But it's been kind of crazy around here recently. Don't know why exactly, beyond that midterms are upon us, but I just haven't had as much time to get on the internet and whatnot. Some thoughts have emerged though...one of which is that my computer screen seems to be flickering before my very eyes. How annoying. It already isn't as bright as it once was. Does anyone know if I can replace the backlight of a computer, or am I basically screwed if it ever decides to completely go out?
Okay, onto deeper thoughts now. Thanks, first of all, to all the people who have emailed me and whatnot since my last few blogs. It has meant a lot to keep in contact with you, and even though I'm sometimes bad myself (Keith, I promise, as soon as I'm done with this blog, I will email you back!), the extra effort lets me know that I'm cared for. Not that I have to have confirmation of that all the time, but every once in awhile is nice. In one of those emails, it was brought to my attention that I haven't really discussed friendships on here. I did not realize that, so I will talk about it a little bit.
To be honest, it's hard to develop friendships with strictly Chinese people here. I don't go to class with them (our classes are almost entirely international students, so everything from Korean to Japanese to German to Swedish to Mexican to Australian to Russian and so on), and if you know me *at all*, you know that I'm not the most socially outgoing person, especially when I'm uncomfortable (and what's more uncomfortable than not being able to understand what people are saying?). But I have made some through other people, which is nice. It's also nice to make friends with the other international students since, for the most part, the only common language that we speak is Chinese, so we are forced to speak that to each other. It doesn't always work as we don't all know the same vocabulary, but more often than not, we understand each other.
Also! The same person asked me about food. Again, if you know me, I'm a picky eater. I always have been. I don't always want to be, but my thoughts on food are, "Why buy something that you don't know if you are going to like or not? If you don't like it and nobody else wants it, it's a waste of resources and a waste of money." So, naturally, I came to China a bit apprehensive about the food situation. But you know what? I'm not as picky of an eater anymore. Sure, I still won't eat fish (ask me if you wanna know the story behind that), but I am far more willing to eat other dishes now. Still not a big fan of soups and other hot liquids, though; I really can't figure that one out, but every time I get a soup, I barely touch it. Ah well, at least other areas are far better now. I still fall into the habit of eating things I like, but at least they are now *different* things. So fear not, people of America! I will return, and I will still eat pizza like a Ninja Turtle and Doritos like a...person who really likes Doritos. But I will also want to go out for odd cuisine more often than in the past.
For a slightly more somber tone, I have been thinking about something. As in nearly every area of the world, there are beggars on the streets here in China and specifically where I am in Suzhou. All my life, I've had to have a somewhat indifferent attitude toward people asking me for money because either a) I didn't have enough money myself, so if I give it away, then I could be in trouble or b) I question their motives behind asking for money and their true intent in what they will use it for. A compromise I've made with myself is if I have leftovers from a restaurant and I see a homeless person, I will offer them my leftovers. If they take it, great; if not, then I know they want money to use for things other than food, like drugs or alcohol. I have no problem giving money to buskers because they are entertaining me and if I like it, why shouldn't I give them some money? Heck, I've bought CDs from buskers before! They aren't necessarily homeless, but I hope you understand the distinction that I'm making.
The other day, though, I was walking to a local street food vendor area around my university, and I came across a man begging for money. He had his little silver dish out filled with some small Chinese coins. The thing about this particular beggar, though, and indeed, quite a few of the beggars in China, was how he was begging. He was prostrate on the ground, and his head was completely down to the street. Instantly, I felt so bad for him. In China, there could be no worse position for him to be in. That was a bowing position that was normally reserved for emperors and people of high society, and here he was, giving it to anyone walking by. He had lost all of his honor, in other words; everyone was better than him. My heart went out to this man, but my natural reaction of "don't give him money" also emerged. How horrible is that? All this man was asking for was a few Chinese dollars, which are 1/6th of a normal U.S. dollar, and I thought about not giving him anything? I can't give every person money; I know that. But I could certainly spare a few yuan for this man here. And after I bought some food and had more smaller coins (all I had passing him the first time was 100 yuan bills, and I'm not willing to give that to anyone, thank you very much), I gave him around 5 yuan.
Why do we make ourselves like this? Not the beggars; I think we have a good idea of what causes that for the most part (poor economy, bad life choices, and so on). But why do we, the ones who have the money, make ourselves uncaring to those who need our help? Some of us don't, but the majority of us build those defense mechanisms like my own. Why? Is it survival of the fittest? Is it selfishness? Some combination between the two? Something entirely different? I don't know; I haven't figured it out. I don't even know if, when I return to the US, I'll change how I view the homeless there and do more to make their lives better. I still believe that for the majority of the time, people can make their own lives better and shouldn't need the help of other people. But there are exceptions to every case, and this is no different. Will I be willing to split the difference, then, and try to make good choices depending on the situation? I have no idea.
This is the end of my thoughts for now.
再见，
杜楷
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Random thoughts for the day
-My hair is getting quite long...and I like it. Let's see how long it can get before I get frustrated.
-I sometimes envy smokers for two reasons. One is their instant connection to other smokers in social situations. To me, it seems like they can make friends quite easily. The other is that it seems to give them a way to relax and let loose in a very non-demanding way. There are times where I'm really anxious to be doing something, yet have nothing to release said tension. I still refuse to smoke, though.
-I feel the need for change. Change in how I look (part of that is the hair thing), change in some of my habits, and change in my demeanor and interaction with others. I'm discovering some of "my" style in terms of clothes, so I'll continue to experiment with that over time. Kinda want to dye my hair different shades (nothing too extreme), but I'll do some research on that before I make any solid decision on that. I feel so vain, worrying about how I look, but y'know, it does make a difference in how you feel. One of the reasons I appreciate Halloween; I can put a lot of work into how I look for a night, and it actually DOES come out as nice. As opposed to my every day look. One day I'll find a good combo of the two. Habits...whew. I've realized in my time without television, even TV on DVD, how much I really do enjoy that world. And I don't think there's anything wrong with it. But I've built up a state of being around it to the point where if I don't have anything to do, my mind instantly wants to watch television. Now, here, without it...I'm kind of lost. So I need to find things to replace it with. Writing would be good. Really wish I would get in the habit of carrying around my idea notebook with me wherever I go. I also want to get into the habit of exercising when I get back. It's something I've been meaning to do for years. Hopefully, I'll finally do it upon my return. Probably need to take a class to get me in the habit, but I'm fine with that. Can't really do it in China; all the gyms are closed to everyone but the people who need them for classes. Drat. Change in demeanor...that one is going to be the hardest. But I think it'll come naturally with the realization of the other two. It's all a confidence thing. I'm a little self-conscious. Have been my whole life. I'm just usually really good at hiding it (or at least, I think so). Despite not caring what other people think for the most part, I still care about my body and how it looks and how it operates. If I can get those parts feeling better, maybe the rest of it will fall into place.
Umm...I think that's it for now. Really, this does have to do with China; I'm having all these thoughts because I'm in China and I have the time to have these thoughts. So...yeah. Self discovery, WHOO!
杜楷
-I sometimes envy smokers for two reasons. One is their instant connection to other smokers in social situations. To me, it seems like they can make friends quite easily. The other is that it seems to give them a way to relax and let loose in a very non-demanding way. There are times where I'm really anxious to be doing something, yet have nothing to release said tension. I still refuse to smoke, though.
-I feel the need for change. Change in how I look (part of that is the hair thing), change in some of my habits, and change in my demeanor and interaction with others. I'm discovering some of "my" style in terms of clothes, so I'll continue to experiment with that over time. Kinda want to dye my hair different shades (nothing too extreme), but I'll do some research on that before I make any solid decision on that. I feel so vain, worrying about how I look, but y'know, it does make a difference in how you feel. One of the reasons I appreciate Halloween; I can put a lot of work into how I look for a night, and it actually DOES come out as nice. As opposed to my every day look. One day I'll find a good combo of the two. Habits...whew. I've realized in my time without television, even TV on DVD, how much I really do enjoy that world. And I don't think there's anything wrong with it. But I've built up a state of being around it to the point where if I don't have anything to do, my mind instantly wants to watch television. Now, here, without it...I'm kind of lost. So I need to find things to replace it with. Writing would be good. Really wish I would get in the habit of carrying around my idea notebook with me wherever I go. I also want to get into the habit of exercising when I get back. It's something I've been meaning to do for years. Hopefully, I'll finally do it upon my return. Probably need to take a class to get me in the habit, but I'm fine with that. Can't really do it in China; all the gyms are closed to everyone but the people who need them for classes. Drat. Change in demeanor...that one is going to be the hardest. But I think it'll come naturally with the realization of the other two. It's all a confidence thing. I'm a little self-conscious. Have been my whole life. I'm just usually really good at hiding it (or at least, I think so). Despite not caring what other people think for the most part, I still care about my body and how it looks and how it operates. If I can get those parts feeling better, maybe the rest of it will fall into place.
Umm...I think that's it for now. Really, this does have to do with China; I'm having all these thoughts because I'm in China and I have the time to have these thoughts. So...yeah. Self discovery, WHOO!
杜楷
Thursday, October 16, 2008
I promised myself that I was going to write today
But now I'm having trouble thinking of all the things I was going to say. Crap...at times like this, I wish I could forgo class and just write in my journal. Ah vell...I'll do the best I can.
So one thing that's been on my mind is writing. I feel like I haven't done as much creative writing as I should, long before I even thought of coming to China. "Age of Thieves" has been more than stagnant, despite the fact that I still do want to finish that story. I haven't been inspired to write an original story in a long time, and I'm not one of those people that can just sit down and force out writing. I don't know if that makes me a worse writer, but that's just the way I work. I have to be inspired by something, anything. Perhaps that's why I'm stuck in AoT; I'm inspired by certain areas, but getting to those areas is really difficult. The ending, though, will blow everyone's minds...or so I hope.
I do think this trip is helping, though; I seem to be finding inspiration in stranger places. For example, has anyone here heard of sleep paralysis? *listens to the silence of the internet* I'll take that as a "no" for now. Apparently, it's this condition that either right before you go to sleep or right before you wake up, your mind is still conscious, but your body is in a dream-like state. Your brain freezes your body when you dream about doing some sort of physical activity, such as running, so you won't injure yourself. So your body is frozen, but your mind is very much aware of the world and aware of the fact that you can't move anything. Your breathing is shallow, your limbs won't move, and even your heart is slower, and you can feel it ALL. It really is one of the only times that most people get an idea of what it is like to be completely paralyzed, and apparently, it's actually pretty common. Nearly every culture across the world is aware of it, and most have named it something along the lines of "being possessed by the devil". So most cultures have had the same fear of it and usually relate it to a ghost or devil controlling your body. This fear is also fueled by the fact that sometimes, the mind can still be dreaming, and since you are awake but can't move, it creates a "demon" that is sitting on your chest that you think you can see.
How did I find out about this? Well, two days ago, I went to my friend's room to wake him up before class, but he never responded. I thought that he was merely tired, so I went to class. When I got back, I checked in on him. He was freaked out because he had heard me knock on his door but he was under the influence of the sleep paralysis and couldn't do anything. Eventually, he passed back out and woke up mere minutes before I came to his room again.
So while I was frightened about what happened to my friend, I must admit, the idea of this condition that happens all across the world inspired me. I'm starting a story in which a woman has a vision about the end of the world during a bout of sleep paralysis and her subsequent task of trying to prevent it. I don't know that I would have thought of that before coming on this trip. So...there you go.
Another thing I've been thinking about. I believe I'm finally...comfortable here. I'm not fluent in any way, shape, or form, but I feel like I know the area around me pretty well and could easily live here for a long time without many problems. Of course, this feeling seems rather odd to me when coupled with the dreams that I seem to have weekly about returning back to the States. At least my bed finally feels like MY bed (even if it is just basically a slab of wood...dang you, Clair, and making me extremely used to extreme comfort in the form of a Serta mattress! I miss it so!).
Um, and yeah. I think that's pretty much it. Oh, except for this: with the exception of Doki, Clair, Kalen, and people I talk to through Skype most of the people who read this blog STINK at sending me emails or messages! I'm serious! I ask questions, I get no response. I say, "Hey, who wants to start a band when I get back?" Nothing. Can't you tell that I want to talk with you people!? I miss you guys and love you very much, but when I don't get any kind of response, it makes me feel sad. Why you want to make me sad?!
Alright, I'm done for now. Whew, that was a lot of things despite not knowing what to say. Talk to all of you later...hopefully. *glares at those who don't talk to me* Yeah, you know who you are...
再见！
杜楷
So one thing that's been on my mind is writing. I feel like I haven't done as much creative writing as I should, long before I even thought of coming to China. "Age of Thieves" has been more than stagnant, despite the fact that I still do want to finish that story. I haven't been inspired to write an original story in a long time, and I'm not one of those people that can just sit down and force out writing. I don't know if that makes me a worse writer, but that's just the way I work. I have to be inspired by something, anything. Perhaps that's why I'm stuck in AoT; I'm inspired by certain areas, but getting to those areas is really difficult. The ending, though, will blow everyone's minds...or so I hope.
I do think this trip is helping, though; I seem to be finding inspiration in stranger places. For example, has anyone here heard of sleep paralysis? *listens to the silence of the internet* I'll take that as a "no" for now. Apparently, it's this condition that either right before you go to sleep or right before you wake up, your mind is still conscious, but your body is in a dream-like state. Your brain freezes your body when you dream about doing some sort of physical activity, such as running, so you won't injure yourself. So your body is frozen, but your mind is very much aware of the world and aware of the fact that you can't move anything. Your breathing is shallow, your limbs won't move, and even your heart is slower, and you can feel it ALL. It really is one of the only times that most people get an idea of what it is like to be completely paralyzed, and apparently, it's actually pretty common. Nearly every culture across the world is aware of it, and most have named it something along the lines of "being possessed by the devil". So most cultures have had the same fear of it and usually relate it to a ghost or devil controlling your body. This fear is also fueled by the fact that sometimes, the mind can still be dreaming, and since you are awake but can't move, it creates a "demon" that is sitting on your chest that you think you can see.
How did I find out about this? Well, two days ago, I went to my friend's room to wake him up before class, but he never responded. I thought that he was merely tired, so I went to class. When I got back, I checked in on him. He was freaked out because he had heard me knock on his door but he was under the influence of the sleep paralysis and couldn't do anything. Eventually, he passed back out and woke up mere minutes before I came to his room again.
So while I was frightened about what happened to my friend, I must admit, the idea of this condition that happens all across the world inspired me. I'm starting a story in which a woman has a vision about the end of the world during a bout of sleep paralysis and her subsequent task of trying to prevent it. I don't know that I would have thought of that before coming on this trip. So...there you go.
Another thing I've been thinking about. I believe I'm finally...comfortable here. I'm not fluent in any way, shape, or form, but I feel like I know the area around me pretty well and could easily live here for a long time without many problems. Of course, this feeling seems rather odd to me when coupled with the dreams that I seem to have weekly about returning back to the States. At least my bed finally feels like MY bed (even if it is just basically a slab of wood...dang you, Clair, and making me extremely used to extreme comfort in the form of a Serta mattress! I miss it so!).
Um, and yeah. I think that's pretty much it. Oh, except for this: with the exception of Doki, Clair, Kalen, and people I talk to through Skype most of the people who read this blog STINK at sending me emails or messages! I'm serious! I ask questions, I get no response. I say, "Hey, who wants to start a band when I get back?" Nothing. Can't you tell that I want to talk with you people!? I miss you guys and love you very much, but when I don't get any kind of response, it makes me feel sad. Why you want to make me sad?!
Alright, I'm done for now. Whew, that was a lot of things despite not knowing what to say. Talk to all of you later...hopefully. *glares at those who don't talk to me* Yeah, you know who you are...
再见！
杜楷
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Adventures in Sicky Land!
So, yes, as indicated in my last blog, I was feeling sick little over half a week ago, and in an attempt to feel better, I decided to not go to class.
What I didn't realize was that that was the beginning of a many day venture in not feeling well.
I didn't go to class from last Wednesday until the end of the week, and even yesterday and today (today being Sunday, I didn't feel great. I've just been trying to sleep it off, eat some fruit, and getting as much medicine in my system as I trust in this country.
So naturally, today I actually feel pretty good all around, and guess what? Tomorrow's Monday! Which means I've tried (key word: tried) to study all day in an attempt to catch up.
Funny thing is, I'm not that nervous. I know mid-terms are coming up, and I know I'm a little behind now. But all I can say is, "Que sera, sera" and move forward.
In other news, I've decided that I will do something very big upon my return to Seattle. I'm going to start playing music again. That's right, Mr. Viola is going to pick up his instrument and start playing again. This time, though, I'm gonna do something a little bit different. I like to call it...joining a band. No orchestra (though it may be fun to do on the side), and I think I'll avoid classical for at least a little bit. I want to play music in a more indie-rock style. To that end, I think I'm also going to learn two other instruments. One is the cello, which, honestly, if I hadn't been a viola player, I most likely would have been a cellist. And the other is far more conventional rock: the bass guitar.
So I'm going to be on the lookout for music stores (both selling and rental, depending on prices) for instruments, and teachers to help me learn to play the new instruments/learn to play the viola better. I also want to start figuring out how to create music. Maybe I should just be a lyricist...but no. This is about pushing my boundaries a bit.
Anyway, if anyone has any thoughts on any of this, please comment or email me with your info. I might also look into picking up an erhu while in China...that would be a very unique sound for a rock band...
再见！
杜楷
What I didn't realize was that that was the beginning of a many day venture in not feeling well.
I didn't go to class from last Wednesday until the end of the week, and even yesterday and today (today being Sunday, I didn't feel great. I've just been trying to sleep it off, eat some fruit, and getting as much medicine in my system as I trust in this country.
So naturally, today I actually feel pretty good all around, and guess what? Tomorrow's Monday! Which means I've tried (key word: tried) to study all day in an attempt to catch up.
Funny thing is, I'm not that nervous. I know mid-terms are coming up, and I know I'm a little behind now. But all I can say is, "Que sera, sera" and move forward.
In other news, I've decided that I will do something very big upon my return to Seattle. I'm going to start playing music again. That's right, Mr. Viola is going to pick up his instrument and start playing again. This time, though, I'm gonna do something a little bit different. I like to call it...joining a band. No orchestra (though it may be fun to do on the side), and I think I'll avoid classical for at least a little bit. I want to play music in a more indie-rock style. To that end, I think I'm also going to learn two other instruments. One is the cello, which, honestly, if I hadn't been a viola player, I most likely would have been a cellist. And the other is far more conventional rock: the bass guitar.
So I'm going to be on the lookout for music stores (both selling and rental, depending on prices) for instruments, and teachers to help me learn to play the new instruments/learn to play the viola better. I also want to start figuring out how to create music. Maybe I should just be a lyricist...but no. This is about pushing my boundaries a bit.
Anyway, if anyone has any thoughts on any of this, please comment or email me with your info. I might also look into picking up an erhu while in China...that would be a very unique sound for a rock band...
再见！
杜楷
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
"Like a big black shiny bug"
Note to the two of you who will get the reference in the title of this blog: Hi Keith! Hi Mom! If any others get it, more power to you, but I'm not expecting it, so no worries.
Today, I felt sick when I woke up. The worst part is, there were so many SIGNS that I was getting sick that if I'd just paid attention to them, I could have attacked the illness before it got its hooks in me. I won't divulge what those signs were to the general populous for the sake of your own health, but needless to say, I feel really stupid. I think since I can't really buy a whole lot of medicine here (or if I can, I don't know how to go about it), I'm going to take tomorrow off from school. I need to take care of myself first and foremost. 'Sides, I learned the lesson last year that if I don't take some mental days when I can, I go nuts.
Yeah, I'm starting to feel like I don't want to be here again. I can't help it; after the week in Shanghai, I really just want to go cruise around China instead of being stuck in Suzhou five days a week, trying to study off and on, getting more and more sick. I suppose part of that is I didn't really get a summer vacation this year, so the time off made me a little wander-lustful. Of course, it could also be that I'm getting SICK, so...y'know. It just stinks that in my mind, I'm always counting down the days until my return. I should be enjoying this time, shouldn't I? I don't know anymore. I mean, I really don't know. Why did I come on this trip? Gah!
I need to start doing more things that require the use of my mind. Like writing. Dear me, do I still call myself a writer? I haven't written anything besides what's on this blog for the last year or so. What's wrong with me? Grr...anger at self time...
There are certain things I miss. I miss having my old roomie Matthew and his never-ending supply of awesome music at hand. Matthew, if you read this, can we start a band when I get back? I'm serious. I'll rent a viola (or cello: I'm thinking of learning how to play that as well) if I have to; I want to play music again. Coran and Clair, you guys are great. Thanks for everything including finding the place that I can call home when I get back from China. I miss my oddly shaped apartment and room. My IMAX friends, miss you guys as well. CAC staff, I really miss you, especially since I know I won't be working there again when I get back. My family, though that goes without saying on here, since they should know from our conversations and email correspondence. All my SU friends and other, non-college friends. Seattle, I REALLY miss you. You'll still have a place for me when I get back, right?
I should go get some sleep. I'm not going to class tomorrow, I've already made my decision. I can miss one day; it won't kill me.
我想家
再见
杜楷
Today, I felt sick when I woke up. The worst part is, there were so many SIGNS that I was getting sick that if I'd just paid attention to them, I could have attacked the illness before it got its hooks in me. I won't divulge what those signs were to the general populous for the sake of your own health, but needless to say, I feel really stupid. I think since I can't really buy a whole lot of medicine here (or if I can, I don't know how to go about it), I'm going to take tomorrow off from school. I need to take care of myself first and foremost. 'Sides, I learned the lesson last year that if I don't take some mental days when I can, I go nuts.
Yeah, I'm starting to feel like I don't want to be here again. I can't help it; after the week in Shanghai, I really just want to go cruise around China instead of being stuck in Suzhou five days a week, trying to study off and on, getting more and more sick. I suppose part of that is I didn't really get a summer vacation this year, so the time off made me a little wander-lustful. Of course, it could also be that I'm getting SICK, so...y'know. It just stinks that in my mind, I'm always counting down the days until my return. I should be enjoying this time, shouldn't I? I don't know anymore. I mean, I really don't know. Why did I come on this trip? Gah!
I need to start doing more things that require the use of my mind. Like writing. Dear me, do I still call myself a writer? I haven't written anything besides what's on this blog for the last year or so. What's wrong with me? Grr...anger at self time...
There are certain things I miss. I miss having my old roomie Matthew and his never-ending supply of awesome music at hand. Matthew, if you read this, can we start a band when I get back? I'm serious. I'll rent a viola (or cello: I'm thinking of learning how to play that as well) if I have to; I want to play music again. Coran and Clair, you guys are great. Thanks for everything including finding the place that I can call home when I get back from China. I miss my oddly shaped apartment and room. My IMAX friends, miss you guys as well. CAC staff, I really miss you, especially since I know I won't be working there again when I get back. My family, though that goes without saying on here, since they should know from our conversations and email correspondence. All my SU friends and other, non-college friends. Seattle, I REALLY miss you. You'll still have a place for me when I get back, right?
I should go get some sleep. I'm not going to class tomorrow, I've already made my decision. I can miss one day; it won't kill me.
我想家
再见
杜楷
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Week in Shanghai
Wow...okay, so, I don't really know what to talk about this last week because it was so CRAZY. We just got back from living it up in Shanghai for the last 5 or 6 days, and man, it was GREAT! Well, most of it was. The parts where we knew we had a hotel to crash at and were close to the Nanjing Road were awesome. The times where we walked all day trying to find "cheap" hotels (my sarcastic quotation marks are there because even staying right next to Nanjing Road, the area with the most to do and the easiest to go elsewhere was really cheap) was not so great because a) we walked literally ALL day, which caused much foot pain and b) when we did finally find such a hotel, it was out in the middle of nowhere and it had cockroaches. Yeah...that was worth it...
Again, to be honest, I don't really know what to say about this last week. We went to several different clubs, got hit on by Chinese girls, went shopping (I got some really nice clothes for very cheap!), ate at a lot of different places, saw some amazing sights, and basically, I still didn't do everything I wanted to do. I'm going back; there's no question of that. And next time, it won't be in the middle of a national holiday, so it probably will be quite a bit cheaper!
A nice couple of things that I've thought about:
-I really liked Shanghai partially because sometimes, it really felt like the US. I know, I know; I'm over here for the multi-cultural experience. But dangit, I miss home. I think I will the whole time I'm here. So it was nice to sort of feel like I was back in the US, or at least, a portion of China that could somewhat imitate parts of the US. Nanjing Road: both similar and different from New York's Times Square.
-I'm now a lot more confident in my Chinese. I don't know why; I didn't always have to use it. But I think finally being really on my own ("my own" meaning myself, Charlie, and Tyler), without a guide who spoke Chinese and could translate for me, forced me to be more outgoing, which was good!
-I like going to clubs. I thought I probably would back in the States, but I never really got the chance to go there. Shanghai clubs are fun, and I know when to stop drinking enough. I'm a responsible drinker; I knew I would be.
Okay, I think I'm done for now. I've still got to unwind for a bit.
By the way, I'm very disappointed in you people. Very few messages from you guys for me to come home to. Sheesh...way to make a guy feel unloved. Nah, just kidding! I didn't really expect to hear from a lot of people. But do give me a message every so often, alright? This goes to everyone. I want to hear how you are doing. I miss you all terribly, just so you know.
Okay, seriously, bye!
再见！
杜楷
Again, to be honest, I don't really know what to say about this last week. We went to several different clubs, got hit on by Chinese girls, went shopping (I got some really nice clothes for very cheap!), ate at a lot of different places, saw some amazing sights, and basically, I still didn't do everything I wanted to do. I'm going back; there's no question of that. And next time, it won't be in the middle of a national holiday, so it probably will be quite a bit cheaper!
A nice couple of things that I've thought about:
-I really liked Shanghai partially because sometimes, it really felt like the US. I know, I know; I'm over here for the multi-cultural experience. But dangit, I miss home. I think I will the whole time I'm here. So it was nice to sort of feel like I was back in the US, or at least, a portion of China that could somewhat imitate parts of the US. Nanjing Road: both similar and different from New York's Times Square.
-I'm now a lot more confident in my Chinese. I don't know why; I didn't always have to use it. But I think finally being really on my own ("my own" meaning myself, Charlie, and Tyler), without a guide who spoke Chinese and could translate for me, forced me to be more outgoing, which was good!
-I like going to clubs. I thought I probably would back in the States, but I never really got the chance to go there. Shanghai clubs are fun, and I know when to stop drinking enough. I'm a responsible drinker; I knew I would be.
Okay, I think I'm done for now. I've still got to unwind for a bit.
By the way, I'm very disappointed in you people. Very few messages from you guys for me to come home to. Sheesh...way to make a guy feel unloved. Nah, just kidding! I didn't really expect to hear from a lot of people. But do give me a message every so often, alright? This goes to everyone. I want to hear how you are doing. I miss you all terribly, just so you know.
Okay, seriously, bye!
再见！
杜楷
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