Two main things I want to focus on here. One China names, two what people wear to the gym. Both are incredibly interesting.
So when a Chinese person begins to learn English, they usually pick a name out for themselves or ask someone to give them a name. Some names I have heard that should give you a straight up belly laugh, or at least a little giggle. Birthday Cake, (yes I said Birthday Cake, that is not a typo), Rock (as in pebble or boulder? I never got a chance to ask), Panda, Shinning, Flower, Coco (which is not bad in my opinion, but still unusual), Easy (all I have to say is poor girl, please change your name!), Eleven (she thought a number would be VERY original....so I guess she got what she wanted out of the name) and Fish. Now I should state, in Chinese, names like this are not unusual (well Eleven and Birthday Cake are, but that's besides the point). My own Chinese name means art (like painting type art, not Art is short for Arther type Art). The girls who were Fish and Panda, took the meaning of their surnames and just directly translated to English. I have also heard of a girl names Fiona, who insisted spelling her name with a double F....Ffiona.
Now onto gyms. It's always a surprise to see what people will wear to the gyms. Always a little interesting. Jeans are not unusual at all. So I almost always see at least one person running, cycling or doing weights in jeans. One time while I was running a girl got done with belly dancing class (yes that is a class we hold at my gym, along with some other interesting ones), she was in this flowing outfit and then began to run. Which I honestly don't know how she could, it was so distracting! Sleeves and pants legs swooshing everywhere! But the thing that topped it off for me was seeing a man in his tie. I guess he came to the gym after work and decided it wasn't worth taking off the tie.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Influences
Today we have more influences than we can count, media is one that we often blame or praise. But do we ever think of our own influences? I ask because a couple months ago I would have said the influences I have over people is quite small. I could count them on one hand. But today I realize that's not true. I influence more people than I realize. Not influence in such a way where I could convince them all to jump off a cliff, but I have such an influence that they will stop and listen to what I have to say. Maybe they won't agree, maybe they will strongly disagree, but nonetheless they will give me the time of day to pass my message along. That is a huge influence.
Why do I bring this up? Because I want us to be inspired to do something more with our lives. To take a stand in what we believe in, to move forward, to better the world. Example, when I decided to get my act together and work towards becoming healthier, I was surprised at how many people took note! Some decided to change too, some didn't, but the fact that they noticed! I have influence to share my ideas. I heard that its our responsibility to share and the others to decide whether or not they will follow, so we can't take responsibility for what they choose after we shared, but we need to take a step towards that.
Take Invisible Children for example. A group of people went to Uganda saw what was happening with child soldiers, came back to America and tried to get the American government involved. But my government wasn't interested because it didn't involve America. So this group of people began to advocate everywhere they could, they used their influences and their influences used their influences. Once the American people took note, so did the Government. Makes sense, ours is a government of the people, so THE PEOPLE wanted to get involved and help something beyond their own boarders. Can you see the chain affect? I watched a video (http://kony2012.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com/) and was influenced. Now I'm sharing with you. Everyone who reads this will be influenced. Maybe not to change, not to do anything, but you took your time to see what I had to say. Maybe you even took your time to watch the video (maybe you have already watched it). And those who believe in the cause will then use their influence to tell others.
It's amazing. Stop and think who you influence. Now ask yourself, what kind of influence do you want to be and how do you want to influence the world to become a better place for the future?
Why do I bring this up? Because I want us to be inspired to do something more with our lives. To take a stand in what we believe in, to move forward, to better the world. Example, when I decided to get my act together and work towards becoming healthier, I was surprised at how many people took note! Some decided to change too, some didn't, but the fact that they noticed! I have influence to share my ideas. I heard that its our responsibility to share and the others to decide whether or not they will follow, so we can't take responsibility for what they choose after we shared, but we need to take a step towards that.
Take Invisible Children for example. A group of people went to Uganda saw what was happening with child soldiers, came back to America and tried to get the American government involved. But my government wasn't interested because it didn't involve America. So this group of people began to advocate everywhere they could, they used their influences and their influences used their influences. Once the American people took note, so did the Government. Makes sense, ours is a government of the people, so THE PEOPLE wanted to get involved and help something beyond their own boarders. Can you see the chain affect? I watched a video (http://kony2012.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com/) and was influenced. Now I'm sharing with you. Everyone who reads this will be influenced. Maybe not to change, not to do anything, but you took your time to see what I had to say. Maybe you even took your time to watch the video (maybe you have already watched it). And those who believe in the cause will then use their influence to tell others.
It's amazing. Stop and think who you influence. Now ask yourself, what kind of influence do you want to be and how do you want to influence the world to become a better place for the future?
Why I love Tithing
Tithing is something I've struggled with and I'm sure many others have. I never used to tithe, but then I started to feel a little guilty about not giving. So I started out giving a couple dollars off of each paycheck. Literally, just a couple dollars. While that was a good start, that began to wear thin and I knew I should commit more. So I plunged and started to give about 10% of my income. (It should also be noted here, that nobody "forced" me or even spoke to me about it, it was simply discovery of my own habits). I've waned since then and even stopped giving at one point. My reasons behind stopping were I didn't really believe in what I was doing. I read a book about giving tithe is not about giving 10% of your income, but doing what you feel is right, doing it out of your heart. I think everyone should give, but I also agree that it needs to be out of our generosity (our heart) and not out of a guilt-stricken conscience.
So how do we get there?
Like I said, at one point I stopped giving because I didn't believe in what I was doing anymore. For about a year I gave, but not very consistently. During that time I was struggling with finances as well, which helped play into my excuse for not giving. Then I read something "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this...If I will not open up for you the windows of ...and pour out such a blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it." and it changed my mindset. I was reminded that giving needed to be out of the heart, not out of obligation, but that I NEEDED to give. That by not giving I was holding out on someone else, I was holding out on making this world a better place. So I started to give, knowing that what I was giving to would positively effect those people's lives and would hopefully ripple out from there. Since then my love for tithing has grown. I am so excited thinking about all the causes I've been able to assist because I gave a small portion of what I had.
So I said my love for tithing grew and today I realized I love tithing. So you may be wondering what has changed my mindset? I think its exciting to be part of something larger than just me and what I'm doing. Example since coming to china there are 4 big things that I have supported.
1. I helped a couple afford to get married and continue their "career" in HK
2. I helped a friend go back home to support and share with her family during a tragedy.
3. I'm supporting the adoption of an HIV infected child.
4. Kony 2012 (if you don't know what this is, look it up at http://kony2012.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com/)
Now I'm not trying to tell you what I've done so you can think highly of me, but I want to share what has helped me learn to love to give, so you can learn to love to give too. You should know what your giving to and why. You should support the cause. Many people say when someone donates money, don't ask for anything else, but I think if you give more than just money (ie time), then you can appreciate why your giving. And by time I mean, if you are going to give to a person, meet that person for lunch or coffee so you can be excited about what your giving to. If you are going to donate to a cause or charity, use a few minutes of your time to read/watch what that charity is doing, so you can be excited about what you GET TO BE PART OF!
Many people have given to me and this could sound like another appeal, it is not. Those who give/given, thank you. I want you to be excited for what you get to be part of when you give to me. If your not excited, find out what I'm doing. If your still not excited, stop giving to me and find something you believe in! I would rather have you give to something you feel part of and lose all support than have you feel obligated to give. Blessings!
So how do we get there?
Like I said, at one point I stopped giving because I didn't believe in what I was doing anymore. For about a year I gave, but not very consistently. During that time I was struggling with finances as well, which helped play into my excuse for not giving. Then I read something "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this...If I will not open up for you the windows of ...and pour out such a blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it." and it changed my mindset. I was reminded that giving needed to be out of the heart, not out of obligation, but that I NEEDED to give. That by not giving I was holding out on someone else, I was holding out on making this world a better place. So I started to give, knowing that what I was giving to would positively effect those people's lives and would hopefully ripple out from there. Since then my love for tithing has grown. I am so excited thinking about all the causes I've been able to assist because I gave a small portion of what I had.
So I said my love for tithing grew and today I realized I love tithing. So you may be wondering what has changed my mindset? I think its exciting to be part of something larger than just me and what I'm doing. Example since coming to china there are 4 big things that I have supported.
1. I helped a couple afford to get married and continue their "career" in HK
2. I helped a friend go back home to support and share with her family during a tragedy.
3. I'm supporting the adoption of an HIV infected child.
4. Kony 2012 (if you don't know what this is, look it up at http://kony2012.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com/)
Now I'm not trying to tell you what I've done so you can think highly of me, but I want to share what has helped me learn to love to give, so you can learn to love to give too. You should know what your giving to and why. You should support the cause. Many people say when someone donates money, don't ask for anything else, but I think if you give more than just money (ie time), then you can appreciate why your giving. And by time I mean, if you are going to give to a person, meet that person for lunch or coffee so you can be excited about what your giving to. If you are going to donate to a cause or charity, use a few minutes of your time to read/watch what that charity is doing, so you can be excited about what you GET TO BE PART OF!
Many people have given to me and this could sound like another appeal, it is not. Those who give/given, thank you. I want you to be excited for what you get to be part of when you give to me. If your not excited, find out what I'm doing. If your still not excited, stop giving to me and find something you believe in! I would rather have you give to something you feel part of and lose all support than have you feel obligated to give. Blessings!
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Coming Back Home Feels Good
Sorry for such a long break between posts! I had midterms about 2 weeks ago, then went to Hong Kong. So my time was spent preparing and since coming back readjusting. Although now things are starting to get in a grove again. Chinese New Year is over, all my friends are back, I have a reliable home to return to each night, I know when I work, when I have class and have a fairly steady schedule as far as working out goes. That leaves my extra time to hang out with friends and do online school.
Let's start with Hong Kong. I'm sure you all would ask "How was it"....yes I can read minds. Well I really enjoyed myself, it was so refreshing to get away, have no responsibilities, eat what I want (yes I know bad Natasha!) and see old friends. One down side, rain and cold. Everyone blamed me, said I brought it from the north, but I had been hoping for some sun which I never got! No, I did not go tourist seeing, Hong Kong isn't really a touristy place for me anymore, more like a second home. While there I had a small realization ... lost English. One friend (who has been to China alot) told me I spoke like a Chinese person now. Another guy didn't even think English was my first language...that's embarrassing.
Coming back from Hong Kong, I started my Marathon running Training schedule, so that has been exciting. I keep talking about cycling class, which I finally went to! First time no class, second time broke bike, third time late instructor...but at least it happened. And it put me on such a happy high. But its cool cuz the people who work at the gym are really nice, don't speak English, so I use my Chinese a lot and have even had conversations! Although one time I was asking one guy about something (in Chinese), he interrupted me and asked if I spoke Chinese. How do you respond to that? "Well, if you don't think this is Chinese, then I guess not." Another time I told someone I was American and studying Chinese. He then asked me (in Chinese) "Do you speak really good English?" HAHAHA!!!! Now I really don't know how to answer that one....yes?....Compared to you, probably.....or Not anymore.
Let's start with Hong Kong. I'm sure you all would ask "How was it"....yes I can read minds. Well I really enjoyed myself, it was so refreshing to get away, have no responsibilities, eat what I want (yes I know bad Natasha!) and see old friends. One down side, rain and cold. Everyone blamed me, said I brought it from the north, but I had been hoping for some sun which I never got! No, I did not go tourist seeing, Hong Kong isn't really a touristy place for me anymore, more like a second home. While there I had a small realization ... lost English. One friend (who has been to China alot) told me I spoke like a Chinese person now. Another guy didn't even think English was my first language...that's embarrassing.
Coming back from Hong Kong, I started my Marathon running Training schedule, so that has been exciting. I keep talking about cycling class, which I finally went to! First time no class, second time broke bike, third time late instructor...but at least it happened. And it put me on such a happy high. But its cool cuz the people who work at the gym are really nice, don't speak English, so I use my Chinese a lot and have even had conversations! Although one time I was asking one guy about something (in Chinese), he interrupted me and asked if I spoke Chinese. How do you respond to that? "Well, if you don't think this is Chinese, then I guess not." Another time I told someone I was American and studying Chinese. He then asked me (in Chinese) "Do you speak really good English?" HAHAHA!!!! Now I really don't know how to answer that one....yes?....Compared to you, probably.....or Not anymore.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
The Bad and Ugly of Culture Shock
I don't care who you are, how much you have traveled, how long you have lived abroad, how much you know about the country you are going to, but there is always the potential of Culture shock. I'm not saying you will always get it, I'm not saying it will be extreme, but the potential is there. I traveled Asia over the span of 7 months last year, coming to China twice within that and preparing for my move through learning about China. I am by no means claiming to be an expert, but I am saying I prepared as much as one could expect me to prepare and I have still had moments of Culture shock and Culture anger.
I think Culture shock comes in stages, then alternates between different feelings/stages. When I first came to China I was filled with love and excitement over my new country. After a couple months, my love and excitement turned to frustration and aggression. How did some of this frustration and aggression manifest itself? When people would stare, I would stare back, until they turned away. I one time stated walking backwards cuz this one guy would not look away, haha he eventually did. I've heard of people screaming in English, hitting cars (I haven't hit a car, but I've stood in front of one and stared down the driver, till it got out of my way), chasing down taxi swoopers (people who jump in the taxis you waved down...sadly happens quite often) and so on. My aggression and anger towards the general Chinese public has subsided and now turned towards those closer to me.
While I love my friends I'm going through the Culture Stage of "Friend Frustration", for lack of better words. And I truly think its culture. I'm sorry, but in my culture if I hung out with you all day I don't want to talk to you that night on the phone! If I don't answer your phone call, please don't call me me again...and again and again and again. I'm probably busy. Work, if I tell you I don't have free time to work, why do you insist on scheduling me anyways to have me cancel on you? Or if you tell me the class is only on Fridays why do you ask me if I have free time the other days of the week? Or if I quit, why do you think I want to come back? I quit for a reason. If we plan on meeting at a certain time, why are you surprised I'm waiting for you at "the meeting place"? I've also been wondering why do you want to invite me to your home and then let me sit on the couch the whole week watching Chinese TV I don't understand? How would that be fun and/or entertaining for me? Or why do you insist on showing me around your University, I'm not interested in whatever it is you teach!! Just because I'm a foreigner and I called you a friend for the sake of my class, does not mean I actually want to exchange numbers. In fact I'm kinda done meeting new Chinese friends, its hard enough to hang out with the ones I have while going through this stage of Cultural adjustment. If I tell you I have a Chinese teacher, stop telling me about how great of a teacher you are and about how much mine sucks, I like mine and I don't like you! These are just some of the feeling that emerge as I go through the stages of Culture shock. This one will eventually subside and I will enter a new stage. Eventually I might move between the stages with relative ease. One day loving China the next day in a rage.
Don't get me wrong as I write this, I love living here, this blog post are for those who want to know the real lifeness of it. If you want to see the smile only, forget about this one. Thank you all.
I think Culture shock comes in stages, then alternates between different feelings/stages. When I first came to China I was filled with love and excitement over my new country. After a couple months, my love and excitement turned to frustration and aggression. How did some of this frustration and aggression manifest itself? When people would stare, I would stare back, until they turned away. I one time stated walking backwards cuz this one guy would not look away, haha he eventually did. I've heard of people screaming in English, hitting cars (I haven't hit a car, but I've stood in front of one and stared down the driver, till it got out of my way), chasing down taxi swoopers (people who jump in the taxis you waved down...sadly happens quite often) and so on. My aggression and anger towards the general Chinese public has subsided and now turned towards those closer to me.
While I love my friends I'm going through the Culture Stage of "Friend Frustration", for lack of better words. And I truly think its culture. I'm sorry, but in my culture if I hung out with you all day I don't want to talk to you that night on the phone! If I don't answer your phone call, please don't call me me again...and again and again and again. I'm probably busy. Work, if I tell you I don't have free time to work, why do you insist on scheduling me anyways to have me cancel on you? Or if you tell me the class is only on Fridays why do you ask me if I have free time the other days of the week? Or if I quit, why do you think I want to come back? I quit for a reason. If we plan on meeting at a certain time, why are you surprised I'm waiting for you at "the meeting place"? I've also been wondering why do you want to invite me to your home and then let me sit on the couch the whole week watching Chinese TV I don't understand? How would that be fun and/or entertaining for me? Or why do you insist on showing me around your University, I'm not interested in whatever it is you teach!! Just because I'm a foreigner and I called you a friend for the sake of my class, does not mean I actually want to exchange numbers. In fact I'm kinda done meeting new Chinese friends, its hard enough to hang out with the ones I have while going through this stage of Cultural adjustment. If I tell you I have a Chinese teacher, stop telling me about how great of a teacher you are and about how much mine sucks, I like mine and I don't like you! These are just some of the feeling that emerge as I go through the stages of Culture shock. This one will eventually subside and I will enter a new stage. Eventually I might move between the stages with relative ease. One day loving China the next day in a rage.
Don't get me wrong as I write this, I love living here, this blog post are for those who want to know the real lifeness of it. If you want to see the smile only, forget about this one. Thank you all.
Nomadic Lifestyle Over
I now have a home! I walked in, when it was filthy, with moving boxes everywhere after climbing 6 flights of stars and I saw it....the potential. Love at first sight. I can't tell you why it resonated with me, but it did and on top of it it fell under my budget and within complete convenience.
My new house is a 3 bedroom apartment on the top floor with no elevator. It took me hours to clean it after the previous owners left it in a hurry (a last minute move, no bugs or anything), it needs a new paint job and the couches are pretty rough looking. But I have comfortable place to sleep, I have a place to make my food, a place to have friends over, a place to do my work and when I walk in I feel good.
A couple things to mention around this, one has to do with pollution and the other with cats. Pollution happens to be a huge problem in China, in case you didn't know and is one of the reasons I run in the mornings (the pollution is not as stirred up). A couple hundred yards from my house is a "smoke stack". A huge tower that emits smoke hundreds of feet into the air. It has become a bit of a landmark for me. When I'm on the bus, or even walking, I can see it from a couple miles away and know that's where my house lays. Good thing is it only runs a few months a year. It runs in the winter to burn coal for heating for people's homes. But after seeing how many of these things there are and how much smoke is getting pushed out, I can say I'm completely unsurprised about the pollution problem (more on this later).
So cats. You don't see them at first. But they are there, lots of them, none of them neutered or spayed. This is sad, but the only thing probably keeping the numbers low is the unlikelihood of kittens surviving. Little to no food source, not many places to hide and lots of competition. Why do I mention the cats? Because I feel they are part of living in a home in China, as part of the scenery as raccoons or squirrels in the states. They are both pests, but keep the other pests away. I don't see rats, cuz I see cats. And honestly our garbage might be a little bigger, if it weren't for our friends, the cats.
I don't have much else to add, except I have a house and it is thrilling, you are welcome over anytime :)
My new house is a 3 bedroom apartment on the top floor with no elevator. It took me hours to clean it after the previous owners left it in a hurry (a last minute move, no bugs or anything), it needs a new paint job and the couches are pretty rough looking. But I have comfortable place to sleep, I have a place to make my food, a place to have friends over, a place to do my work and when I walk in I feel good.
A couple things to mention around this, one has to do with pollution and the other with cats. Pollution happens to be a huge problem in China, in case you didn't know and is one of the reasons I run in the mornings (the pollution is not as stirred up). A couple hundred yards from my house is a "smoke stack". A huge tower that emits smoke hundreds of feet into the air. It has become a bit of a landmark for me. When I'm on the bus, or even walking, I can see it from a couple miles away and know that's where my house lays. Good thing is it only runs a few months a year. It runs in the winter to burn coal for heating for people's homes. But after seeing how many of these things there are and how much smoke is getting pushed out, I can say I'm completely unsurprised about the pollution problem (more on this later).
So cats. You don't see them at first. But they are there, lots of them, none of them neutered or spayed. This is sad, but the only thing probably keeping the numbers low is the unlikelihood of kittens surviving. Little to no food source, not many places to hide and lots of competition. Why do I mention the cats? Because I feel they are part of living in a home in China, as part of the scenery as raccoons or squirrels in the states. They are both pests, but keep the other pests away. I don't see rats, cuz I see cats. And honestly our garbage might be a little bigger, if it weren't for our friends, the cats.
I don't have much else to add, except I have a house and it is thrilling, you are welcome over anytime :)
Friday, February 3, 2012
Some Culturally Relevant Information
Red Envelopes: During holidays or special events, rather than exchanging gifts there are red envelopes. So for Spring festival the parents give their kids money in the red envelopes. The kids don't give their parents anything, but eventually, there is a switch. The switch happens at different times depending on the family tradition, it might happen when the kids gets a job, get married, or turns a certain age. Red envelopes are also given at weddings.
Toasting: I don't know the story behind this, but apparently when your toasting with someone, the amount you drink is how long you will be friends. So for instance if you drink it all in one toast, it means you will be friend's forever. Obviously with all the toasting people weren't doing that, but when I toasted with the aunt, I noticed she was looking at me and we had an awkward moment where neither of us put down our cups, but we weren't drinking either, just kinda watching each other.
Eating: This one I have experienced a lot, I eat till I'm full, then I'm told to eat more. It's part of the hospitality, but man I walk away with a full stomach. After this happening a couple times I learned a helpful phrase (since “I'm full didn't work), “Bu Chi le”-basically mans I don't want to eat any more. Which might sound rude, but its not cuz everyone was saying it.
Some stories.....
The story behind Spring Festival is, there once was an evil creature called the “Nian”. And it terrified everyone because each year it would slowly family by family take them and the families were never seen again. Eventually some people discovered that the "Nian" was scared of red and loud noises, so they started to shoot off firecrackers and fireworks to scare it away. It eventually did leave, but people continued the tradition in memory of it's absence.
Why is red a lucky color in Chinese culture? In ancient Chinese times, fire was important. If you had fire you would live, it kept you warm, helped cook food, scared away wild animals and more. The color of fire is mostly red, so fire was associated with good luck and as Chinese culture has grown, the idea of red portraying good luck has remained.
Lanterns are also part of every Chinese holiday and the reason for these is much the same as fire. Lanterns were used to carry light (probably fire in their earliest stages) and used to scare away wild animals and such. Now they are part of the culture and you see them being hung for every Chinese holiday.
Toasting: I don't know the story behind this, but apparently when your toasting with someone, the amount you drink is how long you will be friends. So for instance if you drink it all in one toast, it means you will be friend's forever. Obviously with all the toasting people weren't doing that, but when I toasted with the aunt, I noticed she was looking at me and we had an awkward moment where neither of us put down our cups, but we weren't drinking either, just kinda watching each other.
Eating: This one I have experienced a lot, I eat till I'm full, then I'm told to eat more. It's part of the hospitality, but man I walk away with a full stomach. After this happening a couple times I learned a helpful phrase (since “I'm full didn't work), “Bu Chi le”-basically mans I don't want to eat any more. Which might sound rude, but its not cuz everyone was saying it.
Some stories.....
The story behind Spring Festival is, there once was an evil creature called the “Nian”. And it terrified everyone because each year it would slowly family by family take them and the families were never seen again. Eventually some people discovered that the "Nian" was scared of red and loud noises, so they started to shoot off firecrackers and fireworks to scare it away. It eventually did leave, but people continued the tradition in memory of it's absence.
Why is red a lucky color in Chinese culture? In ancient Chinese times, fire was important. If you had fire you would live, it kept you warm, helped cook food, scared away wild animals and more. The color of fire is mostly red, so fire was associated with good luck and as Chinese culture has grown, the idea of red portraying good luck has remained.
Lanterns are also part of every Chinese holiday and the reason for these is much the same as fire. Lanterns were used to carry light (probably fire in their earliest stages) and used to scare away wild animals and such. Now they are part of the culture and you see them being hung for every Chinese holiday.
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