Lindsay Dillon

runningnymph

Lindsay Dillon

Graduated in 2011, in anthropology, Japanese and Chinese at Kansas State University. I also somewhat study Tibetan. I have a keen interest in Korean, Thai and Yucatec Maya language, dont ask why. 😊)
I'm constantly in awe of where these small hands have taken me, and of where my feet might be swept off to. And how such powerful everlasting messages of love and life, instilled in these opportunities, present themselves as an enormous gift to such a small frail and mortal body. I now better understand and appreciate the world's people, through my time as an expat overseas.
I have traveled around China and Thailand extensively while studying Chinese in Chengdu, from 2010-2011. I am now finding myself back in China, two years later, teaching English at Henan Agricultural University in Zhengzhou. :-) I hope to someday land a job in South Korea or Tibet, before returning to China again. :-)
Of course, I love traveling and experiencing new things; I am also so thankful for everyone in my life right now--you've all made me the person I am today and I love you all!

Tibet! Kanding and Tagong

Asia May 31st 2011

Tagong.

runningnymph

I totally forgot to post these. Anyway, the last two weeks of my trip, I spent some time in Eastern Tibet with my boyfriend. We went to Kanding, which is where he's currently working, and Tagong, his hometown. Wow, it was crazy! I spent a lot of time talking with his friends in Tibetan Buddhist monestaries and rode horses. And climbed mountains. And saw yaks. And learned a lot of Tibetan in Kanding bars. It was pretty awesome.... read more

And so! It's 2 in the morning and I can't sleep...

Asia » China » Sichuan » Chengdu May 2nd 2011

这是...这是...

runningnymph

两个星期以后我得回美国去! 我简直不敢相信...不想回家. :-( 哈哈...我当真. 对了,我先去西藏看我的藏族人的朋友. 他在Tagong住,请我在他妹妹家住宿. 我非常感激!! 我也很兴奋. 他是很好人, 也教我藏语, 臧文, 连英文跟中文都会说得不得了! 这儿的天气已经热死了. 我的朋友告诉了我四月是成都的夏天. 因为每天都下雨下的很大, 所以我对什么都过敏. 哈哈. 另外, 湿度的水平越来越高. 我不习惯! 虽然我的身体不舒服, 但是我很喜欢这个城市. :-) 我一定要中国或者日本工作! 我在美国的时候, 我就想中国的生活. 我觉得中国的饭菜比美国的好吃, 便宜. 除了美国饭菜, 还美国的活动比好完儿. 那, 我要去睡觉试一试. 哈哈. , ... read more

Thailand! (泰国) Day 4---Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Intharawihan, and Sri Maha Mariamman Hindu Temple.

Asia » Thailand » Central Thailand » Bangkok April 16th 2011

Wat Intharawihan.

runningnymph

It was really sad to leave Bangkok, but...at the same time, it was fulfilling--I brought back with me a whole new perspective on life. China and Thailand have given me so much to think about. And made me realize I have so much more to learn. I've seen...a lot, just being in Bangkok for five days. From poverty, to affluence...violence, benevolence...inequality, equity. Hearing about sex-trafficking and the disparity between the rich and poor in school is so different from actually experiencing it all yourself. And it changes a person. Well, it definately changed me. And it makes a person wonder...what can a person do? How can I change all this, for the better? Having the whole world on your shoulders...is too much of a burden to bear. I can't save everybody from corruption or warlords or ... read more

Thailand! (泰国) A little bit of Thailand's countryside.

Asia » Thailand » Central Thailand April 13th 2011

Thailand's countryside.

runningnymph

I just thought I'd share some of the beautiful countryside of central Thailand. "Distance makes the heart grow fonder, and familiarity breeds contempt. According to this...my home should be in Thailand." ... read more

Thailand! (泰国) Day 3---Thai rivers, The Floating Market, and of course...elephants!

Asia » Thailand » Central Thailand » Khao Yai NP April 13th 2011

Elephant trekking.

runningnymph

The third day in Thailand was, for me, the most magical. For many reasons, as you will see! The day stated off in a little bamboo boat, sailing in a river amongst the thick and lush vegetation that grew in Thailand's Khao Yai (two hours outside of Bangkok). I feel very fortunate to have been able to see this part of Thailand, which is much more..."untouched," and less inhabited by flashy tourist traps (and tourists, nonetheless). In fact, I find Thailand's countryside to be far more interesting than the places "you have got to see." Sounds familiar? (Guilin, anyone?) So, as expected, the Floating Market is definately not what it once was. Unfortunately, the tourism industry once again eradicated the real "charm" of it all. But, putting Wallerstein's World-Systems Model aside (and if any of you ... read more

Thailand! (泰国) Day 2---Wat Arun, Wat Pho, Wat Saket and Siam Square.

Asia » Thailand » Central Thailand » Bangkok April 11th 2011

Wat Pho.

runningnymph

The second day was definately a "Wat" day (and just for future reference, "wat" is Thai for "temple"). I believe visiting sacred places are perhaps among the most important when learning about other cultures. After all, our primary categories for understanding the world have their origins in religion. Even the most logical and rational pursuit of science can trace its origins to religion. And, as functionalist anthropologist Emile Durkheim said, Religion gave birth to all that is essential in the society . With much reverence for the man, I can only agree. So, first, I rode a boat taxi along a river to Wat Pho, and then to Wat Arun. Wat Pho (or Wat Phra Chettuphon Wimon Mangkhalaram Ratchaworamahawihan) contains the largest reclining Buddha in the world; it also is the birthplace of traditional Thai massage. ... read more

Thailand! (泰国) Day 1.

Asia » Thailand » Central Thailand » Bangkok April 11th 2011

A local temple.

runningnymph

Thailand is...an incredible place, filled with amazing cultures and people. I had a wonderful time there. I learned so much, not only about other cultures and lifestyles, but about myself. I spent the first full day in Bangkok wondering around with some French college students I met on the street; we took our time taking in the sights, sounds and smells of local street markets. We then walked into some small locals temples (which was great for me, because there were virtually no tourists inside them, except for us), and ate delicious Pad Thai out of coconut bowls. Also, I paid about six USD for an authentic full-body Thai massage! Thai massages are very different from what Americans think of when they think of massages...the masseur actually bends and contorts the patient's body in different ways. ... read more

Spring Break has *finally* arrived!!

Asia » China » Sichuan » Chengdu March 31st 2011

Early spring flowers.

runningnymph

And to celebrate, here are some pictures of Chengdu's early spring. Since the weather has been warmer here (and *a lot* more humid), I can actually walk outside at a leisurely pace. Haha. By the way, I forgot to mention I'm going to Thailand in four days! :-) 我听说这个星期泰国的天气很暖, 因为这儿的天气比冷,并且我的身体不舒服,所以我兴奋!! :-)... read more

I saw the largest carved stone Buddha in the world on a boat, climbed Mt. Emei, and was bit by a wild rabid monkey...what did you do today?

Asia » China » Sichuan » Chengdu March 9th 2011

Dafo, Leshan.

runningnymph

So, we USACers went on our (supposedly) last fieldtrip of the semester: to Dafo and Emei city. Dafo (or "Big Buddha") is carved into red sandstone that was built during the Tang Dynasty, when Buddhism was at its height in China (or around 700 A.D.). Haitong, the sculptor of Dafo (who also happened to be a monk), decided to safeguard passing boats by creating this protective image in the cliffs, giving way to one of the biggest projects ever completed in ancient China. Fortunately, it has recently been claimed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site (thank you UN). Haitong was extremely passionate about the project. Legend has it that: "The monk lived behind Dafo's head at all times during its construction. When a local official threatned to blind Haitong unless he could take a cut of ... read more

A few random videos I never got around to posting...and why you haven't heard from me. haha.

Asia » China March 6th 2011

Tianfu Square.

runningnymph

Hey All! It's definately been a while since I last posted. This is partly due to my Chinese homework, as it exponentially increased in the past few weeks. And, well, I'll admit that my interest in the Chinese language (unfortunately) took a dive recently, and left me wondering *why* I came here. Yeah, that was scary. But, after much thinking, I feel like I'm much more level-headed about it now. Although Japanese is my focal point in terms of careers (and I do tend to study it more than Chinese), why shouldn't I be here in China? For all I know, it chould be the only chance I'll ever have to be here. I actually kind of doubt that, but...you never know. Well, I can see myself returning to Beijing in the future...even if it just ... read more

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