8/12/2013
It's been two months since students came back. I wanted to say to them:
A fantastic job! Isaac, Tiffany, Katlyn, Shannon, Jessica and Collin.
I am truly proud of the group and each of YOU, for your effort, courage... and the miles you took over the journey.
I think, at this point, it's clear that this JOURNEY is something that can go on in your life memories and something you earned the " bragging right" ( if you do that). My point is:
YOU did it. You proved (to yourself) that the challenges were there, and yet you went, you did it as asked or volunteered into....with smiles.
That's the smile I wish on the day you graduate, get hires for your first or dream job, accomplish a challenge, finding a right solution for a problem. (The process matters as well as the goal. ) So, Congrats to all of y'all!
YOUR names shall remain on this Great Wall of Fame, for USI Chinese Club.
It's been two months since students came back. I wanted to say to them:
A fantastic job! Isaac, Tiffany, Katlyn, Shannon, Jessica and Collin.
I am truly proud of the group and each of YOU, for your effort, courage... and the miles you took over the journey.
I think, at this point, it's clear that this JOURNEY is something that can go on in your life memories and something you earned the " bragging right" ( if you do that). My point is:
YOU did it. You proved (to yourself) that the challenges were there, and yet you went, you did it as asked or volunteered into....with smiles.
That's the smile I wish on the day you graduate, get hires for your first or dream job, accomplish a challenge, finding a right solution for a problem. (The process matters as well as the goal. ) So, Congrats to all of y'all!
YOUR names shall remain on this Great Wall of Fame, for USI Chinese Club.
My Gratitude and Dedication goes to:
Dr. Silvia Anna Rode,
Dr. Rochon,
Dr. Michael Aakhus,
Heidi Gregori-Gahan
Joyce Rietman: my Co-Captain
I also would like to thank the trust and support of: the STUDENT FAMILIES, USI Community and great friends /members of USI Chinese Club ( Barb Goodwin), Susanne Stanley ( logistics), and Jessica Roos ( setting up this weekbly site and Photobucket)!
Last but not least, I owe a big thanks to my husband DAVE and our son LONG who both support my dedication throughout the project. Thanks, and I love you guys.
Dedicated to Mom & Dad: LOVE FOREVER
-- For the love you have shown me:
Mr. Pang Qingxin 庞庆新先生
Mrs. Gong Yunping 宫韵平女士
Congratulations:
Jessica Roos for Hiring in her FIRST job!
Happy Birthday, Shannon! ( 6/12)
Happy Birthday, Dad! ( 6/12)
(Now, that Double Birthday sure makes a LASTING double happiness!! I say.)
General Reminder:
ALL PHOTOS and BLOGS posted on Traveltochinausi Page are for educational purposes only. They should be treated as property of USI and are thus protected and bounded by laws applied to USI.
If you are not affiliated with USI or SWU and would like to use any posted material, or simply have question, please contact me at [email protected] .
Thank you for your respect and cooperation.
ALL PHOTOS and BLOGS posted on Traveltochinausi Page are for educational purposes only. They should be treated as property of USI and are thus protected and bounded by laws applied to USI.
If you are not affiliated with USI or SWU and would like to use any posted material, or simply have question, please contact me at [email protected] .
Thank you for your respect and cooperation.
The JOURNEY starts:
The Beginning note, or the End Note ( as some may call it)
At the end of the trip: Please take a look at the number of " first -times' you have tried. Then we may begin to realize how far ...we may have been stretched, and the good news is, it's all all right. You are all right. Congrats on you!
( I knew you could do it.) We will be there along the way.
and NOW, the journey is YOURS to make. You will be amazed. Buckle up.
The Beginning note, or the End Note ( as some may call it)
At the end of the trip: Please take a look at the number of " first -times' you have tried. Then we may begin to realize how far ...we may have been stretched, and the good news is, it's all all right. You are all right. Congrats on you!
( I knew you could do it.) We will be there along the way.
and NOW, the journey is YOURS to make. You will be amazed. Buckle up.
How it all got started:
Students learn language best by living in the culture and use the language, it's the "immersion". approach.
Theories say that students learn better from doing. Then how about immerse students Chinese acquisition in China taught by Chinese professors and while they are "soaked in the culture"? What would students learn? Will they come home with something valuable or VALUE-ADDED learning outcomes...? Maybe we'll find out.
How will students survive in a new university in a NEW culture and country while learning? Will it work? How safe it is? What programs work and what don't?
We researched models and practices.
The rest is simple. Really. Vision - - Planning- Reality. Decision was made:
May 16-June 14, 2013: University of Southern Indiana - China Study Abroad Summer Program 2013.
Students learn language best by living in the culture and use the language, it's the "immersion". approach.
Theories say that students learn better from doing. Then how about immerse students Chinese acquisition in China taught by Chinese professors and while they are "soaked in the culture"? What would students learn? Will they come home with something valuable or VALUE-ADDED learning outcomes...? Maybe we'll find out.
How will students survive in a new university in a NEW culture and country while learning? Will it work? How safe it is? What programs work and what don't?
We researched models and practices.
The rest is simple. Really. Vision - - Planning- Reality. Decision was made:
May 16-June 14, 2013: University of Southern Indiana - China Study Abroad Summer Program 2013.
"Thanks, parents and friends; thanks, USI. "
We had very strong family support for the trip, I should say. All came with one, two or three family members or friend!
Thanks! We shall see y'all here in a month.
"Thanks, Lisa!"
Lisa: our USI fellow who works at the airport, came to help with luggage check in and escorted us to the security line.
"This shall be a good trip, I know. "
Arriving at Chongqing:
Greeted by SWU Students
We saw a sign with USI...! Wow...after the long flight, we all screamed a sigh of relief. We landed, safe and sound.
And, quite to my dismay, we saw two students who came to welcome us right outside the Gate, Michele and Vicky: the first language partners we met.
I will remember the two young girls, calm, nice, easy-going... and speaks very fluent English. They speak Chongqing dialect!
Greeted by SWU Students
We saw a sign with USI...! Wow...after the long flight, we all screamed a sigh of relief. We landed, safe and sound.
And, quite to my dismay, we saw two students who came to welcome us right outside the Gate, Michele and Vicky: the first language partners we met.
I will remember the two young girls, calm, nice, easy-going... and speaks very fluent English. They speak Chongqing dialect!
Our First Meal at SWU:
Thy chopsticks...the group kept it up for the whole time, amazingly.
Setting in Ziyun Lou, looking out form my window:
Behind the high-rised buildings is Mt Jinyun.
The extension of human life on...roof -top! When I was in NY many ten years ago, I was amazed at how people had flower pots on rooftops...and they were blooming so much still. My parents' town was not like this until now, so I didn't see rooftop plants or gardens.
Did you ses the activities and items on the roof? The photos were all taken in the morning, 7 am or so. By the time people went to work, early -birds would already join in the crowd heading to work.
Weeks later, when we visited a faculty's home, I found some answer to the Rooftop Curiosity:
Mu's dad had turnt the rooftop into a oh so beautiful garden. He had 2 apple tree, 1 jubilee tree, 1 pear tree, tomato, lotus flower, ...what he was smiling most about is the flower pots that he handmade. He is a retired teacher from the school, over 80 years now. Garden is his love, he said. He goes up and down the ladders, bring water up and down, ...it's good exercises, he said. He's very modest.
Mu's dad had turnt the rooftop into a oh so beautiful garden. He had 2 apple tree, 1 jubilee tree, 1 pear tree, tomato, lotus flower, ...what he was smiling most about is the flower pots that he handmade. He is a retired teacher from the school, over 80 years now. Garden is his love, he said. He goes up and down the ladders, bring water up and down, ...it's good exercises, he said. He's very modest.
USI on SWU News: June 7, 2013
"西南大学与美国南印第安纳大学学生交流会成功举办"
http://foreign.swu.edu.cn/html/124/2013/06-08/4079.html
For those who do not have access to internet, here's a copy of the report.
西南大学与美国南印第安纳大学学生交流会成功举办
6月7日,美国南印第安纳大学的学生访问团与西南大学大学英语演讲课程班的同学们在国际学院交流厅举办了交流会。
本次交流活动话题涉及广泛,从美国著名的辛普森案到中国的龙图腾,从自己的学业生活到两国美食。此外,来自南印第安纳大学的庞琳老师还别出心裁地让大家用各自的方言朗诵一首英译版徐志摩的《再别康桥》。其中美国学生柯林的美国南方口音,西南大学化学化工学院学生曾旭恒的广东口音和园艺园林学院张植凯模仿的英国口音迎来了阵阵喝彩,并将交流活动推向了高潮。在活动中大家畅所欲言,透过不同的视角,了解不同的生活背景,看到了不一样的世界。
"这些中国学生让我印象深刻,"来自南印第安纳大学数学系的学生柯林如是说,"他们不仅仅有热情,而且很有思想。透过他们,我了解了更多关于中国富有吸引力的文化,让我有了更广泛的视野,我很享受这次的活动,并渴望再次来到中国。"
最后,本次活动圆满结束。此次兼具学术与趣味性的活动,不仅可以让学生开阔眼界,还能激发学生学习热情,让学生更具国际视野和竞争力。
(园艺园林学院张植凯供稿)
For those who do not have access to internet, here's a copy of the report.
西南大学与美国南印第安纳大学学生交流会成功举办
6月7日,美国南印第安纳大学的学生访问团与西南大学大学英语演讲课程班的同学们在国际学院交流厅举办了交流会。
本次交流活动话题涉及广泛,从美国著名的辛普森案到中国的龙图腾,从自己的学业生活到两国美食。此外,来自南印第安纳大学的庞琳老师还别出心裁地让大家用各自的方言朗诵一首英译版徐志摩的《再别康桥》。其中美国学生柯林的美国南方口音,西南大学化学化工学院学生曾旭恒的广东口音和园艺园林学院张植凯模仿的英国口音迎来了阵阵喝彩,并将交流活动推向了高潮。在活动中大家畅所欲言,透过不同的视角,了解不同的生活背景,看到了不一样的世界。
"这些中国学生让我印象深刻,"来自南印第安纳大学数学系的学生柯林如是说,"他们不仅仅有热情,而且很有思想。透过他们,我了解了更多关于中国富有吸引力的文化,让我有了更广泛的视野,我很享受这次的活动,并渴望再次来到中国。"
最后,本次活动圆满结束。此次兼具学术与趣味性的活动,不仅可以让学生开阔眼界,还能激发学生学习热情,让学生更具国际视野和竞争力。
(园艺园林学院张植凯供稿)
USI Delegation on SWU News: http://jyxb.swu.edu.cn/news.jsp?nd=332&ns=1269
"美国南印第安纳州立大学Joyce Rietman一行访问我部"
2013年5月20日上午10:30,南印第安纳州立大学一行在教育学部戴华鹏老师的带领下来学部访问,王牧华副部长代表学部与客人进行了交流。出席此次会谈的人员有南印第安纳州立大学高级临床经验及协同教学教师教育主任Joyce Rietman、庞玲一行,以及学部王牧华副部长、学部国际部副主任戴华鹏老师、国际部助管杨妮、周雁秋。
交流会上,王部长向来宾介绍了教育学部免费师范生的招生规模、师范生的培养机制、国内教师资格证书的获取方式以及中美教师教学科目的差异等。王部长还向来宾展示了温家宝总理与首届免费师范生代表毕业合影,让来宾对我校免费师范生的培养能有一个更为深刻的认识。
同时,王部长就教育学部目前与美国密歇根州立大学、华盛顿大学之间的博士生交换项目以及与美国密歇根州立大学职前教师访学项目向来宾进行了较为详细的阐述,内容涉及项目的经费来源、双方学生的学费、住宿费等,为双方未来合作项目的洽谈与建立奠定了有益基础。南印第安纳州立大学一行就我部现有的合作项目及合作方式表示出强烈的兴趣,并希望能与学部领导进行更为深入细致的交谈,为今后的深入合作创造良好开端。
交流会上,王部长向来宾介绍了教育学部免费师范生的招生规模、师范生的培养机制、国内教师资格证书的获取方式以及中美教师教学科目的差异等。王部长还向来宾展示了温家宝总理与首届免费师范生代表毕业合影,让来宾对我校免费师范生的培养能有一个更为深刻的认识。
同时,王部长就教育学部目前与美国密歇根州立大学、华盛顿大学之间的博士生交换项目以及与美国密歇根州立大学职前教师访学项目向来宾进行了较为详细的阐述,内容涉及项目的经费来源、双方学生的学费、住宿费等,为双方未来合作项目的洽谈与建立奠定了有益基础。南印第安纳州立大学一行就我部现有的合作项目及合作方式表示出强烈的兴趣,并希望能与学部领导进行更为深入细致的交谈,为今后的深入合作创造良好开端。
USI on SWU News: "美国南印第安纳大学短期班开班典礼顺利举行"
http://gjc.swu.edu.cn/linkWeb.do?id=620
June 3, 2013
5月20日上午9点,美国南印第安纳大学短期班开班典礼在国际学院紫云楼举行。国际学院副院长张家政教授、美国南印第安纳大学领队老师庞琳女士和Joyce Rietman女士、国际学院招生办公室和学生工作办公室教师、来自教育学部、历史文化学院等相关学院的任课教师代表、美国南印第安纳大学短期班的各位同学及参与1+1汉语辅导的语伴出席了开班典礼。
国际学院副院长张家政教授首先向来自美国南印第安纳大学的老师和同学们表达了热烈的欢迎,用简单、亲切的语言向留学生们介绍了我校的基本情况,并对同学们表达了最殷切的祝福。美国南印第安纳大学领队老师庞琳女士表达了此次短期班项目顺利实施的喜悦之情,并感谢我校对此项目所做的精心安排。任课教师代表戴华鹏老师介绍了西南大学的学习和生活,并表示所有任课教师都会真诚地在学习和生活上关心帮助各位同学。Joseph Williams作为学生代表发言,表达了来到西南大学学习的激动心情,并表示一定会珍惜这次机会,努力学习中文和了解中国文化。最后,张家政副院长和庞琳女士代表两校互赠了礼物,开班典礼在愉快的气氛中结束。
美国南印第安纳大学(简称USI)是位于美国印第安纳州西南部埃文斯维尔的州立综合性大学。此次短期班项目是两校在学生项目上的首次合作,本次短期班项目的顺利实施必将促进两校的进一步合作。(国际学院供稿)
5月20日上午9点,美国南印第安纳大学短期班开班典礼在国际学院紫云楼举行。国际学院副院长张家政教授、美国南印第安纳大学领队老师庞琳女士和Joyce Rietman女士、国际学院招生办公室和学生工作办公室教师、来自教育学部、历史文化学院等相关学院的任课教师代表、美国南印第安纳大学短期班的各位同学及参与1+1汉语辅导的语伴出席了开班典礼。
国际学院副院长张家政教授首先向来自美国南印第安纳大学的老师和同学们表达了热烈的欢迎,用简单、亲切的语言向留学生们介绍了我校的基本情况,并对同学们表达了最殷切的祝福。美国南印第安纳大学领队老师庞琳女士表达了此次短期班项目顺利实施的喜悦之情,并感谢我校对此项目所做的精心安排。任课教师代表戴华鹏老师介绍了西南大学的学习和生活,并表示所有任课教师都会真诚地在学习和生活上关心帮助各位同学。Joseph Williams作为学生代表发言,表达了来到西南大学学习的激动心情,并表示一定会珍惜这次机会,努力学习中文和了解中国文化。最后,张家政副院长和庞琳女士代表两校互赠了礼物,开班典礼在愉快的气氛中结束。
美国南印第安纳大学(简称USI)是位于美国印第安纳州西南部埃文斯维尔的州立综合性大学。此次短期班项目是两校在学生项目上的首次合作,本次短期班项目的顺利实施必将促进两校的进一步合作。(国际学院供稿)
The Road to Pianyan Ancient Town:
This batch of photos below shows what it looks like outside the city of Chongqing. Definitely hilly, right?! But our bus was indeed going on nicely-paced roads, and Our driver was very confident though.
Cultural Excursion: Jin Dao Xia
Out to the mountain and the woods we go...
I am not an outdoor fan, but when I have a chance to go to the woods and mountains, for the fresh air, the friends, the fun we would all have and exciting experience, I personally wouldn't let go of it!!
POEMs WANTED!!!
Dear Students:
If you have a POEM about the nature and the joy, please send to me. I would like to post something poetic and pretty here, to make this SECTION look better. Thanks. - Pang
At Pianyan Ancient Town 偏岩古镇:
Lin's cultural Notes:
In my eyes:
A preservation of the ancient town, the way of life. This provides traces of data and photos for the historical town.
With me is Ms Chen Yuan, who was born and grew in a small town in Sichuan, where her large family loom still unites for holidays and celebrations each year. When they do, she told me it's about hundreds of people, young and old. I wanted to meet them and join in the celebration.
That's where I had the first "real" BOWING in the temple: She was coaching me along the way, the inscents - all three of them had to be lit TOGETHER, and then the three lit inscents together will light the candle... Interestingly, the table turned, I was the student. Believe it or not, I was a good student, in the outdoor humanity site.
The town is at least 500 years old. Today the life activity is well kept there, towns folks set up shops along the streets. I have been to many ancient towns in China and America, I would say this modal is very cool in keeping the history and help the folks make a living. It's more like the Amish Town in Ohio, only you can walk through it and buy things in it. Literally, it feels like you take a step back in time and BECAME a part of the ancient town - ALIVE.
The Village Tree:
Do you see the tree where Ms Chen and I took a picture in? This tree is special in that it is, or used to be the center of the village. This used to be the meeting place for the whole village, Ms confirmed that after talking to the folks there.This is where meetings and story- telling passed on, and kids ran around growing up, the social spot. Right behind the tree, there built a row of houses.
Two of the house were in use that day: one full of men and women, playing Majiong and playcards...smoking pipes, talking, smiling. Our presence did not stop them. We knew this still is the Activity Center for the villager, and the folks are ...somewhat used to the idea this is an open tourist site, they just keep their life on. I also think this is real. They look like the un-trained people on a movie shooting site. They make tourists feel at home.
The Kitchen Place:
I love them. If I collect something, it would be the photos of the old kitchen. I like it for what it does for people; it brings people together, for drink, meal, warmth... Ms Chen took quite many photos of me being by the Kitchen. How many? ( At least four)
The Opera Theatre:
This is history. It used to be the old Town Center where people gathered. It's unique in that it used to be the stage for Sichuan Opera performing for the village folks, a gathering place for them.
At first sight, it looks like just a stage. if you look closely into the both sides from the stage, you will see the inside structure: behind the stage there are hallways on both sides and small rooms, artists could use for makeup, refresh or rest, it's their backstage room. On performing days, that is also where prop sets are set AND musical accompaniment is located . This is history. The kind of outdoor old country theatre are very hard to find now. I am really thrilled to see this one well-maintained like this.
What I loved to have done is to go on further with this, ask the villagers more questions, learn more details about their life and changing customs, how their life stand with the challenges and tests of the younger generations,( - common things different contents that we are all faced by ) ... but students were already waiting long enough. This further exploration could easily take up a day ending up maybe by a folk's family meal table, and sure of valuable learning. I would like to come back again for it. And I definitely come with Ms Chen. She told me this: for her project, she has gone into many remote villages for detailed investigations ( for economic projects), plus she speaks local dialect, you ought see how she talks to the folks there, the look, the touch, the gaze, the pause, the pointing... You can be sure she's home here. So she will make a perfect co-worker and guide, creating some valuable anthropological work and memories.
I really wanted to shout out a BIG THANKYOU to Ms Chen, for taking her Saturday off and guided us there.
Dried Herbs Bundles:
This is a very widely practiced for Dragon Boat Festival season. The woman told us that the people used the particle dried herbs to:1) boil into bath water and then bathe in it; 2) hang on door frame, let the scent get in the air. Bathing is said to "repel bugs and ...bad luck", keep allergy down. This practice is related to the 24 Season for farmers ( 节气), the season said after the Dragon Boat Festival, bugs and elergents are out in the air which will harm people especial young children. Ms Chen said her mom used to bathe her; where I come from - in Guangxi, I hear do the bathing technique as well, though I only did it when I was very little.. Now do owe my bug-free skin ( knock on woods) to it! Hanging the dried herbs on door frame, for people going through the door, it's like they bath in the air, so it works air-borne.
The Blessing Tree:
Did you see the red cloth slices hanging from the big tree? To the people who believe this, it's supposed to bring protection and good luck to them or their beloved ones; Yet to the people who DO or DON'T believe in the blessing touches of the tree, it still remains a very important place to the shared culture of the villagers there. In China, people tend to believe luck can be invited by sincere wishes and bowing, Being sincere is a key element for the wish to " transfer". Since I learnt this, I noticed many trees with red cloth slices (- some people call " A Blessing Tree", ), mostly in Sichuan area. This is a unique practice in Sichuan. In the Memorial Wall in Three Gorges Museum, I noticed a Blessing Tree amongst the photos.
Collin Learning to Use a Chinese Scale:
Yes, if you are looking at that photo. It may seem easy, but the scale is very hard to balance. Take a good look at it's structure: if you are not careful, the "weight" might just fall ... Ms Chen is an expert hand of it, she is showing Collin how to work it. The herbs come out as ...how much weight? Just ask Collin.
The Cute Babies:
Cute babies is a FOREVER talk point for all travelers, and I think that is not much a stretch. While methods of caring for babies vary, and the demonstration of the love and caring could vary, yet love is there. Take a good look at the Babies & Mothers bundle, you will see.
Along the trip, I took many photos of babies, with their mothers, brothers. You will find two babies in this visit.
The Big Question: Better Life & economic improvement
On the way to the Ancient Town, we saw some individual houses on the hill sides. There were all white structure, similar look. Ms Chen said they are what is called " Face House" - houses built for farmers yet with a hidden political agenda - for the officials to look good /proud of the accomplishment. Those houses are usually known for the rough design, not practical for family use, poor constructed; they usually bear lots of issues for the near future.
The Town becomes a mark. A mark that seems to raise questions to us, one of which is: Is this life a good life? What if this is what you only have and imagine before the roads were built? If people would choose for improvement, what would be good improvement for the people? Will one cut style ruling thought serve well for all? Where do their kids go to school? How far is it? ...There are too many questions, only the people there could provide insights. I got to come back again.
Others observations and comments:
The antique streets, the bamboo goods, the temple ( still alive), the dog, the stone bridge, the kitchen, the wine jars, the sleeping dog, the street vendors, all seem so far away and yet so real. I thought I was in a novel. Yet it is a lively town and very clean. People were walking, aged folks are outside, smoking, talking, kids were running around, women inviting to her restaurant, man making and selling hand-made soy milk...
The Three Gorges Museum: June 1, 2013.
The history in the area were showcased here: The Tujia Ethnic clothing and tools(ethnic culture), unearthed pre-historic objects, The Three Gorges - History and Now, etc. This demonstrates the level of human civilization evolution in the area.
My favorite display is the Three Gorges Relocation Memorial Hall. Thousands of people had to relocated due to the construction of the Three Gorges Dam, which today is still a controversy topic for China. History passes, memories stay. The Memorial Wall and Hall is a look into the life before the Project.
Reflection:
At the back of my mind, a question comes up quite often:
Are we as human BETTER OFF with this grand Project?
I hope the decision of the Project did not come about as a token of " personal fame or ego", but rather truthfully as a grand project that aims to "create blessings to human kind " 造福人类
While I think the people whose lives were affected by this should be the judge of this, we all should have our own stand.
At the back of my mind, a question comes up quite often:
Are we as human BETTER OFF with this grand Project?
I hope the decision of the Project did not come about as a token of " personal fame or ego", but rather truthfully as a grand project that aims to "create blessings to human kind " 造福人类
While I think the people whose lives were affected by this should be the judge of this, we all should have our own stand.
Cultural Excursion:
Downtown Chongqing: The Liberation Monument ( Area)
The Glamour, the Accomplishment. Where The Eastern and Western Meets. The Shops. The Commercial. The Trendy and the Rich: materials that provides for " a good life". " A good life" is talked about in Chinese context recent years more and more. I have noticed that the word's connotation has changed quite a bit over the years!
I find some Interesting topics:
A good life
Chinese dream
American dream
Dream
stages in life
ambitions, study and goals, plans and actions
success and happiness and the pursuit of happiness: definition, perception, growth, strategy, action. Chinese approach - ultimate life goal: Body. Mind. Soul
be careful choosing a career:
My Views : ZEN
We hear ZEN being mentioned a lot in America. It definitely has some association with Asian thoughts ore trends of Asian thoughts, as a matter of fact, the wording of ZEN is coined from a Chinese word chan 禅. It rooted from the oriental thought, but then generally refer to the state of life that most people may reach, at later in life, when life settles or quiets down after reaching goals. It's the tranquil phase our mind is at. It's still yet runs deep.
However, I would say, make no mistake of this:
Chinese approach /thoughts = Zen way of life? No.
Zen is overrated and over used, I think. Be careful how far you would apply the concept to and what kinds of behaviors it applies.
What's the Point: Downtown Chongqing
The first seminar that the students had is " Chongqing: The History, Present, and the Future".
Now we at at the Center of Chongqing. This gives students a chance to contextualize what the professor talked about in class, and make connections of concepts with real things.
Downtown Chongqing: The Liberation Monument ( Area)
The Glamour, the Accomplishment. Where The Eastern and Western Meets. The Shops. The Commercial. The Trendy and the Rich: materials that provides for " a good life". " A good life" is talked about in Chinese context recent years more and more. I have noticed that the word's connotation has changed quite a bit over the years!
I find some Interesting topics:
A good life
Chinese dream
American dream
Dream
stages in life
ambitions, study and goals, plans and actions
success and happiness and the pursuit of happiness: definition, perception, growth, strategy, action. Chinese approach - ultimate life goal: Body. Mind. Soul
be careful choosing a career:
My Views : ZEN
We hear ZEN being mentioned a lot in America. It definitely has some association with Asian thoughts ore trends of Asian thoughts, as a matter of fact, the wording of ZEN is coined from a Chinese word chan 禅. It rooted from the oriental thought, but then generally refer to the state of life that most people may reach, at later in life, when life settles or quiets down after reaching goals. It's the tranquil phase our mind is at. It's still yet runs deep.
However, I would say, make no mistake of this:
Chinese approach /thoughts = Zen way of life? No.
Zen is overrated and over used, I think. Be careful how far you would apply the concept to and what kinds of behaviors it applies.
What's the Point: Downtown Chongqing
The first seminar that the students had is " Chongqing: The History, Present, and the Future".
Now we at at the Center of Chongqing. This gives students a chance to contextualize what the professor talked about in class, and make connections of concepts with real things.
Lin's cultural Views: My Observations and Comments
This is Downtown Chongqing. WOW.
Your eyes won't lie, your mind won't argue, your head is spinning, your breathing is fast, your heart is in pain/ or joy: Where do I start, gee...?
Liberation Monument ( Area) is new and ...different. It's GRAND with all those tall buildings marked with Gucci, LV, ...world top brand names. It seems ... sort of obnoxious, loud. It looks like NY...Times Square. That's it! Not sure how I like it.
Quite often I heard comments such as: How do the stores hold up ...? Well, to this end, briefly put it, that's the secret to the success ( and failure) of Chinese new economy. I did some reading and may offer my two cents later.
This is Downtown Chongqing. WOW.
Your eyes won't lie, your mind won't argue, your head is spinning, your breathing is fast, your heart is in pain/ or joy: Where do I start, gee...?
Liberation Monument ( Area) is new and ...different. It's GRAND with all those tall buildings marked with Gucci, LV, ...world top brand names. It seems ... sort of obnoxious, loud. It looks like NY...Times Square. That's it! Not sure how I like it.
Quite often I heard comments such as: How do the stores hold up ...? Well, to this end, briefly put it, that's the secret to the success ( and failure) of Chinese new economy. I did some reading and may offer my two cents later.
Campus Student Cafeteria : He Feng Lou June 8, 2013
Intro: There are several student cafeterias in SWU campus, He Feng Lou is one of them. Several teachers recommended it to us, we paid a short visit after hours, today we have a chance to try it for the first time.
Lin's Journal entry of the DAY:
6:20 pm, pouring cats and dogs, Mu-er came, in her car. She sometimes goes there for lunch too. taking a break at lunch and then get back to teaching in the afternoon, this makes a convenient meal choice for low-cost, variety of foods, inside campus ( not very far ).
Lin's Journal entry of the DAY:
6:20 pm, pouring cats and dogs, Mu-er came, in her car. She sometimes goes there for lunch too. taking a break at lunch and then get back to teaching in the afternoon, this makes a convenient meal choice for low-cost, variety of foods, inside campus ( not very far ).
June 7, 2013 Saturday :
- Morning till afternoon: free time
- Evening: Language team : ( organised) Home Visit ;
Ed team: Interaction with Students ( formal Dinner & Teaching exchange)
Personal visit:
The Sichuan Art Institute:
The Institute is located in the University Town area, which is about 45 minutes by car. Sculptor and campus decorations are very impressive - pickle jars, colored pickle jars, and something unusual is the aged artifacts. Mu-er ( her husband works in the Institute) said the Institute allocated many talents, professional hands, and huge amount into the project, dedicating it to a site that preserves parts of the past, traditional practices and tools, farm tools ( the area used to be a farming based agricultural community), with the urbanization, these sites and tools are disappearing otherwise.
Lin's Observation:
What I gather seems to tell me is that : (in the form of short statements)
1. China is faced with the threat of losing old traditions and practices.
2. China is developing vastly economically;
3. China is building a LOT of large, tall buildings,
...
Cultural Commonality and Differences: China & America
With differences stem from geography, history, politics, economy, government and policy..., are we, as Chinese people and American people, facing SIMILAR set of challenges ? What are some of the challenges?
THIS SECTION IS for USI Class in Fall:
Homevisit: Mu Laohsi, retired teacher and an artist:
Sat - switched to a regular day, people work both Sat and Sunday so that they have a three-day weekend during the Dragon Boat Festival ( June 12).
Mu-er and her parents invited our group to visit her home. Mu-er teaches at Dept of English, a good friend of mine, her parents are very healthy, very hospitable and welcoming...after checking with her details, I decided that we will take up this SPECIAL invitation.
Joyce, Jessica and Shannon going to a Dinner, so katlyn, Isaac, Tiffany Kong and Collin will go and do this Home visit.
Mu Laoshi and Yao Laoshi are retired teachers. They worked and retired from SWU -Affiliated Middle School.
Mu-er and her parents invited our group to visit her home. Mu-er teaches at Dept of English, a good friend of mine, her parents are very healthy, very hospitable and welcoming...after checking with her details, I decided that we will take up this SPECIAL invitation.
Joyce, Jessica and Shannon going to a Dinner, so katlyn, Isaac, Tiffany Kong and Collin will go and do this Home visit.
Mu Laoshi and Yao Laoshi are retired teachers. They worked and retired from SWU -Affiliated Middle School.
May 23 School Visit - Secondary School 西大附中
In the afternoon: 10 minutes walk from campus, we arrived at Xi Da Fu Zhong.
We were greeted warmly at the Gate by several teachers; and followed by visits. "Amazing" and " greatly improved" are some words I could think of to describe the impression of the visit.
The School building is new, ten minutes walk outside campus along the sidewalks, several mild ups and downs later. We can see the large sign of the School from the top of our building.
We were greeted warmly at the Gate by several teachers; and followed by visits. "Amazing" and " greatly improved" are some words I could think of to describe the impression of the visit.
The School building is new, ten minutes walk outside campus along the sidewalks, several mild ups and downs later. We can see the large sign of the School from the top of our building.
For Teachers:
Lin's Cultural Notes:
Some Observations and FACTS about the Chinese language and culture :
- China is huge and vast;
- In China people speak dialects, many kinds often;
- China is densely populated, more so East than West, cities than villages;
- Better public facilities in cities than counties;
- Better schools overall (funding, facilities, teachers and enrollment -" quality of school") in cities than counties;
Not to use the FACTS as social markers, but the FACTS do tell us that we need to use strategies when in China - if we wanted to achieve anything. So here's some impressions and TIPS:
If you have read books about Chinese culture or books like Business Success Strategies, you may make more connections:
- Flexibility is key to happy ending while holding to what you broadly aim at - chances are you may end up in the right direction, and you have to twig along the way;
- people are really hi-tech; QQ, WeChat, sina blogs,Sina.com, baidu.com, alibaba.com, taobao.com, ...talking about 21st century skills.
-- Face-to Face communication works better; Yes, Cell phone is everywhere, you may even hear rings in class; but, people still prefer face-to-face to just calling;
-- Further on, people do NOT use answer machine;
-- Chinese people are proud to be " cultured", speaks some dialects, sing some songs, tell some good jokes, be the " social person" among groups. It's important in a " In-Group Harmony" is valued.
-- The Chinese language structure - while it is simple, short, straight-forward and direct but containing complex and layered meanings. This is no secret to any languages known to human, just bear in mind, ask for help when you need, and don't hesitate.
-- Take care of people you have contact with, leave positive impressions, make friends or ties. Guanxi goes far more than what's been talked about in books, it's something hard to teach and learn because it's SOFT, people say it comes from heart. It's soft and flexible ( seems to be changing its shapes and forms, hard to grasp and define... Be care to not take Guanxi as a solid requirement that you have to perform up to, people from outside the culture are pretty much exempt from these "hidden rules"; to this end, some experts think they maybe better off to stay away from those rounds or just team-up with a Chinese.
-- Things work like " Iceberg Theory". You have to take a LAYERED-look at it: at Surface level, Deeper level; door man, middle man, scout, key head...all comes in play.
-- And, hiarochical structure do work. Do not underestimate that.
-- Politics work, in Offices, friends. This may not be seriously defined POLITICS, but various forms of it.
-- Business is booming in China, that means people talk about buying and selling, banking... Be careful to not jump into conclusion form this.
-- It's true that the Chinese people talks a lot about money, in article, on TV screens, in conversations...you name it. I think this is caused by the rising economy as China is going through urbanization process. Ba careful that while people talk about money and making money FREELY doesnot lead to a direct link to moral indication;
-- Chinese people like to be Good, do Good work and not talk about it. ( I think this shows Modesty is at work). This seems to be true.
Why Strategies? All the above means Learn Some STRATEGY is important:
Strategies will help you determined things like these: Is this related to me? How? - If not, just relax and work on your things :)
Key to Successful Living in Chongqing: 闹中取静,险中求稳求胜
More Cultural Notes:
Face-to-face Cultural + busy working people culture: Chinese Culture
- in workplace or shops;
-in casual and informal settings: go at your own pace.
- Chinese to Chinese: they usually use short phrases to get meanings across, " short, quick and effective" seems to work better;
- in case of shopping: Depending on if there is a large crowd after you or you just happen to be the only shopper in the spot. Chinese love to CHAT with you, broken English or not, dialogue or not, the point seems to be they wanted to SEE IF YOU AND HIM/HER WOULD UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER; if it did, great, everybody end up laughing and happy; if not, not a big deal, things happen, and ain't nobody's fault, end up laughing also, nobody really gets embarrassed or scarred, walking on.
-
- in case of shopping: Depending on if there is a large crowd after you or you just happen to be the only shopper in the spot. Chinese love to CHAT with you, broken English or not, dialogue or not, the point seems to be they wanted to SEE IF YOU AND HIM/HER WOULD UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER; if it did, great, everybody end up laughing and happy; if not, not a big deal, things happen, and ain't nobody's fault, end up laughing also, nobody really gets embarrassed or scarred, walking on.
-
Chinese (Four-Word) Idioms 中国的成语: Language is a direct reflection of a local culture.
Chinese four-word idiom is unique, specific, using the right one at the right time can SAVE you buckets of descriptive words,AND, who heard it GETS IT right away! Achieving the "magic" in effective communication, in Chinese the effect is described as 一语中的,会心一笑 . Like everything in China renewing at China's speed, idioms grow too, applications and modifications are seen from time to time ( where 3 decades ago this growth was not allowed - people were emcourage to just HOLD ON to what was passed down by the ancestors and traditional thoughts only). Here are some examples:
青出于蓝而胜于蓝
长江后浪推前浪
一剑双雕
一语双关
一语中的
溺水行舟
出淤泥而不染
同流合污
常在河边走,仍要脚不湿 ( modified)
。。。。。。
青出于蓝而胜于蓝
长江后浪推前浪
一剑双雕
一语双关
一语中的
溺水行舟
出淤泥而不染
同流合污
常在河边走,仍要脚不湿 ( modified)
。。。。。。
Lin's notes:
Chongqing culture : How many Chongqing are there? Is there more than ONE Chongqing?
"Beautiful lies in the eyes of the beholder". How does it apply here?
from the eyes of the Chongqing people:
the eyes of Sichuan people:
the eyes of SWU students and faculty:
the eyes of new-comers:
Chongqing: Codes of the City
Some key words: Growing, beautiful, huge, lots of people, walks a lot, green coverage, high heels,
To me, Chongqing is more a Modern City with its own style: more City on the Change, City on the Mountain, Green city, not so much a Fog City any more.
The style of Chongqing as a city has MANY FACES, Using a Sichuan traditional opera term, it would be Chongqing and Her Changing Faces 重庆与她的变脸
Chongqing: Some traditions and trades
New Chongqing:
Cultural learning: Successfully navigate between cultures, in cultural situations
Navigating through cultural grounds, for school, for buniness, for new families - the Welcome Manual for Newcomers
Best Practices and How-to's, i.e.:
"Things You Must Do While in Chongqing";
" What to Bring to Chongqing/China";
" How to Be a Successful ESL Volunteer Teacher In China: 0 Experience"; or
" 0 Experience ESL Volunteer Teacher in Chinese Grade School: Trick Bags and What to Prepare"
......
Do you have some tips for next USI group? - Now that you have taken a personal journey to China, looking back to the Journey:
- What are some points you could share that are helpful for future American students?
- If we could traveled back in time to make changes, list a thing or two that you wish you could/might/would have handled differently so that you are better off today.
From the EYS of the Chongqing Folks: The Funny ( Sichuan Opera) , the Long ( river), the Spicy ( food), the Powerful ( man or woman)
If you are taking this as a Quiz, I would suggest you to ... take a guess. The ANSWER is:
The Powereful: ?
The Funny?
The Spicy?
You will get at least one right!
"Women tougher than men" : “成都没男人,重庆没女人”
Chongqing Dialogue
Chongqing Foods
Liang Laoshi whispered into mt ear when we sat by each other at the night of Chinese Star. She is a local gal with pride, in local sense she would call herself as 土生土长的重庆人
If you are taking this as a Quiz, I would suggest you to ... take a guess. The ANSWER is:
The Powereful: ?
The Funny?
The Spicy?
You will get at least one right!
"Women tougher than men" : “成都没男人,重庆没女人”
Chongqing Dialogue
Chongqing Foods
Liang Laoshi whispered into mt ear when we sat by each other at the night of Chinese Star. She is a local gal with pride, in local sense she would call herself as 土生土长的重庆人
School Visit: to Middle School
Xi Da Fuzhong: It's a very prestiged school in Chongqing and highly rated school for advancement, this means the school is sought-after for parents and students in Chonqging.
The campus is HUGE and equipped very well. Lots of woods and shaded path helped cool off in the heated summer afternoon.
Making Chinese Crafts: Paper Cutting and Making Chinese Knots
Ms. Liang Shihui 梁世惠老师:Master of Chinese Arts and Crafts
Ms. Liang Shihui is a member of Paper-cut Art Committee of Chinese Culture Promotion Society, a member of Arts and Crafts Association and a Master of Arts and Crafts in Chongqing. She is versed in paper-cut, cloth art, paper art, and beaded strings of decoration, etc. Her works have entered national and international paper-cut exhibitions and were awarded Gold Prize, Silver Prize and Award of Excellence. There are editorials about her works in many newspapers. Liang regularly participates in various kinds of exhibitions and exchange activities as well as teaching of paper-cut lessons and modern craft lessons.
Ms. Liang Shihui is a member of Paper-cut Art Committee of Chinese Culture Promotion Society, a member of Arts and Crafts Association and a Master of Arts and Crafts in Chongqing. She is versed in paper-cut, cloth art, paper art, and beaded strings of decoration, etc. Her works have entered national and international paper-cut exhibitions and were awarded Gold Prize, Silver Prize and Award of Excellence. There are editorials about her works in many newspapers. Liang regularly participates in various kinds of exhibitions and exchange activities as well as teaching of paper-cut lessons and modern craft lessons.
Give back to the Society:
Walk out from the Learning Arena, Into Real School - in Rural Sichuan:
Teaching English ( Volunteer) in Rural School: Tuo Pai Shi Yan Xue Xiao ( direct translation as" Tuo Brand Experimental School")
This is an adventure, in that :
1) It is the First Time for many students to teach in a classroom. So this is challenging.
Let's say we can look over 1), now this:
2) What to teach? Whats the expectation? What if I mess up in class? What's the lesson plan?...
The good news is: Look at the HAVE's for us, to speak the least,
1) We brought some materials;
2) we have two education major students;
3) We have experienced faculty;
4) SWU has FULL confidence in us, and they said they have done this for years;
5) She Hong School has confidence this modal will work;
6) She Hong School expressed that ...they want students to be motivated and keep interest in studying English above everything other thing they would want our team to accomplish;
So the question for us is: CAN WE DO IT still ?
May 24-26, 2013
Leaving at noon, Friday, two- hour bus ride takes us to the town of She Hong. She Hong is the home of the well-known liquor Tuo Pai, She De, a 53 degree hard liquor. it's served in high level banquets and sells at RMB 400.00/bottle in stores. As Principal Zhang introduced, that the winery invested a large sum to move this school from a village farm school building started in the 1950's ( run down building, outdated, not enough room, chairs and desks, etc.) to this two-year -old , modern building with a Computer Room for teachers!. They are very proud of the building. More proud is the support that comes to them to build this school into a high quality school for children of the town.
USI Students are VERY excited about this opportunity teaching in classrooms. What are the challenges? Joys? Learning and growth?
FACT - Among our six students, only two have had some teaching experience, ranging from a few months and students teaching as graduate from Teacher Education ( and Jessica had several interviews on Skype while here and she said YES to one of them!!). So how is the "teaching" going to be like? What textbooks are we
What we knew is that we will be teaching in a COUNTY (rural) school, supported by Tuo Pai Company ( a well-known brand for liquor, in China- the land of good liquors and wines to the Chinese)in a county named She Hong, 射洪试验学校.
We knew that this a partner school for the International division of Southwest University, for many years. Ms Chen said they never had any problems in the past. Ms. Chen, our go-go person here, said the school has bilingual classes, they need NATIVE -SPEAKERS of English to classrooms, because they want to motivate students,increase students interest in English for academic reasons, they want to support students and parents goal in preparing students well for challenges in the 21st century.
This opportunity, in nature, is teaching in EFL classroom, in rural area in China. What they described their designated goals for our student /teachers are: so that students can hear native English, interact with native internationals, have real life interactions with real internationals ( Americans and other native speakers). Learning English in a none-native English country and culture seems almost an unaccomplished task, yet if you look around China, on TV screens, in Conferences, in schools, businesses tables and all, most Chinese English-speakers( more like learners) are taught by Chinese English teachers who have never heard real English spoken by a real native speaker. Judgmental thoughts aside, the point is: how can they improve English?
Tuo Pai Shi Yan School: 沱牌试验学校
1) It is the First Time for many students to teach in a classroom. So this is challenging.
Let's say we can look over 1), now this:
2) What to teach? Whats the expectation? What if I mess up in class? What's the lesson plan?...
The good news is: Look at the HAVE's for us, to speak the least,
1) We brought some materials;
2) we have two education major students;
3) We have experienced faculty;
4) SWU has FULL confidence in us, and they said they have done this for years;
5) She Hong School has confidence this modal will work;
6) She Hong School expressed that ...they want students to be motivated and keep interest in studying English above everything other thing they would want our team to accomplish;
So the question for us is: CAN WE DO IT still ?
May 24-26, 2013
Leaving at noon, Friday, two- hour bus ride takes us to the town of She Hong. She Hong is the home of the well-known liquor Tuo Pai, She De, a 53 degree hard liquor. it's served in high level banquets and sells at RMB 400.00/bottle in stores. As Principal Zhang introduced, that the winery invested a large sum to move this school from a village farm school building started in the 1950's ( run down building, outdated, not enough room, chairs and desks, etc.) to this two-year -old , modern building with a Computer Room for teachers!. They are very proud of the building. More proud is the support that comes to them to build this school into a high quality school for children of the town.
USI Students are VERY excited about this opportunity teaching in classrooms. What are the challenges? Joys? Learning and growth?
FACT - Among our six students, only two have had some teaching experience, ranging from a few months and students teaching as graduate from Teacher Education ( and Jessica had several interviews on Skype while here and she said YES to one of them!!). So how is the "teaching" going to be like? What textbooks are we
What we knew is that we will be teaching in a COUNTY (rural) school, supported by Tuo Pai Company ( a well-known brand for liquor, in China- the land of good liquors and wines to the Chinese)in a county named She Hong, 射洪试验学校.
We knew that this a partner school for the International division of Southwest University, for many years. Ms Chen said they never had any problems in the past. Ms. Chen, our go-go person here, said the school has bilingual classes, they need NATIVE -SPEAKERS of English to classrooms, because they want to motivate students,increase students interest in English for academic reasons, they want to support students and parents goal in preparing students well for challenges in the 21st century.
This opportunity, in nature, is teaching in EFL classroom, in rural area in China. What they described their designated goals for our student /teachers are: so that students can hear native English, interact with native internationals, have real life interactions with real internationals ( Americans and other native speakers). Learning English in a none-native English country and culture seems almost an unaccomplished task, yet if you look around China, on TV screens, in Conferences, in schools, businesses tables and all, most Chinese English-speakers( more like learners) are taught by Chinese English teachers who have never heard real English spoken by a real native speaker. Judgmental thoughts aside, the point is: how can they improve English?
Tuo Pai Shi Yan School: 沱牌试验学校
Hospital Visit: Traditional Chinese Medicine ( TCM) Dept.
Beibei Hospital
May 27,2013
Making Chinese crafts: May 31, 2013
May 31 Friday Afternoon: Making Chinese Crafts:Paper Cutting and Chinese Knots ( Chinese Jie)中国节
Ms Liang Liang Shi-hui is an accomplished artists in Chongqing and China. She brought a LOT of samples for display, then started introduction to Chinese crafts. Then we started making this beautiful art.
The pictures will tell you the story and how it went. Enjoy.
Cultual Excursion: Dazi Grottoes Stone Carving
It's a UNESCO Site.
June 1, 2013 六一 Visit Dazu Grottoes. http://www.chinahighlights.com/chongqing/attraction/dazu-grottoes.htm
Today is Children's Day in China. Well, we are getting this treat, hope we... feel young again. You know people say: in every man there is a child. Nurture that child - this is what I am going to do today...
Today's Weather: A few clouds. 21°C Feels like 27
The sun is shining, check to see if the UV is moderate in your area before participating in outdoor activities.
W 7km/hWind. 83%Humidity. 2.0km Visibility. We don't expect any precipitation from Sat. Morning to Sun. Afternoon.
Sounds like a perfect day for this outdoor tour!! Can't wait, hey hey...!
Big Foot? Da Zu 大足 - Yes, literally, with these two particular Chinese characters. According to the tour guide lady, the town got its name as Da Zu because people believe that Buddha stepped foot on this land. Jokes aside, Big Foot in America has a different meaning, it's scary, hairy, mysterious.
Cultural Background to the UNESCO site of Intangible Heritage Site - Dazu Grottoes:
[大足石刻 The Dazu Rock Carving is located in the southeast of the Sichuan Basin, 167 kilometers away from the east of Chongqing. The Dazu Rock Carving lies in Dazu County, which is 167 kilometers away from the urban area of Chongqing city. It's a general designation of the stone statues distributed in 76 places in the whole Dazu County. The number of the stone statues amounts to 60,000.][宝顶山 Baodingshan of Dazu Rock CarvingThe stone statues in Dafowan. Centered on Dafowan (Great Buddha Crescent), Baodingshan of Dazu Rock Carving has 13 scenic spots. Xiaofowan, Daota, Longtoushan, Shushishan, Huang po, are in the east; Gaoguanyin is in the south; Guangdashan, Fozhuyan are in the west; Yanwan, longtan, Duimianfo are in the north. The stone statues in Dafowan are on the largest scale and have the highest artistic value. They are kept in the best state. Dafowan is a horseshoe-shaped mountain. There are more than 10,000 small or large statues distributed in the 500-meter-long and 15-30-meter-high cliff. At the same time, there are some stone tablets recording the origin of Baodingshan and Buddhism. The statues in Dafowan are carved according to the landform. They are tall and magnificent with wide subjects and in rigorous design. Buddhist image is full of novel and unique conception, with skillful carving technique and rich color of folk custom. The content is mainly about the sutra stories. The main features "Six Recurrents", "Loving parents Buddhist Image", "Hail Buddhist Image", etc. are vivid and full of profound significance.]
Today is Children's Day in China. Well, we are getting this treat, hope we... feel young again. You know people say: in every man there is a child. Nurture that child - this is what I am going to do today...
Today's Weather: A few clouds. 21°C Feels like 27
The sun is shining, check to see if the UV is moderate in your area before participating in outdoor activities.
W 7km/hWind. 83%Humidity. 2.0km Visibility. We don't expect any precipitation from Sat. Morning to Sun. Afternoon.
Sounds like a perfect day for this outdoor tour!! Can't wait, hey hey...!
Big Foot? Da Zu 大足 - Yes, literally, with these two particular Chinese characters. According to the tour guide lady, the town got its name as Da Zu because people believe that Buddha stepped foot on this land. Jokes aside, Big Foot in America has a different meaning, it's scary, hairy, mysterious.
Cultural Background to the UNESCO site of Intangible Heritage Site - Dazu Grottoes:
[大足石刻 The Dazu Rock Carving is located in the southeast of the Sichuan Basin, 167 kilometers away from the east of Chongqing. The Dazu Rock Carving lies in Dazu County, which is 167 kilometers away from the urban area of Chongqing city. It's a general designation of the stone statues distributed in 76 places in the whole Dazu County. The number of the stone statues amounts to 60,000.][宝顶山 Baodingshan of Dazu Rock CarvingThe stone statues in Dafowan. Centered on Dafowan (Great Buddha Crescent), Baodingshan of Dazu Rock Carving has 13 scenic spots. Xiaofowan, Daota, Longtoushan, Shushishan, Huang po, are in the east; Gaoguanyin is in the south; Guangdashan, Fozhuyan are in the west; Yanwan, longtan, Duimianfo are in the north. The stone statues in Dafowan are on the largest scale and have the highest artistic value. They are kept in the best state. Dafowan is a horseshoe-shaped mountain. There are more than 10,000 small or large statues distributed in the 500-meter-long and 15-30-meter-high cliff. At the same time, there are some stone tablets recording the origin of Baodingshan and Buddhism. The statues in Dafowan are carved according to the landform. They are tall and magnificent with wide subjects and in rigorous design. Buddhist image is full of novel and unique conception, with skillful carving technique and rich color of folk custom. The content is mainly about the sutra stories. The main features "Six Recurrents", "Loving parents Buddhist Image", "Hail Buddhist Image", etc. are vivid and full of profound significance.]
The following
Exercises with the Photos : This portion is More than just for Chinese class in Fall.
What does the photo tell ?
- Find a trouper and start Q and A:
Cultural Excursions:
Ci Qi Kou, Three Gorges Museum, Liberation Monument and Hong Ya 踏寻古综,游览体验: 瓷器口,三峡博物馆,解放碑 和洪崖。
June 2, 2013
Ci Qi Kou ( English meaning: the Porcelain Town) 瓷器口: 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) west of Chongqing City, is a village on the riverside of the Jialing Jiang (Jialing River). Every one stopping in Chongqing should make sure not to miss the ancient village Ci Qi Kou. The village bears a strong flavor of the Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing Dynasties (1644 - 1911) and takes you back to everyday life of the old days.Ci Qi Kou took its form in the Song Dynasty (960 - 1276) when it was a busy dock. By the Ming and Qing periods, Ci Qi Kou had developed into a prosperous goods-distributing center along the Jialing River. The hustling and bustling scenes at that time are still worth mentioning today. Porcelain was exceptionally advanced and prosperous in the Ming and Qing periods, and the products became extremely popular in local and neighboring provinces. Thus, the village was called Ci Qi Kou (porcelain village).
Covering an area of about 1.2 square kilometers (297 acres), the village remains as before: twelve streets and lanes interlaced with paving of grayish slates. Strolling along, looking at the picturesque wooden shops and other various outlets with people inside leisurely going about their business, you find yourself absorbed by the strong feeling of ancient times.
Walking on the homey streets in this ancient town washed by rains for hundreds of years, though crowded, it was a very pleasant and familiar feeling. Imagine, If I got upset with something, this is where I would meditate and heal; hours later and things would be all right again. I heard myself whispering: I will be back to this place...the shops, the streets, the snacks that's striving to survive the modern trends, the sellers, the cake makers, the candy makers, the Jianzi sellers, I wish they had an easier life...meanwhile I understand why we have schools, developing old and new trades and constructing housing - efficient in energy and modern convenience, affordable housing for common folks should be the focus for the government.
Covering an area of about 1.2 square kilometers (297 acres), the village remains as before: twelve streets and lanes interlaced with paving of grayish slates. Strolling along, looking at the picturesque wooden shops and other various outlets with people inside leisurely going about their business, you find yourself absorbed by the strong feeling of ancient times.
Walking on the homey streets in this ancient town washed by rains for hundreds of years, though crowded, it was a very pleasant and familiar feeling. Imagine, If I got upset with something, this is where I would meditate and heal; hours later and things would be all right again. I heard myself whispering: I will be back to this place...the shops, the streets, the snacks that's striving to survive the modern trends, the sellers, the cake makers, the candy makers, the Jianzi sellers, I wish they had an easier life...meanwhile I understand why we have schools, developing old and new trades and constructing housing - efficient in energy and modern convenience, affordable housing for common folks should be the focus for the government.
June 2, 2013 Sunday
Mainly cloudy. 22°C. Feels like 26 - 30
Wind S 5 km/h
Wind gust 0 km/h
Humidity 58%
Perfect for Downtown Tour!
This is our chance to gain a birdseye view of the city of Chongqing. Let's get ready...!
10:00 am Cultural Excursion Day: Ci Qi Kou 瓷器口 - Three Gorges Museum 三峡博物馆 - Liberation Monument ( City Center) 解放碑 - Hong Ya 洪崖 for Birdseye view of Chongqing and traditional trades and snacks.
People. People. People - it's a Sunday, so lots of local folks and tourists came to this unique place. WEAVING through the crowds is the winning tip. 游纫于众人中To be honest, the first sight of the crowd is sort of intimidating, but as my dad says: Don't let it intimidate you; if you walk into the crowd - carefully, join yourself into the flow, you will find you are just fine. ( I know dad knows what he's talking about).
Mainly cloudy. 22°C. Feels like 26 - 30
Wind S 5 km/h
Wind gust 0 km/h
Humidity 58%
Perfect for Downtown Tour!
This is our chance to gain a birdseye view of the city of Chongqing. Let's get ready...!
10:00 am Cultural Excursion Day: Ci Qi Kou 瓷器口 - Three Gorges Museum 三峡博物馆 - Liberation Monument ( City Center) 解放碑 - Hong Ya 洪崖 for Birdseye view of Chongqing and traditional trades and snacks.
People. People. People - it's a Sunday, so lots of local folks and tourists came to this unique place. WEAVING through the crowds is the winning tip. 游纫于众人中To be honest, the first sight of the crowd is sort of intimidating, but as my dad says: Don't let it intimidate you; if you walk into the crowd - carefully, join yourself into the flow, you will find you are just fine. ( I know dad knows what he's talking about).
Making connections:
What is it like to run a private firm in China?
Visiting Financial Firm: CZC
Finance and economy, in a broad sense, is booming. Careers in Financing, Finance Consultant, Economist are newer careers, average they are about 10-20 years history in China. How come? With a visit to the Firm, we hope to find insights into :
1) the above question;
2) What is it like to run a private firm in the new financial career filed?
3) From the Firm's perspectives, how does policy & government level support or control over the process if any?
4) Any other related questions students have.
June 2, 2013
Visiting Financing Firm: Caizhi Chongqing ( CZC) Wealth Managers.
This one-year-old financing firm is Located in Room 5-4, Fu Li Hai Yang Guo Ji ( Building), No. 11 North Cheng Tian Street, Jiang Bei District, Chongqing. 重庆市江北区北城天街11号,富力海洋国际5-4 室. This is their website: www.yescaizhi,com.
General Manager Ms Chen Jiyuan ( Gloria Chen ) welcomed USI Delegation, she gave an introduction of CZC to our group and guests; then USI students presented on USI and their majors; afterwards, participants had a quite active session of Q and A session.
In China, a visit without a meal is not enough to show hospitality. Even though it was after hours ( 6:30pm), Ms Chen insisted that they treated us to Chongqing local snack type of foods, in her words, " it's hard to find exactly the same food, so it's a good idea to try some". She and Assistant General Manager Mr. Zhao Dan ( Gavin Zhao) walked us to the Second Largest Shopping area in Chongqing - a Porridge restaurant"- this sounds different, but it's another thing you have to taste yourself. )
Visiting Financing Firm: Caizhi Chongqing ( CZC) Wealth Managers.
This one-year-old financing firm is Located in Room 5-4, Fu Li Hai Yang Guo Ji ( Building), No. 11 North Cheng Tian Street, Jiang Bei District, Chongqing. 重庆市江北区北城天街11号,富力海洋国际5-4 室. This is their website: www.yescaizhi,com.
General Manager Ms Chen Jiyuan ( Gloria Chen ) welcomed USI Delegation, she gave an introduction of CZC to our group and guests; then USI students presented on USI and their majors; afterwards, participants had a quite active session of Q and A session.
In China, a visit without a meal is not enough to show hospitality. Even though it was after hours ( 6:30pm), Ms Chen insisted that they treated us to Chongqing local snack type of foods, in her words, " it's hard to find exactly the same food, so it's a good idea to try some". She and Assistant General Manager Mr. Zhao Dan ( Gavin Zhao) walked us to the Second Largest Shopping area in Chongqing - a Porridge restaurant"- this sounds different, but it's another thing you have to taste yourself. )
Tips for Future Study Abroad Troupers:
** This BLOG is an attempt to collect all TIPS for future students and teachers, so this is a GROWING blog. Please do check back often for UPDATES, thanks for reading.
-Crossing roads: Best if you go with a group people. Lin's Cultural Take: There are lots of cars and pedestrains sharing the road. Drivers drive is more like WEAVING through the traffic, traffic referring to cars, motorcycles, pedastrein and bikes on the road. The accident rate is not very high here. I only saw 3 accidents ( no blood, fighting when our bus passed by the sites) over two weeks being here. What I believe is that drivers drive with attention paying to moving objects, and ready to make stops or yield; you hear honks from time to time, basically to warn others as if it were saying "coming through, be careful".
-Street foods: Street foods are yummy, cheap, easy to get to. Make sure your stomach is adjusted to the local foods. sanitizing can be a concern. I would look at how they prepare foods, if they have access to running water, how they keep the cooking area clean, etc. when we have the choice. With that said, do go out and try the local foods. In general, food is a big part of life; here, you will see that concept STANDOUT and be amazed at the kinds of foods that the chefs can create and been creating for hundreds of years.
[ World travelers always go with some common drugs for stomachache, headache. But in case you did not, you can always find some good Chinese herbal pills for all kinds of symptoms. Just ask the local folks.]
- To avoid heat stroke ( or over heating of the body system living in Chongqing) -The Chinese Cold Tea: To avoid heat stroke, the locals knows to drink some tea, tea with herbs, not too strong, and have a sweet taste. It's similar to Coke or Pepsi that Americans drink, only without the fizz. some good ones are : Iced Red Tea冰红茶, Green Tea绿茶, Wang Lao Ji王老吉, etc.
-Crossing roads: Best if you go with a group people. Lin's Cultural Take: There are lots of cars and pedestrains sharing the road. Drivers drive is more like WEAVING through the traffic, traffic referring to cars, motorcycles, pedastrein and bikes on the road. The accident rate is not very high here. I only saw 3 accidents ( no blood, fighting when our bus passed by the sites) over two weeks being here. What I believe is that drivers drive with attention paying to moving objects, and ready to make stops or yield; you hear honks from time to time, basically to warn others as if it were saying "coming through, be careful".
-Street foods: Street foods are yummy, cheap, easy to get to. Make sure your stomach is adjusted to the local foods. sanitizing can be a concern. I would look at how they prepare foods, if they have access to running water, how they keep the cooking area clean, etc. when we have the choice. With that said, do go out and try the local foods. In general, food is a big part of life; here, you will see that concept STANDOUT and be amazed at the kinds of foods that the chefs can create and been creating for hundreds of years.
[ World travelers always go with some common drugs for stomachache, headache. But in case you did not, you can always find some good Chinese herbal pills for all kinds of symptoms. Just ask the local folks.]
- To avoid heat stroke ( or over heating of the body system living in Chongqing) -The Chinese Cold Tea: To avoid heat stroke, the locals knows to drink some tea, tea with herbs, not too strong, and have a sweet taste. It's similar to Coke or Pepsi that Americans drink, only without the fizz. some good ones are : Iced Red Tea冰红茶, Green Tea绿茶, Wang Lao Ji王老吉, etc.
A look at the Dorm Building:
Kitchen Facility ( shared space in each floor) in Ziyun Lou 紫云楼
Students can cook in the kitchen. I saw some Vietnamese and Russian students cooking, buying grocery from supermarket. They said: it's not so greasy - so she can keep her figure; She doesn't like the spicy foods quite much, and she also said it saves money. Sure, DIY style. If students are going to be here for a while, this sounds a good idea.
Utensils, cookware and alike are to be furnished by users.
A Question for discussion:August 19,2013:
Update on this topic: Interview of Mr. and Mrs. Gary: Locke: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n92r4ZY6IeU
June, 2013. China and America are two unique and heavy-weight level countries and cultures in the world. Given the commonalities and cultural differences, what are something that China brings to the table so that America could learn something from, and What are something that America brings to the table that China could learn something from - going towards a shared peaceful and prosperous future together?
For purpose of education, with respect to all speakers and students participated, I am posting some of their answers here:
China Strengths : America Strengths:
Hospitality, how nice they treat friends, even strangers. Technology
Sense of Unity Creativity
Long history young country
Politically: one party State two or more party, thus election system
If you have more to contribute to the list, please contact me at [email protected].
China Strengths : America Strengths:
Hospitality, how nice they treat friends, even strangers. Technology
Sense of Unity Creativity
Long history young country
Politically: one party State two or more party, thus election system
If you have more to contribute to the list, please contact me at [email protected].
Visit Financial Firm:
CZC : Caizhi Chongqing 财智重庆 - a private enterprise. On June 3, 2013
Ms Chen, general manager of the Firm, welcomed our group and gave us a brief introduction to the Firm.
Agenda for the visit:
- Welcome and Orientation to the floor;
- Brief Intro to CZC in China ( Ms Chen)
- Introducing USI and their major field of study ( USI students)
- Questions and answers;
- Meal : Chongqing Local Snack Foods ( Yes, they did not forge to express their appreciation of USI group and the hospitality by the token of the VARIOUS Chongqing special snack foods - the pride of many local Chongqing folks. The hosts continued the introduction of Chongqing life to the dinner table! it was a fun time!
Visit Chinese Class: Lin
Visit Chinese Class: May 6, 2013 Intermediate Integrated Chinese ) Teacher: Mr. Jiang姜老师
1. Student Presentation to class in Chinese:presented by Erik Kottom
2. Chinese class: Text Practice. Taught by Mr. Jiang
Erik Kottom presented in Chinese on Hannibal Barca and His Role as an Influential Strategist ( Military). He did an OUTSTANDING job, the research, the analysis, the pictures, the talk, the paraphrases techniques to help other students understand context, the gestures, the effort, the smiles, the passion on the topic and other students - It's unmatched. [ After the presentation, Mr. Jiang and I joked that Erik is the kind of DREAM student that every teacher would hope to have in career life; students like him ...do not come along often, in a Chinese lyric, it's 缘分 that brought him along, or 千年等一回。 Erik told us his dad is a businessman, mom an accountant. He had this sense of ambition and direction when he was in US, at young age. ( And I thought only Asian students have a sense of ambition, dreams and hope, my bad. and thanks, Erik, for showing that to me. ). we all agree that when pressure comes form within and self, it's not a pressure; but when pressure comes from outside, it may not be taken well, so smart students bring pressure upon their own shoulder, look for opportunities of growth. 压力来自自己,自己给自己压力,自己跟自己叫真,In the Chinese culture, Giving self a hard time ( in things that's important ) is encouraged.
Briefly on Erik- a Chinese learner, a very good one.
Erik is A example of successful learners of Chinese. He has studied Chinese for over 1 year, he has achieved to Intermediate level. He has a LOT of qualities that teachers would like to have in students.
What stands out is that he TAKES joys in studying, not letting errors stop him, outgoing, funny, always smiling, well-mannered, talking to everybody in Chinese, very talkative and use patient loud voice...He teaches English in Dept. of Foreign Languages, one course he teaches is Spoken English to sophomores /Education -English majors; his students LOVE him.
Students in this class: This is a class for International students. There are three students from US, Erik is one of them, and four students from Vietnam. Students from Vietnam have studied Chinese for year and half already.
1. Student Presentation to class in Chinese:presented by Erik Kottom
2. Chinese class: Text Practice. Taught by Mr. Jiang
Erik Kottom presented in Chinese on Hannibal Barca and His Role as an Influential Strategist ( Military). He did an OUTSTANDING job, the research, the analysis, the pictures, the talk, the paraphrases techniques to help other students understand context, the gestures, the effort, the smiles, the passion on the topic and other students - It's unmatched. [ After the presentation, Mr. Jiang and I joked that Erik is the kind of DREAM student that every teacher would hope to have in career life; students like him ...do not come along often, in a Chinese lyric, it's 缘分 that brought him along, or 千年等一回。 Erik told us his dad is a businessman, mom an accountant. He had this sense of ambition and direction when he was in US, at young age. ( And I thought only Asian students have a sense of ambition, dreams and hope, my bad. and thanks, Erik, for showing that to me. ). we all agree that when pressure comes form within and self, it's not a pressure; but when pressure comes from outside, it may not be taken well, so smart students bring pressure upon their own shoulder, look for opportunities of growth. 压力来自自己,自己给自己压力,自己跟自己叫真,In the Chinese culture, Giving self a hard time ( in things that's important ) is encouraged.
Briefly on Erik- a Chinese learner, a very good one.
Erik is A example of successful learners of Chinese. He has studied Chinese for over 1 year, he has achieved to Intermediate level. He has a LOT of qualities that teachers would like to have in students.
What stands out is that he TAKES joys in studying, not letting errors stop him, outgoing, funny, always smiling, well-mannered, talking to everybody in Chinese, very talkative and use patient loud voice...He teaches English in Dept. of Foreign Languages, one course he teaches is Spoken English to sophomores /Education -English majors; his students LOVE him.
Students in this class: This is a class for International students. There are three students from US, Erik is one of them, and four students from Vietnam. Students from Vietnam have studied Chinese for year and half already.
June 6:
- Team of Language: The Chinese Star “汉语之星” ( Pang)
- Team of Education: Presentation to Education Dept. ( Mrs. Rietman)
The Chinese Star “汉语之星” by SWU, to showcase students achievement and talents.
June 6, 2013. Final round of competition.
11 contestants were selected to participate the final round tonight.
Congrats to all contestants for the fruits they are bring out!
Keep up the learning, Where there is a WILL, there IS a WAY.
有志者事竟成
June 6, 2013. Final round of competition.
11 contestants were selected to participate the final round tonight.
Congrats to all contestants for the fruits they are bring out!
Keep up the learning, Where there is a WILL, there IS a WAY.
有志者事竟成
June 7: 12:40am
Me in the dorm room- enjoying a quiet calm moment.
Music is lightly on, writing blogs, ummm, a good time.
When I retire, I would love to move to a place like this beautiful campus with lots of trees, doing some teaching, some writing, traveling, meeting friends -old and new, having the foods...Ahh, that'll be a good life.
Me in the dorm room- enjoying a quiet calm moment.
Music is lightly on, writing blogs, ummm, a good time.
When I retire, I would love to move to a place like this beautiful campus with lots of trees, doing some teaching, some writing, traveling, meeting friends -old and new, having the foods...Ahh, that'll be a good life.
It's Almost Time to ... Say Goodbye :
June 8: Meals and Karaoke with Language partners and friends.
June 8 Friday Days go by too fast.
Here's TODAY's schedule looks like:
Morning: Chinese Class;
Afternoon:
- School visit: to the Kindergarten ( - Team of Education ): 3pm
- Interaction with Students/ Dept of English: 2:30-4:00
Evening:
- Free time: suggestive - Meal and Karaoke with language partners and friends, gifts, goodbyes...
Shhhh, can you keep a secret? I wanted to tell you something about myself: I do not like goodbyes. I usually ...hideout, and that's OK. Yet this time, many friends came.
Alex came, with a verse of Arabic language for everyone, and he read it to us in the hallway, in Arabic.. Then I asked him how good his Arabic is, he said he had to use a dictionary to read the letter. The letter is about friends. That's all he knows, but he also that it's a good verse about friends, his elders told that. I believe him. I believe friends and friendship.
We are not strange to wordings about friends in all culture, and we never are tied of friends. You may not believe how many wordings, verses, songs about friends. Dad said Chinese people like to say this: ”在家靠父母,出门靠朋友." Which is meant only interpreted by its meaning: " When at home ( meaning being young and need care ) lean on your parents ( and elders and other adults), when being outside in the society lean on your friends ( and also your friends lean on you)." Chinese culture, when it comes to raise child, the people believe and practice " the whole village raise the child", that translates into the shared expectation of the society as a whole ( a culture) and the other way around; under that umbrella thought, reflectively further, it's also usually true that Chinese people think that each person does have a certain degree for all children in the society. This VIEWPOINT of Family and Children may be new, but if you go out to the streets or square, and see how people ( strangers) interact with each other, I think that may just be right. Back to ALex: We love him. He is like that big brother who wants and ready to take care of the group. Our American girls in the group may think otherwise, no offense to any of our female students, and with all due respect to all American females, I'm about to say this: growing up in American culture girls are also expected to be independent and take care of herself. This is true in the Chinese culture as well. But I found that degree varies a bit. This would make a good research topic for educational purposes: I might do that for Fall: "A Survey of USI students- Chinese and American Female Students": In practice, how does it vary and how much? Survey a Chinese girl and an American girl...something like that, I'll fine tune it soon.
Do not say goodbye, my friends; goodbye is only for our next meeting. I like that.
And, bye for now, with fond and lasting memories: Orange, Mu-er, Chen Juan, Xiao Fan, Alex...! Go now in peace...Best wishes to you!! 相信我们会有缘再见的!
Here's TODAY's schedule looks like:
Morning: Chinese Class;
Afternoon:
- School visit: to the Kindergarten ( - Team of Education ): 3pm
- Interaction with Students/ Dept of English: 2:30-4:00
Evening:
- Free time: suggestive - Meal and Karaoke with language partners and friends, gifts, goodbyes...
Shhhh, can you keep a secret? I wanted to tell you something about myself: I do not like goodbyes. I usually ...hideout, and that's OK. Yet this time, many friends came.
Alex came, with a verse of Arabic language for everyone, and he read it to us in the hallway, in Arabic.. Then I asked him how good his Arabic is, he said he had to use a dictionary to read the letter. The letter is about friends. That's all he knows, but he also that it's a good verse about friends, his elders told that. I believe him. I believe friends and friendship.
We are not strange to wordings about friends in all culture, and we never are tied of friends. You may not believe how many wordings, verses, songs about friends. Dad said Chinese people like to say this: ”在家靠父母,出门靠朋友." Which is meant only interpreted by its meaning: " When at home ( meaning being young and need care ) lean on your parents ( and elders and other adults), when being outside in the society lean on your friends ( and also your friends lean on you)." Chinese culture, when it comes to raise child, the people believe and practice " the whole village raise the child", that translates into the shared expectation of the society as a whole ( a culture) and the other way around; under that umbrella thought, reflectively further, it's also usually true that Chinese people think that each person does have a certain degree for all children in the society. This VIEWPOINT of Family and Children may be new, but if you go out to the streets or square, and see how people ( strangers) interact with each other, I think that may just be right. Back to ALex: We love him. He is like that big brother who wants and ready to take care of the group. Our American girls in the group may think otherwise, no offense to any of our female students, and with all due respect to all American females, I'm about to say this: growing up in American culture girls are also expected to be independent and take care of herself. This is true in the Chinese culture as well. But I found that degree varies a bit. This would make a good research topic for educational purposes: I might do that for Fall: "A Survey of USI students- Chinese and American Female Students": In practice, how does it vary and how much? Survey a Chinese girl and an American girl...something like that, I'll fine tune it soon.
Do not say goodbye, my friends; goodbye is only for our next meeting. I like that.
And, bye for now, with fond and lasting memories: Orange, Mu-er, Chen Juan, Xiao Fan, Alex...! Go now in peace...Best wishes to you!! 相信我们会有缘再见的!
Reunion of Old friends!
Orange Ju Huang, my friend. We met again at Beibei. Her lovely daughter is 8 months old, enjoying all the attention form Orange and her husband, and her in-laws - the kind couple who was staying with them, and cooked a meal for us! She's a current Ph.D. student at Canada.
Orange Ju Huang, my friend. We met again at Beibei. Her lovely daughter is 8 months old, enjoying all the attention form Orange and her husband, and her in-laws - the kind couple who was staying with them, and cooked a meal for us! She's a current Ph.D. student at Canada.
Beijing Experience:
-The Great Wall;
- The Forbidden City; Tian Anmen Square; Summer Palace; Hutong and Siheyuan Courtyard;
- Campus visit : Minzu University
- Meeting with Dr. Liu and Circle.
Tour Beijing: From Chongqing, we will fly to Beijing. We look forward to touring this ancient and modern capital city of China, the center of politics, science, economy and education. Here's a short video introducing Highlights in Beijing:
http://www.visitbeijing.com.cn/video/n214641385.shtml
http://www.visitbeijing.com.cn/video/n214641385.shtml
The Great Wall: I Have to Go Up! 不到长城非好汉
June 11, 2013.
Today shall forever mark with a HI Note, for the special trip that we did.
Today was a full day: Flew to Beijing in the morning; driver came pick up and then brought to Juyong Guan - the Great Wall. Some of us maybe only half - awake. However...it was the Great Wall, people, been there over thousands of years, national icon for China, need I say more...?
At times we do need to take a leap forward. And interestingly, if you did, chances are it just turn out ...better than you thought. ( I remember this time I had to complete a jump - far jump for PE class, PE was a headache class for me, you know. It was dreadful, the running, the jumping, the hopping...But that time, I did MAKE it, better than anybody thought! I excelled!! It was a far jump, and you had to watch the angle of how high you jumped, scary it was...I did land in the sandbox! That was a great feeling! I wish you knew how it feels.
What are those moments for you?
Watch that smiles. Remember the Mao's hat, it will end up on someone else's head later. Seriously.
--- Now that you have come down from the Great Wall, do you understand why people are inspired to take picture by the tall brick that says "不到长城非好汉" ? You legs and back are probably sore from all the climbing; don't tell anyone, I had to grab on with my hands and drag and pull...all hands and legs, haha! My legs started to feel sore a day ago, accidentally. However, the JOY is AFTER you ACCOMPLISH the Wall: the sense of pride that comes from completing something that's seemingly so hard: have you given a good look at the steps? Those are NOT steps in the LA building; each step double the height of a step, and not even. So try it from there. So when I say you should feel so PROUD, you earn it. Go on..., feel the pride.
Street view as the bus comes into Beijing:
The space to the left is left BLANK on purpose.
Question to you is: From the batch of photos directly below this, can you find THREE photos to suit in the blank to the left?
The Red-Star Family:
We were in Tianmen Square, looking around, then someone asked to take a picture. See the photo of Collin and the Mother and son in green wear with a red star, I turned around, thought: this is hilarious! and Collin was already carrying out a conversation with them ( !). Collin was laughing, the little boy was excited and twisting his body like any boy his age would do and just lovely. I knew right away why they asked to take picture with Collin , then everybody just started laughing... they did feel a bit apologetic and shy probably because the boy was taking a little time with his twists (and shyness of young age)... But, oh a happy scene, they took several photos together.
Now I would like to read the same story that Collin writes.
Question to you is: From the batch of photos directly below this, can you find THREE photos to suit in the blank to the left?
The Red-Star Family:
We were in Tianmen Square, looking around, then someone asked to take a picture. See the photo of Collin and the Mother and son in green wear with a red star, I turned around, thought: this is hilarious! and Collin was already carrying out a conversation with them ( !). Collin was laughing, the little boy was excited and twisting his body like any boy his age would do and just lovely. I knew right away why they asked to take picture with Collin , then everybody just started laughing... they did feel a bit apologetic and shy probably because the boy was taking a little time with his twists (and shyness of young age)... But, oh a happy scene, they took several photos together.
Now I would like to read the same story that Collin writes.
This is Beijing:
The Summer Palace and Tian'anmen Square!
The history, the aged man flying kite, the music in the square, the legends, the emperors, the 9999 rooms...History seems to be right in front of us.
Private garden -into - public park: Is there really a significance in the direction of the nature of the ownership?
While the ownership of landuse goes through these phases since the last emperor: private - 1949 public - private - public/private ( current re-structuring land adn industry)
The old man flying kite:
He is over 90 years-old, as he told us. He lived far from the park, but he comes to the park everyday to fly kites. He loves to do that. By the way, Beijingers are proud to claim that flying kite is a Beijing thing. He told us, that he made the kite by hand which is another Beijing tradition; he packs his own lunch, chair and umbrella, with several subways and buses, and almost two hours one way. But when he is in the park, he is happy. He speaks with heavy accent, very calm and content about the life there. I think he is the emperor, only in a broader sense, the emperor of his life, who at 90 years of age still take joy and can physically walks for the joy in his life. I wanted to ask him about his family and if any lives close to him, but I didn't know if that was a happy thing to talk about, I'd rather leave him in his happy state of mind, moving on with our tour.
Meet John, our tour guide:
John knows the stuffs. He walks not too fast nor too slow, but very swiftly; he's talkative and quiet. He lives in the suburb of Beijing, and travels to the city for work via 2 -hour subway. He works several days a week. He grew up in the village, learnt English and until now he's been a guide for over a decade. He speaks SUPERB English, just ask a student, they will have to say on that! I like his sense of humor, he's not too pushy nor too slow, he is one of the tour guides who clients would probably say "takes care" of clients well kind of a guide. To me he's like an uncle type of man in his village, humble and kind.
This is the Palace Museum / Summer palace:
It is an UNESCO site, and it was the private (imperial ) garden for the emperor and the loyal family. it is protected with principals of "Preserving the old and cultural while presenting to the public visitors".
Here you will encounter real crowd, and we did. Still, it was a grand building, it was huge.
500-Year-Old ground bricks: John, our tour guide said: this part of the ground is over 500 years old, while on the other side it's only 5 -year old. Just imagine. See what we were doing with our feet in the photo?
Hanging out:
in the campus, in dorm hall; with fellow students, with Chinese friends...
Hanging out:
In Downtown Beibei, In the Arcade, having street food for the first time. Cheers!