Athena

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.