Born in the USA!

I'm sure you were all wondering what happened to me. You were all SOOOO worried right? Am I right?

Yea sure, whatever. Anyways, I'm back in Rye now and have spent the last few days adjusting to life here (read: watching a lot of Sportscenter and HBO). I have to say it is great to be back and while I am loving it here, I am also missing a lot of what makes China...well China. Is is tit nice not to be stared at all day, and not waking up to construction and random fireworks explosions, absolutely, but I can't get as excited about the simple mundane everyday activities, because in the States that's what they are, whereas in China anything can happen at anytime.

I'm not sure I'm going to continue writing this blog while at Middlebury, but I plan on heading back to China for the Summer so never fear, I'll provide my readers with another way to waste time at work again. Until next time. Auf widerehsen!

Hong Kong....Herrro

Let me say right now, I think that the internship application process has gotten entirely out of control. 20 years ago, I'm not sure they had internships, frankly I'm not sure they even had electricity. Summer jobs were just that, jobs that young people found after getting home from college. Nowadays one is required to begin in October (i.e. shortly after starting a new year of school) preparing for the next summer.

I have applied to a variety of jobs with the major Wall St. shops both in NY and China, but another extended period of time in China is looking more and more likely.

Meanwhile, this time is quickly drawing to a close, I will be in Shanghai next Saturday (my 22nd birthday, coincidentally) and will be on a plane from Shanghai's Pudong International Airport to Osaka, Japan that Sunday. I must say I am getting very excited to go home and simply CHILL. China does not lend itself well to chilling, everything is ultra sped up and you're always moving at 1000 miles an hour. A nice morning on my couch with Sportscenter will ail whats hurting, that I'm sure of.

I also think I may have started going insane because I now only have dreams about things from home. Obviously family and friends, that is to be expected, but last night the majority of my dream was me ordering and then eating my favorite pizza from Sunrise in Rye. I've had dreams solely about driving, putting on hockey gear, debating the Sawx with Joel, and lounging on Bates's couch. Clearly I'm losing it or I really miss the friendly confines of Rye and Middlebury.

I have to wait two weeks to get home, but I expect them to fly by. I only have exams this week (consisting of a written test I just finished, two essays, also already finished, and three seven minute oral presentations). I have twenty-one minutes of school left in China. How do you like them apples? And then a week in Kyoto, which is guaranteed to be baller. Off to have a suit made for $50.00 Until next time.

To Blog or Not to Blog that is the Question

I’ve now been writing this here blog for approximately three months now and I have really grown accustomed to posting something once or twice a week. Sometime they are received with admiration (trip to Mongolia, Nanjing, what have you), sometimes they are received less enthusiastically (my post on partying in Shanghai, sorry Mom and Dad), but no matter what, I am very happy to have maintained some record of my time here in the Center Kingdom and hope you have enjoyed reading about it.

I just completed my final essay for my one-on-one class, which I’m not sure I’ve ever discussed in this space. First, an introduction to what 一对一 entails and then a few words about my essay. The one-on-one class is a class taught entirely off of a subject that the student chooses, independent of any credit requirements, majors, what have you. This year there are kids studying material ranging from Investment Banks in China to the Metal Underground Scene of Chinese Music. My topic? The Internet and its effects on the modernizing Chinese youth, which I find to be very interesting and relevant to my understanding of my age counterparts. FYI on every corner of every block here there is a 网巴 (Internet Café) almost exclusively there for kids to play World of Warcraft non-stop. China! Its amazing! Anywho, in my essay I attempted to describe why the emergence of blogs and message board websites would dramatically alter the future of Chinese news (something still heavily controlled by your friendly neighborhood CCP). While writing the essay, I happened to look back at a few of the assignments I’d received over time and found that they all were actually critical of the influence the Net has had and continues to have on China’s youths. Although the country is rapidly developing, there is always an undertone of fear of change. Its really peculiar. Nevertheless, being the genius that I am, I finished the essay and now only have to prepare for exams and then I’ll be bouncing to the land of the rising sun.

Question: Should I continue writing this thing when I’m home? I am afraid it will only consist of stories such as but not exclusive to: Middlebury whoops Williams ass again 10-1 and tonight Eric Muther got drunk, tried to fight someone, and ended up at the Grille at 2:00. I’ll leave it to my reader(s) to decide. Keep on keepin’ on.

Goddamn Quidditch

Middlebury College has been in the news recently because of a new craze taking storm across campus. That craze of course being Quidditch of "Harry Potter," fame. I for one, am disappointed that this is the sort of press that Middlebury is now receiving. For a top five liberal arts college, with world class language and study abroad programs, we don't seem to be able to actually get into the paper for anything worth-while.

Three years ago it was for our paper, "The Middlebury Campus's" stupid stunt regarding Rudolph Guliani coming to speak for graduation and the student reaction (I'll give you a hint, the Fuhrer was associated with Mr. Guliani). Then this Fall we get passed over in a NYTimes special report regarding the study abroad experience (I still haven't forgiven Lauren Pappano for that gross error) and now we're finally being given some good press over what? 21 year olds running around in crazy clothing (or no clothing) with a broom jammed between their legs!

On another note, Ron Paul (thanks Graham) is quickly gaining steam as an internet sensation in the Republican race. Do I think the man can win? No, but I am really entertained and intrigued in his running methods. The success he has found through the internet simply shows how much the political landscape has changed. No longer are the conventional methods of running a political race the only way. John McCain has taken to old-fashioned grass roots campaigning, Mr. Paul has found his niche through the power of YouTube and while the two men remain long shots to receive the nomination, they have used their gaining momentum to portray the Republican Party in a good light, which it has not been privy to for quite a long time.

Two more things and then I'm out. iGoogle is the greatest development in my life in some time. It is so easy and efficient to "surf the web" now (I know how to say that in Chinese, but can't literally explain myself in English so I'm going with the stupid "surf the web" phrase). E-Mail, News Sources, Weather, Sports, and Music, all at my finger tips whenever I want them. Whoever is behind Google is an out and out genius.

Final matter, I am leaving China in 18 days for Kyoto and then a week later heading for home. While I've loved my time in Hangzhou, I'm very excited to get back to civilization. Middlebury, Rye, Kyoto here I come, BIATCHES!!! Kyoto with Wrangham-san and Citay Evans, Rye with the Power 9, and J-Term at Midd, those experiences pretty much wrap up the definition of "Where the Wild Things Are."

Everyone keep Sean Taylor's family in your prayers. I know that people die everyday, but when its someone so high profile, it really makes you remember that we're all just human and our time is short. 视死如归.

祝您们感恩节快乐！

Well friends, family, loved ones, Colodny. Its Thanksgiving Day here in China, which means a fun-filled day of classes, a cold, essay writing, and preparing for tomorrows test. Yay Middlebury in Hangzhou!

In all seriousness, although I'm a little under the weather and unfortunately won't be making it to my grandparent's for Thanksgiving (the first time ever BTW) Sorry Bu + Gigi! I'd like to wish you all a very happy, safe, and fun Thanksgiving.

For those of you worried about me. Thanks, but I'm good. All 28 students, Middlebury and the other Americans alike are going to the Irish Bar and Restaurant for an all you can eat homestyle Thanksgiving dinner in about an hour. Leave it to the Irish to be so stubborn as to not give a damn what country they're in. We're still celebrating Thanksgiving dammit! And you're all going to enjoy it! I'm sure those very same words will be uttered around the States on this greatest of holidays. Enjoy the tryptephane, the crappy parade and the even crappier Colts-Falcons, Jets-Cowboys games. See you all soon!

Oh for your viewing pleasure here is the first image listed on Google for "Chinese Thanksgiving."

Always Coming Back Home to You

I’ve been listening to a lot of rap by Atmosphere, a rap group out of Minneapolis, Minnesota comprised of Ant, the spacy and actually quite old-looking DJ, and Slug, the masochistic front man and MC, both known as Anthony and Sean, respectively. My favorite song by the duo off of their “Seven’s Travels” album is the final track entitled “Always Coming Back Home to You,” in which Slug describes his hometown and the feelings of comfort despite his sometimes bleak past there, only to let the track drone out and fade into a powerful tune praising the Mid West and all that is good about it, while still pleading with his listeners to not let anyone else on the secret. Bottom line, his home is the Shit. Well I beg to differ, because I am officially STOKED to head home to R-Y-E. Rye, NY, a little place where affairs with tennis pro’s isn’t uncommon, the parents are often times crazier than the kids, and a Beemer for a 16th Birthday is common place. Whatever man, who cares? I love the place and the people. Nevertheless, I still have some time to burn over here and with that in mind I took a weekend trip to Nanjing, a city that I’ve been intrigued by ever since hearing the musings of Don Wyatt last year in Modern Chinese History. The city did not disappoint. Becky, Big Bear, Molly (three friends from other schools), and I took off Friday night, met Becky’s brother in Shanghai and made our way to Nanjing first thing in the morning. First let me say this, the train system here is awesome. You barely realize that you are moving, the quality is first rate and the service (free water) is outstanding and they all move significantly faster than the Metro-North and Amtrak I’m so used to (see: always late, no service other than a “EY TICKETS BUDDY,” and usually terribly dirty).
Anywho, despite having my first bout of Home-sickness (real honest to goodness homesickness) I managed to enjoy Nanjing to no end. The city is gorgeous, tree-lined streets, historical sites everywhere, and great food. We spent Saturday going to Sun Yat-Sen’s Mausoleum, the man credited with founding modern China and it struck me, nothing in the States compares to this. The Statue of Liberty? Cool, but you can’t even walk up it (Screw you terrorists, let me walk up to the head of the Big French Woman) Shouldn’t this be a priority of someone in the States? Fix up Lady Liberty. I want to be able to go up and hang out on that big ole torch. I want to sing from the head like Bill Murray in “Ghostbusters 2” “Your Love!! Is Lifting Me Higher!!!” so on and so forth. Frankly, aside from the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone, two NATURAL landmarks the States are lacking in awe-inspiring sights. It is worth noting I had the same feeling when seeing the Great Wall and Forbidden City.
We finished the day off with a nice dinner at Tao Restaurant, which is housed in a remodeled traditional house. Sunday we found our way to a gigantic bridge built during the mid-20th Century without much aid from heavy machinery, spanning the Yangtze River and the Grand Canal (an ancient canal stretching from Hangzhou up to Beijing) both fascinating accomplishments and compliments to the Chinese will and ability.
Before hopping back on our train we walked the City wall, which is one of only a few remaining fully intact city walls, which is especially remarkable considering the Japanese essentially razed the city during World War II. We ended the day at Yuejiang Tower, a giant pagoda on top of the largest hill in Nanjing with a panoramic view of the city and the river. Perhaps one of the best views of a city I’ve ever seen. It really compares favorable to the view of NYC from the Whitestone Bridge at Sunset.
On top of a great weekend, my one-on-one class this morning was cancelled (meaning I’m done for the day) and I have a phone interview with Lehman Brothers this afternoon. Things are looking good for our hero. If anyone wants postcards let me know, I have a ton of them, but don’t know who would like one. Nanjing, not where the wild things are, but a great time nonetheless.

The Simple Life

"The Simple Life" starring Nicole Richy and Paris Hilton placed the two spoiled daughters of insanely rich "Aristocratic" families in unexpected and difficult situations to see how the two would react.

I'd like to see how they'd react being here.

Its not that its difficult to live here. I love it, but its soooooo different from anything the States has to offer.

I went to Shanghai last weekend with a crew of Middlebury kids and partied like I haven't in a while, but first I did something else, which I also hadn't done in a while talk to parents. Brendan's mom and grandparents were in Shanghai and took us in for wine and cheese (Just like at Midd!) and honestly it was a blast having a nice mature conversation with adults and I think I impressed, good to know I still got it! Afterwards we made our way to Attica, which I described in an earlier post and essentially repeated our last night in Shanghai's insanity. Drinking, Dancing, Getting home at 6 AM. That is all that needs to be said about that.

This past week has been equally insane, spending Wednesday at a friend's apt. eating mac & cheese and hanging with her Nigerian neighbors and yesterday going out to SOS the major dance hall in Hanghzou and I'm sure tonight will be a great one as well with my boy Nate Evans making his way down from Beijing.

Hot Pot for dinner and then we'll see where we go from there.

Until next time