N: P.E.

Physical education was one of my favorite classes.  As a kid I just needed that time in the day to be able to run and play and make noise.  It was a necessary component to the day.  Especially if my teachers needed me to behave.  Once I hit college, P.E. no longer existed in a formal form.  In my freetime I was able to run and play and make noise.  Mostly soccer, rock (similar to Bocce ball, but only requires rocks), crazy jet fighters (one man throws 3 or more frisbees at the same time to an equal number of people, everybody needs to catch one for there to be success), or frisbee golf.

In China, P.E. class continues to be a required course in college.  Students are frequently seen in uniform or sports clothing on their way to class.  Students can choose what they will study.  Badminton, ping pong, soccer, basketball, and volleyball are just some of the more familiar subjects students can spend a semester studying the rules, learning strategy, and developing an appreciation for.  Other subjects are Chinese Wu Shu or Tai Chi.  Wu Shu is Kung Fu. Tai Chi is Tai Chi.  Both are forms of martial arts.  Wu Shu has a number of different forms that they study through the semester.  Classes will focus on traditional forms and their roots in culture, sword technique, and forms involving spears.

In the morning, one can wake early and see any number of older folks doing morning exercises.  Stretching, tai chi, walking, backwards walking/running, derriere slapping, arm slapping, leg slapping, calf raises etc etc.  Surrounding the basketball courts near our home there are a few exercise machines.  These machines are very standard for most playgrounds and sports areas.  We had some friends visit these past weeks and they managed to snag a couple pictures.  One of them made a quiz for two of the machines.

Any guesses on what you do with some of these?