I was beginning
to wonder if I would ever distinguish personalities in China. Why do they all
act the same, like robots? Is it a
cultural thing? Is it because I’m a foreigner and they have to act a certain
way? Do I not understand their body language or facial expressions? I had no clue. But Athena, she’s different. She’s
not your average Chinese woman. She enjoys drinking, and rightfully admitting
so. She teaches about western culture, she’s loud, she’s got her
voice amped up to 10 and isn't afraid to show it. She’s confident and she tells the truth, and tells it like it is. By nature
she’s 100% Chinese but by nurture, an American.
The first
time I met her was when I was in the hospital for my surgery. It was her second
day working for the University and was assigned to slave away (by that I mean
rotate with other teachers) in the hospital to look after me. At that point, I
was still lying down at the "resuscitation area", having no energy to speak to
anyone. I thought “ok, I’m in this
bed for another 10 hours and got like 5 more bottles of IV fluid, so I might as
well speak to someone”.
I was expecting to speak slowly so she could
understand my English (and trust me it’s exhausting), when she suddenly spoke. I
was shocked at how great she sounded speaking English. Most Chinese teachers
who speak English do not have good oral English, at all. I got excited because
I could finally speak at a normal speed. She actually used words like, “lame”
and “sissy”. Athena is someone who knows modern day English and didn't use
British English like students who say, “what a pity”. She’d shared her
background and how she traveled to the States back in ’07 for 3 months to visit
her brother who willingly left to work for an American company because he hated
the system in China. She graduated with
a master’s in English Education from Lanzhou University (considered one of the
best) and has been teaching since then for 2 years. I was so happy there was a
Chinese teacher in our school that could really be a benefit for the students.
As I was grilling her, I found out the ugly truth. She wasn't teaching in our
school, she was just a worker: working in the reference room to check-in/out books for teachers.
In a confused
voice I said, “WHAT??, I’m sorry I must have misunderstood… what do you mean
you are not teaching?”
“Yea, the
dean isn't hiring any teachers right now but said he needed someone in the
reference room and that in 2 years I can start teaching”.
There it is. Such a shame and waste of ability.
Giving a mindless job that is designed for a 60 year old woman who doesn't quite want to retire yet to a 32 year old who has experience, great credentials,
and great English. I didn't get it but I didn't ask any more questions because
it was too depressing and I didn't want to upset her any more than she already
was. After the surgery we exchanged phone numbers and promised we’d go grab a
drink when I got better. When I came back to teaching I went to visit her in
the reference room. I wasn't kidding when I said a mindless job. She just sits
there all day, for 9 hours playing games on the computer or reading books
waiting for someone to come in and take out a book. For the weeks to follow I
was really busy catching up with all of the grading and lesson planning that I
haven’t spoken to her for a while.
Yesterday
(12.27.12) she text-ed me telling me that my final score for my writing exam was
105 and that it needed to be changed. Not even realizing that she dealt with
any of that sort of business, I went down to the reference room. After revising
my final (because God forbidden these kids actually receive an extra 5 points) Athena
invited me out for dinner, drinks and a favor. Ahhh ha! A favor, it’s starting!
But because I liked her so much, I said yes. After work, we went to eat. While
we were walking to the restaurant, she asked me why I didn't go home for the
holidays. I told her it didn't bother me because Christmas is not a big deal
for me since I don’t celebrate it. When I told her I am Jewish, I didn't get
the typical response that I always do. She asked, “Oh, do you keep kosher? I
actually taught about Judaism to my students in Chongqing”. At that moment, I seriously fell in love with
her! We discussed how students and individuals in general are so naive in
China. They are censored about learning other religions and in the end the
Government is just making their people very ignorant. During dinner we also had some interesting
conversations. She’s the only Chinese woman I feel comfortable asking about
things you would normally talk over with your girlfriends. She’s very open and
speaks her mind. All of those questions I had from last month about why she couldn't get a better job were finally answered. Some universities are owned by
the federal government, and it is very difficult to get a teaching job, unless
you know someone (Wink, wink) “You have to sell something really expensive or sell
your soul to get a job, that’s how things work in China. That’s why my brother
left.” She was actually thinking about getting her doctorate while working, but
you have to gain permission from the dean. Urgh! Another ridiculous rule. Just
like me, she’s very observant and said that the dean notices that she’s not
like the other women. He’s possibly even intimidated by her knowledge and good
English that he’s robbing her of an opportunity that would be really beneficial
for the students.
After dinner
we walked to her apartment. The favor that she asked for was me editing her translation
of an essay written by an 80 year old Chinese man who was explaining the
concept of Tai Chi through the Big Bang. Her home was a modern take with a
fusion of Asian style. She’s obsessed with plants and flowers and has little souvenirs
all around her apartment. Her husband has his own room for calligraphy and she
has her own room for her extensive collection of books. We looked over pictures
of her wedding and her travels in the States from Milwaukee (where her brother
lived), Salt lake city, Mount Rushmore, Niagara Falls, Las Vegas, Los Angles New York, and so many more! We were sipping tea and talking about
Russian authors like Chekhov and Dostoevsky It was a good, spontaneous day
spent with an intellectually stimulating person who finally, finally knows what Judaism is. I sincerely hope that she will get an
opportunity to teach soon because students can actually learn a lot and need her
to have some common knowledge.
