The Big Middle Ground

This has been a very sino-centric day. First, I spent a couple of hours as an interpreter this morning, and then there were these two exchanges:

(Discussing The Painted Veil, aka reason #943 why living with Landlady Chang was a great idea:)

Moi: Do you want to watch it? It's about white people in China.

Lady Chang: Oh boo.

Moi: But it's not really about China.

Lady Chang: Just about white people?

Moi: I think so.

Lady Chang: That's OK then.


(talking on the phone with Mother)

Moi: Anything else you want to say?

Mother: No. Wait, what do you mean? Like, "I miss you, daughter?"

Moi: Or "you are the greatest; I love you," whatever.

Mother: Strive for peace, save China,* goodbye.

*The last words of Dr. Sun Yat Sen. Don't make me explain who he is.