Five Days In Jinan

It is hard to believe that we have been in Jinan for five days.  We have been very busy getting registered with the police, the university and getting our university and bank accounts set up.  Fortunately, we have had a wonderful person whose English name is Robin, from the English Department who has walked us through all of these procedures and showed us around the campus as well as places to shop.

Since this is my first “blog”, I will try to remember the events of these past days.

Day 1, Saturday evening, August 30 - Arrived in Jinan Saturday, 11:00 p.m. after leaving Las Vegas Friday morning.  We did lose 15 hours, so we are still trying to adjust to the time difference.  Sunny, our department head, was there to pick us up and another man came to pick up the Robertson who flew with us from Seattle.  They are on the main campus, about a 35 minute bus ride from our new home. The pollution in the air was heavy and on the ride from the airport it was difficult to see Jinan.  We did arrive safely and were in bed by 1:30 a.m.

Day 2, Sunday, August 31 - Woke up early and showered and dressed in our Sunday clothes.  We rode the bus to the Hanlin Hotel where the Welshes and Burnetts are living.  They arrived on Wednesday.  We had a wonderful virtual (voice only) sacrament meeting with 59 other members from around China.  One of the teachers who lives at the Hanlin and is a member gave a talk in Sacrament Meeting.  Two other members gave talks from other places in China.  No one in our group was authorized to prepare and pass the sacrament, so we sat quietly and remembered the Savior, hoping that next week we could participate again.  Afterwards, all 7 of us had dinner together.  The Robertson weren't able to make it.  How grateful we are to have friends from the workshop in Jinan.

Day 3, Monday September 1 - Sunny (Dr. Su) and Robin took us to a buffet lunch at a hotel near the campus.  Then they gave us a tour of the campus and answered many of our questions.  As we were walking in front of the Shandong University Library, a man came up to Richard and smiled.  At first Richard didn't recognize him, then he said, “I am Adam”.  Richard and I immediately knew who he was.  Richard gave him a hug, something that isn't done very often in China in public.  His American name is Adam Yang.  He is a Dr. of Oncology at the Chi nan Hospital across the street from our campus.  8 years ago, he and his daughter contacted Richard and Joan and arranged to come to this apartment for English lessons.  They were getting ready to go to Houston, TX where Adam would do a residency at MD Anderson Cancer Hospital.  HIs daughter, April went with him.  What makes this really special is that when Joan learned about her cancer, they contacted Adam in Texas and he arranged to have them treat her there.  They made many trips and the treatments extended her life by over 18 months.  His daughter is still in Texas.  It was a very special day

Day 5,Wednesday, September 3 - Richard and I went shopping at Artie Mart and U Mart.  Artie Mart is a large grocery store, much bigger than a Super Walmart.  We bought some food as well as batteries.  At U Mart (a tiny American market), we bought Miracle Whip and chocolate chips.  😊. We came home and worked on our lessons.  School begins next Wednesday for me and not until September 15 for Richard.  I will be teaching Tuesday - Friday.  I will have 4 classes of freshmen Medical Students and 5 classes of Sophomore Medical Students.  Each class will meet for 2 hours once a week.  I am excited and nervous.  Richard has an easier schedule this semester with 6 classes meeting on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Authored by Carolyn