The Chonky Dance

Our lovely ladies.

2009-04-22T09:39:00.005+08:00

Starting a English school in China has it’s certain benefits.

Firstly, everyone wants to learn English, there is no need to sell that fact. Note that this applies to hiring as well attracting customers.

Foreigners who would define the word 'average' back in their homeland, come to China and become superstars. Even for myself, the humblest of men, it is a great task to keep my ego in check.

A second advantage to this business is that interns fresh out of college cost about 500RMB a month full-time. That’s like less then $90! And because English is such a hot commodity, they are very excited to have to opportunity working with foreigners.

Here is the starting roster in one of our classrooms, interns included, minus me and the other lao wai teacher. Note also that are already looking to hire about 3 more. Fun.

Painting the walls...

2009-04-14T19:19:00.011+08:00

Another step in the setting up of our new English school. Building it with spunk, we have decided to get an artist to paint our walls.
He is a local Beijing abstract artist.

Smoking his cig, he took a mop, dipped it into a bucket full of Chinese calligraphy ink and took it to the walls.

In the end, we even helped out a bit.

We cheersed and then drank together.

Entering the Sleeping Dragon

2009-03-25T12:30:00.005+08:00

This one is a long-time in the making, but here it is. It is my first published article!

I had wanted to post a PDF of the article as it is composed in the magazine, but alas, I could not get a hold of one. This will have to suffice....

Entering the Sleeping Dragon

" I went to China looking to find a lost part of myself, but found a whole country looking back West for answers."

An Outcast in America
The smell of his greasy, garlicky body smothered me as he walked by--everything the hood fan could not remove. It is nearly the only thing I remember of my father from early childhood...that and his teeth, black and rotten from years of chain smoking while he was on the job. Some days he would pay me to massage his arms, sore from the rigor of cooking with a wok 16 hours a day.

He made is way to America at the age of 16 on a cargo ship as a chef. His crew sailed up the Saint Lawrence river to the great lakes. Seizing the chance of a lifetime, they jumped ship. By his 30’s he settled in Minnesota where a budding Chinese community was developing.

He met my mom in a little Chinese restaurant. She was a server, he was cook. As most Americans of Swedish/German decent, she does not speak Chinese. And since she did the majority of the child rearing while my father was at work, neither my sister nor I learned to either. Other then eating with chop sticks, we learned little of Chinese culture.

Sometimes, often late into the night, my father would speak over the phone in an exotic code--switching between formal Mandarin, slangy Cantonese, and the even more cryptic Chaozhuo, his local dialect. But when it came to English, my friends would always need translation. His accent was too just strong.

There were stories of my grandfather’s gambling problems, and how my father had to beg for food for his brothers and sisters. He had spent a short time in juvenile lock-up, and then left Hong Kong to travel the world by ship. But other than going on for hours about how America has exploited the entire world and its own people, my father didn’t tell me much of China and his stories.

Even as a young child, it was always apparent that we would never be like everyone else. At church potlucks, we brought the cream cheese wontons and kungpao chicken. But it was also obvious that I knew nothing about half of heritage. Because of that, I have always longed to come to China and find my other half and complete myself.

China to Me
Growing up in the US and its culture, my current knowledge of China is purely literary. For obvious reasons, the points where Chinese and Western culture clash are the most intriguing. Be it the Opium Wars, or Marco Polo, more often than not, the Chinese side invariably seems the most attractive. In no-holds-barr fight between Shaolin monks and the knights of the round table, the beauty Kungfu would be undeniable.

In my mind, the West has always been the bad guy. While reading history, I hated the British opium traders and loved the boxers. I defended the genius guerrilla tactics of Mao and his party while condemning the nationalists at every turn, and I always got disgusted over America’s involvement in it all. My wish was to be Chinese. There is no glory in drug dealing and slave trading.

When movies like “What the Bleep” or “The Secret” became popular amongst my American friends, I could not help but notice the similarities between modern quantum physics and ancient Yin Yang theory. The only difference is that the Chinese have already developed complex methods for cooking, medicine, sex, aesthetics and health, while Western thought has only progressed as far as self-help.

As statistics about the poor state of American families rise, I recall Confucius thought and the millennia old Chinese tradition of close-knit families. When people tout new ‘green’ thinking, or the poor state of health, I remember China’s long history and experience with this issue, often ruminating over the beauty of Lao Tzu and the Taoist back-to-nature philosophies. The ideas of daily energy-circulating exercise and living a simple and natural long life are thousands of years old in China, but are only now coming into vogue in the west.

Though it is still only theoretical to me, compared to American culture, the Chinese culture appears deep and rich. All of the truly important questions that one could ever think to ask about family, health, or living a full life, seem to have already been answered somewhere in Chinese history. Most of the problems about really being human have already been hashed and rehashed over thousands of years. Not knowing about this experienced culture firsthand causes me to feel as if I am missing my better half.

8.8.08
When I heard that the Olympics would finally be held in China, on the auspicious 8.8.08 no less, I could not resist joining the party. It would provide the perfect chance to start the long process of re-discovering my self and find my other half. Also, having worked in TV news and sports for a few years, job prospects seemed promising.

China here and now, at the beginning of a new century, is the place to be. Twenty years from now, after she has climbed the steep ladder to superpower status, this period will be seen as an important one. It is a romantic era, the oldest country in the world coming into her own. By coming for 8.8.08 and staying beyond, my plan was to help.

The streets sparkled, and the sky was blue. It was not the China of the news. In Beijing, the Olympic hype was in full swing. Cadres of young and old were out sporting blue arm bands, volunteering in true communist fashion. It seemed China had put on her best dress for the coming out party, ready to enter the world stage as a real contender.

Not surprisingly, China was on full lockdown. My visa was checked in Japan, hundreds of kilometers from the border, just in case. In all parts of Beijing, military men were on the march, TV screens everywhere chanted Olympic slogans, and every night in bed my brain sang the ‘Beijing Welcomes You’ song until drifting to sleep.

The most surprising feature of Beijing was its obsession with western culture. The percentage of white faces on billboards and toothpaste boxes is by far out of balance with reality, even in this international metropolis. From Kitchen Gods, Rickshaws, or even Buddhist monks, nothing of the Chinese culture that I had read so much about can be seen.

Everything west, good or bad, is in, and nobody blinks an eye. Business suits, Hip-Hop gear and mini skirts are the norm. BWMs, skyscrapers, and American fast-food joints color the landscape. At the bar, when people see my face, they instantly want to be my friend, if only to practice their English.

I am teaching English to adults and college students right now. When anything about Chinese history, philosophy, religion or traditional culture comes up in class, most students know nothing of these subjects. However, if the topic is about American TV shows, sports or fashion, the depth of their knowledge is staggering. Exposing their near obsession, even my adult students can give an account the last episode of 'Gossip Girl' or 'Prison Break', T.V. shows most of my friends have never even seen.

Outside class, months after the Olympics, large posters are still up welcoming foreigners to Beijing. Now that the guards are gone, you are free to look behind. You will find large tracks of Western style real estate where old Beijing HuTongs once stood. Like the students, the city itself seems to be moving forward toward a vision not unlike the european nations.

I left the US in order to find myself, and found a whole country looking back west seeking the same answers I am. And as in my own case, it seems an infatuation with a foreign culture may require a forgetting on one's own.

The Culture Runs Deep
Many of my Chinese friends have bought iPhones, but know nothing of America’s huge credit problem. They desire the independent self-sufficient and wealthy Western life, but are unaware that since the 80’s the use of anti-depressants in America has skyrocketed.

What most of the Chinese people don’t see is what 40 years of living in the western way can do. Just as this current global financial crisis shows, the western world obviously does not have all the answers.

In America, the importance on health, happiness, nature and living a qualitatively rich life are only now coming into vogue. Here in China, every morning as early 5 am, many elderly can be seen out in the parks enjoying the weather, cultivating their health. They sing classical opera, dance the Foxtrot, and practice their exercises on brightly colored workout machines. In America, the elderly park their medicated bodies on the couch to watch TV.

Much can be said about the advancements of western business methods, but conservatism has it highlights too. After all, the important things in life have not changed since the dawn of man, and who is more qualified to speak on these subjects but China? Millennia of political revolution and peasant uprisings, contrasted with long gaps of sustained peace and flourishing culture have shown China that liberalism can be deadly. Health and family should come before new toys and new ideas.

Many of my students have traveled abroad. The older and more experienced have expressed the belief that as China grows, more and more people will see outside the country. These travelers will see firsthand what they have studied in school, and then come back home. They will find out for themselves that the West does not have the answers, and that China may have had them all along.

The Chinese Code
I am not really Chinese; my Chinese language skills are infantile. Enigmatic characters, idiomatic speech and subtle social queues all confound me. Small things such as the proper way to toast and tend to those older then you are learnable, but I will never be able to grow up in a fully Chinese household or I ever feel completely part of China’s rich 5000 year history.

Today, as I walk through the streets unable to communicate even the simplest of ideas, my goals of coming to China and becoming one with my lost half are beginning to seem too hard to reach, breaking the Chinese code could take an entire lifetime. Walking through a mountain of men, a sea of people, I truly feel as a fish out of water.

Back home in the West, not ever really being to able to identify myself as as 'American' due to my 'other' half, I felt as an outcast. Here in China it is beginning to looked the same. Though now, there is much, much, much more to learn. The answers sought are deep, and will take years of digging to find, if ever. Perhaps I am no different than my students in thinking the grass is greener.

Easy English: Town Square

2009-03-20T22:19:00.006+08:00

Much has happened in these last two months since I have written last. Biggest is that I am now helping to create an English school here in Beijing!

It’s name is Town Square and will open in about a month. Goal = Franchisiblity.

Through it all, I am learning tons about the planning and building of a small business. Between long days at the sauna and foot massages by beautiful Chinese girls, we are developing a solid game plan for the creation of this company. With it we shall surely win.

Currently the school is in the re-modeling stages and the logo will soon be finished. Today we put our good luck charms in the walls and sealed them up.

Chinese business moves slow... Lots of red tape and unprofessionalism. The positive side is that it can be relaxed and stress-free, if you take the right attitude. It is a 2nd world country after all, and I am enjoying my stay.

Freelancing gig number 2!

2008-12-22T15:52:00.007+08:00

For the past couple weeks now I have been working on another freelancing gig (the ball seems to be rolling)! This time however the pay is a little more hefty (about 7 cents a word) but the job is way tougher for me.

I get to create a magazine article, photos and all!

The publication is a Chinese language cultural magazine who is building a new English wing, and they need native English writers.

The article I am writing about is “Being and Chinese/American in China”, and is feels just like High School again. It takes all my strength to keep from pulling my hair out. Writing in not my strong point, nor do I like doing it. Who would have guessed I actually choose to do this on my own accord?!

The topics I covered range from Swing Dance in Beijing, the healthiness of old people, and the culture which I want so bad to know about. But mainly the article aims to suggest that although I seek to be more Chinese, here in China, people seem to be obsessed about Western culture and seek to be American.

I have enlisted Krista from back home (thanks Krista!). She has already corrected my first draft, getting me in the right direction. She is a great editor, and I am a bad writer. Without her help, I should surely fail.

But all said and done, if all works out, I will be a published writer; and it seems to be heading in that direction. It seems though as my plan of coming to China and becoming a journalist is indeed slowly working out!

In the future you can expect a link to the published article, just as soon as it is published.

Out of a Job once again.

2008-12-19T18:20:00.005+08:00

My boss, and owner of the English school at which I worked, has ran away. Rumor has it he has stolen over 8,000,000RMB of the company’s money, which is to the tune of some 1.2 million in US dollars.All the teachers and students at Vivid (our school) awoke this December 1st to great a surprise. Although I had just taught for a full day the Saturday before, only two days later, on Monday, when we had arrived to teach, we found a horde of police and security guards informing us that the school had been closed. There was also an angry mob of Chinese students who had just discovered the same.

Most of the teachers (including myself) have lost a whole months pay. Some students, even some of my own, have had over 25,000RMB (or about $3,500) stolen from them, over a half-years wage of the average Chinese worker.

The school had just finished a month long sales campaign in efforts to recruit new students. Many of those who had just signed up never had the chance to take a single class, but still lost all of their money. Apparently the boss had been planning this move for some time.

As of now the students are efforting to get some justice. One of my own students is a lawyer and has formed a coalition. They are running into problems however; it seems that police here in Beijing are not taking the issue seriously. My students had hoped to solve this by compiling a list of teachers who had also been duped, all in the hopes that a foreign spin may increase the profile of the theft. However, because most of the teachers were working illegally, they are afraid to sign. It is therefore not looking good for any of us.

All-in-all it has been an interesting few weeks. Personally, I find it very interesting, seeing how well China’s system of justice can cope with this kind of problem, and I am guessing that in the next few months, we shall see.

If you read Chinese (which I don’t), my students have setup a blog here: http://blog.sina.com.cn/ourmoneyourright and a news article about the whole thing is here: http://news.hexun.com/2008-12-02/111877803.html

On a positive note, China is turning out to be quite fun!

The Reggae Night Video.

2008-12-11T15:15:00.003+08:00

This is the video I produced for my constitutes here in Beijing.

I have moved a mountain.

2008-12-04T18:43:00.008+08:00

I am officially now a freelance videographer here in China. Well maybe not 'officially', but either way, is a dream years in the making.

As is always the case with freelance, it started first with volunteer work.

A friend of mine happens to be at the heart of the Breakdance world here in Beijing. He throws semi-monthly competitions, with prizes and all, in efforts to give the local crews a real venue to cut their teeth at performance. I offered to help by taping the event, free of charge of course, and in exchange was given free drinks and the chance to see one of the coolest clubs and best breakin' in Beijing.

YuGong YiShan (link: http://yugongyishan.ning.com/) is a club which gets it’s name from a classical Chinese tale. Required reading during the revolution, it was printed in Mao's little read book. The story is about an old man who decides to move a mountain.

The mountian blocked the man's path into town, and he was forced to walk for hours to get around it. Deciding to do somthing about it, everyday the foolish man carried a little dirt away in efforts to acheve his goal. The story ends with the man saying, that if his cannot finish, his son will finsh, and if he cannot he's son's son will. It is very Chinese, and a very good name for a club.

The breaking event was not only good for the dancers to practice their art, but was also an outstanding place for me to do the same.

Apparently people were watching, because the next day I got the call to record a reggae event for a local Japanese DJ! I would be paid a total of 100RMB (about 15 bucks)! Not a very hefty fee, seeing that the taxi was 50RMB just to get home from the club, but my first real paid gig all the same!

Regardless, at the club the women were hot, the floor was packed, and I had a job to to. I am, after all, now a professional freelance videographer. Look forward to seeing some footage posted here.

Wheelchair Rugby vs. Goalball

2008-11-06T17:28:00.004+08:00

Me and Leah's little trip to the games.

Visa Run video

2008-10-29T14:01:00.003+08:00

A short little ditty from my visa run.

China flexes.

2008-10-28T13:33:00.011+08:00

A few days ago I received a surprise visit from the Chinese immigration. What follows is a bare-bones account of the event.

Walking around outside my apartment complex, a kind young police-looking officer came up from behind and asked me what country I was from. Taken aback by the quality of his English, I respond with a proud and energetic, "Why... I'm from the States!" Note: this answer does not generally work with even the best of Chinese English speakers; you must say 'America' or 'USA' do get a response. It was no diffrent with this guy.

I clarified, saying that I was from the US, then was asked if I lived in the area. I do, and I said so, not fully understanding the implications of this answer.

10 minutes later I found myself up in my apartment with two very polite immigration officers answering a long list questions. They took about 8 pictures of me, from all diffrent angles, and several more of my apartment. Apparently privacy is now a privilege, being that I am not a legal citizen of this country.

The first question he asked was off the record and quite a doozy, setting the tone of the encounter.

"So," he asked, "do you like China or America better?" Whoa! Here I am about to be interrogated and deported, and he comes out of the gate with this kind of question! Good thing I am not that dull.

"Of course I like China better!" Duh. Why else would I be here?!? "America is alright, but China is the next superpower... by the way, did I tell you that I am half-Chinese?" ...damn I'm good.

About 30 minutes later, they left my apartment and me a bit shaken. Off into the sunset they walked, another day, another foreigner put in his place: another job well done. Now I wonder how many databases I am currently in.

By the way, did I mention how friendly and professional they were?

The Midget Circus.

2008-10-10T15:30:00.007+08:00

Although I got here in Beijing soon enough for the 'real' Olympics, I was not willing to spend the money to go. With some tickets going well into the hundreds of US dollars, ticket scalpers (who had bought out all seats in all the houses) were making a killing.

The Paraolympics were a different story however. At only 30RMB (about 4 bucks) a ticket there were still many seats available. Me and my sister were able to go to plenty of events, most created exclusively for the specially-abled.

Both me and my sister's favorite event was by 'wheelchair rugby', and I have to say it was kind of difficult to watch. For example, there was one man on the field who was a quadriplegic. He had stubs for arms and no legs, tossing the ball and getting smashed up by the other no-legged competitors. Every time a player in a chair fell over, the clocked stopped and it took two big two-legged men to run out and lift the fallen back up. It was a spectacle to be sure, but looking around, there were still many empty seats.

This city has 17 million people, so why were no Chinese going? I put the question to several locals, and received a several interesting answers.

To put it bluntly, at worst, it seems that some people here think making invalids compete for our amusement is both embarrassing for the competitors and for China as a nation. Like jesters for the king. At best, people really feel bad cheering for the disabled because they feel too sorry for them. A lot of people I talked to were even too embarrassed to watch the events on TV in the privacy of their own home. Which was difficult because with state-owned TV every channel was Paraolympics all-the-time here.

Either way, my sister and I had fun, even if we did feel a little guilty for being normal.

The Hong Kong Visa run.

2008-09-24T22:24:00.006+08:00

About two weeks ago I made the long trip to Hong Kong from Beijing, then back. 50 arduous train hours and 3 days later, I had my visa stamped and was back with my sister in Beijing.

Many foreigners have 'multiple (or double) entry' visas here in China. This means many have to leave the country every 60 or so days to get a stamp. Red tape basically, but expensive. People can literally go years this way, leaving China and coming back over and over again.

The trip was not fun, though I thought it would be. People were allowed to smoke on the train, and because I was on the top bunk (there were 6 to a 'room') the smoke would gently waft up my nostrils all night, making me wheeze.

This onslaught, combined with 50 hours a train full of Chinese people breathing, sleeping and coughing, caused me to catch some sort of icky Chinese flu. I was ill for a week after the trip with a head cold and congested lungs.

At the Hong Kong/China border, looking out the window, I found a Karaoke-singing lady of liberty. She was guarding the ten-foot-high barbed wire fence, built to keep the mainlanders from the comparative economic freedom of Hong Kong. This is what freedom must look like to the Chinese.

After arriving in Hong Kong, 25 long hours from Beiing, I immediately bought my return ticket. One hour later I was back in line for my next 25 hour adventure. I had to get back as soon as possible because my sister had arrived in Beijing the day before I left by train.

The opportunity provided another good chance to see the Chinese countryside. There were migrant construction workers up a dawn, deep dew filled gorges, podunk half-build third-world towns, and miles and miles of green hills. It was pretty, but I would not recommend doing what I did, going there and back directly, to anyone, ever.

Long time no see...

2008-09-23T14:50:00.011+08:00

My little sister came here to visit these past couple weeks, hence the long pause. Between her, work and Visa stuff I have had nearly no time for blogging.

This is my official statement saying that I owe the world a few good posts, and that I have some topics already lined up.

These topics will include (but not be limited to):

My 50 hour train ride from Beijing to Hong Kong and back.

Our Paraolympic experience.

Trips to the Great Wall, Summer Palace and Beijing Zoo.

Most will also include videos... so stay posted...

My homemade Neti Pot

2008-09-12T19:12:00.004+08:00

I made this little thing upon my sisters advice. It is a Neti pot used for cleaning out your nasal passages, Oprah endorsed. I think I even got a small bug out! The video can do the rest of the talking.

A walk in the park.

2008-09-07T17:24:00.010+08:00

A couple of days ago I went for a walk on the far side of ChaoYang park, near the amusement park located within it, and there was a couple if things to note.

Firstly, I saw what had to be 8 or more bride and groom pairs getting their wedding photos taken. Each groom was wearing a white tux and each couple had about three photographers or assistants. They were all about the park. It was a Wednesday at about 3 o'clock, and couldn't quite wrap my head around it. I still have no idea what was going on.

Secondly, I ran into a good example of why my experience with the authority here in China has been way better then in the States (See picture below). Likewise, there are images of cartoon cops smiling and looking friendly posted all around.

In Minnesota, my home state, the National Republican convention has just concluded. From what I hear (NY times), it was another example of our good 'o policed States of America. In Minnesota I learned first hand of the poor treatment the Minneapolis police can give. I have been swore at and even spit at by cops, ignored and given my unfair share of unnecessary tickets (a $90 no bike-light ticket, for example).

Thus-so-far here in China however, the story has been quite diffrent. From traffic to work credentials, the police here have no choice but to look other way for everything. With a city this big (over 12.8 million), on the budget of a developing country it would be impossible to enforce everything. As it is said, "The sky is high; the emperor is far away." Therefore, in a very real sense, China could be said to be freer then America... for now.

P.S. I will be traveling from Beijing to Erenhot, then crossing the border to Mongolia, for a Visa run soon. I have a multiple entry visa and need an exit stamp. So stay posted, I will have pictures.

MSG in everything!

2008-09-02T08:40:00.004+08:00

I have been down with wicked allergies for the past 4 days or so, and I don't quite know what they are from. With constant sneezing and snot, my life has not been too fun. My best guess is that with all the health onslaughts of Beijing my immunity is going to shit. One main culprit: MSG.

Since I found out that MSG is in nearly everything here in Beijing, I have been trying to be good and eat as little of it as possible. The problem is that in Chinese MSG (味精) when defined literately means some like 'taste excellent (or with energy)". With a name like that, what Chinese would not use it?

I will not go into the reasons MSG is so bad, but if you are interested you can check it out here: truthinlabeling.com. It should suffice to say that if I eat too much MSG (along with other food additives such as nitrates, phosphates, and sulfates), I cannot sleep or think straight, then eventually break out in hives.

A second problem is that in China, standards of cleanliness are not quite there. Even in the nicest of restaurants bathrooms smell perpetually of urine. With cooks and servers, smoking on the job is almost fashionable. And that is to say nothing about the pollution or living standards. With all of these recent 'changes' to my environment, my body is obviously struggling to catch up.

Back in the States I would have immediately fought these problems with a barrage of mineral and vitamin supplements upon first sign. I fear however, being in the copy capitol of the world, taking Chinese multivitamins could result in much more long-term problems. Like going blind.

As of now my plan is to fix two issues with one method (two birds with one stone, of you will). Here in Beijing, I do have the option of eating all fresh food all the time. In fact, it would be easier then in the states to do so, as there are food markets everywhere. That way I can get the vitamins I need, and stay away from the extra crap. Only one problem, I will really have to work at it.

Visa blues.

2008-08-30T21:12:00.000+08:00

Because of the Olympics, I was only give a double entry visa with a maximum stay of 45 days each entry. This means I can stay a total of 3 months in China on this visa, but I have to enter twice. So that basically, I have to leave the country so I can come back.

In preparation for this trip, because my passport was full up to every page with stamps from other trips abroad, I needed to get more pages. So yesterday I went to the US embassy. I had planned to take as many pictures as I could, but as I snapped this one, a large plain-clothed white man hassled me:

"Who are you with?" says he.
"Ah ... myself ... ah ... who are you with?" is all I could think to say.
"I am a US marine. Why are you taking pictures?"
"I am a US citizen and need more passport pages ... so I guess you are here to watch out for me then?" as I walked away. Someday my mouth will get me in trouble, but is that what I am paying him for?

With a total of four security checks, all-in-all, the whole process of getting more pages took about an hour and a half and, to my surprise, was free. In line I saw lots of people, two of which had lost their passports drinking the night before, and one who had been married three times before (yet had only one divorce). He was trying to get the proper documentation allowing him to marry again, this time to an Inner Mongolian bride who he didn't yet know much about. I guess *that* is what I am paying him for.

Next I headed to the train station to scope out ticket prices, which in itself was an adventure. After some major looking, I found the 'foreigner' counter in the back room, way behind a massive sea of Chinese. There an Iranian man was trying to buy a ticket from woman who was supposed to be able to speak English. It seemed by her attitude that either she didn't like Iranians, or she didn't like English. Nearby, I found a few other non-Chinese faces who were also having trouble navigating the bureaucracy. From them I gleaned some info.

People have been telling me for days that I need to go to Hong Kong for the Visa run. A total of 27 hours each way by train in true Chinese fashion, it would cost me 850RMB (approx. $130) round-trip, not including the stay. But through these fellow travelers a hunch was confirmed. They told me that if one wanted, one could take a much cheaper train to Mongolia, jump the border and return the next day by bus: 300RMB all said and done. Surely it is the scarier option, but much faster and cooler if you ask me.

Finding this out, I left the station and decided to do a little more research before deciding either way. I do have a week and a half before I need to get this done...

A long term plan...

2008-08-27T22:25:00.000+08:00

In light of my new philosophy on life, I have opted for a strategy that will keep me here for as long as I want, over one that may help me reach my short-term 'goals' more quickly. One that will give me time to renew my mind and breath a little.

Through the Beijinger.com, you can find everything you need here in Beijing, from jobs to transportation, and flats. Recently, I found another teaching job there, one that will give me a working Visa, better pay, and leads on cheap places to rent. All in exchange for part-time work and a 6 month contract. Don't worry though, I only have to work one day a week, so I can still keep looking for media work. Another thing, at this school I will be teaching kids, sucking up their life force on a regular basis.

The only real drawback is that the school is 45 minutes out of the city, 45 minutes away from 'real' civilization. It will be a close as on can get to rural China in Beijing. I may welcome this chance to escape the bustle however. There will be less chance of dying on my moto, and I may glean some insight on a more simple life there.

It is supposed to be more 'Chinese' out there, and here I should be able to truly learn the Beijinger dialect.

With breakneck speed...

2008-08-25T01:24:00.000+08:00

One great climax has passed. Four years in the making, a fortune spent, and treasures of old laid waste. Pictured above is one of many examples of a HuTong, an old inner-city village, leveled in the name of progress. Lots had been razed in the past few years, as Beijing made way for the Olympics. But now that that world has been made aware of China's reemergence, and government has once again proved it's mandate, many long for their lives to return to normal. I have the hunch however, that it may just be the beginning.

My coming to China was also a culmination years in the making, and I too am feeling a little unfinished. In spite of leaving a life and many opportunities back home, I have arrived here in Beijing and followed my dream. Yet I still long for more. My unceasing list of goals cloud my thoughts, and I worry they may, like the bulldozers that demolish HuTongs, be pushing away what is really important.

If I truly wanted, I could continue moving forward until all my goals are met, all my dreams fulfilled. Like China, my future is very bright, and we could shine together. But something still doesn't feel quite right.

In light of this, it is obvious that I am still missing a vital part of the equation. My heart longs deeply for this item, yet I don't know what it is. The thing seems so important that it must come first, before all other goals, because without it all the achievements in the world would mean nothing. I guess I will start looking for it now.

I hope China look will for her missing piece too. With such a long and illustrious history, ages come and gone, maybe we can both find the answer somewhere here.

What do you take me for?

2008-08-22T20:47:00.000+08:00

Today I bought gas at 6.2 RMB/liter, which with some difficulty works out to be about $3.39 a gallon. Strangely, the lowest octane I could buy was 93, while the highest was 98. I have no idea why the Chinese would want such high grade fuel, but the fact that all the cars in the station were luxury (BMW, Lexus, and Audi) could have had something to do with it. In fact, there happen to be a lot of luxury cars driving on the streets here in Beijing, a tale sign that the class distinctions are profound.

I also went to YaShow today to hunt out some shoes. At the market you must negotiate everything or you will surely loose you ass. The starting 'price' for a normal pair of fake sneakers was consistently about 450RMB ($67). Seriously! With some time and persistence however, I was able to get it down to 50RMB (about $7.50) for a pair of fake leather, fake Converse low-tops. When I tried them on, though, they felt horrible. So I left without them. At least I had a good hour long hands-on lesson in shopping in China.

After that upset, I decided to take a drive. I headed toward the outskirts of town and found a classy mall next to a little park. There a group had gathered to watch the table tennis finals on a big screen, which is actually quite a normal site. You will see groups gathered all over Beijing like this, where ever there is a TV, watching the Olympics proceed. You will be happy to note that China had a clean sweep in womens ping pong.

On separate note, I just found out that Gou Yue, the third place singles and first place team medalist, has the same last name as me. Here in Beijing the character for 'Kwok' is pronounced 'Guo'. In other words, I have an Olympic class family.

I have submitted to the temptation.

2008-08-20T01:33:00.000+08:00

Today I made a decision that will change my time here in Beijing incredibly. I had been pondering since day one about where and when to get a bicycle, the best form of transportation here in the big city. Yesterday however, an opportunity came about which I could not refuse. I have purchased a motorcycle.

It is a cute little thing. At 73ccs, it's one cylinder can go from zero to 60 in ... well ... never. The thing is shorter then a normal bicycle, and sounds like a lawnmower. I bought it for 1300RMB (about $195) and it came with a helmet, bike lock, registration papers made out to a previous Lao Wai (foreigner), and type A plates which allow me to ride most of the way into the city.

This is important because here in Beijing, motorcycles are not allowed to be ridden unless they have the proper plates. B class plates only let you ride near the outskirts, but A plates allow you to ride much deeper. I was told by a third party that type A plates alone will cost you about 3000RMB. This was a major selling point, even if cops will tend to look the other way anyway. Also, because the engine is the same engine used on all kinds of local machinery, it will be cheap to fix. Not to mention the gas kilometeage.

I feel that my horizons have just opened up in unimaginable ways.

Kebabs make me ill.

2008-08-18T10:23:00.000+08:00

I have come down with my first Chinese cold. Sniffles and dizziness, sleepiness and diarrhea are my symptoms. Really though, it is not so bad. I do wonder if it could be what I ate...

Last night I went with some Swing friends out to a kebab restaurant where they had all varieties of 'chaunr'. From lamb to eggplant, and chicken wings that were seriously covered in hot peppers, too hot to handle. They also serve a 'little bird' kebab, supposedly sparrow, which I had to try. It looked like a baby chicken, half born and coming out of the egg, and tasted like chicken neck. You eat bones and all.

Then today, my roommate and I went to 'snack street' in Wan Fu Jing where even weirder kebabs were served. I saw what looked like hearts of some little animal, starfish, sea horses, and geckos all served on a stick. The scorpions I had to try, while the locusts I had wanted to eat, but just could not work up the courage.

I doubt that I have food poisoning as it was all throughly cooked. My guess it that my illness is something normal and local, a common cold, but new to my foreign immunity.

Blue sky in Beijing: Oxymoron?

2008-08-17T15:32:00.000+08:00

Today I awoke to the clearest day in Beijing, I am guessing, in the last decade. The Chinese scientists finally have real proof that their grand experiment was working. It felt like China should, with blue skies, clean air, and the sound of locusts about. I recalled Taoist poems of the Chinese countryside and felt I needed to get outside.

As I hit the street, I immediately gave a great sneeze and hocked a loogie. From then on my lungs felt quite diffrent, like a pressure was released, though it could have been just in my head. The huge ChaoYang park in eastern Beijing is mostly closed due to the Olympics, but close, so I headed there. Where upon arrival, I jumped the fence and unwittingly saved myself a 0.3RMB entrance fee (about 4 cents).

There were mostly old people in the park. It seemed they were the ones smart enough to enjoy the day. Some were practicing Kung Fu, some Tai Chi and Chi Gong, some walking, and some were singing opera. All where practicing their own style of health maintenance in the rare clean air. I even saw a man with a falcon on his arm, giving it a walk.

Most of the time, age begets wisdom. So that I found myself asking what these old people knew that I didn't. Why they were the ones out enjoying life, while the city around me was busy honking it's horns. The answer dawned on me while I sat and watched a very healthy but very old man systematically rub his ears to activate pressure points. It appeared that retirement had come and they have distiled a couple of very meaningful things vital to life: good health and the enjoyment of a beautiful day.

I will start now to find a health routine that works for me, one I can take with me into old age.

The Budweiser House.

2008-08-14T14:06:00.000+08:00

Last night I made to the Bud House, which is party compound setup to promote Budweiser here in Beijing during the Olympics. A co-worker happened to have ticket, so didn't have to sneak in. The experience was quite a different one compared to the Holland version. Complete with several lounges, a shallow pool (which you were not allowed to swim in) that was setup for what the Chinese call 'internal feeling' or ambiance, and a 'disco'. In America discos went out with the 70's, but there was no need to raise the point because there was all-you-can-drink beer all night. Besides, they played mostly gangsta rap anyway.

There was an acrobatic show, nationally acclaimed DJs, and unnamed 'international star' guest appearance. Who would it be? It was a nail biting experience to be sure.

Around 12 o'clock a large crowd formed around large black man. Everyone was taking pictures. Nobody from my group knew who he was, yet every Chinese person in the place seemed to. We found out only by asking that it was no other then Evander Holyfield, the boxer guy who got his ear bit off. Now that's a claim to fame. One of the Americans asked, "so does that make this a C or a D class party?" I went over and danced with him.

Later, a cameraman appeared. He was shooting B roll of the party, getting shots of the crowd, the dancers and everything in between. This guy was from NBC, getting paid really well to go to China, see the Olympics, and play with 15,000 dollars worth of equipment. I want that job really bad.

The Dutch know how to party!

2008-08-13T15:54:00.000+08:00

The other night a took part in the weekly Beijing swing dance at CD JAZZ club. There a small scene in a small club where Lindy Hoppers dance for a few hours here in the Beijing heat. It is a very sweaty time. I have gone a couple of times now and still struggle with the Beijing style. It is hard for me to lead the follows here, but a great place to meet people who speak my language.

After that, I randomly met some Kiwis and a couple of Americans who currently work in Hong Kong. We made way to, then 'slid' in, the Heineken House. It was setup for the Olympic Dutch here in Beijing to party, and man do they know how to party.

Some really popular hollandaise band was playing and everybody knew the lyrics. It sounded almost country or some form of cheesey rock/pop and everyone, young and old, seemed to love them. They were throwing beer all during the good songs and 'dancing' very energetically even to the slow ones. It ranked very high on the 'strangest things I have ever seen' category. Tonight I will try to 'slide' into the American Budweiser House.

On a more philosophical note...

2008-08-11T16:19:00.000+08:00

It has happened, though I did not expect it to happen so soon. It has been exactly two weeks since my arrival, and loneliness has struck hard. I had thought that I would be so consumed with stabilizing my life for the first couple months that I wouldn't have time to despair. But alas, finding work and a roof was too easy.

Currently, my only real option for regular socialization is going out to the foreigner bars. Not what I would call the best of fun. Alternatively, I am not quite 'in' yet at work (I have only worked one day), nor do I speak Chinese well enough to make many local friends. I am alone in my apartment, in China, watching American movies.

The real problem (or advantage) with this fish-out-of-water feeling is that I am now forced to reexamine what I really want out of life. Teaching English surely is not enough, even if I only have to work part-time. Money is a non-issue, but man cannot survive on bread alone. So that now, I am left with 14 hours in the day to fill. But with what?

Today I am lacking in motivation, and it seems I have brought more baggage then I thought.

Memories being made everywhere.

2008-08-10T16:53:00.000+08:00

Now that the tourists have finally fully arrived for the Olympics, photos can be seen taken everywhere. People are taking pictures of people taking pictures. In fact, most of the tourists seem to be Asian. Met a girl from South Korea yesterday, and a guy from Hong Kong before that.

The camera crew have also begun to appear. Most seem to come from abroad like me. This makes my heart long. I have come here to China to do video and I feel the moment slipping away. Everybody seems to have already found all the crew they need, and I may have to wait until after the Olympics to find a media job.

The advice given to me by another photojournalist here was that, as Sun Tzu recommended, in China one must have patience. Media is an especially who-you-know type field, and in China even more so. GuanXi or 'connection' is very important to Chinese culture and will surely take awhile to cultivate. I will give it a couple of months before I really start freaking out.

The meaning of the 8.8.08 Olympics for China.

2008-08-07T19:34:00.000+08:00

After doing some reading online it is still very apparent that many people still do not understand the importance of the Olympics for the Chinese, and why they get so upset that the Western media treats them so unfavorable. I will attempt to two cents. Warning: This might be kind of long, and of course it is only one perspective, there are many.

A short historical lesson on why the Chinese mistrust the West...
As we all know, at one time China was the richest and most technologically advanced civilization in the world, by far. But by the early 1800's the British were forcibly trading over 900 tons of opium a year into China, draining it's life blood. English, Dutch, French, and Portuguese troops had all taken Chinese land and formed colonies. The Boxer rebellion, the Taiping uprising, and the two opium wars are examples of China trying to stop this intrusion. Tens of millions of the Chinese people died in these struggles, but all failed. White people had caused it.

Then, after the fall for the last dynasty, leading up to World War 2, America was known to be giving billions of dollars a year to the Nationalist government of China. This government was a paper government known by the Chinese to be corrupt and keeping the opium trade strong. When Mao Zedong and the Communists came onto the field, American dollars funded a civil war where millions more Chinese died. Without American support there would have not been a fight. This why Mao is seen as a savior. He kicked out the foreign devils and stopped the raping of the Chinese by all of the Western nations that had been going on for centuries. Think slavery, except a whole nation.

Today the communist government represents for the first time since the yellow emperor a Chinese government ruled by the people. This is why the Chinese get upset at western media bashing it, because the government is the Chinese people. Communism stopped the abuse of western powers before, and continues to protect the people from western corporate influences from doing the same today. Think Banana Republic.

A short cultural lesson on the importance of the 8.8.08 Olympics in China...
First of all the date. People have been known to have paid more for their license plates then for their whole car, and a cell phone number with lucky numbers is rumored to have sold for over $1.1 million. Why? Without going to deep into it: Astrology. Some numbers or combination of numbers are special. For example, the word for '8' in Chinese sounds like the word for 'prosperity', and is believed to bring wealth. This is culturally so important that the opening ceremony even starts here at 8pm. 8.8.08 therefore is thought to mark a new season of prosperity for China. This is especially so because the Olympics starts on that date.

The Olympics also mark China's reemergence as a world power. It is sort of a comeback story of a people group abused by intruders (as mention above) but overcoming the many obstacles and getting back into the game. This is why the Chinese have spent so much money on this event and why people all over China feel so proud to be a part of it all. It is the people's Olympics. In 2004 China came in second for the number of medals, second only to America. This year China intends on doing better. Not for the government, but for all Chinese everywhere.

China is aiming for superpower status. The Chinese people have a long vision and will work for this even if it will not be seen by this generation. They are a proud people with a long tradition. The 8.8.08 Olympics mark an especially auspicious event, a heavenly mandated date where the people dust themselves off from the past and the ball begins rolling toward this dream. One world, one dream, as it is said here.

Again I will remind you, this is only one perspective, there are many.

Still smoggy.

2008-08-07T18:52:00.000+08:00

Tomorrow is the opening ceremony. Today I saw a stretch limo with an America flag lead by a flurry of sirens. George Bush is supposed to be here for the ceremony and who knows, it could have been him. I am in the part of town where all the embassies are.

It is still smoggy however. I awoke this morning to one of the worst days yet. Beijing may be too polluted even for the best Chinese scientists to clear up. Apparently, besides closing down all the near-by factories, cars have been only allowed to drive every other day.

I got a job!

2008-08-07T16:04:00.000+08:00

So then, some 8 days after arival I have landed an English teaching job. It was so easy it almost makes me feel bad. I will be making 135RMB an hour, while the women pushing the buttons in my elevator makes about 70RMB a day. Knowing English in this world is a very valuable thing. Apparently the company is big and reputable, although all I care about is eating. Here is their website: Vivid English.

I will be working 14 hours a week making about $1000 a month. Enough. To prove this point consider that a 100RMB (about 15 bucks) is the biggest bill China prints. Yesterday, I bought these fresh vegetables for 10RMB (about 1.5 dollars) and a meal at the grocery store for 2.5RMB (about 40 cents). I am sorry, I just cannot get over it. With a part-time English teaching job, I can eat-out and party everyday. Even with this over-priced apartment.

Olympics so near...

2008-08-03T19:38:00.000+08:00

Now that the Olympics are so near big changes are being made. The most obvious is an absurd amount of military men walking around two-by- two in perfect step. There are also cadres of security volunteers, who are unpaid civilians, just sitting on the street keeping the peace. All the people of China want his event to go well.

A friend of mine just bought tickets for the opening ceremony. The best seats in the house. Cost = $2100. As he put it, the Olympics is the biggest man-made event in the world, and China will make sure this one will be the biggest ever for a time to come. Therefore, this event will most likely be the biggest human gathering throughout all of history, ever. China will make history on 8.8.08 and I am here for it.

My New Flat

2008-08-01T18:44:00.000+08:00

My apartment, at $300 a month, is third world flat with a great view. It is right across from the Canadian Embassy in a part of the city ripe with foreigners. Today I awoke to see blue sky through the clouds, a VERY rare sight, only possible due to the impending Olympics and the all-powerful government's hard-core campaign to seed the clouds to rid the pollution. Usually it is so polluted that it seems perpetually foggy and you will never see the sky, never. I heard that living here is like smoking 40 cigarettes a day. Truthfully, I do feel a bit itchy and sleepy and my lungs feel full.

Everything is my flat is a dirty white. If you have been to any developing country you will know what I am talking about. Their idea of ‘new’ is a mixture of tile, concrete, and tacky glass furniture. It’s cute. I do have A/C though which is a blessing, because after 12am the elevator shuts off and a have to huff the 15 floors. It is sticky.
My next step is to find a job. 8 days until the Olympics and the word is I might be able to get a job in the media after all. I will try and we shall see. I already have a good referral to a reputable English school that pays about $20 an hour, which means at full time I would live like a true king here.

Going along with the plan...

2008-08-01T18:31:00.000+08:00

Just four days after my arrival here in Beijing I have made the move into an apartment. I decided to to this with such speed for a few reasons:

1. Prices are set to skyrocket during the olympics. The VERY cheapest shared hostel dorm room is approximately $40 a night a bed, 5 times what I am spending now. My apartment works out to be about $10 a night, $300 a month and my lease is only for 2 months. I know I can get way cheaper rent here in Beijing, I just felt I needed to settle ASAP so that I could find a place and not get f-ed Chinese style.

2. While hosteling about, the temptation is there to become a tourist: sightseeing and partying everyday. This would be in conflict with my goals and I had already wasted too much energy trying to get here and recouping from jet lag. Yesterday when I made it to my apartment I slept 8 hours during the day and then a full night. I couldn’t sleep properly in the hostel.

3. I need a base of operations. Hostel life is full of little worries that would have impeded my mission. You need to look after all your stuff; money, passport, electronics, making sure they are safe and secure at all times. Every day, every hour. I cannot use my room in a natural way because there are potentially 5 other people in it. It would suck to cook and I would be spending little bits of money left and right, from washing clothes to toilet paper to the occasional over priced beer and taxi with new found friends.

By the way, on the street you can get a huge beer for 3RMB
or approx. 40 cents. You can get 10 fresh dumplings or 100ml (4 shots) of 56% alcohol for 4RMB or about 55 cents.

There will be way less social life here but that may prove to be a main factor in my success here in China. I cannot f around right now, I cannot develop bad habits right out of the gate.

Narita Japan - International Hub

2008-07-29T07:20:00.000+08:00

Due to my lack of diligence I missed my flight and was forced to stay overnight here at the airport and take it up the ass. No sleep for poor me. I met a few traveling souls and found out that many more then I realize are hitting the road internationally, and most are not from the states. English is truly the international language. On a separate note, I used a bidet for the first time. Notice the water pressure is set to max. It went way up into my bung-hole and felt really good. At least I am now 1 for 2 in good taking it up the ass experiences.

Waiting to dance.

2008-07-26T13:33:00.000+08:00

...here I am, the night before I take off. My stuff is minimal, a carry-on and a small pack. A camera, dance shoes, a few sets of clothes and a lot of gumption.

As with any adventure, the things I bring but cannot carry will likely prove to be of greatest value. The lessons previously learned, along with my winning personality will undoubtedly save the day once again, God willing of course...

But what kind of dance will it be?

Born in the US as a half white, half Chinese mix, I have been waiting for a long time to start my adventure to the 'other' homeland. I am going to China to follow my life path, find my other half, and learn Mandarin along the way. Today my father fed me Peking duck for lunch, tomorrow I will be in Peking, some 6600 miles away.

Will I like the music?

Beijing is a big friggin' city and I am afraid of big cities, let alone with all the Olympic hoopla. If it wasn't for Mandarin I would be heading south. My heart longs to live in the countryside, in nature, where I can reflect on the important things of life. I am not looking forward to wearing a pollution mask 24/7 like my sensitive lungs will require.

And what are the steps?

But alas, the media swarm will be there and I will therefore have a chance to ride wave. Starting well before 8.8.08 will be a month long coming out party for a sleeping dragon, with Beijing at its center. However, nature may still be calling...

... and my angels will be watching.