I haven't yet figured out how to adjust pictures on this new browser - but these are today's pictures of West Lake. BEAUTIFUL!So as my last excited blog stated - I can now access this blog, facebook, youtube, and anything else that I am not supposed to. It's a great thing. A lot has happened this week - including the start of classes, my roommate going on a "school trip" leaving me to actually try to figure things out by myself, being eaten alive by bugs and my first trip to a bar. Have I really only been here a week?
So to fill you all in on things I listed last time...
1. During language school, one of the first texts we studied was about the Chinese 夜市or night market. "Not only can you get delicious small treats, but you can also see animals and watch live performances!," our book promised us. The night market we went to was not quite like that, but I sure wasn't important. The night market kind of reminds me of a flea market, except instead of handmade things it's just lots and lots and lots of "fang mao pin" or counterfeit things. As my parents know one of the things I was most looking forward to was buying counterfeit dvd's, and I was not dissapointed. I am now the proud owner of ALL TEN SEASONS of Friends for a whoppinly expensive $5, the newest season of House (that I was unable to get because I left the day it came out at home) for $1.50 and a Coach bag (I like pretending and telling people it's real) for $8ish. It was great. I do find that I am kind of becoming a little more acclimated to the range of prices in China. Even though in dollars none of that stuff is that much, the Friends was 30 Yuan, which is starting to sound alike. I'm still adjusting to what kind of mindset I'm in. I also found out that I do not, it turns out, have any form of bartering ability. My roommate was with me and did all the bargaining, but I at first was willing to buy the purse for 100 yuan, simply because the store owner looked angry and I didn't want to upset her. I don't think I'm exactly made for bargaining... Thank goodness our rooomates are around, I would really be lost without her.
2/3. Speaking of my roommates - they are also lifesavers in many more events that using English I take for granted. Last week we all went to buy our SIM cards and open a bank account. I never realized that was so complicated! I really just sat there and stared at the representative while my roommate hashed out how much I was to pay a month, how many texts I can send, etc. It's times like those that make me realize how far I have to go in the language. It sometimes seems overwhelming how many more characters I would have to learn to be close to superbly proficient, but I think that continues to remind me of why I love the language so much, I love the challenge. Also just a quick note to let you guys know where I am living. We do have a bathroom with a shower, a mini balcony, and air conditioning. We live a pretty legit life, but it is really only because we are in the "foreigners dorm." The rest of the students have four bunkbeds per room with no air conditioning and no bathroom in their room. I think our roommates are thankful to have this room - and it also makes me realize some of the differences in what we're used to. But I love my room. It's ridiculously comfortable, and will be even more so once I ever get around to putting up my pictures of all of you.
4. Being constantly "called out" for the whiteness of my skin has been the hardest thing (besides the food) to adjust to. Last week we went to Tesco, a huge supermarket (the supermarkets in China are HUGE - it makes Harris Teeter look like a small magazine street stand - sorry Dad) and people continuously made comments about how either my skin was "TOO" white or how it was so great. From what I've heard from friend's roommates - most of the Chinese girls wish their skin was a little whiter, although I think most people wouldn't to go "as white" as I am. I am putting on a little tan though, we'll see how I look when I get back. ;) People talking to me or telling me how white my skin is or people calling me 老外，(lao wai - basically foreigner) doesn't bother me so much. I can take a "Hallo" and "Baibai." What I still have found kind of hard to adjust to is just being stared at, and stared at, and stared at. Michelle and I went to the West Lake today (a very touristy spot) and it seemed as if no one had ever seen an American before. I also find that days when I'm exhausted (like today) that gets to me more than other days, but I'm still finding it hard to get used to. It's also made me think about how glad I am to have had Key School, Midd, and other experiences that have really opened me up to all kinds of diversity. Today the boat "driver" asked us what we do when we see foreigners at home. I didn't have an answer, because it's just so second nature to have (at least some) diversity. Another difference I've been realizing.
Another quick note, I realized I never explained the meaning of my blog name: Kong Wenli 孔文莉。孔(Kong) is from 孔子 or Confucius, so it has a very philosphical and intelligent meaning. 莉is from 莉花 or jasmine flower. Together the name doesn't mean anything, but I'm told my name has a very "Chinese sound" to it. Middlebury's Chinese teachers really know what they're doing.
Up next: Classes, Food, what else? We'll see what happens. Love and miss you all very much.
Love the photos Elise! And the observation about diversity is very interesting -- I'll be carrying that around and thinking about it through the day today. Love you lots and keep yourself "open" to all that's new in your exciting life! Started down the immunization road yesterday (at Arlington Travel Center, your recommendation) so am one step closer to China and YOU!
ReplyDeleteHi Elise! Loved the explanations in this blog of so much I was wondering about. Good blogging. THanks. When you get back you and Caeli can have an in depth conversation of what dhr felt like whrn she first came to GSA (her HS in Maine). Everyone (all Caucasion) bombarded her with questions: "Are you a Foreign Exchange Student?" and "Do you understand English?" and "So, are you Chinese or what?" She seemed really dark to some people in Maine, as I recall. In NY there was enough Diversity that these questions seldom popped up. So you have just "walked a mile" as they say in Caeli's shoes.
ReplyDeleteWhat is the drinking age in bars in China? Your photos are great. Be safe and keep enjoying! xo
Elise, So interesting to see how thoughtful you are about what you are experiencing in China, and how you are reflecting on what abilities come naturally to you and which don't. China can be a learning experience to practice new skills--e.g., bargaining! By the end of your time there, you might be a better bargainer than you now are. So keep trying it out and also observe how others do it. You can see that others steel themselves against the anger of the shopowner--so try to do that yourself! Practice. Change may come slowly, but you can make changes in that direction. And then when you come back to the U.S., you can revert to your old self. Or maybe a slightly altered version of your old self.
ReplyDeleteThe whiteness thing is really interesting. It sounds like you think people are "calling you out on it" whereas it sounds like a number of them are admiring of your whiteness. Maybe you can find a way to joke about it with those who complain you are "too white." At the moment I can't think of a good way to do it, but maybe others will have an idea. Something like: "Oh, yes, I like snow, so I am glad I am white like snow." Or some other joking thing about being so white. It really does emphasize how there is no right or wrong, but people notice differences. Some admire the differences and wish that they had them (wish their skin was lighter) whereas others laugh at the differences because it's not what they have. At any rate, see if you can develop a sentence or two to say back to them (easier done in English than in Chinese, I'm sure).
Good luck in your classes, and it sounds like adventures await. You've got a great attitude to take it all in, so have fun. And appreciate your wonderful air-conditioning. Also, your pictures are great.
Fran
Elise! Gilmore Girls DVDs!
ReplyDeleteElise, One more thought about what kind of comment to make when people talk about your "whiteness." I am reminded of some of Miss Manners' advice columns where she urged people to respond to semi-insults by thanking the person who made the comments. So you could something like: "Oh, thank you." Or "Yes, thank you, I am very white." Or "Yes, thank you, I need to use a lot of suntan lotion." Or "Yes, I am." So these comments tend to disarm the people who might be trying to insult you, and are a good response to the people who are admiring your color.
ReplyDeleteI later realized that trying to joke with people who speak a different language may not be such a good idea. Although sometimes answering with a non sequitor is a very good way of stopping the person in their tracks. But maybe not while you are trying to speak Chinese.
Fran
Your followers want more content! Hope we can talk over the weekend. Be well!
ReplyDelete