Living the May 12th spirit

Today's May 12th. Perhaps you might remember that one year ago today, there was a devastating earthquake in southwest China that killed around 90,000 people and left 5 million people without homes. It's was very tragic, especially for all Chinese. Chinese are some of the most patriotic/nationalistic people I've ever been around--they have immense pride in their country and people. So when something like this happened, they all felt it. They also still often talk about it.

For example, sometimes I give my students essays to write. No matter the topic, at least one student manages to talk about the "Sichuan earthquake" or the "May 12th earthquake." Their heroes nowadays are the rescuers and the PLA soldiers who dug through countless crumbled buildings by hand to find people.

They even talk about the "May 12th spirit." Every momentous event or famous person in Chinese history has some "spirit" associated with it, it seems. This particular "spirit" is rather shadowy it seems, and I can't quite peg it. But, from what I've gathered, this May 12th spirit is one of a Chinese unity, sacrificing everything for the common good, and a strong, unwavering will that can overcome even the most powerful forces of nature. It's a really interesting thing to witness, especially as sort of an "outsider" looking in.

Another "spirit" I've witnessed first-hand was a couple of months ago. March 5th of every year is "Learn from Lei Feng Day." Students still study the "Lei Feng spirit," just like every other Chinese student for the past 45 years. Lei Feng was a soldier who was the model soldier and citizen. He loved Mao and his country more than anything. He also apparently performed every duty selflessly and perfectly. Unfortunately he died when he was 21, when a telephone pole fell on him after a truck backed into it.

Anyway, not too much else has been happening. We have done some different activities in class that have helped give me more of a glimpse into the lives of my students. The past two days we have been drawing "timelines" of our lives. They are fascinating to look at and ask questions about.

I discovered that my students have a wide array of ages--some were born in 1988, while others were born in 1991 or 1992. So some students are just two years younger than I am, while some are five or six years younger. They also were born in a variety of provinces and come from a variety of classes--well-off, middle class, and quite poor.

Many of them have also suffered from some sort of catastrophe: "The big flood destroyed our home." "My dad almost died in traffic." "My parents left us to work in the factory in 1996." "I had to give up drawing, which I really loved, because I was told there is no future in it." "I almost drowned in the river, but my mother saved me." "Flames from cooking burned my eyes." Etc, etc.

Well, that's all to report for now. Teaching, living, and relationships are going well. Please continue to think of my students and for my support raising for next year!! Thanks!!