Happy 3 month anniversary to me! I've been back in America for 3 whole months now, which seems like such a short time, but also an eternity! Yesterday I was talking to a Chinese person, which I do about once a day, but I realized my Chinese has gotten a lot worse. I'm already forgetting a lot. It's hard to prioritize: spend time studying Chinese or studying for my crazy classes that I'm struggling in? At this point I feel like it's impossible to do both.
Today I worked all day, which I always enjoy much better than stuffy classrooms. I'm learning a lot, especially from the 3 people who sort of shepherd me. They have big hearts and a lot of practical skills. One of them reaffirmed my belief that this town is super cool, but also filled with hippies. He said, "In you hadn't noticed, most people around here think the calendar still says 1968." I've never lived in a place with so many hippies! Pretty interesting.
Again I got to visit some non-profit agencies. I went to a tiny homeless shelter that crams 30 people in there. The rooms looked pretty close to the crowded Chinese dormitories. I also had the longest chat with a guy at a mental health clinic who counsels homeless people who have mental illness. Talking to him I started to fear that I had a mental illness. When I left after a while, he shook my hand, half-bowed, looked me right in the eyes, and said, "It was such a pleasure." He says he counsels about 300 homeless a year. Apparently Bloomington, since it offers so many social services, is sort of a mecca for the area homeless. It's always a humbling experience to visit these places.
In other news, I have decided that many American boys are very nice looking. Is that okay to admit? I've never had a boyfriend, so I wouldn't exactly say I'm boy-crazy, but I do like boys. In China I couldn't date, and probably wouldn't date the lovely Chinese boys. For one, I was much too tall for them, my hair was shorter than theirs, and my clothes were less frilly than theirs.
So here in America I get along with all types of boys just swell. I can be friends with them, which I'm good at. If they like me, I'll hide, but that doesn't mean I don't have little crushes, all of them which would never work out, but are still fun. Here are some examples:
1.) One of the city bus drivers. He wears aviator sunglasses and shouts "Eigenmann Hall!" in such a dignified, manly voice.
2.) A guy I'll call "Steve." I met him at math camp when I first noticed his good head of hair, handsome face, and retro glasses. He was the 1950s guy for me. And as a rugged, recent Peace Corps volunteer, the girls are smitten. He told my friend that I have "amazing hair." So now I get all flustered and talk to him in a tiny Muppet voice.
3.) Another guy I'll call "Tim." He's a very nice guy who is ridiculously funny, a sharp dresser, and easy to get along with. We're classmates and work at the same place. We talk to each other a lot. But our conversations seem to get interrupted by his boyfriend appearing out of nowhere...
4.) There's the fruit guy at Kroger's. One time I asked him where the lemons were, and he just gazed right into my eyes. :) Now, he tries to talk to me whenever I'm buying fruit. Sigh... it must be my hair!
So there you have it--why I like American guys but will somehow never manage to actually date one. Enjoy your awesome weekend!
Friday, September 17, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Outsider Looking In (7)
My brain does not work apparently. I've been trying to get it started up for school and learning again. It's frustrating to not understand half of your classes, even after going in for office hours. It's like people speak on a totally different plane. I realize our program is in competition with Harvard, but I didn't think that would mean I actually would be attending Harvard. I like to be low-key and have few ambitions in life. :)
My brain's never hurt so much in my life. Grad level Economics and Statistics are consuming my life. I actually somewhat understand Public Management and Finance classes, but those other two are a different story. Monday night at 9 p.m., I was sitting in lab staring at my computer screen trying to learn statistics software programming. It was like reading a book in Russian or repairing a space shuttle--something totally foreign. I found myself thinking, "How on earth did I ever get signed up for this?"
I've been thinking about that a lot lately. Wandering around the grocery store, walking into city hall, or catching the bus to class, I feel like I'm in a daze. Even while I'm talking to people, I feel very far removed, like I'm not really there. Is that some sort of mental illness?
Anyways, after a nearly impossible Econ. quiz today, I was sitting in another class with my genius classmates. They were actually complaining bitterly about the quiz, so I didn't feel so terrible about it. One girl said brightly, "Well, when I get sad about it, I just remember there are children starving in China!" Which got me thinking about my next topic...
7.) Poverty
With my new swanky job, I've gotten to see some not-so-swanky, albeit interesting parts of the community. Part of my assignment lately has been to visit about a million non-profit agencies in Bloomington to see what they're up to. This city may only have 60,000 people, but it seems to have a non-profit for every 10 people.
But I don't even know how clients or people in need find these places. I've already missed 3 appointments because I got lost. They hide their organizations in the seemingly most remote, hidden places. I've had to call, stop at car repair shops, and ask people on the street where these places are. It's like being a detective, but not so glamorous.
So I've visited food pantries, food kitchens, shelters, halfway houses, daycares, etc. If you are poor in Bloomington, you are well taken care of. There's no excuse to be hungry or homeless, although I'm certainly not being judgmental. I realize America's an expensive place.
But that got me thinking about how poverty seems relative, and how America actually seems more socialist than communist China. In China the people in poverty lived in terrible conditions. There was no safety net for them--no welfare, no shelter, no food, etc. Hundreds of millions of people in China live on less than 2 dollars a day. They literally live in hovels or on the street. Many of them have rags for clothing, and some die right there on the street. Being poor in China means you don't have food or a roof over your head. And they are all skin and bones.
Now in America, poverty seems more relative. Yes, there are some extremely poor people in America, but at least most of them have options--welfare, Medicaid, food stamps, food pantries, shelters... Being poor in America, or at least the Midwest, seems to mean that you don't have a car or a house. But actually a lot of them do have cars. Most of the people getting food at the kitchens and pantries drove up in cars. One lady actually drove up in an Jaguar.
And the poor people look different in America. Most of them don't look underfed, and a lot of them do have a roof over their head. They were wearing clothes just like me. The thing to me that seems poor about them is their spirit. Most of them look ashamed and dejected, but not like they're on the verge of starving. It's hard to put my finger on it.
All this said, I'm thankful for the chances I'm having to go and visit these places, especially as I'm working for a department that does a lot with the underprivileged in Bloomington. I'm not trying to be heartless, it's just strange that the poor in America would probably be quite middle class in other countries. And middle class folks here are quite upper class in other parts of the world.
And I was informed that I could go to the food pantry, because I'm technically under the poverty line as a grad student. Hmmm... Maybe I should consider that. I saw some amazing organic food at a pantry I visited tonight. People can even get organic food for free! Sign me up.
My brain's never hurt so much in my life. Grad level Economics and Statistics are consuming my life. I actually somewhat understand Public Management and Finance classes, but those other two are a different story. Monday night at 9 p.m., I was sitting in lab staring at my computer screen trying to learn statistics software programming. It was like reading a book in Russian or repairing a space shuttle--something totally foreign. I found myself thinking, "How on earth did I ever get signed up for this?"
I've been thinking about that a lot lately. Wandering around the grocery store, walking into city hall, or catching the bus to class, I feel like I'm in a daze. Even while I'm talking to people, I feel very far removed, like I'm not really there. Is that some sort of mental illness?
Anyways, after a nearly impossible Econ. quiz today, I was sitting in another class with my genius classmates. They were actually complaining bitterly about the quiz, so I didn't feel so terrible about it. One girl said brightly, "Well, when I get sad about it, I just remember there are children starving in China!" Which got me thinking about my next topic...
7.) Poverty
With my new swanky job, I've gotten to see some not-so-swanky, albeit interesting parts of the community. Part of my assignment lately has been to visit about a million non-profit agencies in Bloomington to see what they're up to. This city may only have 60,000 people, but it seems to have a non-profit for every 10 people.
But I don't even know how clients or people in need find these places. I've already missed 3 appointments because I got lost. They hide their organizations in the seemingly most remote, hidden places. I've had to call, stop at car repair shops, and ask people on the street where these places are. It's like being a detective, but not so glamorous.
So I've visited food pantries, food kitchens, shelters, halfway houses, daycares, etc. If you are poor in Bloomington, you are well taken care of. There's no excuse to be hungry or homeless, although I'm certainly not being judgmental. I realize America's an expensive place.
But that got me thinking about how poverty seems relative, and how America actually seems more socialist than communist China. In China the people in poverty lived in terrible conditions. There was no safety net for them--no welfare, no shelter, no food, etc. Hundreds of millions of people in China live on less than 2 dollars a day. They literally live in hovels or on the street. Many of them have rags for clothing, and some die right there on the street. Being poor in China means you don't have food or a roof over your head. And they are all skin and bones.
Now in America, poverty seems more relative. Yes, there are some extremely poor people in America, but at least most of them have options--welfare, Medicaid, food stamps, food pantries, shelters... Being poor in America, or at least the Midwest, seems to mean that you don't have a car or a house. But actually a lot of them do have cars. Most of the people getting food at the kitchens and pantries drove up in cars. One lady actually drove up in an Jaguar.
And the poor people look different in America. Most of them don't look underfed, and a lot of them do have a roof over their head. They were wearing clothes just like me. The thing to me that seems poor about them is their spirit. Most of them look ashamed and dejected, but not like they're on the verge of starving. It's hard to put my finger on it.
All this said, I'm thankful for the chances I'm having to go and visit these places, especially as I'm working for a department that does a lot with the underprivileged in Bloomington. I'm not trying to be heartless, it's just strange that the poor in America would probably be quite middle class in other countries. And middle class folks here are quite upper class in other parts of the world.
And I was informed that I could go to the food pantry, because I'm technically under the poverty line as a grad student. Hmmm... Maybe I should consider that. I saw some amazing organic food at a pantry I visited tonight. People can even get organic food for free! Sign me up.
Friday, September 10, 2010
Outsider Looking In (6)
It is a drizzly late Friday afternoon. I just returned from working all day and was going to go to the gym, but instead I decided to work on my Public Finance and Budgeting assignment. We are calculating lots of various figures from the federal government's annual budgets. Then we have to analyze it. Did you know that NASA always gets the short end of the stick? Every year, their budget gets less and less and less... Poor astronauts.
I have no idea where my whole week went. I have barely been in my apartment except for sleeping. There's just so many things to do! Most of them are fun, but a lot of them aren't. Such as my budgeting homework. But at least it's somewhat interesting, and I'm feeling a bit smarter. :)
Yesterday was a particularly awesome day. I worked, went to classes, worked on a small group project with an Indian and South Korean, encouraged a fellow classmate who is a Kenyan believer, talked with a Chinese classmate who is interested in studying the Word, had a great conversation on the bus with my Thai neighbor, and went to a Bible study with grad students and professors. I was gone from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Whew! But the Father's presence was noticeable, and I was thankful for all the opportunities to talk about Him and love others.
So quite a bit of time is spent in class, although I'm in class a lot less than when I was teaching in the classroom at Blue Sky. That brings me to the uniqueness of the American classroom.
6.) American classes
I'm almost as perplexed at classes in America as many of my fellow international classmates (who happen to be extremely intelligent, and were often sent from the top departments of their respective governments).
First of all, the rooms are quite different from those in China. There are a lot fewer students crammed into each room in America, and the rooms themselves tend to be a lot nicer than in China. No dead rats or whitewashed concrete walls here. And the professors here use PowerPoint projectors and fancy equipment. You can't smell the bathroom in the class, and you can't hear people chanting from other classes.
The class atmosphere and interaction are probably more noticeable here, though. Students in America are expected to participate, question, and share opinions--all rather vigorously and energetically. My Asian classmates were really taken aback by the very informal and casual atmosphere.
Overall, I'm just amazed at how many opinions students have, and how much they like to share them. Americans are confident to the nth degree. Yes, dear fellow classmates, I realize you worked at the White House and had a GRE score of eight million, but sometimes I think you could pipe down a bit... :)
Another strange things is the limitless opportunities to join organizations and interact with people outside the classroom. Most of my students in China would just hang out in their dorms after class or pay badminton. There weren't many chances to be active, because there weren't any organizations. But here, there's a club for every interest. It's a little overwhelming, because I want to do everything! And I also have to study... a lot.
Have a wonderfully blessed weekend!
I have no idea where my whole week went. I have barely been in my apartment except for sleeping. There's just so many things to do! Most of them are fun, but a lot of them aren't. Such as my budgeting homework. But at least it's somewhat interesting, and I'm feeling a bit smarter. :)
Yesterday was a particularly awesome day. I worked, went to classes, worked on a small group project with an Indian and South Korean, encouraged a fellow classmate who is a Kenyan believer, talked with a Chinese classmate who is interested in studying the Word, had a great conversation on the bus with my Thai neighbor, and went to a Bible study with grad students and professors. I was gone from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Whew! But the Father's presence was noticeable, and I was thankful for all the opportunities to talk about Him and love others.
So quite a bit of time is spent in class, although I'm in class a lot less than when I was teaching in the classroom at Blue Sky. That brings me to the uniqueness of the American classroom.
6.) American classes
I'm almost as perplexed at classes in America as many of my fellow international classmates (who happen to be extremely intelligent, and were often sent from the top departments of their respective governments).
First of all, the rooms are quite different from those in China. There are a lot fewer students crammed into each room in America, and the rooms themselves tend to be a lot nicer than in China. No dead rats or whitewashed concrete walls here. And the professors here use PowerPoint projectors and fancy equipment. You can't smell the bathroom in the class, and you can't hear people chanting from other classes.
The class atmosphere and interaction are probably more noticeable here, though. Students in America are expected to participate, question, and share opinions--all rather vigorously and energetically. My Asian classmates were really taken aback by the very informal and casual atmosphere.
Overall, I'm just amazed at how many opinions students have, and how much they like to share them. Americans are confident to the nth degree. Yes, dear fellow classmates, I realize you worked at the White House and had a GRE score of eight million, but sometimes I think you could pipe down a bit... :)
Another strange things is the limitless opportunities to join organizations and interact with people outside the classroom. Most of my students in China would just hang out in their dorms after class or pay badminton. There weren't many chances to be active, because there weren't any organizations. But here, there's a club for every interest. It's a little overwhelming, because I want to do everything! And I also have to study... a lot.
Have a wonderfully blessed weekend!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Outsider Looking In (5)
It is mid-Tuesday morning, the one day where I get a period of longer than 2 hours to be free from classes or work. Yesterday I had the opportunity to labor on Labor Day. All of the students at IU had to go to classes, but all of the university offices were closed. It was strange.
But I didn't mind going to class; I actually look forward to it--even at 8 a.m. and on national holidays. I'm not taking being a student for granted. I just want to learn, learn, and learn! And I'm paying big bucks to be here...
One thing about living in a tiny town with a huge university, is that the traffic and crowds can be almost as crazy as China--not quite, but close. So although I'm living in America, I've still had the chance to stand in many lines, which brings me to my blog topic for today. :)
5.) Lines and Rules
America seems to love rules and order. The swimming pool at our apartment complex has something like 28 rules. The computer labs have about 15 rules. Everything and every place has a rule. And there are countless rules not even written down.
For example, even when there is no traffic, people do not cross the street until that "Walk" sign is illuminated. Yesterday I was walking with a herd of people and friends to class. I looked both ways before I crossed the street at a crosswalk, and made it to the other side. Then I realized I was alone. I looked back across the street, where everyone was still standing, dutifully waiting for that "Walk" sign to light up.
I don't understand all these rules. I also don't understand how lines are very necessary, especially when waiting for the bus. Lately I've been passed up by several too-crowded buses. I want to shove my way on to the bus, Chinese-style, but can't, because everyone is standing in an orderly line. Somehow the Chinese students always manage to get on the bus, but I don't. People think, "they're Chinese," and give them some grace. I look like an white American who ought to know the "rules," so I get no slack. When I try to inch my way up there, I get glares. They don't know that I'm really half-Chinese. :)
Another rule is that you don't invade an American's personal space, which is usually a bubble of about 25 square feet. If you happen to make it on to one of those crowded buses heading to campus, people will freak out if you accidentally bump their arm or hit their huge backpack sticking 8 feet from their back. I like to freak people out.
I'm quite comfortable now with sitting close to people. However, I have to remember that most Americans are not. A couple of times I sat right next to a stranger in a couple of different churches I visited. They automatically shift another seat away from me, while looking nervously at me. Oh, no!! I'm sitting by you! I might even talk to you, heaven forbid!
Hope you had a line-less Labor Day weekend!
But I didn't mind going to class; I actually look forward to it--even at 8 a.m. and on national holidays. I'm not taking being a student for granted. I just want to learn, learn, and learn! And I'm paying big bucks to be here...
One thing about living in a tiny town with a huge university, is that the traffic and crowds can be almost as crazy as China--not quite, but close. So although I'm living in America, I've still had the chance to stand in many lines, which brings me to my blog topic for today. :)
5.) Lines and Rules
America seems to love rules and order. The swimming pool at our apartment complex has something like 28 rules. The computer labs have about 15 rules. Everything and every place has a rule. And there are countless rules not even written down.
For example, even when there is no traffic, people do not cross the street until that "Walk" sign is illuminated. Yesterday I was walking with a herd of people and friends to class. I looked both ways before I crossed the street at a crosswalk, and made it to the other side. Then I realized I was alone. I looked back across the street, where everyone was still standing, dutifully waiting for that "Walk" sign to light up.
I don't understand all these rules. I also don't understand how lines are very necessary, especially when waiting for the bus. Lately I've been passed up by several too-crowded buses. I want to shove my way on to the bus, Chinese-style, but can't, because everyone is standing in an orderly line. Somehow the Chinese students always manage to get on the bus, but I don't. People think, "they're Chinese," and give them some grace. I look like an white American who ought to know the "rules," so I get no slack. When I try to inch my way up there, I get glares. They don't know that I'm really half-Chinese. :)
Another rule is that you don't invade an American's personal space, which is usually a bubble of about 25 square feet. If you happen to make it on to one of those crowded buses heading to campus, people will freak out if you accidentally bump their arm or hit their huge backpack sticking 8 feet from their back. I like to freak people out.
I'm quite comfortable now with sitting close to people. However, I have to remember that most Americans are not. A couple of times I sat right next to a stranger in a couple of different churches I visited. They automatically shift another seat away from me, while looking nervously at me. Oh, no!! I'm sitting by you! I might even talk to you, heaven forbid!
Hope you had a line-less Labor Day weekend!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Outsider Looking In (4)
Time just flies and flies and flies! How can it already be early September? This time last year I was battling H1N1 and starting to teach. Now I'm battling tons of heavy textbooks and learning how to be a student again.
So far my classes are super challenging, but really interesting. But why all the math? I'm doing calculus in Economics class; learning computer programming language in my Statistical Analysis class; and overcome with numbers and concepts in my Public Finance and Budgeting class. Only Public Management has so far proved to be math-free. But probably not for long at the rate I'm going.
I'm tempted to feel overwhelmed and inept with my classes, but I'm still feeling confident and fairly relaxed. Maybe that will change, but I just have a lot to be thankful for right now. For example, I work in a place that has real toilets. No squatty potties in sight. I count the little blessings.
A lot of people have also been thinking of me so I could connect with a good fellowship and other believers. Thank you! I've met up with an InterVarsity grad chapter on campus; and so far I just want to cry with thankfulness. They are intelligent, hard-working, easy-going, and really on fire for Him. Some of them have brains that are quite large (like one who is a 5th year PhD student in Economics), but they are still easy to connect with, especially since authentic Christians are few and far between.
I've still been seeing a lot of the city. This morning the weather was pretty chilly, but I biked downtown to the awesome Farmer's market I've managed to go to every weekend since I've been here. I just can't get enough of zucchinis and Mennonite people. My friends and I also went to an art festival downtown and ate Thai food on the sidewalk. Later, in between reading for classes, I went to another friend's cute little house and played Scrabble. It was great.
And now, on to my usual observations about an aspect of American culture.
4.) Volunteerism
I don't have much to say on this topic, but it's still such a noticeable part of American culture, that I have to mention it. In China, volunteering is virtually non-existent. The government takes care of most every facet of life, and that's the way the government and most Chinese people seem to like it. People take care of their immediate circle, but that's it. The poor, disabled, unfortunate, and the environment are out of their circle of influence. That's up to the government or nature; why bother to interfere? They're not heartless; on the contrary. However, that's just the way things are.
In America, everyone seems to be a volunteer. There seems to be a big passion for "causes" and fundraisers, many of which I'll be involved with through my master's program and work. You can volunteer to take care of puppies, children, gardens, wetlands, elderly people, etc. And there's a non-profit organization in America for nearly every cause in the universe. In fact, the government and a lot of non-profits seem intertwined. So that's sort of cool.
I'm off to plant a tree. Actually I think it's time for bed soon. Have a wonderful weekend!
So far my classes are super challenging, but really interesting. But why all the math? I'm doing calculus in Economics class; learning computer programming language in my Statistical Analysis class; and overcome with numbers and concepts in my Public Finance and Budgeting class. Only Public Management has so far proved to be math-free. But probably not for long at the rate I'm going.
I'm tempted to feel overwhelmed and inept with my classes, but I'm still feeling confident and fairly relaxed. Maybe that will change, but I just have a lot to be thankful for right now. For example, I work in a place that has real toilets. No squatty potties in sight. I count the little blessings.
A lot of people have also been thinking of me so I could connect with a good fellowship and other believers. Thank you! I've met up with an InterVarsity grad chapter on campus; and so far I just want to cry with thankfulness. They are intelligent, hard-working, easy-going, and really on fire for Him. Some of them have brains that are quite large (like one who is a 5th year PhD student in Economics), but they are still easy to connect with, especially since authentic Christians are few and far between.
I've still been seeing a lot of the city. This morning the weather was pretty chilly, but I biked downtown to the awesome Farmer's market I've managed to go to every weekend since I've been here. I just can't get enough of zucchinis and Mennonite people. My friends and I also went to an art festival downtown and ate Thai food on the sidewalk. Later, in between reading for classes, I went to another friend's cute little house and played Scrabble. It was great.
And now, on to my usual observations about an aspect of American culture.
4.) Volunteerism
I don't have much to say on this topic, but it's still such a noticeable part of American culture, that I have to mention it. In China, volunteering is virtually non-existent. The government takes care of most every facet of life, and that's the way the government and most Chinese people seem to like it. People take care of their immediate circle, but that's it. The poor, disabled, unfortunate, and the environment are out of their circle of influence. That's up to the government or nature; why bother to interfere? They're not heartless; on the contrary. However, that's just the way things are.
In America, everyone seems to be a volunteer. There seems to be a big passion for "causes" and fundraisers, many of which I'll be involved with through my master's program and work. You can volunteer to take care of puppies, children, gardens, wetlands, elderly people, etc. And there's a non-profit organization in America for nearly every cause in the universe. In fact, the government and a lot of non-profits seem intertwined. So that's sort of cool.
I'm off to plant a tree. Actually I think it's time for bed soon. Have a wonderful weekend!
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Outsider Looking In (3)
It was a little past 8 a.m. this morning as I hurried into my Management Economics course (sounds fun, right?) Since I live a good hike away from school, I usually have to take the city bus. It's amazing how city buses here can be just as crowded as Chinese buses! After waiting at the bus stop, I was only able to get on a bus after waiting for half an hour. And I made it to class just as the professor began teaching. I was a little mortified.
Although my free time of late has greatly diminished, I have had time to go to the gym here. In addition to this gym, I also sometimes worked out at the Y in Topeka this summer. "Going to the gym" is another foreign concept to me after being in China. So here are some intriguing observations on today's topic.
3.) Gyms
In China, at least in the region where I lived, gyms were not an option. If they were, they were strictly for guys. It's much better for Chinese girls to be non-muscular, and as tiny as possible, and maybe even a little frail. Now this didn't apply to every female, of course. The farming women and old grandmothers I saw were anything but frail. But, in general, "working out" was looked down upon for girls.
Knowing this, I chose not to appear extremely athletic as everyone in America knows I am. :) If I wanted to lift weights, I kept one in my room which I could use. If I wanted exercise outdoors, that was limited to acceptable sports like lethargically jogging, or smacking a birdie with a badminton racket. Chinese girls didn't even have somewhat sporty clothes. If they did jog a bit around the track, it was usually in jeans, incredibly tall high heels, and a very lacy, elegant shirt.
Now back in America, I have embraced this blessing to be able to exercise full-out. Although China's working-out culture seemed strange to me, America's seems just as bizarre. It still shocks me that men and women work out together! Americans have no modesty.
Anyway, so I went to the huge gym here on campus the other day. I was noticeably older and less model-looking than most of the girls there. Just like China, the girls were also glamorous even while exercising. Rows and rows of girls were working out on the elliptical. I had on an old NASA t-shirt and shorts that were longer than 3 inches. But everyone else seemed to have fashionable tank-tops, cute pink sneakers, and very long, blond ponytails. I was especially impressed with their concrete-like makeup that never seemed to budge. Was I the only one sweating?
As the girls furiously pedaled away on the elliptical machines, and the guys lifted their ginormous weights, they all had one thing in common--they looked at themselves in the huge mirrors encompassing the room. The abundance of mirrors in America also throws me for a loop, but perhaps that's a discussion best left for another day.
Not surprisingly, I didn't see any Chinese students there. :)
Although my free time of late has greatly diminished, I have had time to go to the gym here. In addition to this gym, I also sometimes worked out at the Y in Topeka this summer. "Going to the gym" is another foreign concept to me after being in China. So here are some intriguing observations on today's topic.
3.) Gyms
In China, at least in the region where I lived, gyms were not an option. If they were, they were strictly for guys. It's much better for Chinese girls to be non-muscular, and as tiny as possible, and maybe even a little frail. Now this didn't apply to every female, of course. The farming women and old grandmothers I saw were anything but frail. But, in general, "working out" was looked down upon for girls.
Knowing this, I chose not to appear extremely athletic as everyone in America knows I am. :) If I wanted to lift weights, I kept one in my room which I could use. If I wanted exercise outdoors, that was limited to acceptable sports like lethargically jogging, or smacking a birdie with a badminton racket. Chinese girls didn't even have somewhat sporty clothes. If they did jog a bit around the track, it was usually in jeans, incredibly tall high heels, and a very lacy, elegant shirt.
Now back in America, I have embraced this blessing to be able to exercise full-out. Although China's working-out culture seemed strange to me, America's seems just as bizarre. It still shocks me that men and women work out together! Americans have no modesty.
Anyway, so I went to the huge gym here on campus the other day. I was noticeably older and less model-looking than most of the girls there. Just like China, the girls were also glamorous even while exercising. Rows and rows of girls were working out on the elliptical. I had on an old NASA t-shirt and shorts that were longer than 3 inches. But everyone else seemed to have fashionable tank-tops, cute pink sneakers, and very long, blond ponytails. I was especially impressed with their concrete-like makeup that never seemed to budge. Was I the only one sweating?
As the girls furiously pedaled away on the elliptical machines, and the guys lifted their ginormous weights, they all had one thing in common--they looked at themselves in the huge mirrors encompassing the room. The abundance of mirrors in America also throws me for a loop, but perhaps that's a discussion best left for another day.
Not surprisingly, I didn't see any Chinese students there. :)
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Outsider Looking In (2)
In between my terribly difficult classes, I managed to start working at City Hall this morning. I went in at 8 a.m.; 95% of everyone didn't come in until 9:30 or 10. Bloomington is very... relaxed.
The department I'll be working in is on the 2nd floor of the City Hall, which puts all other government buildings to shame. This place is beautiful. On the outside it looks like a restored warehouse (which it is), but the inside is spacious and artsy, with old walls, huge windows, and a lot of light. Overall, it's made a very good impression on me. Plus I have my own little cubicle! I'm official.
In other news, I'm slowly, slowly adjusting. Thank you for your continued thoughts! It's been a real struggle to reorient myself to America and school, etc. Hopefully I wasn't too critical in my last blog--those were just my thoughts. But I do realize that I'll become quite bitter if I focus too much on the negative stuff. America's another culture, just like China, and I'm here to be a light!
Here's another observation about another strange aspect of American culture:
2.) Public Libraries
In China, there's no such thing as a public library (at least where I lived). The only library I ever went into was the university library. It was a giant blue shell of concrete. It wasn't heated or air-conditioned; just like all the other public buildings.
Inside the library was like being in a cave or a tomb, with it's high ceilings and concrete floors. It was always rather clammy and surreal. There were way more shelves than actual books. The library people (I don't think I would call them "librarians" would stamp people's books as they returned them, and then they literally chucked the books onto a pile. Apparently someone would later return them to their shelves. The books probably had a very short life-span.
I also didn't see any computers, and some hearty students would sit on wooden chairs to study. As an avid reader, it was all rather depressing to me in China, as far as libraries go. Plus, there isn't such a reading culture like in America. People don't usually read books for fun in China.
In comparison, I waltzed into the country library here in Bloomington in extreme anticipation. The building itself is actually similar to the Chinese library. On the outside it is also a big concrete structure, albeit a little sturdier than its Chinese counterpart.
Inside, a blast of air-conditioning immediately hits you, and my feet hit the nice carpeting. Cheerful librarians are scattered across the cheerfully-painted rooms, helping somebody or carefully re-shelving books.
And the books! There are so many (in English!), and I practically want to cry from joy. You can check out car loads of wonderful, interesting books at a time--all for free! I'll never have time these days to read much for pleasure, but it still makes me feel better.
So while I practically danced along the book shelves, everyone else and their mother sat surfing the Internet at the dozens of computer stations, with their eyes all glazed over. A scant few people were actually reading books. A tragedy.
Happy reading!
The department I'll be working in is on the 2nd floor of the City Hall, which puts all other government buildings to shame. This place is beautiful. On the outside it looks like a restored warehouse (which it is), but the inside is spacious and artsy, with old walls, huge windows, and a lot of light. Overall, it's made a very good impression on me. Plus I have my own little cubicle! I'm official.
In other news, I'm slowly, slowly adjusting. Thank you for your continued thoughts! It's been a real struggle to reorient myself to America and school, etc. Hopefully I wasn't too critical in my last blog--those were just my thoughts. But I do realize that I'll become quite bitter if I focus too much on the negative stuff. America's another culture, just like China, and I'm here to be a light!
Here's another observation about another strange aspect of American culture:
2.) Public Libraries
In China, there's no such thing as a public library (at least where I lived). The only library I ever went into was the university library. It was a giant blue shell of concrete. It wasn't heated or air-conditioned; just like all the other public buildings.
Inside the library was like being in a cave or a tomb, with it's high ceilings and concrete floors. It was always rather clammy and surreal. There were way more shelves than actual books. The library people (I don't think I would call them "librarians" would stamp people's books as they returned them, and then they literally chucked the books onto a pile. Apparently someone would later return them to their shelves. The books probably had a very short life-span.
I also didn't see any computers, and some hearty students would sit on wooden chairs to study. As an avid reader, it was all rather depressing to me in China, as far as libraries go. Plus, there isn't such a reading culture like in America. People don't usually read books for fun in China.
In comparison, I waltzed into the country library here in Bloomington in extreme anticipation. The building itself is actually similar to the Chinese library. On the outside it is also a big concrete structure, albeit a little sturdier than its Chinese counterpart.
Inside, a blast of air-conditioning immediately hits you, and my feet hit the nice carpeting. Cheerful librarians are scattered across the cheerfully-painted rooms, helping somebody or carefully re-shelving books.
And the books! There are so many (in English!), and I practically want to cry from joy. You can check out car loads of wonderful, interesting books at a time--all for free! I'll never have time these days to read much for pleasure, but it still makes me feel better.
So while I practically danced along the book shelves, everyone else and their mother sat surfing the Internet at the dozens of computer stations, with their eyes all glazed over. A scant few people were actually reading books. A tragedy.
Happy reading!
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