Ladies poker night last night. We had been planning to do a big Mexican feast before playing cards, but when I heard that Gillian and Jenny were going to be making dumplings our plans changed. We opted to all make dumplings together before playing cards. Wicked smaht move.
The days leading up to the event were the typical “what to bring?” cacophony that sort of played itself out. Jenny, Gillian, and Marcella did a lot of the prep work and brought supplies. We don’t have a lot of space in our tiny kitchen areas so some of the prep actually took place in the hallway, but it does offer a nice view over our campus.
Wine bottles were uncorked, the table was prepared, and we all learned the finer points of making dumplings around the poker table. It’s easy to see how the social aspect of this activity makes it a big traditional family event here in China. Each year many families gather during Chinese New Year to make dumplings.
There was some debate about boiled versus fried, but boiled won out. They were fresh, tasty, and enjoyed by all.
Poker was fun too. It’s way different dealing for a table of ladies. Several were just learning the game, but when someone turned over a big hand and raked a big pot there was always unanimous applause and celebration from everyone. Certainly not the same sort of aggressive competition I see during the regular game. Tia’s husband Jeremy was super helpful shuffling and making sure everyone’s glass was topped off.
Starting with me and working clockwise around the table: Anna (Poland), Megan (California), Aiyun (China), Marcella (Columbia), Yuanzi and baby Rosalyn (China), Gillian (China), Anita (Columbia), Tia (Texas), Avi (Colorado), Mafe (Panama), and Jenny (China).
Aiyun was her typical thoughtful self and had a custom cake made for everyone to share during a break. The dude on the cake is the Chinese god of money. Around New Years you’ll hear “Gong xi fa cai” all the time. It means hope you get rich. It felt appropriate for poker night.
The Chinese writing on the cake says “I point at the one who will get rich”. Couldn’t help but notice the much lower sugar content in the cake than what we are used to in the states. It was sweet like a dessert, but not overpowering like most of the sweets we have in the states. There was a mango layer inside and a layer of chocolate too. Good stuff.
Back to the regular game next week. There will be lots more aggressive play with monster check raises and bluffs. Don’t think we can fit in another ladies night this year. Fun times and good memories. Just a really cool group of ladies. Living on campus and being a bit isolated here leads to a tighter community of teachers than what I’m used to in the states. Sure, we got together as a staff a few times during the year, but here we do more stuff together as groups of friends. I’m not overly social, but I’m going to miss this next year.
Saturday Aiyun and I grabbed some rental bikes and had a ride next to the Qiantang River. We got rained on a little bit, but that just gave us a chance to sit by the riverside and watch boats go by under an umbrella.
It’s not often you can take a picture in a popular public area of China and not have anyone in the picture.