Hello one and all,
It's fast approaching the holiday known to China as 圣诞节 (ShengDanJie), which is an Anglicization of 'Santa Holiday'. Christmas is a scant 2 days away, and here I am 6000 km away from my family and friends at home in Canada.
As my first Christmas away from home, this is a bit of a shaky part of the trip. It's going to suck to miss pretty much everything associated with the biggest North American holiday of the year (barring, of course, my birthday). Egg nog, fantastic food, friends, family, drinking and yes even shopping. My plans for Christmas Eve involve the same thing I do every Wednesday (pub quiz).
On that note, my Dad will be pleased to know that he indirectly helped us win first place 2 weeks ago. There was a round on acronyms, and one of the questions (worth 4 points!) was say what all the grades of Cognac were! V.S., X.O., V.S.O.P., I nailed 'em all because Dad knows his cognac. We won the Jack Daniels and then shared it, which might not have been a great idea.
Anyhow, the last week or two has been great by turns and not so great by other turns. Had to say goodbye to a couple really good friends I've made. It's been pointed out by some of the wiser people I've met that this will always be the worst thing about travelling. Meeting amazing people and then leaving them (or them leaving you) soon after. I'm noticing more and more that even though some of these folks are amazing and the sort of people I'd like to have around all the time, most of them I won't even see again once I step foot on a plane home. It's a very, very saddening fact, but sort of makes me want to spend as much time with the friends I've met as I can.
Regardless of all that melancholy, I've got Christmas in 2 days. So far my plans consist of the following: Ice Skating with Sarah because she's never been. It's been fairly damned cold in Beijing of late, with last Sunday getting to -13 in the day (with a ridiculous wind making it worse). I know you folk in Calgary are suffering through worse, and I frequently remind people that Canada is in fact much colder than this. That's why I'm not bundled up like crazy. You should see the Aussie's out here; they're in full length parkas with toques and gloves and scarves. All this because of some wind and a little chill. Cultural differences I tell you.
Anyhow, I'm about to go lay in bed and watch a movie before trying to drift to sleep. I've been having some fairly serious issues with insomnia of late. It's coming and going, mostly involving the tossing and turning until 2:00am before I drift off to sleep. Either way, it's getting a bit better, so that's all well and good.
Thanks for reading folks. I'll post on Christmas night (here), which is the morning for you all.
Hope everyone is all well and good and seasons greetings to all,
Love Nathan
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Another!
Well, like I expected, I’ve been lax in updating this blog. For that, I apologize. Not even really sure who outside my immediate family reads it, but for what it’s worth the apology is sincere.
Really, there hasn’t been much going on that is of too much interest in the last 2 weeks that’s been worth posting.
I really did intend on going out with a motographer and getting a ton of motographs so you all could see me, the mo and Beijing. Unfortunately, a combination of bad weather, extremely itchy facial hair and lack of willing personnel meant that I could only really provide one crappy self-shot of the mo right before it got shaven off. It’s attached below, along with some miscellaneous (bad) photos snapped during the time I had the moustache.
In other body hair news, I did get a haircut. Finally. After going over 2.5 months without trimming or doing anything with my mop-top, I decided that it’s just hair and if it was REALLY bad I would just shave it and wear a toque. 8 kuai later (CAD $1.46 for you at home), I was the proud owner of a half-decent cut from a young man in the barbershop below my classroom.
Laundry side note: If you don’t clean a towel for long enough, it becomes stiff enough to poke someone with it. Ask my roommate. It also starts to smell funky. I’m currently doing laundry and stewing my towel in a cocktail of laundry soap and boiling water. Who knows if it’s going to work. It’s not like towels are a pricey commodity; I paid a whopping 15块 for mine, so I’m not going to be heartbroken if I have to buy a new one.
Other than that, I guess the only really significant updates are having to do with money and sleep. Namely that I’ve got less and less of either.
I’ve been sleeping less and less lately. For some reason, no matter what time I go to bed or what I do before I hit the hay, I just toss and turn for hours before finally nodding off. This usually results in me obliviously sleeping right through my alarm and missing a class or two in the mornings. I don’t really know what’s going on there, but I’m open to suggestions for helping me get to sleep.
Moneywise, I’ve tried my damndest to stick to a budget while in Beijing, and I largely have. Unfortunately, going away parties and a social life have slowly chewed away at my funds. A Canadian dollar worth about 20% less than what it was when I arrived does NOT help (though it means the MASSIVE chunk of money I get back from my dorm payment is more favorably exchanged into Canadian). I have enough left to get me through if I’m REALLY stingy and don’t buy anything big, but like I said it’s getting less and less. I haven’t touched my line of credit or my credit card yet though, so there’s always options. I’m not destitute and it’s not like I’m nickel-and-diming myself out of a good time, so most of it’s just needless obsessing.
Other than that, not much exciting in the land of Me. I DID get to make a bizarre but tasty “Pumpkin Style Dessert” one of my classmates had received from home in America despite her hating pumpkin pie. So Sarah and I made ‘Dorm-Pie’. It was a weird, weird texture but really tasty. It certainly managed to assuage my pumpkin pie cravings, which is something I’m really missing. Then I remembered Egg Nog and almost cried.
Anyways, as you can see it’s going fairly well. I’m going to tell you all now that I will update sooner. Hopefully I will hold to that promise this time!
Off to see how my towel-stew is going. Hopefully more flexible and less odorous.
Hope this finds you all well,
Nathan
Really, there hasn’t been much going on that is of too much interest in the last 2 weeks that’s been worth posting.
I really did intend on going out with a motographer and getting a ton of motographs so you all could see me, the mo and Beijing. Unfortunately, a combination of bad weather, extremely itchy facial hair and lack of willing personnel meant that I could only really provide one crappy self-shot of the mo right before it got shaven off. It’s attached below, along with some miscellaneous (bad) photos snapped during the time I had the moustache.
In other body hair news, I did get a haircut. Finally. After going over 2.5 months without trimming or doing anything with my mop-top, I decided that it’s just hair and if it was REALLY bad I would just shave it and wear a toque. 8 kuai later (CAD $1.46 for you at home), I was the proud owner of a half-decent cut from a young man in the barbershop below my classroom.
Laundry side note: If you don’t clean a towel for long enough, it becomes stiff enough to poke someone with it. Ask my roommate. It also starts to smell funky. I’m currently doing laundry and stewing my towel in a cocktail of laundry soap and boiling water. Who knows if it’s going to work. It’s not like towels are a pricey commodity; I paid a whopping 15块 for mine, so I’m not going to be heartbroken if I have to buy a new one.
Other than that, I guess the only really significant updates are having to do with money and sleep. Namely that I’ve got less and less of either.
I’ve been sleeping less and less lately. For some reason, no matter what time I go to bed or what I do before I hit the hay, I just toss and turn for hours before finally nodding off. This usually results in me obliviously sleeping right through my alarm and missing a class or two in the mornings. I don’t really know what’s going on there, but I’m open to suggestions for helping me get to sleep.
Moneywise, I’ve tried my damndest to stick to a budget while in Beijing, and I largely have. Unfortunately, going away parties and a social life have slowly chewed away at my funds. A Canadian dollar worth about 20% less than what it was when I arrived does NOT help (though it means the MASSIVE chunk of money I get back from my dorm payment is more favorably exchanged into Canadian). I have enough left to get me through if I’m REALLY stingy and don’t buy anything big, but like I said it’s getting less and less. I haven’t touched my line of credit or my credit card yet though, so there’s always options. I’m not destitute and it’s not like I’m nickel-and-diming myself out of a good time, so most of it’s just needless obsessing.
Other than that, not much exciting in the land of Me. I DID get to make a bizarre but tasty “Pumpkin Style Dessert” one of my classmates had received from home in America despite her hating pumpkin pie. So Sarah and I made ‘Dorm-Pie’. It was a weird, weird texture but really tasty. It certainly managed to assuage my pumpkin pie cravings, which is something I’m really missing. Then I remembered Egg Nog and almost cried.
Anyways, as you can see it’s going fairly well. I’m going to tell you all now that I will update sooner. Hopefully I will hold to that promise this time!
Off to see how my towel-stew is going. Hopefully more flexible and less odorous.
Hope this finds you all well,
Nathan
Sunday, November 30, 2008
End of Movember
First and foremost, thanks to everyone who donated even a few dollars! All in all, you put together a whopping 285 bucks for the funding of mens cancer research!
And I got to grow a moustache.
All in all, I may have swindled those who donated. Here I get to increase my manliness by at least 3-4 times, while you are parted with your hard-earned dollars.
It's all for a good cause, and I'm going to donate $15 more just to round it up to a nice fat $300 cheque to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Canada.
As promised, I will be posting pictures of the fully formed and unbelievably manly moustache as soon as I can convince someone to be a mo-tographer. Once the position is filled, mo-tographs will follow.
I will not be shaving this bad boy off until I get at least a few photos for you generous folks.
I think you still have time to donate a dollar or two more if you haven't. Just go here: https://www.movember.com/ca/donate/donate-details.php?action=sponsorlink®o=2022056&country=ca and follow the dead easy instructions.
Thanks again to those that have donated!
- Nathan
And I got to grow a moustache.
All in all, I may have swindled those who donated. Here I get to increase my manliness by at least 3-4 times, while you are parted with your hard-earned dollars.
It's all for a good cause, and I'm going to donate $15 more just to round it up to a nice fat $300 cheque to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Canada.
As promised, I will be posting pictures of the fully formed and unbelievably manly moustache as soon as I can convince someone to be a mo-tographer. Once the position is filled, mo-tographs will follow.
I will not be shaving this bad boy off until I get at least a few photos for you generous folks.
I think you still have time to donate a dollar or two more if you haven't. Just go here: https://www.movember.com/c
Thanks again to those that have donated!
- Nathan
Monday, November 24, 2008
A Proper (and LONG) update
(Note: If you just want to see pictures, they're at the end. If they look TINY, click them and a bigger version will open)
Alright.
I apologize about the lack of updates. I’m going to blame this one on midterms, procrastination and technological problems.
You see, I DID update twice in the last 3 weeks. Big updates, full of fun and useful information that I’m sure you would have all found riveting.
Unfortunately, when I hit ‘Post’, some vagary of Chinese internet meant that I lost the hour or so each time that I had put into them. Being me, I never saved drafts or anything for the two updates I did make. This time I’m going all out and writing it in Word with the 5-minute auto-save feature activated.
So what has happened since I last posted? I’ll tell you what has happened. Lots.
First and foremost, most of you who read this know that we are currently approaching the end of November. This means we’re also approaching the end of Movember, a cancer research fundraiser that operates on the reverse principle of the Head Shave. You see, instead of removing hair, men are encouraged to grow the most outlandish moustache they can for a whole month, collecting funds that go to male-specific cancer research.
So far those of you that have donated have helped me raise $225 CAD for the effort! In return, as promised, I will make every effort to post some pictures of my ‘stash around Beijing. I have a few photos of the ‘stash as it stands now, but I’m still a full 6.5 days away from the full maturity of facial hair.
If you haven’t donated yet, there is still ample time. Please go to this link:
https://www.movember.com/ca/donate/donate-details.php?action=sponsorlink®o=2022056&country=ca
And donate. Remember that it’s 100% safe and trusted, not to mention tax deductible!
Alright, now that my fundraising efforts have been made, back to the updates.
Middle of November means the same thing for most students worldwide: midterms. It means that we have to break from drinking and partying and enter the hallowed halls of the school library and brush up on our books and our notes!
Alternately, it means going to a pub-quiz the night before your 听力 (Listening) exam and still scoring 94%. 综合 (Comprehensive) was a 98% and 口语 (Spoken) was a 90%. All well within the expected parameters. I was satisfied.
What else… various forays into the Beijing nightlife, of course. I’ve been doing the Wednesday night Pub Quiz at the nearby pub Lush every week since early October. Cat and I are the central members of our team (whose name is, unfortunately, unprintable), with numerous other repeat offenders dropping in from week to week to fill the considerable gaps in our collective knowledge. We’re middle of the pack as far as the regulars go, having reached 3rd place twice and gained a spot on the leaderboard (which, to be fair, we only played for the last 7 quizzes out of the 40 they do a leaderboard for). Fun stuff and I finally found a use for all the useless trivia I’ve accumulated over the years.
Starting to have to say goodbye to friends I’ve made at the Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU). Having made an amazing friend in one Sarah Gildea here at Tsinghua, I then through her met an incredibly likeable and sociable gentleman who was a student for a few months at BLCU. This is the sort of guy who collects friends like most people collect small change. Through James and Sarah I’ve come to know at least a few dozen students at BLCU, and count a few of them as good friends. Unfortunately their semester ends 2 months before ours does, so James has already returned home and many more are leaving within the next week and a half. It’s sad to see these people go, and at James’ goodbye party we all sort of realized how unlikely it was that all these people would ever again be in the same room at the same time.
Along with a sort of ‘core’ group from BLCU, Sarah and I tagged along to the Beijing National Performing Arts Center for a contemporary Chinese opera. This building is called the ‘Egg’, for various reasons, and is situated right next to Tian’anmen Square amongst architecture thousands of years old. Look at the picture I’ve put up below and you’ll see why a lot of Chinese don’t really care for its inclusion in such a conspicuous location. Inside was beautiful and highly modern; it made the new Jubilee look old and careworn.
The Opera itself was very, very good and the story was interesting. It wasn’t the traditional 京剧 (with the facepaint and loud, clashy music), but instead was a modern piece about rural women dealing with men moving to the cities to find work. It was also subtitled! They had vertical ‘message board’ things on each side of the stage that spelt exactly what was being sung at any given time! It was Close Captioning for a live performance! Because of this, those of us with better Chinese could at least understand SOME of the plot (though it wasn’t until the penultimate scene that we FINALLY realized that the man 大哥 was not in fact the brother of the main character, but was instead her lover). Brilliantly done and epic in scope.
In the past two weeks I also had my first foray into the Chinese medical system! On the Friday of my Comprehensive and Listening exams, I somehow managed to trigger a blockage in my left ear. 10 minutes before the listening exam. A virtually complete loss of hearing. Talk about bad luck…
Anyways, after various attempts by me to fix it back in my room only made it worse, I managed to con my German friend Jenny (who also speaks fluent English and Mandarin) to come with me to the Campus hospital and have it checked out. This is a hospital that has multiple operating theatres, a fully functioning emergency room, 24 hour pharmacy and obstetrics ward. What they didn’t have was one of those little scopes that allows you to look into someone’s ear. They turfed me out on my partially deaf ass and told me to go to the Beijing Third Hospital; a 20 minute cab ride away. Unfortunately Jenny had to go to a class the next morning (a Saturday, no less), so I called Sarah and asked if she and her electronic dictionary could come and help translate.
The next morning we ventured out. The cab ride from campus cost 17 kuai (about $3.15CAD) one way, and upon arrival we wandered into a room that was filled with people waving around a plastic RFID card and a blue form at this one bedraggled nurse. The room reminded me of a stereotypical WWII hospital; with peeling paint and poor lighting. After standing and waiting to talk to this poor lady without a card or a form flapping in her face, she finally looked at me and asked what I needed. In Mandarin. Into my bad ear. Fortunately Sarah heard and asked her where to get the card and form. Directed to ANOTHER building, we went and got the Patient card (5 kuai, or about $1) and a registration form. Armed with waving apparatus’, we returned to the nurse and flapped for all we were worth.
Finally we were again selected and I had my blood pressure and pulse taken. From the nurses expression, I think I was higher than most of the Chinese people who had previously had theirs taken. Ah well. We were then quickly shuffled into a room that said ENT (Ear Nose Throat) on the door, and were handed off to one young doctor. The doctor happened to speak enough English to ask ‘what wrong’? Between Sarah and I and his English we told him that I couldn’t hear. He crammed a little funnel thing into the ear and looked with one of those cartoon-head-reflector things. Upon completion of his examination, he proudly proclaimed that I merely had a case of ‘Dirty on the Membrane’! We muddled that he meant a wax blockage and he prescribed some eardrops to soften the wax and told me to come back in a week to have the blockage removed.
Total cost for this examination AND the eardrops? 5毛. For those of you keeping score out there, that is precisely 9.3 CENTS Canadian. Amazing.
So, to shorten the story a bit, we went back a week later and had the blockage removed. This was in a MUCH, much nicer building with many modern amenities like waiting room televisions. The removal process cost me 30Z块 and consisted of another doctor shoving a dental vacuum into my ear canal. Intensely uncomfortable but very effective. I can hear perfectly clear out of both ears!
Total cost of the diagnosis, medicine and treatment: 30.5块钱 (Approx. $5.68)
Total cost of the taxi cabs I took to get the diagnosis and such: 80块 ($14.99)
Other than that, I’ve had a very normal few weeks. Lots of going away parties and whatnot. Even made it to a salsa night (attracted by the all you can drink for free policy), though I didn’t dance. Been to a GREAT concert to hear some good quality Chinese punk and indie music.
Unfortunately, I’ve also been blowing a LOT of money on having a good time. My budget is slowly slipping toward the 0 mark, and I’m going to have to properly manage what’s left if I don’t want to dip into my (thankfully clear) credit card and student line of credit. I’m happy to come home with no money for the experience, but I’d much rather not be in debt if I can avoid it.
Anyhow, I’m sorry if I’ve rambled. That’s what happens when you don’t update for a long time. I’m going to REALLY try and make an effort to update a little bit a lot more often, instead of 1700 words at one time. If you read it all, I’m impressed.
I’d like to end this by wishing Peter a quick convalescence and that I’m just as worried as everyone else about his health. I’m glad he was somewhere that prompt and quality medical treatment was available, as this is what is going to make the difference between future problems and a complete recovery. My thoughts are with the Stivens and Peter as he gets better.
Thanks again, hope everyone is well,
Nathan
This is EXACTLY what it looked like when we were there. Okay, not really. That reflection is from a massive reflecting pool that surrounds the whole structure. Unfortunately, the only time I've seen the Egg is when it's been emptied for maintenance and for the winter. Still, it's a magnificent building.
Myself and Kar-Men posing in the international 'Wood-Family-Represent' pose.
Also at James' going away party. I may have had a few to drink by this point. Notice the 'stash though!
The group that went to the Opera! This was the entrance way (the reflecting pool was directly above this; it's a glass skylight that's usually underwater)
See what I mean when I say James collects friends? He's in the middle with the yellow rose over his chest. How many of you could get THIS many people who you've known for 3 months to come out for your going away thing?
This is just another 'stash highlight. Notice the gap where I'm apparently incapable growing hair? Hint: corners of my mouth. Remember, I have shaved like that every day for 21 days.
Alright.
I apologize about the lack of updates. I’m going to blame this one on midterms, procrastination and technological problems.
You see, I DID update twice in the last 3 weeks. Big updates, full of fun and useful information that I’m sure you would have all found riveting.
Unfortunately, when I hit ‘Post’, some vagary of Chinese internet meant that I lost the hour or so each time that I had put into them. Being me, I never saved drafts or anything for the two updates I did make. This time I’m going all out and writing it in Word with the 5-minute auto-save feature activated.
So what has happened since I last posted? I’ll tell you what has happened. Lots.
First and foremost, most of you who read this know that we are currently approaching the end of November. This means we’re also approaching the end of Movember, a cancer research fundraiser that operates on the reverse principle of the Head Shave. You see, instead of removing hair, men are encouraged to grow the most outlandish moustache they can for a whole month, collecting funds that go to male-specific cancer research.
So far those of you that have donated have helped me raise $225 CAD for the effort! In return, as promised, I will make every effort to post some pictures of my ‘stash around Beijing. I have a few photos of the ‘stash as it stands now, but I’m still a full 6.5 days away from the full maturity of facial hair.
If you haven’t donated yet, there is still ample time. Please go to this link:
https://www.movember.com/ca/donate/donate-details.php?action=sponsorlink®o=2022056&country=ca
And donate. Remember that it’s 100% safe and trusted, not to mention tax deductible!
Alright, now that my fundraising efforts have been made, back to the updates.
Middle of November means the same thing for most students worldwide: midterms. It means that we have to break from drinking and partying and enter the hallowed halls of the school library and brush up on our books and our notes!
Alternately, it means going to a pub-quiz the night before your 听力 (Listening) exam and still scoring 94%. 综合 (Comprehensive) was a 98% and 口语 (Spoken) was a 90%. All well within the expected parameters. I was satisfied.
What else… various forays into the Beijing nightlife, of course. I’ve been doing the Wednesday night Pub Quiz at the nearby pub Lush every week since early October. Cat and I are the central members of our team (whose name is, unfortunately, unprintable), with numerous other repeat offenders dropping in from week to week to fill the considerable gaps in our collective knowledge. We’re middle of the pack as far as the regulars go, having reached 3rd place twice and gained a spot on the leaderboard (which, to be fair, we only played for the last 7 quizzes out of the 40 they do a leaderboard for). Fun stuff and I finally found a use for all the useless trivia I’ve accumulated over the years.
Starting to have to say goodbye to friends I’ve made at the Beijing Language and Culture University (BLCU). Having made an amazing friend in one Sarah Gildea here at Tsinghua, I then through her met an incredibly likeable and sociable gentleman who was a student for a few months at BLCU. This is the sort of guy who collects friends like most people collect small change. Through James and Sarah I’ve come to know at least a few dozen students at BLCU, and count a few of them as good friends. Unfortunately their semester ends 2 months before ours does, so James has already returned home and many more are leaving within the next week and a half. It’s sad to see these people go, and at James’ goodbye party we all sort of realized how unlikely it was that all these people would ever again be in the same room at the same time.
Along with a sort of ‘core’ group from BLCU, Sarah and I tagged along to the Beijing National Performing Arts Center for a contemporary Chinese opera. This building is called the ‘Egg’, for various reasons, and is situated right next to Tian’anmen Square amongst architecture thousands of years old. Look at the picture I’ve put up below and you’ll see why a lot of Chinese don’t really care for its inclusion in such a conspicuous location. Inside was beautiful and highly modern; it made the new Jubilee look old and careworn.
The Opera itself was very, very good and the story was interesting. It wasn’t the traditional 京剧 (with the facepaint and loud, clashy music), but instead was a modern piece about rural women dealing with men moving to the cities to find work. It was also subtitled! They had vertical ‘message board’ things on each side of the stage that spelt exactly what was being sung at any given time! It was Close Captioning for a live performance! Because of this, those of us with better Chinese could at least understand SOME of the plot (though it wasn’t until the penultimate scene that we FINALLY realized that the man 大哥 was not in fact the brother of the main character, but was instead her lover). Brilliantly done and epic in scope.
In the past two weeks I also had my first foray into the Chinese medical system! On the Friday of my Comprehensive and Listening exams, I somehow managed to trigger a blockage in my left ear. 10 minutes before the listening exam. A virtually complete loss of hearing. Talk about bad luck…
Anyways, after various attempts by me to fix it back in my room only made it worse, I managed to con my German friend Jenny (who also speaks fluent English and Mandarin) to come with me to the Campus hospital and have it checked out. This is a hospital that has multiple operating theatres, a fully functioning emergency room, 24 hour pharmacy and obstetrics ward. What they didn’t have was one of those little scopes that allows you to look into someone’s ear. They turfed me out on my partially deaf ass and told me to go to the Beijing Third Hospital; a 20 minute cab ride away. Unfortunately Jenny had to go to a class the next morning (a Saturday, no less), so I called Sarah and asked if she and her electronic dictionary could come and help translate.
The next morning we ventured out. The cab ride from campus cost 17 kuai (about $3.15CAD) one way, and upon arrival we wandered into a room that was filled with people waving around a plastic RFID card and a blue form at this one bedraggled nurse. The room reminded me of a stereotypical WWII hospital; with peeling paint and poor lighting. After standing and waiting to talk to this poor lady without a card or a form flapping in her face, she finally looked at me and asked what I needed. In Mandarin. Into my bad ear. Fortunately Sarah heard and asked her where to get the card and form. Directed to ANOTHER building, we went and got the Patient card (5 kuai, or about $1) and a registration form. Armed with waving apparatus’, we returned to the nurse and flapped for all we were worth.
Finally we were again selected and I had my blood pressure and pulse taken. From the nurses expression, I think I was higher than most of the Chinese people who had previously had theirs taken. Ah well. We were then quickly shuffled into a room that said ENT (Ear Nose Throat) on the door, and were handed off to one young doctor. The doctor happened to speak enough English to ask ‘what wrong’? Between Sarah and I and his English we told him that I couldn’t hear. He crammed a little funnel thing into the ear and looked with one of those cartoon-head-reflector things. Upon completion of his examination, he proudly proclaimed that I merely had a case of ‘Dirty on the Membrane’! We muddled that he meant a wax blockage and he prescribed some eardrops to soften the wax and told me to come back in a week to have the blockage removed.
Total cost for this examination AND the eardrops? 5毛. For those of you keeping score out there, that is precisely 9.3 CENTS Canadian. Amazing.
So, to shorten the story a bit, we went back a week later and had the blockage removed. This was in a MUCH, much nicer building with many modern amenities like waiting room televisions. The removal process cost me 30Z块 and consisted of another doctor shoving a dental vacuum into my ear canal. Intensely uncomfortable but very effective. I can hear perfectly clear out of both ears!
Total cost of the diagnosis, medicine and treatment: 30.5块钱 (Approx. $5.68)
Total cost of the taxi cabs I took to get the diagnosis and such: 80块 ($14.99)
Other than that, I’ve had a very normal few weeks. Lots of going away parties and whatnot. Even made it to a salsa night (attracted by the all you can drink for free policy), though I didn’t dance. Been to a GREAT concert to hear some good quality Chinese punk and indie music.
Unfortunately, I’ve also been blowing a LOT of money on having a good time. My budget is slowly slipping toward the 0 mark, and I’m going to have to properly manage what’s left if I don’t want to dip into my (thankfully clear) credit card and student line of credit. I’m happy to come home with no money for the experience, but I’d much rather not be in debt if I can avoid it.
Anyhow, I’m sorry if I’ve rambled. That’s what happens when you don’t update for a long time. I’m going to REALLY try and make an effort to update a little bit a lot more often, instead of 1700 words at one time. If you read it all, I’m impressed.
I’d like to end this by wishing Peter a quick convalescence and that I’m just as worried as everyone else about his health. I’m glad he was somewhere that prompt and quality medical treatment was available, as this is what is going to make the difference between future problems and a complete recovery. My thoughts are with the Stivens and Peter as he gets better.
Thanks again, hope everyone is well,
Nathan
This is EXACTLY what it looked like when we were there. Okay, not really. That reflection is from a massive reflecting pool that surrounds the whole structure. Unfortunately, the only time I've seen the Egg is when it's been emptied for maintenance and for the winter. Still, it's a magnificent building.
Myself and Kar-Men posing in the international 'Wood-Family-Represent' pose.
Also at James' going away party. I may have had a few to drink by this point. Notice the 'stash though!
The group that went to the Opera! This was the entrance way (the reflecting pool was directly above this; it's a glass skylight that's usually underwater)
See what I mean when I say James collects friends? He's in the middle with the yellow rose over his chest. How many of you could get THIS many people who you've known for 3 months to come out for your going away thing?
This is just another 'stash highlight. Notice the gap where I'm apparently incapable growing hair? Hint: corners of my mouth. Remember, I have shaved like that every day for 21 days.Wednesday, November 19, 2008
I know, I know. I'm late.
I've written this entry THREE times now. And we're not talking a 4-line update. We're talking the longest entry to date. Three times. 2 weeks worth of updates on my life and not ONE try has saved over the three days I've written them.
I'm not really in the mood to re-write it again at the moment, so what I'm going to do is write them in Word tonight or tomorrow and post them.
As an added bonus for your patience, I'll make sure to post a bunch of photos at the end.
Sorry folks.
I'm not really in the mood to re-write it again at the moment, so what I'm going to do is write them in Word tonight or tomorrow and post them.
As an added bonus for your patience, I'll make sure to post a bunch of photos at the end.
Sorry folks.
Friday, November 7, 2008
Movember: A Novel Approach to Cancer Fundraising
Hello everyone.
This is most certainly NOT spam, and is important that it be read. If you decide not to contribute, I fully understand and thank you for the time taken to read and understand why I've sent you all the e-mail. Below are details on exactly what I'm doing and how you can donate or contribute to a very important and very noble cause.
During Movember (the month formerly known as November) I'm growing a Moustache. That's right I'm bringing the Mo back because I'm passionate about tackling men's health issues and being proactive in the fight against prostate cancer.
To donate to my Mo you can either:
1.
Click this link https://www.movember.com/ca/donate/donate-details.php?action=sponsorlink®o=2022056&country=ca and donate online using your credit card or PayPal account, or
2.
Write a cheque payable to the ‘Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada', referencing my Registration Number 2022056 and mailing it to:
Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada
Attn: Movember
145 Front Street East
Suite 306
Toronto Ontario M5A 1E3
I will provide updates to this every few days on my 'mospace' page ( http://ca.movember.com/mospace/2022056) , which tracks both the amount donated and is home to a blog where I can show everyone both the epicness of my red moustache and give everyone an idea of how a moustachioed foreigner gets along in Beijing.
Remember, this is an international charity organization, but the money you donate is sent directly to the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada. As such, the website for credit card donations is 110% safe and uses a system world renowned for how safe your information is. You will not receive any spam e-mail, nor will anyone have ANY unpermitted access to your identity.
I've felt the effects of cancer on loved ones and friends. I'm sure many of you have as well. Remember that every dime helps to fund the crucial research for a cure.
Thanks for your time and your contributions. Any questions can of course me directed to either me or the website of the Movember event.
As an added bonus, I will (on the mospace page) post a photo of the burgeoning 'stache' in front of any and all historic Beijing monuments and locales!
Thanks again.
Love and regards,
Nathan
This is most certainly NOT spam, and is important that it be read. If you decide not to contribute, I fully understand and thank you for the time taken to read and understand why I've sent you all the e-mail. Below are details on exactly what I'm doing and how you can donate or contribute to a very important and very noble cause.
During Movember (the month formerly known as November) I'm growing a Moustache. That's right I'm bringing the Mo back because I'm passionate about tackling men's health issues and being proactive in the fight against prostate cancer.
To donate to my Mo you can either:
1.
Click this link https://www.movember.com/c
2.
Write a cheque payable to the ‘Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada', referencing my Registration Number 2022056 and mailing it to:
Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada
Attn: Movember
145 Front Street East
Suite 306
Toronto Ontario M5A 1E3
I will provide updates to this every few days on my 'mospace' page ( http://ca.movember.com/mos
Remember, this is an international charity organization, but the money you donate is sent directly to the Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada. As such, the website for credit card donations is 110% safe and uses a system world renowned for how safe your information is. You will not receive any spam e-mail, nor will anyone have ANY unpermitted access to your identity.
I've felt the effects of cancer on loved ones and friends. I'm sure many of you have as well. Remember that every dime helps to fund the crucial research for a cure.
Thanks for your time and your contributions. Any questions can of course me directed to either me or the website of the Movember event.
As an added bonus, I will (on the mospace page) post a photo of the burgeoning 'stache' in front of any and all historic Beijing monuments and locales!
Thanks again.
Love and regards,
Nathan
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Another Late One
Hey there. It's been a while (12 days) since my last update, and even then it wasn't quite a 'real' sort of update. So this is an attempt to bring everyone back into the fold. There will be pictures from random adventures at the end of the post!
First and foremost, my life has taken on something of a rhythm, which I think is contributing more than anything to my emotional and mental stability. It's nice to know that every Sunday I do laundry and homework, Wednesdays I go to the pub quiz with everyone from BLCU, Thursdays I generally play Beer Pong with Ben and Fridays/Saturdays are up for grabs. My classes are starting to get harder, which is actually nicer than I would like to admit. Everything up until now has largely been review, and though I've been introduced to hundreds of new words, I'm only expected to know a small fraction of them. I'm trying to remember as many as is possible though, in the name of fluency.
Other than that, I've had a few minor adventures and a major one or two in the last little while.
A couple weeks back, when the weather was still wonderfully warm in the daytime and not so windy you can easily be knocked off your bike, Sarah and I visited the grounds of the old Summer Palace. Called 圆明园 (Yuan Ming Yuan), this is largely a well maintained park with wonderful pathways winding around stone bridges, canals, old buildings and ruins. It's actually really interesting because I had been told of the park in a history class at the U of C. The park used to house wooden buildings from hundreds of years ago that was the traditional Summer home of the Qing dynasty. However, it was all burned down when the Western forces invaded Beijing during the 1860's as a part of the 2nd Opium War. The professor mentioned the fact that all that remained was the western style stone buildings that the Chinese had included as an homage to their relations with the west.
Seeing these was actually pretty neat, and I got to give a brief history lesson about 'em to boot!
More school and random stuff. Our quiz team is a regular 4 or 5 people with a few more randomly coming and going, but we've come in 4th place by 1 point for the last 2 weeks. This week we're fairly determined to win the bottle of Jack Daniels that the 1st place team gets.
No more serious drinking shenanigans to report, as I've decided to both conserve a bit of cash and a bit of liver in order to participate more fully when it actually makes sense to go drink a lot of alcohol. That and I just don't really feel like getting hammered with the people who regularly drink around these parts.
This last week I didn't eat dinner on Campus until Sunday though! I had Korean food, Japanese food, pizza, a proper pub burger, Amazing Indian food and Hot pot. It was a good week. Halloween wasn't anything special. I didn't have a fireworks show to work, so I went out for dinner and came back to sleep.
Saturday Sarah, James and I went to a place called 爨底下, which is a village with architecture largely preserved from the Ming dynasty. Wandered there, had lunch, saw a goat slaughtered and prepared for dinner then we left for Beijing. It was actually quite a beautiful place and the atmosphere was far different from Beijing. There was even an oddly placed mountain of corn for people to sit on. I don't know if that is why they had the mountain of corn, but that's sure as hell what we did with it. It was definitely worth the 100元 and 4 hours of highway driving to just get out of Beijing for a day and experience some rural China. Definitely a neat place to see too. Our taxi driver had a bit of a crush on me too; he randomly broke the silence by turning to me and saying "我爱你" (Wo Ai Ni), which translates exactly to 'I love you'. I turned to him, turned to Sarah and James in the back seat who were just as floored as I was, then turned to the cabbie (whose eyes weren't on the road, but on me) and replied that I loved him as well. Surreal.
Anyhow, I did warn you that life wasn't ALL that exciting for the past week or two. I do have midterms coming up like a freight train, so I'm going to post a little more often simply due to being in the room more often.
And now... photos! Enjoy. They're not in any specific order. I just put 'em up in the order I uploaded them.
A sign at YuanMingYuan. I liked how the guy wasn't just climbing, but doing graffiti as well.
Me in front of a pavillion in YuanMingYuan. It's surrounded by this massive concrete maze that's about shoulder height. We couldn't think of a single reason why there would be a maze there, but it was fun to wander.
Ruins of the Old Summer Palace
Chinese tourists taking photos in front of ruins denoting one of the greatest examples of foreign incursion on Chinese soil.
Intact bridge at YMY. Beautiful stonework, all clearly hand carved.
Speakers that piped soft music AND animal sounds. If you can't import animals, have rock-speakers make it sound like you have animals.
Just a neat shot of some weeping willows I particularly liked.
Yes, those are real lily pads. They're about 2-3 feet in diameter and are real. I threw a rock at one to see if they were. They are. People give you funny looks if they catch you throwing rocks at aquatic foliage in a national park.
One of the ubiquitous flower arrangements.
One of my favorite photos of China so far. CuanDiXia at dusk.
This sign translates directly to "I participate, I contribute, I am joyful." Makes sense if you know the Chinese.
This one, on the otherhand, was just amusing. It's on a random back path, against a non-descript tree with no really interesting things within sight.
Sarah, James and I in a pagoda above CuanDiXia
James with his head in the same bell.
Detail of the Iron Incense holder at the temple.
The Incense Holder
CuanDiXia from the Temple
A really beautiful painting painted right onto a wall. No idea how old or by whom.
CuanDiXia street with the Turtle in the background
The Tiger (left), Turtle (middle) and Bat (right), all supposed to be visible in the mountains about CuanDiXia. I can see the turtle really easily, the bat with a little squinting and NOTHING of the tiger.
Signs warning that you may be missing vague shapes in rock.
This is the character for Cuan. It's the traditional form and is incredibly complex but beautiful. It translates to the verb for "To Cook".
Not just old, but high.
Another CuanDiXia street
The whole village is on this massively steep slope. This just sort of gives you perspective of that.
This is the National Center for the Performing Arts. It's adjacent to Tian'an Men square, and pisses off a lot of the Chinese who subscribe to Feng Shui. It's neat, and in the summer is surrounded by a MASSIVE reflecting pool (they had drained it for winter/maintenance when we visited).
Sunset after a rainstorm taken from a balcony on my floor. I just liked the colors!
That's it for now! Tune in next week for another update and hopefully more photos.
First and foremost, my life has taken on something of a rhythm, which I think is contributing more than anything to my emotional and mental stability. It's nice to know that every Sunday I do laundry and homework, Wednesdays I go to the pub quiz with everyone from BLCU, Thursdays I generally play Beer Pong with Ben and Fridays/Saturdays are up for grabs. My classes are starting to get harder, which is actually nicer than I would like to admit. Everything up until now has largely been review, and though I've been introduced to hundreds of new words, I'm only expected to know a small fraction of them. I'm trying to remember as many as is possible though, in the name of fluency.
Other than that, I've had a few minor adventures and a major one or two in the last little while.
A couple weeks back, when the weather was still wonderfully warm in the daytime and not so windy you can easily be knocked off your bike, Sarah and I visited the grounds of the old Summer Palace. Called 圆明园 (Yuan Ming Yuan), this is largely a well maintained park with wonderful pathways winding around stone bridges, canals, old buildings and ruins. It's actually really interesting because I had been told of the park in a history class at the U of C. The park used to house wooden buildings from hundreds of years ago that was the traditional Summer home of the Qing dynasty. However, it was all burned down when the Western forces invaded Beijing during the 1860's as a part of the 2nd Opium War. The professor mentioned the fact that all that remained was the western style stone buildings that the Chinese had included as an homage to their relations with the west.
Seeing these was actually pretty neat, and I got to give a brief history lesson about 'em to boot!
More school and random stuff. Our quiz team is a regular 4 or 5 people with a few more randomly coming and going, but we've come in 4th place by 1 point for the last 2 weeks. This week we're fairly determined to win the bottle of Jack Daniels that the 1st place team gets.
No more serious drinking shenanigans to report, as I've decided to both conserve a bit of cash and a bit of liver in order to participate more fully when it actually makes sense to go drink a lot of alcohol. That and I just don't really feel like getting hammered with the people who regularly drink around these parts.
This last week I didn't eat dinner on Campus until Sunday though! I had Korean food, Japanese food, pizza, a proper pub burger, Amazing Indian food and Hot pot. It was a good week. Halloween wasn't anything special. I didn't have a fireworks show to work, so I went out for dinner and came back to sleep.
Saturday Sarah, James and I went to a place called 爨底下, which is a village with architecture largely preserved from the Ming dynasty. Wandered there, had lunch, saw a goat slaughtered and prepared for dinner then we left for Beijing. It was actually quite a beautiful place and the atmosphere was far different from Beijing. There was even an oddly placed mountain of corn for people to sit on. I don't know if that is why they had the mountain of corn, but that's sure as hell what we did with it. It was definitely worth the 100元 and 4 hours of highway driving to just get out of Beijing for a day and experience some rural China. Definitely a neat place to see too. Our taxi driver had a bit of a crush on me too; he randomly broke the silence by turning to me and saying "我爱你" (Wo Ai Ni), which translates exactly to 'I love you'. I turned to him, turned to Sarah and James in the back seat who were just as floored as I was, then turned to the cabbie (whose eyes weren't on the road, but on me) and replied that I loved him as well. Surreal.
Anyhow, I did warn you that life wasn't ALL that exciting for the past week or two. I do have midterms coming up like a freight train, so I'm going to post a little more often simply due to being in the room more often.
And now... photos! Enjoy. They're not in any specific order. I just put 'em up in the order I uploaded them.
A sign at YuanMingYuan. I liked how the guy wasn't just climbing, but doing graffiti as well.
Me in front of a pavillion in YuanMingYuan. It's surrounded by this massive concrete maze that's about shoulder height. We couldn't think of a single reason why there would be a maze there, but it was fun to wander.
Ruins of the Old Summer Palace
Chinese tourists taking photos in front of ruins denoting one of the greatest examples of foreign incursion on Chinese soil.
Intact bridge at YMY. Beautiful stonework, all clearly hand carved.
Speakers that piped soft music AND animal sounds. If you can't import animals, have rock-speakers make it sound like you have animals.
Just a neat shot of some weeping willows I particularly liked.
Yes, those are real lily pads. They're about 2-3 feet in diameter and are real. I threw a rock at one to see if they were. They are. People give you funny looks if they catch you throwing rocks at aquatic foliage in a national park.
One of the ubiquitous flower arrangements.
One of my favorite photos of China so far. CuanDiXia at dusk.
This sign translates directly to "I participate, I contribute, I am joyful." Makes sense if you know the Chinese.
This one, on the otherhand, was just amusing. It's on a random back path, against a non-descript tree with no really interesting things within sight.
Sarah, James and I in a pagoda above CuanDiXia
James with his head in the same bell.
Detail of the Iron Incense holder at the temple.
The Incense Holder
CuanDiXia from the Temple
A really beautiful painting painted right onto a wall. No idea how old or by whom.
CuanDiXia street with the Turtle in the background
The Tiger (left), Turtle (middle) and Bat (right), all supposed to be visible in the mountains about CuanDiXia. I can see the turtle really easily, the bat with a little squinting and NOTHING of the tiger.
Signs warning that you may be missing vague shapes in rock.
This is the character for Cuan. It's the traditional form and is incredibly complex but beautiful. It translates to the verb for "To Cook".
Not just old, but high.
Another CuanDiXia street
The whole village is on this massively steep slope. This just sort of gives you perspective of that.
This is the National Center for the Performing Arts. It's adjacent to Tian'an Men square, and pisses off a lot of the Chinese who subscribe to Feng Shui. It's neat, and in the summer is surrounded by a MASSIVE reflecting pool (they had drained it for winter/maintenance when we visited).
Sunset after a rainstorm taken from a balcony on my floor. I just liked the colors!That's it for now! Tune in next week for another update and hopefully more photos.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Disclaimer Required
I'm going to preface this (entirely late) update with a disclaimer. For unknown reasons (read: coffee at 10:00pm) I managed to toss and turn my way through a colossal 2 hours of sleep last night. As a result, I'm barely lucid. Combine this with hours in front of the computer doing nothing important and a 2 hour bike ride around campus to clear my head, I'm getting that panicky edge of extreme exhaustion. I'm trying to turn that 'edge' to a good purpose in updating you all on my past 10 days or so.
During the time in Beijing I've had to experience a LOT of cultural and social adjustments to living on my own, living on campus, learning another language and being in a foreign nation.
I've spoken to cab drivers in mandarin while they reply in English (with some semblance of understanding hopefully passing through the mishmash of poor language skills).
I've been told that 'Oh! You're from Canada? I have heard that you have REALLY good Kebabs there..' How's that for a stereotype.
I've eaten ox spinal cord, entire fish (sans viscera), boiled meat (Hot Pot is a new found addiction), black fungus (mushrooms that more closely resemble firm seaweed), a pot of hot chopped hot chilies with a few slivers of beef, unidentifiable skewers of meat from streetside vendors for $0.10 CAD apiece and the occasional banana.
I've drank gallons of beer I can barely stand the smell of at home, smoked a few very terrible Chinese cigarettes and cigars, enjoyed a decent hookah or two with some friends at the local college pubs and found out what 'fake' (illegally distilled, methanol-heavy) vodka and spirits does to the body. I've learned that waking up at noon facing the wrong way in your bed with your shoes on and feet on your pillow is a really awful way to realize that you don't really remember anything of the previous evening. I've done it again that same night after a hot shower, a breakfast at the local pub and previously made plans with a big group of people I couldn't in good conscience change.
I've turned down drugs. I've thought about enjoying them, then realized that I have an addictive personality and that the punishments are far too severe should I be caught.
I've ridden a bicycle more in 1 month than in the previous 10 years. I've walked more than in the past 2 years. I've learned that 'cold' is subjective, and that wearing shorts and a tee-shirt in Beijing on an overcast day at 14 degrees will get you even more strange looks than merely being a brighter shade of human.
I've learned to 'deal' with being a minority and being laughed at for being another color and ethnicity. I've not returned that particular favor out of consideration for the way it can make you feel.
I've seen toddlers defecate on the floor of a crowded mall with no one making any effort to stop them. I've also seen a dozen kids having the time of their life riding a single, rickety old bike in the concrete courtyard of run down apartment complex a few km away from campus. I kicked myself both times for not sucking it up and bringing my 'heavy' camera with me.
I've decided that actually trying to find something identifiable to eat is no longer a hassle I can deal with. Point and pray is a new way of life for me. I will no longer be afraid of Canadian food that is called 'spicey'. That's a misnomer.
I've been offered tea in a poorer part of town by a very pleasant older couple just pouring two cups of tea outside their tiny, crumbling brick room. I had enough Chinese to thank them and introduce myself, but not to understand what they were saying in return.
I've learned how incredibly easy it is to communicate with nothing but a smile and a nod of your head.
I've also learned that not knowing how to ask 'do you have toilet paper for sale' can be among the most frustrating moments I've ever suffered.
I've had some awesome times with people I never would have thought could be friends.
I've been so bored and lonely that I've just gone outside and watched people because I ran out of things to amuse me on the internet.
I've had fun. I've been so frustrated it's nearly brought me to tears. I've experienced more loneliness in 1 month than in 22 years previous.
I've questioned where my life is headed. I've replanned what the next 10 years of my life might look like a dozen times and can't decide on how I'm going to balance my life, my goals and the need for money.
I've budgeted. I've scrimped and saved on stupid petty things and I've spent 700元 on beer and concert tickets at the drop of a hat because I didn't have anything else to do. I've kept a daily running tally and budget that lets me know how much money I have to spend every day before I leave.
I've ignored that budget when it's inconvenient, only to realize that I have the resources, capability and support (thanks Mom and Dad) to bounce back from any financial setbacks that this 'experience of a lifetime' might cause me.
I've run out of energy to continue this stream of consciousness. It's interesting for me too, though I'm not going to go back and read what I wrote. It's more fun if it's unedited.
P.S.: I had a couple tests. I got 98% on the listening and 99% on the comprehensive. They weren't big tests, more so 'big' quizzes. Still, it makes me wonder just how much I'm going to be getting out of these classes.
Hope everyone is well. I'm going to reply to any e-mails that I've neglected right now.
Regards,
Nathan
During the time in Beijing I've had to experience a LOT of cultural and social adjustments to living on my own, living on campus, learning another language and being in a foreign nation.
I've spoken to cab drivers in mandarin while they reply in English (with some semblance of understanding hopefully passing through the mishmash of poor language skills).
I've been told that 'Oh! You're from Canada? I have heard that you have REALLY good Kebabs there..' How's that for a stereotype.
I've eaten ox spinal cord, entire fish (sans viscera), boiled meat (Hot Pot is a new found addiction), black fungus (mushrooms that more closely resemble firm seaweed), a pot of hot chopped hot chilies with a few slivers of beef, unidentifiable skewers of meat from streetside vendors for $0.10 CAD apiece and the occasional banana.
I've drank gallons of beer I can barely stand the smell of at home, smoked a few very terrible Chinese cigarettes and cigars, enjoyed a decent hookah or two with some friends at the local college pubs and found out what 'fake' (illegally distilled, methanol-heavy) vodka and spirits does to the body. I've learned that waking up at noon facing the wrong way in your bed with your shoes on and feet on your pillow is a really awful way to realize that you don't really remember anything of the previous evening. I've done it again that same night after a hot shower, a breakfast at the local pub and previously made plans with a big group of people I couldn't in good conscience change.
I've turned down drugs. I've thought about enjoying them, then realized that I have an addictive personality and that the punishments are far too severe should I be caught.
I've ridden a bicycle more in 1 month than in the previous 10 years. I've walked more than in the past 2 years. I've learned that 'cold' is subjective, and that wearing shorts and a tee-shirt in Beijing on an overcast day at 14 degrees will get you even more strange looks than merely being a brighter shade of human.
I've learned to 'deal' with being a minority and being laughed at for being another color and ethnicity. I've not returned that particular favor out of consideration for the way it can make you feel.
I've seen toddlers defecate on the floor of a crowded mall with no one making any effort to stop them. I've also seen a dozen kids having the time of their life riding a single, rickety old bike in the concrete courtyard of run down apartment complex a few km away from campus. I kicked myself both times for not sucking it up and bringing my 'heavy' camera with me.
I've decided that actually trying to find something identifiable to eat is no longer a hassle I can deal with. Point and pray is a new way of life for me. I will no longer be afraid of Canadian food that is called 'spicey'. That's a misnomer.
I've been offered tea in a poorer part of town by a very pleasant older couple just pouring two cups of tea outside their tiny, crumbling brick room. I had enough Chinese to thank them and introduce myself, but not to understand what they were saying in return.
I've learned how incredibly easy it is to communicate with nothing but a smile and a nod of your head.
I've also learned that not knowing how to ask 'do you have toilet paper for sale' can be among the most frustrating moments I've ever suffered.
I've had some awesome times with people I never would have thought could be friends.
I've been so bored and lonely that I've just gone outside and watched people because I ran out of things to amuse me on the internet.
I've had fun. I've been so frustrated it's nearly brought me to tears. I've experienced more loneliness in 1 month than in 22 years previous.
I've questioned where my life is headed. I've replanned what the next 10 years of my life might look like a dozen times and can't decide on how I'm going to balance my life, my goals and the need for money.
I've budgeted. I've scrimped and saved on stupid petty things and I've spent 700元 on beer and concert tickets at the drop of a hat because I didn't have anything else to do. I've kept a daily running tally and budget that lets me know how much money I have to spend every day before I leave.
I've ignored that budget when it's inconvenient, only to realize that I have the resources, capability and support (thanks Mom and Dad) to bounce back from any financial setbacks that this 'experience of a lifetime' might cause me.
I've run out of energy to continue this stream of consciousness. It's interesting for me too, though I'm not going to go back and read what I wrote. It's more fun if it's unedited.
P.S.: I had a couple tests. I got 98% on the listening and 99% on the comprehensive. They weren't big tests, more so 'big' quizzes. Still, it makes me wonder just how much I'm going to be getting out of these classes.
Hope everyone is well. I'm going to reply to any e-mails that I've neglected right now.
Regards,
Nathan
Friday, October 10, 2008
Short One
To follow the ridiculously long one I posted a week or so ago.
Sorry about the lack of updates; been busy living life!
I had a fairly fun week, though it got a little expensive by the end of it.
I went salsa dancing (well... I went 'live cuban band watching' more so than dancing, as I'm incapable). Let me tell you that there are some phenomenally talented salsa dancers in Beijing. These Chinese couples were putting Cubanos to shame!
Went out for various sorts of dinners; Hot Pot (which I have to photograph, as it's a right interesting way to eat a meal), Thai, Japanese and Pizza.
Last night I played my first ever Beer Pong game against a fairly loud and obnoxious American from Pennsylvania at the Pizza place where Sarah and I were having a dinner and a beer. We were challenged and we lost (though not by much). Chugging 8 beer between us after 2 pitchers worth alongside dinner (a massive pizza) nearly had us both puking simply due to being over full.
We sat out the next 5 or 6 games (the American randomly grabbed partners and won them all). Then I got dragged back over to the table and proceeded to kick the ass of 4 or 5 more challengers before the American and I were dethroned.
Fun, but it's a gross way to drink bad beer.
Anyhow, today I'm going for a bike ride to Ye He Yuan (The Summer Palace) to take some photos and get some exercise because it's such a wonderful day out.
Tonight some random dude off of Facebook and I are going to go to Mao Live House to listen to a Chinese punk band named PK-14. Should be fun.
I'll post more often, I promise! Just wanted to give you all some time to read the mammoth posts below this one :p.
Hope everyone's well,
Nathan
Sorry about the lack of updates; been busy living life!
I had a fairly fun week, though it got a little expensive by the end of it.
I went salsa dancing (well... I went 'live cuban band watching' more so than dancing, as I'm incapable). Let me tell you that there are some phenomenally talented salsa dancers in Beijing. These Chinese couples were putting Cubanos to shame!
Went out for various sorts of dinners; Hot Pot (which I have to photograph, as it's a right interesting way to eat a meal), Thai, Japanese and Pizza.
Last night I played my first ever Beer Pong game against a fairly loud and obnoxious American from Pennsylvania at the Pizza place where Sarah and I were having a dinner and a beer. We were challenged and we lost (though not by much). Chugging 8 beer between us after 2 pitchers worth alongside dinner (a massive pizza) nearly had us both puking simply due to being over full.
We sat out the next 5 or 6 games (the American randomly grabbed partners and won them all). Then I got dragged back over to the table and proceeded to kick the ass of 4 or 5 more challengers before the American and I were dethroned.
Fun, but it's a gross way to drink bad beer.
Anyhow, today I'm going for a bike ride to Ye He Yuan (The Summer Palace) to take some photos and get some exercise because it's such a wonderful day out.
Tonight some random dude off of Facebook and I are going to go to Mao Live House to listen to a Chinese punk band named PK-14. Should be fun.
I'll post more often, I promise! Just wanted to give you all some time to read the mammoth posts below this one :p.
Hope everyone's well,
Nathan
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Liuyang Day 2
I promised pictures, and there are a BUNCH following this entry. Stay tuned. I have to warn you, this is a LONG entry. Longest by far yet. Still, it sums up the trip quite nicely.
Well, my second day in Liuyang was definitely the best. I was picked up in the morning by Amy and Mr. Xu at the crack of 9:30; giving me enough time to enjoy a morning steam-shower and breakfast buffet.
Once I was in the car, Amy informed me I would be taken on a bit of a sightseeing tour of Liuyang. We stopped about 15 minutes from the hotel and wandered around the downtown area for a bit; just looking at the concrete marvel of the Liuyang River (浏阳河). Tons of people were fishing from the bridge and off the bridge (from 100 feet above the water, no less). It was quite interesting, in a stark and austere sort of way.
After that, we wandered into a park and Mr. Xu and Amy disappeared for a few minutes, leaving me to take a few photos of the park gates and temple nearby. After asking about the temple when they returned, they asked if I wanted to take a look inside. Of course I did, so we went up to the entrance, just outside of which a few groups of people were burning funerary 'money' in massive cauldrons full of coals as a way to honor their ancestors and dead loved ones. The money was just yellow tissue paper covered in writing, but there was smoke and ashes floating through the air all around the concrete temple 25 feet from a busy road. It was a little bizarre, but quite beautiful.
We then entered the temple, where there was incense lit in every corner and gold painted statues of 3 famous figures (about whom I couldn't get a detailed story of). My camera wasn't allowed out of it's bag inside the temple, which I understood, and I had to perform the basic bowing and prayer gestures as instructed by the temple keepers before we were given free reign to explore a bit. After wandering around the tiny interior, we exited the building and got back in the car to head out toward the countryside to visit 像象 (Xiang4Xiang4) Rock, or 'Resembles Elephant' Rock. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I didn't particularly mind as the countryside was very beautiful regardless.
After about an hour in the car, we pulled up to this MASSIVE cliff side in the middle of a range of small mountains. The mountain had been carved by rainfall and water for thousands of years until a little bit of it, from the right angle and a lot of imagination, looked somewhat like an elephants trunk. Yeah, I didn't really see it. I've got a photo later, so you can be the judge. At the bottom of this cliff was a large pond (or small lake) with a dozen or so flat-bottomed river barges anchored at the shore. I stepped onto one of these boats to get a better angle for a photo, and was jolted when Mr. Xu pushed it off from the shore and we started moving around the little lake!
There were a few other boats on the water, mostly filled with kids and adolescents playing in the water and on the ladders dangling from the cliff. It was a lot of fun and I ended up stealing one of the boats from the kids. To be fair, they boarded our boat in an act of aggression first, making my actions defensable by the laws of the sea!
After a couple hours sweating profusely (it was 35 degrees), we left the area and headed back to the town of Guandu for lunch. More chili-laden food, but amazingly tasty nevertheless. I joked that when I got back to Beijing, all the food would be totally flavorless because there weren't any chilis! After lunch we headed for the Cake and Shell factory of Guandu fireworks (where I would be visiting next).
We arrived and were greeted by the production manager for the factory. A young gentleman of about 25-28, he wasn't particularly talkative, unlike the manager for the factory from the previous afternoon. Still, the factory was MASSIVE, employing over 600 people in the various operations and covering over 2 square kilometers. I asked how big it was exactly, and the manager only said "It takes 8 hours to walk to all four corners of the factory". Big.
We toured the cake production likes and the shell production lines, but unfortunately the shell side was cut a bit short because it was getting too hot out for production to continue (fire hazards apparently, though I don't really see how or why). It was VERY interesting to see the production lines though, and the workers all pointed at me and smiled when they saw my camera.
After the tour, I had my ass parked in an air-conditioned room for a few hours to watch a DVD of the Liuyang International Fireworks Competition from last year. If anyone from the Canadian industry is watching this, I tell you that we have never seen a truly 'big' show. There was one show out of the four, from a French company called J.C.O., that was probably the size of 4 Laronde shows put together, and less length to boot. They ripped the sky apart. Nowhere near as artful as the shows we see regularly, but an order of magnitude bigger.
Later that evening, after meeting a couple Americans from Flashing Thunder (incidentally the hosts of PGI next year) and chatting with them for a bit, we were all led to the back of the building for a demonstration. More shells, more cakes. No photos because I was taking notes, but interesting effects that I've never personally seen before.
Tim, Bob, Dan and Maggi: This is an aside for you. The manager of another factory who makes stage fireworks was there. His gerbs were hands down the most amazing chinese products I've ever seen. Absolutely smokeless and odorless silver fountains that were 6 feet high and 2 minutes in duration (with NO perceptible loss of height or choking off). A gold gerb that was 60 seconds long and 5 meters high with the most amazing multi-branching sparks I've ever seen. My jaw was hanging open after that one and Yuleoh (from Aurora) laughed and asked if I had found a favorite. These were amazing.
Anyways, after that it was fairly late and we went for a late supper, just John (owner of Aurora), Amy and myself at another small restaurant. Was dropped off at my hotel and woke up the next morning to begin the trip home. I had to fly economy class this time, which was just dreadful; bundled in amongst the cattle like that. I don't suggest you try it. I'm kidding, of course; the flight back was enjoyable and uneventful. Met Mr. Han (The Chinese Oilman from the flight down) at Beijing International when I landed and agreed to call him for lunch or dinner sometime in the next week or two.
All in all, the trip was a resounding success and only marginally more expensive than I had budgeted for. The start was a bit rocky, but it turned out to be an amazing experience and I learned a lot about how the fireworks industry in China is run and how their production processes are laid out. It was educational, interesting and a lot of fun. I wasn't lying when I repeatedly said to Yuleoh, John and Amy that I will definitely return to Liuyang sometime in the future.
Alright kids, here come the photos! These are links to larger versions, so if you want more detail just click the image to open a bigger one. There are a lot, but only small captions by each one.
My Hotel's Lobby
Chrysanthemum Stones. These are another famous export of Liuyang, and are fossilized sea anemones extracted from the mountains in Liuyang county. Artisans often carve the stone around the Chrysanthemums. This particular one was about 4 feet tall and cost about 36000 yuan (about CAD $5700)
Me in front of Liuyang River
Amy in front of same.
Mr. Xu and Amy at the park in Liuyang. That's not a temple or anything at the top; just a tower for the public.
Entrance to the temple. That's all incense in the holder to the right
Boats and such tethered in the pool by Resembles Elephant. I liked the colors
Me! Resembles Elephant is in the background.
Mr. Xu and Me at the Resemble Elephant Rock
Kids boarding our boat in an act of piracy!
Making his getaway
Boats and such tethered in the pool by Resembles Elephant. I liked the colors
Me! Resembles Elephant is in the background.
A worker cautiously and carefully (read: frighteningly fast) measuring lift for cakes.
The star production line of the first factory. The building in the foreground is on the powder production line
A lady putting effects into tubes with lift in them. The lady in the background (hard to see) is tamping the effects and putting those damned paper caps on top
Tube plug production. These two churned out an easy 40 in the 5 or 6 minutes we were there
Cake tubes in the sun letting the glue dry
A man pressing cylindrical stars with a mallet and a bronze form. He was making them so quickly it was mind-boggling
Piles of coal next to the boilers. These produce the steam used to heat the drying rooms.
Cakes being fused together
Lady putting effects tubes into fused and lifted cakes. Apparently she makes about 200 per day (I have no idea how long their 'day' is)
Anyone from the industry see a familiar shape in this logo? Guandu has no affiliation with Dancing, despite almost identical logos.
That's rice. ALL the roads had massive swathes of rice drying in the daytime heat on the roads all around the countryside.
Well, my second day in Liuyang was definitely the best. I was picked up in the morning by Amy and Mr. Xu at the crack of 9:30; giving me enough time to enjoy a morning steam-shower and breakfast buffet.
Once I was in the car, Amy informed me I would be taken on a bit of a sightseeing tour of Liuyang. We stopped about 15 minutes from the hotel and wandered around the downtown area for a bit; just looking at the concrete marvel of the Liuyang River (浏阳河). Tons of people were fishing from the bridge and off the bridge (from 100 feet above the water, no less). It was quite interesting, in a stark and austere sort of way.
After that, we wandered into a park and Mr. Xu and Amy disappeared for a few minutes, leaving me to take a few photos of the park gates and temple nearby. After asking about the temple when they returned, they asked if I wanted to take a look inside. Of course I did, so we went up to the entrance, just outside of which a few groups of people were burning funerary 'money' in massive cauldrons full of coals as a way to honor their ancestors and dead loved ones. The money was just yellow tissue paper covered in writing, but there was smoke and ashes floating through the air all around the concrete temple 25 feet from a busy road. It was a little bizarre, but quite beautiful.
We then entered the temple, where there was incense lit in every corner and gold painted statues of 3 famous figures (about whom I couldn't get a detailed story of). My camera wasn't allowed out of it's bag inside the temple, which I understood, and I had to perform the basic bowing and prayer gestures as instructed by the temple keepers before we were given free reign to explore a bit. After wandering around the tiny interior, we exited the building and got back in the car to head out toward the countryside to visit 像象 (Xiang4Xiang4) Rock, or 'Resembles Elephant' Rock. I wasn't sure what to expect, but I didn't particularly mind as the countryside was very beautiful regardless.
After about an hour in the car, we pulled up to this MASSIVE cliff side in the middle of a range of small mountains. The mountain had been carved by rainfall and water for thousands of years until a little bit of it, from the right angle and a lot of imagination, looked somewhat like an elephants trunk. Yeah, I didn't really see it. I've got a photo later, so you can be the judge. At the bottom of this cliff was a large pond (or small lake) with a dozen or so flat-bottomed river barges anchored at the shore. I stepped onto one of these boats to get a better angle for a photo, and was jolted when Mr. Xu pushed it off from the shore and we started moving around the little lake!
There were a few other boats on the water, mostly filled with kids and adolescents playing in the water and on the ladders dangling from the cliff. It was a lot of fun and I ended up stealing one of the boats from the kids. To be fair, they boarded our boat in an act of aggression first, making my actions defensable by the laws of the sea!
After a couple hours sweating profusely (it was 35 degrees), we left the area and headed back to the town of Guandu for lunch. More chili-laden food, but amazingly tasty nevertheless. I joked that when I got back to Beijing, all the food would be totally flavorless because there weren't any chilis! After lunch we headed for the Cake and Shell factory of Guandu fireworks (where I would be visiting next).
We arrived and were greeted by the production manager for the factory. A young gentleman of about 25-28, he wasn't particularly talkative, unlike the manager for the factory from the previous afternoon. Still, the factory was MASSIVE, employing over 600 people in the various operations and covering over 2 square kilometers. I asked how big it was exactly, and the manager only said "It takes 8 hours to walk to all four corners of the factory". Big.
We toured the cake production likes and the shell production lines, but unfortunately the shell side was cut a bit short because it was getting too hot out for production to continue (fire hazards apparently, though I don't really see how or why). It was VERY interesting to see the production lines though, and the workers all pointed at me and smiled when they saw my camera.
After the tour, I had my ass parked in an air-conditioned room for a few hours to watch a DVD of the Liuyang International Fireworks Competition from last year. If anyone from the Canadian industry is watching this, I tell you that we have never seen a truly 'big' show. There was one show out of the four, from a French company called J.C.O., that was probably the size of 4 Laronde shows put together, and less length to boot. They ripped the sky apart. Nowhere near as artful as the shows we see regularly, but an order of magnitude bigger.
Later that evening, after meeting a couple Americans from Flashing Thunder (incidentally the hosts of PGI next year) and chatting with them for a bit, we were all led to the back of the building for a demonstration. More shells, more cakes. No photos because I was taking notes, but interesting effects that I've never personally seen before.
Tim, Bob, Dan and Maggi: This is an aside for you. The manager of another factory who makes stage fireworks was there. His gerbs were hands down the most amazing chinese products I've ever seen. Absolutely smokeless and odorless silver fountains that were 6 feet high and 2 minutes in duration (with NO perceptible loss of height or choking off). A gold gerb that was 60 seconds long and 5 meters high with the most amazing multi-branching sparks I've ever seen. My jaw was hanging open after that one and Yuleoh (from Aurora) laughed and asked if I had found a favorite. These were amazing.
Anyways, after that it was fairly late and we went for a late supper, just John (owner of Aurora), Amy and myself at another small restaurant. Was dropped off at my hotel and woke up the next morning to begin the trip home. I had to fly economy class this time, which was just dreadful; bundled in amongst the cattle like that. I don't suggest you try it. I'm kidding, of course; the flight back was enjoyable and uneventful. Met Mr. Han (The Chinese Oilman from the flight down) at Beijing International when I landed and agreed to call him for lunch or dinner sometime in the next week or two.
All in all, the trip was a resounding success and only marginally more expensive than I had budgeted for. The start was a bit rocky, but it turned out to be an amazing experience and I learned a lot about how the fireworks industry in China is run and how their production processes are laid out. It was educational, interesting and a lot of fun. I wasn't lying when I repeatedly said to Yuleoh, John and Amy that I will definitely return to Liuyang sometime in the future.
Alright kids, here come the photos! These are links to larger versions, so if you want more detail just click the image to open a bigger one. There are a lot, but only small captions by each one.
My Hotel's Lobby
Chrysanthemum Stones. These are another famous export of Liuyang, and are fossilized sea anemones extracted from the mountains in Liuyang county. Artisans often carve the stone around the Chrysanthemums. This particular one was about 4 feet tall and cost about 36000 yuan (about CAD $5700)
Me in front of Liuyang River
Amy in front of same.
Mr. Xu and Amy at the park in Liuyang. That's not a temple or anything at the top; just a tower for the public.
Entrance to the temple. That's all incense in the holder to the right
Boats and such tethered in the pool by Resembles Elephant. I liked the colors
Me! Resembles Elephant is in the background.
Mr. Xu and Me at the Resemble Elephant Rock
Kids boarding our boat in an act of piracy!
Making his getaway
Boats and such tethered in the pool by Resembles Elephant. I liked the colors
Me! Resembles Elephant is in the background.
A worker cautiously and carefully (read: frighteningly fast) measuring lift for cakes.
The star production line of the first factory. The building in the foreground is on the powder production line
A lady putting effects into tubes with lift in them. The lady in the background (hard to see) is tamping the effects and putting those damned paper caps on top
Tube plug production. These two churned out an easy 40 in the 5 or 6 minutes we were there
Cake tubes in the sun letting the glue dry
A man pressing cylindrical stars with a mallet and a bronze form. He was making them so quickly it was mind-boggling
Piles of coal next to the boilers. These produce the steam used to heat the drying rooms.
Cakes being fused together
Lady putting effects tubes into fused and lifted cakes. Apparently she makes about 200 per day (I have no idea how long their 'day' is)
Anyone from the industry see a familiar shape in this logo? Guandu has no affiliation with Dancing, despite almost identical logos.
That's rice. ALL the roads had massive swathes of rice drying in the daytime heat on the roads all around the countryside.
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