:) What an adventure!!!!
It looks like you're really enjoying yourself. I'm so stoked for you! Savor it cuz everyone says its over before you know it. :)
The difference between Chinese and Japanese is that in Chinese, only kanji are used. Japanese uses a combination of Chinese characters (kanji) and two more of their own alphabet mixed in with the kanji arranged in a way that represents their spoken language.
It's just like Lindsay says - Chinese characters are bulky, and usually kinda squished together and it always looks really busy. Japanese characters are simpler, more spread out - it resembles English sentences a lot more than Chinese. :)
A ger... Is the traditional home of nomadic communities in Mongolia. They are domed, circular homes (think sweat lodge) and layered with felt and canvas. I think I have a couple pics of them somewhere posted... but don't feel bad, lots of people don't know what they are! :-)
Woleep! A wolf-like sheep. Yeah, I am very impressed with Obama's grassroots support. It's something that has been so lacking in many previous elections. That being said, Obama and Hillary are CLOSE. Neck and neck even in the last two states Indiana and N. Carolina. Hillary is supposed to take Indiana and Obama should win Carolina which puts us at a reeeeeally close call. Does Obama have enough clout to convince the super-delegates that he can beat McCain in a general election? I hope so. Political strategists have been saying that "Hillary is the one Democrat that could lose this election." I would have to agree since Hillary has lovers but a lot of haters out there too. She is far too divisive of a candidate while Obama has proved that he can get votes from both sides of the line. Ah! Makes my head spin :-)
Heh. Yeah but now I'm finding out from Carrie (an evangelist who works in UB) that the fine is bullshit. She has a friend who works in immigration who said thats not right soooooo not quite sure what the heck is going on. But at least I'm legal :-D
As for my contract, I have to write 4 papers, conduct interviews, read two books, and then do a visual anthropology presentation on visual representations of ethnicity and modernity in women's clothing. .... I'll need clarification on that last bit since my professor and I kinda threw it in last minute to make sure it got past the Dean. So my contract is about halfway done thus far.
Snowww Yep, global warming is having grave implications for the whole planet. San Diego, famous for its stable weather, has become quite unpredictable... hot/cold/hot/cold, etc.
Woman vs African American I like your assessment and concurs. There is quite a fascinating undercurrent to the grassroots movement that has rallied behind Obama. I think he modeled his campaign somewhat like Ron Paul who broke records in raising millions completely online in a single day. Many feels that the problem with Clinton is that she is essentially a Republican in a Democrat clothing. They may be right.
Hmmmm.... I'm reallllyyyy glad you are able to stay on longer but surprised the org decided to swallow the fines. Perhaps the cost of the train tickets for 2 does not quite break even.
What does your academic contract involve, besides collecting an unspecified # of interviews?
HILARIOUS thanks for the comic relief - I definitely would not consider a career in plumbing... at least not in the former Soviet Union states. *chuckles*
It's all about nuances I can't read a lick of either but China always seems more "bulky" to me while the Japanese characters always make me think of delicate strokes. Weird I know but I can usually differentiate if I take the time to look at it :-)
A note for Clay Actually, it looks a bit like Mars if you're talking about wide open spaces with little vegetation and LOTS of dirt and dust :-) But actually, UB enjoys quite a lot of infrastructure thanks to the Soviets. It's only when you hit the countryside do you really gain and understanding of what the old world of Mongolia must have been like.
Well they're still gross Heh. Yeah those noodle things don't taste bad they just... yeah. Well anyways, mutton is very tasty. And why Mongolia? I started out last summer wanting to study international women's rights and I did a lot of research on different areas before I came across Mongolia. I chose Mongolia because when I looked up "women Mongolia" under Amazon, I found ONE, count it, ONE, book dedicated to the subject. I thought that was appalling considering Mongolia's rather influencial history (Huns, Chingis Khan, silk roads, etc etc etc.) So I decided it would be better to choose a place that I and so many others know NOTHING about, instead of going to say Europe or Thailand. Not that those places are less deserving, just well traveled :-)
LOL Hahaha you're as silly as ever I see. Those are gluten noodles, they are found in allllll kinds of different asian countries and thus all kinds of different asian cuisine. They don't have any flavor really, they just absorb the flavor of whatever they're in, but their texture does take a little getting used to LMAO.
When you get some free time and are all adjusted, I am dying to know.... why Mongolia? Its kinda like, the BFE of Asia so I'm ultra curious! I hear they have one of the lowest GDP's in the world, Clay was shocked they have actual buildings LOL! I told him they are in Asia not Mars but he was still beside himself hahahaha.
Anywhoo, hope there is truly yummy things in your near future, so you don't starve!! ;)
I am an Undergraduate student at The Evergreen State College. I am currently completing a year-long study of women\\\'s rights in Mongolia and will be traveling there Spring of 2008!... full info
Rupert
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*chuckles*
So that's why you were silent for so long... I look forward to hearing more after you settle down late next week! ;)