Going to Nanjing

Hey folks, I'm leaving for Nanjing in 20 hours to attend a weekend workshop on Chinese-American relations hosted by the Hopkins-Nanjing Center. I will of course update upon my return.

Free to Express Myself

Sometimes I feel that doesn't always quite apply to me,

a 185cm 85kg white male grokking a "second-tier" Chinese city.

Whether tripping over a curb by my carelessness or exposing my forested legs by wearing shorts, I sometimes feel my most everyday actions are scrutinized.

Wears jeans: check.

Dark hair and eyes: Asian lineage?

Has 2 ipods, 2 computers, and a cellphone: yup, rich and excessive

Uses chopsticks: wow!

Uses chopsticks: incorrectly, check.

Am I being carefully evaluated; confirming, contradicting, and creating Chinese conceptions of Americans?

I sometimes think so, especially when I am in a coffee bar and the blink of a red light indicates my picture has been taken...

....or when I'm on a bus and a cellphone pointed in my direction is clearly being used to photograph me, despite the holder's false appearance of typing a text message...

....or when I'm on a ferry and a person moves near to me to have their picture snapped, pretending to be oblivious to my presence...

Haha, you get the point, right?

I can't help but wonder if those instances just represent those who aren't good at being covert; that in reality, I'm constantly on show, like a monkey in a zoo, or a fish in an aquarium. I once imagined a business plan to track foreigners using envisioning camo, safari hats, and binoculars (yes, my creativity sometimes goes wild)

So you can imagine my envy at the freedom and carefree individuality many Chinese express on a daily basis.

For example, Chinese sometimes wear neon colors, creative designs, mismatched articles, and shirts with ridiculous sayings, yet I'm the only person who seems to care about this spectacle.

Just the other day, I passed a Chinese guy publicly singing his heart out as his MP3 played music into his ears. Just a few seconds later, I walked by another guy, also publicly singing his heart out, sans MP3. Yet I was the only one to smile in amusement at their passion.

Or how about the shy girl who flashes a peace-sign and offers a loud "yeah!" whenever she approvingly encounters something. Yet I'm the only who seems baffled by this quite expressive outburst from a quite quiet girl.

In fact, I find myself looking longer at strangers, approaching the point of staring. I've sneakily snapped photos, with scores of other occasions when I wish I had my camera. Just yesterday, upon noticing a really tall Chinese guy, I nudged my friend, remarking on the tall man's height.

Some friends back home worry that I am "going native." Don't worry, I don't feel like a Chinese at all. But I am understanding that I'm not a monkey in a cage. There are no bars. I'm here by choice. And Chinese are every bit as curious as I am. The sooner I'm more comfortable with this curioisity the better for both me and my newfound friends to learn together, and hopefully smile and laugh at each others antics.

Video from the "Eco-Working Holiday"

Return from Wuyishan

I've returned my trip to the heart of China's tea country. Here are some pictures:

On the move

Travelling to Wuyishan Mountains tomorrow. Look for pictures and commentary when I return on Monday/Tuesday!

A cloudy, gray day became bright and sunny as approximately eighty volunteers gathered from all walks of life in downtown Xiamen to christen Island Care Day as a “working holiday.”

Saturday's day-long event was implemented by Xiamen Green Cross Association, a local environmental NGO with 10 years of history raising environmental consciousness and promoting green-living among Xiamen residents. 

Before departing Bailuzhou Park, Azure Ma, director of the Xiamen Green Cross Association, thanked corporate sponsors Xiamen Airlines and ABB for their support while explaining the idea behind a “working holiday.”

But what better way to understand the concept of a “working holiday” than to experience it? 

And so professional volunteers, representatives from the American Consulate, students, and concerned citizens set off for Dingxi Reservoir, located about 75 minutes north of Xiamen near Tong'an. The volunteers were divided into three groups to explore different parts of the region. Armed with shovels, gloves, and plastic bags, the volunteers learned about the rich local flora, the importance of reservoirs for maintaining safe drinking water, and the threats imposed by invasive species, pollution, and littering.

And everyone got involved in the fun.

Cameramen, with large cameras in one hand, dragged invasive plants to a fire with the other. Reporters carrying microphones still picked up left-behind bottles, wrappers and plastic bags. Even Gary Oba, American officer-designee for Xiamen, lent a hand, wading deep into the underbrush searching for invasive plants threatening the local wildlife. When the work was accomplished, the volunteers reunited to eat dinner and listen to the reservoir manager explain the significance and history of Dingxi..

At the end of the day, the volunteers were tired from their labor, but the smiles on their faces made it clear that they had enjoyed themselves, having made new friends and knowing they made a difference. As the pile of invasive plants burned, one volunteer remarked that the bonfire reminded her of the Olympic flame, as both represent the success and pride resulting from hard work.

For more photos check out my Picasa album

Yours truly, propaganda chief

For those of you who aren't aware, I've been working at a local NGO as part of my Fulbright research project. Last night, I was nominated to become propaganda chief. I know, me, of all people!

It was a nice reminder that different conceptions can be attached to words. In the US, propaganda is strongly associated with the idea of brain-washing, and so is seen negatively. Whereas in China, propaganda is usually seen more neutrally, suggesting "information dessimination" and doesn't necessarily mean distortion. 

I'm still working in the propaganda department, where my tasks include helping my comrades coworkers disseminate information about our NGO and its activities. We will be visiting a reservoir next weekend, so I'll be sure to pass on some propaganda back to you all =)