Blogs from Tianjin, China, Asia - page 10

Last night here. I can't believe it's over, and I wonder what the homesickness was all about anyhow. I won't deny it's a combination of relief and nostalgia though. Three weeks was one heck of a trip for me. Heading to Guangzhou tomorrow to visit my grandma and some relatives. I haven't seen them in five years, and I am so, so, so very excited. They will pick everything about me to pieces and then proceed to spoil me to death after I had my self esteem completely crushed by their criticism. It's the Asian way. We made our final presentations today and I did mine on Tobacco in China. Back to the roots of my smoking cessation days. I can't even begin to describe how much I've learned about this country, it's pros and cons, ... read more

We went to visit the Motorola Factory today. That place was CLEAN. I would have licked the floors. If I had an infectious disease, I would have asked to be transported to that factory instead of a hospital. It was that clean. And they had western toilets and the newest cell phones on display. I really liked it. I liked how they had a cafeteria for their employees, how they had a clinic for employees needing health services. I was impressed. Not sure if this is because Nankai University wants to put their best food forward and show us the best parts of China. I'm sure there are terrible working conditions and good working conditions (just like in the USA). But I'm glad that there is progress, and a place like this existed. Then our group ... read more

Have you ever been in seriously denial that something was wrong? I was. Today. I couldn't focus in lecture. I went back to the dorm and slept all through lunch. Then I got on a bus to visit a Women's Non profit group. As soon as I got there, I got back in a taxi and went back to the dorms. Then I threw up. Then I convinced myself I was absolutely fine. Then I slept for another 14 hours. I don't remember a thing about today. ... read more

Today's topic was Rural to Urban Migration. I've actually met quite a few of rural migrants who are going to bigger cities for work since I've been in Tianjin. They're the most curious individuals of all. They love to ask me questions, and I love the chance to practice Chinese. "How much money do you make? Where do you work? How long ago did you move away from China? How much does your house cost? What kind of work do you do? How much does your car cost? Do American dishes really look like the ones on TV? Is there Chinese food in America? How many hours a week do you work? How about your parents? Where do they live?" And I struggle to answer. I love how people here have so much patience for my ... read more

Morning I spent sleeping off a cold. I also had my first adventure with the laundry machine. I brought one carry on filled 3/4 of the way with gifts for my relatives and 1/4 of the way with my clothes. It was time to wash. Our afternoon lecture was on Current Social Issues in China: Employment, Housing and Social Security. I grew up with a father who held a deep seated (and understandable) resentment towards Communism. My mother didn't exactly feel much better about it, since her parents went through the Cultural Revolution. It was interesting to see the theological ideals behind the regime's purpose from a slightly more objective perspective. However objective the opinion is may be argued however. The professor was from the School of Government at Nankai. Nonetheless he didn't argue the morality ... read more