Sick in China

Sadly but not so surprisingly, I am sick again in China.  The first time was caused by some unknown foods at a Hot Pot restaurant across from the college.  Luke and I were movie-ridden for a week, only going to class and eating about half a meal a day.  This time was more catastrophic, involving (once again) Hot Pot.  This time was in ChongQing and it involved some undercooked cow stomach, which was forced upon us by our host, who said it will give you a strong stomach.  Nope.  Besides being gross on the way down, it was gross on the many repeated efforts to come back up the next day as we traveled back to Pengshan on the bullet train and bus system.  After a terrible day (the worst yet), I thought I was better yesterday, and ate like I felt.  Today I am paying for it.  Called off class and stayed in bed almost all day, listen to my stomach gurgling like an aquarium (a phrase I picked up from my dad describing his past stomach maladies) and running to the bathroom all too frequently.  Not much to tell on this end, but two surprising things happened today because of this:


1) About 10 minutes after I texted the class leader that class was cancelled, my phone rang off the charts with messages of good wishes from students.  From advice to encouragement to simply saying feel better, they succeeded.

The gems:
"Matt.  You should pay attention to the body to improve.  Everyone worries about you.  Eva"

"Mr. Matt: wish you get well soon.  Bonnie"

"We are very about you hope ~ that you can care of yourself"

"Matt ~ I heard you had a illness.  I am taking care of you.  Hope u take care of u.  And come back soon.  Annie"

"Hope Mr Matt take care of yourself and we will be looking forward to your return"

"Take more rest and drink more water.  Anita"

"Matt: is that you?  Monitor that you are ill, take your number so that we greet you, regard to hope that we will not disturb your rest!  You better hurry up!  Hope to see you earlier!"

"Teacher Matt.  I am your student sally I heart you are sick we all worry.  i look forward you have good health"

And an e-mail:

Matte:

         Hello!

        Heard you have fallen ill, has caught cold right?  Some worried about you!

        We here weather cloudy clear does not decide, you must pay attention add the clothes! You remember to take medicine on time.
       My friends and I still waiting for you in class too! Hope you recover soon!     

        Rina

 It took getting sick to realize how wonderful the students are, despite their cold and shy appearance in the classroom that is so alien to a westerner.

2) Luke and ALex talked to Dr. Zhou and she was also very worried about how much I have been sick.  (They failed to mention that its always the Hot Pot)  So, she talked to the chefs at the teacher's food area and is working on getting a western dish option at the meals.  The problem: no one knows how to cook western food!  Luke's solution: have foreign teachers teach them, like Matt!  OK, I like it.  And then baking came up and Dr. Zhou learned that I have experience in a bakery.  Her new goal: acquire an oven for the kitchen and have baking lessons.  I'm excited.  Luke's excited.  Alex is excited.  We shall see.  

My stomach is saying time for bed.  

gurgle...... gurgle....... gurgle......

Foods I have missed today: toast, ice cream, and TOAST!!!  Whole wheat toast.