My dear Grandpa Friesen passed away December 21, 2009. Three days after parting with it's soul, his body was put on display in a casket, an oppurtunity for one last tangible goodbye. He lay there peacefully, silently, free of the illness that normally leaves his body tremoring. He lays there triumphantly, as his children file by with smiles and tears, each one a testament to the life he lived. His children's children too, and their children yet. Upright, humble, and honest, in strict accordance with the Bible. A steadfast man of the Lord, in the Lord's care both in life and now death. A lot of what I am thankful for finds roots in seeds planted by you, Grandpa. I love you and miss you.
The one who sows seeds to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest.
After a lifetime of sowing seeds to please the Spirit, your time has come, Grandpa, to reap the ultimate harvest.
12.24.2009
Merry Christmas
Jesus, born of a virgin, some two thousand odd years ago; It's yule season, and there are none more exciting. Because of You, Jesus, families come together. Because of You we worship with carols. Because of You there is a hope.
12.04.2009
11.14.2009
Moderation Itself Is A Kind Of Extreme - A.Bird
Learning happens as a result of frustration. Motivation has partial roots in anxiety. Improvement goes hand in hand with dissatisfaction. Without learning, motivation, and improvement, the effects of frustration, anxiety, and dissatisfaction lead to depression. When in moderate levels these emotions act as catalysts, when not they manifest.
Moderate Moderate
Moderate Moderate
11.06.2009
What Will Be
Currently haunted by Mr. B-hart, and inspired by Meg who I assume, rather know, is a Devendra-haunted vessel herself. Not even twenty-four hours after acquiring 'Baby' had it already spun ten times. Baby, so young, indeed just a babe. I fantasize about dancing to this song with my future wife, looking at her, synchronizing my sway to hers, hoping to God that she understands "Baby, I finally know what I'm going after" (not linguistically, but conceptually). If her name ends up being Angelika I will die, and the album can be played on loop with a one-two punch every rotation.
Among my future wife I find myself fantasizing about train rides and pollution (again, thanks Meg), a society benevolent and patriotic. Cities large enough to warrant subways, conversations in passing that I understand just enough of to smile. Feeling high, elated, nearly always. What will be? Good question Devendra.
I'm happy to direct you to a place much better than here (worldly). I hear God telling me these words all day, and I feel it too (otherworldly).
Another place that is much better than here, "http://thebirthoffeeling.blogspot.com/", have a scroll.
Among my future wife I find myself fantasizing about train rides and pollution (again, thanks Meg), a society benevolent and patriotic. Cities large enough to warrant subways, conversations in passing that I understand just enough of to smile. Feeling high, elated, nearly always. What will be? Good question Devendra.
I'm happy to direct you to a place much better than here (worldly). I hear God telling me these words all day, and I feel it too (otherworldly).
Another place that is much better than here, "http://thebirthoffeeling.blogspot.com/", have a scroll.
13557979173 (一三五五七九七九一七三）
I am beginning to speculate more and more frequently about the affect learning a second language has on thought processes (or perhaps vice versa). Curiosities naturally show up all over the place when you look into alternate forms of communication, but are often looked over as one-offs, oddities, etc. For monolinguals, there is no option but to contrast unfamiliar linguistic concepts to those that already exist in our brains, that of our mother tongue. (From my understanding, bilinguals also have a fixed reference point). While learning we only have one reference point from which to decode novel stimuli, and it is from this origin that a process of translation takes place. Children acquire language instinctively, and as each phonemic input is intrinsically novel, they have no option but to bank it is an anchor. With no reference point, input becomes the reference point. (There is a giant can of worms regarding the real argument for language's instinctive nature that I dare not open...see "The Language Instinct" by Steven Pinker). That being said, the ultimate goal for the post-pubescent language learner is to shed the responsibility of their mother tongue being the primary point of reference, and allow the newly acquired language to flow out uninhibited by the cumbersome translation process. To put it metaphorically, once the transition takes place it is like finding the elevator where you have previously taken the stairs. As a post-pubescent (thirteen years of age finds the critical window for language to be learned instinctively closed) how do you find your way to the elevator door? Many people don't. To do it voluntarily is quite difficult, but I strongly believe that a combination of interest, determination, submersion, and intelligence are capable of prying the elevator door open. (I also believe that of these four, interest and submersion are profoundly more important).
At the risk of sounding self-glorifying, please read the following with these things in mind: Numbers are among the first things anyone will learn when trying to acquire a new language, they receive the most rehearsal, and have a strong basis in mathematics which is a concrete science. Conceptually, numbers are not abstract. Also, the following is a curious event with implications that I currently do not know but would like to know. I am trying to approach it with the goal of answering questions in mind.
While joking around with my friends, likely about the absurdity of cell phones, I was reminded about my time spent in China when I actually owned one. In previous posts I have mentioned the frequency of information exchanges that foreigners inevitably encounter is very high. Nearly everyday you will find yourself in a situation where you are dictating your phone number to someone. These exchanges would invariably be in Chinese.
Since I have returned, the amount of Chinese I speak in any given day has been cut in a seventh. Our having a laugh at cell-phone users' expense somehow brought up the question: Do I still know the cell phone number I was subscribed to in China.
Of course I do, I said it thousands of times! However, when I attempted to relay it to my company, nothing came out. I kept saying the first two digits, the only two that I was sure of, in English, waiting for the rest to just flow on out. They didn't come out. It was only until I started thinking in Chinese that I could accurately recall my number, and it happened quick-snap. As soon as I said the first digit the rest were ducklings after a mother duck. I realize there are elements of repetition that play into fluidity of language, and the fact that I could only remember my cell phone number in Chinese doesn't mean I can project this fluidity onto other, more complex parts of speech (unfortunately), but does this scenario have implications about second language acquisition in terms of memory storage? or brain plasticity? or activation areas? transformation from noninherence to inherence? I do not know, but I would like to know.
At the risk of sounding self-glorifying, please read the following with these things in mind: Numbers are among the first things anyone will learn when trying to acquire a new language, they receive the most rehearsal, and have a strong basis in mathematics which is a concrete science. Conceptually, numbers are not abstract. Also, the following is a curious event with implications that I currently do not know but would like to know. I am trying to approach it with the goal of answering questions in mind.
While joking around with my friends, likely about the absurdity of cell phones, I was reminded about my time spent in China when I actually owned one. In previous posts I have mentioned the frequency of information exchanges that foreigners inevitably encounter is very high. Nearly everyday you will find yourself in a situation where you are dictating your phone number to someone. These exchanges would invariably be in Chinese.
Since I have returned, the amount of Chinese I speak in any given day has been cut in a seventh. Our having a laugh at cell-phone users' expense somehow brought up the question: Do I still know the cell phone number I was subscribed to in China.
Of course I do, I said it thousands of times! However, when I attempted to relay it to my company, nothing came out. I kept saying the first two digits, the only two that I was sure of, in English, waiting for the rest to just flow on out. They didn't come out. It was only until I started thinking in Chinese that I could accurately recall my number, and it happened quick-snap. As soon as I said the first digit the rest were ducklings after a mother duck. I realize there are elements of repetition that play into fluidity of language, and the fact that I could only remember my cell phone number in Chinese doesn't mean I can project this fluidity onto other, more complex parts of speech (unfortunately), but does this scenario have implications about second language acquisition in terms of memory storage? or brain plasticity? or activation areas? transformation from noninherence to inherence? I do not know, but I would like to know.
11.04.2009
10.11.2009
7.30.2009
Vancouver
Just landed in YVR, flew with the sun so that means by the time I'm home home it will have been July 30th for about 40 hours, neat! Good old Canada, let's me use this website so activity will be on the frequent starting these days. Let's hang!
6.14.2009
Nigeria
I actually had to battle six samurais before making this post. There's a crackdown going on so that's why there's been no activity. I'm sorry. I'm still loving life, everything is going well, I'll see you soon enough.
5.06.2009
The Long Train Ride Home
The long train ride home from 重庆, spent in every way alone. From my hard sleeper in solitary confinement I glaze-eyed gazed at the countryside’s greens browns and rubble blend and bleed into a pukish haze. Arriving at every new desolate town the train lurched to halt and start just disruptively enough to remind me that I am in fact, going. Every dull shlickety-shlack brings me one rail closer to destination nowhere. Has it been twenty-four hours? Will it be twenty-four more? I have long since derailed. It’s been at least thirty odd hours since my last meal. Snakebite-belly has been sufficiently filling me with venom until it’s levels reach the hole in my aorta where it is then circulated freely from limbs to toes, numb.
4.25.2009
4.24.2009
为了废话
I recently experienced my first total-stranger delivered joke that I entirely and immediately understood linguistically. It happened while I was buying some melon.
冷静－ 都是新鲜吗？
老板－ 是啊！除了老板都是新鲜
James - Are these melons fresh?
Boss - Of course! Aside from the boss everything is really fresh!
As always, translating from Chinese to English can be tricky. The meanings and conveyances of certain words are incongruent. I realize nobody's sides are splitting, I think it was just the euphoria of true comprehension that enhanced the situation for me.
I'm really thankful that I've been here long enough to shed the exchange-rate way of thinking. I think in RMB instead of conversion rates when I make a purchase. This pattern of thinking can be seen in many foreigners who come to China (or any country where their homeland's Rupee is a hundred to one Denarii). The initial 'go loco and buy trash because I can' attitude wanes, especially when you don't have an income. There are many other attitudinal problems foreigners have in China, especially the one's who come when they are older. If you are set in your ways, unadaptable, or crusty, don't bother. The Chinese culture is much too tolerant and accommodating of foreigners.
冷静－ 都是新鲜吗？
老板－ 是啊！除了老板都是新鲜
James - Are these melons fresh?
Boss - Of course! Aside from the boss everything is really fresh!
As always, translating from Chinese to English can be tricky. The meanings and conveyances of certain words are incongruent. I realize nobody's sides are splitting, I think it was just the euphoria of true comprehension that enhanced the situation for me.
I'm really thankful that I've been here long enough to shed the exchange-rate way of thinking. I think in RMB instead of conversion rates when I make a purchase. This pattern of thinking can be seen in many foreigners who come to China (or any country where their homeland's Rupee is a hundred to one Denarii). The initial 'go loco and buy trash because I can' attitude wanes, especially when you don't have an income. There are many other attitudinal problems foreigners have in China, especially the one's who come when they are older. If you are set in your ways, unadaptable, or crusty, don't bother. The Chinese culture is much too tolerant and accommodating of foreigners.
House Keys
Things that you may or may not know about China:
-Doors can't not lock when you close them.
-The toilets are squatty's, but still can be flushed.
-You are not permitted to put toilet paper in the toilet, rather in a nearby garbage can.
-Babies poo and pee at will in shrubs or garbage cans, no diapers needed, instead pants have giant slits from where all waste can be expelled directly.
-You are never ever more than one hundred paces from a: Bank, KTV, Cigarette/Alchohol shop, hairdresser, milk-tea shop.
-Lots of intersections do not have lights, everyone works on the trust system
-Every morning thousands upon thousands of woman street-sweepers sweep the streets.
-Giant water spraying trucks spray the streets and boulevards playing jingles that Western Ice-Cream trucks play, very deceiving.
-Children can buy beer
-The stereotype of everyone spitting doesn't exist (I think it was part of the 'straighten up for the Olympics movement' that put a halt to it)
-It is very common for males to leave one or two finger nails around half an inch long, for purposes I'm not entirely clear of.
-Everyone showers in the evening, not in the morning. People are very picky about the bed being a clean place.
-Going out for BBQ is a popular evening event, BBQ's are usually made up of tens and tens of tables, flamed food on skewers, and good times.
-Everyone bikes, walks, and drives SLOW, but they speak really fast. I wish it were the opposite.
-The majority of the male population smokes.
-In the warmer climates they have siestas
-An imaginary line drawn along the middle of China (roughly) determines which places get heating for the winter and which do not.
-Gifting someone with a clock is like wishing death upon them
-When giving money to someone it is best to hold the money with both hands.
-Living rooms are typically very empty and very simple. One or two chairs, a television, that's it. White walls and tile floors.
-Doors can't not lock when you close them.
-The toilets are squatty's, but still can be flushed.
-You are not permitted to put toilet paper in the toilet, rather in a nearby garbage can.
-Babies poo and pee at will in shrubs or garbage cans, no diapers needed, instead pants have giant slits from where all waste can be expelled directly.
-You are never ever more than one hundred paces from a: Bank, KTV, Cigarette/Alchohol shop, hairdresser, milk-tea shop.
-Lots of intersections do not have lights, everyone works on the trust system
-Every morning thousands upon thousands of woman street-sweepers sweep the streets.
-Giant water spraying trucks spray the streets and boulevards playing jingles that Western Ice-Cream trucks play, very deceiving.
-Children can buy beer
-The stereotype of everyone spitting doesn't exist (I think it was part of the 'straighten up for the Olympics movement' that put a halt to it)
-It is very common for males to leave one or two finger nails around half an inch long, for purposes I'm not entirely clear of.
-Everyone showers in the evening, not in the morning. People are very picky about the bed being a clean place.
-Going out for BBQ is a popular evening event, BBQ's are usually made up of tens and tens of tables, flamed food on skewers, and good times.
-Everyone bikes, walks, and drives SLOW, but they speak really fast. I wish it were the opposite.
-The majority of the male population smokes.
-In the warmer climates they have siestas
-An imaginary line drawn along the middle of China (roughly) determines which places get heating for the winter and which do not.
-Gifting someone with a clock is like wishing death upon them
-When giving money to someone it is best to hold the money with both hands.
-Living rooms are typically very empty and very simple. One or two chairs, a television, that's it. White walls and tile floors.
4.19.2009
Grind Date
-------
English is an undeniable craze here in China, among our circle of friends 'English-name' has become a verb. Here are some of the English names that I come into contact with regularly:
T-Rex
Yellow
Too Cool
Pirate
Levi's
Element
Duck
------
Just in case you thought I was slipping, I'm keeping it really real. I fully dominated a local game of s.k.a.t.e., it was my eleven years of experience against everyone else's three. The spoils of war? The booty? A new deck that anyone else would've given up a week's worth of rice for. I feel pretty good about myself, beating a bunch of kids, take that kids! This picture is proof that I'm officially Chinese.
Photo Cred: I don't know. I also didn't know there was prizes on the line, oops.
-----
"Cops on Rollerblades" - Jigger E. Pokery
----
Spinning De La, YeahYeahYeahs, Sufjan, Vangaalen,
---
I wrecked my ankle skating, it was probably karma for my earlier in the week display of accidental dickery. I hope I can comfortably walk in time for Chengdu next week. I'm going to go see the lady, and to go hang out with monkeys! I'm almost more excited to hang out with monkeys.
--
Working on ramp-plans for concrete mini-ramp in the house! Our landlord is shockingly tolerable of our requests.
-
English is an undeniable craze here in China, among our circle of friends 'English-name' has become a verb. Here are some of the English names that I come into contact with regularly:
T-Rex
Yellow
Too Cool
Pirate
Levi's
Element
Duck
------
Just in case you thought I was slipping, I'm keeping it really real. I fully dominated a local game of s.k.a.t.e., it was my eleven years of experience against everyone else's three. The spoils of war? The booty? A new deck that anyone else would've given up a week's worth of rice for. I feel pretty good about myself, beating a bunch of kids, take that kids! This picture is proof that I'm officially Chinese.
Photo Cred: I don't know. I also didn't know there was prizes on the line, oops.
-----
"Cops on Rollerblades" - Jigger E. Pokery
----
Spinning De La, YeahYeahYeahs, Sufjan, Vangaalen,
---
I wrecked my ankle skating, it was probably karma for my earlier in the week display of accidental dickery. I hope I can comfortably walk in time for Chengdu next week. I'm going to go see the lady, and to go hang out with monkeys! I'm almost more excited to hang out with monkeys.
--
Working on ramp-plans for concrete mini-ramp in the house! Our landlord is shockingly tolerable of our requests.
-
4.15.2009
我想念你
If you can, listen to the song "I Miss You" by "青春美少女". It epitomizes contemporary music and teenagedom in China, and it is seriously affecting my life. This song has a strange mystical power over me. Don't get the remix rap version if you can help it.
4.10.2009
生日快乐
-This blog is one year old, this boy is one year older.
-My head is always near bursting's brink on account of the Chinese vocabulary, grammar, sentences, that are inside. Thankfully when I do burst it comes out of my mouth and not the top of my skull.
- My roommate‘s brain bled two days ago as a result of blunt trauma, his shoulder also cracked in three places, but he's back at home on the fast track to recovery. As PVEMC would say PTL!
- I'm Chineser every day, the most recent Yellow Fever symptom is an open QQ account, numbered 2851089.
- In the course of the last 30 days I have eaten more than 300 饺子 （dumplings)
- The secret ingredient isn't 鱼, 米, or even 玉米, 。。it is 爱。
- Remember the bike I bought on TaoBao? They also just sent me an extra back wheel, flip flop hub complete with free-wheel and fixed 16t cogs, an extra chain, extra pedals with clips, helmet, and a top bar protector, for FREE!
- New Junior Boys, Old Karen Dalton
Today I found myself saying again, 'I can't believe I'm living in China'. It's been such a trip living here, one I've been doing my best not to let pass me by too quickly. Yesterday I spoke in front of a class about the differences between English and Chinese, using only Chinese to do so. Last week I started teaching a Korean Professor English, and an old-time friend is now my roommate (not the one who's brain was bleeding) half way across the globe. I never could have guessed. Party on!
-My head is always near bursting's brink on account of the Chinese vocabulary, grammar, sentences, that are inside. Thankfully when I do burst it comes out of my mouth and not the top of my skull.
- My roommate‘s brain bled two days ago as a result of blunt trauma, his shoulder also cracked in three places, but he's back at home on the fast track to recovery. As PVEMC would say PTL!
- I'm Chineser every day, the most recent Yellow Fever symptom is an open QQ account, numbered 2851089.
- In the course of the last 30 days I have eaten more than 300 饺子 （dumplings)
- The secret ingredient isn't 鱼, 米, or even 玉米, 。。it is 爱。
- Remember the bike I bought on TaoBao? They also just sent me an extra back wheel, flip flop hub complete with free-wheel and fixed 16t cogs, an extra chain, extra pedals with clips, helmet, and a top bar protector, for FREE!
- New Junior Boys, Old Karen Dalton
Today I found myself saying again, 'I can't believe I'm living in China'. It's been such a trip living here, one I've been doing my best not to let pass me by too quickly. Yesterday I spoke in front of a class about the differences between English and Chinese, using only Chinese to do so. Last week I started teaching a Korean Professor English, and an old-time friend is now my roommate (not the one who's brain was bleeding) half way across the globe. I never could have guessed. Party on!
3.25.2009
Jigggerypokery
今天不错， 我上午没有棵。 下午的大部分时间我都休息， 然后去吃了饺子。 在饺子饭馆里我跟两个年轻的学生寥寥还有玩模子。一个学生是老板的孩子。我教了他半个小时的英语， 所以老板送给我一瓶啤酒和一个小饼。 谢谢老板！
3.23.2009
wtf
I now have a job teaching English over Skype to a Korean professor who graduated with a doctorate from the most prestigious University in all of China.
3.20.2009
Update Blog
1. We made some modifications to the ramp so it is sleeker to get wild on.
2. Still keen on Chinese.
3. Really miss Mexican food.
4. Discovered an 18元 all-you-can-drink coffee bar.
5. Currently about half way through a month long eat ten 饺子 a day bet.
6. My body hates me as a result of the last two updates.
7. Miss Winnipeg.
8. Three chopped up bodies were found in our neighborhood.
9. There is a bike (pedal) gang that steals and rapes in our neighborhood.
10. It's hot and muggy most days, damp is a dry as clothes get.
11. In pretty good health and pretty good spirits.
12. Going to work in a village next weekend.
13. Planning a bicycle trip.
14. Two travelers are staying with us in our apartment.
15. Body's pretty much adjusted to not wearing deodorant.
16. Possibly moving into a different apartment next month el solo.
17. BF is coming this week!
2. Still keen on Chinese.
3. Really miss Mexican food.
4. Discovered an 18元 all-you-can-drink coffee bar.
5. Currently about half way through a month long eat ten 饺子 a day bet.
6. My body hates me as a result of the last two updates.
7. Miss Winnipeg.
8. Three chopped up bodies were found in our neighborhood.
9. There is a bike (pedal) gang that steals and rapes in our neighborhood.
10. It's hot and muggy most days, damp is a dry as clothes get.
11. In pretty good health and pretty good spirits.
12. Going to work in a village next weekend.
13. Planning a bicycle trip.
14. Two travelers are staying with us in our apartment.
15. Body's pretty much adjusted to not wearing deodorant.
16. Possibly moving into a different apartment next month el solo.
17. BF is coming this week!
3.09.2009
Our Pets Heads Are Falling Off!
Holmbird bit the dust this afternoon. The green one, my least favorite. The blue one is living in caged loneliness. It was mine and JP's mutual assumption that the other party was feeding our birds. Turns out their involuntary fast got the better of Green One. Sorry Green One! A death resulting from negligence is both dishonorable and hilarious for a bird. I've got to take my hat off to Blue One for not resorting to cannibalism. We've taught it well.
"I'll just start feeding them regularly and exclusively so there will be no confusion in the future". Good plan.
I wiled much too hard today on my date with my bicycle. The roads were still thinly layered with wet for the morning commute as I barreled down the last hill to 艺术学院. At the bottom of the hill is a traffic light, which was green when I last saw it, and subsequently blue. (The traffic lights in China don't actually turn blue, but that's the resultative color when green and yellow mix). Exercising my dangerously (literally) liberal rights as a cyclist in China I decided to beat the blue light. The car ahead of my decided to heed to it. Circumscribed by vehicles I hit the skids going blatantly too fast to stop, but slow enough to contemplate how I would deal with the angry owner of the Lambourghini Diablo before hitting it. I decided to be scared about the situation. I gathered myself off of his trunk. The owner of the vehicle I ran into was so understandably confused as he alighted the Diablo. He looked like he wanted to yell at me, but more than that he looked like he didn't know how to deal with a foreigner who'd just smashed into his car (no visible damage, I hit him straight on with my tire instead of side-skidding my frame into his bumper, good thing!). I nearly burst out laughing on the spot at the absurdity of the situation. The conversation that transpired went something like this.
冷静 － "....不好意思”，
先生 － ”＃¥％ 干吗？红灯你看过没有？？？“
冷静 － “我的旁边都有车了, 没有办法“
先生－ ”这个呢？“
冷静 － ”那个不是我的“
先生－ ”你看！“
冷静 － ”那个不是我的， 应该没有问题“
Translation (Roughly, some things are hard to translate):
James - "Oh! How embarrassing!" (This is hilarious because "不好意思" is something you say if you accidentally bump into someone on the street, this situation definitely calls for a more serious choice of words, I was still piecing my life together when I said it though leaving no time for word processing)
Holmey - "What are you doing? Didn't you see the red light?"
James - "There were cars beside me, I had no way to...."
Holmey - "What about this??" (pointing to minor scuff marks on his bumper"
James - "That's not mine" (literal translation, if I had more time to think I would've put it more delicately)
Holmey - "Look at it!"
James - "Nahh, that's not mine, it should be no biggy" And then I biked away. (Had I done serious damage I would've openly admitted it, but he was just trying to get money from me so I brushed it off, thinking back, very nonchalantly)
The funniest thing is this is exactly what I predicted would happen.
Taken from earlier posted '泰国‘；
"I bike downtown everyday, it’s about a twenty-minute ride. There are just so many people, I’ve come so close to so many accidents, it’s only a matter of time. Thankfully everybody drives slow, so when the time comes my injuries will be non-existent or minor, I’m more worried about my bike."
I predict it will happen again.
Don't worry Mom and Dad, I have something better than a helmet protecting me.
"I'll just start feeding them regularly and exclusively so there will be no confusion in the future". Good plan.
I wiled much too hard today on my date with my bicycle. The roads were still thinly layered with wet for the morning commute as I barreled down the last hill to 艺术学院. At the bottom of the hill is a traffic light, which was green when I last saw it, and subsequently blue. (The traffic lights in China don't actually turn blue, but that's the resultative color when green and yellow mix). Exercising my dangerously (literally) liberal rights as a cyclist in China I decided to beat the blue light. The car ahead of my decided to heed to it. Circumscribed by vehicles I hit the skids going blatantly too fast to stop, but slow enough to contemplate how I would deal with the angry owner of the Lambourghini Diablo before hitting it. I decided to be scared about the situation. I gathered myself off of his trunk. The owner of the vehicle I ran into was so understandably confused as he alighted the Diablo. He looked like he wanted to yell at me, but more than that he looked like he didn't know how to deal with a foreigner who'd just smashed into his car (no visible damage, I hit him straight on with my tire instead of side-skidding my frame into his bumper, good thing!). I nearly burst out laughing on the spot at the absurdity of the situation. The conversation that transpired went something like this.
冷静 － "....不好意思”，
先生 － ”＃¥％ 干吗？红灯你看过没有？？？“
冷静 － “我的旁边都有车了, 没有办法“
先生－ ”这个呢？“
冷静 － ”那个不是我的“
先生－ ”你看！“
冷静 － ”那个不是我的， 应该没有问题“
Translation (Roughly, some things are hard to translate):
James - "Oh! How embarrassing!" (This is hilarious because "不好意思" is something you say if you accidentally bump into someone on the street, this situation definitely calls for a more serious choice of words, I was still piecing my life together when I said it though leaving no time for word processing)
Holmey - "What are you doing? Didn't you see the red light?"
James - "There were cars beside me, I had no way to...."
Holmey - "What about this??" (pointing to minor scuff marks on his bumper"
James - "That's not mine" (literal translation, if I had more time to think I would've put it more delicately)
Holmey - "Look at it!"
James - "Nahh, that's not mine, it should be no biggy" And then I biked away. (Had I done serious damage I would've openly admitted it, but he was just trying to get money from me so I brushed it off, thinking back, very nonchalantly)
The funniest thing is this is exactly what I predicted would happen.
Taken from earlier posted '泰国‘；
"I bike downtown everyday, it’s about a twenty-minute ride. There are just so many people, I’ve come so close to so many accidents, it’s only a matter of time. Thankfully everybody drives slow, so when the time comes my injuries will be non-existent or minor, I’m more worried about my bike."
I predict it will happen again.
Don't worry Mom and Dad, I have something better than a helmet protecting me.
3.05.2009
冷静
I have an official Chinese name now, I think. The transliteration 'jia mu se' didn't really stick. 小James was also a little informal. It was sufficient in separating me from the rest of the James' around here, but 小 is a prefix of endearment. It was a trip to the hospital that forced me to choose/get a name as I needed to register as somebody. 冷静, (pron. leng jing). Last names first, first names last. 冷 means 'cold', which coincides nicely with Friesen, 静 'jing', sounds like James (kind of), and the two characters together '冷静' means 'calm, under-control, etc.'. Just like me right? How fitting? hah, Chinese people always laugh at me when I tell them my Chinese name, because it's totally stoopid to them. Supposedly it's a girly name too. Oh well, I've told too many people now to turn back, so that's neat.
Yesterday I saw an old Chinese man that looked exactly like my Grandpa Friesen. I'm not sure how that calculates, but it did. I miss Grandma and Grandpa. Happy Birthday Grandma! Eighty years! Here's to eighty more.
Yesterday I read an entire book in one day, I've never done that. It was called 'Passion and Purity', a book about commitments and chastity. I didn't read it all in one day because it was good, in fact it was kind of dry, the authors stance was fairytailish and a little cold. Outside it was not dry, was cold, so I stayed in and read. To be fair the text was not the standard 12 point font either. Save your time and some letters to Corinth.
Every time a 'jian strikes up a conversation with me (or vice versa), our conversation inevitably ends with an exchange of e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, and business cards. This is the Chinese way. "I think we are good friends for long time". "Yeah me too, probably". Seeing as how nearly every day I end up having a conversation with one of Nanning's residents, I've given out my e-mail address and phone number more times than I can count. 95% of people don't make any attempt to contact me, but the few that do always throw me for a loop. Every once in a while I'll get an unexpected phone call with someone saying "Hey, remember me?", "I'm really sorry, I don't". Or some bizarre e-mail from some people inviting me to their house for dinner, or to their school, or to accept their hearts. It's mostly my fault I guess (how do you give a fake phone number when they insist on dialing it for confirmation afterwards?), but honestly I don't mind, it's usually fun. Most of the people I meet are very genuine as well, so it's just rude to not reciprocate their kindness. Everyone is very nice, few are too nice, and once in a long while they will be strange.
Today I studied Chinese for about seven, or eight hundred hours. Learning a new language (later on in life) prevents Alzheimer's I'm told. So take that my future Alzheimer's! I am happy to have not yet fallen out of love with this language. It is difficult and rewarding and most importantly fun to study. The culture lends itself really really nicely to motivation on many levels.
"Damn, Sam, I love a woman that rains" - Ryan Adams, Heartbreaker
Yesterday I saw an old Chinese man that looked exactly like my Grandpa Friesen. I'm not sure how that calculates, but it did. I miss Grandma and Grandpa. Happy Birthday Grandma! Eighty years! Here's to eighty more.
Yesterday I read an entire book in one day, I've never done that. It was called 'Passion and Purity', a book about commitments and chastity. I didn't read it all in one day because it was good, in fact it was kind of dry, the authors stance was fairytailish and a little cold. Outside it was not dry, was cold, so I stayed in and read. To be fair the text was not the standard 12 point font either. Save your time and some letters to Corinth.
Every time a 'jian strikes up a conversation with me (or vice versa), our conversation inevitably ends with an exchange of e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, and business cards. This is the Chinese way. "I think we are good friends for long time". "Yeah me too, probably". Seeing as how nearly every day I end up having a conversation with one of Nanning's residents, I've given out my e-mail address and phone number more times than I can count. 95% of people don't make any attempt to contact me, but the few that do always throw me for a loop. Every once in a while I'll get an unexpected phone call with someone saying "Hey, remember me?", "I'm really sorry, I don't". Or some bizarre e-mail from some people inviting me to their house for dinner, or to their school, or to accept their hearts. It's mostly my fault I guess (how do you give a fake phone number when they insist on dialing it for confirmation afterwards?), but honestly I don't mind, it's usually fun. Most of the people I meet are very genuine as well, so it's just rude to not reciprocate their kindness. Everyone is very nice, few are too nice, and once in a long while they will be strange.
Today I studied Chinese for about seven, or eight hundred hours. Learning a new language (later on in life) prevents Alzheimer's I'm told. So take that my future Alzheimer's! I am happy to have not yet fallen out of love with this language. It is difficult and rewarding and most importantly fun to study. The culture lends itself really really nicely to motivation on many levels.
"Damn, Sam, I love a woman that rains" - Ryan Adams, Heartbreaker
2.26.2009
墨西哥
Bound to our leather couch by a caked on layer of dirty salty dry sweat is the large of my back. Nearby nappers are preventing me from getting up for the same reason I never adjusted my velcro shoes during library time. Our apartment's clothing optional rule coupled with a nearby fan and Tsingtao in hand are still not sufficiently suppressing the heat. Dawn and dusk have shifted from sleep to play time. I'm sorry to readers in Winnipeg; you may not have the sun, but you have something much wickeder that I don't, yourselves! I miss YOU.
Anyway, here's the difference between Chinese and Canadian mosquitos. Chinese mosquitos are more cunning, and slightly smaller. Their reaction time is much faster, they are quieter, and their bites stay itchy for up to three days. Come to think of it, the difference in mosquitos doesn't differ much from the difference in humans!
Anyway, here's the difference between Chinese and Canadian mosquitos. Chinese mosquitos are more cunning, and slightly smaller. Their reaction time is much faster, they are quieter, and their bites stay itchy for up to three days. Come to think of it, the difference in mosquitos doesn't differ much from the difference in humans!
2.23.2009
Privateers
--
One day every tongue will confess;
The legs of those unable to kneel will be broken,
Noble Beasts
Noble Beasts!
--
One lovely Miss said it nicely, and not out of pride I believe. Not being a complete rookie anymore is awesome.
;;;虽然我还有很多地方需要学习，但是我觉得那个山越来越小;;;
--
Andrew Bird, Radiolab, Bob Dylan, ChinesePod, Animal Collective, Dad.
--
Get your noodles.
--
I've now finished reading all of the books I brought from home, I desperately wish I had more.
--
I never bring back souvenirs, or send postcards or old-fashioned hand-written letters, or take pictures. This makes me an inconsiderate traveler.
--
One day every tongue will confess;
The legs of those unable to kneel will be broken,
Noble Beasts
Noble Beasts!
--
One lovely Miss said it nicely, and not out of pride I believe. Not being a complete rookie anymore is awesome.
;;;虽然我还有很多地方需要学习，但是我觉得那个山越来越小;;;
--
Andrew Bird, Radiolab, Bob Dylan, ChinesePod, Animal Collective, Dad.
--
Get your noodles.
--
I've now finished reading all of the books I brought from home, I desperately wish I had more.
--
I never bring back souvenirs, or send postcards or old-fashioned hand-written letters, or take pictures. This makes me an inconsiderate traveler.
--
2.22.2009
Things That I Miss
My Family
Manshun boiiz
Pizza Hotline
Winter biking (only a little bit)
Avocados
Dance parties
My friends' humour
Friends
Lucky (Tsingtao's not bad though)
Bike Racks!!
Manshun boiiz
Pizza Hotline
Winter biking (only a little bit)
Avocados
Dance parties
My friends' humour
Friends
Lucky (Tsingtao's not bad though)
Bike Racks!!
Little Miss Sunshine
While I was studying under the shady tree at GuangXi's Arts University today some strange things happened. First, I noticed a young lady four meters in front of where I was studying watching the nearby basketball courts where some students were playing. She didn't look at me, or at least I thought, and shortly thereafter left the way she came. Nothing strange yet, but about five minutes later, I was still studying just as I had been, she placed next to me a creamy pastry and said in Chinese "Here, I give this to you". When she said this she didn't look at me, or stop walking, and she seemed very upset. I asked "...how come?", but she didn't turn around, just kept walking as if we'd had an argument.
After about half a minute of trying to figure out what just happened, I disregarded the event entirely, too confused and in depth with my Chinese book to care.
About ten minutes later she came back and we had a conversation in Chinese. She spoke very angrily to me and was nearly crying.
Strange Lady - "You haven't eaten the pastry yet"
James - "Uhh...I'm just....I'm just in the middle of studying, I'll eat it later"
SL - "Do you want it or not?"
J - "Umm, sure? I want it, I'm just going to eat it later, are you OK??"
SL - "Are you sure you want it?"
J - "Yeah yeah, I want it, are you sure you are OK?"
SL - "If you don't want it give it back to me..."
At this point I didn't know what to say because I was too bewildered (she also said one or two things I didn't fully understand), so I just kind of sat there for a second smiling, not knowing what I had done, or was going to do. Then she said...
SL - "Give me a rock"
J - "I'm sorry, what did you say (because I didn't understand the first time)"
SL - "Give me a rock"
J - "Umm, OK"
I was scared that she was going to throw the rock at my face, but I knew she couldn't really inflict a lot of damage with a small rock. She was also too upset for me to say no to her, so I felt the soil behind me for one. I picked one up to give to her, but when I squeezed it to make sure it was a rock it crumbled because it was only a chunk of soil. At this she got impatient.
SL - "Whatever! Doesn't matter! Just give me any rock!"
So I found another clump of soil and gave it to her. She turned and threw it against the ground, and then walked away.
Figure that one out?
After about half a minute of trying to figure out what just happened, I disregarded the event entirely, too confused and in depth with my Chinese book to care.
About ten minutes later she came back and we had a conversation in Chinese. She spoke very angrily to me and was nearly crying.
Strange Lady - "You haven't eaten the pastry yet"
James - "Uhh...I'm just....I'm just in the middle of studying, I'll eat it later"
SL - "Do you want it or not?"
J - "Umm, sure? I want it, I'm just going to eat it later, are you OK??"
SL - "Are you sure you want it?"
J - "Yeah yeah, I want it, are you sure you are OK?"
SL - "If you don't want it give it back to me..."
At this point I didn't know what to say because I was too bewildered (she also said one or two things I didn't fully understand), so I just kind of sat there for a second smiling, not knowing what I had done, or was going to do. Then she said...
SL - "Give me a rock"
J - "I'm sorry, what did you say (because I didn't understand the first time)"
SL - "Give me a rock"
J - "Umm, OK"
I was scared that she was going to throw the rock at my face, but I knew she couldn't really inflict a lot of damage with a small rock. She was also too upset for me to say no to her, so I felt the soil behind me for one. I picked one up to give to her, but when I squeezed it to make sure it was a rock it crumbled because it was only a chunk of soil. At this she got impatient.
SL - "Whatever! Doesn't matter! Just give me any rock!"
So I found another clump of soil and gave it to her. She turned and threw it against the ground, and then walked away.
Figure that one out?
2.21.2009
Let's Get Digital
Hey Cats; I think I finally have regular internet access now. I would love to make skype with lots of you. I'm usually on around 10am-1pm Canada time. Or e-mail me and we can set up a time to commune. Yeahhhhhh.
Oops...I Did It Again!
I went to karaoke for my Chinese friend named Alex's birthday. The teens go wild for karaoke here. While I was taking a break from tearing the mic apart I went to the bathroom where there were a bunch of teenage boys primping and applying cologne. It was like youth group all over again. The English song selection is pretty minimal unless you are down for doing Britney. The 'jians love Britney, and Backstreet Boys, it's mental.
Oops I did this again.
Riding fix in China is significantly more hectic than it is in Canada, so I've decided to use some brakes. The bike looks retarded because the people I ordered it from didn't have black tires or a normal chain (????) so it's yellow, for now. Bike thievery is almost more of an epidemic here than it is in Canada so I must be very ginger with where I park. There are soo many bikes, and approximately zero bike racks. People just park on the street and slap a lock around one of the wheels so you can't ride it away, you can very easily pick-up it away though. Hmm. It's a trip! China is still blowing my mind. Come and hang out with me here.
Oops I did this again.
Riding fix in China is significantly more hectic than it is in Canada, so I've decided to use some brakes. The bike looks retarded because the people I ordered it from didn't have black tires or a normal chain (????) so it's yellow, for now. Bike thievery is almost more of an epidemic here than it is in Canada so I must be very ginger with where I park. There are soo many bikes, and approximately zero bike racks. People just park on the street and slap a lock around one of the wheels so you can't ride it away, you can very easily pick-up it away though. Hmm. It's a trip! China is still blowing my mind. Come and hang out with me here.
2.17.2009
321...O
-I got my visa extendified even though I was a day late (sketchy), which is often grounds for mega surcharges. Thanks Pops!
-Today it rained, and within the time it took for one green light to cycle to the next at an intersection, I saw two cyclists fully garage sale themselves, and one motorcyclist follow suit. After a brief moral consultation I decided laughing was appropriate. Watch out kids!
-I found out only now after being alive twenty one years that my blood type is "O". Wow!
-Today it rained, and within the time it took for one green light to cycle to the next at an intersection, I saw two cyclists fully garage sale themselves, and one motorcyclist follow suit. After a brief moral consultation I decided laughing was appropriate. Watch out kids!
-I found out only now after being alive twenty one years that my blood type is "O". Wow!
2.14.2009
Happy 牛 Year
"Happy 牛 Year" can be seen on signs all around China right now, and unless you have a primitive knowledge of both English and Chinese it's not clever. The character "牛" is pronounced similarly to the English 'new' as you could have guessed, making the above sound like 'Happy New Year'. That's not really clever, what's clever is that the Chinese assign a different animal for every lunar year with a cycle of twelve, and this year is the year of the cow. The character 牛 also happens to mean 'cow'. So there you have it, Gooooo China!
2.12.2009
Dates
Update only blog:
-Back in Nanning, it's been 30 degrees everyday since I've been back
-New ladyfriend
-My visa expires in two days, I'm going to the office to sort it out this afternoon
-I have to start my college application paperwork as soon as possible
-In preparation for the aforementioned I needed to get a health check, turns out I have an irregular heartbeat and was told to get an ECG, but have decided to wait until I come home to do that becuase it's free and not a pressing matter
-Very soon I'll have many pictures and time to be on Skype
-I'm still having the time of my life
-I need to decide if I want to study at UofW next year faster than I would like
-Miss Home(ys)
-Back in Nanning, it's been 30 degrees everyday since I've been back
-New ladyfriend
-My visa expires in two days, I'm going to the office to sort it out this afternoon
-I have to start my college application paperwork as soon as possible
-In preparation for the aforementioned I needed to get a health check, turns out I have an irregular heartbeat and was told to get an ECG, but have decided to wait until I come home to do that becuase it's free and not a pressing matter
-Very soon I'll have many pictures and time to be on Skype
-I'm still having the time of my life
-I need to decide if I want to study at UofW next year faster than I would like
-Miss Home(ys)
2.08.2009
Achterhuis
Since I've come to China I've read some books. This isn't a book review blog as I feel I'm in no position to give an intelligent opinion about literary works, but I will give an opinion. The first book I read was Chuck Palahniuk's 'Survivor'. Ironically I started and likely finished this book on an airplane. This fictional autobiography is taken from the black box of an imminently doomed airplane. It is written in a way that all of Chuck P's books are; brilliantly. The protagonist belonged to a radically exclusive religous group who's members grow up brainwashed and eventually suicidal. Really interesting despite all of the blasphemous parallels with my own beliefs.
Speaking of, the second book I read was C.S. Lewis' 'Mere'. C.S. Lewis also has a really engaging prose. He writes philosophically, but also metaphorically, which keeps things thought provoking and interesting. I believe his approach to the popular belief is very honest; nothing is sugar-coated or stuffed down your throat. Two elements which turn so many people off of religious readings (including myself).
Lastly, I snooped through Anne Frank's Diary. I had these preconceived notions that it was a tale of dangers, toil, Nazi chases and explosions. Instead it's rather slow going, with the story itself lacking content. However, if read from a historical or child development standpoint very fascinating! In my opinion the best part was the abrupt ending (not because it was boring) and the 1940's vocabulary.
Speaking of, the second book I read was C.S. Lewis' 'Mere'. C.S. Lewis also has a really engaging prose. He writes philosophically, but also metaphorically, which keeps things thought provoking and interesting. I believe his approach to the popular belief is very honest; nothing is sugar-coated or stuffed down your throat. Two elements which turn so many people off of religious readings (including myself).
Lastly, I snooped through Anne Frank's Diary. I had these preconceived notions that it was a tale of dangers, toil, Nazi chases and explosions. Instead it's rather slow going, with the story itself lacking content. However, if read from a historical or child development standpoint very fascinating! In my opinion the best part was the abrupt ending (not because it was boring) and the 1940's vocabulary.
1.30.2009
facemolehairrule
My expectations for Chinese New Year have been met. Every night since the 25th we've had a personal fireworks display right outside of our window. A few days ago I went to go to some bar where all the young people go. It was very noisy, and I have a hard enough time understanding Chinese when I can hear clearly, so I opted to dance. There wasn't a dance floor which is strange, there also wasn't a floor, at least I was unable to see one. All there was were so many teens drenched in skirts, fancy pants, and cologne, shoulder to shoulder. There wasn't enough room to walk around, never mind dance around, but we made due. Yesterday the same group of people went to a place that had a cover band playing all the hits from the 80's. Rock and Roll! Tomorrow I start teaching English, which really makes me wish I knew how to teach.
The Face-Mole Hair Rule:
The face mole hair rule is; if you have a mole on your face, and out of that mole there is a hair/hairs growing, you are not allowed to cut it. I think it is a symbol of long life for the Chinese to have a giant slippery hair growing out of a face mole, because I can't think of any other reason why people don't cut it off. It's weird, but you see it quite often. I've seen one that was at least five inches.
The Face-Mole Hair Rule:
The face mole hair rule is; if you have a mole on your face, and out of that mole there is a hair/hairs growing, you are not allowed to cut it. I think it is a symbol of long life for the Chinese to have a giant slippery hair growing out of a face mole, because I can't think of any other reason why people don't cut it off. It's weird, but you see it quite often. I've seen one that was at least five inches.
1.24.2009
Xiamen
I'm in Xiamen. If you'll trace your finger along a map of China according to where I've been thus far I've nearly come full circle, geographically speaking. Xiamen is an absolutely lovely city, possibly my favorite yet. It's right on the ocean, mildly hilly, good cost of living, very clean, really delicious cuisine, etc. This city is also the 'least Chinese' that I've been to, in terms of atmosphere. The downtown is decorated with buildings from many different architectural styles. There is a heavy Spanish and Portugese influence there. It almost felt like Cuba when I was having a stroll the other day. It is a little less crowded than some of the other cities, and also windier. The first time I went to Nanning I said "one day I will live here" (see an earlier blog). And now here I am living in Nanning (at least until August anyway). I got the same feeling when I came to Xiamen, I think one day I will live here.
1.19.2009
泰国
As I write I am enjoying the shade the large trees of Guangxi Arts College are giving me. My search for a wireless signal has brought me here, along with the serenity of the campus. It’s about thirteen degrees outside in the afternoons. I am allowed by the government to be here thirty more days, my extension application went seamlessly, and I’m hoping my second attempt will be so as well, granting me enough time to sort out college entrance paperwork.
People are going nuts all over China. Spring festival is fast approaching, school’s out, work’s nearly out, and the children can hardly contain their excitement. Every sidewalk is flooded, riding certain buses is fun because you don’t have to hang on to the provided handles, go limp and let the surrounding bodies support you.
I bike downtown everyday, it’s about a twenty-minute ride. There are just so many people, I’ve come so close to so many accidents, it’s only a matter of time. Thankfully everybody drives slow, so when the time comes my injuries will be non-existent or minor, I’m more worried about my bike.
I’ve started filming for Wreck 7, all hammers.
I’ve also started cooking Chinese food. Yesterday I tried my hand at eggplant, and today I cooked a bunch of vegetables that I don’t know the English names of, mixed in with some noodles and sauces. Chinese food is surprisingly simple to make, but not surprisingly also delicious!
I’m in the process of trying to get to Xiamen, I have to wait for my visa to be fully processed before I can take a plane, and taking a train is out of the question. There I will be teaching a class of ten adolescents for about four days. I’ve offered to do it for free (because I’ve never taught?) but was told that nobody would sign up, so instead I’m getting three thousand kuai. Pretty sweet! Anyone have any good lesson ideas hah?
Yesterday I had class with the same teacher who taught me my very first Chinese lesson. I’m starting to really pay attention to characters instead of focusing exclusively on the colloquial aspect. It is coming along nicely.
We have also just recently been given the green light to build a ramp on the first floor of James’ house. The landlord has even agreed to pour new cement over the old stuff (which is rubbish) which gives us a lot more ramp options. Initially we were thinking we would have to build the whole skeleton, but now we can just build two quarter pipes (The Edge half-bowl style) and have a spine or other mobile obstacles to fool around with. We are only allowed to build in a certain half of the main floor as the other belongs to some other tenants. They are potentially moving out in six months, so we are really hoping to eventually rent out the entire three stories so we can do what we want with the whole building.
When JP comes back from Thailand (which is I don’t know when) I will steal his camera and post pictures of all the things I’ve been talking about.
People are going nuts all over China. Spring festival is fast approaching, school’s out, work’s nearly out, and the children can hardly contain their excitement. Every sidewalk is flooded, riding certain buses is fun because you don’t have to hang on to the provided handles, go limp and let the surrounding bodies support you.
I bike downtown everyday, it’s about a twenty-minute ride. There are just so many people, I’ve come so close to so many accidents, it’s only a matter of time. Thankfully everybody drives slow, so when the time comes my injuries will be non-existent or minor, I’m more worried about my bike.
I’ve started filming for Wreck 7, all hammers.
I’ve also started cooking Chinese food. Yesterday I tried my hand at eggplant, and today I cooked a bunch of vegetables that I don’t know the English names of, mixed in with some noodles and sauces. Chinese food is surprisingly simple to make, but not surprisingly also delicious!
I’m in the process of trying to get to Xiamen, I have to wait for my visa to be fully processed before I can take a plane, and taking a train is out of the question. There I will be teaching a class of ten adolescents for about four days. I’ve offered to do it for free (because I’ve never taught?) but was told that nobody would sign up, so instead I’m getting three thousand kuai. Pretty sweet! Anyone have any good lesson ideas hah?
Yesterday I had class with the same teacher who taught me my very first Chinese lesson. I’m starting to really pay attention to characters instead of focusing exclusively on the colloquial aspect. It is coming along nicely.
We have also just recently been given the green light to build a ramp on the first floor of James’ house. The landlord has even agreed to pour new cement over the old stuff (which is rubbish) which gives us a lot more ramp options. Initially we were thinking we would have to build the whole skeleton, but now we can just build two quarter pipes (The Edge half-bowl style) and have a spine or other mobile obstacles to fool around with. We are only allowed to build in a certain half of the main floor as the other belongs to some other tenants. They are potentially moving out in six months, so we are really hoping to eventually rent out the entire three stories so we can do what we want with the whole building.
When JP comes back from Thailand (which is I don’t know when) I will steal his camera and post pictures of all the things I’ve been talking about.
1.13.2009
Countdown
I went to the visa office today to get an extension as mine runs out in less than a week. I need a little more documentation and I should be OK. I'm allowed two extensions from here in Nanning, then after that I have to get a new visa which I will hopefully do through the language college here. The two extensions, maximum thirty days each, will take me to the middle of March when the new semester will be newly underway. To get the school registration paper work all in order takes about a month, and I can only apply after Chinese New Year, so everything is down to the wire here.
Anyway, sorry to bore you with this stuff, but there are a lot of people back home sending up some words for me, so to you; This is my situation in full.
I'm just settled in the new apartment, still waiting on pins and needles to potentially go to HK (see above, need more documents). Our apartment is up in the mountainous region of southern Nanning. Every morning I can bomb a hill on my bike or skateboard which is really fun. Three bedrooms, one small kitchen, two free-range birds that poo everywhere. Our apartment is on the sixth floor. When you move in China, like at home, you often hire movers. The Chinese movers are usually people who have come from the countryside (a little shorter, darker, thicker accent). Two of them dragged a sofa out of the moving truck, a big three-person sofa. I looked at James (English friend James) and we motioned for the four of us to carry it. They weren't having it. With the help of his moving buddy, the one flipped the couch over, crawled under it (at one point you actually couldn't see him, because the couch is so big and he is so small), stood up, and proceeded to climb by himself up to the sixth floor with this sofa on his back (approx. 14 flights of 10 stairs, having to turn a corner after each flight). I lost my mind, he barely broke a sweat.
There are also close to seven million skate spots here, from my window alone I can see three really cool spots (pictures to come).
This last month has been the longest that I haven't studied Chinese since I started, weird.
Anyway, sorry to bore you with this stuff, but there are a lot of people back home sending up some words for me, so to you; This is my situation in full.
I'm just settled in the new apartment, still waiting on pins and needles to potentially go to HK (see above, need more documents). Our apartment is up in the mountainous region of southern Nanning. Every morning I can bomb a hill on my bike or skateboard which is really fun. Three bedrooms, one small kitchen, two free-range birds that poo everywhere. Our apartment is on the sixth floor. When you move in China, like at home, you often hire movers. The Chinese movers are usually people who have come from the countryside (a little shorter, darker, thicker accent). Two of them dragged a sofa out of the moving truck, a big three-person sofa. I looked at James (English friend James) and we motioned for the four of us to carry it. They weren't having it. With the help of his moving buddy, the one flipped the couch over, crawled under it (at one point you actually couldn't see him, because the couch is so big and he is so small), stood up, and proceeded to climb by himself up to the sixth floor with this sofa on his back (approx. 14 flights of 10 stairs, having to turn a corner after each flight). I lost my mind, he barely broke a sweat.
There are also close to seven million skate spots here, from my window alone I can see three really cool spots (pictures to come).
This last month has been the longest that I haven't studied Chinese since I started, weird.
1.07.2009
M
I'm writing this in one of Nanning's McDonalds'. I arrived at about 5:30 and have been studying here waiting for someone to wake up. I had no idea I could get wireless here, what a treat! The train ride was really fun, save for my bed-mate's snoring. I ended up not sleeping, but when he was awake the two of us conversed much, some of which I understood, lots of which I didn't. When we arrived in Nanning he forced me into a taxi with him (not in a creepy way, in the over-hospitable Chinese way).
"你去哪里啊？“
”。。。最近的McDonalds"
"好，我带你去吧！“
"我走路去吧”
“还要带你去。。。”
”不客气，不客气，我自己去啊， 没关系。“
”没问题， 没问题，来来来“
”。。。。好的“
He ended up walking me to the nearest McDonalds at 5:30am, all the while offering to carry all of my stuff, exchanging phone numbers, and etc. This is classic Chinese hospitality, people will absolutely make sure you are taken care of, it is almost beyond nice.
Thanks Holmie!
"你去哪里啊？“
”。。。最近的McDonalds"
"好，我带你去吧！“
"我走路去吧”
“还要带你去。。。”
”不客气，不客气，我自己去啊， 没关系。“
”没问题， 没问题，来来来“
”。。。。好的“
He ended up walking me to the nearest McDonalds at 5:30am, all the while offering to carry all of my stuff, exchanging phone numbers, and etc. This is classic Chinese hospitality, people will absolutely make sure you are taken care of, it is almost beyond nice.
Thanks Holmie!
1.05.2009
TaoBao
Tomorrow I leave for Nanning.
The beautiful thing about China is that it has everything that the west has, just a little different. QQ and TaoBao are internet phenomena, their equivalents being MSN and eBay. Both websites are exclusionary to Chinese (and those literate) as they are entirely in Mandarin. Because 'fixies' are relatively unheard of here, and because turtle-neck mom-pant wearing hipsters haven't discovered them yet, I can buy one on TaoBao real cheaplike. Go right to the source. There's a bicycle factory in Taiwan that ships their product to Shenzhen, just outside of Hong Kong, where certain taxes are not applied (nevermind shipping...).
The beautiful thing about China is that it has everything that the west has, just a little different. QQ and TaoBao are internet phenomena, their equivalents being MSN and eBay. Both websites are exclusionary to Chinese (and those literate) as they are entirely in Mandarin. Because 'fixies' are relatively unheard of here, and because turtle-neck mom-pant wearing hipsters haven't discovered them yet, I can buy one on TaoBao real cheaplike. Go right to the source. There's a bicycle factory in Taiwan that ships their product to Shenzhen, just outside of Hong Kong, where certain taxes are not applied (nevermind shipping...).
1.03.2009
More Me!
I love me! Another angle of a front rock. The half-sphere glass structure behind me is where we had the New Year's party. It perfectly overlooks this completely random mini (I'm still not sure if it was intentional?).
刚到了昆明
I just got off the plane in Kunming, we are in the mini-bus that takes us from the plane to the terminal. I'm not smiling, but I feel at home and at peace.
Cunning Kunming
I've been doing really well with not buying any nonsense. I've only bought food, and train tickets. My two pairs of shirts and pants are holeless and without odor as whichever pair I'm not wearing are hanging in a balcony from a recent wash. I've managed to wean myself entirely off deodorant, although it is Nanning's summer heat that will expose the limits of my endurance. (When in China...) Today temptation beat me though, I bought some glasses (because they look like my grandpa's old glasses, and make me feel like a teacher when I tutor Lulu) and seasons one and two of 'Extras'. I'm going to Nanning on the 7th, I couldn't be more excited either, it is my home for the next seven months, possibly longer.
1.01.2009
Si Senor
I'm in Kunming. The air here is noticabley more fragrant and fresh, most other things are exactly like all other Chinese cities. My New Year's Eve was really amazing. First I was able to reconnect with all of the friends I made from the first time I came to Kunming. Then the seven of us went to a fancy-pants restaurant where we ate steak and drank wine and counted down the last of two thousand eight. There's a really big Columbian/Spanish contingent among these friends, so we salsa danced into the night. I'm living with Lulu and her family right now, they are very hospitable. Lulu is great company. Tomorrow I'm going to buy a train ticket to Nanning, I'm going to be living in JP's apartment for the week that I'm there, but he'll be in Thailand. I'm so excited to try and cook, and be able to clean, and be independant. I miss riding my bike so so so much, I've become ashamedly lazy, so much so that the sixth floor trudge to Lulu's apartment leaves me breathless. Chalk it up to travelling for now, but I can't go on living "without structure" (as my parents would definitely put it) for much longer. They have taught me well I suppose. Shockingly I haven't gained weight. I eat my face off every day. Today we had lamb skewers, hot pepper noodle soup, tofu soup, mash milk rice (looks/consistency like mashed potatoes but is really sweet and milky), sweet papaya soup, and the 'blood of lotus root' which has the consistency of glue, but is black in color and very gritty. It tastes like oreos, really delicious. Furthermore, ice cream treats are one and a half yuan, so I eat ice cream all day too.
Happy Birthday Graham.
Happy Birthday Graham.
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