Eaten alive?

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I've spent the past two days suffering from bug bites (17 of them). They have consumed me. I've used hydrocortisone, Chinese ointment from the pharmacy, rubbing dry soap on them, and even rubbing banana peel over them (I read that off the Internet) to alleviate the burning and itching. No mercy! I still scratched and the bites bruise, puss, inflame, and it looks as if someone has abused and beaten me. Gross. Additionally, I became quite fatigued on Saturday and I swear it's because my body is trying to fight these bites.

I am taking suggestions for how to avoid future mosquito bites. I think my downfall was using sunscreen and having sweaty legs. This combination was apparently attractive to my new enemy - the mosquito. I have 100% DEET that I got from a camping store, but I'm a bit reluctant to use it directly on my skin (I want to wear shorts). I refuse to live through another attack.

Since I was afraid to go outside, I spent some time indoors watching Chinese TV and Hotel Rwanda and Walk the Line... both great movies! I love movies based on true stories. Both movies were moving in different ways. Chinese TV is a bit boring to me. There are a ton of "American Idol" type shows on, which I find quite horrible. Most of these shows are competitions for male singers, and I find the men very feminine. They are all wearing tons makeup, are very slim, wear tight clothes, and sing in high tones. AND they are emotional and cry on the show. It's a bit bizarre to me. On top of that, no offense, but the singing is terrible. They sometimes sing in English and it's a great attempt, but they just shouldn't. It's like me singing in Chinese - it's just not entertaining.

I brought this up to my Shanghainese girl friends and they told me that 1) Chinese men don't have deep voices, 2) it's the trend for men to become more and more feminine. Loreal has introduced an entire line of male makeup products in China. The ads are plastered all over the subway stations. I asked myself, "Are Shanghainese/local Chinese men more vain than American men?" Also, as I've been walking around, I see a lot of young couples wearing and stores selling matching Tshirts (i.e. girl will wear a red tshirt with a bone on it, and boy will wear red tshirt with puppy on it, or girl wears tshirt that says "together" and boy wears shirt that says "forever"). Puke. Ok, granted I see it's mostly teenagers wearing these, but it's quite popular! I also find this a bit cheesy and emasculating. Am I being too tough? Additionally, I see men using pink frilly umbrellas, and husbands/boyfriends carrying their counterparts' purses. Not just holding it while she puts on a jacket or something, but carrying it for her. Very common. So are American boys just insecure about their manhood and won't hold purses, use pink umbrellas and wear coordinating outfits? Or do the men here just not care about social norms or gender roles/expectations? I guess if I think about it... what's wrong with a little boy wearing pink or carrying a purse? Don't know.... but it's a bit weird/interesting to me. I admit, I haven't really been interacting with local Shanghainese men to be able to understand this better.

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Comments

[twf]

SITC
this entry reminds me of sarah jessica parker's SITC for some reason. :)

[SF Girl]

SITC
Because Carrie Bradshaw complains about men?

[Patricia]

Bite Help
Ok use an antihistamine to control the itching (like benadryl) - it shuts down the part of your brain that makes you itch. Take it orally of course. They sound infected - put hydrogen peroxide or use alcohol of some kind - either rubbing alcohol or the kind you drink - yes it will sting bad - do this several times a day. If the infection continues see a doctor - for an antibiotic. Try not to wear perfume or fragrances - even hairspray or such will attract them. I seem to remember there is some spice you can eat that comes out in your skin that repels them too. I think you could do a google search. Good luck!

[ellie]

Maybe if they don't eat a lot of food they don't "mature". I dunno. I read about some people from North Korea that are ridiculously malnourished, maybe their hormones get messed up, and there are like 20 and 30 year olds who haven't gone thru puberty yet. I guess that's a pretty extreme case tho...some advertiser needs to have a "get manly" campaign.

[christina]

use the DEET girl! although 100% is a little crazy to put directly on your skin. itchy mosquito bites are miserable! you do sound like carrie bradshaw. hahaha.

[SF Girl]

"get manly" campaign? haha.

[SF Girl]

thanks patricia. i am much much better now. i bought some chinese repellant that the locals swear by. i'll try it out when i'm in hong kong and beijing!

[azinkslinger]

Nice transitions ...
from mosquito bites to Chinese Idol to male fashion. It's a strange experience to be inside C's head.