In September 2011 Jeanne and I left for a great 10 month
adventure in China. Our assignment was
to teach oral English to PHD Engineering/Architectural students at Tianjin
University located in Northeast China.
It was wonderful to live on campus among the students and teachers. Our
students were delightful – kind, respectful, bright and lots
of fun. We found the language to be “near
impossible” – especially for someone like me who is tone deaf.
Jeanne doing Karaoke with some of the students
The students respected our beliefs and served us no alcohol.
Sam, Tom, Jack, & Jim
The Bike
This is the Chinese symbol for Eternal Happiness
TRAVEL
Jeanne and I took the opportunity to travel extensively throughout
the vast land mass of China. We found China
and the people to be extremely interesting and very friendly. We were so interested with the people that we
ended up take over 5000 photos – especially the elderly. Their deep wrinkled faces reflect their
survival of extremely hard times during the Cultural Revolution and Great Leap
Forward (1950 to 1970). In many cases
their countenance also reflect an inner peace now that they live in a relatively
secure and prosperous environment.
Dr. Seuss Mountains–Li River in Southern China
CHINESE PAINTINGS
I took the chance to do some quick, small studies of the
Great Wall, indigenous people from Southeast China and even a charging
Rhino. I am anxious to do some full size
China paintings – especially a very large one of the Great Wall of China
located in a remote area of Tianjin Province in Northeast China.