Everything I need to know about China
I learned from Wikipedia.
And yes, Wikipedia is blocked by the Great f’n Firewall of China.
But there are ways around it. Thank goodness.
There’s just so much I should know about history and the world as it is, economically and politically that I really just don’t. Culture and life as it is now is easy for me to learn about because I love talking to people and finding out and I have the perfect setting to do it in English class where I design the discussions. But some things people assume you already know. Or, is just not cool to talk about here.
Instead of waiting for people to talk enough about it for me to gather enough information, I think I need to start reading. A lot. To make up for lost time. I have too much time on my hands here. This is perfect.
The problem is figuring out what I should read. Right now, starting from absolute scratch is confusing. Everything I read requires me to know more, so I’m linking from one Wikipedia article to another, and the more I learn, the more I realize I don’t know. Which is the way knowledge works. I’m glad that I still thrist for it.
Today has left me really wanting to go back to college.
At the same time, I can’t rely on that to learn about things. I need to start reading the newspaper. It seems there are things I need to know to get started too. A little bit of history, perhaps. Knowledge of who these people in politics are and what they do exactly. Gosh. What ignorance.
For a start, book recommendations would be great. And advice on where I can get good books on China here in China?
Here’s a list of things I want to read about:
1) Chinese history. Every last bit of it. Those dynasties that keep getting passed in conversation that I never quite understand. Confucious and LaoTze. The Opium wars, How the PRC began, the Sino-Japanese situation, the Cultural Revolution, TianAnMen Massacre, the FaLunGong, SARS.
2) Current Chinese politics and economy. I understand that it’s effed up. I just don’t know how exactly. I really don’t understand who is governing this country. I can observe the propaganda and the influence they have on the people’s opinions, and the social and economic problems that exist. But this “they” is very vague to me.
3) Because a lot of why China is what it is today is connected to a general communist movement that was global, there are other countries and figures I want to learn about. The soviet union, all those names I hear all the time, Lenin, Stalin, Marx etc, North Korea (I know NOTHING about the place) and Vietnam.
This is a start. I need to read about all this while I am interested and am in an environment where this information matters. Part of the reason I never really was interested before was because I was so far removed from it. For example, I still don’t know enough about European geography, history and the like, neither am I particularly interested at the moment because I’ve never been. Europe is completely out of my little orbit of life. I hope to change that.
So there are places I want to visit, things I want to see, but until I get my act together and do some serious overdue homework, I won’t ever really be able to appreciate those things.
While I am enjoying China for its culture and its people, I would appreciate the Forbidden City, or the Great Wall at least 100 fold. That’s what education is supposed to do, right? Create appreciation.
I think that you would love the mainland. Los Angeles would be a great place, or Portland Oregon. They are cool and nothing on the Internet is blocked.
Hi Fei, How’s th’gs? We (Shean, Jonathan & yours truly, ps.d Man works, we just do d spend’g, ha2) r com’g 2 Beijing 11-16 April. We woud b able 2 c u @ church d 16th but we coud make it sooner if u coud join us on any 1 of our day trips into d city. We r stay’g w/ d Whitakers. Told yur mum we would be c’g u, askd if we coud bring u anyth’g but pls no hippos, she replied, ‘how abt gold bars?’ THAT I’ll take & detour 2 Zurich FIRST! Miss anyth’g Malaysian (xcld’g mum, dad, bros, home) we coud bring u? Sambal, ikan bilis, durians, kaya? I only hv Monday 2 shop though. Rply b4 I leave.
[...] Little pieces of information like this can be very helpful and I think more bloggers should make it more available. Of course, there is the matter of privacy, but I love that people can get to know me without ever meeting me. I follow a blog written by Faye Min who is currently living in China. I think her writing style is fabulous, especially given her history which, unfortunately I had to dig out of her many posts. I’m not sure I even have it all right, but nonetheless, from what I can make of her, she’s pretty cool. If nothing else, I love her writing style and her honesty. [...]
Uh, Jie, that comment above sounded kinda freaky..heh. I just thought to myself, well, hopefully, the two of you never meet..I mean, what kind of person can we expect these sort of commentors to be, if he/she spends their time reading and researching you from your blog…um..just makes me curious to know why people would spend their time and energy doing such a thing. Not necessarily a bad thing…just..not something I would do I guess. Makes me nervous being reminded of the availability of access to our blogs..hmm.
Anywayz, I am just dropping a line to check on you. I know, I know, you miss me too..=)
Well, I have been thinking of you A LOT lately..just thought I’d let you know…I hope everything is alright and that you are safe in the Lord’s hands. yah..as you can tell, I REALLY miss you!!!
I love you!
..Keep Walking..
Su =)
I’m the mom so I would say what mom would say, “be careful! Not just on the internet but in real life too, sweety.”
Catch up with you soon. Leaving for the lioncity to follow-up with Docs now!
HI HUN!!!
Look I have free time! I have even blogged lately. I just wanted to drop a line to say hello and I love you and miss you. Keep learning! the thirst for knowledge is a wonderful thing to have.
Lots of E-hugs for you!
E
Comment #3 was authored by me but because it’s a trackback it is only a portion of the post I made on my blog and as such has been taken out of context just a tad. I have to admit, taken out of context as it reads as a trackback, it does sound creepy. I’m embarrassed that I made anyone feel uncomfortable and I apologize. My intent was to compliment Faye, not make her feel uncomfortable.
The truth of the matter is, Faye’s blog is public and the whole world can read it. I believe that’s her intent. If this blog is intended to be for family and friends only, then there are things she can do to make sure that only family and friends can read it. But I think her honesty about her ups and downs in life can really help people (and probably have). So I say, keep it up, Faye! But do listen to your mom’s advice. Even though I’m not a creep, there are certainly creeps who might read our blogs. We all should be careful.
Tyler
Hi Faye,
I’ve missed your blogging. How are things in China – please update. From a Sister (LDS) in the US. ~ PT ~
Well here’s Dad’s version : Dream Big, Act Bold but if it gets too frightening, just downsize the dream hehehe
Everytime I think of China I think of you. I watch documentaries on China and think of you.
You know, I miss you. ~sigh~ Lots.
Faye,
Have you given up blogging. It has been two months since your last post. Oh, well. Most things do come to an end.
Who doesn’t blog very much anymore?
Hey!
Happy early birthday, pookie pie. Love you.
J