Long time coming

So this update is a long time coming.  This is basically just a bunch of photos I have taken recently at different places with different people.  They are not in order.  I just feel like I need to update this thing.  Also I might do an update and add some photos from tonight; we are going to be eating dinner with a guy I haven't met yet. 

Yaohui, Rocky and I in a park in Bejing...about a month ago.

My before and after haircut photos (very recent, Friday?)

Alex and I goofing around. Thanks Zhang, for sending this to me!

Alex, Rocky and I trying to figure out what a character means.  Turns out it was old and no longer used.

A very orange photo of Zhang, Marco, Christina and I eating roast duck a couple of weeks ago.

Alex eating a chocolate 'cigar' at his birthday party

Carson, Marco, Arielle and myself, we were supposed to go hiking, but it kinda didn't happen.  It was still fun tho!

Carmen and I took these last semester. Each photo is supposed to be a different emotion.

Rocky, Christina and I at Alex's birthday party.  I think Christina looks especially beautiful in this photo.

Carmen and I at Alex's birthday party! <3

Lizhong (Ryan) and I eating dinner for his birthday.

Lizhong with his birthday cake!

Based on a True Story

Recently I finished watching a TV series called 步步惊心 (the English name is Scarlet Heart, which is not a translation of the Chinese title).  This series takes place in China during the late 1600s, the main Character is a modern girl who accidentally gets thrown into her past life.  I enjoyed the show, and the show was pretty popular over here last semester. 

Poster for the show, I'd translate the title as "Step by fearful step"

However, when I was done watching it I complained to multiple people about the historical accuracy of the series.  I felt that the TV producers took a lot of liberties with the show to make the audience more interested; specifically they show the Kangxi Emperor telling the 4^th prince that he will give the crown to the 14^th prince, and the 4^th prince steals the crown.  This may have happened, I don’t know, I wasn’t there.  Historians debate on if the Emperor wanted to give the throne to the 4^th son or the 14^th son.  There really isn’t enough evidence to prove it either way.  I know this because I have taken a course called ‘The History of Modern China’ (from 1600 to 1949) and I distinctly remember this lecture and wondering what really happened.  So, when the TV show did not leave is ‘theory’ ambiguous, I was upset.  I complained to my friends here that I thought many people who watch the show will assume that the 4^th son stole the crown from the 14^th, which may or may not have actually happened.  The friends who I complained to were not sympathetic.  They felt like I was overreacting, that this was not a large issue.  I have had this problem before.

Last semester when I was here, one of my classmates too me to see Zhang Yimou’s (张艺谋) new film 金陵十三钗 (The Flowers of War).  Again this title is not a translation of the Chinese, just a new title.  It was a brilliant movie that was about the Nanjing Massacre.  Within the first 20 minutes I was crying. 

Chinese movie poster for "Thirteen Girls in Jinling"

When I left the theater I was angry, and I didn’t like the film.  It wasn’t because the film was too violent.  I believe the film was an excellent memorial to the victims, and it showed how brutal some of the violence was during that time.  There are countless films that show the Holocaust, but not many that show what happened in this side of the world at that time.  What I had problems with was where I was seeing the film.  I was very aware that the guy sitting next to me already hated the Japanese for what they did to China.  As I was watching, I could feel the film adding fuel to his anger, and justifying his hatred.  That’s what upset me most, was that this film was going to make more Chinese people hate Japanese people, or justify their hatred.  If I had seen it in Japan I would have had the opposite reaction.  I would have been glad that some of the history that has been swept under the rug is getting revealed. 

 These stories are related to this last part.  So I am in Beijing, China.  I have been to multiple cities in China.  I had the privilege my first time coming here touring several different factories in many different coastal cities.  In fact, the first time I came here (in 2010) my most favorite moment was eating lunch with some factory workers in Suzhou China, at a Gates Rubber plant.  I know that the factories I went to cannot represent all of the factories in China or the world, but from what I saw I was impressed.  I think factory work kind of sucks just because it is a pretty dull job, but the facilities I went to were clean, well lit, ect. 

A bible printing factory I visited in 2010, in Nanjing

 The workers I ate lunch with at the Gates factory in Suzhou, 2010

So now.I was listening to an episode of ‘This American Life’, and I clicked on it because it had the word China in it, and I was curious.  The story was a retraction story, something I had never heard of TAL doing.  They recently discovered that one of the stories that they did about an American man’s experience while visiting Apple factories in China was fabricated.  Or parts of it.  The guy, Mike Daisey did go to China in June 2010, and he did tour factories just a month after I did the same.  From that experience he created a show, a monologue (called The Agony and Ecstasy of Steve Jobs), were he describes his trip to China, and all the things he discovered while he was there.  I’m not going to explain the entire monologue, or the episode of This American Life to you (if you want more info check out this link here: http://www.thisamericanlife.org/radio-archives/episode/460/retraction), but basically Daisey fabricated things into the monologue, he added stories and stretched the truth to that his story could be an attack against poor working conditions in Apples factories in China. 

Image from: http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_full_width/hash/c4/4b/jobs%20logo.jpg)

You may have noticed I'm not really critical of This American Life for not properly fact-checking the original show.  This is for two reasons.  First of all, I'm biased.  I really enjoy this show, so I find it difficult to get angry with them about running a show that I hadn't heard that was inaccurate.  Second of all, they did a retraction story where they admit that they are wrong and they apologize for running the story.   They say they were neglegent in their duties as reporters and apologize for that.  

I find this upsetting.

First of all, Daisey really really doesn’t want to admit that he is lying.  He says that in a theater setting his story is perfect and that he is really proud of it.  He doesn’t want to tell people that he is exaggerating or fabricating the truth, even when he is asked directly.  He assumes that since it is theater, the fact that he is bending the truth should already be known.  He also says that his goal for the show was to make people aware of the problems; the goal was to make Americans care about the factory workers in China.  He says that he is proud of what he has done, and that the monologue has accomplished its goal.  Even his Chinese interpreter, Cathy, says that since he is not a reporter he can bend the truth, that she isn’t angry with him. 

Does that really make it right though?  I’m sure there are factories in China (and other countries) that have very poor working conditions.  I’m also sure that the cause of bringing knowledge to this problem is just.  However I feel that blatantly lying about the factories that have good conditions undermines the goal.  By stretching the truth, he has lost credibility.  Its possible that some people may assume whenever they hear a story about bad conditions, that those conditions are exaggerated.  I think this is unfortunate.  But I could be overreacting.  What do you think? 

Some photos of a park (Spring is here)

Wanted to share a photo with you, but I couldn't upload it on facebook.  Eh, what the heck, I'll share a few photos: 

Girl posing in front of flowers

Crowded enterance to a park 

Painting a mini version of themselves

A photo of a chick carrying a chick in a plastic bag.  Its alive.  Mom has a baby duck in her bag.

Homophobia

There is a poster on my campus.  It isn't very big, but I think its causing a big discussion.  Here it is:  

For those of you who can't read Chinese, the poster is talking about a meeting to discuss homosexuals.  So that people who aren't familiar with homosexuals and their lives can learn about it.  This is a big deal because in this country a lot of people are very homophobic.  Which is sort of interesting because they are not religious.  I'm not sure what to think of it.

But there are 8 different people (myself included) who have posted this photo on renren (China's facebook).  Some people were talking about how its sad that they will be in class, or look at my great school...the comments that I understood were generally positive.  It was also interesting because as I walked by it there were A LOT of people stopping to read it, where most people ignore the posters on campus.  So, I know where I'll be Sunday night (checking this out!).

This is a copy of my 人人 page showing 4 of us posting different photos of this poster.

Some people on renren weren't happy about the poster, but most of them seemed either neutral or supportive.  Lots of people said "我的学校开放“ ，literally my school is open. 

Quick update.  More mixed results.  People are either really for or really against it.  I'll throw in an extra photo too. ^^

KTV

So recently a classmate invited us to her birthday party.  Her name is Mengjie.  So we ate dinner (which was great) and then went to do KTV.  KTV is Karaoke, which is much bigger here than it is in the US.  We went to a KTV bar and rented a room there.  Each room is soundproofed and there are a lot of couches and such.  There is a big TV for the music videos (with the lyrics) and a computer in the corner so you can choose which songs you want.  There are also two microphones, so you can do duets.  I was trying to take photos with my cell, but the room was too dark.  Also any pictures I got I wouldn't be able to get to my computer until I got back to the US.  Shoulda brought my camera.

Anyway, if you know me, then you know anytime I am listening to music I'm actually singing to the music.  Even when its in Korean and I don't know the words (or how to pronounce them) I'm still singing along.  So I have always been curious about doing KTV.  But I'm also a little shy, so I've been nervous.  KTV presents problems for me on multiple levels.  A substantial amount of my music is in Japanese, Chinese and Korean, which makes singing it a little more difficult (not impossible, but a little difficult).  And I prefer listening to fast music, which is even harder to sing a long with.  Also my range is low, so I have to be careful when I'm picking songs that I don't pick song with a lot of high parts.  This combination made me really worried about doing KTV.

My favorite band is 花儿乐队, and I was able to sing three of their songs (嘻唰唰, 我的果汁分你一半 and 穷开心).  I'm going to be looking up and practicing more Chinese-language songs that I can sing along with.  I'll keep in mind the speed and the range of the songs.  As far as English language songs we did "Rolling in the Deep", "Animal", "Fireflies", and songs from the Beatles.  There were several really good singers in our group.  Alex impressed us because he knows a lot of random Chinese songs.  I think he needs to work on learning the words more, but he made attempts at songs I don't know, which is impressive in itself.  Rocky sang an Eminem song which really impressed the Chinese students.  Rapping in English is too fast for them.  I also learned of some new Chinese songs that I liked, so I have more songs added to my collection.  Woot!  So I really like Karaoke, but I want to spend time practicing Chinese songs so I know them word-for-word.  Cause right now I can only sing two or three Chinese songs perfectly.   I had a really great time, and I was really glad she asked us to come.  ^^

Photo not relevant.  

I decided not to waste money or time buying spoons, so instead I eat my ice cream with chopsticks.  

Quick update

Red sun

Cola and Rootbeer.  Rootbeer was expensive. 

Andrew, Apple is more liked than Microsoft here I think.

Phoebus, Rocky and Alex at Beihai

Beihai

Luyolo and Yaohui playing Badminton

Rocky and Alex playing badminton

Been spending a lot of time out of class hanging with Rocky, Alex and Chinese friends/classmates.  That is when I'm not doing homework.  Or Facebook.  Or 人人.  We went to Beihai (北海) and played badminton over the weekend.  I have also ordered Rootbeer off the internet.  It was really expensive (18 bucks for 24 cans), but will totally be worth it.  

Gender roles

So....I haven't been updating.  Mainly because I've been busy.  I haven't been going out and doing a lot of stuff, I've been doing homework, going to class and catching up with friends.  I haven't had a bunch of new experiences to report.  I know I did a blog about genders last semester, but that was more about jobs.  This one I want to discuss different genders.  Like how they are expected to act between each other and what I find problematic.  The guys here are more oriented towards being a gentleman than the guys back home.  


I guess walking is a good place to start.  A few times I have walked with guys and they have 'steered' me through traffic.  At first I thought it was just cause I was a foreigner and I am not as familiar with the traffic rules as they are.  Then I noticed that guys do the exact same thing to their girlfriends.  Its one of those things that I have mixed feelings about.  Its cute because they are being protective, trying to ensure the girls safety.  Its annoying because its like she is being treated like a pet or a child, being steered through traffic. I have also noticed that guys will put themselves between the girl they are with and any danger they perceive.  Like a pretty deep ditch.  The guy will walk between the girl and it, just to make sure that she doesn't fall in.  


Going out to eat is a whole new set of rules.  I have had a job for years.  So I'm used to being able to pay for things.  But when I'm here and people ask me to hang out they will almost never let me pay or even split the bill (they call it going AA).  If it is a guy friend who has asked me out he won't let me pay at all (unless its a large group).  Recently I went to Haidilao and 3 guys paid for 2 girls.  Which made me feel like a mooch. Again I have mixed feelings about this.  I'm older than most of the guys on campus and I have actually had a job.  So....I don't feel comfortable letting someone younger than me who has never had a real income pay for my food.  Even though I'm a guest in this country, it isn't like I'm staying here for two weeks.  It just feels weird.  


Then there is food.  It is considered polite to pour drinks for people....and to put food on their plates.  Now the refills I am totally cool with (and I do it too now).  If you are going to refill your drink, you might as well make sure your friend's drink is full too.  But....the food being put on my plate is a little weird.  I know its the polite thing to do.  And both guys and girls do this now, its not just guys.  When it happens I feel like I'm a two year old.  I get the feeling that either they think I suck at using chopsticks or that they are playing the mom (or dad) and I'm the little kid they got to take care of.  Keep in mind this is not what they are intending at all.  They don't think any of this stuff, its just how I feel when it happens.  I'm working on it.  Its just a difference in culture.  This being said, I really like Chinese-style of eating better than Western.  Its much more interactive if you have 5 dishes for 3 people and everyone shares.  You get a feeling of closeness when you eat that you don't get when you eat Western-style.  So maybe I'll be really happy about it some day.  I don't know.  Also I need to take more photos....I just haven't been doing new things so I haven't been taking photos.  So I'll work on that.  Sorry....

Alex writing the first line of the Dao De Jing (道德經)

Rocky found the peanut butter (hard to find in China)

Me eating noodles for lunch at the cafeteria. It cost a dollar (7 Yuan)

Unlike the fortune cookie, egg rolls actually do exist in China.  They are called Spring rolls.

Our new cat, Rocky named him Oscar.  He's very loud.

Fries I bought at a cafe that my classmate Liu Chang showed me.  With REAL ketchup! So good!

I re-dyed my hair today. Its blue.  My shirt is purple.

联系中文 (Study Chinese)

Last semester I was the only American student in this program.  This semester there are two guys Alex and Rocky.  Having them here has brought some perspective to my life.  First of all, Alex went to 后海 (a district in Beijing) and back because he wanted to get an instrument fixed.  Then later, Rocky went to a shop and bought an internet cable by himself.  They have both been here less than a week.  I know that when I first got here, there was no way I would have been able to go to the shop by myself like Rocky did.  Also I still wouldn't feel comfortable taking a taxi by myself to 后海 (although this might have to do with the fact that I am a girl).  I wonder if I am pushing myself hard enough to experience everything here.  


Despite that, recently on 人人 (Chinese facebook) I was informed by two different people that my Chinese was getting better.  For a while I was sure that they were pulling my leg because I didn't use my Chinese for about a month, so I think it has gotten weaker.  But I also think that I am more confident in my abilities in Chinese.  I really don't mind using it and messing up.  Making mistakes is a good thing because then I'll learn to correct them.  


This evening I went with Christina and Carmen (and Carmen's boyfriend) to dinner.  I had a great time, and I understood more of the conversations than I have previous times hanging out with them.  That being said, I think I was lost about 75% of the time.  Unfortunately.  Carmen's boyfriend was insistent that I should practice my Chinese more, and he is correct.  One of my friends, 李众 (Ryan), said the same thing to me, and made me do most the ordering when we went to get hotpot for dinner.  


This is probably why I spent over 4 HOURS trying to get my phone to be able to type in Chinese.  Its also probably why I have more Chinese in my most recent blog on 人人 (which is a rant about how much valentines day sucks, I'll re-post it on Facebook when the day gets closer). I hope that I'll continue to get better at Chinese, while still not pushing myself outside of my comfort level.  


P.S. We had Bejing duck for dinner...it was sooo yummy.  I love that stuff.  Great every time I eat it!

Stupid phone!

So my phone issues cropped up major this time.  Last semester I bought a phone here.  It worked well, I was happy.  Yay!  Well....then I had one major problem.  For some reason it wouldn't let me type Hanzi (Chinese characters) in my text messages.  Which....is something I really wanted to do.  My Chinese phone was better than the American phone because it could disply Chinese characters, but for some reason I couldn't type them.  So...this time I decided to use my new Samsung Exhibit II 4G phone, and use the Chinese SIM card in it.  


First I had to unlock the American phone.  That was the easy part. 


Then I decided to get an app called google pinyin on my phone.  I looked up ways to download them onto the computer and send em to my phone through USB.  But when I tried to download the app, I got the error message that there wasn't a device attached to the google account.  After several hours and attempts at getting the app onto my phone, my friend Rocky finally fixed it.  He used his phone to create a Wifi hot spot, which I used on my phone to get online and get the app.  So today I learned that Wifi with cell phones has nothing to do with the SIM card.  My phone didn't have a SIM in it when we did this.  Well to thank you for reading this I'll add some photos we took at the Olympic buildings and at the art district 798.

Red Rocks in Beijing (798)