One of the hardest things to find in Chengdu is a comfortable place to study. The school has a couple of libraries, but they are cold, dark, and have limited seating. They also lack internet access, and the English books are pretty much off limits.
My classmate Deborah and I have been lamenting this problem ever since we arrived. Studying at home is hard because it's distracting, studying at a coffee shop is too expensive, and tea houses are smoky, loud, or both.
Rumor has it that SU's new campus, located about half an hour outside of town had a brand new library complete with wireless internet access. The main campus where my classes are located has a shuttle bus that runs regularly between the two schools. After figuring out the logistics of how and when to go, Deborah and I packed up and headed out.
The new campus is large, but unlike the one where I attend classes, isn't crowded from dawn to dusk nor jam-packed with buildings. As if that wasn't remarkable enough, the library itself was stunning.
"Windows! It has windows!!!" We kept whispering loudly to each other.
"And a view! Windows with a view!"
"Wow! An elevator! A real, working elevator!"
"Lights! The lights are on and I can see!"
"Internet, it has wireless internet!"
The downside to the library was that in order to get in, you must have a library card. We had inquired about library cards earlier in the year and were told that if we wanted one, we had to put down a 2000 kuai deposit. This time however, we went to our representative at the foreign student office and asked for one. Voila! They gave us one for free.
I have yet to make use of my new found library freedom, but next week starts tomorrow and I have plenty of time.
2007年3月25日星期日
2007年3月20日星期二
Some Serious Health Concerns to Discuss (part 2)
I made it through the winter without catching malaria, and have been living a fairly mosquito-free existence. I was having a pretty rough time with the bugs in my first few months here (read part 1 of this post here). The worst part of the problem was that I seemed to be the only one suffering. Other people would ask why I looked diseased and I could only shrug and blame it on terrors in the night. I tried everything to make the mosquitoes go away, but nothing seemed one hundred percent effective. At night I piled blankets over my head and body, placed a constantly whirring fan on the bedside table, used a mosquito plug-in, and even took vitamin B (supposedly it helps). Whether it was my ever-alert-with-the-mosquito-squisher-"Patton" attitude, or simply the onset of winter that deterred them, I'll never know. Either way, things have been great these past few months.
I've spent fruitless hours searching the stores and markets for a product suitable for killing mosquitoes. But my luck changed recently with a trip to Century Mart, a grocery store twice as nice and half as crowded as my favorite place Trust Mart. While scanning the aisles for a new plug-in, I stumbled upon a freshly stocked shelf full of Raid Mosquito Killer spray. I'd been discussing the possibility of mosquito nets with Sarah, and was trying to figure out a way to mosquito net the entire room. Now my problem was solved. I bought two more plug-ins, and a foot tall can of spray. I brought the goods home and conducted some tests. First I lied down on my bed and aimed the can at the ceiling. Did the spray reach? Not quite, but close enough. Next I sprayed a wall shot to make sure it didn't discolor the paint, and followed that by a smell test to make sure it didn't smell like something that causes cancer. Then I did the "stupid test" by spraying it over a candle to make sure the cloud of spray didn't catch fire. (Note that I sprayed it OVER and not INTO the candle, and after that was successful I read the "do not spray near flames" warning on the back.) That all happened well over a week ago, and I've been waiting for my chance to use it ever since.
Tonight I got my opportunity. I was turning on my computer to write a blog (not about this topic) when a mosquito flew into my face. I tried swatting it and missed. From prior experience I know that if I sit quietly and wait, the beast will land somewhere soon. It did. I aimed. I sprayed. I killed. I felt good.
I'm still adhering to my regimen of vitamin B, fans, blankets, and most importantly, waiting at night for them to land and then using my "Patton" DVD to kill them. However, I've been trying to eat a lot of garlic at dinner and that seems to be working too. Now with the addition of the mosquito killer spray-The Exterminator-I'm thinking about retiring "Patton" and shipping him off for a new life in Egypt with my best friend Sarah so she can use him to kill flies. The work of a great patriot is never done...
I've spent fruitless hours searching the stores and markets for a product suitable for killing mosquitoes. But my luck changed recently with a trip to Century Mart, a grocery store twice as nice and half as crowded as my favorite place Trust Mart. While scanning the aisles for a new plug-in, I stumbled upon a freshly stocked shelf full of Raid Mosquito Killer spray. I'd been discussing the possibility of mosquito nets with Sarah, and was trying to figure out a way to mosquito net the entire room. Now my problem was solved. I bought two more plug-ins, and a foot tall can of spray. I brought the goods home and conducted some tests. First I lied down on my bed and aimed the can at the ceiling. Did the spray reach? Not quite, but close enough. Next I sprayed a wall shot to make sure it didn't discolor the paint, and followed that by a smell test to make sure it didn't smell like something that causes cancer. Then I did the "stupid test" by spraying it over a candle to make sure the cloud of spray didn't catch fire. (Note that I sprayed it OVER and not INTO the candle, and after that was successful I read the "do not spray near flames" warning on the back.) That all happened well over a week ago, and I've been waiting for my chance to use it ever since.
Tonight I got my opportunity. I was turning on my computer to write a blog (not about this topic) when a mosquito flew into my face. I tried swatting it and missed. From prior experience I know that if I sit quietly and wait, the beast will land somewhere soon. It did. I aimed. I sprayed. I killed. I felt good.
I'm still adhering to my regimen of vitamin B, fans, blankets, and most importantly, waiting at night for them to land and then using my "Patton" DVD to kill them. However, I've been trying to eat a lot of garlic at dinner and that seems to be working too. Now with the addition of the mosquito killer spray-The Exterminator-I'm thinking about retiring "Patton" and shipping him off for a new life in Egypt with my best friend Sarah so she can use him to kill flies. The work of a great patriot is never done...
2007年3月16日星期五
Advertisement of the week:
Advertisement for the bus, seen on a bus:
"Harmonious and comprehensive wisdom and honest verily and innovatively."
"Harmonious and comprehensive wisdom and honest verily and innovatively."
It's been a while...
I've been meaning to blog for days but my internet service has been out. What was originally meant to be several seperate articles will now be joined into one long piece.
First the life news:
I started school on monday. All of my classes so far have been great. My main Chinese class has roughly thirty students, and it grows larger everyday. Many students in the lower class skip up, while students in the other class at the same level switch because they don't like their teacher. I'm now in class with two of my UW classmates, so I have more brains to remind me what homework assignment to do. I sit in class three hours every morning, and I love it! My only complaint is this: I am constantly distracted by one of my new classmates. If he was a young, rich, handsome, rich man it would be understandable. I can live with that kind of distraction. Unfortunately, he is none of the above. No, the guy that distracts me looks like Kim Jong Il. I know he can't help it, but if he'd get rid of the perm it would go a long way.
And the weird news:
I spent most of last week going on adventures with various Chinese people. One of my friends wanted to invite me over to have coffee. Every time I talk to this friend she wants to know if I know how to make coffee syrup like Starbucks, when I'll learn to make coffee syrup like Starbucks, and whether or not I've found a place to buy coffee syrup like Starbucks. One day last week she called and asked me to come over so we can make coffee together. We've talked about trying to make homemade syrups, so I told her I'd pick up the ingredients and bring the French press along the way.
That afternoon I set out on my bicycle for Sabrinas, the only place in town where you can buy Western goods. I was riding my bike on the right side of the road, dodging people, bikes and cars, when I noticed out of the corner of my eye a yellow Chinese mini-car flying towards me. He was trying to make a turn onto the small lane I was passing. I hate using this cliche, but when I say everything moved in slow motion, everything really moved in slow motion. The yellow car came speeding towards me. I started to turn the wheel of the bike away from the oncoming car. Suddenly, the car was a foot from my foot. I cringed waiting for the impact. The bumper (thank God it was a mini-car and not a bus!), slammed into my lower leg knocking me off the bike and onto the pavement. The car screeched to a halt and the driver started to open the door. As soon as he saw I was moving and apparently not hurt, he sat back down, waved and sped off. I stood dumfounded that neither I nor the bike were damaged. And then I stood in the middle of the road shaking and laughing like a madman. I was just hit by a car!!!
I somehow made the rest of the trip to Sabrinas, bought my groceries, and met with my friend. The plan for the day was to take a trip to IKEA, where we would pick up a coffee maker for her and then head home to make the treat. IKEA was awesome as always, and we found the coffee makers right away.
One of the greatest things about IKEA is that they sell American style hot dogs, Chinese food and ice cream. They also sell cheap coffee and licorice. I ended up with several bags of coffee (you can never have too much), and a bag of candy. My friend hated the licorice, which meant more for me!
When we arrived at my friend's apartment, she went to the kitchen and pulled out another, larger coffee maker that her husband had recently acquired. The problem is, she explained to me, they don't know how to use it. Then I had a weird China moment: teaching my friend how to use a coffee maker. I always assumed it was instinct that taught man how to make coffee, or perhaps it's just Seattle. Either way, that evening grew more interesting as I ended up showing her how to use a spray can of whip cream, and explaining that vanilla extract may smell sweet, but it doesn't taste the same way.
All I could think about that day was that I had just been hit by a car and walked away. I didn't want to tell my friend because from experience I knew she would try to baby me. The Chinese have been incredibly helpful and kind to me, but they are often too helpful. For example, today my bike chain broke and six people ran over to help me fix it. They all grabbed for a chance to hold the bike or reset the chain while I stood to the side and made like I was trying to help. Six people!!
After that day I thought my life in China couldn't get any weirder, but it soon did. That week my Chinese roommate started work again, meaning her students are back in school. From what I gather, most of them returned home during the winter break. Now that they're all back in town, they're back trying to kiss up to their teacher once again. EVERYONE has stopped by our place at least once, and everyone brought a box of some regional specialty. Most of these have been mysterious dried meat products, but some are candies or fruit. My roommate has also been home a lot, and everytime she cooks she makes some for me. It all started with the chicken feet noodles. She made a large bowl of pasta and despite my prostests, forced me to eat some. In the middle of the meal, her phone rang and she got up to go and find it. I seized my opportunity when I saw it. I quickly shoveled all the chicken feet back into the serving dish and was done arranging them so they looked "natural" just in time to see her walk back in.
The next day someone brought over several vacumme-packed ducks. The small refrigerator we have was filled with them, and everyday my roommate urged Sarah and I to eat one. I like duck, but I really don't know what to do with it. Sarah and I discussed making soup, salad, or eating it plain. We finally decided on making duck sandwiches. We waited until it was just the two of us at home, then we got to work. We chopped off the head, pulled the skin and fat away from the meat, and then made grilled duck sandwiches. They turned out surprisingly good. We've been craving Western food a lot lately. Every night after we eat, we sit around the table and discuss the foods we love and hate. Most nights we sit for an hour or so dreaming of what we will eat when we return home.
Later that week, a cold pot of chicken innards and seaweed soup appeared on the table. Although it looked awful, after much urging we promised my roommate we would eat it. When it was just Sarah and I at home, we dumped the pot, making sure to hide the solid parts deep in the garbage.
Again, my Chinese roommate brought home some weird food for me to eat. This time she was more sneaky about her intentions. "Do you like Indian food?" She asked.
"I love Indian food. It's one of my favorites."
"Oh great! There's a doggy bag on the table for you to eat."
The fried rice in the doggy bag looked like Indian food, it even smelled like Indian food. But when I tasted it I found it full of Chinese spam-like products and another unique Chinese creation called "meat floss." When it was noticed that I hadn't eaten the leftovers, I discretely took the container to my room and dumped it deep in the garbage.
It's taken nearly two weeks of covert operations to get rid of all the weird food in the house. It started with a rotting fish in the fridge and ended with "Indian" food. Hopefully everything is better now. We're all busy with school and work, so life should be back to normal. Finally.
First the life news:
I started school on monday. All of my classes so far have been great. My main Chinese class has roughly thirty students, and it grows larger everyday. Many students in the lower class skip up, while students in the other class at the same level switch because they don't like their teacher. I'm now in class with two of my UW classmates, so I have more brains to remind me what homework assignment to do. I sit in class three hours every morning, and I love it! My only complaint is this: I am constantly distracted by one of my new classmates. If he was a young, rich, handsome, rich man it would be understandable. I can live with that kind of distraction. Unfortunately, he is none of the above. No, the guy that distracts me looks like Kim Jong Il. I know he can't help it, but if he'd get rid of the perm it would go a long way.
And the weird news:
I spent most of last week going on adventures with various Chinese people. One of my friends wanted to invite me over to have coffee. Every time I talk to this friend she wants to know if I know how to make coffee syrup like Starbucks, when I'll learn to make coffee syrup like Starbucks, and whether or not I've found a place to buy coffee syrup like Starbucks. One day last week she called and asked me to come over so we can make coffee together. We've talked about trying to make homemade syrups, so I told her I'd pick up the ingredients and bring the French press along the way.
That afternoon I set out on my bicycle for Sabrinas, the only place in town where you can buy Western goods. I was riding my bike on the right side of the road, dodging people, bikes and cars, when I noticed out of the corner of my eye a yellow Chinese mini-car flying towards me. He was trying to make a turn onto the small lane I was passing. I hate using this cliche, but when I say everything moved in slow motion, everything really moved in slow motion. The yellow car came speeding towards me. I started to turn the wheel of the bike away from the oncoming car. Suddenly, the car was a foot from my foot. I cringed waiting for the impact. The bumper (thank God it was a mini-car and not a bus!), slammed into my lower leg knocking me off the bike and onto the pavement. The car screeched to a halt and the driver started to open the door. As soon as he saw I was moving and apparently not hurt, he sat back down, waved and sped off. I stood dumfounded that neither I nor the bike were damaged. And then I stood in the middle of the road shaking and laughing like a madman. I was just hit by a car!!!
I somehow made the rest of the trip to Sabrinas, bought my groceries, and met with my friend. The plan for the day was to take a trip to IKEA, where we would pick up a coffee maker for her and then head home to make the treat. IKEA was awesome as always, and we found the coffee makers right away.
One of the greatest things about IKEA is that they sell American style hot dogs, Chinese food and ice cream. They also sell cheap coffee and licorice. I ended up with several bags of coffee (you can never have too much), and a bag of candy. My friend hated the licorice, which meant more for me!
When we arrived at my friend's apartment, she went to the kitchen and pulled out another, larger coffee maker that her husband had recently acquired. The problem is, she explained to me, they don't know how to use it. Then I had a weird China moment: teaching my friend how to use a coffee maker. I always assumed it was instinct that taught man how to make coffee, or perhaps it's just Seattle. Either way, that evening grew more interesting as I ended up showing her how to use a spray can of whip cream, and explaining that vanilla extract may smell sweet, but it doesn't taste the same way.
All I could think about that day was that I had just been hit by a car and walked away. I didn't want to tell my friend because from experience I knew she would try to baby me. The Chinese have been incredibly helpful and kind to me, but they are often too helpful. For example, today my bike chain broke and six people ran over to help me fix it. They all grabbed for a chance to hold the bike or reset the chain while I stood to the side and made like I was trying to help. Six people!!
After that day I thought my life in China couldn't get any weirder, but it soon did. That week my Chinese roommate started work again, meaning her students are back in school. From what I gather, most of them returned home during the winter break. Now that they're all back in town, they're back trying to kiss up to their teacher once again. EVERYONE has stopped by our place at least once, and everyone brought a box of some regional specialty. Most of these have been mysterious dried meat products, but some are candies or fruit. My roommate has also been home a lot, and everytime she cooks she makes some for me. It all started with the chicken feet noodles. She made a large bowl of pasta and despite my prostests, forced me to eat some. In the middle of the meal, her phone rang and she got up to go and find it. I seized my opportunity when I saw it. I quickly shoveled all the chicken feet back into the serving dish and was done arranging them so they looked "natural" just in time to see her walk back in.
The next day someone brought over several vacumme-packed ducks. The small refrigerator we have was filled with them, and everyday my roommate urged Sarah and I to eat one. I like duck, but I really don't know what to do with it. Sarah and I discussed making soup, salad, or eating it plain. We finally decided on making duck sandwiches. We waited until it was just the two of us at home, then we got to work. We chopped off the head, pulled the skin and fat away from the meat, and then made grilled duck sandwiches. They turned out surprisingly good. We've been craving Western food a lot lately. Every night after we eat, we sit around the table and discuss the foods we love and hate. Most nights we sit for an hour or so dreaming of what we will eat when we return home.
Later that week, a cold pot of chicken innards and seaweed soup appeared on the table. Although it looked awful, after much urging we promised my roommate we would eat it. When it was just Sarah and I at home, we dumped the pot, making sure to hide the solid parts deep in the garbage.
Again, my Chinese roommate brought home some weird food for me to eat. This time she was more sneaky about her intentions. "Do you like Indian food?" She asked.
"I love Indian food. It's one of my favorites."
"Oh great! There's a doggy bag on the table for you to eat."
The fried rice in the doggy bag looked like Indian food, it even smelled like Indian food. But when I tasted it I found it full of Chinese spam-like products and another unique Chinese creation called "meat floss." When it was noticed that I hadn't eaten the leftovers, I discretely took the container to my room and dumped it deep in the garbage.
It's taken nearly two weeks of covert operations to get rid of all the weird food in the house. It started with a rotting fish in the fridge and ended with "Indian" food. Hopefully everything is better now. We're all busy with school and work, so life should be back to normal. Finally.
2007年3月6日星期二
Beijing
After spending ten days in Shanghai, my classmate and I took the fast train to Beijing. Beijing was fun although I don't think it is nearly as interesting as Chengdu. Chengdu feels like China. Beijing feels like Tacoma. The Forbidden City, Great Wall, and Tiananmen Square were all cool and I'm glad I got to see them, but by far the most interesting part of the trip was the Mao Zedong Mausoleum.
Situated smack dab in the center of Tiananmen Square is the body of Mao Zedong. Okay, so it's on the first floor of a large concrete building, but it's there nonetheless.
The highlight of my vacation (I'm not sure about my mom) was the trip to the Mausoleum where we saw the body in all it's neon glowing glory. Before we could enter, the tour guides took everyone to a booth where you could buy a flower to lay at the foot of a statue of the Great Helmslmen as you entered the building. I decided my money was better spent on a booklet describing the achievements of the late great chairman, but was disappointed that it didn't have a picture of the body (we weren't allowed to take cameras in).
It's hard to describe just how weird this experience was. Everyone was herded past the body which was laying in a glass coffin. A bright neon orange light shown on Mao's face, making it look as though he had been irradiated. He was glowing. Glowing like the Las Vegas strip. His body was covered with the national flag, and the coffin was surrounded by rows and rows of fake plants. It was really bizarre! Although I've seen plenty of weird things in China, this topped the list.
Situated smack dab in the center of Tiananmen Square is the body of Mao Zedong. Okay, so it's on the first floor of a large concrete building, but it's there nonetheless.
The highlight of my vacation (I'm not sure about my mom) was the trip to the Mausoleum where we saw the body in all it's neon glowing glory. Before we could enter, the tour guides took everyone to a booth where you could buy a flower to lay at the foot of a statue of the Great Helmslmen as you entered the building. I decided my money was better spent on a booklet describing the achievements of the late great chairman, but was disappointed that it didn't have a picture of the body (we weren't allowed to take cameras in).
It's hard to describe just how weird this experience was. Everyone was herded past the body which was laying in a glass coffin. A bright neon orange light shown on Mao's face, making it look as though he had been irradiated. He was glowing. Glowing like the Las Vegas strip. His body was covered with the national flag, and the coffin was surrounded by rows and rows of fake plants. It was really bizarre! Although I've seen plenty of weird things in China, this topped the list.
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