A pain in the ear!

I figured out how to become rich in China. Import brake pads and brake fluid. Wherever I go in China, buses and bicycles screech to a halt at nearly every stop. I cringe walking near them. I really don't know how most people can stand it.

If you really want to get upset, talk with people about politics. People get equally upset over politics in America, but the issues are different here. I actually feel hurt to hear what some people and op-ed/news stories say about America. I feel free to criticize my country and its government, but it can hurt sometimes to hear non-Americans criticize it as well. Americans may be somewhat divided over the war in Iraq, but I have never met a Chinese who had anything good to say about it. Matter of fact, it seems Chinese take it as an indirect threat to their sovereignty. I suppose it works both ways, because I sometimes say unflattering things about China and may be offending some Chinese. I heard President Bush will be coming to Beijing next week.



I really should try harder to be nicer to Chinese and be a real ambassador of my country. I am discovering I am sometimes the first foreigner some Chinese have ever talked with. Take that in for a moment. In America we can talk with people from all over the world, especially in big cities or around universities. Most Americans have spoke with a non-American before and probably don't know when or with whom.

I asked my students in my English class about their first experiences meeting a foreigner. Everyone of them could remember meeting a non-Chinese for the first time, when, who, where, under what conditions,even generally what was said. I meet students at my university who say they have seen foreigners before, but have never ever talked with one until they talked with me. Ever. Even many of the English teachers in China are Chinese.

That tells you something about China then and now, as well as what it is like to be an American.

I may have to change dorm rooms. My roommate snores. This has been a problem for a while. I bought ear plugs and that solved the problem somewhat, except they are a bit uncomfortable to sleep with. At least he doesn't smoke... I thought to myself. But he drinks. And when he drinks he snores so loud that the noise overpowers my ear-plugs. Then finally last night, he came back late to the room after drinking and starting snoring really loud. It bothered me so much, I yelled at him in English. Then around three in the morning he started throwing up. Fortunately he did it in his own bed. I opened the windows and after he cleaned up his mess I told him he should move out. Later, we found out there are no empty rooms or beds left. My Swedish friend Bengt told me today though, his roommate is moving out and I may be able to move in with him. Hopefully this will work out. For the time being, I went to the store and bought more powerful earplugs. It said they withstand upto 33 decibels. We'll see.