Beijing Olympics 2008

Yes, it was great to be at an Olympic venue and see the Bird's Nest with the Olympic flame burning. It was a crazy day and it was really hot when we went to the Olympic Village. We managed to walk around the area close to the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube. Having two blondes and a bunch of American guys walking around the area caught the attention of the majority Chinese crowd.

Needless to say, we were mobbed (or they were) for photos and such. It was really humorous. At one point, I suggested we walk ten across down the street so people could take all the pictures they wanted without them pulling one or a few of us aside for pics. I felt like we had the paparazzi after us. Everytime we stopped to take a group photo with one of our cameras, we would find a crowd of other cameras taking pictures of us. I would love to see some of our pictures taken by other people. These were random strangers. So funny, I laughed so hard.... (well, I didn't feel too left out. I'm Chinese, not considered as special but I had a great time watching the spectacle and translating when needed.)



When we stopped for a break, someone offered to braid the hair of one of the girls. That was pretty amazing as the lady did a fairly complicated updo, but it was awesome. There were lots of people trying to sell us imitation Olympic souvenirs. We had to turn many of them down. Then there was a man who looked like he was trying to sell us a button and each one of us said no. I was the last one he spoke too and he said, "I'm giving this to you for free. Take it. I'm not selling anything." He was a little frustrated and we were sad we turned him down. He was trying to be nice to the foreigners.

After a lunch of Beijing jiaozi, we tried to reenter the place but the police had already cordoned it off. We walked through a park and found a vantage point to see the Olympic flame. We found a kid there who was catching little frogs (some of them were still tadpoles). He had about 20 stuffed in a water bottle. It was fun convincing him to put some of it back into the pond.

Later that evening, the brave few went out with me to try to see the fireworks live. It was both exciting and frustrating at the same time. The places where we were in the morning were cordoned off by the police. We couldn't understand why some things were blocked, and then the next second it wasn't. When we found a spot, the fireworks were already going off in the distance. I sprained my ankle trying to secure a spot on a hill slope. We also couldn't get back to the subway station we arrived at and thankfully we found some Olympic volunteers who walked with us to the next nearest subway station. It was a fun day but really really tiring. It was worth it catching some Olympic action live.

Watching the Olympic Men's Marathon Final

This was on Aug 26 as well, the last day of the Olympics. We set out early morning at around 7:20 am to get out to the main street past our campus. We had heard that the men's marathon route would pass by our university. There were just four of us (three guys and I) cos the others bailed out at the last minute.

We walked across Zhongguancun street and found a spot close to an intersection. My friends were obviously the foreigners cos there were no Caucasians around. One of my friends wore a USA shirt. We drew lots of attention wanted or not. The police and security had their eyes on us the whole time.

When we parked ourselves at the fence, a friendly policeman came over and asked us quite a few questions. It was a friendly chat, but an interrogation nonetheless. How many of us? Where we live? Why we are here? We answered those, but few minutes later they were repeated. I told him there are more but they are sleeping. He said in English, "Lazy bums, your friends!". We laughed.

We also got interviewed by BTV. It was so funny... when my friend has the video up, I'll post the link. I had to play the interpreter and I'm embarrassed. I think I translated about half of the questions and answers. LOL so much for being huaqiao (overseas Chinese). Another funny thing happened.. a policeman fell when closing off the street. One of the metal cordons fell on him... hahah, he laughed too!

There was an older man next to us who was saving two spots for his elderly parents. He was a real interesting fella. The crowd started gathering at around 8:15am and of course, there was a lot of pushing and shoving. One lady kept shoving us, elbowing her way and I wasn't about to give in. This man all of a sudden gave her a mouthful, basically telling her off and that we have been here for an hour... if she wanted a good spot, she should have been here early.. she was giving a real bad impression to foreigners.. and that I was being a good friend for bringing them here to see the Olympics... that when the runners come, we'll surely make room for her to see them. WHOA!!! I pretended not to understand a word.




I was pretty surprised the crowd was very quiet when the runners came by. Of course the Kenyans, Jamaicans were in the first group. They cheered the CHinese runners of course. When the US runner came by, I yelled "Go USA" so loud I think I shocked myself and the people around me. My friend yelled "Jia you mei guo (Add gas, USA)" and the giggly girls around him laughed. The same man was trying to rouse the crowd and he almost succeeded until a Japanese runner came by. I was clapping at that point but bowing to peer/crowd/Chinese nationality pressure, I stopped. It was a very obvious silence. I felt very sorry for the Japanese runner. The Belarusian runner almost dropped out of the race and started walking towards the cordon. The crowd cheered him on and he picked up his feet and kept going. That was encouraging to see. The last two runners in the race received the most cheers.

Later my friends decided it would be really cool to get China flags. I had them go up to ask the Olympic officials for the flags. It was so amazing. They just handed them over and the Chinese people were snapping pictures of this whole process. I mean I felt like we had some paparazzi following us. IT was a fun morning and we decided to go to the Bird's Nest asap.

Shopping Overload ARGH!!!!

This may seem really strange coming from me. I finally had shopping overload today and it only took one hour. I have never been bombarded with so many store, such a huge selection and amazing variety but also similar in a sense. I never thought I could get shopping overload until today.

I have to live like a local here as I'm on a tight budget so I set out to find the closest cheapest clothing wholesale market around. I just basically googled the area searching for "Cheap clothes Haidian District" and found out there were some markets near the Beijing Zoo. The zoo is about 4 bus stops away from here. I jaunted out yesterday morning when it was rainy and found Tianle market right next to the Beijing Planetarium. I managed to get some clothes there for around 15 yuan a piece. I thought I had hit the jackpot there and told the rest of the gang about it. They wanted to go back so I decided to do some more investigative work and found out I had actually missed the BIG one.

I dropped them off at Tianle this afternoon and went in search of the Zoo Wholesale Market (Dongwuyuan Fuzhuang Sichang). It happened to be just a block away above the bus depot. So we went over there as Tianle was closing. When we got there, we had to split up.

I walked around the market/mall but it was rows and rows of shops, followed by more rows and rows. I didn't reach the end of the other side and there were several floors of shops. It was busy but not terribly busy like say Petaling Street. I was so overwhelmed I didn't buy anything except for a tank top. Totally crazy. I need to upload pictures of the place so you can get an idea. I am definitely going back for my winter coat.

Tomorrow I am going back to Tianle as it is manageable. It is a little bit more dingy and darker but the prices are still good. Most of all it is contained within a little building. Let's see whether I can find a pair of Columbia pants again. :) I am also going by the dancewear shops close by campus and buying my ballroom shoes.

Leaving for Beijing

I will leave for Beijing on Aug 22. Most of my things are packed and ready. Everything is as planned except ...

I'm still trying to iron out insurance legalities. It's no fun being an international student and I am now caught between the rules of two different university systems. It is frustrating and extremely time consuming. Makes it hard that I do not have a printer or scanner here. Makes international faxing a hassle and much more difficult.

I do not know whether blogspot is accessible from China or not. I have seen it among the list of banned websites, although blogger.com is available. This could mean I could blog but I may not be able to see my own blog when it is uploaded.
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To follow up on my previous blog, The STAR had no guts to print the letter as it is right on the nose. I have found out more stories of ragging here since the posting.

A caring Malaysia? How about ragging (hazing) then?

I have modified this post and sent it to The Star in response to the SMS post "Still raging on" Wednesday August 6, 2008.
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This "slogan" was used in Malaysia sometime ago. For the past ten years, I return to Malaysia every summer and unfortunately, I have not seen great changes in the society towards this goal. I believe the formative years of students are of great importance in nation building and instilling values. The late teen years and early 20s are still crucial years, in which a former child takes on the adult world. He leaves his parents and his character takes further shape. He establishes a framework for his world view and his role in society. Hence, the practice of ragging (hazing) in universities is a serious detriment to society as it perpetuates an uncivilized, uncaring society.

What exactly then is hazing? According to "stophazing.org", hazing refers to any activity expected of someone joining a group (or to maintain full status in a group) that humiliates, degrades or risks emotional and/or physical harm, regardless of the person's willingness to participate. There are varying levels and forms of hazing.

I have been fortunate to study in the USA, where new students are welcomed and treated very well. When I first went to college, I was terrified of hazing after hearing so many tales in Malaysia. I was surprised that there were seniors waiting to help us move into the dorms. They even carried our bags up to our dorm rooms, helped us register for classes and get ID cards, took us on a tour of the campus and took us shopping in town. Also, they organized fun events for us like a carnival complete with a Ferris' wheel, and also threw a banquet for us. I later found out it was a privilege for upperclassmen to be selected to help incoming students. I have since graduated from college and have been in graduate school.

In the USA, there are also laws against hazing. Now as a student president of several student organizations, I am required to sign legally binding documents that neither I nor my organization will haze incoming members. Failing which, I can be subject to disciplinary action from my university and/or legal criminal prosecution. My organization's faculty advisors are also required to report any wrongdoing. I do not need laws to keep me from doing this, I have no desire to do so. I also teach freshman students for my university and as a lecturer, I extend the same courtesy given to me before. My students know I will help them in whatever way possible.

Many student leaders say ragging is meant to toughen up the freshies and teach them to respect the seniors. Some also claim ragging in the guise of orientation is fun. I will pose a question to those planning these activities: Will you be one of the participants instead? Perhaps the activity will not be so much fun after all. Ragging or hazing, like other forms of abuse occurs mainly as a tool to control newcomers, and to show power. It is pre-meditated and planned victimization. Respect is earned and trust is also earned. How many of the abused actually grow to respect their abusers? Abuse breeds mistrust, low self-esteem, alienation and apathy, which impede the building of a caring society. Certainly we are not encouraging these in our universities, or are we?

By letting this phenomenon continue, whether officially sanctioned or not, is to let new students be victimized at a time where they are most vulnerable. This is akin to robbing a tourist who is not familiar with the surroundings, language or system. This transition from home to tertiary studies is stressful enough. It also sends a message that it is alright to prey on those who cannot fend for themselves. Furthermore, it teaches one to turn a blind eye to the needs of others and that this is also acceptable. In our Malaysian society, we see this where road accident victims are not helped but robbed, sometimes further injured and/or left to die.

Studies on abuse have shown that people who have been abused, often also turn abusive. It is in our human nature to seek revenge and punish those who have offended us. New students who have to undergo such humiliation usually wait for their turn to be seniors and continue this vicious cycle. Unfortunately, in the university setting, the original perpetrators would have graduated, leaving the next intake to bear the brunt. It takes effort and courage to forgive and put a stop to this. Authorities must put an end to this cycle, before we train more generations of students to be abusers and apathetic. The practice of ragging is intolerable in a civilized society.

For more resources, check out http://www.stophazing.org

Summer Travel in a Nutshell

1. I was in Zhongshan, Guangdong Province China for a few days.
2. I went to Bangkok, Thailand for two weeks with the Chi Alpha Team from the University of Alabama. I had a great time with the Thai university students and the team.
3. I have obtained my Chinese student visa to enter China on Aug 22. I will miss most of the Olympics but if the closing ceremony is broadcast somewhere live, I will go watch it on Aug 24.
4. I am planning to go to Singapore sometime before I leave for Beijing. :)
5. I'm mostly at home in Kampar and I do mean at home! I didn't renew my driver's license, bleh... so there we go. Hopefully I will meet up with a few more friends before I go away. Unfortunately, I will miss quite a few weddings.

In the meantime, I am keeping myself occupied by practicing piano, practicing my written Chinese and following the Malaysian political saga. The politics here are much more interesting than any soap opera I have ever heard about. (Yes, it is better than McCain v. Obama and much juicier than Clinton & Lewinsky!! The "plot" is so complicated and has so many sub-plots, a Malaysian film producer should start a tv series.)