...and so we go...home

The past month…

With the start of the Chinese New Year (February 15^th this year) our company reworked their benefits. Many American companies do this as well and your healthcare or vacation time changes year to year. The biggest effect for us was in the travel department. When we were offered the job it included 8 round trip tickets anywhere in the world for our family. This was quite a perk and weighed heavily in our decision. It allowed us to have me in the States for May and August as Maria transitioned on and off campus at USC. It allowed her to come for the summer and for us to travel somewhere as a family during the summer. The news came to us verbally from our friend Lollie, head of human resources. However even she was unclear exactly what the new policy entailed. How many tickets, and when and for whom? These were our questions and she didn’t have the answers. So Stephen emailed the management of the company a strongly worded email with the subject line, “URGENT – Juttons continued involvement with the company”.

And we heard…nothing.

He instant messaged everyone and asked them to please read and respond to his email, that it was critical to our family.

And we heard…nothing.

He called all of them and they pushed us off to the others.

And we heard…NOTHING.

Around this time we switched our prayers to Lord show us if we’re supposed to stay or if we’re supposed to go. Our hearts wanted to continue to talk with friends and share our lives and Christ with the people there. But the management of the company and their lack of concern for legal things like visas was alarming.  The Lord would answer this prayer in the next few days…

Then about this time we realized my visa would expire in a couple of days. We came in on tourist visas at the advice of the company. I was required to leave the country in 60 days. We reminded the company of this MANY times and were told every time, “no problem”. So we tried to be patient.

Then it really expired and I found myself in a foreign country, a communist country with an illegal visa. Not our calmest hour. **disclaimer – we are adults, intelligent adults, intelligent adults who have traveled. We should have known better, we should have reacted sooner. But alas, we are also human adults and we did not**

The solution was to report to the local police station, explain my case and ask for a visa extension. Not the happiest two days in China as we went to a police station three different times. Remember we are the only non-Chinese in our area that we have seen. And by the reactions – I am the only American EVER to stay past her visa.

The company had mistakenly (although maybe it’s just the Lord’s sovereignty) booked our returns on the original tickets to March 30^th.  (We actually reminded them several times to change the dates, but they never did) At no point did our plan include either of us to returning on March 30^th.  Until now.

The solution for my visa was a signed confession of guilt. Then I received a new visa in my passport with an “exit by date” included. Yup – never even had a speeding ticket here and I now have a record in the Chinese legal system!

We informed the company that we would be using our March 30^th tickets to travel to the US. Stephen would travel with me to ensure I didn’t have trouble clearing customs as I exited the country. But really we both knew it was time to go home.

The final confirmation was the firing of Lollie. She was our main interpreter for everyday interactions. Rambo (who was fired a couple of weeks ago) was Stephen’s main technical interpreter. Without these two individuals we were fairly isolated. It seemed to us that anyone that was confident and capable was being let go. They were building a company of young, inexperienced followers that wouldn’t question the decisions made by the leadership. We simply don’t fit that description.

Then we set our minds to the money matter. Stephen’s first paycheck and both of mine (all illegal since we had tourist visas) were deposited into Chinese banking accounts. His second, and subsequent, paychecks come to our account in the US. We tried to complete a wireless transfer but were denied. The Chinese don’t like for money to leave their country. So we went to plan B…

We withdrew 51,000 RMB in cash and stuffed our bags! Absolutely crazy but we have laughed so much. Stephen had to go to multiple ATMs every day for a week to withdraw it all due to daily limits. But we emptied the accounts, packed our bags, prayed, and left the country.

Stacks of 10 - looks more valuable than it really is with the exchange rate!

It is technically legal to exit with up to $5000 US dollars each without declaring it but we were expecting some questions. None. We made it home with all of it.

Cleared customs and at the gate, ready for US soil. Smiles of peace.

We are technically on a two week vacation here. We would like to see his last paycheck appear in our banking account before severing ties with this company. We don’t trust their integrity at this point. And that makes us sad. That pay should be transferred around the 15^th.

We’re not 100% sure of why the Lord had us in China but we see some possibilities:

1. We shared the gospel with 3 people.  (2 of them may have never heard it completely before)

2. We gave our dual language Bible away to Lollie and started her reading in Mark.

3. We acknowledged and confessed that we like to trust in our own abilities.

4. We learned that the Lord does not allow us both to be weak at the same moment.

5. We were reminded of His sovereignty in very anxious situations.

Overall, it was an amazing experience. We met so many wonderful people. We loved the culture around us. We did everything within our power to grow that company. We do not believe it was a mistake to go…nor do we believe it was a mistake to come home.

Thank you for praying with us and for us. We love each and every one of you!

**UPDATE from our errands on Monday - We had no problem depositing all that foreign cash at Bank of America. The teller said a quick, "oh my word" when we sat the stack on the counter but then got down to counting. After the banking errand we dropped by Steve's last place of employment and he was offered his job back. He should start on Monday.

So we'll end this adventure with the same thought as when we started:

We see God's hand in this, and so we go...

Shanghai

We spent the afternoon on Friday in Shanghai with a co-worker and his family.

We arrived around noon for a long layover before continuing on to the US to surprise our family. No one knew we were coming except for Maria. More on that later.

Rambo was the lead manufacturing engineer until he was fired a few weeks before. We were heart broken when he left. He was a fantastic interpreter for technical issues and the best friend Stephen had in the company. We felt he was unjustly let go so it was good to catch up with him and meet his family for the first time.

After checking into our hotel we went to a pedestrian street and walked and looked and snacked on fresh cookies

Munching on cookies and resting

Then we walked to the end of the street for a view of The Bund. It was crowded but beautiful.

We ate dinner together at a restaurant specializing in food from their home province. It was by far the best meal we have had in China.

After dinner we walked back to The Bund to see the lights at night.

It was a wonderful day with good company and beautiful surroundings.

Noodles and oh so much more

Even though Jingmen contains around 2 million people, we are located on the outskirts.  The new aviation center is situated right next to a sleepy small town called Hongtu.  No traffic lights here.  Saturday night Dana and I decided to walk into our little town to try this “noodle place” that we heard about from one of our coworkers.

NOODLES MADE TO ORDER

We arrived at the little street side place and were greeted by the owners.  They seemed happy to see us and cleared a tiny table along the street for us to sit.  I watched the owner stretching and pounding some dough and then realized – he was making our noodles right there in front of us.

You can’t get fresher than this!  I took a bunch of photos of the owner and the enterprising businessman made sure I got the restaurant name in the photos. 

It’s free advertising, you know, so YOU, dear reader can find the place.

The noodles were great.  Two big bowls with some sliced beef that was really tender.  The cost was 20 RMB ($3) for BOTH of us.

Oh, and our hotel puppy apparently hangs out at this restaurant too.  She joined us about halfway through the meal.   Don't worry, she is well fed by the locals.

AND THEN THINGS GET WEIRD

Halfway through the meal, the owner started doing something in the back room.  He was getting out a bunch of small boxes and setting them up on a table.  He then waved me over.  The boxes contained brand new cell phones.  I’m thinking…”Great, now he’s trying to sell me some Chinese knockoff phone”.  I showed him my brand new phone provided by my company, but he didn’t seem to take the hint.  Then he motioned for Dana to come over too and started showing her the phones.  I thought that maybe he was trying to convince Dana to get me to buy one?  Nope. 

He motioned for us to sit down and hold one of the boxes.  Then I watched his partner get her phone out to take a photo…and it hit me.  He was making a advertising photo for his phones with us!  I can see the headlines now that will soon appear all over the Chinese internet.  

By XYZ phones!  Endorsed by the coolest foreigners!  It’s the communist inspired ripoff that the capitalists trust!

REALLY WEIRD

While we were posing like the superstar models that we are, Dana said “Stephen Look!” as a woman entered the restaurant.  I turned and saw this Chinese woman with the following shirt:

Yes, a New York Jets (my favorite NFL football team) shirt!  You have got to be kidding me.  Now it wasn’t green and white, but still.  What are the odds of seeing this logo in the middle of nowhere China?  Riii-diculous.  I immediately jumped up to take a photo next to my new best friend.  First, though, I had to use my trusty Google Translate to explain to this (now very nervous) woman why I was pointing at her chest and cozying up for a photo.  I don't think she had any idea what the logo meant.  But I couldn’t let the moment pass.

DON’T WORRY, HE’S A LICENSED DEALER

Well, after that excitement we settled down and finished our yummy noodles.  The owner though was not done.  

He had to show me some photos of himself with the “designer” of the phone.  He must have attended some kind of seminar (my best guess - a Chinese multi-level marketing scheme).  We exchanged contact info on Wechat, of course, so I expect the royalties for our modeling services to pour in any day now.

He also had his certificate as an authorized seller of Chinese knockoff phones.  He was really proud of it as you can see.  After all this, we headed back to the hotel with our hotel puppy leading the way.  You never know what a simple night out for noodles will bring around here.

Race Day

We found out on Wednesday that there was a 4k fun run in Jingmen and some of the company was going to participate. Steve obviously said he would run and several others volunteered as well.

We left this morning for a crazy ride with TONS of traffic into the town to prepare for the race. We almost missed it since we had to park so far away from the venue. It was amazing seeing so many people.

A drone picture from the race website. Mind boggling how many people were there.

We stopped for a couple of photos while the announcements finished up. Then the race started. Most people were running with a group so they had matching outfits and even flags with their company logos. The music was pumping and teams started crossing the start line. It took about 30 minutes for everyone to get to and cross the start line.

Steve and the girls - they were concerned that he would be cold.

Aloong Race Team - Ready for Action

And they're off!

I held ALL the coats. I had quite a few stares since I was walking around wearing an Air Force jacket and carrying an arm load of them too! I started watching for finishers but it seemed to be taking longer than I was expecting.

Me - trying to look innocent as the police eye me suspiciously!

About that time Stephen came up behind me. (I was at the wrong finish line) but he took 2nd place! Also the race was more of a 7k than a 4k. Thankfully the crowd forced him to start out slowly. He and the man who won actually passed the pace car. What fun! Then he was stretched by some Chinese sports therapists.

More stretching than normal for Steve

They had vendors walking around giving out prizes. We snagged two of these stuffed things. Not quite sure what they are! And Steve was stopped for a picture with the yogurt.

As we waited for the rest of our teammates to finish, people kept taking pictures of us. I believe we were the only non-Chinese in the entire area. To top it off his picture appeared not once but twice on the race website! I wanted to share the website but...censorship...so I copied the photos of him. NO ONE else is pictured individually.

Literal translation from race website: "The foreign friend's body is really good. In early March, the cold in the spring was pressing. Short sleeved and shorts contrast with the black jacket"

Literal translation from race website: "Hahaha, this photo was given a hundred percent"

Yes, yes. My husband is a rock star here! We have never been this popular in our lives.

Mandatory Annual Health Exams

We were told yesterday that today we would go in groups to the Annual Health Exam. It's our understanding that the entire population of China goes for a health exam at the start of each Chinese New Year. So we went with our company at their expense. About 10 of us went this morning and the groups will continue to go this afternoon and tomorrow.

We were told to fast after midnight. We were not pleased and expected a long hungry morning standing in many lines at the local hospital. One of our major goals for this adventure is to entirely avoid the Chinese healthcare system. Blown in the first few months! But at least we weren't sick or injured. And the wait was minimal.

So after the morning meeting we all piled into two cars and off we went. Steve actually drove one of the cars. We parked and headed inside. I was pleased with how clean everything looked. On the walk up from the parking garage I quizzed one of my beginner students. It was funny to see him shocked to have to speak English outside the classroom.

We walked in and registered at the front desk of the Health Examination Departments.

Waiting in line to register

The first line we went to was the blood drawing area. It was just right out in the open but you could smell the antiseptic in the air so we were good so far. The nurse was amazingly efficient and the blood draw was painless.

Next we went into a small room and were handed a cup of water and a pill. This is where the American fun began. The following conversation ensued:
Dana - What is this?
Nurse - (pointing at water) Swallow it.
Steve - But what is inside it?
Co-Worker - It's medicine.
Dana - But I'm not sick. (smile)
Co-Worker - You swallow it.
Steve - We don't usually swallow things unless we know what it is and what it does.
Nurse - It's for your stomach.
Steve - (translator app in hand) The back says Carbon. What do you think?
**at this point the medical staff, our co-workers, and the other patients were staring blankly at us**
Dana - Carbon is natural. Whatever.
**we swallow said pills**

We were told to wait for 15 minutes and then we were given a device to breathe into for the test. It's our understanding (thank you Google and Google translate) that it monitors for stomach cancer and acids. Although about 50% of the population test positive, very few are harmful.

Americans finally giving in and submitting to the test

And that was the extent of our Health Examination. Thankfully we weren't weighed. I doubt I pass Chinese standards!

All finished and we lived to tell the tale!

Then we all went to eat lunch together since everyone was very hungry. The guys took us to a buffet style restaurant that was delicious with many choices. Our total was 26 RMB (about $4.50). Food here is so inexpensive.

Restaurant is the red and yellow sign. So good and we've been by it multiple times without knowing what it was!

Spontaneous Dinner

Stephen was in a meeting with Abraham (company president) and Lollie (HR director and interpreter) at the end of the work day yesterday. The meeting ran late and we all missed the meal in the cafeteria. Steve messaged me from the meeting and said that we would be going out to dinner and just to wait for him. No problem.

We learned on the way that we were meeting with the head of security - at his home. So we pull in at his house and go upstairs to his office for hot tea (more like hot water with a few herbs sprinkled in), peanuts and sunflower seeds. This is a very traditional start to the meal. The hot "tea" keeps your chi (Chinese life force) warm and ready for the meal.

It wasn't long until we were called downstairs to the meal. We sat at the traditional table with the rotating center. The plates are about the size of a man's palm so you only take a bite or two as the dishes go by in front of you.

The first dishes ready for us. More was added as the meal went on.

This meal was delicious. My favorites were: fish patties (a pressed patty with fish, seasonings, and flour?), a ham and veggie stir fry (tasted like country ham), peas, greens, marinated cucumbers, a bread with eggs (tasted very much like french toast) and rice balls (fish, veggies, and seasonings in a ball and covered in sticky rice).

The man looking at the camera was our host.

They had the traditional chicken feet. I just can not. Nope. Nada. Not doing it. They can judge if they like. Y'all, you can see the little toe nails. Nope.

They just bite off the toes. Nope. No way. (I asked permission to take Lollie's picture eating it)

At these big group meals there are MANY toasts. The host typically begins with a formal toast to all the people there. We all stand and listen and then toast. Then they all go around the table and toast to individuals. This is a long thing. One person says several things they admire and wish for the other person and then that person does the same. Then they toast. No wonder people are so thin here - they spend more time at meals running around the table toasting than sitting and eating. Stephen and I stood for toasts both corporate and individual about 6 times during the meal last night.

Toasting!

Overall, it was a fun outing with some of the best food we've been served. And we were back at our hotel by 9pm. Not a bad evening out!

English Classes

I started teaching English classes this week. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays I teach a beginner and advanced beginner class. Both classes have 4 men. We are covering basic greetings and adding in some vocabulary. We use our translator apps some in class but they are working hard and willing to try anything. I like all of them and simply adore some of the older ones that are trying to learn English.

The Introduction to English Class

The man on the right is older than me. He is a sheet metal worker. He spoke zero English when we started. I adore him.

The man in the background is on the housekeeping staff (I love that anyone in the company is provided lessons). He studies very hard. He had new vocabulary that I hadn't even taught yet on the second class.

The two classes on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays are more advanced. I have some weaker ones in both classes but I opted to mix a small variety of levels together. We have a total of 12 in these two classes. I haven't decided if I like the mix or not. When I did class placement, there wasn't a clear difference to make two distinct groups but I might divide them differently next session. The interesting thing is these advanced classes are less likely to speak out than my beginners. The students are all younger than me and closer to college age so maybe they're still in classroom mode and they're quiet during class. However the beginner classes are older and more prone to just say what they want to say (like most of us get as we age!).

I am trying to teach without the translator app on my phone during class but the lack of English in the first groups make that a challenge. So yesterday I tried my hand at writing some basic instructions in Chinese. They were shocked but it conveyed my point - so mission accomplished! Modern technology is just a marvel.

The top is English, the middle is Pinyin (Chinese written in English characters), and the bottom is Chinese.

I believe I'm teaching quite well with the lower two classes. I don't feel that I have my feet under me in the advanced classes which is the opposite of what I was expecting. I imagine that feeling will come and go as the weeks pass.

I have also learned two interesting facts about language in China:
#1 - They use a 44 letter alphabet when teaching English in the schools here. When a student mentioned this I was obviously VERY confused. Then they showed me the alphabet. MORE confusion. I did some research and this is the International Phonetic Alphabet. It's basically the sounds that are present in the spoken English language. So the "th" sound in the word, thank, is written as θ .  So now I have the English, the Chinese, and the Phonetic spelling on all our handouts. It's quite a challenge for me to think in this since it's new to me but if it helps their pronunciation then so be it!

#2 - Steve and I were discussing all the Chinese characters that people have to learn versus our 26 letters. We wondered what happens here when a new word is introduced into the language. Take for example the word "selfie". A few years ago this word didn't exist. In English, I believe the younger generation makes up many words and some find their way into mainstream language. Then a general consensus of spelling happens and eventually these words even find their way into our dictionaries. It's quite amazing when you stop to think about it. So we asked one of our bilingual coworkers who hangs out with us a bit what happens when a new word (like selfie) comes into being. Do you make up a new symbol and how in the world does that happened. He explained that a new group of symbols basically describe the new word and would then be translated as the new word. So the literal writing for selfie would translate as "myself taking picture" on our apps but a true bilingual human translator would translate the grouping as "selfie". 

So there's your language lesson for the day! 

An unlikely guest comes to "the show"

Last Thursday night, our HR manager, Lollie, notified me of a "Government Meeting" on Friday afternoon that I needed to attend.  Our Chairman, Abraham, had already left town for a business trip and the Chinese New Year holiday, so someone had to be the face of the company while he was gone.  And yes, that face would be me, the token American engineer.   Lollie said to dress with "formal clothes", so I came with dockers and a button-down shirt - that's the best I brought here.  Rambo, the lead manufacturing engineer joined us and we met Sam, our company driver and headed into town.

The Big Buildings

The "meeting" was held at the newly constructed Jingmen City government complex.  I was at this massive facility a couple of weeks ago to apply for my work visa.  And when I say massive, I mean MASSIVE.  Anything the government does in China is usually done BIG.  This complex is larger than most, if not all, 50 USA state house complexes and rivals any government building group you'd see in DC not named the Pentagon in size.  A huge group of high-rise apartment buildings is also nearby to house the workers.   However, if you take a close look at some of the offices, you'll see paint and stucco already peeling off the walls and ceilings.  I said "big", I didn't say "well".

One of several huge city government buildings

The city government meeting room/theater building

The particular building we arrived at is actually a big theater, or perhaps doubles as the local communist party meeting room.  The first thing that caught my eye (besides the numerous Chinese staring at me - I've gotten used to this) was a large throng of women in nurse uniforms seated in a group.

Lower level of the "theater" with nurses seated on the left

It turns out this meeting included all manner of government workers, their professions made obvious by the wearing of their workday uniforms.  Distinguished guests, like high level communist party officers and business leaders had the best seats.  And yes, you guessed it - so did I, right in the 3rd row.

Liu Ning Yi (Lollie) our HR manager looks good here, but was feeling terrible

I sat next to Lollie, while Rambo was in the next row.  Poor Lollie - she has been battling a cold and was feeling worse by the minute.  To make matters worse, a local TV film crew working the event kept panning the camera in our direction - after all, I looked AMAZING as I usually do.  Anyway, all this attention given to yours truly also gave the sickly, coughing, hacking Lollie extra air time.  I'm thinking Americans don't usually attend the communist party government end-of-the-year events in these parts.

THE BIG CHEESE?

Finally, the lights dimmed and out came a high level city government guy - as he walked up a loud musical flourish blasted the audience - it was like the Grammys, Oscars, etc all put together.

The music, fog and bright lights as the Government leaders took the podium.

After a short speech, He then announced (to another musical flourish "BOM! BOM-BOM-BOM! BOM! BOM!", more fog, lights and more) The Mayor of Jingmen City!  And the crowd goes wild!  Ok, the crowd really just clapped, but I can't emphasize enough how obnoxiously over-the-top the flourish was for...a mayor.   Just picture your small hometown mayor walking on stage to host the Miss America pageant.

Chinese "paparazzi" getting the money shots of the Mayor

THE BIG SHOW

Thankfully, the mayor kept his speech (whatever he said) fairly short and the show started.

This was clearly not a typically meeting, but an end of the year talent show celebrating Jingmen City and its amazing local communist government.  There were 10 acts - all singing and dancing numbers - and one comedy skit, which of course was impossible to understand.   The performers represented all ages from elementary school kids to older adults.

In between acts, a young perky Chinese couple extolled the amazing progress that Jingmen City has attained and all the hopes and dreams for a bright government controlled future.  Dude. Sign. Me. Up.

The show's hosts

Many of the songs sung were original compositions - and most were about Jingmen City. (I would occasionally hear "Jingmen" in the lyrics).   Fortunately, I cannot understand mandarin so I couldn't get the full effect of how corny this really was from my cultural perspective (theater isn't my thing anyway, and neither is one-party government).

Jingmen city boy band (we'll call them "One Party Direction")

Scenes from Jingmen City were often shown in the background to enhance civic pride.  They included government projects from all areas of the economy, construction cranes, factories, farms and nature scenes.  At one point, several scenes flashed showing the aviation park where a certain American engineer is making things happen...

This number included scenes from the aviation park where I work

But you know, after some reflection, I'm thinking I may compose an "Ode to Simpsonville, SC" ditty before I return to the states.  Or maybe "Shine Simpsonville Shine" would work.   Someone give Mayor Curtis a heads up and schedule my audition.  I've already sang Karaoke - it's time to kick it up a notch Simpsonville!

Our First Car Outing

Today we went into Jingmen for lunch and groceries. That's not so unusual but this time Stephen drove us! We've been given top access to the smallest company car. I think some of our co-workers were concerned that we'd disappear and they'd never see us again, but Stephen said he could do it and after 23 years, I believed him. So this morning we loaded up and hit the road.

Stephen ready to tackle the streets of Jingmen in our TINY car

How we actually looked

How I imagined we looked!

The highway going into the city is very wide with little to no traffic. My job was to watch the right hand side for pedestrians, tuk-tuk vehicles, and incoming traffic.

We're in such a rural area

Traffic picked up as we neared the city and arrived at Wanda Plaza (one of the malls). We went mid-morning though so no real issues. One wrong turn but easily corrected.

Getting closer - you can see Jingmen in the distance

Coming into the city - looking for the parking garage

Once we figured out how and where to park we went into the mall and found an awesome place for lunch. Still Chinese food but noodles and some crispy options (everything in the cafeteria is soft). These massage chairs make me laugh since they usually have napping men in them!

We found some groceries and on our way out we spotted a cafe that advertised, in English, pastries and coffee. We walked in and picked out two yummy desserts. When Stephen asked if he could get a cappuccino (Google translate), the three young ladies behind the counter just giggled. Oh well. We brought our pastries home and made our own coffee. The pastries however were delicious and very affordable (about $2 each and they're big!)