The Engleson Files

Well, I have been thinking a lot lately about my Major League problem with not having a team to cheer for - click here for a refresher of my dire situation. Anyways, I have now narrowed it down to two teams: The St. Louis Cardinals and the Philadelphia Phillies. Both teams match the must be a National League team criteria, both are old school teams and both backcatchers wear the old style mask - now I just need to make a choice. I have been trying to follow the current World Series to see if it can help sway my decision but I have not been that successful so I am still not too familiar with the team. Remember: this is a decision for life so it is not one to be taken lightly. Last chance to help out here folks, but we now have a race of two!

So not to be outdone by her big brother, Svea Elina is also getting in on the question bandwagon and has had a couple of doozies to challenge her ol’ Dad with:

“Daddy?”
“Yes Svea,”
“Why does Rhinoceros do something?”
“Hmmm…”

As I have claimed before, I think Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou is an absolute genius in his craft; pretty much everything I have seen of his I have enjoyed thoroughly. Now, I wouldn’t say that I have a great affection for Chinese cinema as a whole but I have always had a great deal of respect for Zhang Yimou. Anyways, for many moons now I have been trying to find what many have claimed to be his greatest film To Live (as it loosely translates into English) and luckily Alice Ma was able to find me a copy with English subtitles (which has been the main problem!) So last night I was finally able to watch this movie and absolutely loved it! The story follows the life of one family as it travels through the end of the last dynasty, then through Mao’s rebellion, The Great Leap Forward and finally the Cultural Revolution. To say this is a sad story is an understatement, but is a fascinating insight into what actually happened during those times in Chinese history. Simply put, if you can get a copy of it give it a watch!!

I have always loved the month of October and today one of my favorite days of the year took center stage - the great family pumpkin hunt. Yes, today the Engleson’s along with the Brown’s and Defieux’s ventured deep into the Chinese countryside in search of the pumpkins that will become our Jack-o-Lanterns for the upcoming Halloween festivities. This day has become tradition in our family and it was great to get out and walk through the small villages once again. The country is quite beautiful at this time of year and I just love watching the kids run around and interact with whatever is thrown our way - curious onlookers, translation needs, climbing big rocks and hills and, of course, seeking out the best and biggest pumpkins we can find. In the end everyone came away with enough loot and now have a week to carve the giant beasts into shape. All in all it was a fantastic day out and everyone who participated had a great time!

Paper clips. This tiny little invention is the soul foundation of my professional being as a teacher; it is what helps distinguish me from being a good teacher to that of a poor one, it is what helps the minds of the future locate their paths in life and forge success along their journey, and it is also what helps enable me to provide for my family. Yes, the paper clip. A little dramatic? Maybe. But for those of you who know me know that my organizational skills at work are somewhat lacking. My desk is usually a scattered mess and, without a word of a lie, the success of my classes as a whole truly depends on Mr. E sitting down, collecting himself mentally and then grabbing a handful of paper clips and organizing my work. The paper clip grounds my focus back to my classes needs and helps generate ideas for what I need to do next - I simply could not teach without them! So, I would like to take this time right now to thank Johan Vaaler for his wonderful invention that has allowed me to be successful in my career. Long live the paper clip!!

Well, I would say Kristin and I (along with the Brown’s) have upped the ante in our Mahjong intake and are trying to average playing two times a month now - and let me tell you we are all loving it! Last night all of us settled down and delved into a game where Alice’s Mom (or Lao Lao as she is known to us) played with us and taught us through the school of hard knocks. Lao Lao is a wiz at the game and it was fantastic to learn from her as best we could. I would say very confidently that all of our skills are great improving but still work must be done. I’m not sure how to describe it but once this game seeps into your pores it just won’t let you go - the Engleson’s are officially Mahjong addicts!

Today the family ventured out into the countryside to go and pick some apples at a local orchard. Going with the Browns and Moshers, the whole gang packed up inside a nice mianbao che (or bread car as it translates - or van as we call them) with the thought of only picking the best apples on this most perfect of days - the Chinese claim that this is the best day to do it. The fall season here has been absolutely fantastic and it was wonderful to be out in the country wandering around. It was a great day out and we now have enough apples to sink a battleship. Happy apple picking day everyone!

Now, I realize I am way behind the times here but I have just finished watching the first five seasons of Entourage and enjoyed it thoroughly. I heard rumblings about this show earlier but for the most part knew nothing about it - this is the blessing and curse of living in China: great to not be involved in such a tv culture, bad when you miss a good one. The storyline is great, characters are well done (especially Ari Gold) and every season just got better and better. If you haven’t seen it I recommend that you do.

God, I don’t know where to begin with this one but I know I just have to get it out there. This is not really a guilty pleasure perse but more of a guilty as charged. Growing up I heard this song a lot and can always remember it being a very sad tune about boy-loses-girl type thing–in short I have always known this song. Anyways, one time in my later Grande Prairie Composite High School days I got dumped by one of my rare high school girlfriends and was feeling particularly fragile afterward. Emotionally drained, confused, bewildered, angered - you name it I was feeling it - so, feeling sorry for myself I decided to skip my last class of the day and went down to the mall to try and collect my shattered ego. I stopped in at a local music store and, as if in a trance, found my way to the bargin bin where I saw a “Best of Barry Manilow”compact disc. I took a quick look over my shoulder to see if anyone else was there, purchased the cd and quickly went back to my parents car and drove away to be alone with Barry. I parked the car at a nice spot on the highway out in the countryside, plugged in the cd and skipped to track #2, listened to this very song and cried like a baby. An hour or so later I came back to my senses, wiped away the tears and drove back home as though nothing happened. As you can imagine, I have kept this moment locked deep inside the guilty/shame file for a long time but found it got jarred last night when I heard Darren Brown singing this damn song. I can hide no longer, Barry Manilow’s Mandy - guilty as sin!!

Throughout my classroom I have posters littered on my walls (and I mean everywhere) to try and attempt students who have zoned out from my lesson to try and have something somewhat productive to focus on. Obviously I would love 100% attention all the time, but do realize this is highly unattainable - so this way they may be stimulated to daydream with some type of purpose. I have tried to be creative in my attempt to gain recognition of ideas and feel throughout the years some posters been fairly successful - here’s one of them…

This past weekend Kristin treated the family to her world famous homemade pumpkin pie. Last year was the first time she made one on her own and this year is all about honing her skills to perfect it - and needless to say, the pie was absolutely fantastic and all of us who indulged enjoyed it thoroughly! The fall season is such a wonderful time of year and it is partaking in such wonderful things such as pumpkin pie that makes the season even better. Thanks Kristin!

While this isn’t really a guilty pleasure perse, it is a pleasure that I just indulged in today for the first time since being in China - and that is, of course, Campbell’s Tomato Soup. Yes, on a cold fall or winter’s day there is absolutely nothing like a hot bowl of cream of tomato soup with saltine crackers! For years now I have gone without but this year I was able to convince Kristin that we had the space and weight in our cargo to sneak over 6 cans of this delicious treat, and today I lapped it up until my heart was content. Delicious! Sometimes it is the little things that you miss about home and life just seems to have that much more meaning with Campbell’s tomato soup with me in China - now I just have to figure out how to conserve 5 more cans for the rest of the year.

Another project I currently have on the go is this the restoration and motorization of this classic three wheel bike you see before you. Through a carefully orchestrated switch-a-roo with my bike guy I am getting parts and labor at cost and will soon have a revitalized tricycle on my hands. While this ride is no Chang Jiang, I do love it dearly and have so ever since my first visit up to Haerbin (where you see these bikes everywhere). In China, this style of bike is your standard blue collar means of making an honest buck. In rain, sleet or snow, everywhere you look you can see them carrying: fruit, meat, garbage, recycling and trinkets - you name it these bikes can carry them! Built out of solid steel they weigh a ton, can pack a ton and are pretty much indestructible. Can’t wait to see this come to completion.

Once again the Barkerville Goldpanners are strongly situated to run for their third championship in 10 years. The little town in the hills has got the fever and once again another Goldrush may ensue!

Goldpanners Roster

Forwards

Pavel Datsyuk
Ryan Getzlaf
Jerome Iginla
Jeff Carter
Johnathon Toews
Teemu Selanne
Sam Gagner
Claude Giroux
Blake Wheeler

Defence

Dion Phaneuf
Alexander Edler
Christian Ehrhoff
Brent Seabrook

Goaltender

Henrik Lundqvist