Can't Wait for Friday! Half-Pint, I'm right there with Dr. Pan on the eating issue, it sounds like you're not eating enough to keep a bird alive. It is sweet how he and the others are trying to look out for you.
How is the research going? Sounds like you spend most of your time editing. You were hoping to get 50 done, how close are you?
Another extremely entertaining blog, Connie's right you sure can write. Your grandmother's asked me this week-end about you, they were missing your daily blogs and both commented how it is the highlight of their days to read it.
Mama loves you! XOXO
I love that they call him Peter Pan and that no one knows what that means over there... The English teacher must know, right? You seem in much better spirits now, I'm really happy for you. Hong Kong should be really enjoyable, and hopefully you get to see your friend while there. You're in the home-stretch now, we'll be seeing you shortly :) Miss you, Carrie
English Teacher with a sence of humor Mariah,
Yes, apparently his English teacher has a sense of humor that has eluded the entire family. I can see how you could not contain your laughter, quite humorous. Considering how the Chinese normally treat women (Western perception?? or not) I find it encouraging that your lab is very equally divided between men and women. Is this typical of the other classes you've seen? I would have bet that most classes would have been predominantly male. I'm very sympathetic to your food situation but you did order #42. There are places here in the states like that especially if you're a foreigner and can not speak the language. Hong Kong will invigorate you and should get you enough nourishment to get you back home. By the time you read this you will already be back from Hong Kong so wishing you a good trip is a waste. I know you will have a blast. Love Dad
How bout a pizza #42? lol Oh Mariah. Your blogs are so fun and interesting! You should be a writer, or least put together a book of all of your adventures from this! (you have lots of family and friends who would buy it!) :) Anyway, just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy reading your daily expectations! By the way, have you lost weight since you went to China??? lol You might have a new "diet plan" for those that need to loose. (which you definetly DON'T need to do!) Hope you fnd something good to eat soon before you waste away! :)
Connie
Saved by McDonalds They don't have orange chicken in the cafeteria? Everyone likes orange chicken and what about rice, you don't like rice? Well at least you have McDonalds. Great job on describing what you guys are doing even though I don't know what most of it is, like scoring? I don't think it means he is rating them like 1 through 10...I give that plant a 9 ;-) Stay strong and don't be afraid, just be cautious. Love you.
one huge step for Mickey D's I have to say that the fact that McDonalds was the only thing keeping you going gave me a chuckle! I'm so happy that you got out and did something for yourself, and that it was a hugely positive experience. I'm also happy that about 50 chinese students have been harrassing you about eating. Who needs me when you have all of them? Anyhow, I love reading your stories. Good luck with the breakfast duck heads. I think it is duck season here, so when you get home we can keep up with the lifestyle you're getting accustomed to! ;)
to sir with love Mariah Looks like you are getting a lot of experience to put in your publication or thesis or whateverit is and the pics are great so good that we get to hear all about your daily travels and I don't think I would try that nite walk again unless someone is with you. It has been raining here alsoand I had to take pudge walking in it but I don't like walking in the rain. I wish you would have put Ronnie on your blog as he feels left out. Well hope the next week will be a geat week for you and just think when you get home all the catching up on the house work as Josh probably hasn't done a thing(its a man thing)ha ha I love the blog you send us daily. grandma
You're on a Roll Oh my gosh, you were so funny today, you had me laughing out loud. The lab is beautiful, I've seen your digs at Purdue and don't know how you're going to be able to go back there after working in such luxury, at least your greenhouse is better. Glad to hear you're eating and that your spirits have been lifted. Meme told me to tell you how much she is enjoying your blog and that she looks forward to it everyday as do we all.
Hugs and Kisses Half-Pint!
Love Mama
What a hoot! Mariah: You may have to add comedic writing to your resume. Your descriptions of the meals cracked me up. Pan's lab facility looks modern and clean. The older 'facilities' are more of what I expected. I'm glad they are taking your welfare so seriously. It speaks well for the impression yoo've made. Show your stuff off on your presentation- for me, of course, animation is less important than content. But I expect that they SHOULD be impressed with your dissertation research.
Cheers and "hold the pickles, hold the lettuce, special orders don;t upset us.........."
Good for you! Mariah, I am really proud of you. I don't want to encourage you to do anything risky, but it sounds like you are a lot happier if you take charge a bit instead of "resting" and eating food that you don't like. My only way to relate is to think about sushi. It is the only food that I know for sure I don't like. I don't really enjoy India Indian food...especially hot...but I like all other Asian things I have tried except for sushi. I have never tried duck tongue, though...only beef tongue, but alcohol was involved. When I was in a social situation at a sushi restaurant with a guest speaker, I had to actually make myself swallow...and I knew I could go home and eat balogna if I wanted afterward. So, I am glad that you are seeing and experiencing everything. Just because there are billions of them, don't let yourself be bullied...and you will be fine. I am sure they are concerned, as you would be if you had a guest who would not eat more than a couple of grains of rice, but yYou are an American woman, and capable, and successful! You are there for a reason, and it sounds like you are getting things accomplished. I hope the presentation goes well. You always do better than you think you will. Hugs, and I look forward to hearing from you again soon.
If the shoe fits Mariah,
It sounds like you have found your groove and your desk is awesome. You pulled me right into your lab work and your insightful dialogue totally capitivated me, I could almost smell the manure. I could tell you want to do some of the "important" things but remember not to step on toes or offend. I love the way you conquered a fear with the motivation of a Big Mac. Sorry for the short blog but I have a meeting. Until tomorrow, Love, Dad
My Wife Magellan Even though you may not be the first person to sail around the world, I am proud you made your first trek outside the gates of the university. I am glad to hear things are improving and maybe you will find some Chinese food you enjoy in the near future!
fried rice please Mariah It looks like you are seeing some spectacular things that you will always remember. You may be a little home sick but just think half of your time is already gone and when the 10 days ae up you will probably wish you had more time. Just think this is a chance of a life time and some really neat things to show your future kids that you went to China. I really enjoy your blogs and I can hardly wait to get home from the hospital with Marvin to see all the pics and to hear about your day. love grandma
I knew it! Yay, I'm so happy for you. Sounds like the lab isn't nearly as bad as initially thought. Plus, you still got to go sight seeing and all of that! I'm glad things are going better, you had me worried :) I can't wait to hear the stories with your inflection, should be a hoot. Miss you, Carrie
creativity flourishes under desperate times Mariah,
History has shown that people have discovered/created great things when they are at the peak of disapair. So you are primed for something great, just don't cut off an ear or something. I know your lonely and home sick but you've got to think of your fans and the blog, he, he!! Your blog is really quality stuff that many of us look forward to. The look of the girl in the subway is classic, a bit rude but I guess that shows the lack of diversity of their population. Spend your down time thinking about planning the future not dwelling on things you have little control over. Just like Kung Fu Panda, today is a gift thats why they call it the present. Love, Dad
The Westerner Mariah, this is so great you are able to share these experiences. I know things are tough right now but these are moments you will never forget. And I have to say the picture of "the Westerner" is hilarious! Being in a foreign country is an experience everyone should have at some point in their life. Keep you chin up!
Hmm... Maybe I would let you get a small dog if we can dye it different colors every few months. That may be a worthwhile trade off. Ringing the bell is a great photo opp and totally worth it! Btw.. How did the cat food taste? love you!
That is some crazy tree!! That tress's root system may be one of the coolest pictures I have seen yet. I am glad to hear things are improving and hopefully you can find a website that will allow you to watch some kind of TV or Movies in english.
as they say it could be worse I like Josh's name for the bathroom but I prefer the "toiler"; you'll be working in the lab and seeing the city in your spare time so you probably won't be in the hotel room that much. And for when you are find some good books or magazines and maybe start writing that novel, even if you never wanted to write a novel this may be a good time to change your mind.
poor me Mariah hang in there girl this is a wonderful experience and make the best of this wonderful trip remember you onlyu have about 10 more days and they will go fast. Just think how nice itwill to get back home. When you look back it will all be a dream and you will appreciate the chance to get to see another country. I thought the shower and the toilet was a good idea ha grandma
Hang in there :) My 5th hr thinks you should check out and go find a 5 star hotel down the road!
You could also click your heels together 3 times and repeat the mantra "No place like home!"
We are enjoying your pictures. Darian thinks Ming's pillow stain is the pits. George liked the pics of the "lazy susan's" with all the wierd food. Tyler would give anything to take your place and eat duck tongue!! Keep them coming please.
Hang in there - you can do it, it's only 2 (??) more weeks :)
Josh stole my insightful idea! Mariah, this place actually looks better than it sounded as I read the blog. It actually looks clean, and I totally agree with Josh. My first thought was that you could use the toilet and shower at the same time. Actually, when I lived in Norman in a house that was cut up into apartments, the bathroom was a lot worse than this. The shower was sort of a metal phonebooth, but I made it work...you can, too. Just be grateful for the western toilet...the hole thing COULD get a little old, even with a positive spirit! You just learn to do other things away from the room...and if you "only" have two weeks, why stay in the hotel room, anyway, in the off hours? And, give your lab mates a chance. You may have scared them with your beautiful American self...you are probably taller than them, and they are afraid you are going to show them up in the lab. Remember how scared you were at SACNAS the first time? Just go with it. You aren't staying forever, and you will most likely never do anything remotely like this again...just shout "Carpe diem!" and jump in feet first!
:) Mariah! I know that all will be fine for you. I know it! You're just trying to get into the hang of things again after leaving your group. Oh and by the way..the bathroom..the pic you showed is better than what I grew up with (if that meants anything!) :P We had a squat a potty..and about 2 feet from it, was a drain...not even a shower head. We used jugs to wash ourselves back in the day. Everytime I go back, I realize how good I have it here :)
You can do this! Well, my title says it all... I know you can do this! Hang in there and think of all the stories we'll have to tell when we're back in the cornfields :)
I am a PhD candidate at Purdue University and I am traveling to China with the NSF funded GK12 program. Starting in Nanjing/Wuxi to observe and participate in their science education program then to Guangzhou to do collabrative research on rice blast disease. I hope to take a few weekend trips to Shanghi and Hong Kong before returning home. No matter what it is going to be an adventure!!... full info
Mama
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Can't Wait for Friday!
Half-Pint, I'm right there with Dr. Pan on the eating issue, it sounds like you're not eating enough to keep a bird alive. It is sweet how he and the others are trying to look out for you. How is the research going? Sounds like you spend most of your time editing. You were hoping to get 50 done, how close are you? Another extremely entertaining blog, Connie's right you sure can write. Your grandmother's asked me this week-end about you, they were missing your daily blogs and both commented how it is the highlight of their days to read it. Mama loves you! XOXO