a satisfying multi-lingual weekend!

On Friday, we attended a production of Our Town at our school. It was not sponsored by CDIS - it was a Korean, student-run production drawing from several schools in the city. So even though the whole thing was in Korean, we wanted to see it because several of our students were acting and the proceeds went towards earthquake relief.

That being said, it was a bit strange to see a famous American play, set in early 20th century small town New England, being presented in Korean. I thoroughly enjoyed watching my students act, but I can't really comment too much on the production itself - I haven't even seen it in English!

Then this morning, we went to the Catholic church in downtown Chengdu to watch the wedding of one of our Chinese colleagues.
There was only a short service - not a full mass - but it was still almost entirely in Chinese. So even though more words were familiar (unlike the Korean play) I still couldn't tell you too much about the substance of the event. Best moment - following the wedding, the bride did a bouquet toss in front of the church. The excited crowd assembled, and shrieked as she tossed the flowers into the air - several feet past all of them and into the waiting hands of the (male) bus driver. He raised his hands in victory, and we all laughed.

We came home and huddled in bed for awhile (the church was unheated) before heading off for a Christ-giving meal (fusion of Thanksgiving and Christmas) with many members of our staff. Turkey, duck, pork, beef, sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, veggies, fruit, stuffing, and more...Rachel got thirds on dinner, and I took seconds on dessert. We were stuffed and happy.

Add on to that a late-Saturday game of Catan (which I won!!) and you have a full, fun day. Phew!

Tomorrow, people will be over to watch the Florida-Alabama game. I am hoping it is a competitive match!

-alan