我的辅导
My Fudao (tutor) realizing how bad my written Chinese really is. She wouldn't let me snap a pic of her so set the camera up on the table next to us. Don't tell her...
#136: My So-Called Life
14 years ago
Monday, September 29, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
My Ride
I believe it was the second weekend that IES announced a Hutong Tour via bicycle. Approximately 50 students showed up and we each rented bikes for roughly $1.50. Fifty white people biking through the Hutong’s of Beijing in one massive group was, I’m sure, quite a site to see.Anyways, the tour was awesome. First because you really feel like a local when you’re on a bike. Second, well, there’s nothing quite like trying to share the road with buses, cars, buses, food carts, buses, other bikers, buses, and people. And by share I mean fight.
So the Hutong’s were cool, no one died, and it was 10RMB well spent. But it got me thinking…. I should do this every day….
Let me back up a bit. My homestay, which I should have put in the last post, is right down the street from The Birds Nest (Olympics…). Every morning when I leave for school I can see it; which is pretty awesome. The not-so-awesome part about it is the distance from school. Every morning I have a 30-45 minute bus ride. On this bus I fight for around 100 others for a seat or standing space. Throughout the process, there is a tiny TV on the bus running Chinese propaganda, bad commercials, and last night’s game show highlights.
I don’t like the bus.
So back to the Hutong-bike-tour-day. When I returned the bike I decided it was time to purchase my own. I went home and checked out Google maps to see if the ride would be worth it. When I discovered it was 6 miles (6.02 to be exact) I was sold. I could definitely beat the bus…
I dropped almost 400RMB (around $58) on the sucker, but it does me well. The only thing I don’t like about it is the name; “Gaiety”…. All it needs now are some pink streamers…
My first ride home was just over 35 minutes. The next day I peddled hard and made it in 30:47; so close to sub-30!! Each subsequent time since, I keep hitting 31:00, 33:00, and even 38:00 when I don’t hit the lights. Another contributing factor is that twice the amount of cars are back on the road since the Olympics are over. During the games, only odd numbered licensed plate cars could drive on odd number days, and likewise for even numbered cars. Therefore- half the cars, and faster bike times. Now all the cars are on the road, as well as all the street vendors and their carts (those were outlawed as well). If I have ever had any goal in life… this is it.
Riding my bike to school is like playing a video game. Think of Frogger and Jet Slalom combined. It really is a lot of fun. Having to dodge buses, cars, taxis, the black taxis, street carts, bicycles, and people, I believe there is an average of 3 potential accidents each time I ride. I am happy with this number as it keeps things exciting. I have never looked so forward to going to school before…
Friday, September 26, 2008
A bit about the fam...
Other than the massive language barrier that exists between my host parents and me, I haven’t written too much about the fam.
<-- (Me and mom at a park)
Mom and Dad, or Mama he Baba, or 妈妈和爸爸 are really awesome. Our personalities are really similar in that we are all pretty goofy. Conversations are always tough because I simply don’t understand what they are trying to say, but whenever I do get it, there is usually a laugh that follows.
My Mom works at some sort of supermarket or store and she sells things. I know that sounds pretty vague, but between their accent, no annunciation, and my massive vocabulary – I was pretty excited when I figured it out. Mom leaves the house at 5:30, and Dad wakes up and starts cooking my breakfast.
Breakfast in China sucks.
My dad cooks my breakfast for me every morning and walks around the table while I eat it to make sure it tastes good.
Dad: Hao Chi ma?好吃吗？Taste good?
Me: Hao Chi. 好吃。Tastes good.
Dad: Chi le!吃了！Eat
Dad: Duo Chi Le!多吃了！Eat it all
Dad: Chi! Chi! Chi! 吃吃吃！Eat Eat Eat
Dad: Hao Chi ma?好吃吗？Taste Good?
Me: Hao Chi….好吃。。。(you get the idea…)
This is my typical breakfast routine each morning. When I am done eating, he takes my dishes into the kitchen, washes them for me, and then leaves to go exercise. Speaking of, I’m not allowed in the kitchen. IES told us that we should not enter the kitchen until our family invites us. I didn’t think much of it until I saw how my parents would always close the door to the kitchen when they were done using it, especially when I was in the room. But back to my dad.
Dad is a retired GE employee whose life consists of cooking me food, doing my laundry, and watching TV all day. He discovered my laundry pile on day 3 of being in the house and when I got back from school my clothes were folded neatly in my cabinet (this man is a machine). I really want to help them out with chores (such as laundry) but both of my parents have such a servant attitude towards me and refuse to let me do anything. I am more like an honorary house guest. I tried to help clear the table the other night and my mom told me to go study. (Xuexi!) 学习！
I have hidden my laundry in two other places and he still manages to find it. I can just imagine him going through my room when I leave for school hunting for my clothes; it’s awesome.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
VEEERY NIIICE!
Today we leave for our extended travel!
IES Beijing hosts 3 trips for students. Two into Yunnan province, and one through the northern route of the Silk Road. I had picked the Yunan province since one of the groups down there visits Tibetan peoples and hikes through Himalayas.... but I wasn't selected in the raffle.. ohh well.
Today we fly to Xinjiang province and over the course of two weeks make our way back east towards Xi'an. Xinjiang is on the far northwest corner of China. Kazakastan, Russia, and Mongolia surround it's northern borders. GREAT SUCCESS!
The silk road trip is divided into two groups; english speaking and chinese speaking. Lucky for me I am in the 'you can only speak Chinese on this trip or we will deport you' group.
For a quick refresher on The Silk Road, see the link;
Wikipedia - Silk Road Info
“Wikipedia is the best thing ever. Anyone in the world, can write anything they want about any subject. So you know you are getting the best possible information.” - Michael Scott
No internet for two weeks. I'll catch up on all the posts I should have already written when I get back.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Wo bu dong le (I don't understand....)
Two weeks ago Saturday, I moved in with my host family. This opportunity is something that I was really excited about doing. What better way to experience Chinese culture and language than to be engaged in it daily at home.
IES has somewhat of an awkward, ceremonial process that we all had to undergo. All the students and host families lined up on separate sides of a small courtyard outside. The IES Director would then call out the family name, then the student's; we met in the middle. It was funny to watch the families as they would get there new student. As much as the students were worried about who they would be living with, the families were even more worried.
A common problem with homestays in China is that often the student is used as a show-and-tell throughout the families daily life; they are a status symbol. Most of the families that have abused the whole process have been kicked out of the program, so we were told not to worry too much about it. Anyways, I say that to say this; there are certain characteristics that families like more than others. Me, being tall, western-looking, and a boy makes me something my family is proud of... which is weird...lol.
So back to the process.
My family's name was finally called and soon after so was mine. Awkwardly we walked towards each other and the first thing my new mom said was "He is very tall!" (in Chinese) (she is really short).
Thus began the strangest car ride of my life.
I quickly realized that my Chinese mother spoke no English; she didn't even know hello. It was about 5 minutes into the trip when I had exhausted all of my Chinese that I began to think this might have been a bad idea :)
When we reached the home I was a bit surprised. I am just down the street from the Birds Nest and all the Olympic buildings/parks. In fact, I can see the Birds Nest when I leave my building every morning which is pretty cool.
So anyways, we make it back home and I get to meet my dad. He also speaks no English; brilliant. I spend another 5 minutes in the same conversation, but this time with him. He also discovers that I speak little English. But I am tall, white, and a boy so I think he is happy...
While I begin unpacking my stuff into my room the zhongguo (China) parents begin making Jiaozi's for dinner. I go out and watch and try to converse. Unsuccessful, I return to my room and shuffle things around.
Beijingers have a 'Beijing accent' that sounds something like adding an 'arr' to every word. Think of them as like Chinese Pirates. My parents have a thick one, so much so, that I feel as though a different language is spoken at home than what I am learning at school. My parents also speak very fast which makes understanding them much easier as well.
Our typical everyday conversation looks something like this:
Parents: Kelisi (my chinese name), blah blah blah blah
Me: Shenme? (what?)
Parents: [faster] blah blah blah blah
Me: Wo bu dong le (I don't understand)
Parents: [faster, this time with food in their mouths] blah blah blah blah
Me: Wo bu zhi dao (I don't know)
Regardless of the obvious language barrier, and by barrier I mean Great Wall, Berlin Wall, China's Firewall - all combined, its been an awesome experience thus far. I really like my parents and I am pretty sure they like me as well. They have very fun personalities which makes up for my lack of vocabulary; basically they make fun of what I am trying to say which I am ok with. For now, they are feeding me a lot (more on that later) and making sure I take my umbrella with me when it rains; good parents.
IES has somewhat of an awkward, ceremonial process that we all had to undergo. All the students and host families lined up on separate sides of a small courtyard outside. The IES Director would then call out the family name, then the student's; we met in the middle. It was funny to watch the families as they would get there new student. As much as the students were worried about who they would be living with, the families were even more worried.
A common problem with homestays in China is that often the student is used as a show-and-tell throughout the families daily life; they are a status symbol. Most of the families that have abused the whole process have been kicked out of the program, so we were told not to worry too much about it. Anyways, I say that to say this; there are certain characteristics that families like more than others. Me, being tall, western-looking, and a boy makes me something my family is proud of... which is weird...lol.
So back to the process.
My family's name was finally called and soon after so was mine. Awkwardly we walked towards each other and the first thing my new mom said was "He is very tall!" (in Chinese) (she is really short).
Thus began the strangest car ride of my life.
I quickly realized that my Chinese mother spoke no English; she didn't even know hello. It was about 5 minutes into the trip when I had exhausted all of my Chinese that I began to think this might have been a bad idea :)
When we reached the home I was a bit surprised. I am just down the street from the Birds Nest and all the Olympic buildings/parks. In fact, I can see the Birds Nest when I leave my building every morning which is pretty cool.
So anyways, we make it back home and I get to meet my dad. He also speaks no English; brilliant. I spend another 5 minutes in the same conversation, but this time with him. He also discovers that I speak little English. But I am tall, white, and a boy so I think he is happy...
While I begin unpacking my stuff into my room the zhongguo (China) parents begin making Jiaozi's for dinner. I go out and watch and try to converse. Unsuccessful, I return to my room and shuffle things around.
Beijingers have a 'Beijing accent' that sounds something like adding an 'arr' to every word. Think of them as like Chinese Pirates. My parents have a thick one, so much so, that I feel as though a different language is spoken at home than what I am learning at school. My parents also speak very fast which makes understanding them much easier as well.
Our typical everyday conversation looks something like this:
Parents: Kelisi (my chinese name), blah blah blah blah
Me: Shenme? (what?)
Parents: [faster] blah blah blah blah
Me: Wo bu dong le (I don't understand)
Parents: [faster, this time with food in their mouths] blah blah blah blah
Me: Wo bu zhi dao (I don't know)
Regardless of the obvious language barrier, and by barrier I mean Great Wall, Berlin Wall, China's Firewall - all combined, its been an awesome experience thus far. I really like my parents and I am pretty sure they like me as well. They have very fun personalities which makes up for my lack of vocabulary; basically they make fun of what I am trying to say which I am ok with. For now, they are feeding me a lot (more on that later) and making sure I take my umbrella with me when it rains; good parents.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Language Class Hell
Before studying abroad you are educated on ‘Culture Shock’ in hopes that you will be able to navigate your way through it/around it and have a pleasant time. I have sat through lectures from both TAMU and IES and am well aware of the “4 stages of culture shock one goes through whilst residing in a foreign country”. I think it was Wednesday night when we all felt a little shock, but it had nothing to do with the culture.
The freaking language classes here are ridiculous.
We generally have a least 50 new words every night plus written homework and grammar study. Every day there is a quize and every Friday a test.
Classes start at 8am and are divided into four one-hour sections:
(1) Lesson of the day (group of about 20)
(2) Review the lesson (groups of 5)
(3) Spoken Practice (groups of 5)
(4) Written Practice (groups of 5) (and by far the worst section…)
Language class ends at 12:15, and by this time, we are all ready to start studying Spanish again (oh…it was so easy then… what was I thinking…). It’s really interesting though being in class because it’s a solid 4 hours of speaking in Chinese. Actually, it’s kind of weird when we leave class and start speaking English again.
Speaking of, starting tomorrow we are not allowed to speak English while at school. When on lunch breaks off campus I think we might be allowed but most will probably want to stick with the zhong wen (Chinese language). This is due to the “Language Pledge” we all had to take and it is there to train our brains into ‘thinking in Chinese’ which is really good but more frustrating than anything. For someone who likes to talk a lot, this can be quite a barrier...
From the 4 classes I have been to, I have already been assigned over 150 words. Laoshi (teacher) told us we would be learning around 2,000 this semester. At TAMU, I probably ‘learned’ around 400 in the 2 years I took Chinese class…
Anyways, every student who is enrolled in the language intensive program took a placement test so that we would be with kids at our level. I am proud to say that I am in the lowest class…and that it is still kicking my butt. When I started doing my first night’s homework I think it’s the closest to depression I have ever felt. I distinctly remember thinking “what have I got myself into?!?”
Anyways, typing all this English is making me forget my Chinese. Zaijian for now.
The freaking language classes here are ridiculous.
We generally have a least 50 new words every night plus written homework and grammar study. Every day there is a quize and every Friday a test.
Classes start at 8am and are divided into four one-hour sections:
(1) Lesson of the day (group of about 20)
(2) Review the lesson (groups of 5)
(3) Spoken Practice (groups of 5)
(4) Written Practice (groups of 5) (and by far the worst section…)
Language class ends at 12:15, and by this time, we are all ready to start studying Spanish again (oh…it was so easy then… what was I thinking…). It’s really interesting though being in class because it’s a solid 4 hours of speaking in Chinese. Actually, it’s kind of weird when we leave class and start speaking English again.
Speaking of, starting tomorrow we are not allowed to speak English while at school. When on lunch breaks off campus I think we might be allowed but most will probably want to stick with the zhong wen (Chinese language). This is due to the “Language Pledge” we all had to take and it is there to train our brains into ‘thinking in Chinese’ which is really good but more frustrating than anything. For someone who likes to talk a lot, this can be quite a barrier...
From the 4 classes I have been to, I have already been assigned over 150 words. Laoshi (teacher) told us we would be learning around 2,000 this semester. At TAMU, I probably ‘learned’ around 400 in the 2 years I took Chinese class…
Anyways, every student who is enrolled in the language intensive program took a placement test so that we would be with kids at our level. I am proud to say that I am in the lowest class…and that it is still kicking my butt. When I started doing my first night’s homework I think it’s the closest to depression I have ever felt. I distinctly remember thinking “what have I got myself into?!?”
Anyways, typing all this English is making me forget my Chinese. Zaijian for now.
(1355) 200 1617
Beijing Foreign Studies University, or Beiwai, is located in the University District in Northwest Beijing. The IES Director mentioned on the bus that there are roughly 50 universities in this district. We arrived at the school around 4pm hammered with jet lag.
During check-in, our group was split up in two; home stays and dorms. I’m not sure on the exact number but a little less than half of us are home stays. We find out who our new families will be on Friday or Saturday, but for now, we are in the university hotel. The dorm kid’s rooms are apparently not the nicest. They have communal bathrooms complete with Asian squat pots and more bacteria than people in Beijing. I haven’t seen their rooms yet, but I did here a disgruntled kid today at the market mutter something about “rice bags” while he and about 20 others bought pillows.
Homestay’s, however, are staying at what I like to call –the Beiwai Ritz Carlton. We have our own bedrooms, bathrooms, and living areas – very plush indeed. Our rooms are serviced daily, and now that I think of it, I might need to call concierge to get some more toilet paper. Many of us are joking, however, that this is to compensate us for the next 4 months of living with our home stay family.
This morning (Tuesday) we all took a trip to the Chiaoshita (Supermarket) and loaded up on the necessities. For breakfast we bought a couple bags of Baozii’s and Jiaozi’s (dumplings) for around 20 cents/bag and ate them along the way. IES requires us to have cell phones during our stay so we took care of that as well. I now have my very own Chinese telephone number! (see title)
For the rest next couple of days various orientation classes and information meetings are about all that is on the schedule. We have to take another language exam which no one is too pleased about; mine is tomorrow morning. Luckily I only have to take the oral portion. Unluckily I have to take the oral portion…
I think I actually start Chinese class on Friday, but I’m pretty sure they will be just handing out the info/syllabus for the course. On Saturday my homestay family comes to pick me up; that will be an interesting car ride back…
As for the rest of the weekend there is an acrobat show we can go to and a choice of two excursions on Sunday; (1) Hutong districts tour and Tian’amen tour (2) Cuandixia Village (about 90kl west of Beijing built in Ming Dynasty).
Pee Pee on the Fei Ji (airplane)
On my flight from Newark to Beijing, was under the assumption that I had an aisle seat on the exit row. Unfortunately, that seat was not mine but rather a large Chinese man’s who made sure to recline back the entire time; I was right behind him. Next to me were a four year old Chinese boy and his mother.
Immediately prior to take off, the little boy told his mother in Chinese that he needed to go to the bathroom. Unable to do so, she told him to wait. He then screamed the same phrase in English; the kid wasn’t messing around. For the next minute and a half I pretended to read about the Georgian conflict in the Wall Street Journal while the mother proceeded to pull out a zip-lock bag, put it around her son’s yinjing, and told him to pee.
Throughout the 13 hour flight, the two got up to play tag in the aisle or actually pee in a toilet 9 times.
Scattered amongst the Chinese in economy were about 20 or so college students asking each other if they were studying abroad at IES Beijing (International Education of Students). I got to meet most of my future classmates there while I waited for the bathroom to open up. There is a total 95 students here from the states, and though I haven’t met them all, we all share a common bond of not studying jack this summer.
I had a moment of personal triumph on the plane; I was able to go pee. Now, not many people know this but I am extremely pee shy. If I know someone can hear me pee, nothing will flow. In fact, I have to use the stalls in any public restroom because it’s virtually impossible for me to pee with someone next to me. My own personal hell would be having to pee in front of a crowd of people (followed closely by ripping saran-wrap for eternity). Anyways, I pee’d twice on flight CO89 and it felt epic.
Our flight touched down in a surprisingly clean-air (being relative here…) Beijing and it was at baggage claim that I realized I brought about half as much stuff as everyone else. I checked only one large bag; everyone checked two large bags and brought at least two more for carry-on. The only real issue with this that I can think of is that I am going to need a pack for our two week excursion trip planned in late September. But more on that later.
A half-hour bus ride drove us through Beijing where the Olympic flair could be seen on every street. You can’t see less than 30 Olympic banners, flags, signs, or streamers on any street no matter which way you turn. I am already trying to figure out how to steal one or two of these banners which hang from virtually every street lamp in Beijing. After about 20 minutes, the IES Director who met us at the airport told us to get out our cameras for a tourist moment we wouldn’t want to miss; the Bird’s Nest is probably one of the sweetest stadiums I have ever seen – and I can’t wait to actually see it up close.
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