SUNDAY SNAPSHOT

The team of foreign English teachers at my university and I went on an outing to get to know one another better and to help the two new teachers get better acquainted with the city. Here we are posing in front of St. Sophia Orthodox Cathedral, one of Harbin's famous sights. On the left, M. (new to Harbin, second year in China), B. (third year in Harbin), J. (new to Harbin, new to China), and me (second year in Harbin).

HELLO HARBIN!

I'm back in Harbin for my second year of teaching!!!

I arrived around noon today on a beautiful summer day in the North
East of China. Last year, I didn't arrive until the very end of
September, so I didn't know how beautiful the campus would look at
this time of year! The trees are green, lots of flowers are blooming,
and the landscaping and road repairing that was going on when I left
has finished. Back in the residents area of campus, where I live,
many of the retired teachers were out playing card games, mahjong, or
just simply sitting and enjoying the summer breezes. As I walked
around campus this afternoon, running some errands, I kept my eyes
pealed for any student's I knew, but I sadly, I didn't see any. There
aren't many students around yet, but I expect they'll be arriving by
the end of the week.

I'm still trying to overcome the jet-lag, but on the bright side,
I'll be used to waking up early when classes start next week.

GOODBYE BLUEBERRYLAND

Blueberry cobbler is a summer staple in my family. Growing up, we had six blueberry bushes in our yard. In late July and August my sister and I would often pick a few cups right before dinner for our mom to bake into a cobbler.

Now, there’s current debate between some unnamed members of the family whether this blueberry cobbler was ever really a cobbler. It seems one side says it’s actually a crisp. I subscribed to the belief that it is indeed a cobbler since the recipe from which it came was entitled “Easy Blueberry Cobbler” and not “Easy Blueberry Crisp.” The recipe can still be found in the 1983 Southern Living Annual Recipes cookbook that sits on the cookbook shelf in the pantry.

My mom, and later, my sister and I, would make this cobbler weekly, even bi-weekly. Between the birds and us, we’d eat every last blueberry on those bushes. After they were gone, it would be another summer until we had cobbler, since you just can’t make blueberry cobbler with cryogenically frozen berries shipped from Jupiter.

For a girl who’s grown up on blueberry cobbler, you’d think it strange for her to go to a blueberryless land called China. Well, okay, I have seen blueberry-flavored things in China. There are those blueberry potato chips for one, and blueberry English toffees, oh, and some expensive blueberry health drink made from berries from a famous mountain. I’ve tried the two former ones and they’re quite disappointing. The point is, I’ve yet to see a real blueberry or even a frozen one for that matter. China is, as far as I can tell, blueberryless.

And so, after indulging on this dessert and breakfast as often as possible this summer, I think I’ve found the answer to the frequently asked question “What food do you miss the most while in China?” Blueberry cobbler! This is the taste of home that I’ll miss. Not turkey, not pumpkin pie, apple pie, or even Christmas cookies. All those I’ve been able to reproduce in China. But blueberries are as American as apple pie, or I guess I should say blueberries are as American as blueberry cobbler.

Blueberry season has just about finished, and I’m returning for another year of teaching in China. I’m sad to see this season of vacationing and visiting friends and family come to an end, but at the same time I’m also excited to see another fruit season begin over in China. And I’ll be home in time for the next blueberry season.

SUMMERTIME SNAPSHOTS

I stayed a weekend in Boston and visited some friends and family there.

It was my first real taste of Boston. Sure I'd toured colleges there when I was in high school and I went to see fireworks along the Charles one Fourth of July, but those just don't count when you compare it to an entire Saturday spent walking the Freedom Trail all through Boston followed by a free Beach Boy's concert.

My Boston visit in short: lots of walking, lots of sights, lots of people, and lots of fun :)

SUMMERTIME SNAPSHOTS

Here are some from my trip to Vermont and New Hampshire (and New York where my sister and I went cherry picking). I took the train there and back. It's such a nice way to travel, and I get enough hours in the air going to China, anyways. Also, it gives you a great view of New York City.

I just realized that I somehow managed to forget to take any pictures of my Alma Mater ... though I guess it'll still be there when I visit next time! (Or, if anyone has some pictures from my visit, please e-mail them to me).