this is a small example of some of the ping-pong played here.  I play with them often, and they kick my tail often.  I have a good time though.  This is not even some of their best playing.

Here he is telling me how I need to make my pots thinner like his.  The thick pot he is pointing at is mine.

a small pot turned by the master on one of the student wheels.  Amazing thinness!!  We thought a different wheel might throw him through a loop, but he still takes everyone here to SCHOOL!!

This is a video of me learning from the master.  I made the finished pot on the wooden bench.  To the right of the picture you see the masters apprentice.  He will work with him 14 years before being a master of the trade.  AMAZING!!

The master thrower (turner as I choose to call it).  This dude is the man!!!  he is throwing the biggest ball of sludgy buttery clay I have ever seen.  I can barely get this clay to stand over 8 inches, but he could pull it to the ceiling.  He is a great teacher as well.  He only speaks chinese, but we work well together through hand motions.  

The sunrise on the first day at Jingdezhen.  I took this picture from the roof of my building.

A particular train stop that my friend Jen at home with the Fletchers may find special......I think.....if I am correct.

Some of the awesome food that I have been eating.  It really is sooooo good!

A seat on the train.  3 beds high and very cramped.  I was on the top.  16 hours.

Shanghai at night.  Sweet Place.

Since leaving on the seventh I have fn a lot of hours, stayed in Shanghai for a few days, and taken a 16 hour train ride to Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute.  1.5 million people live here in this town.  I think that is a normal thing too because there are so many people in China it is just ridiculous.  There were miles and miles of twelve story apartments on the train ride.  The air and land is very polluted.  I am used to it now, but when I first arrived it seemed so bad I felt disgusting when I went outside.  This was especially true in Shanghai.  We passed loads of factories like Shimano is one that sticks out to me.  The people here are very nice and will do almost anything to help you in any situation.  I have eaten very well since I have been here too.  The food is spicy in this area, and I like it very much.  Lots of rice and noodles around and abundant.  We were taken to the studio and introduced to the Jingdezhen porcelain.  It is probably the hardest clay to work with ever.  It is soft like butter and everything collapses.  To get it to be tall is quite a challenge.  I have made a few tea bowls, and some small jars so far.  I have also worked with  the "master thrower" who is the man.  He is there to show us the best way to use this type of clay and I have worked with him as much as possible.  His wheel is on the floor, he does not speak english, and the clay is so soft it is just horrible.  I struggle most all of the time.  I have messed up 85% of the pieces I am making, but can see improvement from this one day to day.  here are some pictures

Just got internet today.

Since leaving on the seventh I have fn a lot of hours, stayed in Shanghai for a few days, and taken a 16 hour train ride to Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute.  1.5 million people live here in this town.  I think that is a normal thing too because there are so many people in China it is just ridiculous.  There were miles and miles of twelve story apartments on the train ride.  The air and land is very polluted.  I am used to it now, but when I first arrived it seemed so bad I felt disgusting when I went outside.  This was especially true in Shanghai.  We passed loads of factories like Shimano is one that sticks out to me.  The people here are very nice and will do almost anything to help you in any situation.  I have eaten very well since I have been here too.  The food is spicy in this area, and I like it very much.  Lots of rice and noodles around and abundant.  We were taken to the studio and introduced to the Jingdezhen porcelain.  It is probably the hardest clay to work with ever.  It is soft like butter and everything collapses.  To get it to be tall is quite a challenge.  I have made a few tea bowls, and some small jars so far.  I have also worked with  the "master thrower" who is the man.  He is there to show us the best way to use this type of clay and I have worked with him as much as possible.  His wheel is on the floor, he does not speak english, and the clay is so soft it is just horrible.  I struggle most all of the time.  I have messed up 85% of the pieces I am making, but can see improvement from this one day to day.  here are some pictures

Pre Departure

In six hours I will be leaving Cleveland County to head for the other side of the globe. I am a bit sad because I have been home so long I have gotten used to it. I am nervous, yet anxious to get started. I sure hope this is going to be what I expect it to be. I have caught myself sitting back and wondering if I have gotten myself into a mess. I don't know anyone going on the trip, and I don't really know half of what to expect either. I suppose it is like opening a gift when you do not know what is inside, but right now I feel like I am approaching the top of a roller coaster about to catch a view of the awesome ride that is ahead. My stomach literally feels the roller coaster nervousness at the moment. I wonder if I am even going to sleep at all tonight. I did not expect this kind of nervousness. I suppose it just hit me. I may be going to an unfamiliar place, seeing unfamiliar sights, and meeting strange people, but I will be doing something with my hands and heart that God Himself put me down on this earth to be familiar with. Even if making pots is the only thing I can relate to, I believe I will be comfortable in this place simply because pottery is what I am comfortable doing. This is the end....I mean the beginning. The next time I type in this blog will be in China (hopefully not too jet lagged).