Expectations!?!

Cough, cough!  That is what I have been doing for the past week now.  For the past week I was ailing with a cold.  However, I did not let that stop me.  If you remember from my last post, this week was National Holiday in China.  On Thursday I was able to go to the China Open and see Serena Williams and Novak Djacovic play tennis.  Being able to watch two of the world's greatest tennis players of my day was pretty amazing; though both didn't seem to be playing at their best.  Nonetheless, it was still great to see them play.

Now, for a couple other things; first to my Asian friends-I don't mean anything in the following post to be disrespectful to you or to your culture, but I simply say it for understanding.  To my non-Asian friends, and family, reading this know that when I return home, I may have picked up a few "quirks" from China.  

First of all, when eating, I may put my head down and eat and slurp my noodles.  This is perfectly okay here in China.  To the westerners, this may seem rude, but it really isn't; it is just the way of eating noodles with chopsticks.  So if we are eating spaghetti or some type of noodles and I start slurping my noodles while keeping my head down, it is just because I have picked this up here.  

 Next of all, if ever we are in a crowded area, I may start throwing elbows.  This is completely normal here in China.  The other day I was getting on the subway, and this older lady (at least 70-75 years old) elbowed me out of the way to make sure she got in and where she wanted.  Yes, this seems rude and it did seem rude at the moment, but then I got to thinking. (especially after seeing a graphic about the world's population.)  I realize now that I currently live in the most populated area in the world.  There are so many people here, that if you don't look out for yourself, you get lost in the shuffle or even get hurt or taken advantage of.  This goes completely against my southern roots where you hold the door for the people coming after you; but here, if you do that, you never get inside.  This happens even more when driving.  It is amazing to see how people drive here.  It is a free-for-all.  I am not wanting to drive in the city, because it would totally stress me out; but the way to do it is act as though you are in a school of fish.  When the school moves, you move along.  You really can't move alone until you are on the outside of the school.  Like driving, you use this same mentality in the crowded subways, and hallways, and ticket lines and such.  So, if you see me driving wild, or acting strange in crowd, just chalk it up to living in China for a year!

(This photo was found on Yahoo!)

One thing that I love here, is using chopsticks.  Actually, it is a love/hate relationship.  I love using them because I believe it slows down my eating so in the end, I don't eat as much.  The concept in my mind is that at home (in America) I ate usually about the same amount of time per meal.  Using spoons and forks, one obviously can eat more in one bite than using chopsticks.  (well most people!)  After 30 years of eating that way, I have gotten used to eating a certain length of time; now I eat with chopsticks here, and when I have eaten about the same amount of time that I have always eaten, I feel like I should be done-weather or not I am full.  Many times I realize that I am not full, but I am not still hungry.  I think that by doing this I have lost some weight.  (that's a good thing!)  Now, the hate part, I am still not a pro at using them.  Korean chopsticks, I absolutely HATE!  The Korean chopsticks are typically metal and are so hard to grab anything with. I try to use them, but I typically end up asking for the chopsticks that they give with to-go orders.  Chinese chopsticks I am much better with; in fact I have actually gotten used to eating noodles and rice with them; but I still need practice with them.  

(This was found running a Google search.)

So, in essence, when I return and do something odd (or what seems odd to you) know that I probably just picked up a different habit here.  Embrace it as I have embraced the culture here, and accept that different people are exactly that, different.  We all weren't taught like our mom's and dad's taught us; not every culture is the same, not every family is the same-embrace the differences and know that those differences make life interesting.  

Golden Holiday...

So this week is the Chinese National Holiday, that is also called the Golden Holiday (I think).  This means, we have the entire week off.  Most ex-pats leave the area because Beijing is a huge tourist spot for the Chinese this week.  (Think of Washington DC on the week of the July 4)  I chose not to go out of town due to funds (saving them for the big trip to New Zealand in December) but to stay around Beijing and see what all the fuss is about.  

Before that, on Friday a couple guys I work with and I went to get massages.  Two hour foot and body massages...all for less than $20.  Here they are after the foot massage...

(Li Peng at the end and Caleb closest)

Afterwards, we had Korean fried chicken...Just like us Southerners like it!  Crispy!!!

Saturday, I worked with NFL China.  Just a broken collarbone was the only casualty of the weekend, so nothing really major.  Sunday and Monday was disgusting.  On Sunday the smog was so thick that it was just gross.  Monday it was again nasty, but it also rained most of the day.  The afternoon, it finally cleared up, but was too late to really do anything.  Tuesday was much nicer, so Charlie and I decided to go out to town and see some sites.  He wanted to go to Tiananman Square, and I tried to talk him out, but he insisted.  So off we went, and found out that about a billion (embellishing a little) other Chinese wanted to go to there as well.  It was a zoo!!!  Here are a few photos from there.  When we finally got through there, I wanted to take him to the Lama Temple (if you remember, this is my favorite spot in Beijing), but when we got there, it was closed.  Oh well, another time perhaps.  

 This was coming up from the subway onto the sidewalk near the square

 Pictures from the Square...

 Leaving to get to the Lama Temple, I tried to get a photo of the subway line, You can't really tell, but we were packed like sardines...(actually, they may have had more room than we did!)  My hands couldn't fit beside my body, I had to keep them up, so I snapped a quick photo! (That's Charlie behind me.)

Today when I woke up, the day was too nice to be in the subway, in the apartment, or anywhere actually except outside enjoying the beautiful blue skies and the clean air-so Charlie and I decided to take the bikes out for a ride.  we ended up being gone for about 3-4 hours and rode about 10-15 miles around the area we live.  Earphones in, singing to the top of my lungs while trekking around the outskirts of Beijing-I couldn't help but think "How do I deserve this?"  I can't begin to explain how beautiful today was.  The temp was maybe high 60s, sunny, clean with a nice little breeze...we just couldn't ask for a better day.  Biking was amazing too.  Last week I was under the weather and am just now getting over it, so the ride today was great for that.  (Here are some selfies from the ride...)

Tomorrow, I just found out that I am going to the China Open; the national tennis tournament.  I have not been to a major tennis event, and after tomorrow I will be able to say I have done this too!  Can I just say "showered with blessings!!!"  While I am extremely thankful to God for all these opportunities, I just can't help but think that I don't deserve them.   He (God) truly is amazing!!!

Quick shout-out to my Gamecock friends, and good-doers...Some great people I know and love have started an organization in Columbia (Public Works of HeART) that raises money for Non-Profit organizations while beautifying the Columbia area with art.  Please check out their website and if you can and feel led to, donate as well.  This particular project helps the Harvest Hope Food Bank and the mural will be done in Cayce!  Like I said, the creators of this project (Public Works of HeART) are dear friends and former church members and school mates from college with me...Will and Katie!
Gamecock Mural, Public Works of HeART

Sorry for the delay...

Once again, sorry for not posting earlier, this past couple weeks have been a whirlwind of things.  All last week I was preparing for the big WABX to the Max, this is our fall tournament for boys and girls rugby, tennis, and volleyball and a Jazz festival.  We had roughly 10-15 different teams on our campus and I was in charge of the medical coverage for the entire tournament.  To make matters even more interesting, NFL China decided to move their competition day from Sunday to Saturday.  So we had to bring up reinforcement from Shanghai to help with the tournament and on Saturday, to help with NFL China.  IWS decided to bring up Gina another IWS ATC.  This was the first time I have actually met Gina, but we hit it off like old friends.  

Before getting to the tournament; on last Thursday we had a day off due to the Mid-Autumn Holiday or another term used is the Moon Holiday.  For this day off, one of the other interns, Nate and I decided to visit the Summer Palace.  This is the place where the old emperors would go during the summer.  It was massive!  We spent about 5-6 hours there and we saw maybe half of the estate.  The other thing about the day was it was a little hazy so the photos didn't turn out the way I would have liked; however, here are a couple.

This is Nate

Now, the tournament on Friday went on, with no casualties; a few scrapes and bruises, but nothing really major.  Saturday was a little more interesting.  During the final girl's rugby match, one girl got hit and fell to the ground.  When she hit the ground her head bounced and hit twice, and then a girl came in and seemed to accidentally hit the girl in the head again.  The young girl had now hit her head three times and immediately went into a seizure.  This was the first time I had ever seen a concussion cause a seizure.  I ran onto the field and just held the young lady as she seized so that she wouldn't hurt herself.  Her father some how got to field and was yelling to find out what was happening.  I casually asked him if his daughter had a history of epilepsy and he said "No, what is happening?"  I stated to him that she was having a seizure and that she would come out of it in just a bit.  He immediately grabbed her and spoke "Baby, I am here!  You are going to be okay, please wake up."  At this, she immediately stopped her seizure.  I told the father that she would be dazed and act strangely and that it was completely normal, just to keep calm and comfort his daughter.  I then asked what his daughter's name was and she immediately turned her head and spoke her name in a very matter-of-fact manner wrapped in joy.  It was the oddest situation that I have ever been in.  After about 3-4 minutes, she was very responsive and moving about with no signs of any issue what-so-ever, but I still insisted she go to the hospital.  On Wednesday of this week, I talked to the young lady and the testing all came back normal and she was diagnosed with a "convulsive concussion."  I've never heard that term, but I am in China!  That pretty much wrapped up the tournament.  (Though there was another injury, one of our guys broke his clavicle.) 

On Sunday and Monday, Gina and I decided to tour Beijing.  On Sunday we visited the Forbidden City and a park just beyond their.  The Forbidden City was huge.  I will say that the gardens inside were worth seeing, but other than that, not much but a bunch of old buildings.  The park behind had a great view of the Forbidden City and just beyond.  Here are a couple photos from both.

This is Gina as we are walking in...

On Monday, we got up and it was rainy, but we still decided to go to the Temple of Heaven and the Lama Temple.  The Temple of Heaven was a huge park with different temples in it.  This site was where the Emperor had to go every year to sacrifice so that it would be a bountiful year for the crops.  After spending an hour and a half there we were off to the Lama Temple.  

The Lama Temple is a working Tibetan temple in the middle of Beijing.  To date, this is probably my favorite site I have visited.  The beauty of this place was beyond words.  This temple was filled with Budha's and burning incense.  Monks roamed the grounds as visitors paid homage to the different temples housing the many different Budha's .  One building housed the world's tallest golden Budha.  It stood some 3-stories high and you could hardly see the face.  Unfortunately, due to the weather, I did not get many photos, but please be sure I will be visiting again with camera in hand.  

This next week is the Golden Holiday and we have the entire week off.  I haven't planned anything as of yet to do, but I will be seeing a few sites here and possibly even visiting a couple other cities around.  Stay tuned…And as usual, thanks so much for following me in my journeys!!!

PS-It's official, I am going to New Zealand from December 17-January 5!  I can't wait!  Jenny and I will have a blast, I know it!  (Now to make enough money so that we can enjoy it!)

Photos from KL

For my "Swim Club" family!!!  You were on my iPad and on my mind on my flight to KL!  Love and miss you!

The clinic I visited...KLSMC

One of the Petronus Towers at night

I was playing with shutter speed in the middle of the road...Hey, I like it!

Batu Cave...Lord Murugan and the 272 stairs to the caves

Me representing SCATA!

These little guys were everywhere!  If you didn't watch out, they would take your bag, glasses or food if you were eating.  Such fun little creatures!

Inside one of the caves was this little temple shrine...I do love the colors and the artistry of the Hindu religion

The view from the top

I took so many pictures of this mother and her baby.  She sat right there as folks walked by and even walked up to them.  I was literally and hands width away from them at one point!

This may be my favorite photo from this trip.

Not sure who this is, but I am interested to find out...I will research that one later.

The "Selfie" in the park

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

First let me apologize for not posting earlier.  I really have no excuse other than in my free time at home, I try to study Chinese.  I feel that in order to feel more comfortable I must learn the language or at least know how to get around and order food and have a basic conversation with a local. 

So, a lot has happened since my last blog.  The big this was the trip to Malaysia.  On Sunday, after working all day at Beihang University for NFL China, I had to come home and pack and get to the airport by 11:30 for my 1:30am flight to Kuala Lumpur.  Of course I did make it!  Though I was worried about finding a taxi out at my place at that time of night.  Luckily, I only waited about 10-15 minutes and one came by; I flagged him down and I said "T-san" as I got in the back seat.  (T as is terminal, san as in Chinese for 3)  The cabby repeated, and I said "Dui." (Yes)  Off we went to what I hoped was the airport.  Luckily, 15 minutes later and 75 kuai later, I was at Terminal 3 checking in.

Now, if you know me, you know I am a horrible packer; meaning I like to pack as much as possible so that I have many possibilities-after all, you never know which outfit you really want to wear until you are in the moment. With this trip being so short, I tried to limit myself to two pair of shoes (the pair I wore on the plane and a dressier pair for going to the clinic) though I also wanted to take my flip flops; but I refrained.  I also only packed a pair of slacks, and two pair of shorts along with a pair of swimming trunks (just in case) as well as a couple tee-shirts and a couple polo shirts.  Along with the other necessities, that was pretty much it.  I was able to fit all that in my small duffle bag (Gamecock of course, that my mom had made for me at the beginning of college for me to travel with for football and the other sports!)-so I was extremely proud of myself!  Because of this, I didn't have to check any baggage!  This was the first time I have ever gone somewhere on a plane and not checked a bag!  It was actually a pretty good feeling. 

The flight was just at 6 hours long and I think I slept 4.5 of those 6 hours.  Breakfast was served an hour before landing and it consisted of chicken and noodles and some veggies.  Who eats that for breakfast?  I want a bagel with an egg and bacon and cheese; but not on this flight.  Landing into KL, it was like landing on a tropical island, just minus the water.  Palm trees were everywhere. We exited the plane and got to customs and the agent asked what my purpose was, and I replied "just visiting!"  Stamp, stamp and I was through.  

The KL airport is about an hour away from the actual city of Kuala Lumpur, so you have to get a taxi to get you there.  My taxi driver knew exactly where to go when I said "KL Concorde,"  right smack-dab in the middle of the city.  The Concorde is a 4-star hotel with a Hard Rock Cafe attached.  Out of my window I could see the KL Tower and on the other side of the building I could see the Petronus Towers.  

So, why Malayasia.  Well, in KL there is a physician who has come up with this interesting technique of regrowing articular cartilage, where many doctors have said that you can't regrow that type of substance.  He has proven that you can…and in fact has done it in my Athletic Director at the school I am working with.  We (my AD and I) thought it would be a great idea for me to meet the surgeon and the rehab team so that I would know how to rehab him back in Beijing.  It was amazing to be able to meet and talk to a physician who defied odds, and now his technique is being introduced and processed through the FDA in the United States.  Cutting edge, and it really makes sense.  Anyway, I was off to the the Clinic to meet everyone as soon as I cleaned and washed up from the flight.  

The clinic was so nice.  Very spacious, and great views.  The folks there were extremely kind and accepting and took me in and around to show me everything.  I met the physician, Dr. Saw, and he was great as well.  He told me what he did to my AD and what was happening now and what the procedure was from this point forward.  He showed us the MRI of immediately after the surgery (back in June) and then the one done that morning.  It was startling to see that there was new growth already!  Here I am seeing proof of something I have been told couldn't happen.  I was amazed. I could go into what actually happened, but I am already getting long-winded; so if you are interested, send me an email or leave a comment and I can get you that information!

After spending the day in the clinic, we were back to the hotel and I was out to see the immediate sites of KL and around my hotel.  I took a few photos and went to a mall…a huge mall; makes the one I wrote about in an earlier post look puny!  After walking around a bit, my AD was feeling up to dinner so we just ate at the Hard Rock Cafe.  I decided to try something different so I got a Lamb BBQ sandwich.  Lamb is definitely a different flavor-that added to the bbq flavoring and it was an interesting mix; not bad, but not something I will order again.  

The second day, Tuesday, I spent half the day back in the clinic, and the other half out sight-seeing.  My AD told me of a place to visit, Batu Cave.  This is a Hindu Temple site.  I am so glad that I went.  At the entrance to the caves is the world's largest statue of Lord Murugan, the Hindu god of war and victory.  It is an amazing site, of course there are photos.  The other really cool thing was all the monkeys roaming the site.  They weren't in cages, they were everywhere…and if you didn't watch out, they would steal or try to steal your bag or anything they could get. (I got some great pictures of them as well!)  After spending an hour hiking up the 272 stairs and exploring one of the caves, I came back to the city.  

Back in KL I wandered to a mall that was a few blocks from my hotel.  The mall was called the Pavillion, and is quiet possibly the biggest mall I have ever been to.  I have never gotten lost in a mall, until I visited KL.  For some reason, I could not navigate this mall, it was huge and had so many different wings and levels.  I think I managed to see it all, but I'm still not sure.   Dinner this night was at a Thai restaurant in the restaurant area of town; there was every type of cuisine available there, but we went with Thai for some reason…good choice as it was delicious. 

Wednesday, my boss left early to go to the clinic before hitting the airport to Bangkok.  I decided to do a double-decker tour of the city and get off at the market to try a pick up some chintzy souvenirs.  The tour was great; it took about 2.5 hours.  I did get off at the Central Market, but was very disappointed in the selection of gifts, so I didn't really get much from Malayasia, except some awesome photos (in my opinion.). 

I had to leave KL at 3 in the afternoon to make the flight back to Beijing.  I did get home around 1 am and was happy that I was able to navigate the airport, and the taxi ride home without having to call anyone for help.  Back at work on Thursday and Friday, all was back to normal.  Nothing really new to tell.  Saturday was pretty much the same as well.  Sunday, I did have to work again with the NFL China and I found out that Joe Montana may be making a visit to Beijjng in October!  I am not a huge Montana fan, but hey the man is a legend and I am excited for the possibility of meeting him.  If this happens, there will be a photo of proof!  

This weekend we have our first HUGE tournament on campus, WABX to the MAX!  This tournament will have a Jazz performance piece, and Rugby, Tennis and Volleyball round-robin tournaments.  (Both men's and women's of each sport)  Needless to say, Friday and Saturday I will be busy!!!!  But I am happy that another ATC from IWS will be coming up to help on Friday and partly on Saturday.  She will also be covering NFL China on Saturday due to a change in schedule.

Other than all of this, I am still subbing and trying to plan my Christmas vacation.  I have decided not to go somewhere big for October holiday, but a couple friends and I will do some quick day trips out of the city each day to other cool cities nearby.  More on all that later.

Sorry for the long post-I will try to do better about length and consistency of posts.  Thanks to everyone who reads and invests your time into my life!!!

Kuala Lumpur

At 1:30 on Monday Morning I boarded a plane set for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  At 8:00 am I landed.  KL is a beautiful place.  It is very tropical place and while it was in the taxi from the airport to KL, it made me think of my time in St. Thomas.  (I loved that place!)  

It was actually a really good feeling getting here today and being able to navigate in a country I have never been.  Once I got to the city, I went to the hotel, showered, then was off to the Kuala Lumpur Sports Medicine Center.  The reason for my visit to KL was two fold:  to have a short vacation, but mainly to meet with a surgeon who created a new technique in the Orthopedic field.  I wanted to meet him and his physiotherapy staff to see how the rehab goes with this technique.  (Have I mentioned how blessed I am at the opportunities that I have been given?  Well, I am BLESSED beyond belief!)  This surgeon is a pioneer in his field-he came up with a procedure that are just now going through the FDA approval process in America.  

Anyway, I just wanted to give a quick update before bed.  I will be spending tomorrow at the clinic again.  Then Wednesday, is the day for sight-seeing.  More on KL later.  (And I promise photos!)