In reference to my previous post about wearing hijab to the mosque, I found myself on the opposite side of a situation that I initiate all the time – It’s me who is usually the one who awkwardly asks people where they’re from.
Example: At the Asian festival in Columbus, I spoke with a woman at a stall selling traditional Chinese art. I could tell by her accent that she was probably from Beijing, or at least northern China. I told her I was interested in the Chinese paper cuttings, and that I had lived in Lanzhou, Gansu. We chatted about western China for a while, and then that dreaded moment came.
“Where are you from?”
“Michigan.”
“Welcome to Ohio!” I said, and left it at that.
I find myself in this situation all the time, and I know that it’s me who is at fault. I’m genuinely curious about other languages and cultures - I’m not judging people for having an accent or different customs. But citizenship, nationality, and identity are touchy subjects for most people.
Another example: I met a woman from Uzbekistan a few weeks ago. When I first asked where she was from, her answer was "Well, I was born in Asia, then my family moved to Russia, and now I live in Cincinnati." We had been talking for about 10 minutes when I realized she must be from Kyrgyzstan or Uzbekistan, so I asked, "Which Asian country were you born in?" She was so surprised that I was familiar with her country!
So my turn came at Masjid Noor, a mosque in Dublin. I was washing my hands in the bathroom when a teenager smiled at me in the mirror. I smiled back and said hi.
“Where are you from?” she asked me.
I was completely caught off guard, not only by the words of her question, but by her unspoken assumption that I was different.
“I’m from Columbus.”
“Oh, cool. Did you come with someone today?”
“Yeah, I came with my friend. We work together.”
Being on the other side helps me to understand better. It made wonder what reasons the girl had for (correctly) guessing that I didn’t quite belong. But at the same time, I recognized her interest in me and my story for how I ended up at the conference at Masjid Noor. And then she hit me with this one:
“You look really beautiful in hijab.”
Showing posts with label China. Show all posts
Showing posts with label China. Show all posts
05 June 2011
23 February 2011
A Different Side to the Story
Ok, what the heck, right?
Here's a translation of what's going on.
The first line of text sets the stage: On Feb. 20, 2011, the American ambassador Jon Huntsman was at this Jasmine Revolution protest site in Beijing, and he was heard chanting in favor of the revolution. ("Let the revolution lead the way" type of thing.)
*Just a note here: I obviously can't confirm or deny that this was Jon Huntsman. Let's just go with it for the sake of the video!
Next is the remarks from two Chinese people, presumably behind the camera.
"Do you hope China will be in chaos?" (This question is directed at Huntsman.)
"This is the American ambassador in China!"
Next comes the red graphic and lines of text with some leading questions:
"Is this a maneuver to incite a Chinese “color revolution?”
Why is the American ambassador at the site making a farce by encouraging and cheering it on?
Who knows, but it was captured online."
Ok, now for the rest of the video in front of McDonald's. Here's the conversation:
“Excuse me, American ambassador, what did you run out here to do?”
“I just came to watch a little," Huntsman says.
“Is it that you hope China will be in chaos?”
“It cannot be,” says Huntsman.
“Aren’t you the American ambassador?" (No response.)
"This is the American ambassador to China!”
“None of you guys know?” (I think he's asking the crowd to confirm.)
“Don’t pretend you don’t know!” (Directed at Huntsman)
“You’re concealing that you understand and are pretending to be confused, aren’t you?” (Directed at Huntsman)
(Then the ambassador and his group walk away.)
Now back to the flashy text:
"It’s true! China’s problems are many! To reform the people’s livelihood, morals, beliefs, we have heavy anxiety.
But we don’t want to become Iraq!
We don’t want to become Tunisia!
We don’t want to become Egypt!
This country in chaos - 1.3 billion people - to count on America and these “revolutionaries leading the way” to still have food to eat?
Don’t f*cking bullsh*t! (repeated three times)"
Jasmine Revolution - My Translation
*Yesterday, a battle cry for the Jasmine Revolution in China was posted on the Boxun blog. I did my own translation of it, and I obviously tried to be as accurate as possible. There are a few points where I am not sure how correct my translation is, and I hope you can correct me if you find errors - the original Chinese text is at the bottom. Most importantly, know that I am not taking sides or advocating this revolution. I just think it's important to have this translated into English.*
"Boxun has received a new statement, circulated as received.
We are China’s “Jasmine” revolution instigators.
We have seen how Chinese society already has been totally defeated. Poisonous food outbreaks are happening thick and fast, and the younger generation has already been deeply harmed. The Chinese authoritarian regime has already lost faith and gotten benefit of the spoils of groups that cannot help themselves, day by day converting more to fascism. The system of rule and local administrative corruption, embezzling, and bribes run wild. Judiciary independence is taking steps backward, the officials and second-generation officials are monopolizing all of the resources in the system; society has become seriously polarized, and the disparity between rich and poor is increasing. Prices of commodities are rising, especially the skyrocketing housing prices, leading the people to resentment and boiling discontentment. The citizens’ human rights situation is especially horrible: taking people into custody at will, rampant kidnappings, and media censorship is becoming more and more stringent. Those conscious of the media have slowly shattered the rice bowl. The 35 articles of the “Constitution” exist in name only; public property is wantonly plundered, and the razing of buildings and moving out of the occupants leads to death, and even to people setting themselves on fire. China is already sinking its resources into a black hole, polluting the environment, committing ecocide, leaving a troubled legacy for our descendents.
We deeply feel the cause springs from the authoritarian regime. What has made us most uneasy is that the rulers have already completely blocked up our rising passageway. In the civil service exam, we can’t compete with the children of the officers. We have no method to do business with businesses, and the country is entering back into the influential countervailing capital. We can only carry on our backs the high prices and burden of high inflation, and struggle for survival, forever unable to see the future.
It’s we alone who possess this virtual space in which we sense our existence. This week we will incite the “Jasmine Revolution,” and it’s our hope that we can borrow the wave of democracy from the Middle East and North Africa, to press for reform or change, changing the present type of unfairness and unjustness, day by day sinking into our current situation. The success of the activities on Feb. 20 caused us delighted surprise, but also brought us grief and anger as masses of those who pursue freedom and love their country were harassed by the authorities without being given legal proceedings and were put under house arrest and detained, and even experienced bodily harm and cruelty to the point of nearly dying.
They are political prisoners,
They are the heroes of the Chinese people who pursue freedom and democracy, and they are the unyielding Jasmine revolutionaries!
For those who lost freedom including: Tang Shitian, Jiang Tianyong, Teng Biao, Liu Guohui, Chen Wei, Ran Yunfei, Li Tiantian, Yan Jinfeng, Shen Bin, Liang Haiyi… and also to those who lost their freedom and at any time could have their lives threatened, like the blind lawyer Chen and his wife…
For them, we will call for this:
Let us replace our internet profile pictures with the Jasmine image,
Right now, let us Jasmine line up to use MSN, QQ, Twitter, blogs, and Gtalk
Just like them, we also are unyielding Jasmine!
Let us use social networking sites to welcome our Jasmine heroes’ return.
At the same time, we urge the authorities as soon as possible to release the political prisoners who were illegally kidnapped. Otherwise, in the coming weeks, we will organize more mature, larger scale actions of the Jasmine Revolution against the authorities for their illegal abduction and persecution!
If before midnight on Thursday, the authorities have not released the prisoners, this week we will continue at 220 announced mobilization points (of which the locations may by modified). Detailed changes will be announced later because the internet conditions won’t allow us to announce them. So then, my friends, go forward this week to the meeting places.
When the time comes, we only need to go to the appointed spots, far from the onlookers, silently following, taking advantage of this opportunity, with courage shouting the slogans, and perhaps, changing history starting from this moment.
We will all come together as brothers and sisters. Please keep watch and help each other. If it happens that those who participate in the assembly receive adverse treatment to the point of the maximum that can be tolerated, do not delay in giving them support. When the meeting ends, do not leave behind any trash because we Chinese are of great character and are required to pursue democracy and freedom.
Right before dawn is the darkest moment, but the first light surely comes. Let us all together welcome in the dawn.
Our main focus and goals this week:
Demand that the authorities immediately, and without us having to meet any conditions, release Tang Shitian, Jiang Tianyong, Teng Biao, Liu Guohui, Gu Chuan, Chen Wei, Ran Yunfei, Li Tiantian, Yan Jinfeng, Shen Bin, Liang Haiyi, and also Chen and his wife.
Our slogans are these:
Release the political prisoners (the three characters for “political prisoners” can be replaced with specific names instead)
We want to eat
We want to work
We want housing
We want fairness
We want justice
Protect private property
Maintain judicial independence
Start political reform
End one party rule
Open the press restrictions
Allow freedom of the press
Long live freedom
Long live democracy"
博讯收到新版声明，原文照发：
我们是中国“茉莉花”革命的发起者。
我们看到，中国社会已经全面溃败，有毒食品层出不穷，连下一代都已经深受其害；中国专制政权已经失去信仰，成为利益分赃的团体而无力自救，日渐法西斯化；统治体系吏治腐败、贪污贿赂横行、司法独立全面倒退，官员及官二代垄断了所有的体制内资源；社会两极分化严重、贫富更加悬殊、物价上涨特别是房价飞涨而导致民怨沸腾；国人人权状况尤为恶劣，任意监禁、强制失踪广泛发生，新闻审查愈发严厉，有良知的媒体人纷纷被打碎饭碗，《宪法》三十五条形同虚设；民众财产被肆意掠夺，因拆迁而导致的死亡甚至自焚时有发生；中国已经沦为资源黑洞、环境污染、生态破坏，遗害子孙......
我们深感于，这一切的根源都源自于专制政权。更让我们不安的是，执政者已经全面堵塞了我们的上升通道。考公务员，我们竞争不过官二代；经商做生意，我们无法与“国进民退”的权贵资本抗衡，我们只能背负着高房价与高通胀的重负，挣扎求存，永远看不到未来。
我们唯一拥有的，就是虚拟空间给我们的存在感。我们在上周发起了中国“茉莉花革命”，就是希望能借北非中东的民主化浪潮，促使中国发生改良或变革，改变目前这种不公不义日渐沉沦的现状。
2月20日活动的成效很让我们惊喜，但我们也悲愤地看到，大批追求民主自由的爱国人士被当局未经法律程序骚扰、软禁及拘禁，甚至受到肉体上的残酷近害。
他们是政治犯，
他们是为中华民族追求自由民主的英雄，他们是不屈的茉莉花！
为了失去自由的唐吉田、江天勇、滕彪、刘国慧、陈卫、冉云飞、李天天、晏今锋、沈斌、梁海怡......也为了失去自由、并且随时有生命危险的盲人律师陈光诚夫妇......
为了他们，我们呼吁：
让我们将自己的网络ID的头像图标换成茉莉花吧，
现在就让我们的茉莉花在MSN、QQ、Twitter、博客、Gtalk上列队，
和他们一样，我们也是不屈的茉莉花！
让我们用互联网上茉莉花的花海来让加害人民者胆寒！
让我们用互联网上茉莉花的花海来迎接我们英雄的归来！
同时，我们敦促当局尽快释放这些非法绑架的政治犯，否则在即将到来的周未，我们将组织更成熟、更具规模的茉莉花革命行动来抗议当局对他们的非法绑架和迫害！
如果周四午夜前当局仍未释放这些政治犯，我们本周仍将继续在220公布的地点发动集会（部分地点略有变更），具体地点变更将随后公布， 如因网络条件无法公布，则请朋友们前往上周集合地点。
届时，我们只需要走到指定的地点，远远的围观，默默地跟随，顺势而为，勇敢地喊出你的口号，或许，历史就从这一刻开始改变。
走到一起来的，都是兄弟姐妹，请守望相助。如发生参与集会人员受到不良对待请以最大的容忍处理，旁人也请及时支持。集会结束时，不要留下垃圾，中国人，是高素质的，是有条件追求民主自由的。
黎明前更黑暗，但曙光一定要到来。让我们一起迎来黎明！
我们本周的主要具体目标:
要求当局立即无条件释放唐吉田、江天勇、滕彪、刘国慧、古川、陈卫、冉云飞、李天天、晏今锋、沈斌、梁海怡、陈光诚夫妇等人
我们的口号是：
释放政治犯 （“政治犯”三字也可用具体人名替代）
我们要吃饭
我们要工作
我们要住房
我们要公平
我们要公义
保障私有产权
维护司法独立
启动政治改革
结束一党专政
开放报禁
新闻自由
自由万岁
民主万岁
"Boxun has received a new statement, circulated as received.
We are China’s “Jasmine” revolution instigators.
We have seen how Chinese society already has been totally defeated. Poisonous food outbreaks are happening thick and fast, and the younger generation has already been deeply harmed. The Chinese authoritarian regime has already lost faith and gotten benefit of the spoils of groups that cannot help themselves, day by day converting more to fascism. The system of rule and local administrative corruption, embezzling, and bribes run wild. Judiciary independence is taking steps backward, the officials and second-generation officials are monopolizing all of the resources in the system; society has become seriously polarized, and the disparity between rich and poor is increasing. Prices of commodities are rising, especially the skyrocketing housing prices, leading the people to resentment and boiling discontentment. The citizens’ human rights situation is especially horrible: taking people into custody at will, rampant kidnappings, and media censorship is becoming more and more stringent. Those conscious of the media have slowly shattered the rice bowl. The 35 articles of the “Constitution” exist in name only; public property is wantonly plundered, and the razing of buildings and moving out of the occupants leads to death, and even to people setting themselves on fire. China is already sinking its resources into a black hole, polluting the environment, committing ecocide, leaving a troubled legacy for our descendents.
We deeply feel the cause springs from the authoritarian regime. What has made us most uneasy is that the rulers have already completely blocked up our rising passageway. In the civil service exam, we can’t compete with the children of the officers. We have no method to do business with businesses, and the country is entering back into the influential countervailing capital. We can only carry on our backs the high prices and burden of high inflation, and struggle for survival, forever unable to see the future.
It’s we alone who possess this virtual space in which we sense our existence. This week we will incite the “Jasmine Revolution,” and it’s our hope that we can borrow the wave of democracy from the Middle East and North Africa, to press for reform or change, changing the present type of unfairness and unjustness, day by day sinking into our current situation. The success of the activities on Feb. 20 caused us delighted surprise, but also brought us grief and anger as masses of those who pursue freedom and love their country were harassed by the authorities without being given legal proceedings and were put under house arrest and detained, and even experienced bodily harm and cruelty to the point of nearly dying.
They are political prisoners,
They are the heroes of the Chinese people who pursue freedom and democracy, and they are the unyielding Jasmine revolutionaries!
For those who lost freedom including: Tang Shitian, Jiang Tianyong, Teng Biao, Liu Guohui, Chen Wei, Ran Yunfei, Li Tiantian, Yan Jinfeng, Shen Bin, Liang Haiyi… and also to those who lost their freedom and at any time could have their lives threatened, like the blind lawyer Chen and his wife…
For them, we will call for this:
Let us replace our internet profile pictures with the Jasmine image,
Right now, let us Jasmine line up to use MSN, QQ, Twitter, blogs, and Gtalk
Just like them, we also are unyielding Jasmine!
Let us use social networking sites to welcome our Jasmine heroes’ return.
At the same time, we urge the authorities as soon as possible to release the political prisoners who were illegally kidnapped. Otherwise, in the coming weeks, we will organize more mature, larger scale actions of the Jasmine Revolution against the authorities for their illegal abduction and persecution!
If before midnight on Thursday, the authorities have not released the prisoners, this week we will continue at 220 announced mobilization points (of which the locations may by modified). Detailed changes will be announced later because the internet conditions won’t allow us to announce them. So then, my friends, go forward this week to the meeting places.
When the time comes, we only need to go to the appointed spots, far from the onlookers, silently following, taking advantage of this opportunity, with courage shouting the slogans, and perhaps, changing history starting from this moment.
We will all come together as brothers and sisters. Please keep watch and help each other. If it happens that those who participate in the assembly receive adverse treatment to the point of the maximum that can be tolerated, do not delay in giving them support. When the meeting ends, do not leave behind any trash because we Chinese are of great character and are required to pursue democracy and freedom.
Right before dawn is the darkest moment, but the first light surely comes. Let us all together welcome in the dawn.
Our main focus and goals this week:
Demand that the authorities immediately, and without us having to meet any conditions, release Tang Shitian, Jiang Tianyong, Teng Biao, Liu Guohui, Gu Chuan, Chen Wei, Ran Yunfei, Li Tiantian, Yan Jinfeng, Shen Bin, Liang Haiyi, and also Chen and his wife.
Our slogans are these:
Release the political prisoners (the three characters for “political prisoners” can be replaced with specific names instead)
We want to eat
We want to work
We want housing
We want fairness
We want justice
Protect private property
Maintain judicial independence
Start political reform
End one party rule
Open the press restrictions
Allow freedom of the press
Long live freedom
Long live democracy"
博讯收到新版声明，原文照发：
我们是中国“茉莉花”革命的发起者。
我们看到，中国社会已经全面溃败，有毒食品层出不穷，连下一代都已经深受其害；中国专制政权已经失去信仰，成为利益分赃的团体而无力自救，日渐法西斯化；统治体系吏治腐败、贪污贿赂横行、司法独立全面倒退，官员及官二代垄断了所有的体制内资源；社会两极分化严重、贫富更加悬殊、物价上涨特别是房价飞涨而导致民怨沸腾；国人人权状况尤为恶劣，任意监禁、强制失踪广泛发生，新闻审查愈发严厉，有良知的媒体人纷纷被打碎饭碗，《宪法》三十五条形同虚设；民众财产被肆意掠夺，因拆迁而导致的死亡甚至自焚时有发生；中国已经沦为资源黑洞、环境污染、生态破坏，遗害子孙......
我们深感于，这一切的根源都源自于专制政权。更让我们不安的是，执政者已经全面堵塞了我们的上升通道。考公务员，我们竞争不过官二代；经商做生意，我们无法与“国进民退”的权贵资本抗衡，我们只能背负着高房价与高通胀的重负，挣扎求存，永远看不到未来。
我们唯一拥有的，就是虚拟空间给我们的存在感。我们在上周发起了中国“茉莉花革命”，就是希望能借北非中东的民主化浪潮，促使中国发生改良或变革，改变目前这种不公不义日渐沉沦的现状。
2月20日活动的成效很让我们惊喜，但我们也悲愤地看到，大批追求民主自由的爱国人士被当局未经法律程序骚扰、软禁及拘禁，甚至受到肉体上的残酷近害。
他们是政治犯，
他们是为中华民族追求自由民主的英雄，他们是不屈的茉莉花！
为了失去自由的唐吉田、江天勇、滕彪、刘国慧、陈卫、冉云飞、李天天、晏今锋、沈斌、梁海怡......也为了失去自由、并且随时有生命危险的盲人律师陈光诚夫妇......
为了他们，我们呼吁：
让我们将自己的网络ID的头像图标换成茉莉花吧，
现在就让我们的茉莉花在MSN、QQ、Twitter、博客、Gtalk上列队，
和他们一样，我们也是不屈的茉莉花！
让我们用互联网上茉莉花的花海来让加害人民者胆寒！
让我们用互联网上茉莉花的花海来迎接我们英雄的归来！
同时，我们敦促当局尽快释放这些非法绑架的政治犯，否则在即将到来的周未，我们将组织更成熟、更具规模的茉莉花革命行动来抗议当局对他们的非法绑架和迫害！
如果周四午夜前当局仍未释放这些政治犯，我们本周仍将继续在220公布的地点发动集会（部分地点略有变更），具体地点变更将随后公布， 如因网络条件无法公布，则请朋友们前往上周集合地点。
届时，我们只需要走到指定的地点，远远的围观，默默地跟随，顺势而为，勇敢地喊出你的口号，或许，历史就从这一刻开始改变。
走到一起来的，都是兄弟姐妹，请守望相助。如发生参与集会人员受到不良对待请以最大的容忍处理，旁人也请及时支持。集会结束时，不要留下垃圾，中国人，是高素质的，是有条件追求民主自由的。
黎明前更黑暗，但曙光一定要到来。让我们一起迎来黎明！
我们本周的主要具体目标:
要求当局立即无条件释放唐吉田、江天勇、滕彪、刘国慧、古川、陈卫、冉云飞、李天天、晏今锋、沈斌、梁海怡、陈光诚夫妇等人
我们的口号是：
释放政治犯 （“政治犯”三字也可用具体人名替代）
我们要吃饭
我们要工作
我们要住房
我们要公平
我们要公义
保障私有产权
维护司法独立
启动政治改革
结束一党专政
开放报禁
新闻自由
自由万岁
民主万岁
06 February 2011
Progress?
I’m making progress on my trying-to-match-Chinese-life issues, and I think I’ve put forth a grand effort. I actually get online now (as you can tell): spending time on Facebook, Twitter, and even watching episodes of The Office and the Colbert Report on Hulu. Pretty good, huh?
But I feel so unproductive! Guilty, almost.
That is, except for the ability to listen to Chinese music all day on Baidu.com (the major search engine in China), to look up characters on my favorite online Chinese dictionary, and to read about what’s going on in China during the New Year and Spring Festival.
Moderation? Balance? My Chinese friend Li Li came to visit in January, and we talked a lot about balance. She is studying economics at the graduate level and is, understandably, seeking more balance in her life. As for me, I think I am balanced, and the rest of the world is out-of-whack.
For example, one of The Office episodes I watched is the one where Michael goes crazy on everyone about their New Year’s resolutions. And I totally agree with him. Buck up and get your crap done, everyone. It’s not hard. Stop reading this blog. Go clean your kitchen, and then read a book. Seriously, you do have the time. Because I did. Before I started watching The Office and refreshing my Facebook and Twitter pages.
Maybe this attitude I have comes from seeing how hard everyone in China works every day. In America, we have these ideas about what it means to work hard, earn money, achieve career goals. But the concepts are totally different in Asia. I realize that nothing is stopping me (or should be stopping me) from getting things done, so I try to do them.
I guess this goes back to that whole missing China idea. I had been trying to match that lifestyle, and then when I recently stopped, I simply made everything about China again in a different way. Just confirmation that I’m not crazy. Well, at least that I’m deciding to be crazy instead of it happening by accident. There’s a difference.
But I feel so unproductive! Guilty, almost.
That is, except for the ability to listen to Chinese music all day on Baidu.com (the major search engine in China), to look up characters on my favorite online Chinese dictionary, and to read about what’s going on in China during the New Year and Spring Festival.
Moderation? Balance? My Chinese friend Li Li came to visit in January, and we talked a lot about balance. She is studying economics at the graduate level and is, understandably, seeking more balance in her life. As for me, I think I am balanced, and the rest of the world is out-of-whack.
For example, one of The Office episodes I watched is the one where Michael goes crazy on everyone about their New Year’s resolutions. And I totally agree with him. Buck up and get your crap done, everyone. It’s not hard. Stop reading this blog. Go clean your kitchen, and then read a book. Seriously, you do have the time. Because I did. Before I started watching The Office and refreshing my Facebook and Twitter pages.
Maybe this attitude I have comes from seeing how hard everyone in China works every day. In America, we have these ideas about what it means to work hard, earn money, achieve career goals. But the concepts are totally different in Asia. I realize that nothing is stopping me (or should be stopping me) from getting things done, so I try to do them.
I guess this goes back to that whole missing China idea. I had been trying to match that lifestyle, and then when I recently stopped, I simply made everything about China again in a different way. Just confirmation that I’m not crazy. Well, at least that I’m deciding to be crazy instead of it happening by accident. There’s a difference.
25 January 2011
The Medium is Not the Message (II)
I think I lost faith in America as I studied Chinese media. A common Chinese perspective is this: “We know about the media control in our country. It’s an organized, thought-out, and purposeful control that we can’t do much about. But in America, you all deny that control exists in any form, and you are blind to it, whatever it may be. Which is the scarier scenario?”
Obviously not knowing it’s there.
(Right?)
I’m not going to call out American media as being controlled by certain forces. It’s not really about media itself, but about how media affects and influences society and vice versa. It’s a cause-and-effect cycle that can’t end, except badly.
It’s not about the media, but about the message. (What is "the media," anyway?) It’s about the attitude that Americans have toward the rest of the world. How did we get like this?
My intent here is not to make a judgment, but to present thoughts and questions. What are your thoughts and questions?
Obviously not knowing it’s there.
(Right?)
I’m not going to call out American media as being controlled by certain forces. It’s not really about media itself, but about how media affects and influences society and vice versa. It’s a cause-and-effect cycle that can’t end, except badly.
It’s not about the media, but about the message. (What is "the media," anyway?) It’s about the attitude that Americans have toward the rest of the world. How did we get like this?
My intent here is not to make a judgment, but to present thoughts and questions. What are your thoughts and questions?
23 January 2011
My Life in the Mirror
I’m realizing more and more that the way I’m living my life now is a massive attempt to match what life was like for me in China. It’s not that I miss China necessarily; I miss what my life was like living there.
I miss being a stranger lost among a million faces, and I miss that my face stood out among them. (This winter, I’ve been often reminded of walking across the Lanzhou University campus, bundled up in a hat, scarf, hood, and mittens, with my face barely showing, and hearing students dozens of meters ahead of me commenting on the foreigner headed their way. How could they tell so quickly?)
Along the same lines, I miss the paradox of being completely and utterly alone in a city of 5 million people. I miss having my own tiny room in which to (try to) shut out the crazy, unrelenting sounds of the city. Most of all, though, I miss every single second of my existence being dedicated to some form of study and learning.
And so, without realizing it until recently, I’ve been making my American life mirror my international life as much as possible. It’s a yearning for something bigger, a desire to realize potential and purpose, and a crazy obsession with being economical and rational. At the same time, it’s an immensely fulfilling and happy quest.
I’m embracing it.
And I’m going to try to learn more about myself through blogging about it. Want to join?
I miss being a stranger lost among a million faces, and I miss that my face stood out among them. (This winter, I’ve been often reminded of walking across the Lanzhou University campus, bundled up in a hat, scarf, hood, and mittens, with my face barely showing, and hearing students dozens of meters ahead of me commenting on the foreigner headed their way. How could they tell so quickly?)
Along the same lines, I miss the paradox of being completely and utterly alone in a city of 5 million people. I miss having my own tiny room in which to (try to) shut out the crazy, unrelenting sounds of the city. Most of all, though, I miss every single second of my existence being dedicated to some form of study and learning.
And so, without realizing it until recently, I’ve been making my American life mirror my international life as much as possible. It’s a yearning for something bigger, a desire to realize potential and purpose, and a crazy obsession with being economical and rational. At the same time, it’s an immensely fulfilling and happy quest.
I’m embracing it.
And I’m going to try to learn more about myself through blogging about it. Want to join?
10 July 2010
Mountains
I love mountains. One of my favorite parts about traveling in China, in fact, was climbing mountains and noticing the drastic changes in mountain landscapes across the country.
I was really disappointed to not have been able to see the mountains on the drive into Boulder, Colorado on Wednesday - the rain clouds were too low and the sky was dark. The weather cleared up, however, and by Friday the sky was bright blue and scattered with clouds. I wish I had been able to do some hiking during my stay!
16 June 2010
China and Korean Conflict
When world news is not focused on vuvuzelas, talk is all about tension between North and South Korea, and speculations about China's likely involvement are usually included. I would like to add my own.
I don't think China has any interest in helping North Korea with anything. Just because both are labeled as Communist countries does not mean that they have much in common. China did not even want to get involved in the Korean War in the '50s, and the country's apathetic feelings have probably become more so. Involvement in the Korean War, for China, was more about working against Western influence than it was about fighting for North Korea or even for supporting Communism elsewhere in the world. The countries are not all buddy-buddy like many people believe. References to long-standing good relations between China and North Korea are really a pet peeve of mine.
And with North Korea not being seen as a major threat, I doubt China would want to pull all the weight and destroy relations with the rest of the world. Just not going to happen. So don't hold your breath. But I do hope the United States responds with swift action if fighting breaks out. We think we can save the world, which is why everyone hates us, so we had better deliver when the opportunity arises.
I don't think China has any interest in helping North Korea with anything. Just because both are labeled as Communist countries does not mean that they have much in common. China did not even want to get involved in the Korean War in the '50s, and the country's apathetic feelings have probably become more so. Involvement in the Korean War, for China, was more about working against Western influence than it was about fighting for North Korea or even for supporting Communism elsewhere in the world. The countries are not all buddy-buddy like many people believe. References to long-standing good relations between China and North Korea are really a pet peeve of mine.
And with North Korea not being seen as a major threat, I doubt China would want to pull all the weight and destroy relations with the rest of the world. Just not going to happen. So don't hold your breath. But I do hope the United States responds with swift action if fighting breaks out. We think we can save the world, which is why everyone hates us, so we had better deliver when the opportunity arises.
15 June 2010
Tell It Like It Is
In this news story about China sending aircraft to bring its citizens in Kyrgyzstan back to China, a Uighur man tells it like it is: "This is the first time I thank our motherland [China]." Oh, snap.
Also, China has sent 20 tons of aid (food, water, tents) to Kyrgyzstan, but I would like to point out that it came from Xinjiang, the autonomous region in northwest China which is populated mostly by the Uighur minority. Maybe it was funded by the national government and came from Xinjiang because this region is closest to Kyrgyzstan, but who knows.
In other related news, the benevolent United States of America is taking a very small, late, and indecisive step toward helping out in Kyrgyzstan by sending an "envoy" to "assess the situation." Here's the situation: people in Central Asia are dying. If and when US aid happens, that aid had better not go only to the Kyrgyz. The United States must help out the ethnic Uzbeks who are being uprooted from their homes and families and are fleeing into Uzbekistan.
Also, China has sent 20 tons of aid (food, water, tents) to Kyrgyzstan, but I would like to point out that it came from Xinjiang, the autonomous region in northwest China which is populated mostly by the Uighur minority. Maybe it was funded by the national government and came from Xinjiang because this region is closest to Kyrgyzstan, but who knows.
In other related news, the benevolent United States of America is taking a very small, late, and indecisive step toward helping out in Kyrgyzstan by sending an "envoy" to "assess the situation." Here's the situation: people in Central Asia are dying. If and when US aid happens, that aid had better not go only to the Kyrgyz. The United States must help out the ethnic Uzbeks who are being uprooted from their homes and families and are fleeing into Uzbekistan.
14 June 2010
Thoughts on Kyrgyz Violence
The violence in Kyrgyzstan is depressing, discouraging, and worrisome to me. I am constantly checking the news and searching for more pictures and video. It just hurts me so much to think about my Central Asian friends and their families, their languages and cultures and customs and rituals... to think about them in this context of violence.
The countries of Central Asia each have their own distinct culture, history, and language. After gaining independence from the Soviet Union around 1990, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan have had minor clashes. Ethnic problems are at the top of the list since people of each country's ethnic group live in the other countries- like the ethnic Uzbeks living in Kyrgyzstan who are being killed every day. With no explanation. Sure, Uzbekistan is a double-landlocked country with an overflowing population, but it's implausible for them to want to or try to take over Kyrgyzstan. I feel like these countries should be in this together. After suffering under the Soviets, they all became free and in control of their own livelihoods. They should be celebrating.
I clearly remember, right after the international festival at Lanzhou University last fall, my friends told me about when they were young children and their families were poor. Their parents worked tirelessly, and it was for nothing (well, it was for Russia). After they became free, life was so much better and happier. The countries celebrated their uniqueness and nationalism was encouraged.
But maybe it is backfiring now, all that nationalism. It reminds me of my post from December of 2009 about the fight in my dorm building. There is such a fine line there between respect and pride.
And, to conclude this jumbled post, on days like today I take a step back and look at how much my life has changed. I used to get upset and riled up about completely normal things. And now my heart pounds as I read news about Kyrgyzstan, and I have no one to discuss it with. I cry when I hear about Uzbeks' houses being burnt and women and children fleeing to the border, and there is no one there to share the pain I feel. Wouldn't my life be a lot simpler if I had never gone to China and met wonderful people who taught me about all these cultures? It's times like these that for fleeting moments I wish I was "normal" and didn't have these painful burdens from what I have learned and grown to care about. I got into a debate in class once about learning- that it's not always a good thing, that learning can be detrimental. My classmates thought I was off my rocker, and, you know what, I am.
Man sizni sevaman.
The countries of Central Asia each have their own distinct culture, history, and language. After gaining independence from the Soviet Union around 1990, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan have had minor clashes. Ethnic problems are at the top of the list since people of each country's ethnic group live in the other countries- like the ethnic Uzbeks living in Kyrgyzstan who are being killed every day. With no explanation. Sure, Uzbekistan is a double-landlocked country with an overflowing population, but it's implausible for them to want to or try to take over Kyrgyzstan. I feel like these countries should be in this together. After suffering under the Soviets, they all became free and in control of their own livelihoods. They should be celebrating.
I clearly remember, right after the international festival at Lanzhou University last fall, my friends told me about when they were young children and their families were poor. Their parents worked tirelessly, and it was for nothing (well, it was for Russia). After they became free, life was so much better and happier. The countries celebrated their uniqueness and nationalism was encouraged.
But maybe it is backfiring now, all that nationalism. It reminds me of my post from December of 2009 about the fight in my dorm building. There is such a fine line there between respect and pride.
And, to conclude this jumbled post, on days like today I take a step back and look at how much my life has changed. I used to get upset and riled up about completely normal things. And now my heart pounds as I read news about Kyrgyzstan, and I have no one to discuss it with. I cry when I hear about Uzbeks' houses being burnt and women and children fleeing to the border, and there is no one there to share the pain I feel. Wouldn't my life be a lot simpler if I had never gone to China and met wonderful people who taught me about all these cultures? It's times like these that for fleeting moments I wish I was "normal" and didn't have these painful burdens from what I have learned and grown to care about. I got into a debate in class once about learning- that it's not always a good thing, that learning can be detrimental. My classmates thought I was off my rocker, and, you know what, I am.
Man sizni sevaman.
03 June 2010
The Smell of Burning Coal
Check out this video about "the dirtiest city in the world." The images in the video from Linfen, China are so familiar to me and remind me most of my two trips to Fugu, China to stay with a friend and her family.
The gray skies, the trash everywhere, the cars... what sticks with me most, though, is the smell of burning coal. As I watched that video sitting in my living room, I had one of those strange experiences where I smelled burning coal as if I were in my friend's home in Fugu by their furnace. And that isn't the first time that has happened to me. When I first returned home from China, sometimes I would wake up in my dorm room and completely forget where I was. And then I would smell burning coal. I wasn't actually smelling it, of course, but I was remembering the entire experience of waking up in a strange world- one of pollution and gray skies and trash and cars- and smelling burning coal.
And yet, the people of Linfen- and Fugu and Lanzhou and the thousands of other polluted cities in China and around the world, still lead happy and normal lives.
The gray skies, the trash everywhere, the cars... what sticks with me most, though, is the smell of burning coal. As I watched that video sitting in my living room, I had one of those strange experiences where I smelled burning coal as if I were in my friend's home in Fugu by their furnace. And that isn't the first time that has happened to me. When I first returned home from China, sometimes I would wake up in my dorm room and completely forget where I was. And then I would smell burning coal. I wasn't actually smelling it, of course, but I was remembering the entire experience of waking up in a strange world- one of pollution and gray skies and trash and cars- and smelling burning coal.
And yet, the people of Linfen- and Fugu and Lanzhou and the thousands of other polluted cities in China and around the world, still lead happy and normal lives.
25 May 2010
On Google and China
I read this article on the aftermath of the Google situation in China, and I found the reporting odd. The first half of the article is about a party that Chinese Google employees held, complete with cocktails and the Beijing elite. The second half starts with an interview with the host of the party - who does not work for Google anymore and says that the party had nothing to do with the company.
And, the most important part of the article, in my opinion, was buried at the end: "You [Americans] don't appreciate the people who are here in China ... life is harder here. Life is different, and people in the States don't see that. They don't appreciate that," Tian [a former Google China employee] said. "They see their so-called principles are getting bent and they don't like that."
Americans' views on tolerance and acceptance are extremely skewed. It is okay to be intolerant of religion (because religious people are intolerant), but it is unacceptable to be intolerant of certain illicit activities (because that's judging others). We should be completely accepting and open of other cultures, but not if, like Tian said, our "principles" are being compromised.
America should leave China alone. We don't know what is best for their country. We don't even know what is best for our country.
By the way, the Chinese word for "tolerance" basically means "to have no choice but to stand something."
And, the most important part of the article, in my opinion, was buried at the end: "You [Americans] don't appreciate the people who are here in China ... life is harder here. Life is different, and people in the States don't see that. They don't appreciate that," Tian [a former Google China employee] said. "They see their so-called principles are getting bent and they don't like that."
Americans' views on tolerance and acceptance are extremely skewed. It is okay to be intolerant of religion (because religious people are intolerant), but it is unacceptable to be intolerant of certain illicit activities (because that's judging others). We should be completely accepting and open of other cultures, but not if, like Tian said, our "principles" are being compromised.
America should leave China alone. We don't know what is best for their country. We don't even know what is best for our country.
By the way, the Chinese word for "tolerance" basically means "to have no choice but to stand something."
10 May 2010
Yellow River Journalism
As part of my senior seminar project about views on journalism in Lanzhou, China, I interviewed journalism professors and students at Lanzhou University while I studied abroad there learning Chinese, and I made this documentary video to share their views with the world (or at least to whomever happens to watch this).
This is Yellow River Journalism: A Quest for Truth in Lanzhou, China.
Enjoy!
This is Yellow River Journalism: A Quest for Truth in Lanzhou, China.
Enjoy!
02 March 2010
Caffeine
I used to drink coffee every morning, even while in China. When I came home, I made a sudden switch to drinking hot tea.
When I was a coffee-drinker, my tea-drinking fans would try to educate me about the dangers and harms of coffee. These scare-tactics never work, do they? Excess of practically anything can be harmful and deadly. I’m going to die at some point, and I’m pretty sure it won’t be from coffee.
Now that I drink tea, however, the tables have turned.
“Did you know that tea actually has MORE caffeine than coffee?”
“Tea is WORSE for your teeth than coffee is.”
“If you drink too much tea, you could cut 15 years OFF YOUR LIFE.”
Ok, no one claimed that last one, but the looks on their faces did. If there were to be a World War Three, the battle lines might be drawn over preferred beverage. I will continue to drink my antioxidant-filled green tea on a daily basis, and grab a cup of coffee on those extra-slow mornings. Thank you very much.
When I was a coffee-drinker, my tea-drinking fans would try to educate me about the dangers and harms of coffee. These scare-tactics never work, do they? Excess of practically anything can be harmful and deadly. I’m going to die at some point, and I’m pretty sure it won’t be from coffee.
Now that I drink tea, however, the tables have turned.
“Did you know that tea actually has MORE caffeine than coffee?”
“Tea is WORSE for your teeth than coffee is.”
“If you drink too much tea, you could cut 15 years OFF YOUR LIFE.”
Ok, no one claimed that last one, but the looks on their faces did. If there were to be a World War Three, the battle lines might be drawn over preferred beverage. I will continue to drink my antioxidant-filled green tea on a daily basis, and grab a cup of coffee on those extra-slow mornings. Thank you very much.
05 January 2010
Flying Home
In Beijing, my flight boarded on time, but then we sat on the runway for over two hours waiting to take off. I understand that there was a lot of snow on the ground and canceled flights from the day before were being made up, but honestly, the Chinese system of dealing with problems really sucks. Instead of coming up with an efficient plan when problems happen and telling the staff change things a bit, they just let things go and hope they're okay. They're not. I'm not mad about the flight, it's just an observation.
So, when I got to the U.S., I was late for my flight to Columbus. Obviously, a ton of other people were late, too. Also, the day before there had apparently been a 'security breach' at this airport, so all the flights were rescheduled for today and tomorrow. Basically, every single person at the airport was stressed and angry. I tried to be nice to the lady rescheduling my flight. It paid off. Because my flight was delayed due to weather conditions, I wasn't supposed to be given a free hotel room. Because I was being nice, the lady asked where I was coming from, how long my flight had been, how old I was, etc. She took pity on me and gave me a hotel voucher and meal coupons. Awesome.
So now I'm at a hotel. I ate a turkey sandwich, took a hot shower, and am looking forward to taking a nap in one of the two king-sized beds in the room. What a way to return to the states!
So, when I got to the U.S., I was late for my flight to Columbus. Obviously, a ton of other people were late, too. Also, the day before there had apparently been a 'security breach' at this airport, so all the flights were rescheduled for today and tomorrow. Basically, every single person at the airport was stressed and angry. I tried to be nice to the lady rescheduling my flight. It paid off. Because my flight was delayed due to weather conditions, I wasn't supposed to be given a free hotel room. Because I was being nice, the lady asked where I was coming from, how long my flight had been, how old I was, etc. She took pity on me and gave me a hotel voucher and meal coupons. Awesome.
So now I'm at a hotel. I ate a turkey sandwich, took a hot shower, and am looking forward to taking a nap in one of the two king-sized beds in the room. What a way to return to the states!
04 January 2010
Beijing
My friend Yuan and her parents met me at the Beijing airport on Saturday night, and I stayed with them for two days. The night I got there, my flight was delayed because of snow in Beijing, and all through the night it snowed and snowed and snowed. The next morning, Yuan and I took the subway to Tian'anmen. It was so cold I thought I was going to die. Really, I have never been so miserably cold in my life.
We stopped for coffee to warm ourselves up and then went to Beijing University. We went there because it was pretty in the snow, but mostly because I wanted to see the grave of Edgar Snow (his name was quite fitting). He was a journalist from the U.S. who first introduced the world to Communism in China. I would like to note that I was not permitted to do a Google search of his name... seriously, guys... what's up with that?
On Monday Yuan and I went shopping in the morning, and then I took a bus to the airport for my flight home.
Beijing was really beautiful in the snow. But it was wicked cold, which I did not enjoy. I think two days was plenty of time in the capital considering the weather.
We stopped for coffee to warm ourselves up and then went to Beijing University. We went there because it was pretty in the snow, but mostly because I wanted to see the grave of Edgar Snow (his name was quite fitting). He was a journalist from the U.S. who first introduced the world to Communism in China. I would like to note that I was not permitted to do a Google search of his name... seriously, guys... what's up with that?
On Monday Yuan and I went shopping in the morning, and then I took a bus to the airport for my flight home.
Beijing was really beautiful in the snow. But it was wicked cold, which I did not enjoy. I think two days was plenty of time in the capital considering the weather.
29 December 2009
The Fight
So my last post was basically to introduce a cultural custom that culminated in a fight in my dorm that my friend Rustam broke up. Here’s the story.
I was coming back from eating dinner with my friend Lily when a huge, bloody brawl broke out at my doorstep. Lily and I climbed the back stairs up to my floor, and at the top of steps were about 30 of the guys from Central Asia. They were blocking the way to get to my room. We had heard them yelling as we came up, but when I saw their faces, I was scared to death. I grabbed Lily and turned the other way, going straight to Rustam’s room for safety. But Rustam’s door was wide open and no one was inside. We went back into the hallway, but in the opposite direction of the fight.
It suddenly got really, really quiet. Then Rustam marched down the hallway into his room. He went to his bathroom and started washing his hands, but not before I saw all the blood going down the drain. There was blood all over his shirt, too. I took Lily’s arm and we tried to go back to my room, but all the guys were still there and wouldn’t let me through. I just starting pushed them aside and went through anyway. At my door, there was blood smeared all over the hallway floor and wall. I felt sick.
Later, Rustam came by and told us the story. A guy from Kazakhstan went to shake hands with a guy from Kyrgyzstan, and he intentionally shook his hand “the wrong way” showing disrespect. They yelled at each other for a few minutes, then all the Kazakh guys came to defend their country, and the all Kyrgyz guys did the same. The Uzbek guys obviously wanted to watch. While they were yelling, Rustam was doing his evening prayers. Needless to say, people started throwing punches, and a bloody nose made everything messy. At this point, Rustam went out to break up the fight. He said two guys were fighting, and the rest were just watching. Disgusting. Rustam also said that when Lily and I came up to the floor, the guys were mortified. And they didn’t want to let us go through when it was over because they didn’t want us to see the blood. While they can be pretty wild and like to fight, they always keep a sense of respect for women. When I see them now, some act ashamed. Rightfully so.
Hello, culture shock.
I was coming back from eating dinner with my friend Lily when a huge, bloody brawl broke out at my doorstep. Lily and I climbed the back stairs up to my floor, and at the top of steps were about 30 of the guys from Central Asia. They were blocking the way to get to my room. We had heard them yelling as we came up, but when I saw their faces, I was scared to death. I grabbed Lily and turned the other way, going straight to Rustam’s room for safety. But Rustam’s door was wide open and no one was inside. We went back into the hallway, but in the opposite direction of the fight.
It suddenly got really, really quiet. Then Rustam marched down the hallway into his room. He went to his bathroom and started washing his hands, but not before I saw all the blood going down the drain. There was blood all over his shirt, too. I took Lily’s arm and we tried to go back to my room, but all the guys were still there and wouldn’t let me through. I just starting pushed them aside and went through anyway. At my door, there was blood smeared all over the hallway floor and wall. I felt sick.
Later, Rustam came by and told us the story. A guy from Kazakhstan went to shake hands with a guy from Kyrgyzstan, and he intentionally shook his hand “the wrong way” showing disrespect. They yelled at each other for a few minutes, then all the Kazakh guys came to defend their country, and the all Kyrgyz guys did the same. The Uzbek guys obviously wanted to watch. While they were yelling, Rustam was doing his evening prayers. Needless to say, people started throwing punches, and a bloody nose made everything messy. At this point, Rustam went out to break up the fight. He said two guys were fighting, and the rest were just watching. Disgusting. Rustam also said that when Lily and I came up to the floor, the guys were mortified. And they didn’t want to let us go through when it was over because they didn’t want us to see the blood. While they can be pretty wild and like to fight, they always keep a sense of respect for women. When I see them now, some act ashamed. Rightfully so.
Hello, culture shock.
28 December 2009
Chopsticks
I do not remember not being able to use chopsticks. I know that’s not true of everyone, and for some people learning is really difficult. But it sort of came naturally to me.
Chinese people have this idea that foreigners do not have the ability to use chopsticks, and also are not capable of learning. My friends are so surprised by my abilities and that I prefer chopsticks over a fork or spoon any day of the week. It’s annoying to try to find a way to explain that it’s never been a problem and that they should not be surprised.
At the Christmas party last week, the international office set up this game where we used chopsticks to move mandarin oranges and grapes from one cup into another. What a cinch. That game did not go over well because they completely under-estimated our fine motor skills.
Speak of fine motor skills, I have always been particular about handwriting; I enjoy cursive, calligraphy, and just plain writing nicely. I wonder if this is related to chopstick use… You see, writing Chinese characters can be difficult and painstaking. Chinese people start writing characters and using chopsticks from their childhood. Their fine motor skills are awesome. Those with bad handwriting, have you been able to use chopsticks without practicing? If you have good handwriting, do you still have trouble? Please comment.
Chinese people have this idea that foreigners do not have the ability to use chopsticks, and also are not capable of learning. My friends are so surprised by my abilities and that I prefer chopsticks over a fork or spoon any day of the week. It’s annoying to try to find a way to explain that it’s never been a problem and that they should not be surprised.
At the Christmas party last week, the international office set up this game where we used chopsticks to move mandarin oranges and grapes from one cup into another. What a cinch. That game did not go over well because they completely under-estimated our fine motor skills.
Speak of fine motor skills, I have always been particular about handwriting; I enjoy cursive, calligraphy, and just plain writing nicely. I wonder if this is related to chopstick use… You see, writing Chinese characters can be difficult and painstaking. Chinese people start writing characters and using chopsticks from their childhood. Their fine motor skills are awesome. Those with bad handwriting, have you been able to use chopsticks without practicing? If you have good handwriting, do you still have trouble? Please comment.
18 December 2009
Christmas, maybe
Chinese students keep asking me how I’m going to celebrate Christmas. I say I’m probably not going to because… how would I celebrate it? Christmas is a family and community holiday, and even if you observe it by yourself, you can’t really call that a ‘celebration.’
When I’m asked about Christmas, the students always get really excited and say we should celebrate together (um… I don’t even know you!). I ask how they would want to celebrate, and they just want to go out to eat at a ‘western’ restaurant, or one that is ridiculously expensive. Celebrating Christmas in China means you’re hip and cool, because westerners celebrate Christmas. I think that’s missing the point.
I asked one of my teachers about why Chinese students want to celebrate Christmas, or pretend that they do. She said because everywhere else in the world, people celebrate Christmas (not true). I asked what they were celebrating, since it’s certainly not Jesus. No response.
Then, the office sent out a decree that each class must put on a Christmas performance for everyone. I don’t think the office realizes that at least 90% of the international students here are Muslims and aren’t excited about celebrating Christmas.
My class put me in charge of our performance. Why does this always happen? So, thanks to my eclectic skills of audio editing, cheerleading, and Chinese karaoke, we are going to be doing a combination song and dance to a famous Chinese song (“Love, Love, Love” by Jolin, anyone?). Please note that this has nothing to do with Christmas. So, we are going to wear Santa hats. Very festive.
I went to a supermarket today to scout out some hats, and it was reiterated that Chinese people really have no clue about Christmas. I found the Santa hats on display with Halloween costumes and Mardi Gras masks. It’s not that China is celebrating these three holidays together, they just don’t know the difference. Also, Christmas in China this year is sponsored by 7Up. (Take THAT, Sprite!)
When I’m asked about Christmas, the students always get really excited and say we should celebrate together (um… I don’t even know you!). I ask how they would want to celebrate, and they just want to go out to eat at a ‘western’ restaurant, or one that is ridiculously expensive. Celebrating Christmas in China means you’re hip and cool, because westerners celebrate Christmas. I think that’s missing the point.
I asked one of my teachers about why Chinese students want to celebrate Christmas, or pretend that they do. She said because everywhere else in the world, people celebrate Christmas (not true). I asked what they were celebrating, since it’s certainly not Jesus. No response.
Then, the office sent out a decree that each class must put on a Christmas performance for everyone. I don’t think the office realizes that at least 90% of the international students here are Muslims and aren’t excited about celebrating Christmas.
My class put me in charge of our performance. Why does this always happen? So, thanks to my eclectic skills of audio editing, cheerleading, and Chinese karaoke, we are going to be doing a combination song and dance to a famous Chinese song (“Love, Love, Love” by Jolin, anyone?). Please note that this has nothing to do with Christmas. So, we are going to wear Santa hats. Very festive.
I went to a supermarket today to scout out some hats, and it was reiterated that Chinese people really have no clue about Christmas. I found the Santa hats on display with Halloween costumes and Mardi Gras masks. It’s not that China is celebrating these three holidays together, they just don’t know the difference. Also, Christmas in China this year is sponsored by 7Up. (Take THAT, Sprite!)
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