The uniforms of the “security” are still ill fitting affairs with safety pinned badges of rank. Cabbies continue to smoke in their “non-smoking” cabs, and the staff of beauty parlors still take their evening exercise break and do a Chinese version of Dance-A-Robics on the sidewalk. Morning breakfast food carts jam up the sidewalks, and thankfully my favorite noodle soup shack still bubbles up a hot brothy bowl of love in the morning. There is comfort and a hint of stability in that which appears to be the same with each and every glance.

Studying with Dr. Huang is another story. We set up the syllabus over a year ago. It was not until part way into the first afternoon I realized it was a relic, a road map from the past. I expected to translate material with which I was familiar, but without warning we quickly we veered off into new territory. Huang has revised his thinking since the last time I was in Nanjing. It is a new ballgame.

Many of us like to have a sense of what is coming. This sense of predictability pervades our lives and naturally extends to the sphere of education. I did not notice that Huang had other cards up his sleeve, nor did he tip his hand. There is always a riptide of frustration when things do not go as I thought they should, and like the tide the only way to stay afloat is to swim with it. Following a skilled and talented doctor is a challenge and privilege. Not unlike acquiring the ability to ride a spirited horse with a loose hand full of intent. Being able to follow the footsteps of his experience and have it awaken insight and a sharper clinical eye is the reason for this journey.

These next two weeks are going to be very interesting indeed!

The uniforms of the “security” are still ill fitting affairs with safety pinned badges of rank. Cabbies continue to smoke in their “non-smoking” cabs, and the staff of beauty parlors still take their evening exercise break and do a Chinese version of Dance-A-Robics on the sidewalk. Morning breakfast food carts jam up the sidewalks, and thankfully my favorite noodle soup shack still bubbles up a hot brothy bowl of love in the morning. There is comfort and a hint of stability in that which appears to be the same with each and every glance.

Studying with Dr. Huang is another story. We set up the syllabus over a year ago. It was not until part way into the first afternoon I realized it was a relic, a road map from the past. I expected to translate material with which I was familiar, but without warning we quickly we veered off into new territory. Huang has revised his thinking since the last time I was in Nanjing. It is a new ballgame.

Many of us like to have a sense of what is coming. This sense of predictability pervades our lives and naturally extends to the sphere of education. I did not notice that Huang had other cards up his sleeve, nor did he tip his hand. There is always a riptide of frustration when things do not go as I thought they should, and like the tide the only way to stay afloat is to swim with it. Following a skilled and talented doctor is a challenge and privilege. Not unlike acquiring the ability to ride a spirited horse with a loose hand full of intent. Being able to follow the footsteps of his experience and have it awaken insight and a sharper clinical eye is the reason for this journey.

These next two weeks are going to be very interesting indeed!