A Look Back

When trying to describe my experience in China to friends and family back home I am often at a loss for words. There is no good way for me to fully put the incredible experience I had into words for others to understand. I think even when I was there I didn't fully grasp everything that was going on and all that I was seeing and doing.

When we first landed in Beijing I was overwhelmed by the language barrier and not being able to communicate with people could get really frustrating. By the end I was much more used to not being able to understand the people Chinese all around me. I also got used to looking at the signs and not being able to read them but instead having to figure out what they meant by the pictures next to them, I am still getting used to being able to read the sings again back in America.

The biggest part of our trip, our time in Shandong, was probably where I saw the most transition within myself. It was during this time that I felt myself become a little more relaxed within the foreign situation I was in and become more comfortable with not really being able to communicate with the locals. I also got really lucky with a great partner that did everything she could to make me feel comfortable and welcome within the situation. As we would walk through campus she would tell me facts about the places we had or would be visiting or would ask about things here in Oregon and compare them to her life in Shandong or tell me things about her life that might be the same or much different than my life back in the states. Our final project turned out great. We really came together once we had a solid plan and knew what we had to get done.

The amount of free time that we had in Shanghai was very nice and much appreciated. At this point I knew more of the things I wanted to see and felt much more comfortable getting around on my own than I did in Beijing. (During our free time in Beijing I always feared getting incredible lost and having no way of communicating where I needed to go to get back to the hostel and was very nervouse within the society.) By the time we were in Shanghai I also knew the other students on our trip much better and felt more confident in the things they knew around China as well as my own. The friends I made while we were in China are people I will never forget, the Chinese students as well as the other U of O students. The things we overcame and experienced will stay with me forever.

I have also recently come to accept that it is ok that I cannot fully describe my time in China to others and that the best description I can give is that it was unlike anything I have ever experienced and that this once in a lifetime trip was worth the hardships that it presented along the way.

Day Fourteen, Fifteen, Sixteen, Seventeen, Eighteen, & Ninteen

On day 14 we went to a festival/performance for the opening of the town, I think. I don't know if that makes sense but I think I remember someone saying that's what it was for. We were the only Americans there and as we walked to our seats every head turned to look at us. The whole thing was certainly an experience and we saw some local celebrities perform. We then walked through the "first city under heaven" and went to a sesame cookie factory. They gave each of us a big bag of the cookies as a souvenir. For the second half of the day we were at the new campus finishing up our projects. Jang and I sewed some cloud designs onto our map to make it flow better. The finished product looked great.

Day 15 was our last day in Shandong. We went to the new campus early to get everything done before the exhibition. We spent a good amount of time in the gallery space organizing and installing the show. Before the exhibition opening we had to honor of meeting the president of the school. President Pan. He gave each of us a gold coin with the schools logo on it. For the opening several important people made speeches, including a student from our group and the Chinese students. About 8 people cut the ribbon and then the exhibition was officially open. After taking many photos with the Chinese students and saying our last goodbyes we got on the bus to go back to our dorms to pack. It was sadder than I thought it would be leaving our partners. They were all wonderful and the experience of all working together was amazing. We had one last fancy dinner with some of the staff from the Shandong University of Art and Design before getting on an overnight train to Shanghai. We had first class sleeper cars, 4 to room. Braeden, Sam, Stan and I all shared a cabin.

When we were woken up on the train at 5:30am it was day 16. We went straight to the hotel and had free time until 2pm. We are at a nice big hotel right in Shanghai. It is nice to have our last few days in a nice hotel. When the whole group met up we all walked to the Yu Garden shops and explored all the way to the Bund district which is all the old bank buildings. After dinner we walked around the city and saw Shanghai at night, all lit up. Many of the buildings were all it up with bright lights. It was beautiful. We went to the top of the Jinmao observatory and got a 360 degree view of the city from above.

Day 17 was spent exploring the Shanghai Art Museum and the Shanghai Biennial. At the museum i really like seeing all the old Chinese furniture. The Biennial was really neat and had a lot of cool exhibits by all different artists. Sam, Stan and I then took a taxi over to an artsy shopping area before going back to the hotel for a little time of relaxation. A group of us went to a Muslim/ Chinese restaurant for dinner and the menu was even in English.

While we are at the hotel in Shanghai we have meal tickets for breakfast every morning. They have a nice western style breakfast with eggs and bacon and hash browns, among other things. On day 18 we took a long, hot bus ride, in which the bus driver had to stop and ask for directions several times. When we got the Humble Administrator's Garden we had free time to explore the grounds. From there we went to the historical block of Su Zhou City Center. Sam, Stan and I found a nice place overlooking one of the canals for lunch and had some really good pizza. The humidity was ridiculous, I was sweating without ever really feeling hot. We met back up with the group at another garden that had a zoo and saw all the animals. We then had the choice of taking the bus back or walking around a little more and taking a train back later. I opted to go back on the bus which ended up being the better choice because the other group didn't end up getting a train back until 8:45. I went back to the Muslim/Chinese restaurant for dinner with Sam and Stephen because we knew the menu was in English and that we would be able to order without getting anything to crazy like duck heart.

Today, day 19, we had free to explore the city and work on our projects. I went to Nanjing Lu Road with Stephen and Stan. The Chines compare Nanjing Rd. to time square in New York City. It certainly looked similar to what I would imagine time square would look like. We went in some shops and got a few things before the sky got dark...and then it got darker. When the thunder started we began heading back to our hotel but were caught in torrential down poor before we got too far. Since we were about a 15 minute walk away from our hotel we decided to get a taxi back as to not get absolutely soaked with all our stuff and cameras. I used the rest of the day to work on my Shanghai project and we are going to try and all go out tonight to experience Shanghai night life. Ill let you know how that goes.

Tomorrow is our last day here in China and I am sad and excited to be going back to Eugene. This whole trip has been an amazing experience and certainly one I could have never gotten any other way.

Days Ten, Eleven, Twelve, & Thirteen

i am sorry it has been so long since i updated you on my adventures in china. 

On day 10 we took a 3 hour bus ride to a town that made many of the silk kites flown all over. They let us explore the back rooms to see how they were all made and see all the different designs. Dada, you  would have love it! they had kites in all different sizes including enormous ones that they flew in kite competitions. We then went to a print making shop and saw how they did the wood block prints and then they gave us each a chance to try it ourselves. I also at some point during the print making demonstration felt so sick. My heart started beating fast in a weird way and then i felt like i really had to throw up in a really terrible way. I didnt end up throwing up but didnt feel great for the whole ride back.

On day 11 we went to the new campus to work on our projects for a whole day. Seeing as Jang and I had our project planned out we got right to work in cutting out the eyes and drawing the map. It was a long day but we got a bunch done. I opted to take the staff bus bus back to the old campus to our dorms at 5 with a few people instead of taking leaving at 7:30 when we would have normally  left. 

Day 12 was anther whole day a the new campus to work on our projects. Jang I and spent all day cutting out the eye pictures to fit the continents. At some point we were so exhausted we just couldn't look at the eyes any longer. At that point we decided the finish it up the next time we met. We actually got a surprising amount done, the majority of the work was done by the end of the day. 

Day 13 was another outing day. We went to the first spring under heaven and explored the very large grounds on our own. several Chines people asked to take pictures with us which is always kinda funny and awkward. They get kinda excited when they see Americans and point and talk to their friends about us. We then met all our Chinese partners at Thousand Buddha Mountain. Since it was Mid  Autumn Moon Festival many parents had posted personal add banners in the park for their children, and hope to find a love match for them. The adds had no photos so all judgement was based off the peoples information. Parents walked around and read all the adds and left notes with phone numbers on the banners they liked for their kids. A few of us climbed the mountain and found a ginormouse gold buddha. It was amazing, definitely the largest buddha iv ever seen. We then all went to a KTV place, which is Karaoke. Lexis and I sang "Wanna Be" by the spice girls. I was a little nervous about singing karaoke because i am not a singer but I thought I would always regret not singing karaoke in china so i did it. We also had KFC for lunch and  it was basically the same as in the states. We went back to our dorms around 4 and chilled and worked on our personal projects.

I know the trip is almost over and I still have a few days to catch up on and I will post them soon. Love and  miss everyone!!!

Day Seven, Eight & Nine

The last time I wrote to you was about our train ride from Beijing to Jinan. The next day, day 7, we mad the first of many 40 minute bus ride from the old campus, where we are staying, to the new campus, where the students live and work. I got off the bus not really knowing what to think or feel about the very different situation I was about to be in. My partner’s name is Jang Chyo and she is 21 and an animation major. After we got to know our partners a little each pair had a chance to introduce themselves and their work to everyone. I was able to show them a digital version of my portfolio that I had posted on facebook last spring. From there we all went to lunch, and it never ceases to amazing me that they always use every last little part of the animal in the dishes. From there we got a tour of their incredible campus. They have huge labs for every possible medium including a packaging design lab! I wish the U of O had a packaging design lab. We then had about an hour to talk about a few possible ides for our partner project before going to dinner. A few of the students, including Jang, took their partners to a local shopping street for diner. We had some good Korean style noodle and then walked in and out of a few shops before it was time to go back to campus. We then, once again, boarded the bus and drove the 40 minutes back to the old campus. I was very tired and very happy to get in my bed, even though it is still a much harder mattress than I am used to.

On day 8 we took a break from the over whelming-ness of trying to come up with ideas for our partner projects and went to Qufu which is Confucius’s home. Our tour guide took us through the temples and palaces and to the cemetery where Confucius and his relatives are buried. We had lunch at a very nice restaurant that dignitaries and people very high up eat at when they go to Qufu. The food was some of the best I’ve had on the trip so far. After lunch we drove to Mt. Tai and took the gondola to the top because we didn’t have enough time to climb it. It would have been 666 stairs to the top and my legs were still hurting from the Great Wall so im glad I didn’t have to climb it. The view from the top was spectacular. I had never seen anything like it. We had a few minutes of free time and a few of us had seen some people eating what looked like soft serve ice cream and decided to try some ourselves. I was mistaken to think that it would taste like the soft serve at home because it certainly didn’t. It was a little bit icier of a texture and it tasted slightly like banana and not much else. I pawned it off on one of the boys so that it didn’t get wasted. I also found a cool shirt for my brother at the top of Mt. Tai, I think he is going to really like it. After taking the gondola back down we got back on the bus and headed back to the campus we are staying at for dinner.

Day 9 was another full day for us to work on our projects with our partners on t4eh new campus. Jang and I came up with some good ideas and decided to take many pictures of peoples eyes and make something out of them. We weren’t quite sure what we would make with them but at least we had a good base idea. After lunch we had a little time to see the student’s dorms. There are 6 people in every room, three loft beds on either side with desks underneath or a very small amount of space between the two sides of the room. From there we met the rest of the group and went to the museum on campus before going to a Chinese calligraphy lesson. After dinner we had a little free time before the bus was scheduled to leave and we all ended up playing a little basketball game with too many people. It was nice to run around a little. We then headed back to our campus at 7:30 and relaxed a little before going to bed. It was another long day but this certainly is an amazing experience.

More to come soon! love you family!

Day Four, Five & Six

I am sorry it has taken me so long to write again, but....
On the fourth day we were in China we did something a little different for breakfast. On our way to the subway we had a local breakfast from some street venders. They had many different versions of scallion panckaes. I had been keeping my eye out for these because I really like them at home as well adn knew they were a common breakfast food here. From the subway stop we did the march the Emporer would have done from the Forbidden City to the Temple of Heaven. We were out doing things all day and I was very excitedc to get in bed that night.

The fifth day of our trip was the Great Wall. Tbus ride was about 3 hours and parts of the road were very windy. I got a little car sick, and lucky the windows slid open because I had to throw up out the window. We started at the 4th tour and ended at the 30th tour. Everyone hiked at their own pace and I did most of the hike with Stan, as he was nice enough to wait for me when I needed a break. There were old ladies trying to sell things to tourists at every point on teh Great Wall. The wall would go very steep down and then we would have to hike even steeper up. There were SO many stairs! But I did it and I am glad I had teh opportunity to do it. Even though we were very tired when we got back a few of us decided to explore a bar district for a night out in Beijing. We found a great bar witha very funny band and it was lots of fun.

The sixth day was travel day, we took the train to Jinan in the Shandong Province. We were greated by a few students and administrators from the school and they even had a big banner to take our picture with. After getting to the old campus of the Shandong School of Art and Design, which is where we are staying, we had a hug feast with the VP and a few faculty from the school at a restaraunt down the street. The food seemed to never end. We sat at the largest round table I've ever seen and more and moer plates kept being out in front of us. Some of the dishes I didn't even dare to try but there were plenty that were deliciouse.

I am sorry I haven't posted any pictures, there is no wireless network on the campus so I have no way of uploading my pictures to the internet but hopefully soon I will post again soon!

Days One, Two, & Three

Day 1: Travel Day

When we left Eugene it was Monday morning and when we landed in Beijing it was Tuesday afternoon. The 12 hour plane ride was an adventure. There was a baby in front of me and a baby behind me, they cried for a little and then I was able to block them out. On the plane with us was the US Paraolympic team. When we landed it was hotter than I expected but we went straight to the hostel so it worked out. For dinner we all walked around the corner and had our first real Chinese meal. It was a dumpling feast with so much food that we had to take a bunch home for breakfast the next day. The hostel is a traditional Chinese house with a central courtyard and even a kitty. The beds are extremely firm but I have been so tired at night that it hasn't even mattered.

Day 2

Our first full day in Beijing was jammed packed with activities, Ying had hired 2 buses to take us around. To start the trip off right Sam and I explored the surrounding streets a little to find a local breakfast. We had dumplings and a fried dough thing, it was all very good. Our first stop of the day was a series of art galleries that doesn't usually see tourists. From there we went to the 798 art district and explored the many galleries and little shops it had to offer. Among many other wonderful things we found a gallery with two original Any Warhol's and a Chuck Close, it was nice to find artists that we could recognize. We then went to the Central Academy of Art and met with the professor that headed the design team that was responsible for the design of the Olympic medals. We then went back to them790 art district to explore a little more before going to the Professors studio to meet with a few of his designers. He had an amazing work space the he designed himself and he had a pet peacock and a dog. They then took us all out to dinner. Because they were going to take care of the bill they ordered all the food. We had know idea how much or what kind of food was coming until it was on our table. I have never seen that many plates on a table all balancing on each other as they piled more on.

Day 3

Today we left the hostel at 7:30 am for the second day in a row. It didn't seem that early because my body clock is still a little off. We all walked over to Jing San Park which over looks the Forbidden City. Inside the park were senior citizens doing all sorts of dances/exercises. The mountain in the park was created by when they dug a mote. All the dirt from the mote created the mountain and fulfilled the yin/yang property that the Chinese always try for. There were about 330 steps to the top where a large and mini Buddha was housed. We all met at the top and Ying taught us about the Forbidden City as we were able to get a birds eye view of it from where we were. From there we walked to the Forbidden City and dispersed to explore it's entirety. Sam and I wandered through much of it in aw of it's size and design. We were the first to arrive at our group meeting spot and, while we waited, several groups of people walking by asked it they could take a picture with us, they wanted a picture with the Americans. As more of the group gathered we took a few group photos and a crowd started to form to take picture of the crazy Americans. At some point, while were taking funny pictures with the whole group, and a very nice Chinese girl was generously acting as our photographer, a large enough group formed to watch and take pictures of us that a police man had to come over and break up the group. We then had some free time so a few of us went to a very large, incredibly overwhelming, counterfeit mall. After making a quick trip back to the hostel and grabbing a quick dinner we all went to a tea house for tea and a show. We certainly drank a lot, a lot, of tea. They just kept walking around and adding water to everyone's cup that already contained loose tea. It was another tiring day and it feels like we have been here for much more than 3 days, I can only imagine what it will feel like after 3 weeks.

We are experiencing an incredible amount of stuff and I am very excited to see what the future holds for us here in China!

The Time Has Come

It is the night before we are to start our journey to China and I am very excited. I hope I have everything I will need. I have packed and unpacked and repacked several times so I should be fully prepared. We fly out of Eugene at 6:09 to San Fransisco. We leave San Fran around 11:00 and fly straight to Shanghai. I have done an 11 hour flight to London before so I'm hoping this one, at 13 hours, won't be too bad.

I will let know how it goes!


(and I will update you on my excursions whenever possible)