Update

We've been here now for a week and have learned so much already.  First of all, we've learned that these good people don't speak a lick of English or Spanish...and we don't do much Chinese yet.  That's brought some funny experience, but it's all working out great. The other night we went to a dumpling restaurant and did a lot of grunting and pointing until they sat us down and then handed us a menu totally in Chinese characters.  So Mom pointed at some dumpling looking things that the table next to our order and eventually communicated that's what we wanted.  We weren't sure what was in them, but so what.  They ended up being a shrimp dumpling with a vinegar sauce.  It was terrific.  The whole meal coast us about $ 2.00.  The food and the laughs were worth it.  The next time we went there we ordered another kind of dumpling - a dozen of them...we thought.  We ended up getting two dozen delivered to our table.  They were also terrific.

 I also found out today at church that wearing a green hat here in China signifies a reverse sexual preference...so, guess what color hat I've been wearing all week around campus ---- GREEN!!!!!!  Now I know why I've been getting some interesting looks all week.  So much for being a good ambassador for the Church.

  We begin teaching this Tuesday.  Both Jeanne and I teach five two hour classes twice a week - four PHD classes and one Freshman English major class.  It'll be a ton of fun.

Tianjin University campus is the oldest university in China.  The campus is pretty big and it's basically like a small city - shops, lots of people (both students and also a bunch of retired grandmas and grandpas taking care of their one grandchild), a gazillion bicycles, lakes, ponds, canals and some really modern architecture along with the great old stuff.  It's a great place to be.

Yesterday and today we attended the China International District conference (basically, Stake Conference for the ex-patriot members).  It's the largest geographical District in the Church.  The meetings were conducted by telephone - 30 lines to over 775 members throughout China except Shanghai.  The training was excellent and the doctrine solid.  The Church is so amazing and consistent.  I've been called to be the Elders Quorum President in our little branch of 35 members.  We have 93% home teaching and the branch activity rate is over 90%.  We have American, Korean and Chinese attending our meetings.  It's really interesting and fun.  We feel so blessed to be here.

 

 

Mom with Brother Ferrell (another China BYU teacher) on a three wheeler

Nelson with his TANK bike (WWII vintange)