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.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
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.
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.
---------------------------
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.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
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
----------------
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
Monday, August 4, 2008
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.)
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.)
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Goodbye USA .. at least temporarily
I am officially ABD. The paperwork was signed and stamped on Tuesday. (For those of you who don't know what that means, I just have one major requirement left and my research proposal has been approved.) I have to wait a minimum of 9 months for the conferral of my degree from today. There is a slight hang up with my dissertation committee but it's out of my hands.
Beginning June 10, I will leave the USA for home. En route, I will be stopping by Hong Kong to cross over to Guangdong province. I will meet my father's relatives for the first time in the city of Zhongshan (Sun Yat Sen's birthplace). I will return to Malaysia after this short trip and be there for a couple weeks, until I head for Bangkok, Thailand. I am joining Chi Alpha ministries on a missions trip there, teaching English and working with their campus ministry. I will be in Kampar, my hometown after that until I leave for Beijing.
I will be studying abroad as part of the University of Alabama China Study Abroad in Beijing. I will arrive just as the Olympics is ending :( but may be able to catch some of the festivities in the city. I will be there as a language student and not as a music student. I will be able to do some research in Beijing and hopefully be able to connect with the faculty & students at the Central Conservatory in Beijing. I do speak Mandarin when forced and am pleasantly surprised that I remember quite a few characters. I have been reading travel phrasebooks and elementary Chinese books these few days.
I am packing up my one bedroom.. how can one person accumulate so much? So if you're interested in size 6P, you should holler! There is a chance I may be applying for a job for the spring of 09. Depending on what works out, I may or may not be physically present at UA in the spring. I am still planning on graduating by May 2009 pending my last recital and the document.
In the meantime, I'm packing, practicing, ripping music & scanning documents to my laptop. I'm actually excited about spending 6 months in Asia. I will keep you all posted on my adventures over there.
Beginning June 10, I will leave the USA for home. En route, I will be stopping by Hong Kong to cross over to Guangdong province. I will meet my father's relatives for the first time in the city of Zhongshan (Sun Yat Sen's birthplace). I will return to Malaysia after this short trip and be there for a couple weeks, until I head for Bangkok, Thailand. I am joining Chi Alpha ministries on a missions trip there, teaching English and working with their campus ministry. I will be in Kampar, my hometown after that until I leave for Beijing.
I will be studying abroad as part of the University of Alabama China Study Abroad in Beijing. I will arrive just as the Olympics is ending :( but may be able to catch some of the festivities in the city. I will be there as a language student and not as a music student. I will be able to do some research in Beijing and hopefully be able to connect with the faculty & students at the Central Conservatory in Beijing. I do speak Mandarin when forced and am pleasantly surprised that I remember quite a few characters. I have been reading travel phrasebooks and elementary Chinese books these few days.
I am packing up my one bedroom.. how can one person accumulate so much? So if you're interested in size 6P, you should holler! There is a chance I may be applying for a job for the spring of 09. Depending on what works out, I may or may not be physically present at UA in the spring. I am still planning on graduating by May 2009 pending my last recital and the document.
In the meantime, I'm packing, practicing, ripping music & scanning documents to my laptop. I'm actually excited about spending 6 months in Asia. I will keep you all posted on my adventures over there.
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