room. She wasn’t sure what sizes would work and selected a few of the clothes to try on, leaving the others at the entrance with the clerk. When she came back out to get the other clothes to try, they were gone, returned to the shelves. She had a few moments of frustration, but eventually managed to find a few things that would work.

We enjoy lunch on the 4^th floor terrace of Blue Frog. It’s a gorgeous day. I always enjoy their huge burgers. “People watching” is never-ending around Beijing. There is certainly a diversity of ideas pertaining to fashion.

After lunch, we make the trip to the Flower Market. Judy has had her eye on some wall hangings since our first visit to the market back in November. Now we’re the proud owners of one! We also found a small table for Judy to use when she sits on the sofa.

Our new wall hanging

When I get to school, I check in with our administrators, trying to confirm if the school needs me again this year. I need to determine if my 10^th grade elective class will meet next week. I’m already sure that today is my last day with the 11^th graders. There seems to be confusion? They’ll let me know later today.

During class, I get a call from one of the school staff, confirming the 10^th grade electives are finished for the year. Year one is complete! It’s been an educational experience for me, getting to know the staff and students at this school. Even with my limited time in class, I’ve still managed to develop a rapport with many of the kids. With that comes an appreciation for their talent, their personality, and their desire and determination to achieve their goals in life (lots of “their” in that last sentence.) I’m curious to see how their search for the “right” university develops next year.

I’ve enjoyed watching the Chinese teachers working with the students. They are so dedicated to helping them achieve academic success. I’ve enjoyed watching the administration and staff work through the growing pains that come with building a school with an entirely different concept. It’s tough enough to run a school, but some of the hurdles in China make it even tougher.

It’s been especially fun meeting and working with the teachers from the US. Like Judy and I, there were adjustments to life in a foreign environment. Like Judy and I, they’ve learned how to “make it work”, and are thriving in their new “digs”. I’m already looking forward to getting back together in August and finding out about their summer adventures and travels.

Back home later, I celebrate with a nap. Judy has had a long week and when she gets home, we enjoy a little dinner, and catch a couple of “House of Cards” episodes.

I’m back to school today, and a surprise awaits me. I thought I had classes this week and also next week. During my 11^th grade class today, as I was giving them a synopsis of our plan for the next two weeks, they start telling me that the 11^th grade doesn’t have classes next week. Huh? They are given the week off from school to focus on the SAT test to be given on Saturday, June 7. With finals the next week (no music classes), I’m effectively finished with them after tomorrow. That’s four classes after April 10. I was worried about having enough classroom materials at one point in March. Now I have a ton of stuff I didn’t get to.

After school today, there is a short program welcoming four US schools to BHSFIC. They are visiting as part of an exchange program with our 10^th grade students who went to the US during January & February. They’re St. Margaret’s from Southern California, Brophy Prep from Phoenix, St. Andrew from Austin, and Trinity Valley from Fort Worth. The students are staying with Chinese families, and touring Beijing, as well as attending a few classes at our campus.

Our students put on a variety show, with singers, musicians, a skater, and a few other assorted acts. It’s definitely a “variety” show. There is lots of talent at the school.

After the show, there are snacks, and while I’m visiting with another of the part-time teachers (like me), she mentions that today is her last day? No 10^th grade electives for the rest of the year? This is new information for me. I’ll need to get clarification tomorrow, but it may be my last day for the year.

Wish I had some interesting stuff to report on Judy and BISS, but it’s just another day at school. School starts, Judy works hard, and school ends. She comes home, gets ready for the next day, and then sits down to eat and watch an episode or two of “House of Cards.”

Today is my official “find some table tennis” day. I leave around 9:30 and go over to the neighborhood park. The regulars are there, but so are some new faces. As usual, I’m a novelty, so everyone has to try me out on the table. One of the new faces speaks a little English. I’m trying to figure out where to buy a net of my own if I ever need it. She helps me arrange with one of the other players a date & time to take me locally to buy a net. They also tell me about another park nearby where there are more tables, and better players. I’ve got plenty of challenge here, but there’s no harm in checking out some other spots to play.

I walk through the hutong (neighborhood), and sure enough, there is a really big park with a much nicer table tennis area (solid wind breaks and better tables). The players are finishing up as I arrive. It’s near lunch, and another really hot day in Beijing. I’ll come by another day.

I’ve been searching online for table tennis clubs for several weeks. Google wasn’t much help, but a map search for table tennis clubs turned up 30 or more and several aren’t too far away. Following the map, I begin the search. As I’m enroute, I walk by another park, and sure enough, more table tennis tables, and players. These are the best players I’ve seen yet. I watch from a distance, and then they begin to take down their nets and leave. It’s really hot, and there’s no shade over the tables.

I keep searching. I’m walking through areas I’ve never ventured into before. Lots of interesting sites, and this isn’t a “tourist” track. It’s the back streets and alleys. I finally arrive at the street where the table tennis club is located (I think). Eventually, I spot the club. It’s an outdoor club with over 20 tables. I walk around, but no one is playing. There is a group playing mahjong, but no table tennis. I find the entrance, and there is a small shop set up selling table tennis equipment. I end up purchasing my net, Hooray!!!!.

The Hepingli Table Tennis Club. There are two rows of table, 10 or more in each row.

Here’s the other row.

An older lady is putting her net on a table, and she motions me over. I spent the next two hours volleying with her. Several people walked over to watch us play, and I had to try and answer a few questions. Most wanted to know how old I was? As I began to finish, an older guy walked up with some papers motioning I needed to pay. It turns out the fee for my two hours of play was 2 RMB ($.32). This is quite a bit cheaper than golf. Just before I left, he found me again, showing me some booklets and asking for 30 RMB ($4.80). I think I joined a table tennis club. If I understand their booklet, I get to play 40 times before I have to ante up again. Cheap!

My “official” club booklet

The rest of the day included, a swim session, a burger & fries at Homeplate BBQ, a trip to Sanyuanli Market for some fruit, and a crazy ride home in a bike/rickshaw. When the traffic is bad, these are actually faster. They just weave in and out of the cars.

On my way home from Sanyuanli Market.

For Judy, BISS is business as usual. She’s beginning to count down the days to the end of school. For me, I start off the day, stuck at the apartment, waiting on the UHN guy to finish the A/C fix. He actually shows up around 9:00 am. He replaces the wall electrical outlet (not sure what was wrong with the one that was in place, they looked the same?). He plugs in the new unit, and it begins cooling. Ahhhhh! Comfort! Judy will be so happy.

He leaves and I begin finishing up some of my home chores, before leaving to buy groceries. Just before I leave, I decide to enjoy the new coolness of the bedroom, and realize that the A/C is beginning to drain water onto the bed. ARRGGGGHHHH!

I call and text Lisa (she doesn’t pick up), hoping for a quick return visit from the UHN tech. She calls me an hour later, to let me know she was not getting a signal wherever she was. She assures me she’ll get the guy back to the apartment. An hour later, he knocks on the door. He assesses the situation and begins climbing out the window. He doesn’t have his usual cord that he ties himself up with. He has some wire that looks like “baling wire”, ties himself up, and heads out on the ledge. He fiddles with something on the A/C unit, and climbs back in.

Now the two of us begin trying to communicate about what was happening. The UHN tech demonstrates the condensation drain was twisted and blocked, and the water was backing up into the indoor unit. He shows me how he straightened it out, and it should drain now. He leaves and I hang around waiting to see if he’s correct. An hour later, and it seems fixed.

Now I can finally head over to Metro for grocery shopping. Back home later, I put away the purchases, but can’t get enthused about leaving again. It’s hot in Beijing this week. We’re talking 100+ temps. Last year, Beijing had only two days all year this warm. There are three days in the weather forecast for this week alone that are supposed to go over 100.

It’s another “Spiderman” day.  I received a call yesterday from Lisa, our real estate liason/agent.  She told me our landlord had completed the purchase of a new air-conditioner for our bedroom, and wanted to have it installed today.  The “sooner the better” I said, so they’re coming sometime later today.  We’ve had problems with that particular air-conditioner since we moved in, and we’re finally going to get it fixed.

The installation crew, a manager, and the unit all arrive at the same time, around 11:30am.  They start looking around for the access panel to take the old one out, and Lilly and I get to explain there is no access panel.  They start looking out the window, and we can see this is not a crew that will work out on a ledge.  Eventually, Lilly, Lisa, the manager guy, and I work out that the UHN “spiderman” will take a look at it.  He’s the guy who’s charged it with coolant a couple of times before.  He shows up, and let’s us all know that he can install it.  He’ll come back around 4:00 with a helper, and get it done (it’s 1:00 pm when this all gets solved.)  The manager leaves, Lilly goes back to work, and I head over for a swim.

The installer and the manager show up shortly after 4:00 and the work starts.  My curiosity is pretty high, since I wouldn’t even crawl out on that ledge, much less try to maneuver a heavy air-conditioner.  He’s got it figured out, though.  He manages to get it pulled out, and slides it along the ledge with help from his helper.  They lift it up through the window.  Then he spends time prepping the new unit, and moves back to window, reversing the process.  They lift it out the window after tying ropes on it, then slide it over to it’s destination.  I don’t know how he lifted it up while hanging on that ledge.  It was too crowded around the window for me to get a view.

Here’s a link to a video.  Notice that “spiderman isn’t tied to anything but the air-conditioner.  If it goes, he goes!

 https://www.dropbox.com/s/t8z5lr1yotpax3i/AC%20Installation.mp4

He eventually completed the outside work, and came inside to finish up the indoor part of the installation.  After some drilling, hammering, measuring, and all the other things that go along with replacements like this, I get the message that he’ll be back in an hour with a part he needs to finish.  It’s six o’clock, so we’ll look for him around 7:00.  You can guess!  No one shows up.  Finally, Judy and I give up around 9:00pm.  We put our bedroom back together so we can sleep, and shut it down for the day.  I guess I’m going to be tied to the apartment for another day, or at least until he gets back.  If I don’t stay on this, it could take a week before we get it finished.  I hope he hasn’t forgotten about us.