Self Scheduled Spring Break

This is one story I left out of the March/April compilation post for a smattering of reasons, though predominantly because there are a lot of layers to it. It is a story that involves months of planning, a lot of secrecy, a lot of bureaucracy, a good dose of angst, shock, and despair, a lot of laughter, and a beautiful reminder that community is vital.

The world is taking on a very isolationist tone. The hateful rhetoric of "us vs them" permeates not only social media platforms but also regulations and laws that are currently being passed and implemented. As expats, we see and feel this change especially in regards to our legal standing to live and work in China. It is no surprise that with the toddlers tantrum-ing between our motherland and adopted motherland, we are having to deal with new requirements for obtaining our visas. The biggest change has been the authentication of our educational documents. This process is four steps; typically three, but since our Bachelors' were issued in Kentucky, it added a fourth step. For reference and understanding of the complexity, the steps are as follows:

First, our diplomas had to be notarized by the school along with a letter stating that the diploma was given by that school. This was followed by our diplomas going to the county clerk's office, so that a letter and a stamp could prove that the notary at our university was legitimate. Then, our diplomas were sent to the Kentucky State Department for a stamp and note that stated that our diplomas were from a school in Kentucky. Next, this pile of documents was sent to the US State Department so they could verify that there is a state named Kentucky, in that state is a school named Murray State, and the diploma is from a real school. The final step was the entire heap of paperwork was delivered to the Chinese embassy in Washington, DC (which is the required location because anything dealing with Kentucky must be handled in this embassy.) This step involved five visits to the embassy because they are a bureaucratic mess and a true reflection of how anything legal actually works on the mainland.  

The steps pre-embassy were graciously handled first by our niece, then by our sister-in-law, who we are eternally grateful and beholden to for agreeing to help us with this process. She started it in September. Mid-February, she informed us that all was ready for the embassy. We put out a plea on Facebook asking if anyone had a contact who lived in the DC area and was willing to help us. The use of a courier service was possible, but most fees ranged from $300-$500 per document. We hoped for help, and we received a couple of offers, deciding to coordinate with a cousin of a friend, who even mentioned that she was thinking of teaching overseas and thought this could be a good insight into the process. Our sister-in-law sent a very full dossier to her. 

As well as authenticated documents, China is now requiring criminal background checks. Since we are legally permanent residents of Oregon, it is a state that requires fingerprinting to be done in person. (Never mind that the past seven years of our lives have been lived in China, so that really should be the background location...but logic is overrated.) 

Looking at all the puzzle pieces - embassy timeline, five minutes of fingerprinting, the desire to continue teaching in China, and a current visa that does not cover the entire semester - we knew a mid-semester trip to the US was necessary. While we were not thrilled about the added expense, we were thrilled that we could coordinate the calendar to our favor. Thus, on April 5 we departed Hong Kong and landed in Portland 15 minutes before we took off on the same day. 

We kept the journey secret, primarily to surprise Kaden and Addysen for their birthdays, but also because we knew it was to be a quick two week tour, and we would be spending some time in Salem to prove we were not axe murderers - and getting that authenticated by the state department for good measure. The perfect coordination was not only that we hit major family birthdays, a bridal shower, a couple of Kaden's football games, but also the home openers for the Timbers and Thorns. We had never been to a home opener since the Timbers became MLS and the Thorns were created. We were ecstatic! 

The two weeks went quickly - birthday celebrations, a few lunch dates with friends, pool time, quilting projects both new and old, books, sidewalk chalk that took over the front walkway, and football, where we yelled ourselves hoarse cheering for our beloved teams. The reminders of spring flowers, smells, and sights were beautiful (though I am sure some pedestrians were baffled by my abounding exclamations of love for the colors of tulips and Easter flowers.) Our angsty ancestor from Shantou even showed her trepidated self with the destruction of a hot water heater in a house full of birthday guests. When the heater was fixed, she followed up Act I with a broken shower. Yet, mingled within all of this was our quest to finish documents and authentications. Plus, we had to answer a lot of questions - many people upon seeing our surprise status of being stateside thought we had been kicked out of China. 

The Oregon piece in proving that we are not, nor have ever been, axe murderers was seamless, painless, and actually an enjoyable experience. As for the other set of documents, mid-way through our visit, we received notice that the embassy was finished with them and had been picked up. Zach implored the girl to drive directly to a FedEx and ship them to us. Two days later, she called and left a message to inform us that she had put our documents on top of her car and had driven away, not realizing what she had done until hours later.

Within a span of two days we had gone from jubilation of completing a rigorous and daunting task to absolute shock, disbelief, and the immediate effect that our time in China was done as of June 12. While our DC contact was sorry and said she would help the process start again, it took Zach vividly explaining the ramifications of her actions for her to truly grasp that she had cost us our jobs and current livelihood.

It was a hard blow.

It was hard to process, especially since in many ways these documents were not tangible to us. They existed in scans and email updates. How does one grieve something never touched but yet has so much bearing on life?

A couple days later, I wrote the following on Facebook:

As most of you may notice, Zach and I are currently stateside. This is due to new visa requirements being mandated due to current political tensions, meaning we needed to pick up authenticated documents. Since sagas are our specialty, I feel it is necessary to let our community know that these documents were lost between leaving the embassy and getting to us. Without these documents we cannot renew our visas to stay in China. This is devastating and a bit anxiety inducing. We are in shock and trying to process next steps. At the moment we are hoping a good Samaritan finds them and puts them in the mail to us. If not, we start the process again and will most likely have to be looking for employment elsewhere. There is a lot of current unknowns, but I do know that we somehow always end up with the most bizarre stories to tell...though is this one I really do not want right now. 

We knew our season of living in China would come to an end at some point, but we were not prepared for the abruptness of the ending. In all of the "what could go wrong scenarios", having our documents take a skydive from the rooftop of a car had not been on the list. We truly had expected the embassy or USPS to lose them, if anything. As we internally wrestled with the "what nows", our community rallied with many offering expletives, condolences, and reassurances that not matter what happened we had places to live for an extended period.

During the last days of our stateside visit, we began the process again. We spoke with our sister-in-law, who was ever so gracious and calming with advice and solutions. We ordered new diplomas. We mapped out scenarios. We packed our bags leaving most of our travel belongings behind, and said many see-you-soons.

Standing in line in the Seattle airport, minutes from boarding our flight, I checked messages for the last time. I had a couple from my sister-in-law, "I have your diplomas, call me!" I read it to Zach and we groaned, thinking Murray had sent the diplomas to her when they were supposed to hold onto them for a person to pick up. I called.

"Amanda, I have your diplomas!"

"Oh no! I am so sorry the school ignored our message about not sending them," I replied.

"No, I have your actual documents. Someone found them, and turned them into the State Department in DC."

"What?!?"

"I think it is a good thing I handled the process so the State Department had a record of the law firm, so they were able to send them to me."

I teared up and happy squirmed, simultaneously.

After hanging up, Zach and I celebrated with awkward happy dances, hugs, and expressions of disbelief. Ten minutes later, we boarded our plane.

We returned to China with more optimism than expected, and got to celebrate rather than commiserate with our friends in Guangzhou. Our jet lag recovery involved an R&F football game and an evening spent at the Friends cafe (where it is exactly like the onset cafe, complete with the sitcom running nonstop on a TV.)

With documents in hand (via scans) and an impending visa expiration date, we interviewed with a handful of schools pre and post spring break trip. After due diligence, reading contracts, and fully realizing that in China any school is a crap-shoot, we have accepted positions at a school in Zhongshan. Now, we hope that every stamp is in the right place, all signatures are deemed acceptable, and the embassy did not screw up its one job. Obtaining visas is always a guaranteed saga, any year, but at least this is one saga we expect.   

A Lot to Tell

While we are continuing to reminisce, draft, rewrite, become distracted, and write some more of our travel stories, life continues to trundle past at a very fast pace, which seems to be the trend of spring semesters. Since returning to our tiny village by the sea at the beginning of March, we have been quite busy - pleasantly busy, though not by anything on this campus.

As per tradition of the spring semester, here is a compilation post of our shenanigans during the months of March and April. Thus, pour a cup of your preferred beverage and settle in a cozy chair for a glimpse into the Banker adventures.

Welcome to the World, Charli Jade!

At the beginning of March, my sister became a mom, my parents became grandparents, and Charli Jade joined my birthday month celebrations. While this cause for celebration occurred on the other side of the globe, I thoroughly enjoyed meeting my new niece via video chat and introducing her to my students in our first week of class of the new term. She is going to do grand things!

Birthday Surprise

"I have to run and grab a package," yelled Zach.

"Ok," I gasped, as I was in the middle of my workout.

Minutes later, a knock on the door made me pause the workout and run to the door.

Giggles, happy birthday, and a whisper of surprise met me at the door in the form of former students - King, Mayor, and Ruby.

While Zach had hinted that someone or a group of someones may be showing up for my birthday weekend, I was not prepared for this trio of laughter and hilarity to arrive and make our hutong full of life for a weekend. I was beyond excited and honored.

Our three days together was delightful. Their creativity to gift me with morning birthday treats of muffins decorated with peanut butter-shaped elephants and melted marshmallows, as well as their excitement to explore more of our area and its temples was absolutely endearing and an amazing reminder that we have been so lucky to have so many students become friends.

Shanghai Shenanigans

Soon after our semester began, Zach and I spent an evening in the office discussing our budget for the semester. In the world of being an adult, we spent an evening adulting. We were dealing with some unexpected expenses of the semester, as well as knowing that we would not receive summer pay since we are not re-signing at our current school. While we would not be decimated, we did have to plot for the semester and agreed that we would keep extra expenses to a minimum.

The next morning we received a message, "Hey, do you guys want to meet us in Shanghai?"

We looked at each other over the tops of our phones and burst into laughter.

Two weeks later, we landed in Shanghai.

Years ago, Zach spent time in and around Shanghai. This trip was to be my first venturing beyond the airport and I was genuinely excited. Shanghai is exalted as THE city of China - it is toted as having class, style, varying architecture, and can satisfy any whim a person could desire. The Bund skyline is plastered on practically every China advertisement, and it continually ranks as the top city for expats. As a village dwelling expat, I was curious to see reality vs. grand declarations.

We arrived a day and a half before our partners in crime, so we wandered and explored. We visited Longhua Temple, admiring its many halls but especially enjoying its abundant flower arrangements. In Tianzifang, we window shopped along the zigzagging laneways, all while laughing at the Chinese tourists going gaga for ice cream in a coconut (truly, I think Chinese are the most gullible when it comes to "famous" food.) Nanjing Lu bedazzled us with her evening lights, though we learned that the Bund promptly turns off its lights at 10pm. We honed in on the local food street, eating our weight in vegetarian baozi (for me) and xiaolongbao (for Zach.) We gawked at the number of people strolling the street in full pajama suits - one being a man donning vibrant pink bunny print pajamas.

For all the wandering, I did declare early in our planning stages that we would find and experience the largest Starbucks Roastery. It opened its doors in early last December, to much fanfare and media press. Even Jack Ma showed up for the grand opening, a very outspoken tea drinker. Thus, our first evening in town, we made our way to the mecca of coffee beans.

During the following three hours, we were completely immersed in a coffee and tea lovers haven. We were absolutely overwhelmed. It was bustling. It was sensory overload between sight, sounds, and smell. It was truly stunning. After an initial AHHH moment (or ten), we settled into discover the delights of the space. It is set as stations; each with a specialty. One highlights the reserve beans, another the nitro brews, another coffee tastings with food pairings. There is an onsite bakery. There is even a bar specifically designed for tea lovers, which absolutely made me swoon with delight. We splurged and bought treats - Zach became the proud owner of a couple reserve beans (one which is only roasted and sold at that location), and I added another small stash of chai tea to my collection. Though, before we departed with our finds, we found an empty nook at the tea bar and enjoyed a beverage of our choice, all while fully acknowledging how overwhelmed we were but giddy with delight at our discovery and experience.

The highlight of the journey (and the instigation for the trip) showed up on Saturday evening - Thong and Elijah. Tanned and shaking Vietnamese beach sand from their gear, all while brimming with stories of their Chinese escapades prior to the jump to the Mekong Delta, they were a dose of Americanism, wit, and humor that we needed. However, our true purpose with them was to spend a day in the newest magical kingdom - Shanghai Disneyland.

Without us realizing it, it seems visiting the Disneys of the world has crept onto our bucket list. We have no idea why, nor really the finances for such an endeavor, yet we are finding ourselves standing beneath a towering castle with "It's a Small World" ringing in our ears more times than not. Even in travel conversations, the mention of a nearby Disney has crept in such discussions.

So, after a day in the newest park, I can now say I have been to the most unmagical magical place on Earth. It was not a horrible experience, nor the worst thing ever - we were a hysterically lively posse of foreigners that absolutely love all things Disney. We had a blast. No, the unmagical magical part lies in the fact it is on the mainland. It is dirty. It is smoky. There are kids peeing on the sidewalk or over the edge of the raised walkway. Unlicensed vendors crowding up the already crowded lines attempting to sell knockoff knick knacks or ponchos (which we now understand to be in an effort to keep pee off of you as you stroll through the park.) The abomination that there is no "It's a Small World" ride (though we agreed that for a country that detests foreigners and is absolutely belligerently against the fact that everyone is of equal standing, we actually applaud them for not being hypocritical.) Ultimately, there is a definite lack of joy, because how can one truly appreciate something if there is no history or understanding of it. Mainlanders do not go to Disney because they love Disney, they have no history with the stories and movies beyond Frozen and Toy Story; they go to Disney because it is status and it is what foreigners do. It is a way to show off their money. During the evening light display, Elijah and I sang loudly with the songs, all while the Chinese standing around us were visibly perplexed that we knew how to sing along.

The lasting impression of Shanghai Disneyland is that the castle is stunning and the Pirates and Tron ride are fantastic, our crew was epic and we had a lot of fun together (which is really what it was all about for us anyway.) However, should we have the choice between Hong Kong or Shanghai, we would purchase tickets for Hong Kong again....though, we have our sights on Disneyland Paris next summer as a side jaunt to the women's World Cup.   

Shantou Future Lions FC

Late March we learned that our village by the sea is home to a low level professional football team. We had no idea such a thing existed here, especially based on the interest and level of play shown at our campus. Nonetheless, through a friend of a friend of a friend (to be honest, I do not know how many twists and turns of information giving went into this discovery), we learned of the team and its impending game day.

We were given tickets, a shirt, and a scarf at the gate - and joined the rowdy supporters of the Shantou Future Lions FC. Among a sea of red and a lot of cigarette smoke (though water bottles were banned from being brought in due to their health hazard), we cheered on the cubs. It was a lot more of laughing at the bad football rather than cheering, but it was a wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon. We actually plan to watch more the home matches in the coming months.

Local Sweatshop Visit

Having sold my sewing machine in Zhanjiang so that I would not have to move it, when it came time to put the binding on a finished quilt I had to get creative. During walks in the local village, I have taken note of two locations with sewing machines - one being a one woman shop for tailoring needs, the other being a local sweatshop. The one woman shop tends to have quirky hours, the sweatshop always seems to have an open door policy and the product of the week is easy to spot. On this afternoon, I decided to try the one woman shop first, but fully expected her to be closed...which she was. Heading towards the sweatshop, I told Zach that I hoped curiosity and an eagerness to stitch something that was not a bag would be in my favor.

It was.

The woman who I greeted at the door actually understood Mandarin, so with my gesturing, limited sewing vocabulary, and displaying the quilt, she agreed to help. It was an amusing experience - between the rats running alongside the wall to the gawkers to my seamstress in disbelief that I actually hand stitched the quilt. If I ever wanted to feel good about my quilting ability, this was the day. She yelled out the door to friends to come see and continually clucked her tongue, shook her head, and repeated that I was good and it was beautiful. I think I may have found my sewing machine answer.

One afternoon, I heard Zach exclaim, "No way!" followed by a lot of laughter.

"What is going on?" I inquired.

"Have you checked your messages?" he replied.

"No."

"Check it."

"Why?"

"Oh, you will see," was his sly answer.

A couple minutes later, I watch a snippet of a video...with us in it!

"What....no...wait...huh...."

Zach received the message from a former GDOU student who was traveling in Guizhou. As she strolled through a museum, she heard our names. Perplexed, she looked around to see us on the TV screen in Miao dress and discussing customs and our experience in Guizhou.

Four years ago.

Four years ago, we agreed to be in a TV show to get a free trip to Guizhou. It was a wild and crazy trip, one that provided a lot of stories to tell. It seems, four years later, we get to add another story - the day a former student found us looping on a museum TV screen. While I want to say we are surprised, we are not. When that trip happened, we joked that we would be on billboards and bijiu ads for years, though continual looping in a museum was not on the list of places to find us. Ah, China, the land of unexpected opportunities...and great material for get-to-know-you games.