The Great Firewall...

Earlier this year, I linked to a TED talk by the wonderful Abigail Washburn. I just hid it behind the text, because it wasn't vital to the story, but some great background information about her and her experiences.

This time, however, I've found a fascinating TED talk that I want to share with everyone. Embedded below (or found here) is Jing Zhao speaking about one of the most ubiquitous (and misunderstood) aspects of contemporary Chinese culture: internet censorship.

Drive-by Shooting

Don't panic. If you've known me for more than ten seconds, you know I love puns--especially as blog titles.

After spending a (frustrating) month in Chengdu, I realised that because of the personal stasis I found myself in, I'd not taken any photos of anything. This realisation came during a taxi ride (no, not that one), so I got out my clunker of a digital and snapped some.

So, without further ado, I bring you a drive by shooting...

Qingming

What’s the point of having a holiday if you have to make it up on the weekend?

I have received this question literally every time I explain how universities in China handle holiday schedules. For example, 4 April this year was the date for Qingming Jie, or the Tomb Sweeping festival. With the holiday on Wednesday, I was informed by my school that we would have Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday off. (Before you get too excited, remember the question above.) Even though the holiday was for three days, Monday and Tuesday’s classes were to be made up on the Saturday and Sunday preceding the holiday.

So what’s the point of having a holiday if you have to make it up on the weekend? 不知道. I don't know. I bitterly asked myself that question as I taught Saturday and again on Sunday, but the bitterness quickly faded after class on Sunday, because I had plans to travel regardless.

Rollin'... Rollin'...

Sometimes, here in China, I have moments where I can't help but laugh. Tonight, I had one of those moments next to a taxi driver who couldn't stop staring at my crutches.

With my little bit of Chinese, I can usually have a four or five sentence conversation with whomever is driving. Often, now, it revolves around why I'm using these metal poles under my arms that are taller than most Chinese people.

I was stuck in traffic (shocker!) on my way home tonight, after exhausting my five sentences. At that point, I usually just enjoy the incomprehensible Chinese coming through the radio. Quite literally, it sounds like this looks:

Jiayou!

One hour, fifty-eight minutes and twenty-six seconds.

Running and running and running and running...

It’s been more than a week since I ran the half-marathon. I guess it’s time to reflect on it…