tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87287346055021304512011-07-09T03:57:40.364+08:00Don't wait until you go someplace。。。。。。。。。。 You are someplace.Jessica Bibbee, aka 云清http://www.blogger.com/profile/15146660119474326874noreply@blogger.comBlogger491100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728734605502130451.post-1754267224629042682010-07-31T18:24:00.004+08:002010-08-01T12:48:02.504+08:00

It's time to say goodbyeto many sweet days with Blogger.The Jade Teaspoon has moved to Wordpresshttp://thejadeteaspoon.wordpress.comand hopes to see you soon.A Mongolian scholar of yore knows that to understand the world,one needs to start with the globe.Note: Access to Blogger is still blocked within China. Without access to a much appreciated VPN (proxy), I would be unable to publish to my blog

Jessica Bibbee, aka 云清http://www.blogger.com/profile/15146660119474326874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728734605502130451.post-55261898901690085632010-05-11T13:35:00.012+08:002010-05-19T12:49:01.174+08:00

Views from the PECTOPAH, the Mongolian stretch of the Trans-Siberian Express:Home for 15 hoursPulling into the StationSleeping the Night Away on a Plastic Bottle PillowSmiles from a Friendly Fellow Passenger'Ger' (yurt) Residence on the Open Gobi SteppeBactrian Camel and Her BabeSunrise over the GobiLand of Horses and HorizonsOutskirts of UlaanbaatarNote: Access to Blogger is still blocked

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"Eggplants are vehicles for flavor."Over the years, I've drawn on these wise words of my good friend, Evan, many a time while in the kitchen.While other vegetables are also vehicles for flavor -mushrooms, zucchini, and tofu- the versatile eggplant is one of my familiar favorites: red sesame sauces the eggplantFirst, a brief overview on how I classify eggplants into the following two types: prime

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It was on a south-bound train, a few hours out of Beijing, that my lens caught this painted mosaic beyond the track:Train #1403 slumbers along at unremarkable speeds, but even still, I am not quick enough to make meaning of these Chinese characters. My camera often acts as my ancillary faculty, and this snapshot proved no exception.I awaited the opportunity to discover the wisdom written into

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My morning class is now over, and lunch time is near.I take to the busy streets of Beijing and head toward my favorite diner: a small hole in the wall that specializes in steamed buns and steamed dumplings.The small restaurant is impossible to miss; circular stacks of bamboo steamers rise like culinary skyscrapers from atop the barrel of boiling water. Steam pours through the trays, around the

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Google has recently stated that it is investigating a new approach to its dealing with China.Security breaches aimed at the search giant also struck out at several other entities, targeting what seems to be the accounts of human rights activists.I wonder if someone as unknown as myself could be among the unnumbered individuals targeted. I am doubtful, but I would be honored.exemplaryThis comes

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With every utterance of control, there is an ego born of pride, of false knowing and incomplete understanding.For as much as we control, so are we controlled by that which is around us. As much as we analyze this process, even more so do we become a part of it.It is sheer ignorance, if the naiveté of humanity, that permits even us to step outside of that which consumes us, that which is a part of

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Over the years, I have pondered much the notion of respect –what it does mean and what it does not mean. While it may be foolish to try to define it rigidly or simplistically, I find value in pursuing a truer understanding of it. To disregard the exploration of the abstraction or ambiguity surrounding respect, is to simply default to a superficial definition of respect.a question How do the terms

Jessica Bibbee, aka 云清http://www.blogger.com/profile/15146660119474326874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728734605502130451.post-82437424275620813062010-01-09T19:33:00.012+08:002010-01-10T17:48:18.699+08:00

the red stamp of officialdomThis red stamp validates and sublimely summarizes the last four months of my service as a visiting English Teacher, partnering up with EduChina and Shangqiu Experimental Elementary Schools of Henan Province.Two months ago, I requested a letter of recommendation, and my superior insisted that a personalized recommendation could not compare to this certificate; it is the

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No part of this post is written with explicit intent to compare the literal and figurative, and any resemblance to any character that died in 1976 may be purely coincidental.Introducing the Chinese ¥100 bill -two of them, to be exact:detect the twin: indubitable identical and fraternal fakeLet me explain.Over the last month of 2009, I came to be the unwitting owner of two fake ¥100

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Coconut, Cashew, Ginger... unite!It's that time of year, and the bells are ringing; the lights are blinging. Even here in Beijing.drastic measuringWhat's a Christmas gathering without rum balls? The only problem is that my cupboards are scant of rum.This called for drastic measures: I altered the traditional recipe to create a simple holiday confection that is possible to make in even the

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October 1, 2009. National Day. The 60th Anniversary of the founding of The People's Republic of China.As the capital city of Beijing's Parade and thus downtown were closed off to The People for the grand commemoration of the day, I turned my bike around in defeat and and stopped for a stroll in the park.sidewalk sightingthe sidewalk is a urinal: urinate to commemorate?地坛公园 [dìtán gōngyuán, Temple

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My kitchen table is cluttered with the artifacts of my life - Mandarin books, painting supplies, imported chocolate, the days wages in pink Chairman Mao-graced bills, a deck of Yaoji playing cards, an address book.And dirtied dishes from a hurried lunch, that might have been washed had I hot water in my kitchen.Amidst the disarray, I set my dinner on the table one bowl at a time, before heading

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technology keeps the tradition in modernity:biking around the Drum Tower in Beijing's Gulou districtmodernityQuite literally, the bi-pedal of the past still rules in the present, here in China.In the above scene, a bike-on-green light is situated directly on, if beneath, an automobile light pole.The nation's fleet of cars is expanding with each breath, but the sturdy and trusty bicycle hangs onto

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Waiting on my bike for cars to pass, I oppose the proper flow of traffic, simply because to agree with it would take me away from my home.At last the cars pass slowly; ‘new hands’ slower than old hands, as they methodically and awkwardly navigate first around a ‘No Parking’ sign and then me and another opposer on bicycle, too. The sign is propped up adjacent to a full set of parked cars.Last to

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It seems there is always something to ban [and then something to breach?] in Beijing.For example, at a gallery in Beijing's 798 Art District, this begged for a shooting:no photography...While visiting a WC at a local coffee shop, I could not resist another breaking of the photography ban...... a photo of a photo of a 'no photography' ban...though I never did find anything else worth photographing

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a falun welcomeAs I exited the Hung Hom Train Station in Kowloon, Hong Kong on June 11, 2009, I was immediately greeted by a banner stating "Falun Dafa Is Good."Could it be?Though Falun Gong had surfaced in conversations since 2001 (the second time I lived in China) it had been just as long since I had really seen any sort of promotion, defense, or propaganda about what mainland Chinese refer to

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Fear is my foe, my fatal flaw, unforgivable.And yet it is my most patient friend, most loyal indeed, never to leave, only to disappear, from view, but ever and always near.It is not oppressive as others may say, nor is it imposing as you might believe.But its mere presence is enough to render rationale undone, to allow the imagination to run free, to see the light as if without capacity to

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This post is long overdue, but at long last it will be shared.June 4, 2009After a busy day of teaching English to local elementary students, I was lucky enough to catch mass transit to the city square, otherwise known as Tiananmen Square，天安门 (tiān'ānmén), before it closed.Quite literally, I arrived just minutes before the Square closed. I couldn't recall the square closing so early before, not

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It is in the might of darkness nearthat the humble soul asks simplythat the way light the path, and'lo the blessed soul is blinded by the lightthat simply is but darkness' wrath,which never is what darkness hath.Note: Access to Blogger is still blocked within China. Without access to a much appreciated VPN (proxy), I would be unable to publish to my blog from within mainland China. Thus, I am

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It is time to be heard.Just last month, China announced a threat to install anti-pornography software on every computer sold in China, or so says western media. However, local media specifies more flexibility, under the name of choice and freedom. The truth simply is hard to capture in black and white.One thing that is easily quantified is a number of websites currently (or recently) blocked from

Jessica Bibbee, aka 云清http://www.blogger.com/profile/15146660119474326874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728734605502130451.post-16068441039429220362009-04-25T14:24:00.022+08:002009-04-26T14:51:52.508+08:00

verbal vendingThe thought of a peddler shouting out the day's services and goods is sure to bring a sense of familiarity... at least in China.Even if you have never been to China, you can readily imagine a peddler slowly riding a bicycle through the street, shouting out to the residents.oral historyI owe a special thanks to a friend, back in OR, for sharing a recent NPR story, relaying the

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Traveling across Beijing at night -by public transit- can be a challenge, but is always an adventure.This is true not only for someone who spent their entire life in small towns where public transit was essentially nonexistent, but it is an equal mystery for people who were raised right here in the city, perhaps some blocks down the street.bicycle by day, taxi by twilightBicycles are locked up

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The Spring and Summer seasons of Beijing meet with street intersections laden with vendors selling wares of pottery, services... and fruit.oh, pineapple quarters: real sweet treatFor the affordable sum of ¥1, the common people pause on a typical afternoon to enjoy a quarter of a pineapple on a stick - a cooling and tangy refreshment to ward off the dryness and heat of Beijing.The vendors wheel

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Making eggs in Beijing can be an exciting deviation from the regular breakfast duty...the delicious eggs benediciteLast year, my roommate's mother would visit from Tianjin, a coastal city some 3 hours East of Beijing by slow train. In fact, Auntie would more so *visit* Tianjin and *reside* in Beijing to cook and clean for her 21-yr old daughter, who was self-studying French and supposed to be

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《the big old dog and the little yapper dog》As chance would have it and lore would remember it, there once were two mates: the little yapper dog and the big old dog.The big old dog laid steadily on the still ground, while the little yapper dog would yap and run in little circles about the big old dog.The big old dog would get up, and mozy to and fro', moving freely as big old dogs do.And the

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c.2005Once upon a time,in a land not far from here,existed grasses swaying freelywith grains atop each blade,fraying sweetly fro' and to.Onwards from the bladeby wind and then by way,likewise on to airthe grain journeyed pastand well beyond its means.No arms or legs or torsono brain, no thought, no morethan simple cells sexing sofrom the center of its halves,a sprouting sprig in waiting.From a

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in deed, in a wordThere are days when the world rolls and you feel yourself at a crawl. Time stands still, and you can only watch it all unfold in slow motion.Apparently, after all of my travels, I am still learning a thing or two about tourist visas. While it is my 5th entry into mainland China [over 10 years], it is only my first time entering on a tourist visa.The Continental Airlines staff of

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What time asks,we must produce.Of our wills and her waysof might and otherwise true -the night skies lurk;day skies ever blue.And the eyes that seeare but the same still two.

Jessica Bibbee, aka 云清http://www.blogger.com/profile/15146660119474326874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728734605502130451.post-21026739460308676942009-01-07T10:15:00.005+08:002010-01-13T14:50:08.080+08:00

A fool changes to become someone who he is not.The wise changes to become someone who he is.

Jessica Bibbee, aka 云清http://www.blogger.com/profile/15146660119474326874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728734605502130451.post-48562731072431426522008-12-29T22:19:00.022+08:002009-03-15T14:47:31.742+08:00

Tonight, I will bear a bit of soul and shed whatever pride did not already leave with autumn's farewell.I have a story to share.But where this story begins is not so clear, for life entwines itself more like an entropic dust-bunny and less like the carefully woven tapestry.OMINOUS 88-TOOTHED BEASTIn my early years, I recall the upright bureau of an antique radio sitting near a chest hiding the 8-

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Today, I get to share a photo with the world： BBC Theme: BLUEActually, it was *published* on 17-Dec, but thanks to a friend back home in the Keweenaw, I was alerted [today] that my submission had been chosen for 1 of 10 photos selected for the BBC photo theme of BLUE.http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/7779651.stmIt's the second time I have submitted a photo, but the first time my photo was

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（考新汉语水平考试还是不考）monkey business: to HSK or not There comes a point in every Mandarin student's lifetime when they must brave the ultimate test of notes, ink, and chords. And pay out the pocket for it, ¥500 to be exact. Some call it the Mandarin Proficiency Exam, aka HSK (Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi , i.e., 汉语水平考试)For those of you who are not students of Mandarin or have no intention of HSKing, you might

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Roots of Communication, Fruits of LanguageAs a foreigner, learning to speak Mandarin in her very motherland is akin to being born a second time, but this time through the aging eyes of experience. The early stages of learning a second language is more so an exercise in silence; body language takes precedence over the spoken word. It is a powerful experience to transition from having an educated

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Every country has its comfort food - a familiar flavor, a sure bet.While China has many a comfort food that range from meats to sweets, below are a couple of my favorites - simplicity and affordability underestimate the flavor!tomato•fried•eggTomato and egg join the familiar sweet and salty in an unlikely way, making this tasty comfort food a popular among locals and foreigners alike. The

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According to BBC, electoral college votes now stand at 273 (Obama) and 141 (McCain).It appears as if history will be made tonight, and I am VERY HAPPY to have been and be a part of that decision.Hooray for America!

Jessica Bibbee, aka 云清http://www.blogger.com/profile/15146660119474326874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728734605502130451.post-69198149206692770512008-11-01T17:21:00.041+08:002009-03-15T14:41:49.718+08:00

My matrilineal apple pie recipe may have its roots in Ohio, but it is now budding in Beijing.the surrogate tart panToday's creation began with an invitation to my boss and her husband for pie and tea. I asked if that would be of interest to them, knowing that desserts are not as popular here as in the West.He really likes apple pie, she says. McDonald's apple pie. She is not such a big fan.It was

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My black clothing served as a magnet for the penetrating rays of sunlight that cut through the crisp fall air. Out of the autumn breeze, a park bench seduced me into putting my feet up and letting my eyelids down...This is an autumn day fit for lore.It wasn't long before I awoke from my shallow slumber, nor was it from the soft hum of students walking past. It was something that I saw, something

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Below are a few ruminations from earlier this year:A flower blooms not before its time.¨ ¨ ¨Where the leaf falls, the wind will carry.¨ ¨ ¨The stone laid is no more prisoner than before.¨ ¨ ¨Death is not to be forgiven -for ever stealing souls,the wisdom of never more.Neither can be forgiven -the life that breathes,but gives nothing more.c. 20080520

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this is not my bike, but it could becyclic memoriesI still remember the day my training wheels came off my pink-flowered, banana-seat, one-speed bicycle.I was a fortunate kid and grew up in the countryside where we had a long driveway that offered a haven of safety for learning to tame the two-wheeled beast.From the toddler-terrorizing tricycle to the big-girls' bike, and eventually the mountain

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the highways are deserts for trees;the signs are wizards of safety;the people are zombies of purpose.

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What is meant for the eyes may not be born of words. And so, I'll keep this posting short.The last time I camped out on the Great Wall was in the late spring of 2001. I had been craving another night on the wall after all these years, and so gathered a few friends for a 14+k hike in this crisp pre-winter weather.This section of the wall dates back 400+ or 600+ years ago, respectively in

Jessica Bibbee, aka 云清http://www.blogger.com/profile/15146660119474326874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728734605502130451.post-832897164951345292008-10-26T19:53:00.013+08:002009-03-15T14:57:51.536+08:00

Sitting down to dinner in a cafeteria on the PKU campus, it struck me as odd that the food had me thinking of Michigan and Florida.The smell of food and the taste of food has the power to teleport one to another land. The feel and texture of food itself is enough to lose yourself in the moment, in the land of another time - as if it were right here and right now.Something so simple, yet so

Jessica Bibbee, aka 云清http://www.blogger.com/profile/15146660119474326874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728734605502130451.post-40432525872740316492008-10-22T22:28:00.012+08:002009-03-15T14:59:00.992+08:00

Fall officially fell today.The morning was cool, if not warm, and thick with the humidity that begs for a downpour. Hours later, that wish was fulfilled, and heavy rain fell from the sky and penetrated strong winds as if to threaten with snow or even hail.The loyalty of the Beijing summers has disappeared at the first threat of winter, and I fear there is no turning back.I had decided to bike to

Jessica Bibbee, aka 云清http://www.blogger.com/profile/15146660119474326874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728734605502130451.post-71351683526165066912008-10-22T00:16:00.004+08:002009-03-15T15:00:20.449+08:00

Sometimes a tortilla needs to go crispy. Even when you had hopes of folding it sensuously around the innards of your meal.On a late night in my kitchen like tonight, the only vegetable in my pantry is garlic. So, I reached into the far corners of my vegetarian kitchen and looked for a way to make tortillas with garlic a little more interesting.Here is the story of the egg crisp. Tortillas from

Jessica Bibbee, aka 云清http://www.blogger.com/profile/15146660119474326874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728734605502130451.post-9283756902355344462008-10-17T16:51:00.012+08:002009-03-15T15:01:28.272+08:00

... learning to use chopsticks...Class by day and teaching by night, I have a [verbal contract] with the 2nd Ballistic [Division] Elementary (二炮幼儿园) in the Shangdi district of Beijing. It was three months before I was able to correctly translate -and understand- what kind of school that I was employed at, though in actuality, it is just another typical elementary school. These preschoolers are

Jessica Bibbee, aka 云清http://www.blogger.com/profile/15146660119474326874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728734605502130451.post-5827709723693129152008-10-16T20:35:00.028+08:002009-03-15T15:02:58.068+08:00

Every city and village on earth has its own standards for who may call themselves a "local".In the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, for example, true locals will say that you can't call yourself a local unless you are born there - leaving not much hope for those who fall in love with the place after visiting as an adult! Other places are not so demanding, however, and the mastering of a few local

Jessica Bibbee, aka 云清http://www.blogger.com/profile/15146660119474326874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728734605502130451.post-17244231397763500662008-10-14T22:02:00.017+08:002009-03-15T15:03:41.317+08:00

Student life in Beijing is certainly nothing to complain about, though it can be a challenge to weave a meal-plan into a schedule with the equivalent of 6 bosses and 6 offices. Tuesdays and Thursday afford no break for me; just thinking of lollygagging between classes means I could miss a quiz delivered at the ring of the bell.It is the fourth week of my first semester at Peking University (PKU).

Jessica Bibbee, aka 云清http://www.blogger.com/profile/15146660119474326874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8728734605502130451.post-47634169659494265622008-10-13T23:58:00.012+08:002009-03-15T15:04:08.583+08:00

This just in! the P.R. of C. has approved The Jade Teaspoon with the official chop (wordpress is still roaming freely just out of reach, so to speak.) Let it be, in more ways than one!And so, this blog is a go, but it will begin with a note-to-self from days of past: Voice not that which you think, nor that which ought be said; voice that which ought be heard.Another, closing, thought for the day

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