Hey all!
Sorry for just now posting this...I am safe and sound, back in the good US of A. It was a horrible trip though, I am sad to share. After missing my original international departure from Beijing due to a late connecting flight and sleeping on the floor of the airport...my second attempt out of Beijing resulted in faulty landing gear, a fuel dump, and an emergency landing. All of this was shortly followed by the third and -- thank God -- successful flight to San Fran. However, by this time my poor parents had been woken up in the ungodly hours of the morning and rescheduled my stateside connecting flights three separate times.
After a night in San Fran, and a brief delayed departure scare...I was back in good ol' Oklahoma. I must say I'm glad to be home...seeing these beautiful blue skies with amazing clouds...seeing friends and spending time with my family -- specifically Bryson before we moved him up on to school in Stillwater.
So, those of you who kept in touch and/or read this blog throughout the summer...thanks! I'm home and hope to hear from you all very soon.
Andrew
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Friday, August 1, 2008
Last Night in the Du
Tonight is my last night here in Chengdu. We had a goodbye dinner earlier tonight, where all the teachers and students came to say goodbye. I originally thought I was 100% ready with no reservations to be home. But now as I sit here, sharing last few tidbits of conversation with classmates...I realize I really am going to miss Chengdu. The places life takes us...the people we meet, the experiences we have. It is all happening, always. Anyway, enough "stream of conscious." I will be home in the states tomorrow after about 23 hours of flying and layovers and connections. My path home is as follows: Chengdu --> Beijing Beijing --> San Francisco San Francisco --> Houston Texas Houston --> OKC OKC --> Bed. Drop me a line, talk to you all soon. Andrew 孙安竹
Sunday, July 27, 2008
"The Final Countdown"
Yo,
As always, apologies are in-order for the lengthy duration of time since my last update. It is Sunday afternoon here and I find myself quite lethargic. I have a lot of homework due tomorrow, but it being the last week here and all...haha I am finding myself lacking in motivation to get anything done. It is crazy to think that soon I will be back home with family, friends, familiar food, video games, cars, and other important yet currently-forgotten amenities.
Thinking about coming home has been causing some mixed emotions. Classes here as of late...I have not been enjoying. I feel like USAC hasn't really been catering to my needs or expectations this second half of the summer. So I'm very ready to be done with these classes. Because of these dissatisfactions, I also find it hard to try to apply myself. However...living here for this summer and last...Chengdu has really begun to feel like a home away from home. I'm going to miss the city very much, and my handful of Chinese friends and acquaintances.
And this marks the conclusion of my very short and impromptu update. Hope to hear from you all very soon.
Andrew
孙安竹
As always, apologies are in-order for the lengthy duration of time since my last update. It is Sunday afternoon here and I find myself quite lethargic. I have a lot of homework due tomorrow, but it being the last week here and all...haha I am finding myself lacking in motivation to get anything done. It is crazy to think that soon I will be back home with family, friends, familiar food, video games, cars, and other important yet currently-forgotten amenities.
Thinking about coming home has been causing some mixed emotions. Classes here as of late...I have not been enjoying. I feel like USAC hasn't really been catering to my needs or expectations this second half of the summer. So I'm very ready to be done with these classes. Because of these dissatisfactions, I also find it hard to try to apply myself. However...living here for this summer and last...Chengdu has really begun to feel like a home away from home. I'm going to miss the city very much, and my handful of Chinese friends and acquaintances.
And this marks the conclusion of my very short and impromptu update. Hope to hear from you all very soon.
Andrew
孙安竹
Monday, July 7, 2008
Qingdao, Chinese Hospitals, and The Fourth of July
Hello all!
My apologies for the haphazard rate of updates. I've got a lot to share. During the one week break between the two summer sessions, my friend Jon and I traveled to Qingdao. It is a port city -- in fact its where all the sailing events for the Olympics are supposed to happen this year. It was a good time...seeing all the beaches and interesting buildings, and visiting the brewery. Additionally, we traveled there with my teacher from last summer, Jessica / He Yue and her mother. Jessica is not much older than us, and fun to hang out with. The company, seafood and sightseeing was good. Yet, the weather was pretty inclimite, the beaches were covered by this green algae (search for it, there are lots of news stories about the Olympic seas turning to 'soup!')...and by this time I had developed some sort of respiratory infection. Also, Jon and I wanted to return early to try to do a small 1-2 day trip around Sichuan, to see some things we hadn't seen before.
So Jon and I returned a few days earlier than planned, and upon our arrival...I started feeling significantly more sick...coughing up a pleasant green substance and whatnot. Queue the Chinese hospital story. Upon realizing I was not getting any better out of sheer stubbornness, I called the assistant resident director, Janny. Janny helped me get to the hospital and translated my symptoms out for the doctors. I had to get X-rays of my chest, to see if/how much junk my lungs had in them. Results came back, and the doc said I had little to no stuff left in my lungs, and prescribed that I spend 2 hours there on IV that same day, and return the following day for 2 more hours of IV drip. Apparently in China, they believe IV drips of whatever medicine you need is more effective, and preferred to just normal medication. Well, I wasn't about to get a Chinese needle in my arm if I didn't have to...so I quickly requested oral medication. After a round of antibiotics, I'm feeling much better!
Now on to the next tidbit...the Fourth of July. Let me premise this section by saying...as the 4th drew nearer and nearer...I was almost 100% sure I would be disappointed by whatever we did. Every year my family travels to our lake-house, where we grill, swim, boat, and shoot off fireworks of a ridiculous quantity. So...needless to say, my hopes were not high for my Chinese 4th. Jon, another friend Paul, and myself decided that something had to be done about the lack of celebration for Americans in Chengdu, for the 4th. We ran to the nearby supermarket, and picked out fresh slices of beef, had it ground...picked up all the other necessities: ketchup, mustard, tomatoes, and BBQ sauce. We managed to procure a small charcoal grill, and some charcoal from some past-students still living in Chengdu. Everyone had been pestering us about whether we would have fireworks or not...and after pursuing a few disappointing leads...I was sad to report we wouldn't have any. A few new students refused to accept this news, and as we three were busy hurriedly preparing enough burgers to feed a small army, they went on an exodus of epic proportions...to find fireworks.
Getting the grill lit took quite some time, as none of us had managed to find lighter fluid...but we quickly decided to use some of China's most famous spirit...白酒 (baijiu)...a horrible concoction that is 40-60% alcohol content and can be substituted for things like nail polish remover, paint thinner, and maybe low-grade hydrochloric acid! So after drenching our briquettes in this Chinese liquor, the fire lit splendidly. Just as we finished grilling, and had finished feeding roughly 20 people the new students arrived from their journey...arm-loads of fireworks in tow! They found huge rolls of firecrackers, and artillery-style fireworks! Much to our delight, and dismay of our neighbors, the Fourth of July went wonderfully, homemade burgers, fireworks, and all! Security guards actually came up to the roof to admonish us about the noise...twice. Haha, but thanks to my excellent remorseful guise, and decent speaking ability all was well.
Random photos:
A shot of the Algae bloom that is plaguing Olympic planners right now!
A picture of Beach #1...as I said the weather wasn't that great.
Group-shot at arguably...the best meal the entire trip. We were eating kalamari rings, clams, squid-tentacle BBQ...among many other things. TASTY. Left to right: Me, Jessica, Jessica's Mom, our dinner host Mr. Zhang, and Jon.
St. Michael's Cathedral in Qingdao. Apparently during the cultural revolution the two crosses were torn off from the building, recovered by local Catholics, and hidden in the nearby hills till it was safe to reattach them!
A random building I thought was interesting. Pretty representative of lots of the Bavarian/German architecture in Qingdao.
Who better to expect in a city known for its brewery, than Dionysus himself?
A shot of Jon and I in the "drunk room," in the Qingdao brewery. The entire room is slanted...and entirely too much fun to walk around in.
Lastly...a shot of me in front of a castle. Yes, a castle. Various royalty have stayed there, as well as Chiang Kai Shek, himself. The leader of the nationalist party, AKA the Guomindang / Kuomintang.
Well, thats all for this update. I hope everyone had a fun, and safe 4th of July! Until next time.
孙安竹
Andrew
My apologies for the haphazard rate of updates. I've got a lot to share. During the one week break between the two summer sessions, my friend Jon and I traveled to Qingdao. It is a port city -- in fact its where all the sailing events for the Olympics are supposed to happen this year. It was a good time...seeing all the beaches and interesting buildings, and visiting the brewery. Additionally, we traveled there with my teacher from last summer, Jessica / He Yue and her mother. Jessica is not much older than us, and fun to hang out with. The company, seafood and sightseeing was good. Yet, the weather was pretty inclimite, the beaches were covered by this green algae (search for it, there are lots of news stories about the Olympic seas turning to 'soup!')...and by this time I had developed some sort of respiratory infection. Also, Jon and I wanted to return early to try to do a small 1-2 day trip around Sichuan, to see some things we hadn't seen before.
So Jon and I returned a few days earlier than planned, and upon our arrival...I started feeling significantly more sick...coughing up a pleasant green substance and whatnot. Queue the Chinese hospital story. Upon realizing I was not getting any better out of sheer stubbornness, I called the assistant resident director, Janny. Janny helped me get to the hospital and translated my symptoms out for the doctors. I had to get X-rays of my chest, to see if/how much junk my lungs had in them. Results came back, and the doc said I had little to no stuff left in my lungs, and prescribed that I spend 2 hours there on IV that same day, and return the following day for 2 more hours of IV drip. Apparently in China, they believe IV drips of whatever medicine you need is more effective, and preferred to just normal medication. Well, I wasn't about to get a Chinese needle in my arm if I didn't have to...so I quickly requested oral medication. After a round of antibiotics, I'm feeling much better!
Now on to the next tidbit...the Fourth of July. Let me premise this section by saying...as the 4th drew nearer and nearer...I was almost 100% sure I would be disappointed by whatever we did. Every year my family travels to our lake-house, where we grill, swim, boat, and shoot off fireworks of a ridiculous quantity. So...needless to say, my hopes were not high for my Chinese 4th. Jon, another friend Paul, and myself decided that something had to be done about the lack of celebration for Americans in Chengdu, for the 4th. We ran to the nearby supermarket, and picked out fresh slices of beef, had it ground...picked up all the other necessities: ketchup, mustard, tomatoes, and BBQ sauce. We managed to procure a small charcoal grill, and some charcoal from some past-students still living in Chengdu. Everyone had been pestering us about whether we would have fireworks or not...and after pursuing a few disappointing leads...I was sad to report we wouldn't have any. A few new students refused to accept this news, and as we three were busy hurriedly preparing enough burgers to feed a small army, they went on an exodus of epic proportions...to find fireworks.
Getting the grill lit took quite some time, as none of us had managed to find lighter fluid...but we quickly decided to use some of China's most famous spirit...白酒 (baijiu)...a horrible concoction that is 40-60% alcohol content and can be substituted for things like nail polish remover, paint thinner, and maybe low-grade hydrochloric acid! So after drenching our briquettes in this Chinese liquor, the fire lit splendidly. Just as we finished grilling, and had finished feeding roughly 20 people the new students arrived from their journey...arm-loads of fireworks in tow! They found huge rolls of firecrackers, and artillery-style fireworks! Much to our delight, and dismay of our neighbors, the Fourth of July went wonderfully, homemade burgers, fireworks, and all! Security guards actually came up to the roof to admonish us about the noise...twice. Haha, but thanks to my excellent remorseful guise, and decent speaking ability all was well.
Random photos:
A shot of the Algae bloom that is plaguing Olympic planners right now!A picture of Beach #1...as I said the weather wasn't that great.
Group-shot at arguably...the best meal the entire trip. We were eating kalamari rings, clams, squid-tentacle BBQ...among many other things. TASTY. Left to right: Me, Jessica, Jessica's Mom, our dinner host Mr. Zhang, and Jon.
St. Michael's Cathedral in Qingdao. Apparently during the cultural revolution the two crosses were torn off from the building, recovered by local Catholics, and hidden in the nearby hills till it was safe to reattach them!
A random building I thought was interesting. Pretty representative of lots of the Bavarian/German architecture in Qingdao.Who better to expect in a city known for its brewery, than Dionysus himself?
A shot of Jon and I in the "drunk room," in the Qingdao brewery. The entire room is slanted...and entirely too much fun to walk around in.
Lastly...a shot of me in front of a castle. Yes, a castle. Various royalty have stayed there, as well as Chiang Kai Shek, himself. The leader of the nationalist party, AKA the Guomindang / Kuomintang.Well, thats all for this update. I hope everyone had a fun, and safe 4th of July! Until next time.
孙安竹
Andrew
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Finals, Haircuts, and Qingdao
Hello all,
This morning has been a wonderfully lazy, slightly rainy day. Yesterday, Friday, was my last final for the first session. I ended up making an A on the final, and in my Advanced I class. Words can't describe how stoked I am about that! For our final we had to write a paper, interview Chinese people about their opinions regarding various aspects about the earthquake, prepare a powerpoint and deliver a presentation regarding said interview....and finally the actual written portion of the test. Altogether, it was a lot of work, and I am glad it is done!
I got my hair cut this past Wednesday, it was a fun experience! Little did I know, but here in China a haircut is more than just a simple haircut. All for roughly $2 USD, you get your hair washed, your scalp and head massaged, your hair cut, and your hair washed and head massaged again afterwards. My hairdresser, Lin Tao, was an affable bloke and his English wasn't half bad. I promised him I would pick out a book I thought would help him practice his English, and email him the title.
Tomorrow morning at 8:10 local time, I fly out to the coastal city of Qingdao. I'm traveling with my good friend Jon, and my instructor from last summer, He Yue. It should prove to be a great time! Qingdao used to be a German city, as it was ceded to Germany in 1897-ish...because of the killing of a few German missionaries. Germany used it as a naval port, and of course established the famous Qingdao brewery that still operates to this day. Although I'm hazy on the history, I know at one point in time Qingdao was also controlled by the Japanese, so I'm excited to see the part of town that has Bavarian storefronts side-by-side with Japanese and Chinese architecture. No worries pops, I'll take lots of photos for you. :) Moreover, Qingdao is supposed to have some incredibly beautiful beaches, Catholic and Lutheran churches alike, in addition to a few other sites of interest. I'm excited to spend some time lounging on their supposedly amazing beaches, with a world-famous Qingdao beer in hand. Today Jon and I are finalizing our sleeping arrangements -- deciding between a few hostels.
Thats all for now! Pictures of Qingdao to come soon!
孙安竹
Andrew
This morning has been a wonderfully lazy, slightly rainy day. Yesterday, Friday, was my last final for the first session. I ended up making an A on the final, and in my Advanced I class. Words can't describe how stoked I am about that! For our final we had to write a paper, interview Chinese people about their opinions regarding various aspects about the earthquake, prepare a powerpoint and deliver a presentation regarding said interview....and finally the actual written portion of the test. Altogether, it was a lot of work, and I am glad it is done!
I got my hair cut this past Wednesday, it was a fun experience! Little did I know, but here in China a haircut is more than just a simple haircut. All for roughly $2 USD, you get your hair washed, your scalp and head massaged, your hair cut, and your hair washed and head massaged again afterwards. My hairdresser, Lin Tao, was an affable bloke and his English wasn't half bad. I promised him I would pick out a book I thought would help him practice his English, and email him the title.
Tomorrow morning at 8:10 local time, I fly out to the coastal city of Qingdao. I'm traveling with my good friend Jon, and my instructor from last summer, He Yue. It should prove to be a great time! Qingdao used to be a German city, as it was ceded to Germany in 1897-ish...because of the killing of a few German missionaries. Germany used it as a naval port, and of course established the famous Qingdao brewery that still operates to this day. Although I'm hazy on the history, I know at one point in time Qingdao was also controlled by the Japanese, so I'm excited to see the part of town that has Bavarian storefronts side-by-side with Japanese and Chinese architecture. No worries pops, I'll take lots of photos for you. :) Moreover, Qingdao is supposed to have some incredibly beautiful beaches, Catholic and Lutheran churches alike, in addition to a few other sites of interest. I'm excited to spend some time lounging on their supposedly amazing beaches, with a world-famous Qingdao beer in hand. Today Jon and I are finalizing our sleeping arrangements -- deciding between a few hostels.
Thats all for now! Pictures of Qingdao to come soon!
孙安竹
Andrew
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Togas, English Lessons, and Menus Galore
Hello all!
I write to you, after just eating a very satisfying bowl of 番茄蛋面(fanqie dan mian) tomato & egg with noodles. My friend Jon and I scoped out this little whole in the wall joint, and it turned out pretty tasty. While there, I used a little "Sichuanhua," the local dialect, and it surprised the waitress much to my delight. :)
Yes, so this past Saturday evening some of the folks living in the apartment across the hall decided to host an impromptu Toga party. Shortly after the gathering's beginning, we decided to take a short walk to our favorite little shop, very much to the amusement of our friends the shopkeepers. They couldn't stop laughing and smiling, and asking if there was some sort of festival happening that night.
Today, Sunday, for the first time I met with a Chinese family I just recently met outside my favorite ice cream place, for the purpose of tutoring them in English. They also tutored me in Chinese. They all speak English very well, yet struggle a little with listening comprehension. The father, whose English name is John, picked a great text containing both Chinese and English side by side. I really enjoyed helping them with understanding the meaning of the English text, and helping them with pronouncing difficult words. They proved to be infinitely valuable, and patient teachers themselves. Their daughter, whose English name is Isabelle, spoke immaculate "putonghua," or standard/official Mandarin (as opposed to the local dialect as spoken by her parents, although still pretty understandable). She is 11 years old, and was serving as my pronunciation drill instructor, while her parents used their better command of English to help distinguish the intricate differences between some oral and written phrases, etc.
And finally, the launching of the "Chicken Spot," menu went incredibly well. All of the waitresses and chefs came rushing over to the ogle the English menu. Much to my delight, they told me that I had not mistyped a single character, which was a huge relief. Apparently the menu has already had significant usage. One waitress dutifully reported this to me today, whom we've given the name Chelsea after she asked us to give her an English name. Though I haven't received payment, or significant discount, it has been a rewarding and beneficial experience. Trying new, delicious dishes has been payment enough!
My first set of finals are looming next week, but I'm not too worried about them. I feel like my current professor has prepared me very well. Next weekend, and next week I have a break from classes, until the second summer "session" starts. Melvin, Jon, and I are currently discussing to where and when we want to travel. Current places up for debate are Ulumqi, Li Jiang, Jiu Zhai Go, Kunming, and some others.
I hope all is well at home! I'm looking forward to seeing friends and family in August...just not quite ready to come home yet. :) Wanderlust is great.
孙安竹
Andrew
I write to you, after just eating a very satisfying bowl of 番茄蛋面(fanqie dan mian) tomato & egg with noodles. My friend Jon and I scoped out this little whole in the wall joint, and it turned out pretty tasty. While there, I used a little "Sichuanhua," the local dialect, and it surprised the waitress much to my delight. :)
Yes, so this past Saturday evening some of the folks living in the apartment across the hall decided to host an impromptu Toga party. Shortly after the gathering's beginning, we decided to take a short walk to our favorite little shop, very much to the amusement of our friends the shopkeepers. They couldn't stop laughing and smiling, and asking if there was some sort of festival happening that night.
Today, Sunday, for the first time I met with a Chinese family I just recently met outside my favorite ice cream place, for the purpose of tutoring them in English. They also tutored me in Chinese. They all speak English very well, yet struggle a little with listening comprehension. The father, whose English name is John, picked a great text containing both Chinese and English side by side. I really enjoyed helping them with understanding the meaning of the English text, and helping them with pronouncing difficult words. They proved to be infinitely valuable, and patient teachers themselves. Their daughter, whose English name is Isabelle, spoke immaculate "putonghua," or standard/official Mandarin (as opposed to the local dialect as spoken by her parents, although still pretty understandable). She is 11 years old, and was serving as my pronunciation drill instructor, while her parents used their better command of English to help distinguish the intricate differences between some oral and written phrases, etc.
And finally, the launching of the "Chicken Spot," menu went incredibly well. All of the waitresses and chefs came rushing over to the ogle the English menu. Much to my delight, they told me that I had not mistyped a single character, which was a huge relief. Apparently the menu has already had significant usage. One waitress dutifully reported this to me today, whom we've given the name Chelsea after she asked us to give her an English name. Though I haven't received payment, or significant discount, it has been a rewarding and beneficial experience. Trying new, delicious dishes has been payment enough!
My first set of finals are looming next week, but I'm not too worried about them. I feel like my current professor has prepared me very well. Next weekend, and next week I have a break from classes, until the second summer "session" starts. Melvin, Jon, and I are currently discussing to where and when we want to travel. Current places up for debate are Ulumqi, Li Jiang, Jiu Zhai Go, Kunming, and some others.
I hope all is well at home! I'm looking forward to seeing friends and family in August...just not quite ready to come home yet. :) Wanderlust is great.
孙安竹
Andrew
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Emeishan, etC.
Update:
This past weekend we all went to Mt. Emei, or Emeishan. Roughly translated it means beautiful eyebrow mountain, because of the shape of the mountain. Always leave it to the Chinese for an interesting name. :)
This was my second time to travel to the city of Leshan, to see the Big Buddha, and to Emeishan to see the sights there. It was fun, even though I'd experienced all of it before. It afforded me the opportunity to get to know some of the people on my trip better. All in all, I consider it a success.
Other news, starting this weekend I am going to begin tutoring a Chinese family in English, and they me, in Chinese. I think it could be either a really great and rewarding experience, or awkward and frustrating. Only time will tell. More on that later.
This weekend there are no activities planned, and beginning the 23rd is about a week's length of time between summer sessions. I'm trying to brainstorm, and see where I could travel and sight see, what's affordable, etc. A friend is on his way into the country for the second session, so I and/or my friend Melvin may travel with him.
Random Pictures:
A picture of "Hailun" or "Helen," Wentao (the Resident Director)'s daughter. She was incredibly cute, and constantly entertaining during the trip, especially the long bus rides when she would pretend to be a tiger.
A few shots of part of the Buddhist nunnery we visisted.
A very kum ba ya example of "Chinglish."
And at last, I leave you with--of course-- a goofy photo of me in front of Dafo:
孙安竹
Andrew
This past weekend we all went to Mt. Emei, or Emeishan. Roughly translated it means beautiful eyebrow mountain, because of the shape of the mountain. Always leave it to the Chinese for an interesting name. :)
This was my second time to travel to the city of Leshan, to see the Big Buddha, and to Emeishan to see the sights there. It was fun, even though I'd experienced all of it before. It afforded me the opportunity to get to know some of the people on my trip better. All in all, I consider it a success.
Other news, starting this weekend I am going to begin tutoring a Chinese family in English, and they me, in Chinese. I think it could be either a really great and rewarding experience, or awkward and frustrating. Only time will tell. More on that later.
This weekend there are no activities planned, and beginning the 23rd is about a week's length of time between summer sessions. I'm trying to brainstorm, and see where I could travel and sight see, what's affordable, etc. A friend is on his way into the country for the second session, so I and/or my friend Melvin may travel with him.
Random Pictures:
A picture of "Hailun" or "Helen," Wentao (the Resident Director)'s daughter. She was incredibly cute, and constantly entertaining during the trip, especially the long bus rides when she would pretend to be a tiger.
A few shots of part of the Buddhist nunnery we visisted.
A very kum ba ya example of "Chinglish."And at last, I leave you with--of course-- a goofy photo of me in front of Dafo:
孙安竹
Andrew
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