I’ve been calling China a lot lately. Actually, just once a week, and mainly to make sure my parents are still alive (they’re visiting family). Naturally, this gives me a chance to indulge my grandparents in conversation if they pick up the phone. Yesterday’s chat went something like this, slightly paraphrased, i.e. translated, for clarity.

Me: Hi, it’s Wang Jue.

Grandpa: What? (He can’t hear very well.)

Me: It’s I am grandson, Wang Jue. (I can’t speak very well.)

Grandpa: Ah! Hi, …thanks for the whiskey the other day!

Me: Uh…I AM YOUR GRANDSON, WANG JUE

Grandpa: Oh! Jue Jue! You’re at Harvard, right? You must be overwhelmed with exams!

Me: Yeah, yeah it’s pretty tough, but I’ll be alright. (I put down my beer.) So, is Mom there?

Grandpa: No, she’s out shopping. She should be back at 12:30 though. Call us back in a few hours.

Me: Isn’t it 1 o’clock?

Grandpa: Oh! (sounds of shuffling and drawers closing) No, she’s still out shopping.

Me: Okay. I was just calling to make sure everyone was all right. I heard there was an earthquake. On Google Maps it looks like Chengdu isn’t far from Xi’an.

Grandpa: Don’t worry, we’re all fine. It wasn’t too bad — only ten thousand people died. We had some aftershocks here, but Sichuan is pretty far away. Anyway, now Central (i.e. the central government) is taking care of disaster relief, so things will be okay.

Hmm, maybe THAT’s why only “ten thousand” people have “died” so far.