Greetings from Beijing Capital Airport!
Yes, the time has come for me to bid Beijing good-bye and head back to the United States. Roughly nine or so months ago, I came to China with with just my luggage, curiosity and no idea of what to expect of my time here. While there were times it seemed like today couldn't come fast enough, my time here has indeed flown by very quickly. From the good, to the bad, to the downright perplexing, Beijing has provided with a plethora of experiences and it's been an unforgettable ride that I don't regret at all.
For my beloved (albeit few) loyal blog followers, don't you fret. This is not the end of the blog (yet), I still have several posts I want to write and many pictures to post. It's just that now I will be blogging form the US and will no longer have to fight the Great Firewall on a daily basis.
Take care!
And for those of you reading this back in the San Francisco Bay Area, see you soon!!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Sunday, June 5, 2011
22 years ago this past weekend,
...this was the scene on Chang'an Avenue in Beijing, on the way to Tian'anmen Square.
Twenty-two years ago, when I was just a year old, government-ordered tanks rolled into Tian'anmen Square to clear out the hundred of mostly student protesters that had gathered there calling for a government reforms and democracy. What started over a month before with peaceful protests ended with hundreds dead and even more hurt and wounded. The actual number of deaths that occurred at the square or as a result of violence at the Tian'anmen Square will probably never be actually known.
In today's word with the passing of time and China's rising prominence in the international arena, it's easy to forget this tragic anniversary and what all the protesters so bravely stood up for. I'm even ashamed to admit that this year, despite being in Beijing (or perhaps because I was in Beijing, where anything about this incident is kept very hush-hush), even I forgot myself this year on June 4th.
While the happenings on June 4th to some people is just another date in the world's long history, to Chinese people everywhere, this date of a very tragic importance. To many, the events June 4th is a continuing reminder of the failure of the Chinese Communist Party to rule in the best interests of its citizens and it's complete disregard for the value of human life.
On a more personal note, I know if it weren't for the events on June 4th, 1989 in Tian'anmen Square, my life would be very different today. In fact, I might be writing this in Chinese and not English had it not been for that day.
Nonetheless, if you're reading this, take the time to please pause and remember the many that died that fateful day in Beijing. Their heroism shouldn't be forgotten.
Twenty-two years ago, when I was just a year old, government-ordered tanks rolled into Tian'anmen Square to clear out the hundred of mostly student protesters that had gathered there calling for a government reforms and democracy. What started over a month before with peaceful protests ended with hundreds dead and even more hurt and wounded. The actual number of deaths that occurred at the square or as a result of violence at the Tian'anmen Square will probably never be actually known.
In today's word with the passing of time and China's rising prominence in the international arena, it's easy to forget this tragic anniversary and what all the protesters so bravely stood up for. I'm even ashamed to admit that this year, despite being in Beijing (or perhaps because I was in Beijing, where anything about this incident is kept very hush-hush), even I forgot myself this year on June 4th.
While the happenings on June 4th to some people is just another date in the world's long history, to Chinese people everywhere, this date of a very tragic importance. To many, the events June 4th is a continuing reminder of the failure of the Chinese Communist Party to rule in the best interests of its citizens and it's complete disregard for the value of human life.
On a more personal note, I know if it weren't for the events on June 4th, 1989 in Tian'anmen Square, my life would be very different today. In fact, I might be writing this in Chinese and not English had it not been for that day.
Nonetheless, if you're reading this, take the time to please pause and remember the many that died that fateful day in Beijing. Their heroism shouldn't be forgotten.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Oh, Irony.
Somewhere between prepping for my oral final for my conversation class and prepping for finals in general, I lost my voice. On the day I have to give my oral final.
Oh the irony.
(It went okay though, I think.)
Wish me luck on the rest of my finals!
Oh the irony.
(It went okay though, I think.)
Wish me luck on the rest of my finals!
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Blogging Hiatus
As my last two posts (read them here and here) indicate, recently there have been a rash of Internet 'problems' plaguing Mainland Chinese netizens. This combined with the fact that finals are quickly approaching again, and that I'll be leaving China in less than a month, means this blog will most likely be on hiatus until I return to the United States.
I know you're all very sad to read that last statement, but don't fret, I will continue to write posts and post them when I can. It's just that recently this has proven to be more and more of challenge with the Internet behaving the way it is.
Also, I have a lot of photos I want to share with you, but considering most days I'm just happy to be able to access my e-mail account, those will definitely have to wait until I return to the US & American high-speed Internet.
So while I'm taking a break now, stay tuned for lots more to come later.
Also, here are three more stories on China's Internet crackdown. Even if you're not that interested in the subject of Internet censorship in China, you should read them for a good laugh at the irony of the situation:
I know you're all very sad to read that last statement, but don't fret, I will continue to write posts and post them when I can. It's just that recently this has proven to be more and more of challenge with the Internet behaving the way it is.
Also, I have a lot of photos I want to share with you, but considering most days I'm just happy to be able to access my e-mail account, those will definitely have to wait until I return to the US & American high-speed Internet.
So while I'm taking a break now, stay tuned for lots more to come later.
Also, here are three more stories on China's Internet crackdown. Even if you're not that interested in the subject of Internet censorship in China, you should read them for a good laugh at the irony of the situation:
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Theories abound for overseas web access troubles
Here's another article on the current Internet situation in China, this time from The Global Times.
My favorite portion of the article is on the second page, towards the end. It reads,
For the record, I have checked every possible source for my Internet problems and every single time I'm lead back to just one possible answer.
Clearly, subtlety has never been China's strong part.
My favorite portion of the article is on the second page, towards the end. It reads,
"An anonymous official with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology declined to explain why foreign websites were frequently inaccessible in a telephone interview with the Global Times, and instead urged users to 'check their own technology problems and with the websites' servers on [sic] the first place'"
Hahaha. Sure, China, whatever you say. For the record, I have checked every possible source for my Internet problems and every single time I'm lead back to just one possible answer.
Clearly, subtlety has never been China's strong part.
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Suspicious Internet issues
Since a week and a half ago, my building has been have some "interesting" Internet issues. If you've been in contact with me this past week, it's likely I told you or even experienced firsthand how unstable my connection has been.
At times, the Internet connection would just shut itself down completely. Other times, the Internet connection was fine (it was even fast), but all I could go on were the major Chinese websites, such as Tabao, Baidu and Youku, but no international websites whatsoever. Even more perplexingly, there were even times where it seemed completely normal (for China).
It has been so fickle, that I have come up with my own eight-level system of classifying my Internet connectivity based on what programs can connect and what websites I can log on to. (I won't bore you you with the actual eight levels I came up with though.)
Obviously, the most annoying thing about not having a reliable Internet connection was not being able to get into my e-mail. Though Gmail has been blocked several times before, normally I had other ways to access it. However, last week proved to be a real challenge.
So far this week (knock on wood), the Internet seems a bit better. It's still rather slow and finicky when I try to gone on some international websites and particularly Gmail, but I can deal with it. Hopefully it stays this way. That's all I ask for.
For some more information on the Internet issues currently facing Internet users in China, take a look at the below article form the China Digital Times. Pay special attention to the latter half of the article, since that's what largely seems to be what's happening in my my case.
Unfortunately, I could only give you a screen print of the article, so it maybe a bit blurry. Click on the image to enlarge & read.
For more information, there seem to be many other articles on the topic currently on the China Digital Times. I'd normally post the links myself, however my Internet seems to go down for several minutes each time I try to log on to the CDT website.
That's not obviously suspicious at all. Ha.
Sidenote: In attempt to inform students about what is going on with our Internet connections, BNU actually posted notices in the international student dorms. Normally, notices are only posted in Chinese (after all, you are here to study Chinese), but this time it's actually in Chinese, Korea and English. In the notice it informs students that the connectivity issues are beyond the scope of BNU's tech support and that we should always comply with China's Internet laws and not visit illegal websites. Clearly BNU wanted to get the word out to all students regardless of our the level of our Chinese comprehension and discourage us from bypassing the Great Firewall.
At times, the Internet connection would just shut itself down completely. Other times, the Internet connection was fine (it was even fast), but all I could go on were the major Chinese websites, such as Tabao, Baidu and Youku, but no international websites whatsoever. Even more perplexingly, there were even times where it seemed completely normal (for China).
It has been so fickle, that I have come up with my own eight-level system of classifying my Internet connectivity based on what programs can connect and what websites I can log on to. (I won't bore you you with the actual eight levels I came up with though.)
Obviously, the most annoying thing about not having a reliable Internet connection was not being able to get into my e-mail. Though Gmail has been blocked several times before, normally I had other ways to access it. However, last week proved to be a real challenge.
So far this week (knock on wood), the Internet seems a bit better. It's still rather slow and finicky when I try to gone on some international websites and particularly Gmail, but I can deal with it. Hopefully it stays this way. That's all I ask for.
For some more information on the Internet issues currently facing Internet users in China, take a look at the below article form the China Digital Times. Pay special attention to the latter half of the article, since that's what largely seems to be what's happening in my my case.
Unfortunately, I could only give you a screen print of the article, so it maybe a bit blurry. Click on the image to enlarge & read.
 | |
| Click to enlarge Article courtesy of the China Digital Times |
That's not obviously suspicious at all. Ha.
Sidenote: In attempt to inform students about what is going on with our Internet connections, BNU actually posted notices in the international student dorms. Normally, notices are only posted in Chinese (after all, you are here to study Chinese), but this time it's actually in Chinese, Korea and English. In the notice it informs students that the connectivity issues are beyond the scope of BNU's tech support and that we should always comply with China's Internet laws and not visit illegal websites. Clearly BNU wanted to get the word out to all students regardless of our the level of our Chinese comprehension and discourage us from bypassing the Great Firewall.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Walkalator
Without a doubt, the best thing about being in Beijing this past year has been the to opportunity to reconnect and see family and family friends that I haven't seen in many years, not only in Hong Kong but also in Beijing.
One of these family friends I've reconnected with is the eldest daughter of my parents' close friends, named Ivy Tsui . When my family still lived Hong Kong, she and I were neighbors. We played together often, and attended the same preschool.
Now, Ivy is a contemporary dancer based in Hong Kong. However she is currently in Beijing for a short while dancing with a company that brings together Hong Kong and mainland China dancers together.
As a result, I've had the great opportunity to two separate contemporary dance performances that she's been a part of since coming to Beijing. The performances (along with Ivy herself) have been great and eye-opening. I'm sure if it weren't for Ivy's participation in the shows, I would've never gone to see the shows on my own.
Below are two site-specific dance (dance performances outside of the traditional theater setting) videos that featuring Ivy and her fellow dancers. The videos and dances themselves were directed by Ivy's good friend, Alan Wong and were filmed in at the Hong Kong Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station.
If you have a free moment, the videos are definitely worth a look!
Enjoy!
One of these family friends I've reconnected with is the eldest daughter of my parents' close friends, named Ivy Tsui . When my family still lived Hong Kong, she and I were neighbors. We played together often, and attended the same preschool.
Now, Ivy is a contemporary dancer based in Hong Kong. However she is currently in Beijing for a short while dancing with a company that brings together Hong Kong and mainland China dancers together.
As a result, I've had the great opportunity to two separate contemporary dance performances that she's been a part of since coming to Beijing. The performances (along with Ivy herself) have been great and eye-opening. I'm sure if it weren't for Ivy's participation in the shows, I would've never gone to see the shows on my own.
Below are two site-specific dance (dance performances outside of the traditional theater setting) videos that featuring Ivy and her fellow dancers. The videos and dances themselves were directed by Ivy's good friend, Alan Wong and were filmed in at the Hong Kong Tsim Sha Tsui MTR station.
If you have a free moment, the videos are definitely worth a look!
Enjoy!
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