Eth-Noh-Tec

Eth-Noh-Tec is grateful for all our friends who responded so generously to our fundraising effort, who are our giving volunteers, and for those who support our programs. Your belief in our mission and faith in our work has warmed our hearts. We have been able to pay for this month’s office expenses and next month’s rent! Thank you, thank you, thank you for kindness in our world.

In preparation for Thanksgiving, we asked “What are you thankful for?” The outpouring of responses has been truly inspiring.

I am thankful for being an artist in the USA and being part of a community of inspiring, caring, outspoken, creative people.
—Beth Grossman

I am thankful for the freedom and ability to make my own choices.
—Dianna Waite

How can one quantify the joy that this life offers? Have found that with every passing year, I grow more thankful for the earth beneath our feet, the people whose lives twine with mine, the opportunities to explore and celebrate, and mocha chip ice cream.
—Judith Black

Last weekend I played a hard cello piece I’ve been working on for many years in a casual concert, for friends. I messed up a little. I went to class on Monday and played the new piece the teacher handed us. I wasn’t happy with my solo. The teacher said “good!” to each of us. Then I remembered: the first thing to tell yourself after you’ve performed anything—”THANK YOU!”

remember remember remember to say Thank you!

—Gael Alcock

I’m thankful for your business thru the years! I have really enjoyed
working for you and wish you the very best.
—David Ehmig

Gosh, I’m grateful for a lot of things. In no particular order: A good job. My union (the major reason it’s a good job). A good home. My neighbors (including really cool next door neighbors who host performance salons in their attic). My family, all four generations. My friends, including my boyfriend. My spirtual communities. Living in a free country where I get to participate in more than one spiritual community without having to choose just one, or having the choice made for me by the government. The energy and intelligence of political activists who are trying to create a better world for all of us. The wonders of the night sky, and the friendship of fellow stargazers. The natural beauty of California, from the ocean shore to the mountains. All the music, theatre, etc. available to us in San Francisco. Good food, and the labor of the people who grow the food I eat. And on and on. I’m grateful for the opportunity to reflect on gratitude.
—Anthony Barreiro

I’m thankful that old Doris, on her death-bed,
told her daughter, “they’d be good people to have in this house”.

I’m thankful for a strong back.

I’m thankful for having a sense of humor and somebody who shares it.

I’m thankful for a roof that is water-tight.

I’m thankful for the abiding consistent support my parents give me.

I’m thankful for a wife who wakes up happy.

I’m thankful the wall board guys will be done soon.

—Jeffrey L. Gere

I am thankful for life, my life just as it is. I am thankful for the sun, and laughter in my life. I am thankful for challenges, and very very grateful for breathing every day.
—Susana Rivero Salas

I am grateful to be alive and breathe and create!

I am grateful for the people in my life, and for you two who hold the torch!

—Mindy Donner

After a roll over accident, which destroyed the car my daughter and I were in, I am most grateful for life! Amazingly neither of us were hurt.
—Yvonne Young

I am thankful for those who love and appreciate me.
—Kathy Hunter

I’m thankful for all the friends I have met all over the world. I schedule a trip to see the sights, but I come home with warm memories of the people I have met.
—Suzanne Miller

I am Thankful for my health and the heath of my children. I am also thankful that they are self confident, compassionate and intelligent young people.

I am Thankful for a wonderful cozy home and a yard I can relax in and drink tea.

I am Thankful for the fact that I enjoy all the ways I make money through my job as a teacher and as an artist.

I am Thankful for the love I have from family, friends and community.

—Muriel Johnson

I came in from a long walk this morning aware of things for which to be thankful.

It was such a beautiful morning…the sun was shining and the mountians were so clearly in view. Along the way some tress were golden colors and other were green with tall palms stretching above all. All different and lovely just as we humans are different but beauty in our own way. I am so greatful that at 87 I can walk miles up hill or downhill and enjoy this beautiful world. What joy to feel the energy from the earth, trees, grass and the air around. I am so grateful for the people who have helped me along the way…there have been some in little ways and others in major ways. I am grateful for the man with whom I have worked for over thirty years and shows me the way to maintain my health. Today in my session I did movements with eight to twenty-five pound sandbells. I am so blessed. If you do not know about sandbells look them up for they are great. Kettlebells and iron clubs are not good for me to use but the weight and strength I can get from sandbells and not hurt myself.

I was going to make this short but when it comes to thankfulness like this morning I am filled. I am also grateful for people like you who awaken us to the beauty of life and the Source.

—Wanna Zinsmaster

I am so very, very thankful for the Occupy Wall Street movement and all of its offspring throughout the United States and even in numerous other countries. May the 99% continue to rise up in its own interests!
—Kathleen O’Nan

I am grateful for so much in my life; my childre/family, pets, home, health, garden/mini farm, creativity and expression, friends, food for the table and
heat for my home. Every day is Thanksgiving…it is nice to remember, count my blessings and say a heartfelt “thanks!”.
—Midge Kirk

I am thankful for a job I enjoy, a home that is a refuge, family and friends that support my “adventures,” and all my lovely cats.
—Elly Reidy

I am grateful every day that my experience in China with the Nu Wa and Gengcun Tellers continues to shape my life as a teller. Thank you Nu Wa, thank you Gengcun!
—Kelvin Saxton

I am thankful for friends who are family (like you!) and family who are friends. I am also thankful for my 92-year-old mother who now lives with us after my beloved sister Alyce’s passing.
—Leeny Del Seamonds

We’re thankful for having Nancy and Robert in our lives.
—Molly and Brian McKenzie

Ethnotec and stories, Health, Warm Home, Good husband, Alive Parents Friends, music and dance, Granddaughters and their parents, UULiC, retirement with funds, excellant medical coverage.
—Caroll Dickinson

I can only paraphrase the lines of Miss Kathryn’s epitaph, ‘She was twice blessed: She was happy; She knew it.’

The secret to contentment is to be continuously aware of and thankful for your blessings: a wonderful marriage, a satisfying career, loving family and friends…

I am twice blessed: I am happy; I know it.

—Sherry Norfolk

I am grateful for my life and my body, my mind and my spirit, for all my abilities and sensations, for my ongoing inner happiness and joy because it colors every aspect of my experience on earth.

I am grateful for my husband, Bob, because he is the man of my dreams and I got to meet him while I was wide awake. I have enjoyed this journey of life with him as my partner for the past 23 years! May the next 23 be just as wonderful.

I am grateful for my daughter Emily, who showed me how to play every day and to live life to the fullest, even when life is complete in just five and a half years.

I am grateful for my son, Thomas, who showed me power in the meaning of existence, without even taking one breath, and how it can open a community to love and connection in a way I had never witnessed.

I am grateful for my son, Timothy, who has remained here on Earth for fourteen years and who gives me the chance to do something I have always wanted to do: be a mom.

I am grateful to my mom and dad(s) because they brought me here to the Earth and raised me with so many amazing experiences.

I am thankful for my sister, Carol, because I got to be a big sister and got to experience our family life growing up.

I am so grateful for my friends, too many to mention right now, because each one is a reflection of me and they help me to know myself more and more each day. I am grateful for the power of story and how it shows up as a healing and as a connection from heart to heart with each relationship I have.

I am grateful for this beautiful home we live in because it offers more than shelter. It provides a warm, welcoming, loving, safe place for me and my family to be re-charged.

I am grateful for nature and so thankful to be living in Oregon where there is so much to explore because it brings me “home” to my center again and offers so much nature.

I am grateful for the seasons because it reminds me of the changes within as well as around me.

I am thankful to have met each of you, Nancy and Robert, because your genuine joy and passion for your work shines so brightly that it inspired me to move and have fun in your workshops in ways I would never have imagined. You each have a way of bringing out the best in everyone and I am thankful to have witnessed that live and in person!

Thanks for asking for this list. Gratitude infuses my days and thoughts on a regular basis, almost moment to moment, but it was such a nice process to actually stop and write out some of the things I am thankful and grateful for.

There are so many more things I am grateful for. The list is truly endless, but for now I will pause and pass this on via e-mail, which I am very grateful for as well.

—Terry Jordan

I am thankful for the courage shown by all participants of the Arab Spring and Occupy Wall Street. They have given me a new sense of hope that positive change can happen in our world. Indeed, it must if we are going to survive.
—Barbara Fankhauser

After getting one week’s notice that I was being laid off a job I had held for 29 years, I am thankful to find a job working with children within 2.5 months!!!
—Margaret Eng

So, tell us, if you haven’t already, what are you thankful for?

Get These Three Special Deals:

For a limited time, get our DVDs regularly priced at $20 for $15 each. That’s 25% off for the holidays!

Get our CDs regularly priced at $16 for $10 each. That makes 38% off!

While supplies last, get a free cassette of spooky stories, Tales of Terror, with your purchase of $50 or more.

We’ve got t-shirts, mugs, & more for your holiday gift-giving.

Eth-Noh-Tec is seeking a volunteer bookkeeper to do the following tasks:

1) Enter A/P and A/R into QuickBooks
2) Make bank deposits twice monthly
3) Reconcile bank statements, checkbooks, and Quickbooks.
3) Create reports in QuickBooks as needed

Hours: Four hours every two weeks or as needed.

Skills and Experience Required:
Strong QuickBooks skills
Knowledge of bookkeeping practices
CPA or bookkeeping certificate

Skills and Experience Preferred:
Experience with non-profit organizations

Please send resume and interest to:
Diana Thompson
ethnohtec@gmail.com

Days #14-#15: Sept. 24-25, 2010

Our Last Days

We are back in Beijing – slightly foggy, but a lovely breeze and the temperature’s about 70. Ahhh.

We’re being reduced rapidly: one off to a university for her workplace, another to her uncle’s for a reunion, one laying low to preserve his waning energy, and poor Robert sick with the flu. So, only five of us ventured to go to the Ethnic National Park.
The hardest part of this was trying to get a cab! We find out that the cab ride should be about 45 yuan. We approach one cab and he says can only take 4, but will take 5 if we pay him 100 yuan. We say ’90 yuan’? He says ‘no’ and so do we.

Beijing Traffic

We try the next cab in line at the hotel. This time, the cab just out and out says ‘no’ to us even with us splitting up into 2 groups. Number one cab’s driver must be some kind of ‘big boss’.

Next cab in line the same. Two of us finally find one cab with a ‘yes’ – he’ll take two of us.

The bell boy comes out to help us. Number 2 cab drives away in a huff without passengers. He makes number 1 cab move up and out of the way.

Finally, number 3 cab is convinced to take the three remaining passengers and off we all go to the park.

But oh! We forgot to create a meeting place and when the two of us get to the park, there is no sign of the other three.

After about 5 minutes, we cross the street to buy tickets anyway – and believe me, it is a huge risk to cross streets in Beijing – or anywhere in China! But we do, and as we do, their cab pulls up! Yay! We have somehow made it to the same entrance!

Should We Hop on the Bus, Gus?

(picture depicts Nu Wa Gems meeting fellow urbanites on an earlier bus adventure? Public transportation is easy, affordable and packed. This ride to downtown cost 1 Yuan = 14 cents US. Subway rides were 28 cents. one could really hop around down on pennies a day. Also: National Minority Park- exhibition of ethnic Korean House and merry-go-round.)

Ethnic Park

It is calm. It is empty. It is filled with flower gardens, willow trees, bamboo trees and the architecture of the 56 minority groups in China. It is heavenly with a slight breeze that ripples through the bamboo trees. We are privy to 5 different performances of the ethnic dances and games of 5 different minority groups. The park is on two sides of the street and and even one side impossible to see in one afternoon. So, we take our time, go to the Va, the Tibetan, the Quraqin, the Bai, the Dai and eat at the Korean village. And of course, a few purchases are made of ethnic purses, pillow cases, etc. It is an easy afternoon and we feel mellow!

Chinese Acrobats

In 1978 and in 2002 we saw a Chinese Acrobat show… but tonight we were treated to a Las Vegas type of show. Back in the day, there was Chinese traditional music. Back in the day, the acrobats were clearly seen on a brightly lit empty stage. Phenomenal back then… phenomenal last night though one must had to see past all the strobe lighting and fancy colorful sets and costumes. Stylized, sort of hokey dance movements filled as transitions from one acrobatic act to the next. Still phenomenal, but technology – here we come!! Twenty women on one bicycle in all sorts of poses and on top of each other; a huge double gyroscope each with a man inside walking as it turned and turned – even skipping rope and juggling as it turned round and round; a man doing hand stands of all sorts on a stack of 10 chairs; men jumping, diving forward and backward through hoops – some 10 feet high; men being tossed in the air when two or three would jump on the other end of the seesaw sending him onto other men’s shoulders or even on a high chair up on a pole held on the shoulders of a man on stilts; a man on a plank rolling over a tube and flipping saucers and cups, even a spoon into a cup that is sitting on his head…and then the same man standing on a table with the same plank rolling on a tube – but this table is on the shoulders of another man standing on a plank rolling on a tube. Oh my! We are thrilled despite the droning of high tech music and all those lights.

Hutongs, Rickshaws, Silk

We decide to sleep in late, get a late start, cancel the trip to Fragrant Hill this afternoon. But, late morning, off we go to a Hutong, the old style Chinese compound houses. Beijing has allowed a few to survive the modernization of its city. This one is in the middle of Beijing and outside the Forbidden Palace where the officials used to live. Now regular folks live there, but there are newly renovated very fancy courtyard homes where they think descendents of royalty live and probably very wealthy billionaires of Beijing.

We ride in bicycle driven rickshaws. We eat in a poorer home and make a few dumplings which the matron of the house promptly threw away! What a difference when we brought a group in 2002. The hostess talked with us, asked questions, we made several ‘real’ dumplings and after she steamed them, we ate them. Now it’s big business – certainly tourist business – and her attitude seemed ‘get the stupid tourists in and get them out’. When we pay what we are told is the correct amount to the rickshaw drivers, they mumble and frown. They wanted more. But the daughter-in-law in the home was sweet and made delicious food for us. The chicken was like how my dad made it – chicken simmered in soy sauce, sugar and star anise. Yum!

Tea for…More Than Just Two!

Then off to a tea tasting place where of course we ended up buying tea. Some bought the cups that change colors or scenes once hot water is poured into them. As a bonus for any purchase, we each got a little brown baked clay boy who spouts pee when hot water is poured over it – you know, to test if the boiled water is hot enough!?

Then we go on to the Panjianyuan Market, also known as the Dirt Market. It’s like a humongous flea market and we buy a few things after the fun of bargaining.

Oh! Let’s go to the Silk Factory! Amazing that these little cocoons give such strong soft fibers. But, poor pupae: they are boiled so we can have our silk blouses, comforters, and more. The pupae are used for frying and eating or the innards are used in face crème – silk face crème!

We buy a few silk things – comforter, comforter cover, purses…and oh my… a silk rug! Yes, I bought a silk rug! So much money! What was I thinking! Everyone was so supportive – “You deserve it!” – “…part of your mom’s inheritance money? Absolutely! Think of it as a gift from your mom! She’d want you to have it.” “It’s beautiful!” “You’ve been looking for 10 years for the right colors and here they are? It was meant to be!”

You’ll all have to come see the rug in my living room! Robert was still sick in bed, so this purchase was made without his input… He has a better eye than I do when it comes to seeing how patterns fit together. He’s quite suspect, as I suspected he’d be! The proof will be in the pudding, as they say, when it’s on my floor next to my couches. Change the couches if it doesn’t work? Oye!

Duck Dinner Farewell

We eat duck, toast a final farewell. Tomorrow morning we all leave after a final breakfast with each other.

We talk about what we missed most at home and will be glad to get back to: our own beds, our honeys and families, clean toilet stalls, cheese, a crispy salad, red wine…

And we talk about what we will miss leaving China: the people, the smiles, the villagers of Gengcun, the variety of foods, new and interesting things to do everyday, all the history and stories of China and her many famous and even not-so-famous places… We will not miss the crazy driving here – red lights taken as a suggestion, pedestrians and bicyclists weaving through cars not in their lanes, but strewn in angles of all sorts trying to get where they want to go, the honking, the passing barely missing fronts and backs of the cars they’re passing, people standing stuck between these crazy cars trying to cross the street!

But unanimously, what we will miss is eachother’s company – the camaraderie, the ease of friendship between us. It has been an extraordinary 16 days with each other!

For first-hand stories, these are the tellers who joined 2010 Nu Wa Exchange: Anne Shimojima, Alton Chung, Arif Choudury, Beth Wakelee, Julie Metzler, Kathy Hunter, Kelvin Saxton, Linda Fang, Shilpa Srinivasan, Shyam Nagarajan, and yours truly, Nancy and Robert.

Goodbye China!! Zai jian! And xie xie! Thank you! Until the next time!