China's change and development
I visited the National Science and Technology Museum in Beijing last Saturday. I was struck by a few things. The number of foreign companies funding displays..Intel, BMW, Ford, on and on. As with many things I have seen in China, they may start off with something nice, but the people in charge of running the place seem to let things get worn-out and broken. But everyone tells me things are getting better and better. Hard to imagine how things were before.
My friend from Sweden told me when he visited China about 15 years ago, that there were few cars on the road, few modern buildings and many people still wore clothes that were made fashionable by Mao. He said things have changed alot since then.
I asked some Chinese students what do they think happened after the Cultural Revolution to prompt China to pursue a different path since the 1980s. They said a certain post- Mao leader named Deng Xiao Ping visited the US around that time and was struck by the massive difference between China and the US. Soon after, the Chinese allowed for experimentation with a market economy in special areas of the country. The rest is history. But I imagined what it must have been like for a person who had lived China before it changed, streets crowded with bicycles and no street lights to visit America. It must have been a shock for so many reasons.
I have an address for those who might want to send me something. Please see the Contact Information Page. I have been hesitant to give out an address until I settled in a little and could verify that mail could make its way to me. My roommate was able to get some mail, hand delivered to our room, so I suppose it's safe now.
Last week I did some shopping for warm fall/winter clothes. I bought some nice hooded pullovers with the Renmin University name on them for only 48 yuan (about $6). I think the same items for ASU would go for at least $15. I also bought a winter hat, gloves, and some long underwear! Yes, long underwear! I have not worn those since my days in Indiana years ago, but I know those are a requirement for below freezing temperatures.
Some family members have let me know of their concern about the bird flu. My good friend Lily even canceled her trip to China out of concern. I read that because of China's large poultry industry and sanitation standards there has been concern that any outbreak could be widespread here and potentially mutate into a strain that could infect humans. If that happened I could imagine it would be bad. I don't have an exit plan or escape plan for getting out of the country in an emergency of that magnitude. I did register with the American Embassy in Beijing (See Travel Registration Website) to let them know I am here, and to get me out in case of disaster! Other than that, I do exercises and take my vitamins everyday. And I have some of that multi-purpose Chinese cure-all, Green Tea on the shelf (next to the Peanut Butter).
On another front, I registered at the 2nd Annual Beijing Career Fair for Japanese/ Chinese bilinguals. The career fair invites bilinguals to meet companies from Japan and China for potential employment opportunities. I figured I should check it out.
A question often raised by my Chinese friends is "ni xiang jia ma?" Which literally means "Do you think of your family?", and could be translated to "Do you miss your family?" They use the word xiang, which is the same word used to say "think". In English we say "miss", which really gives me a feeling of loss. I certainly think of/miss my family. Many of the Japanese and Korean students will be going home during the winter break. I just can't afford to go home for a short break, not to mention the hassle of getting a new visa before I am allowed to come back (I have only a single entry, not a multi-entry visa).
Halloween almost passed completely without me even realizing it. A Chinese friend reminded me on October 31st , asking me if I had any plans. I was kind of shocked, yes its Halloween and didn't even recognize it. I heard there were some costume parties around Beijing, mainly at places where foreigners hang out, but I spent the night doing some study. When I thought of how Halloween would be celebrated back in the states, all the kids going out, and the street parties in Tempe, Arizona and on Kalakaua Avenue in Honolulu, Hawaii etc, it struck me in a funny way. Once again, I'm reminded that the atmosphere on one part of the Earth could be so festive, and on another it could be something else at any point in time.
Finally, next week we have mid-terms for Chinese classes, including writing, listening and speaking examinations. I should do fine. I feel like I have made noticable progress, expecially in listening and new vocabulary since I restarted school in September. That is what I hoped for and expected from emersion in Chinese.
My friend from Sweden told me when he visited China about 15 years ago, that there were few cars on the road, few modern buildings and many people still wore clothes that were made fashionable by Mao. He said things have changed alot since then.
I asked some Chinese students what do they think happened after the Cultural Revolution to prompt China to pursue a different path since the 1980s. They said a certain post- Mao leader named Deng Xiao Ping visited the US around that time and was struck by the massive difference between China and the US. Soon after, the Chinese allowed for experimentation with a market economy in special areas of the country. The rest is history. But I imagined what it must have been like for a person who had lived China before it changed, streets crowded with bicycles and no street lights to visit America. It must have been a shock for so many reasons.I have an address for those who might want to send me something. Please see the Contact Information Page. I have been hesitant to give out an address until I settled in a little and could verify that mail could make its way to me. My roommate was able to get some mail, hand delivered to our room, so I suppose it's safe now.
Last week I did some shopping for warm fall/winter clothes. I bought some nice hooded pullovers with the Renmin University name on them for only 48 yuan (about $6). I think the same items for ASU would go for at least $15. I also bought a winter hat, gloves, and some long underwear! Yes, long underwear! I have not worn those since my days in Indiana years ago, but I know those are a requirement for below freezing temperatures.
Some family members have let me know of their concern about the bird flu. My good friend Lily even canceled her trip to China out of concern. I read that because of China's large poultry industry and sanitation standards there has been concern that any outbreak could be widespread here and potentially mutate into a strain that could infect humans. If that happened I could imagine it would be bad. I don't have an exit plan or escape plan for getting out of the country in an emergency of that magnitude. I did register with the American Embassy in Beijing (See Travel Registration Website) to let them know I am here, and to get me out in case of disaster! Other than that, I do exercises and take my vitamins everyday. And I have some of that multi-purpose Chinese cure-all, Green Tea on the shelf (next to the Peanut Butter).
On another front, I registered at the 2nd Annual Beijing Career Fair for Japanese/ Chinese bilinguals. The career fair invites bilinguals to meet companies from Japan and China for potential employment opportunities. I figured I should check it out.
A question often raised by my Chinese friends is "ni xiang jia ma?" Which literally means "Do you think of your family?", and could be translated to "Do you miss your family?" They use the word xiang, which is the same word used to say "think". In English we say "miss", which really gives me a feeling of loss. I certainly think of/miss my family. Many of the Japanese and Korean students will be going home during the winter break. I just can't afford to go home for a short break, not to mention the hassle of getting a new visa before I am allowed to come back (I have only a single entry, not a multi-entry visa).
Halloween almost passed completely without me even realizing it. A Chinese friend reminded me on October 31st , asking me if I had any plans. I was kind of shocked, yes its Halloween and didn't even recognize it. I heard there were some costume parties around Beijing, mainly at places where foreigners hang out, but I spent the night doing some study. When I thought of how Halloween would be celebrated back in the states, all the kids going out, and the street parties in Tempe, Arizona and on Kalakaua Avenue in Honolulu, Hawaii etc, it struck me in a funny way. Once again, I'm reminded that the atmosphere on one part of the Earth could be so festive, and on another it could be something else at any point in time.
Finally, next week we have mid-terms for Chinese classes, including writing, listening and speaking examinations. I should do fine. I feel like I have made noticable progress, expecially in listening and new vocabulary since I restarted school in September. That is what I hoped for and expected from emersion in Chinese.
Labels: China
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