Yay! I'm getting a puppy!

My Indonesia-based former roommate Carolyn (who has in the past professed herself dubious about my affection for rabid dogs) has finally come around!

Such a thoughtful housewarming gift ... (A quick reminder, however: Packages take forever to arrive in China, so don't forget to poke a few air holes for the little fellow.)



In other news ... Today is a very special day in China, as it marks the 60th anniversary of the Uncle Mao's great revolution. It also marks the start of a 10-day holiday for us (though 'holiday' is stretching it a bit: We have to make up the classes we miss by teaching on the weekends).

On Monday, we noticed that our cell phone rings have been switched to a patriotic song sung by Jackie Chan (no, really, I'm not kidding).

The excitement for the festivities are only matched by the paranoia about potential problems arising from those segments of the population who find a little less to celebrate in the anniversary. Hence, security is on full alert, they've shut down T*b8t, and are asking residents to "stay home and watch the festivities on TV." (In preparation for the fun, and its possible fallout, we've been told to update our emergency evacuation plans.)

A sampling of excerpts from the news about National Day:

• "Meteorologists said their efforts to prevent foul weather on Oct. 1 involved satellites, 400 scientists, cloud-probing lasers and a squadron of transport planes capable of sprinkling liquid nitrogen into pregnant clouds." (China hopes, tries for rain-free festivities, NY Times)

• "The media have been under tighter control, with stern injunctions not to play up bad news. One organisation reportedly set a quota of no more than 30% "negative" news ... And in Chongqing, couples will be unable to divorce on National Day, local media warned." (China's National Day parade: Public barred from celebrations, UK Guardian)

• "The Japanese Kyodo news agency has reported that unidentified authorities in Beijing stormed the hotel room of three visiting journalists (who were trying to cover the parade rehearsal), beat them and damaged two computers." (Beijing authorities beat Kyodo journalists)

• "Nearly 5,000 of China’s 2.3 million soldiers will march past the nation’s leaders ... They have trained to stand motionless for a solid hour, to refrain from swaying during the second hour and not to collapse after three hours ... They are also expected not to blink for 40 seconds at a time ... Mental-health professionals have been called in to help those whose performance is not up to snuff. As of Sept. 12, 1,300 soldiers had received counseling." (No Detail Is Overlooked as China Prepares to Celebrate, NY Times)