Friday, October 14, 2005
ACCUPUNCTURE, KUNG FU & A NEW HOMESTAY
John, an Australian originally from Iowa came and taught us about Chinese Medicine. We learned about traditional herbs, yin & yang and qi (chi.) He then demonstrated accupuncture. I volunteered to be his victim. He put 5 needles in the ankle that I hurt in February. It made my foot numb which was the "qi circulating through my body." It was almost entirely painless, except for the needle in my tendon, which hurt a lot. I also got a few in my thighs to help the muscles sore from Kung Fu, and one on my wrist and forehead to relax me (which really did work...I fell asleep.)
We started contact in Kung Fu. A few moves from "pushing tai chi" that can block a punch and then throw the person who threw the punch. The first time I tried, instead of pushing the teacher with my left hand I smacked him on the back. He laughed. The next few times were better, though I worried about hurting the teacher (being twice his size.) I then had the realization that with all his training, nothing I could do could hurt him. Once I stopped worrying I started to get it right.
I have a new homestay family. Maggie, who works at the language school hooked my up with her sister. There's a mother, fater and 15 year old daughter. The daughter is very shy and doesn't talk much. The dad works for China Unicom and the mom is a doctor. I asked what kind and found out "geneology and obstetrics." It's always interesting when Chinese people speak English. They have a huge (by Chinese standards) house and I have my own room. They have a western toilet and are right by SueyHu (The Green Lake downtown.)
Today I got a writing tutor. His name is "Money." We start tomorrow.
John, an Australian originally from Iowa came and taught us about Chinese Medicine. We learned about traditional herbs, yin & yang and qi (chi.) He then demonstrated accupuncture. I volunteered to be his victim. He put 5 needles in the ankle that I hurt in February. It made my foot numb which was the "qi circulating through my body." It was almost entirely painless, except for the needle in my tendon, which hurt a lot. I also got a few in my thighs to help the muscles sore from Kung Fu, and one on my wrist and forehead to relax me (which really did work...I fell asleep.)
We started contact in Kung Fu. A few moves from "pushing tai chi" that can block a punch and then throw the person who threw the punch. The first time I tried, instead of pushing the teacher with my left hand I smacked him on the back. He laughed. The next few times were better, though I worried about hurting the teacher (being twice his size.) I then had the realization that with all his training, nothing I could do could hurt him. Once I stopped worrying I started to get it right.
I have a new homestay family. Maggie, who works at the language school hooked my up with her sister. There's a mother, fater and 15 year old daughter. The daughter is very shy and doesn't talk much. The dad works for China Unicom and the mom is a doctor. I asked what kind and found out "geneology and obstetrics." It's always interesting when Chinese people speak English. They have a huge (by Chinese standards) house and I have my own room. They have a western toilet and are right by SueyHu (The Green Lake downtown.)
Today I got a writing tutor. His name is "Money." We start tomorrow.
