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!
Saturday, December 29, 2007
Monday, December 10, 2007
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.
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.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
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.
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.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
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.
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.
Thursday, November 22, 2007
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."
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."
Monday, November 19, 2007
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.
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.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
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
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
Sunday, November 4, 2007
What the Hell New York Times
In an article published in today's Sunday New York Times entitled "The Foreign Legions,"
(http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/education/edlife/studyabroad.html?pagewanted=4&ref=edlife)
Laura Pappano takes an in-depth look at the modern day American's study abroad experience. While I applaud her for looking into a more and more important aspect of college life, I wish she'd bothered to actually dive into the topic matter rather than simply pay lip service to both sides of the argument and call it a day.
Ms. Pappano interviews heads of Study Abroad Programs from Yale, Syracuse, and Indiana, students from those schools as well as Chapel Hill, and Loyola Maryland, but does not make anything clear other than these few facts:
I agree with her "analysis" that the study abroad experience is one that forces college students to mature, in many ways my experience has been of the "kill or be killed" variety, but that is not a bad thing. Perhaps what Ms. Pappano should have extrapolated from her research was that the modern American twenty year old is actually spoiled by their lifestyles at home, instead of harping poetic about the various qualities of homestays abroad. I don't know, maybe I'm being to cynical, but speaking from my own experience I can say that whenever I've wanted to interact with Chinese culture I've had that option, whenever I wanted to take a break and Westernize an afternoon, I have Starbuck's at arm's reach.
Study abroad is entirely what you make of it. The colleges offer a means out of the States and a program that the students can follow as strictly or loosely as they wish. Ms. Pappano writes, "Being in a place a dozen time zones away, where Internet service and cellphones are unreliable, provides one of the first chances for true and prolonged independence." While that maybe true, it is up to the student to assume the responsibility to lead as independent a life as he or she may wish to.
(http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/04/education/edlife/studyabroad.html?pagewanted=4&ref=edlife)
Laura Pappano takes an in-depth look at the modern day American's study abroad experience. While I applaud her for looking into a more and more important aspect of college life, I wish she'd bothered to actually dive into the topic matter rather than simply pay lip service to both sides of the argument and call it a day.
Ms. Pappano interviews heads of Study Abroad Programs from Yale, Syracuse, and Indiana, students from those schools as well as Chapel Hill, and Loyola Maryland, but does not make anything clear other than these few facts:
- Schools abroad can be easy or hard. Thanks
- Some foreign nations' societies might be different from American society. No Shit Sherlock.
- Schools prepare and aid their students differently during their study abroad experience. That is like being suprised UVA and UCLA have different experiences to offer, REALLY YOU DON'T SAY!!?!?!
I agree with her "analysis" that the study abroad experience is one that forces college students to mature, in many ways my experience has been of the "kill or be killed" variety, but that is not a bad thing. Perhaps what Ms. Pappano should have extrapolated from her research was that the modern American twenty year old is actually spoiled by their lifestyles at home, instead of harping poetic about the various qualities of homestays abroad. I don't know, maybe I'm being to cynical, but speaking from my own experience I can say that whenever I've wanted to interact with Chinese culture I've had that option, whenever I wanted to take a break and Westernize an afternoon, I have Starbuck's at arm's reach.
Study abroad is entirely what you make of it. The colleges offer a means out of the States and a program that the students can follow as strictly or loosely as they wish. Ms. Pappano writes, "Being in a place a dozen time zones away, where Internet service and cellphones are unreliable, provides one of the first chances for true and prolonged independence." While that maybe true, it is up to the student to assume the responsibility to lead as independent a life as he or she may wish to.
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Talking for My Own Enjoyment
I frequent a variety of websites, Drudge, Take a Report, NYTimes, BBC, Vault, NHL, Askmen, and a few others and appreciate how well these are maintained and updated.
Obviously The New York Times is expected to and does maintain a very professional manner on their website, but what is so enjoyable about the site is their new catering to the blogging community. They have a scroll bar on the right side, which informs the reader, which articles, editorials, and op-eds have been most read and blogged about, which I must admit to stealing many of the leads I put on this blog. Moreover, and this IS why New York is so great, they never let that New York aura wear off. We're New York, get over yourself, you'll never be us.
I sound arrogant and pompous, but I don't really care. There is a reason people come to New York chasing dreams. Despite only being a few hundred years old the City has so much character and has gone through so much that it seems like it has the history of Rome behind it. We've traded the Coliseum for the Garden, the Roman Baths for the high rise apartments and the Senate for the Empire State Building. New York is the capital of the World and I'm damn proud to be a part of it, even if I am only from the suburbs.
Changing Subjects...kinda.
Your home, in my opinion, is such a crucial element to what defines you as person. Obviously parents, teachers, blah blah all have big parts in your development, but what I mean to say is that your hometown is key to this as well. I'm from Rye, its a town of 10,000 odd people, we're all fairly well off (generally speaking), it might be the whitest town in the Union, and hockey certainly still thrives there, while it dies elsewhere. Do we take shit for our proximity to $Greenwich$? Absolutely. Do $Greenwichians$ dish it out for us not being them? Ditto. But I wouldn't have it any other way.
People who deny their hometown, frankly need a good swift kick in the ass. Whether for better or worse, home played a bigger role defining people than many would like to admit.
I, for one am damn proud to call Rye, NY, Middlebury, VT, and perhaps by the time I leave, Hangzhou home.
Obviously The New York Times is expected to and does maintain a very professional manner on their website, but what is so enjoyable about the site is their new catering to the blogging community. They have a scroll bar on the right side, which informs the reader, which articles, editorials, and op-eds have been most read and blogged about, which I must admit to stealing many of the leads I put on this blog. Moreover, and this IS why New York is so great, they never let that New York aura wear off. We're New York, get over yourself, you'll never be us.
I sound arrogant and pompous, but I don't really care. There is a reason people come to New York chasing dreams. Despite only being a few hundred years old the City has so much character and has gone through so much that it seems like it has the history of Rome behind it. We've traded the Coliseum for the Garden, the Roman Baths for the high rise apartments and the Senate for the Empire State Building. New York is the capital of the World and I'm damn proud to be a part of it, even if I am only from the suburbs.
Changing Subjects...kinda.
Your home, in my opinion, is such a crucial element to what defines you as person. Obviously parents, teachers, blah blah all have big parts in your development, but what I mean to say is that your hometown is key to this as well. I'm from Rye, its a town of 10,000 odd people, we're all fairly well off (generally speaking), it might be the whitest town in the Union, and hockey certainly still thrives there, while it dies elsewhere. Do we take shit for our proximity to $Greenwich$? Absolutely. Do $Greenwichians$ dish it out for us not being them? Ditto. But I wouldn't have it any other way.
People who deny their hometown, frankly need a good swift kick in the ass. Whether for better or worse, home played a bigger role defining people than many would like to admit.
I, for one am damn proud to call Rye, NY, Middlebury, VT, and perhaps by the time I leave, Hangzhou home.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Trans-Siberian Ballers
If you have ever done something so amazing, so cool, so different, then you know part of the feeling I felt for the majority of this past week.
If you have ever spent a significant amount of time just enjoying yourself, just being around friends, just being totally relaxed you, then you know the other part of that feeling.
My experiences on the Trans-Siberian Railroad and the stops in Beijing, P.R.C. and Ulaanbataar, Mongolia were without a doubt the coolest travel experience of my life. Between the amazing locales we visited (the Mongolian Steppe, the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Mongolian National Museum of History), to the awe-inspiring views (Yangtze River, Great Wall, Mongolian Nomadic Families on the Move), to the ways we past the time (Hearts, Spades, Reading {Atlas Shrugged does not disappoint}) and of course the food and drink (Mongolian Traditional Soup, wow!) The trip was everything you could ask of it.
When Middleburians (because I now hate the term Midd Kid) talk about their study abroad experiences this is the sort of trip they rave about. Now on to the good stuff. Lists!
The Good:
1) Beijing's Far East International Youth Hostel: great stay, cheap as all hell, right next to Tiananmen and a dope night market, and a major plus the hostel bar had free wifi and a great selection of free movies for screening, plus good cheap beer.
2) Yi Ningsen: Nate Evans if ya nasty. The boy is a baller and Beijing has brought that to light more than Middlebury could've. Can't wait to kick it with him down in the Hangzhou in a couple weeks.
3) Ayn Rand: So far "Atlas" is enjoyable, but a little bit too much of the sex talk, how about getting back to that famous story huh?
4) Nomad Tours: Gana, our tour guide? Balla. The Ger Camp? Balla. The Mongolian Horses? Balla. The Price? Balla.
5. The Trans-Siberian Railroad: Great way to see the sights of Mongolia and northern China as well as relax. I've always liked trains, the little engine that could, the metro-north with my Pops, the Amtrak with Jessiman, all great experiences, and despite the somewhat cramped conditions of the Trans-Siberian, the sleeper car was great and we met some really interesting people along the way.
6. Mongolia: Great Food, Fun People, Good Beer, Beautiful Women, only knock was the bars close wayyy too early.
The Bad:
1. Drunken MacDonald's: gotta stop that.
2. The Person who Stole my Camera in Beijing: Asshole
3. Beijing Taxi Drivers: If the Olympics are going to be a success, the Government has got to get these guys under control, 80 kuai for a 5 minute cab ride, I'm starting to think these are the guys that stole my camera...
4. Food Car on the train in China: Come on, you can put in a little more effort than that. I've realized Chinese people are the most apathetic people on the face of the planet. Not a good quality!
The Ugly:
1. My Beard: Still not capable of growing one. Damn
2. Mongolia's Drinking Problem: They get drunk and fall off walls (onto their heads, I might add) get in fights with each other and are generally ridiculous. Oh well, its where Genghis Khan is from, should I be suprised?
3. 14 hour standing room only return ticket from Beijing to Hangzhou: Dammit that was rough.
That's all for now! keep on keepin' on.
If you have ever spent a significant amount of time just enjoying yourself, just being around friends, just being totally relaxed you, then you know the other part of that feeling.
My experiences on the Trans-Siberian Railroad and the stops in Beijing, P.R.C. and Ulaanbataar, Mongolia were without a doubt the coolest travel experience of my life. Between the amazing locales we visited (the Mongolian Steppe, the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, Mongolian National Museum of History), to the awe-inspiring views (Yangtze River, Great Wall, Mongolian Nomadic Families on the Move), to the ways we past the time (Hearts, Spades, Reading {Atlas Shrugged does not disappoint}) and of course the food and drink (Mongolian Traditional Soup, wow!) The trip was everything you could ask of it.
When Middleburians (because I now hate the term Midd Kid) talk about their study abroad experiences this is the sort of trip they rave about. Now on to the good stuff. Lists!
The Good:
1) Beijing's Far East International Youth Hostel: great stay, cheap as all hell, right next to Tiananmen and a dope night market, and a major plus the hostel bar had free wifi and a great selection of free movies for screening, plus good cheap beer.
2) Yi Ningsen: Nate Evans if ya nasty. The boy is a baller and Beijing has brought that to light more than Middlebury could've. Can't wait to kick it with him down in the Hangzhou in a couple weeks.
3) Ayn Rand: So far "Atlas" is enjoyable, but a little bit too much of the sex talk, how about getting back to that famous story huh?
4) Nomad Tours: Gana, our tour guide? Balla. The Ger Camp? Balla. The Mongolian Horses? Balla. The Price? Balla.
5. The Trans-Siberian Railroad: Great way to see the sights of Mongolia and northern China as well as relax. I've always liked trains, the little engine that could, the metro-north with my Pops, the Amtrak with Jessiman, all great experiences, and despite the somewhat cramped conditions of the Trans-Siberian, the sleeper car was great and we met some really interesting people along the way.
6. Mongolia: Great Food, Fun People, Good Beer, Beautiful Women, only knock was the bars close wayyy too early.
The Bad:
1. Drunken MacDonald's: gotta stop that.
2. The Person who Stole my Camera in Beijing: Asshole
3. Beijing Taxi Drivers: If the Olympics are going to be a success, the Government has got to get these guys under control, 80 kuai for a 5 minute cab ride, I'm starting to think these are the guys that stole my camera...
4. Food Car on the train in China: Come on, you can put in a little more effort than that. I've realized Chinese people are the most apathetic people on the face of the planet. Not a good quality!
The Ugly:
1. My Beard: Still not capable of growing one. Damn
2. Mongolia's Drinking Problem: They get drunk and fall off walls (onto their heads, I might add) get in fights with each other and are generally ridiculous. Oh well, its where Genghis Khan is from, should I be suprised?
3. 14 hour standing room only return ticket from Beijing to Hangzhou: Dammit that was rough.
That's all for now! keep on keepin' on.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Ireland. Gotta Love It!
New article from "the Guardian" a British paper. Damn its good to be Irish.
Manchán Magan
Thursday October 18, 2007
The Guardian
Welcome to Ireland - but don't stay long
Manchán Magan
Thursday October 18, 2007
The Guardian
Hearing that Ireland has topped the list of the world's friendliest countries in the Lonely Planet's Bluelist 2008, on account of the "deliciously dark sense of humour and ... welcoming attitude towards strangers", this Irishman's first thought is: "Ha, ha, we've managed to hoodwink them again, the gullible amadáin [fools]!"
Lest there be any misunderstanding, it's important to make clear that the Irish distrust and dislike all foreigners. It's a national trait. We will use a bit of charm when you stop us for directions or waylay us in a pub, but that's often because we just want your money. Although our booming economy means we have more money now than we know what to do with, we still want more and if getting at yours means asking you how the weather is and how you're getting on, we'll do it. Just don't go thinking we like you. It's nothing personal; we're a tribal nation.
The fact that the people who serve us pints are now nuclear physicists from Latvia and our gardeners are university lecturers from the Philippines makes us deeply uncomfortable, but what can we do? We're simply too rich to do it ourselves. We no longer need to look back to the distant past for a golden era - we're living it. Ireland is like a birthday boy gleefully opening all his presents and keen to show them off. We want you here long enough to revel in our abundance - but don't ask us to share any of it, and make sure you leave soon.
If you meet us in the evening or first thing in the morning and we seem particularly friendly, we may be drunk. We're fortunate in that we become exuberant with drink. You wouldn't want to meet us next day when we're hungover and laughing at you behind your back. But please keep coming. Being an island nation, we're like a dysfunctional family, and it's a relief now and then to see a new face.
The Journey is the Experience
I take off tomorrow for Beijing and Mongolia and frankly don't remember what I've been doing or where I've been as everything has flown by so fast. Its kinda like riding a 30 hour train, you know where you left from and where you're going but the journey in between just whizzes by. In the words of the 1980's greatest philosopher, "Life moves pretty fast sometimes, if you don't stop to look around every now and then, you might miss it." Thank you Ferris Bueller.
So that 30 hour train ride I have ahead of me can't be too bad, I have my iPod, two books, one package of Oreo's, one package of M&M's, and one awesome package of Mom's Homemade Cookies, which I still think are the best tasting cookies on the planet (certainly in China).
In anticipation of this insane journey (I'm not saying Mongolia because that's only part of it) Clary and I went and got tattoos earlier in the week (sorry Mom!), I got a spin on what my father and all my uncles have, the Shamrock, by putting it on my shoulder and adding four Chinese characters to the underside. 视死如归, which translates to "See death as a return home," which although a little morbid, I think does those who have already passed justice. After all the destination is only half the story, the fun is in the journey. Wish me luck over the next week and I'll check in upon my return from outside the wall.
-MD
So that 30 hour train ride I have ahead of me can't be too bad, I have my iPod, two books, one package of Oreo's, one package of M&M's, and one awesome package of Mom's Homemade Cookies, which I still think are the best tasting cookies on the planet (certainly in China).
In anticipation of this insane journey (I'm not saying Mongolia because that's only part of it) Clary and I went and got tattoos earlier in the week (sorry Mom!), I got a spin on what my father and all my uncles have, the Shamrock, by putting it on my shoulder and adding four Chinese characters to the underside. 视死如归, which translates to "See death as a return home," which although a little morbid, I think does those who have already passed justice. After all the destination is only half the story, the fun is in the journey. Wish me luck over the next week and I'll check in upon my return from outside the wall.
-MD
Friday, October 12, 2007
Hangzhou or Seattle? Hard to Say
Everyone knows that image of the cool hipsters sitting in a cafe on a rainy Seattle afternoon, typing away at e-mails and listening to really cool music (for this example we'll use Sufjan Stevens), well that is the vibe I get from this cafe I'm in now. Its not raining and our cool music isn't nearly as obscure (Red Hot Chili Peppers), but good company makes for good times.
YoYo, Li Fang, and Dan Lin, have come with me to relax and enjoy a nice day by the lake, which is something we haven't done nearly enough of to be honest. I've really jumped head on into this blogging thing, I find it to be the best way to A) keep up on modern life (read Western life) B) Find interesting reads and info that otherwise would be next to impossible to do, and so on and so forth.
Next week is the week of our midterms and I'm interested to see how that goes as none of the tests, save for Newspaper are written tests. What's more, the idea of us already having reached the mid-point of the semester is somewhat mind-boggling. Really? We've been in China for six weeks already? How is that possible, I need to take more advantage of this place as it is so gorgeous, so fun, and still so new to me. Here's to hoping that I'm back here this summer.
With the idea of taking advantage of my experience here on my mind, I set out this morning to find some activities for myself upon my return from Mongolia (the week after midterms). I've found an art show from Oct. 30th until Nov. 5th, which is only featuring work of the students of Hangzhou Art Academy, and it is all for sale, both prints and the originals. How cool is that?!?
My family friends, the Goldmans, have some of the coolest houses I've ever seen, one in the Poconos, one in Doylestown, and one in good ole' Midd, but their location is only part of the reason they're so spectacular (and that word is not an understatement). The best reason is that everything from their houses has its own story. I hope I can have something similar. I want to be able to say, "Yea, interesting story behind that painting, it was done by a student at the Hangzhou Art Academy, and I bought it there on my study abroad experience."
Life is what you make of it, and I want to make it really interesting.
Hey, quick links, a couple new articles I find interesting
1)http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/11/opinion/11zizek.html?em&ex=1192334400&en=c7419da773843f10&ei=5087%0A
2)http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/09/opinion/09brooks.html THIS ONE IS PARTICULARLY INTERESTING
3)http://kissmesuzy.blogspot.com, Referencing the infamous Joe Namath trying to kiss Suzy Kolber, moreover a great blog.
4)http://rononmiddlebury.wordpress.com/ This is Ron Liebowitz's (Middlebury President) blog, really good insight.
Until next time!
YoYo, Li Fang, and Dan Lin, have come with me to relax and enjoy a nice day by the lake, which is something we haven't done nearly enough of to be honest. I've really jumped head on into this blogging thing, I find it to be the best way to A) keep up on modern life (read Western life) B) Find interesting reads and info that otherwise would be next to impossible to do, and so on and so forth.
Next week is the week of our midterms and I'm interested to see how that goes as none of the tests, save for Newspaper are written tests. What's more, the idea of us already having reached the mid-point of the semester is somewhat mind-boggling. Really? We've been in China for six weeks already? How is that possible, I need to take more advantage of this place as it is so gorgeous, so fun, and still so new to me. Here's to hoping that I'm back here this summer.
With the idea of taking advantage of my experience here on my mind, I set out this morning to find some activities for myself upon my return from Mongolia (the week after midterms). I've found an art show from Oct. 30th until Nov. 5th, which is only featuring work of the students of Hangzhou Art Academy, and it is all for sale, both prints and the originals. How cool is that?!?
My family friends, the Goldmans, have some of the coolest houses I've ever seen, one in the Poconos, one in Doylestown, and one in good ole' Midd, but their location is only part of the reason they're so spectacular (and that word is not an understatement). The best reason is that everything from their houses has its own story. I hope I can have something similar. I want to be able to say, "Yea, interesting story behind that painting, it was done by a student at the Hangzhou Art Academy, and I bought it there on my study abroad experience."
Life is what you make of it, and I want to make it really interesting.
Hey, quick links, a couple new articles I find interesting
1)http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/11/opinion/11zizek.html?em&ex=1192334400&en=c7419da773843f10&ei=5087%0A
2)http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/09/opinion/09brooks.html THIS ONE IS PARTICULARLY INTERESTING
3)http://kissmesuzy.blogspot.com, Referencing the infamous Joe Namath trying to kiss Suzy Kolber, moreover a great blog.
4)http://rononmiddlebury.wordpress.com/ This is Ron Liebowitz's (Middlebury President) blog, really good insight.
Until next time!
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Shanghaied in Shanghai
Lame title, I know and I don't care, because I'm pretty sure I left part of my soul in the gorgeous paradise that is Shanghai, China.
Shanghai is everything you hear New York is supposed to be, but being from the New York area, I've yet to find. Beautiful Women, Fast Cars, and Out of this World Bars. Bootleg Products, Crazy People, and a Skyline that would stop the Heart of anyone over the age of 50 (or on hard drugs, think Johnny Depp in Blow, which I looked up on-line, has never happened in Shanghai, so its good to know that I won't be running into coke heads like you do in New York). Needless to say, I think I've found my new favorite city.
We arrived on Friday evening with the plan of meeting up with the rest of our crew (we were three at the time meeting up with a group totaling twelve). That plan only held itself together for maybe ten minutes at most. When going out to bars in groups its never a good idea to bombard a bouncer with a group of twelve people, even if they all are really good looking, which we were. So after splitting the group up buying some beers on the street at a market and making our way (now totaling six) to Attica, led by our Shanghai specialist, Charles Patrick Evans (now calling himself the City, btw) I was given the best view of a city, I've ever seen.
This place had every view in Vegas, any view from the bridges surrounding The City (New York still holds this name in my heart), and the only view that comes even relatively close is the one from Sky Bar in LA, which I experienced last year with my uncle Kevin and my Pops.
But even that is a stretch. This has a perfect view of the Shanghai television tower and the surrounding skyscrapers which are some of the most interesting architecture in the world.
If it just had that it would be a pretty cool place, but there was more to it, mainly three dance floors, indoors (main), indoors (dome), and outdoors (patio) all with their own djs and style. The dome was actually almost a full circle, with the floor slanted towards the middle to get everyone as close as possible.
We spent the night dancing, partying and eventually around 3:00 I made my way to the door, with Gao Li Fang. Gao and I then made it to MacDonald's where we discovered that not only is it also a late night destination for Chinese partiers, but they actually sleep there! Apparently it is more comfortable or convenient than home, (most homes don't have A/C, Micky D's does). After getting some girl advice from Gao, we took off for the hostel and were the first of our group back (which is saying something as we got back in at about 4:40).
The second day, Dan Lin, myself and Muzzy, aka Mike West, aka Wei Ran, made our way to the knock off market to do some shopping, where we spent three hours bargaining, fighting off salespeople and actually running from one after we ruined a sale (she was trying to rip off another guy for 10 shirts at 80 kuai a pop, when we got them for 30 kuai a pop). This actually resulted in her waiting outside the giant market for us and eventually hitting Muzzy, aka Mike West, aka Wei Ran, two or three times for spoiling her sale.
Saturday night resulted in similar shenanigans as Friday, except at a different bar (Muse) and with me sporting a fedora as opposed to my normal baseball hat. It also resulted in my first make out session of the trip (I attribute the hat for my luck) as well as the discovery on my return home that my new knock-off Hugo Boss button down actually gave me a huge allergic reaction. All in all a great weekend though.
Quick Recap: Shanghai: Amazing City; Bars in Shanghai: Also Spectacular; Girls: Always a Plus; Knock Off Clothes: Be Wary
Also last thing for this post as its getting long, I am going with three friends by train to Beijing and then Mongolia from October 19th to the 28th with the itinerary as follows.
19th: Hop on twelve hour sleeper train to Beijing
20th: Arrive in Beijing
20th-22nd: In Beijing, during which time we will be making ourselves to the only shooting range in China, where you A) Pay by the Bullet, and B) Have the option of Driving and Shooting a Tank (HELL YES)
22nd: Leave on 30 hours sleeper train for Ulaan Bataar, Mongolia
23rd: Evening, Arrive in Ulaan Bataar
23rd-26th: Spend at least one night out on the Mongolian Steppe with the hopes of seeing both the Northern Lights and the most gorgeous stars ever.
Shanghai is everything you hear New York is supposed to be, but being from the New York area, I've yet to find. Beautiful Women, Fast Cars, and Out of this World Bars. Bootleg Products, Crazy People, and a Skyline that would stop the Heart of anyone over the age of 50 (or on hard drugs, think Johnny Depp in Blow, which I looked up on-line, has never happened in Shanghai, so its good to know that I won't be running into coke heads like you do in New York). Needless to say, I think I've found my new favorite city.
We arrived on Friday evening with the plan of meeting up with the rest of our crew (we were three at the time meeting up with a group totaling twelve). That plan only held itself together for maybe ten minutes at most. When going out to bars in groups its never a good idea to bombard a bouncer with a group of twelve people, even if they all are really good looking, which we were. So after splitting the group up buying some beers on the street at a market and making our way (now totaling six) to Attica, led by our Shanghai specialist, Charles Patrick Evans (now calling himself the City, btw) I was given the best view of a city, I've ever seen.
This place had every view in Vegas, any view from the bridges surrounding The City (New York still holds this name in my heart), and the only view that comes even relatively close is the one from Sky Bar in LA, which I experienced last year with my uncle Kevin and my Pops.
But even that is a stretch. This has a perfect view of the Shanghai television tower and the surrounding skyscrapers which are some of the most interesting architecture in the world.
If it just had that it would be a pretty cool place, but there was more to it, mainly three dance floors, indoors (main), indoors (dome), and outdoors (patio) all with their own djs and style. The dome was actually almost a full circle, with the floor slanted towards the middle to get everyone as close as possible.
We spent the night dancing, partying and eventually around 3:00 I made my way to the door, with Gao Li Fang. Gao and I then made it to MacDonald's where we discovered that not only is it also a late night destination for Chinese partiers, but they actually sleep there! Apparently it is more comfortable or convenient than home, (most homes don't have A/C, Micky D's does). After getting some girl advice from Gao, we took off for the hostel and were the first of our group back (which is saying something as we got back in at about 4:40).
The second day, Dan Lin, myself and Muzzy, aka Mike West, aka Wei Ran, made our way to the knock off market to do some shopping, where we spent three hours bargaining, fighting off salespeople and actually running from one after we ruined a sale (she was trying to rip off another guy for 10 shirts at 80 kuai a pop, when we got them for 30 kuai a pop). This actually resulted in her waiting outside the giant market for us and eventually hitting Muzzy, aka Mike West, aka Wei Ran, two or three times for spoiling her sale.
Saturday night resulted in similar shenanigans as Friday, except at a different bar (Muse) and with me sporting a fedora as opposed to my normal baseball hat. It also resulted in my first make out session of the trip (I attribute the hat for my luck) as well as the discovery on my return home that my new knock-off Hugo Boss button down actually gave me a huge allergic reaction. All in all a great weekend though.
Quick Recap: Shanghai: Amazing City; Bars in Shanghai: Also Spectacular; Girls: Always a Plus; Knock Off Clothes: Be Wary
Also last thing for this post as its getting long, I am going with three friends by train to Beijing and then Mongolia from October 19th to the 28th with the itinerary as follows.
19th: Hop on twelve hour sleeper train to Beijing
20th: Arrive in Beijing
20th-22nd: In Beijing, during which time we will be making ourselves to the only shooting range in China, where you A) Pay by the Bullet, and B) Have the option of Driving and Shooting a Tank (HELL YES)
22nd: Leave on 30 hours sleeper train for Ulaan Bataar, Mongolia
23rd: Evening, Arrive in Ulaan Bataar
23rd-26th: Spend at least one night out on the Mongolian Steppe with the hopes of seeing both the Northern Lights and the most gorgeous stars ever.
Also during this time my friend Pancake plans on entering into one of Mongolia's world famous drinking contests, which will be entertaining as all hell.
26th: Begin trip back to Hangzhou
We've all started play-off beards in anticipation of mid-terms next week as well as the already below freezing temperatures of Mongolia. We are also in the process of buying/renting a video camera so that we can record as much of the adventure as possible and create a cool story to bring back for the rest of y'all.
I thought China was wild, I can't wait to find out what Mongolia is like!
We've all started play-off beards in anticipation of mid-terms next week as well as the already below freezing temperatures of Mongolia. We are also in the process of buying/renting a video camera so that we can record as much of the adventure as possible and create a cool story to bring back for the rest of y'all.
I thought China was wild, I can't wait to find out what Mongolia is like!
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Random Ramblings
Uh Oh. I was afraid of this. My blog has lost interest!!!
Ok a story to keep everyone interested: So last weekend, I was like sooooo hammered and I was dancing with these four girls and we were passing around the bottle of Smirnoff like water....
Wait no, we don't want to start lying on this blog, mainly because I'll look at that in eight years and think it was actually true. To be honest the weekend was fun if not a little slow (as slow as coming home after 3:00 AM can be).
Alright, I already know that this post will be true to form and just fall into an incessantly poorly written train of thought post unless we go into list form, so that is exactly what we shall do!
1. First and foremost, I've started to get into this blogging thing and have found a few very interesting reads including stefanclaypool.com, which is the blog of one of my classmates here and back at school. Stefan is one of the few outright republicans at Midd and I'd heard some stories referring to his blog, but frankly I enjoy reading it. cbtfw.blogspot.com, a good read from one of the Marines on the ground in Iraq. This is an idea that frankly I think would make a great book, why doesn't someone set out collecting the most interesting blog posts of the entire campaign and put them together, sometimes they can be soldiers, sometimes journalists, sometimes politicians, and finally simply citizens both US and Iraq. The only key would be to avoid leaning left or right too much. I think you could get the most interesting perspective on a war that is too often polarizing. Finally I can't find the articles but, Thomas Friedman of the NYT wrote an editorial explaining why he wouldn't vote for Guliani as well as the Newsweek article (maybe Time?) praising Bloomberg and Scwharzenegger for micro-managing their respective governments (small government works when applied correctly). Also really idiotic: http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3671172&page=1. Atheism = atheism, not religion. Idiots.
2. We found THE bar of Hangzhou this weekend, 7 Club, complete with a bunch of imported beers and a great lounge setting. Here in Hangzhou a bunch of the students don't start class on Wednesday until later in the day so we've started a little traditional 星期二酒吧儿 (xingqi'er jiuba'er) or Tuesday Night Bar, unfortunately I can't do it most weeks as I take 8:20 classes everyday. Nevertheless these guys every week end up going dancing and partying until the wee hours at Hangzhou's mega clubs. After finding 7 Club this weekend I don't think I will be returning to SOS or its similar knock offs. 对不起 but I really enjoy the lounge scene. Hows the saying go, good conversation makes good company? Well count me among the believers, maybe we can follow the atheists' lead and start mass meetings or something...
3. The girl situation is still lacking as there aren't many options within the CET program, I get the sneaking suspicion I am at best a number 2 choice, just like in hockey, second line D. That's cool with me, means I'll just have to step up the efforts.
4. I'm considering getting the family tattoo, a shamrock, but am also thinking that maybe the family crest would be even cooler...Thoughts? Not from my mom preferably.
5. I've got to get out of my rut, I'm letting myself get into a groove, which would be a good thing in a normal semester, but here I never actually want to get comfortable here, I want to always play outside the comfort zone (man lot of hockey and athletics references in this piece.) Until next time, play like you practice, give a 110%, and just be happy with the Org-a-NI-zation.
-#6
Ok a story to keep everyone interested: So last weekend, I was like sooooo hammered and I was dancing with these four girls and we were passing around the bottle of Smirnoff like water....
Wait no, we don't want to start lying on this blog, mainly because I'll look at that in eight years and think it was actually true. To be honest the weekend was fun if not a little slow (as slow as coming home after 3:00 AM can be).
Alright, I already know that this post will be true to form and just fall into an incessantly poorly written train of thought post unless we go into list form, so that is exactly what we shall do!
1. First and foremost, I've started to get into this blogging thing and have found a few very interesting reads including stefanclaypool.com, which is the blog of one of my classmates here and back at school. Stefan is one of the few outright republicans at Midd and I'd heard some stories referring to his blog, but frankly I enjoy reading it. cbtfw.blogspot.com, a good read from one of the Marines on the ground in Iraq. This is an idea that frankly I think would make a great book, why doesn't someone set out collecting the most interesting blog posts of the entire campaign and put them together, sometimes they can be soldiers, sometimes journalists, sometimes politicians, and finally simply citizens both US and Iraq. The only key would be to avoid leaning left or right too much. I think you could get the most interesting perspective on a war that is too often polarizing. Finally I can't find the articles but, Thomas Friedman of the NYT wrote an editorial explaining why he wouldn't vote for Guliani as well as the Newsweek article (maybe Time?) praising Bloomberg and Scwharzenegger for micro-managing their respective governments (small government works when applied correctly). Also really idiotic: http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=3671172&page=1. Atheism = atheism, not religion. Idiots.
2. We found THE bar of Hangzhou this weekend, 7 Club, complete with a bunch of imported beers and a great lounge setting. Here in Hangzhou a bunch of the students don't start class on Wednesday until later in the day so we've started a little traditional 星期二酒吧儿 (xingqi'er jiuba'er) or Tuesday Night Bar, unfortunately I can't do it most weeks as I take 8:20 classes everyday. Nevertheless these guys every week end up going dancing and partying until the wee hours at Hangzhou's mega clubs. After finding 7 Club this weekend I don't think I will be returning to SOS or its similar knock offs. 对不起 but I really enjoy the lounge scene. Hows the saying go, good conversation makes good company? Well count me among the believers, maybe we can follow the atheists' lead and start mass meetings or something...
3. The girl situation is still lacking as there aren't many options within the CET program, I get the sneaking suspicion I am at best a number 2 choice, just like in hockey, second line D. That's cool with me, means I'll just have to step up the efforts.
4. I'm considering getting the family tattoo, a shamrock, but am also thinking that maybe the family crest would be even cooler...Thoughts? Not from my mom preferably.
5. I've got to get out of my rut, I'm letting myself get into a groove, which would be a good thing in a normal semester, but here I never actually want to get comfortable here, I want to always play outside the comfort zone (man lot of hockey and athletics references in this piece.) Until next time, play like you practice, give a 110%, and just be happy with the Org-a-NI-zation.
-#6
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Superstars in China
Happy Saturday to all, my first real weekend in Hangzhou and man it couldn't be going any better.
The weekend got off to a great start Thursday night as a bunch of my classmates and I (mostly Midd kids) made our way to the local soccer field for the Semi-finals of the Women's 2007 World Cup between the mighty evil Brazil and the always good natured Americans. We had ourselves a regular "Rocky IV" match-up as for some reason the majority of the Chinese crowd (there were a good number of foreigners there as well) rooted wildly for the Brazilians. That did not stop my cohorts and I (decked out in the Red, White, & Blue, me personally sporting Old Glory as a cape) from rallying those around us with "U-S-A," and "美国！加油！“ translated pretty much as "America! Work Hard." By the mid-way point of the second half we'd turned a good portion of the upper reaches of the stands towards the American side, because people always love Rocky and for Thursday night the U.S. Women's Soccer Team = Rocky Balboa. Unfortunately, unlike Sly Stallone in "Rocky IV," the women fell short of their goal and left us fairly depressed as we walked out of the stadium to good natured ribbing from the rest of the crowd.
So that in itself would seem like a good night, but it only got better. As we walked away from the stadium trying to hail a cab, we ended up in the middle of a major intersection with throngs of Chinese cars, bikes, and people stopping to take a look at us. Being the good entertainers we are, we put on a stirring rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner" literally stopping traffic and ending with a burst of flash bulbs and cheers that would make Barry Bonds jealous.
I'm just living the dream, Superstars amongst the Wild Things.
The weekend got off to a great start Thursday night as a bunch of my classmates and I (mostly Midd kids) made our way to the local soccer field for the Semi-finals of the Women's 2007 World Cup between the mighty evil Brazil and the always good natured Americans. We had ourselves a regular "Rocky IV" match-up as for some reason the majority of the Chinese crowd (there were a good number of foreigners there as well) rooted wildly for the Brazilians. That did not stop my cohorts and I (decked out in the Red, White, & Blue, me personally sporting Old Glory as a cape) from rallying those around us with "U-S-A," and "美国！加油！“ translated pretty much as "America! Work Hard." By the mid-way point of the second half we'd turned a good portion of the upper reaches of the stands towards the American side, because people always love Rocky and for Thursday night the U.S. Women's Soccer Team = Rocky Balboa. Unfortunately, unlike Sly Stallone in "Rocky IV," the women fell short of their goal and left us fairly depressed as we walked out of the stadium to good natured ribbing from the rest of the crowd.
So that in itself would seem like a good night, but it only got better. As we walked away from the stadium trying to hail a cab, we ended up in the middle of a major intersection with throngs of Chinese cars, bikes, and people stopping to take a look at us. Being the good entertainers we are, we put on a stirring rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner" literally stopping traffic and ending with a burst of flash bulbs and cheers that would make Barry Bonds jealous.
I'm just living the dream, Superstars amongst the Wild Things.
I only have one picture as my camera is broken so this is from good ole Wang Jian Hong (the blurriness is his fault as well).
You get the idea.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
3 and Out
So my New York Football Giants finally decided to win a game this past weekend with a goaline stand in the last minute of the game. THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!
Frankly one of the best parts of my weekend along with swimming at 9 Pools, which unfortunately I have no clue where it is (Ruian, but that means nothing to me). Here's what I know about it, its 9 natural mountain pools, but me, Zho Zhing Bo (from here on out known as the BO for the amazing performances he's been putting on. This guy is a total dark horse, back at Midd, I have not seen him out once, then he gets to the Middle Kingdom and totally different guy, is up for going out whenever and wherever, is willing to talk to any and all Chinese people and I'm sure if asked would have no problem belting out the worst Karaoke ever) Charlie, Clary, Pancake, Zach, Dan Lin, Guo Rui, and a few of the Chinese roommates found the Waterfall from the Cliffs of Heaven, which was frankly the coolest sight I may have ever seen. These falls were 200 feet tall if they were 5 and they were gorgeous.
After a day of swimming we hit the trail to our sleeping quarters for the night in a Taoist temple in our tour bus only to have it break down and to run into a few rock slides on the way up to said temple, all the while dealing with pouring rain. Also, funny thing about rural China, you run into some problems, no one's coming to help you, you gotta fix that problem yourself, so how do you deal with a busted bus, beat the engine with a wrench, how do you deal with a rock slide, the men get out and move the rocks, which was a lot of fun actually. Unfortunately, and I know that our fearless leader Lin Jiubi was frustrated as all hell by this, the rain never let up and the trip turned out to be somewhat of a bust.
Tomorrow is the Women's World Cup so I've got a lot of preparing, mentally and physically for that so I'll make sure to write something up soon. Also, anyone who is coming to China (someone already said they were, but I forgot who) just e-mail me and I'll try my damnedest to either meet up with you or at least make sure you know the hot spots in whatever city you'll be in!
Last post I swear, the Heff of Middlebury Fame is making his way down here this weekend from Shanghai, and frankly one of the crazier S.O.B.s I know, so I'm sure I'll have some stories of debauchery to share with you all on Monday or Tuesday. 周末快乐表字！(Happy weekend bitches!)
Frankly one of the best parts of my weekend along with swimming at 9 Pools, which unfortunately I have no clue where it is (Ruian, but that means nothing to me). Here's what I know about it, its 9 natural mountain pools, but me, Zho Zhing Bo (from here on out known as the BO for the amazing performances he's been putting on. This guy is a total dark horse, back at Midd, I have not seen him out once, then he gets to the Middle Kingdom and totally different guy, is up for going out whenever and wherever, is willing to talk to any and all Chinese people and I'm sure if asked would have no problem belting out the worst Karaoke ever) Charlie, Clary, Pancake, Zach, Dan Lin, Guo Rui, and a few of the Chinese roommates found the Waterfall from the Cliffs of Heaven, which was frankly the coolest sight I may have ever seen. These falls were 200 feet tall if they were 5 and they were gorgeous.
After a day of swimming we hit the trail to our sleeping quarters for the night in a Taoist temple in our tour bus only to have it break down and to run into a few rock slides on the way up to said temple, all the while dealing with pouring rain. Also, funny thing about rural China, you run into some problems, no one's coming to help you, you gotta fix that problem yourself, so how do you deal with a busted bus, beat the engine with a wrench, how do you deal with a rock slide, the men get out and move the rocks, which was a lot of fun actually. Unfortunately, and I know that our fearless leader Lin Jiubi was frustrated as all hell by this, the rain never let up and the trip turned out to be somewhat of a bust.
Tomorrow is the Women's World Cup so I've got a lot of preparing, mentally and physically for that so I'll make sure to write something up soon. Also, anyone who is coming to China (someone already said they were, but I forgot who) just e-mail me and I'll try my damnedest to either meet up with you or at least make sure you know the hot spots in whatever city you'll be in!
Last post I swear, the Heff of Middlebury Fame is making his way down here this weekend from Shanghai, and frankly one of the crazier S.O.B.s I know, so I'm sure I'll have some stories of debauchery to share with you all on Monday or Tuesday. 周末快乐表字！(Happy weekend bitches!)
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Reading for a Rainy Afternoon
Typhoon has come ashore, leaving yours truly with very little of interest to do.
With that said, here are some interesting reads and links I've stumbled across in the last few days.
1) Explanation of why middle agers are actually more at risk than their teens and college students for risky behavior: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/17/opinion/17males.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
2) The New Yorker takes a look at the near future in many relevant topics such as morality, big pharmaceuticals, music, and other culturally relevant areas. A great way to burn time: http://www.newyorker.com/promo/conference/index.html
3) A listing of all the new jerseys being revealed this season in the NHL with the incorporation of the new Reebok Equipment System: http://uniwatchblog.com
Finally, a picture from Gulangyu this past weekend (up and to the left). Happy Tuesday!
1) Explanation of why middle agers are actually more at risk than their teens and college students for risky behavior: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/17/opinion/17males.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
2) The New Yorker takes a look at the near future in many relevant topics such as morality, big pharmaceuticals, music, and other culturally relevant areas. A great way to burn time: http://www.newyorker.com/promo/conference/index.html
3) A listing of all the new jerseys being revealed this season in the NHL with the incorporation of the new Reebok Equipment System: http://uniwatchblog.com
Finally, a picture from Gulangyu this past weekend (up and to the left). Happy Tuesday!
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Because you listen to Coldplay.
In the Movie "40 Year Old Virgin," some of the funniest lines are actually from the deleted scenes. My personal favorite comes from a dialogue between two of the side characters, which essentially boils down to the two of them coming up with ways to question each other's manhood, the ultimate punch-line being "because you listen to Coldplay."
Well I listened to Coldplay this weekend, and I have to disagree with that scene's premise, because I had a great time climbing an old military turret used to protect the mainland of China for the last 150 years, and I had a great time listening to Buddhist monks chant and play song bowls, and riding an old gondola over a gorge that would even make Indiana Jones think twice about it. Coldplay enhanced the experience. End of story.
I'll say this as well, I'm never staying in a nice hotel in China again, not worth it. Hostels are the way to go. I met a bunch of interesting people this weekend, a few Germans, a Texan, two Taiwanese, an executive at "Qing Dao" Beer (for those stateside, that's Tsing Tao), all while hanging out at this hostel on Gu Lang Yu Island.
So for the record, expensive doesn't always equal awesome (something to keep in mind down the road).
Also, I've now started eating more and more crazy stuff, and I will say this, I have no clue why I didn't eat fish before, because Grouper, Red Snapper, Crab, and Shrimp are all awesome dishes. For those keeping track at home, add Snail, Shrimp Head, Fish Head Soup, Sheep Liver on Bread, and Eel to the weird things I've eaten list. All (with the exception of the Fish Head Soup) being suprisingly tasty.
Final note, as this post has been very haphazardly put together (like my life now, no?). If anyone ever has the chance to go to Gu Lang Yu, take it. The island has everything, its buildings are all old colonial villas of the Portugese and British, it has an aviary and aquarium, and the most famous citizen has preserved an 1800s Garden, which is unlike anything I've ever seen. Not to mention the ancient Chinese art and piano museum. Gu Lang Yu has the most pianos per capita of any town in the world so no matter where you walk, instead of hearing the constant noise of construction or traffic, all you get is lazy music on cool tree covered streets amongst crumbling ruins of historical cottages and compounds. For one weekend, we escaped the place where the Wild Things Are. (as per my wonderful mom's suggestion, the bike has been named Max, after the main character in that children's book) Until next time.
Well I listened to Coldplay this weekend, and I have to disagree with that scene's premise, because I had a great time climbing an old military turret used to protect the mainland of China for the last 150 years, and I had a great time listening to Buddhist monks chant and play song bowls, and riding an old gondola over a gorge that would even make Indiana Jones think twice about it. Coldplay enhanced the experience. End of story.
I'll say this as well, I'm never staying in a nice hotel in China again, not worth it. Hostels are the way to go. I met a bunch of interesting people this weekend, a few Germans, a Texan, two Taiwanese, an executive at "Qing Dao" Beer (for those stateside, that's Tsing Tao), all while hanging out at this hostel on Gu Lang Yu Island.
So for the record, expensive doesn't always equal awesome (something to keep in mind down the road).
Also, I've now started eating more and more crazy stuff, and I will say this, I have no clue why I didn't eat fish before, because Grouper, Red Snapper, Crab, and Shrimp are all awesome dishes. For those keeping track at home, add Snail, Shrimp Head, Fish Head Soup, Sheep Liver on Bread, and Eel to the weird things I've eaten list. All (with the exception of the Fish Head Soup) being suprisingly tasty.
Final note, as this post has been very haphazardly put together (like my life now, no?). If anyone ever has the chance to go to Gu Lang Yu, take it. The island has everything, its buildings are all old colonial villas of the Portugese and British, it has an aviary and aquarium, and the most famous citizen has preserved an 1800s Garden, which is unlike anything I've ever seen. Not to mention the ancient Chinese art and piano museum. Gu Lang Yu has the most pianos per capita of any town in the world so no matter where you walk, instead of hearing the constant noise of construction or traffic, all you get is lazy music on cool tree covered streets amongst crumbling ruins of historical cottages and compounds. For one weekend, we escaped the place where the Wild Things Are. (as per my wonderful mom's suggestion, the bike has been named Max, after the main character in that children's book) Until next time.
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Good God Almighty Look at What We Have Here!
Just finished inhaling five roasted jiaozi in about two minutes, along with a gift from God called blueberry iced tea (I've already forgotten the Chinese name). Can it get any better?
On other notes, I just bought an electric bike (pretty much equivalent to America's moped for about $130US. Women go out and buy purses, bags, carryalls, and so on, men, we buy hogs and by hogs I mean electric bikes that go 25 km/hour. 一放面 my main reason was for convenience as I hate waiting an hour to get on a crowded bus to go to Starbuck's and study, but 另外一方面 is that Charlie has already gotten one, and frankly its a blast just cruising the city with a good friend. Say what you want about studying abroad without good friends, but so far the experience has only been enhanced because one of my good friends is along for the ride.
Friends always make shit more fun.
Going on a solo excursion to Gulang Yu this weekend, which one of my professors stated was the Chinese equivalent of the Greek Islands, only it only costs $75US there and back. I'll update everyone upon my return. Hopefully I'll have pictures both of Gulang Yu and of me on my new hog (also name suggestions for the bike are appreciated)! Until next time...
On other notes, I just bought an electric bike (pretty much equivalent to America's moped for about $130US. Women go out and buy purses, bags, carryalls, and so on, men, we buy hogs and by hogs I mean electric bikes that go 25 km/hour. 一放面 my main reason was for convenience as I hate waiting an hour to get on a crowded bus to go to Starbuck's and study, but 另外一方面 is that Charlie has already gotten one, and frankly its a blast just cruising the city with a good friend. Say what you want about studying abroad without good friends, but so far the experience has only been enhanced because one of my good friends is along for the ride.
Friends always make shit more fun.
Going on a solo excursion to Gulang Yu this weekend, which one of my professors stated was the Chinese equivalent of the Greek Islands, only it only costs $75US there and back. I'll update everyone upon my return. Hopefully I'll have pictures both of Gulang Yu and of me on my new hog (also name suggestions for the bike are appreciated)! Until next time...
Monday, September 10, 2007
Homework, the final frontier
Frankly I don't understand Middlebury College sometimes. I love the place, don't get me wrong, but the disparity between their classes and study abroad programs makes no sense to me. Granted, China is China and Chinese is Chinese, but I didn't come to this country (which has been sweet by the way), to do homework in a Starbucks for five hours a day!
I want to travel, I want to spend three hours in a tea shop on the side of one of the most famous lakes in China just b.s.-ing with guys from Ha'arbin (clearly spelled wrong). I'll put it to you my loyal reader(s) What's more interesting, the Lesson 2: I like to go shopping in the Supermarket! or talking hockey with a Korean and Ha'arbin native? I rest my case, and I'm sending this to John Buccigross from ESPN Hockey, lets see what he has to say!
A side note, I am really loving China, I just find I can't express my happiness with China as well here as I can by simply talking about it. Traveling by myself this coming weekend, can't wait. I think I'm going to take a sleeper train west, under the pretext that I'm sure to run into some interesting folk along the way. Even in the Wild Wild East, the West is always Wilder!
I want to travel, I want to spend three hours in a tea shop on the side of one of the most famous lakes in China just b.s.-ing with guys from Ha'arbin (clearly spelled wrong). I'll put it to you my loyal reader(s) What's more interesting, the Lesson 2: I like to go shopping in the Supermarket! or talking hockey with a Korean and Ha'arbin native? I rest my case, and I'm sending this to John Buccigross from ESPN Hockey, lets see what he has to say!
A side note, I am really loving China, I just find I can't express my happiness with China as well here as I can by simply talking about it. Traveling by myself this coming weekend, can't wait. I think I'm going to take a sleeper train west, under the pretext that I'm sure to run into some interesting folk along the way. Even in the Wild Wild East, the West is always Wilder!
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Gotta Love that Exchange Rate
How do people come up with such catchy titles for their blog posts? I read other people's, mainly "Sex and the Ivy" (link on the right) and then write my own and feel like I have the brain capacity of an eight year old.
On to the interesting stuff. This weekend, as per our study abroad program's wishes, we set off on a short excursion with our roommates. In anticipation of this, me, Charlie (my best friend on this program) YoYo, Gao Lifang (two friends from Middlebury who's Chinese names are too cool to not use when referencing them) Xiao Bei (another girl on the program) and Zach (last friend name for this weekend, swear) took off for a night in Tiantai and then a day hiking in the area.
After a four hour bus ride highlighted by a game of poker in which Xiao Bei referred to the Jack of Clubs as the Jack of Clovers we arrived in what looked to be a small town's shitty little bus station. We couldn't have been more wrong, Tiantai turns out to be a bustling metropolis, which we only discover after requesting to be taken to the best hotel in the city. We lived like kings for a night on about a total of $25US per person. Drinks, swimming, girls in ugly one piece bathing suits, shady South Africans, you can find it all in Tiantai! (new slogan for that city)
The following day, 6:45 Am bright and early wake up call and off to the mountain where we saw blue skies, gorgeous bogodas and views and sweat the hangover off, frankly I think that this was the most fun part of the weekend. Most interesting to me were these ladies, old and young, situated in various spots on the path with enough supplies to actually set up shop and sell. How they lug their shit up this hill (more like a mountain path, but they insisted it was a hill) I have no idea, but its fun when you're struggling with a small backpack up this hill and these women look like they didn't even break a sweat. 21 years old and in the best shape of my life!...maybe not.
We finished the trip up with a night in Shipu, a small ocean town that I best equate to Kingston, Jamaica. They're not well off, but everyone we met, with the exception of two con artists seemed content. I don't think I'd have a problem living their kind of life, everyday waking up to the waves crashing on the shore and realizing you've got nothing to do but chill in your ocean side shop. That would be the life, now its off to Starbucks to do my homework! China, gotta love it!
On to the interesting stuff. This weekend, as per our study abroad program's wishes, we set off on a short excursion with our roommates. In anticipation of this, me, Charlie (my best friend on this program) YoYo, Gao Lifang (two friends from Middlebury who's Chinese names are too cool to not use when referencing them) Xiao Bei (another girl on the program) and Zach (last friend name for this weekend, swear) took off for a night in Tiantai and then a day hiking in the area.
After a four hour bus ride highlighted by a game of poker in which Xiao Bei referred to the Jack of Clubs as the Jack of Clovers we arrived in what looked to be a small town's shitty little bus station. We couldn't have been more wrong, Tiantai turns out to be a bustling metropolis, which we only discover after requesting to be taken to the best hotel in the city. We lived like kings for a night on about a total of $25US per person. Drinks, swimming, girls in ugly one piece bathing suits, shady South Africans, you can find it all in Tiantai! (new slogan for that city)
The following day, 6:45 Am bright and early wake up call and off to the mountain where we saw blue skies, gorgeous bogodas and views and sweat the hangover off, frankly I think that this was the most fun part of the weekend. Most interesting to me were these ladies, old and young, situated in various spots on the path with enough supplies to actually set up shop and sell. How they lug their shit up this hill (more like a mountain path, but they insisted it was a hill) I have no idea, but its fun when you're struggling with a small backpack up this hill and these women look like they didn't even break a sweat. 21 years old and in the best shape of my life!...maybe not.
We finished the trip up with a night in Shipu, a small ocean town that I best equate to Kingston, Jamaica. They're not well off, but everyone we met, with the exception of two con artists seemed content. I don't think I'd have a problem living their kind of life, everyday waking up to the waves crashing on the shore and realizing you've got nothing to do but chill in your ocean side shop. That would be the life, now its off to Starbucks to do my homework! China, gotta love it!
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
The first of hopefully many
Welcome!
I expect zero people to read this, but if someone does happen across it, please let it be known you are more than welcome here. First, an introduction is in order, in case you couldn't guess that's me on the right of the page sporting the mohawk, which I unfortunately had to get rid of prior to my departure for Hangzhou six days ago. I am a senior "feb" (I'm sure I'll touch on that in some later post, so I'll leave it be for now) at Middlebury College in Vermont and during the winter pretend to be a hockey player (hence the defenseman line in my "About Me").
Needless to say, Hangzhou is a bit different from anything I've ever experienced. A "Medium Sized City" of eight million people and with enough pollution to create an ever present fog, certainly worse than the smog of LA that I experienced last year. Moreover it is my first time spending an extended period of time outside the friendly confines of the U.S., a little intimidating, yes, but also, when am I ever going to have this type of opportunity again?!? So far so good. I think an even bigger adjustment than going from the States and speaking English has been the transition from rural and suburbia lifestyles to the 100% urban lifestyle, the omnipotence of the goddamn cars and noise is a little difficult to get used to, but I think I'm starting to get there.
On a better note, city life and China life for that matter, certainly have some pluses as does, mainly the nightlife. What a blast! Our second night here (I'm here with 35 other American students, although we're not aloud to speak English) we went out to a small karaoke bar near our host college's back gate, a bar, mind you, that none of our Chinese roommates said we'd like. They could not have been more wrong! It was dirty and grimy and loud, but the music was fun, Maroon 5 anyone? and the crowd even better. I can't picture a more fun time than sitting or standing in a crowded dive bar with five Americans and twenty Chinese screaming Guns N' Roses at the tops of our lungs. Good to know that even thousands of miles from home the people are still infected with the need to drunkenly belt out the crappiest of American songs. BORN IN THE USA! as the Boss would shout...apparently not a requirement to make an ass out of yourself at crappy dive bars.
I also had my first true club experience and am happy to report that those same sketchy over 40 year old (不三不四) guys exist in both the bowels of a Middlebury, Vermont watering hole and in a major super-club in Hangzhou, China, and yes, us men still are required to act as the buffers between the girls and these sketch-balls (who says Chivalry is dead?), which although I understand, does not mean I enjoy being the one who has the old dude bumping into me either! eh 算了把... Just gotta roll with the punches, I'm where the wild things are now, and that's pretty cool.
I expect zero people to read this, but if someone does happen across it, please let it be known you are more than welcome here. First, an introduction is in order, in case you couldn't guess that's me on the right of the page sporting the mohawk, which I unfortunately had to get rid of prior to my departure for Hangzhou six days ago. I am a senior "feb" (I'm sure I'll touch on that in some later post, so I'll leave it be for now) at Middlebury College in Vermont and during the winter pretend to be a hockey player (hence the defenseman line in my "About Me").
Needless to say, Hangzhou is a bit different from anything I've ever experienced. A "Medium Sized City" of eight million people and with enough pollution to create an ever present fog, certainly worse than the smog of LA that I experienced last year. Moreover it is my first time spending an extended period of time outside the friendly confines of the U.S., a little intimidating, yes, but also, when am I ever going to have this type of opportunity again?!? So far so good. I think an even bigger adjustment than going from the States and speaking English has been the transition from rural and suburbia lifestyles to the 100% urban lifestyle, the omnipotence of the goddamn cars and noise is a little difficult to get used to, but I think I'm starting to get there.
On a better note, city life and China life for that matter, certainly have some pluses as does, mainly the nightlife. What a blast! Our second night here (I'm here with 35 other American students, although we're not aloud to speak English) we went out to a small karaoke bar near our host college's back gate, a bar, mind you, that none of our Chinese roommates said we'd like. They could not have been more wrong! It was dirty and grimy and loud, but the music was fun, Maroon 5 anyone? and the crowd even better. I can't picture a more fun time than sitting or standing in a crowded dive bar with five Americans and twenty Chinese screaming Guns N' Roses at the tops of our lungs. Good to know that even thousands of miles from home the people are still infected with the need to drunkenly belt out the crappiest of American songs. BORN IN THE USA! as the Boss would shout...apparently not a requirement to make an ass out of yourself at crappy dive bars.
I also had my first true club experience and am happy to report that those same sketchy over 40 year old (不三不四) guys exist in both the bowels of a Middlebury, Vermont watering hole and in a major super-club in Hangzhou, China, and yes, us men still are required to act as the buffers between the girls and these sketch-balls (who says Chivalry is dead?), which although I understand, does not mean I enjoy being the one who has the old dude bumping into me either! eh 算了把... Just gotta roll with the punches, I'm where the wild things are now, and that's pretty cool.
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