It is odd to be over seas at election time. Just a few weeks ago it was a rather large part of my somewhat empty life, now I kind of miss not having the deluge of ridiculous over reportage that I typically cringe at. I guess the only thing I am lacking is the TV news coverage. I have all the internet stories. I guess I actually miss television!
In other news, I went to the supermarket yesterday and spent some time talking to one of the other teachers. He is also named Jonathan. He is very nice and from Ohio. He, along with the other American english teachers have all been here since August. It really makes my long period of patient waiting kind of pointless. I can only assume that the agency I am working for either was totally inept or the folks at this school may have special treatment.
Apparently, the headmistress is highly connected within the state's education ministry, so maybe that is how it works. The politically connected can get you a visa, while those who are not connected can't. That may be overstating the issue, but I am inclined towards that opinion. Wish I had come here a couple of months ago and gotten myself started.
At the supermarket I discovered some more odd stuff; specifically cuccumber, italian meat sauce and steak favored potato chips. I also found a 10 dollar bottle of wine, which unfortunately did not last long, as I enjoyed drinking it.
The food at the supermarket is fine. Packaging is obviously problematic for someone like me who is functionally illiterate here in china. I have to act like a toddler and riddle out the contents of all the pretty colored bags and boxes with their shiny, cartoon characters and gloss.
The danger for me is that an enticing cartoon character does little to tell me if the contents of packaging will be what I want. It is kind of interesting as a study in how the mind works. It might be worth investigating how merchandizing is orchestrated towards the illiterate. Obviously, the packaging must be geared towards a literate audience here in china. The english on the packaging of asian products is kind of baffling to me. I am very glad for it. I guess the marketing folks here in china have adduced that putting english on a product will make it alot easier for people to know what it is because mandarin characters might not be as widely read as english.
Anyway, today I am heading to the walmart to check that out. Going to try a local restaurant and get some supplies.
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