From Chinese Dancing to Fruit Smoothie and Meeting a McKendree Alumna

Nin Hao (Hello),

During these last few weeks, I was afforded the opportunity to witness a variety of cultural events and sampling of various foods. I was invited to watch Chinese students practice their dance lessons in the Cha Cha, Vienna Waltz, and the Rumba. I have included pictures of some of the dance instructors and students. They all seem to be having a terrific time.

My student mentor, David, who is an economic major and graduating senior, convinced me to try a Chinese grapefruit. This thing is the size of a watermelon and has lasted for a week in my small refrig. The grapefruit is sweet in taste and similar in texture to our grapefruit. David and his friend, Crystal, invited me to share a hotpot meal with them. You can place all type of meat, fish, and veggies in the boiling pot of water that contains different spices. The meal was delicious and the conversation was excellent.

I have included a picture of Dr. Kong who performed the minor surgery on my in-grown toe nail. He smiled all the time I was there and even asked to have our picture taken together. How could I refuse, especially when he had to stick a big needle in my toe!

I have include a picture of a Chinese massage--yes this is a cultural event. I went with my friend Mark, a professor from Australia and his grad student name Chin. We were there for one hour and twenty minutes. Besides the massage, the steaming hot towels place on your legs and feet, and the free ice-coffee, we were able to watch TV in very comfortable chairs--all for the price of $4. WalMart can't compete with these prices!

My friend Mark plans to start an institute at Shenzhen called The Institute of Positive Psychology, which deals with the science of happiness. He has been giving me all types of scientific data on the topic. It's quite interested and a former president of the American Psychological Association, has spearheaded a movement to make this better known in the U.S.

David has invited us to his home this weekend. Both his parents are medical doctors. It was in his mom's clinic that I had the minor surgery performed. I looked forward to meeting his parents and thanking his mom for helping deal with a very painful toe.

Last Sunday, I met Corin Forester (Scherf) and her husband Pete. Corine is a 2003 grad from McKendree. She works in graphic design in Hong Kong. Her husband works for the National Australia Bank as head of business development in Hong Kong. They enjoy their work and love living in Hong Kong and traveling throughout Asia. They will be in the U.S. for Christmas and during the holiday plan to ski in Switzerland--not a bad was to enjoy life. Corin asked me to say hi to all at McKendree. I will probably see them again before I leave in January. I plan to show them the university and then take them to one of my favorite restaurants, "Old Beijing" for a Peking Duck dinner.

I have become something of a marketing agent for a small business near the university. I had a fruit drink and a meatball (yes, they sell meatballs, too.) at the store and told the owner that in the U.S. we would call this drink a "smoothie." She asked me to write the word on a piece of paper. About a week later, I returned for another smoothie. When I arrived, I was greeted with a big smile form one of the workers. I looked at the wall behind him that held a huge sign with different types of drinks advertised. At the top part was a big melon with a crown on it. (See the picture.). Under the melon, was the word "smoothy." I didn't have the hearth to tell him that we spell it differently. My wife believes that it was probably my handwriting that lead to the mistake. She's probably right--as usual.

Well, I want to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. I will probably have duck or chicken. It appears that turkey is a rare bird in this part of China.

Zai Jian (Good bye),

Dr. Haskins

Harbin Presentation

Nin Hao (Hello),

On November 4th, I was invited to give a presentation at Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen Graduate School. I was invited by Dr.Qiang Lu, professor and supervisor in Business Management. My topic was entitled "Becoming a Global Leader in Management." My audience consisted mainly of masters and doctoral students and faculty. I found out just shortly before giving the presentation that Dr. Lu had several of his students advertise and place posters around campus. I have provided a picture of one. The school is in a plaza with several other universities' grad programs. For instance, University of Beijing (considered the number one school in China) was invited to attend. As a result, I had the honor of addressing students and faculty from different institutions located in University City Plaza.

I spoke for one hour and a half which was then followed by a flurry of questions from students and faculty. I thought that I was back in grad school defending my dissertation before my committee! Actually, I truly enjoyed the exchange of ideas and the many good observations raised about the topic, as well as being questioned about the recent election in the U.S.

After the speech, a number of students approached me, asking if I would have my picture taken with them (why not!). I have included some pictures of these events. This will probably be my last presentation in China. I have only a few months left (can't believe the time is going by so quickly) and I want to focus more on my class lectures and the three research projects that are underway. I have been invited by Dr. Lu to do some future research with him. Clearly, this experience has proven to be mutually beneficial which is often the way things get done in China.

I should also quickly mention that I needed to visit a Chinese clinic at the end of that week. I had a painful in-grown toe nail develop. To say I was nervous about visiting a clinic where the doctor did not speak English and I do not speak Chinese, is an understatement. Fortunately, I had a Chinese student (whose parents are doctors and whose mom runs the clinic) with me. He helped to translate and keep my mind occupied while the doctor, who constantly smiled and asked if I would take a picture with him--that's a first for me--did the procedure. The doctor originally asked if I wanted the whole toe nail or only half the toe nail removed. I hope he was kidding!! The procedure went well and I thanked the doctor, his staff, and my student for helping to relax a very nervous "U.S. American" patient and for doing such a professional job. By the way, the bill for his services, the clinic room and the medicine cost approximately $13!!! It will be hard getting use to the prices in the U.S. when I return.

Zai Jian (Good bye)

Dr. Haskins

Halloween Chinese Style

Nin Hao (Hello),

Sunday, I had a chance to experience Halloween in China. Yes, they do celebrate Halloween, as well as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Valentine's day. Of course, Chinese give their own special "spin" for each of these holidays. I have been told that the younger Chinese are the ones pushing for China to celebrate these holidays.

The English Association, run mainly by students, hosted the Halloween Party held outside our International Student Dorm. They invited the entire campus to show. Their hope was to have more international students and faculty mix with the Chinese students. Given the turnout, I would have the say that their hard work and efforts paid off. The association hosted games and songs, as well as served drinks and food.

From the pictures, you can get an idea as to how most folks reacted to the festivities. The Chinese students were interested to learn how the tradition of Halloween started, why we carve pumpkins, if adults get dressed in funny costumes, or do children really get that much candy when going from door to door.

While at the party, I was surrounded by a number of students and local citizens from the area eager to practice their English. So we talked about the tradition of Halloween, how Chinese celebrate Halloween , (They do not go around knocking on doors for candy.), the Presidential election, where McKendree is located, and a host of other topics. I was happy to respond to their questions but also wanted to enjoy the party. Somehow we managed to do both.

Anyway, it was a great time and I can now state with certainty that China does celebrate Halloween! Take care and try to maintain balance and harmony in your life.

Zai Jian (Good bye),

Dr. Haskins