A Traditional Chinese Wedding For Enliven

It was finally time for our FAO (Foreign Affairs Office) representative to have her wedding. She had spent the last week working on getting our visas taken care of. Seems Sichuan Province has a very strict age limit on foreign teachers. We had already been turned down but the University was pushing for my contract very hard. Ms. Enliven, our FAO rep, was spearheading the effort to get a new visa for us. She now appears to have been successful, even though she was scheduled to have her wedding today. An amazing bit of effort on her part.

Actually, she and her husband had been officially married for about three months. This was the official ceremony for family and friends. Enliven had decided to have a traditional ceremony and even claimed she had decided this to give us foreigners a bit of Chinese culture. Knowing her, I would not doubt that she had set this thing up for our benefit as well as her family's. It was greatly appreciated by all of us foreigners!

We were told to meet the husband's people at the China Bank building at 1000 so Sunee and I were getting ready when I heard Chinese music coming our way. I immediately ran outside on the balcony and saw a troop of musicians, flag bearers and the husband being carried down the hill. The time was 0917. Sunee and I hurried and finished getting ready. As we were just about to leave, the marriage procession was coming back up the hill. We ran out and followed them back up the hill. The parade made a right turn across from the China Bank building and stopped in front of an apartment building. It seems the groom had been carried down the hill to pick up his bride and was now they were being deposited into their new home. She was carried into the apartment complex by the groom. I talked with Tom and found out the whole thing had started an hour early but we had not really missed anything.

The wedding starts almost without us. The troopers are headed down the hill to pick up the bride.

Half an hour and the bride and groom come back out, mount up (bride in sedan chair and husband in an open chair carried by four to six red dressed bearers) and we head off toward the Emei Hotsprings Hotel. Fortunately, Sunee and I caught a ride over to the hotel. It would be another forty minutes or so before the procession would arrive to the hotel, so we make ourselves comfortable with some Emei Mountain green tea.

Back up the hill to the couple's apartment.

Flag bearers.

Tom poses with two of his students who were among the troopers in the wedding procession.

A large group of musicians, carriers and flag bearers made up the procession.

The beautiful (and now empty) sedan chair for the bride.

One of the musicians with his sheng. This is supposed to be the father of the modern harmonica. I plan to get one before we leave China.

Time to head out to the hotel. Here the bride leaves the apartment.

Of course, the groom also gets to be carried to the hotel along with his bride.

Outside the Emei Hotsprings Hotel

As we sat in the lounge, we met the new couples family. Ms. Enliven's father was especially interesting as he was a noted "qi gong" practitioner. We asked him a few questions and then for the next half hour or so, listened to him as he explained what "qi gong" was all about. One could not help but really like this gentleman from Beijing.

Ms. Enliven's mother and father visit with us as we wait for the wedding procession to arrive.

A famous "qi gong" expert, Ms. Enliven's gladly shared his knowledge with us as we waited in comfort

At around 1130, the wedding procession arrived and we ran out to get some pictures. We were now very familiar with Chinese weddings as we were given candies and offered cigarettes. The groom and bride officially enter the hotel then disappear into the back, preparing for the upcoming events of ceremony and banquet. We returned to our lounge and Ms. Enliven's father continued to tell us about "qi gong." He impressed both Sunee and I greatly.

At around noon, we were all called into the banquet room so the ceremony could begin. The afternoon was spent watching a traditional Chinese wedding ceremony and eating some really great dishes. It was a very rewarding afternoon and very beautiful.

The troopers arrive with the bride and groom on their backs. It took about 45 minutes for them to make the trip from the China Bank building to the hotel.

The groom is first delivered to the door of the hotel

Then the bride is united with her groom and they both enter the hotel

After the bride and groom arrive we still had a few minutes before the ceremony so I had this picture taken with the hard-working troopers.

The ceremony started at around noon or a little after. One of the first things I noticed was this apple on the floor leading up to the platform.

Also we saw this wood burning box aflame a few meters behind the apple. Seems this has a symbolic meaning which I must remember to look up. Dean Jiang tried to explain it but I really did not understand.

The bride awaits his her sedan chair. She waited quite awhile for the ceremony to start.

As we waited for things to start, our tables were full of great looking appetizers for our enjoyment. Here we have some spicy green beans.

The appetizers on the lazy susan ready for tasting.

Nice sliced pieces of beef.

This turned out to be some spicy fish slivers. I did not care for them as they had too many small bones.

Pickled radishes made into a beautiful flower. They were as good as they looked.

Plainly sliced cucumbers (I think) in a really hot but subtle sauce. These were great.

The ceremony starts and the bride is helped out of here sedan chair and guided up to join her waiting groom. Notice her face is completely covered. Very traditional.

The bride and groom as the ceremony starts.

Eventually the groom lifts the veil to reveal the lovely bride and they take a seat before the audience.

A lot of stuff goes on during this very long ceremony. Here the couple kneels in respect of their in-laws and eventually offer them tea.

A group shot of the foreigners with Ms. Enliven's parents and, of course, her husband.

The beautiful bride near the end of the ceremony. Hundreds of pictures were taken of various friends and relations.

Never mess with a Chinese bride!

All things must come to an end. Here two little Chinese girls bid us farewell.

Actually we went upstairs to play some mahjong. Since neither Sunee nor I really understand the game, it did not take us long to give up on it. Soon, very soon we will get serious and learn to play.

My Teachers' Class Graduation

Thursday at 1600 (4 PM), I went to the official graduation ceremony for the teachers who had attended the first English training class at SW Jiaotong University. We met in a large conference room in Number Four Building, Second Floor. Several University administrators were present as was our own Dean Jiang.

Basically we discussed the successes and critiqued the course. The teachers all gave glowing reports and it now appears that this course will be offered again next semester.

When we were approached about this class at the War Luncheon (see earlier post), I was apprehensive about the class. First, to be in front of a bunch of teachers is a teacher's worst nightmare. Imagine the possibility of being evaluated every second.

Secondly, I did not know the English levels of the teachers. To what level does one teach? To the advanced students, the middle students or the lower students. There is no simple answer and thus I was a bit worried.

As it turned out, the teachers and I got along really great and ended up working together to reach our goals. I had a great time and look forward to more of the same next semester.

These are some of the pictures taken during the certificate ceremony

This is the teachers group posing for a shot in front of one of the famous professors at Jiaoda. A very impressive group of teachers.

Easter Week 2009

Monday, April 13, 0950: Soph Class 1

It is Easter Week and the Gap Guys and I decide to celebrate Easter with all my classes. The two Gap Guys would develop and deliver a presentation that explains what Easter is and what it has become to Western culture. While the presentation is being delivered the students would color the hard-boiled eggs they will be required to bring to class. A good old-fashioned Easter Egg Party.

John and Dave brings us the meaning of Easter and how it developed into both a religious and secular holiday celebrated throughout the Western world. Their presentation is colorful, informative and entertaining.

DJ does an egg. The initial design of his egg was very impressive. Wonder what he has in mind to finish it off?

Sanda's focus on her egg is not interrupted by anything, including the presentation and my camera flash.

Ms. Hami and Ms. Amelia compare eggs to see what direction each where headed in their designs.

Julia consults her design notes to insure she is creating the egg of her dreams.

Sophia, too, cannot be bothered by a presentation of Easter history as she works diligently to create a "good egg."

Ivy starts with a pastel lavender and will obviously build upon this beautiful color. Can't wait to see the finished product.

Mr. Songe was suddenly transformed into a hard-boiled egg. How clever!

An Easter Egg Hunt

At about the halfway point in the class, we stopped the presentation and the egg decorating to have an old-fashion Easter egg hunt. Prior to the class the Gap Guys hid twenty English chocolate eggs around the classroom for the students to find and eat.

The students searched throughout the room to find the eggs. Some were successful others were not.

Here Lory shows off the egg she found prior to eating it. She informed me that the chocolate was as good as the Gap Guys had promised.

Another successful hunter of the chocolate Easter egg.

Sophia found two. Sophia found two! Luck has always worked well for this student.

I got one. I got one! Yes, Winter found one as well.

Easter Products

The Award Winners

Monday, April 13, 1400: Fresh Class 1


As the week progressed, the Gap Guys got better and better. Here they address my freshmen class 1 for the first time. This class had already had a party with the Gap Guys so they were well acquainted with the them and the presentation went really well.

As the presentation progressed, the students began more and more involved in their egg decorations and soon all were working diligently and listening to the presentation.

Many students first tried to draw on their eggs and make intricate patterns. This did not seem to workout and most gave it up for a more freeform expression of art.

Here Zoe admires her finished product. Hers was mostly pastels and lighter colors.

Jennifer became so involved with her egg that she often forgot that she was a student and not a chicken.

Frank and Lory had well laid out plans for their egg decorations and began to apply them immediately. They were two of the first to finish their projects.

Intricate was not easy and took a lot of time as one can see from this partially finished egg.

I liked this picture which pretty much sums up what the "writing class" was doing this Easter Week.

Ms. Dimples (Ava) finishes up her egg. As is obvious, she put a lot of effort into the egg's design.

Jack - a self portrait

Purple

Here are the finished products. This class probably had the most diverse decorations of all the classes during Easter Week.

The Award Winners

Tuesday, April 14, 1400: Soph Class 3

As we walked up the hill next to the admin building under renovation we came across this "stag beetle." Since we all had cameras, we each took various pictures of the little guide crossing our path. When I snapped my pictures, he was walking across a rounded leaf which add some real interest and background to the picture. A good start to another Easter Party!

The Gap Guys were in rare form for Sophomore Class 3. They had interacted often with this class and it was almost like a homecoming. Their presentation on the history and the secularization of Easter continued to be superb.

Pete, working from extensive plans of ancient egg decorating directions, takes notes to insure his egg will be authentic beyond a doubt.

Creativity in action as Marian and Rebecca perform works of art on their eggs.

Camellia came well prepared for the task at hand. She had a full set of watercolors plus markers and other artist supplies.

Grace was at a loss most of the afternoon as to what exactly she wanted to do with her egg. Although she came fully prepared, she was never able to come up with a design that suited her, having to "wash" and start again five separate times. In the end, her inability to make a decision cost her both time and awards.

Here three pros compare concepts and designs as each begin to finish up their projects.

Sophie is playing catch with her egg as she decides how to decorate it. She did finish her egg without breaking it.

Clueless and artless in action.

Yoyo does yoyo. Do you see the family resemblance.

Sisters?

Kammy works hard to come up with a suitable design. Diligence paid off in the end.

Here Alicis (alia Lisa) uses various techniques to decorate her egg. Her egg could be described as multimedia.


The reigning Jiaoda Easter Egg Hunting champion. While others had trouble grasping the concept of hunting for chocolate easter eggs, Killua went about finding most of them and then eating all the chocolate she found herself. Conceptually, Killua remains on a plain of existence above the rest of the world.


She hasn't started so I am not sure if this is a "bunny" sign or a "victory" sign. We shall see. We shall se.

Killua, after finding and eating all the chocolate Easter eggs, calmly continues were decorative work on her egg. Normally, she spends very little time being calm so me thinks the chocolate was good for her.

This design went the way of the five others as Grace continues her trip down the road to indecision. The sinks in the girls bathroom must have been something to behold just from the washings the Grace did to this poor egg. We did not have award for egg washing.

Camir and Lucy show off their finished eggs.

Take a guess who's family this kid belongs to - hint the hair and the red cheeks give her away.

Another finished product.

Hellena and Hermione come up with some pretty fashionable eggs.

The end products were all very impressive.

You can tell from the above two pictures that Hellena and Hermione were absolutely serious about their eggs.

Isabella shows off her offspring.

Is it a bug or an egg?

Finishing up with one final touch of beauty.

Cuteness!

Monica finally finishes her egg.

The final products were, like the other classes, very impressive.

Egg Knocking Competition

We decided that we would add a traditional competition for this party - the tradition egg knocking contest. Those who brought extra eggs were given the chance to participate. We had six contestants in total.

Dave acted as the official referee and explains the rules of the competition to the first participants.

Grace, her unsuccessful paintings and washings gave her the opportunity to be one of the egg knockers. Her egg was unusually clean and thus she thought she had a shot at the championship. Here Isabella prepares to crush Grace's overly sanitized egg.

Marian is "kknocked out" of the first round. Good thing she was not sentimental about her egg.

Henry crushes Oliver's egg to take the championship.

The reigning Sophomore Class 3 Egg Knocking Champion

The Award Winners

Wednesday, April 15, 0950: Soph Class 2


Another Easter Party, another great presention about Easter from the Gap Guys. This class and the Gap Guys have already shared many classroom hours and a couple of parties together so they were right at home.

It did not take much time for this class to jump into egg decorating.

Egg decorating and listening to a presentation was no problem for members of the Sophomore Class 2.

The proof will be in the details.

Piggy Pink

Xanadu does pastels and black. There seems to be a personality clash here somewhere.

Tracy at work.

Kinfolk one and all.

Pig, bug or egg?

Finished eggs began to accumulate at the judges table.

Super EGG!

This is a classic shot. Dave did it not me. Wish I had taken it.

Harriet works on her egg as an artist works on his canvas.

How about a pastel yellow for this egg?

There may be a hidden meaning in this egg.

Finishing up for the final competition.

Carl knew exactly what he was doing for his egg.

The Easter Egg Hunt

A "D" was given to this Easter Egg Hunter, Ms. Harriet. She was almost shown where four eggs were hidden but could only find one. She even appears to be perplexed as to what to do with this English chocolate egg. Eat it, Ms. Harriet, eat it!

An "A" was given to this student who understood what it meant to be on an Easter Egg Hunt!

Back to Business

Wednesday, April 15, 1400: Fresh Class 2

Mr. Crock, acting like a Wuhanese, did not want his unfinished egg to be photographed. Could it be that he was going for the ugliest egg award?

Diligence among the freshmen

The entire freshmen give the bunny sign in response to one of the remarks the Gap Guys had made.

The entire class erupts in one hug hunny sign for the Gap Guys comments.

Lemon's egg seems to be a preliminary favorite for the most creative. It is early so we plan to keep an eye on her egg.

Aron's computer generated designs did not really help him when he tried to apply them to the egg.

More freshmen diligence under pressure

The Egg and The Cross

Capturing a blank egg and turning it into a picture is hard work.

Freshmen Class 2 Produncts

More products

Egg Knocking Championship

Mr. Yao spares no pain as he sends Mr. Joe to the sidelines. Mr. Yao became an instant favorite to win it all if he could get past the evil Mr. Monster Duck Egg of Mr. Taunus. Mr. Yao's techniques were flawless.


Second round action had Giselle swiftly dispatching an eager and energetic Mr. Yao. Mr. Yao spent the next few hours crying over his defeat.


First round competition pitted Ms. Sydney against the monster duck egg that Mr. Taunus had brought to the competition. Ms. Sydney's egg was crushed under the shear size of the duck egg. Some competitors began to complain about the unfair size of Mr. Taunus' duck egg.




Ms. Angel takes on Mr. Monster Duck Egg, the odds-on favorite to take it all. Mr. Taunus and his duck egg fall to the brilliant attacks of Ms. Angel, pushing her into the final round.

Giselle destroys her competition to get her into the finals.

The finals of the Egg Knocking Competition: Ms. Giselle and Ms. Angel

Freshmen Class 2 Egg Knocking Champion

The Award Winners