April 2009 Archives
Hi Home!
Man, I miss you. I just had a long Monday (taught 6 classes) and walked home; picked up my laptop; filled a mug full of Okanagan Pinot Gris; and walked over to sit by the lakeside to write to you. It is a beautiful 20C. The skies are clear and I have another few hours of day light. The Cherry blossoms are out in full bloom now and the city seems really peaceful today. It's a great day to be alive - and more importantly - lucid enough to see, hear, smell, feel, breath - all of this.
(This is the exact thing I am looking at right now as I write home)
Not a lot really to report here. It seems like it's the same old same old lately. But a lot is about to happen so, as usual, I have a lot to look forward to. To be honest, lately I've been pretty down in the dumps. Going to the garden to eat worms... It's a combination of a lot of things; and ultimately I have a lot to be thankful for and it could all be a lot worse. So I won't burden you with my troubles - I'll put on a brave face, as usual, for the fans.
(About 5 Long Island Ice Teas later, I put on an "I'm not drunk" poker face for the camera)
A way I cope with my current state of constantly missing family and friends; being lonely; feeling stressed out; working too hard; and generally needing a break from my constant thoughts is (as I have mentioned before) listening to music. Right now Jason Mraz is playing. A few other musicians that have been keeping me sane and therefore I'd like to recommend to you are : The Cat Empire, Kathleen Edwards, Eskimo Joe, Born Ruffian, and Jose Gonzales.
(About 5 beers later.... My poker face is not so good this time)
Since I've been a bit stressed, I've been trying to think of things to do that make me happy. Sometimes I ask myself what I liked to do as a child. Reading was certainly one of those things and so I've recently made some time to read a few books (other than my Chinese Language for Foreigners textbook). I just finished 'Fermat's Last Theorem', which has opened a door to an amazing world that was previously clouded in highschool-classroom-frustration. It is a book about the history of Maths - but it is also so much more than that. I learned so much from it that I think I will do a book report in a few weeks and post it as a blog posting!
(Geeks shall inherit the earth!)
Ugh I just looked down at my arms and was reminded how old I am looking lately. 28 might be the year that I look back on as the first year of my life I started to look old. Oh well. If there is one truth in life it is that we age as time goes by - a law of life perhaps. Why fight it~ In fact, I wouldn't mind being a little less attractive every once in a while. Ha ha. Who says that! I'm sure I'll delete that later - the benefit of writing a letter home over the computer rather than with a paper and pen. (Also you don't see how horrible of a speller I am- thank you spellcheck!)
(Classic - two-beers-in-one-hand pose)
So what else~ I should probably sandwich some negatives in with some positives in order not to depress you (or I) too much. I only have a week left of classes (Spectroscopy in Chem and Radioactivity in Physics) and then it is review for a month, and then exams for 3 weeks. What's more, in a month and a half when it's all over, I'll be jet-setting to Northern China for the cycle tour of a century! Jenn, seriously, this is going to be the most amazing 3 weeks of our lives. From this I'll maintain a state of ecstasy on route to a whirlwind tour of the Maritimes and then a visit to my Gran in Toronto before heading back to China for another go.
Well, that's the plan for now - but you know me.
Nope, I don't plan to head to B.C. as of now. You'll just have to come see me!
(I had the pleasure of hosting some friends from Suzhou recently where I introduced them to some local delicacies as well as local Wuhan sites - I miss you May and AP!)
FYI and in case you were wondering, China is still China.
Sigh~
Too many people; smoke every where; amazing culture and history; great friends and lots of travel; constant staring; constant littering; Shangbalao central! Loving it BUT I am feeling restless lately and can't figure out why.
(A surprise around every corner - I never get tired of that!)
I'm Definitely missing something in my life, and have found myself thinking a lot about really wanting a new challenge of sorts.
I feel as though it should be in the form of a family. But something tells me maybe I'm still not ready for that. In larger part because I still pity anyone who tells me they are getting married or having a child. Maybe I should wait until my mind changes about that before I go and do something I wouldn't even condone another person to do.
(Wow, it is hard to please a girl like me - I even had my own version of Kobe recently and was bored to tears with him - WTF~ PS: this is a new Orang Orang shirt that is for sale now and is part of the Winter 2009 collection.)
Oh, this reminds me of a movie I just watched recently (Vicky blah blah Barcelona) in which my favorite actress, Scarlette Johannsen (would have her babies in a second), stars as a platinum blond bombshell living MY life. It inspired me to go blond again, and also reminded me that life is a journey and there is no right path or ultimate thing we need to attain. And this is different for everyone. It has to be.
Like she says in the movie (and I have heard myself say over and over)
"I don't know what I want - but I do know what I don't want."
Guess I'll just keep going with that one for a while.
(Why can't all men be like you, Didi~)
This brings me to the topic of men. Why~ Why oh why does this have to be so difficult~
As if life isn't hard already - half the population has to be comprised of lying assholes who only care about themselves. Ugh!
This life has not been easy on me when it comes to this topic.
Two things: yes I do it to myself; and yes, it just keeps getting worse.
My mum once told me that you're not stupid for making a mistake. But you are stupid if you make that mistake again.
Um, I am an idiot.... Alas, I will leave it at that. One day, the right prince charming will come along and sweep all of these bad memories and experiences under the bed and I will be whisked off to a land of love, trust and respect.
The good news is I still partially believe in that fantasy, so it can't be all that bad.
(I love China)
Last but certainly not least, The Orang Orang Project is keeping me busy - and partially insane. We are building such an amazing thing and I really can't say enough about how fortunate I feel to be a part of it. So far we not only have an amazing group of women on Bali Island but are slowly building a team of young, brilliant, beautiful women all over the world to build this vision and project with us. How cool! I really want to quit my job and dedicate all my time and energy to this but the realities of the real world (money) requires that I teach Chemistry to fund the project for now - though I have a feeling that'll be all part of the value of the story later on.
Man, I miss you. I just had a long Monday (taught 6 classes) and walked home; picked up my laptop; filled a mug full of Okanagan Pinot Gris; and walked over to sit by the lakeside to write to you. It is a beautiful 20C. The skies are clear and I have another few hours of day light. The Cherry blossoms are out in full bloom now and the city seems really peaceful today. It's a great day to be alive - and more importantly - lucid enough to see, hear, smell, feel, breath - all of this.
(This is the exact thing I am looking at right now as I write home)Not a lot really to report here. It seems like it's the same old same old lately. But a lot is about to happen so, as usual, I have a lot to look forward to. To be honest, lately I've been pretty down in the dumps. Going to the garden to eat worms... It's a combination of a lot of things; and ultimately I have a lot to be thankful for and it could all be a lot worse. So I won't burden you with my troubles - I'll put on a brave face, as usual, for the fans.
(About 5 Long Island Ice Teas later, I put on an "I'm not drunk" poker face for the camera) A way I cope with my current state of constantly missing family and friends; being lonely; feeling stressed out; working too hard; and generally needing a break from my constant thoughts is (as I have mentioned before) listening to music. Right now Jason Mraz is playing. A few other musicians that have been keeping me sane and therefore I'd like to recommend to you are : The Cat Empire, Kathleen Edwards, Eskimo Joe, Born Ruffian, and Jose Gonzales.
(About 5 beers later.... My poker face is not so good this time)Since I've been a bit stressed, I've been trying to think of things to do that make me happy. Sometimes I ask myself what I liked to do as a child. Reading was certainly one of those things and so I've recently made some time to read a few books (other than my Chinese Language for Foreigners textbook). I just finished 'Fermat's Last Theorem', which has opened a door to an amazing world that was previously clouded in highschool-classroom-frustration. It is a book about the history of Maths - but it is also so much more than that. I learned so much from it that I think I will do a book report in a few weeks and post it as a blog posting!
(Geeks shall inherit the earth!)Ugh I just looked down at my arms and was reminded how old I am looking lately. 28 might be the year that I look back on as the first year of my life I started to look old. Oh well. If there is one truth in life it is that we age as time goes by - a law of life perhaps. Why fight it~ In fact, I wouldn't mind being a little less attractive every once in a while. Ha ha. Who says that! I'm sure I'll delete that later - the benefit of writing a letter home over the computer rather than with a paper and pen. (Also you don't see how horrible of a speller I am- thank you spellcheck!)
(Classic - two-beers-in-one-hand pose)So what else~ I should probably sandwich some negatives in with some positives in order not to depress you (or I) too much. I only have a week left of classes (Spectroscopy in Chem and Radioactivity in Physics) and then it is review for a month, and then exams for 3 weeks. What's more, in a month and a half when it's all over, I'll be jet-setting to Northern China for the cycle tour of a century! Jenn, seriously, this is going to be the most amazing 3 weeks of our lives. From this I'll maintain a state of ecstasy on route to a whirlwind tour of the Maritimes and then a visit to my Gran in Toronto before heading back to China for another go.
Well, that's the plan for now - but you know me.
Nope, I don't plan to head to B.C. as of now. You'll just have to come see me!
(I had the pleasure of hosting some friends from Suzhou recently where I introduced them to some local delicacies as well as local Wuhan sites - I miss you May and AP!)FYI and in case you were wondering, China is still China.
Sigh~
Too many people; smoke every where; amazing culture and history; great friends and lots of travel; constant staring; constant littering; Shangbalao central! Loving it BUT I am feeling restless lately and can't figure out why.
(A surprise around every corner - I never get tired of that!)I'm Definitely missing something in my life, and have found myself thinking a lot about really wanting a new challenge of sorts.
I feel as though it should be in the form of a family. But something tells me maybe I'm still not ready for that. In larger part because I still pity anyone who tells me they are getting married or having a child. Maybe I should wait until my mind changes about that before I go and do something I wouldn't even condone another person to do.
(Wow, it is hard to please a girl like me - I even had my own version of Kobe recently and was bored to tears with him - WTF~ PS: this is a new Orang Orang shirt that is for sale now and is part of the Winter 2009 collection.)Oh, this reminds me of a movie I just watched recently (Vicky blah blah Barcelona) in which my favorite actress, Scarlette Johannsen (would have her babies in a second), stars as a platinum blond bombshell living MY life. It inspired me to go blond again, and also reminded me that life is a journey and there is no right path or ultimate thing we need to attain. And this is different for everyone. It has to be.
Like she says in the movie (and I have heard myself say over and over)
"I don't know what I want - but I do know what I don't want."
Guess I'll just keep going with that one for a while.
(Why can't all men be like you, Didi~)This brings me to the topic of men. Why~ Why oh why does this have to be so difficult~
As if life isn't hard already - half the population has to be comprised of lying assholes who only care about themselves. Ugh!
This life has not been easy on me when it comes to this topic.
Two things: yes I do it to myself; and yes, it just keeps getting worse.
My mum once told me that you're not stupid for making a mistake. But you are stupid if you make that mistake again.
Um, I am an idiot.... Alas, I will leave it at that. One day, the right prince charming will come along and sweep all of these bad memories and experiences under the bed and I will be whisked off to a land of love, trust and respect.
The good news is I still partially believe in that fantasy, so it can't be all that bad.
(If May can find AP, I can find someone - anyone!~!@#$@!~ I just want someone to have fun with and explore this wonderful world and life together with me - is that too much to ask~)
Ok, gotta sandwich in another good thing now, eh?
Well there is no doubt I am fully addicted to and loving learning Chinese. Although now I can hear people slag me - but I can also slag them back! Like the Taxi driver who told me my Chinese sucked and I was like "oh really, my Chinese sucks? Yeah, well your Chinese sucks AND you're a shitty driver!" He was silent for the rest of the ride.
One point for the white girl! But I am getting tired of the constant comments about how good my Chinese is.
Like, because I have white skin and round eyes I can't possibly be able to use chopsticks or speak their language!??!?! Get over it already!
Imagine if I worked at a bar in Victoria and a Chinese-decent-fourth-generation-Canadian came in and ordered a drink and I said "Oh, wow, your English is so good!" Obviously it would never happen. Talk about an ignorant bunch of hicks we've got over here- but give it a generation and the entire world will speak Chinese, so it'll all just be a distant memory. One day day I'll tell my (undoubtedly one quarter to one half Chinese decent) grandchildren about how it was strange for a white person to speak Chinese back when I was young.
(I love China)Last but certainly not least, The Orang Orang Project is keeping me busy - and partially insane. We are building such an amazing thing and I really can't say enough about how fortunate I feel to be a part of it. So far we not only have an amazing group of women on Bali Island but are slowly building a team of young, brilliant, beautiful women all over the world to build this vision and project with us. How cool! I really want to quit my job and dedicate all my time and energy to this but the realities of the real world (money) requires that I teach Chemistry to fund the project for now - though I have a feeling that'll be all part of the value of the story later on.
(Have I mentioned lately how much I love the beauty in simplicity~)
Well, with that, my wine is done. The sun is going down. And if this were on paper, I'm sure I'd have run out long ago.
Again, I miss you, Home!
Please write soon (address above) and give yourself a big hug, kiss, and lots of love from China.
XOXOXO Lindy-Loo
First, thank you, Witch, so much for giving me the opportunity to write this blog.
By the way, Witch, which refers to Linda. That's her nickname from me. 之所以起这个名字是因为她挺聪明的而且总能猜懂别人心思，象有魔法一样. 加之她经常笑我年纪太小象小孩，我就干脆叫她老巫婆
I am a hick, xiang ba lao in Chinese. My name is Chandler and I am Linda's friend in Wuhan. It's such a wonder that I can be friends with Linda - because I was born in China, grew up in China - I am from a completely different cultural background and I think the only thing we share in common is that both of us love beer, and love laughing. 文化背景不一样，所以我们之间有点小吵小闹也满正常的. 还有就是 我觉的一个女生单独一人在国外挺需要勇气和智慧的，所以说在这一点上我挺佩服她的.
Well this is my brief introduction. I hope Linda's father (who I think looks like Dustin Hoffman) her brother, Ryan (who started traveling earlier than Linda which inspired her to travel) and Sister Bonnie (who has a beautiful jazz voice) as well as all her other friends; can begin to know me from this blog and what I am going to say. 经常听她提起她的家人和国内外的朋友 每当她想念你们的时候，真实体会到在外漂流的人的心酸，我也真是 爱莫能助
Last weekend, Linda and I traveled to Fuzhou, Quangzhou and Xiamen for 3 days.
Frankly, I had my best two days in my life on that trip - in my 21 years of life.
It was amazing. I will never forget it.
The first stop was Fuzhou. The first amazing person we met on our first stop in Fuzhou was an old man who had lived in Vancouver for several years. He said we look alike! And he believed us when I told him we are sister and brother. BTW, Linda's nickname for me is DiDi, which means little brother. 老人家说我们俩都是圆脸，有点相像. 我比对一下照片，觉得也太夸张了吧
I had been so excited all week for the trip. It was going to be my first time to see the sea.!! There is a beautiful beach in Quangzhou, and we arrived there on our second evening. Here, I did the coolest thing in my life. As soon as I saw the sea, I peed in it. Later, Linda admitted to peeing in it too. We are brother and sister!
Also, from this trip I learned a lot.
For example, Linda helped me to realize that I am an only child. Linda gave me this lesson when I finished the last sip of the water in our bottle without asking her first if she wanted it.
And I would like to call this picture "The only child always wants everybody's attention". Thanks for the lessons, big sis!
As we traveled by the sea, Linda gave me an opportunity to decide what we would do on our last full day.
I have to say, I did make a brave choice.
I decided we should go to a place. A place that we found out only during the boat ride there, was not even on the map. As we disembarked onto the island in the middle of nowhere, we soon realized it was a poor choice.
What a boring Island. However, I really enjoyed the process of getting there on the ghetto motor boat as well as returning. And Linda enjoyed being an explorer
Among many other firsts, this was my first motor boat ride. Look,I was yelling, 'I am the king of the world!!!' But it was these words that brought the security guard, since he heard me too. And he came to remove me from the boat.
PS, the Witch bought me this shirt -and this hat -Now I really miss the sea, and the beach, and the fresh air. Seeing is believing.
Now I realize how sucky the environment in Wuhan is. But anyway, it's my home town. I have a special bond with it.
Just like Ryan's first trip to Australia inspired Linda to get out and travel, I believe I will travel more places in the future.
Another great lesson Linda gave me while we were in Xiamen was: ' you are only young only once - but can be rich whenever.'
Like Linda says, traveling IS addictive.
真的感谢梅如，这次旅行让我真正意识到旅游不是挥霍或游乐，而是学习. 旅游中的所见所闻所领悟的，有些是在大学课堂上学习不到的. 不过不慌，我想我的环球之旅才刚刚开始. . . . . .
