Yellowjacketstudios » China

3 Days of Mourning

Administrator — Wed, 21 May 2008 03:38:53 +0000

Monday, May 19th, 2：28pm: Our company broadcasting system alerted us that it was time to begin. 3 minutes of silence to remember the victims of the Sichuan earthquake exactly 1 week ago. Heads bowed, I began picturing other offices where this was taking place all across the country. Meeting rooms of executives or factory workers, all pausing in their place to hold those lost in the devastation in thought.

Many are mourning the losses in different ways (newest count puts the number dead at over 40,000 with 5 million still missing…). Some of China’s largest web portals such as Sina and Baidu, have made their usually colorful pages black and white for the 3 days (if you’re quick you can still see them).

An inordinate amount of variety shows have been dedicated to the effects of the quake. If I remember correctly, I saw about 6 channels playing the same program. And the others? Well, they were live coverage of the aftermath.

One of my favorite English journals comes from the director of Care For Children, who had just gone to Sichuan to visit many of the welfare centers that have been damaged during the quake. Search for Care for Children in Facebook to find the blog.

It’s hard to say whether the quakes have subsided. A quick glance at the Earthquake Hazards Program shows that Gansu has also seen a handful of tremors, tho none over 6 on the Richter scale. Friends have already sent our requests for tents to be provided for those suddenly homeless in that region.

I think I’m going to to take a long walk now….

More pics here:

Tags: China, Earthquake, Sichuan

Sichuan Earthquake..Whatever it Takes…

Administrator — Thu, 15 May 2008 07:42:47 +0000

Picture from Sohu.com

I received a bunch of emails and FB messages over the last couple of days asking me whether I’m alright. Thankfully nothing has happened over here in Shanghai, with the exception of a few large building swaying during the Monday quake (Thank you for your concern!). Actually quite a few buildings were evacuated people, which was probably a wise thing as there’s no knowing whether there could have been aftershocks, etc.

However, not enough can be said about the Sichuan area, where rescue efforts are still underway. 7.8 on the Richter. 6.1 as one of the aftershocks. Early afternoon when everyone is in class or at work. Constant rain hampering efforts. And you must have heard about the school that collapsed on the 900 children inside.

Picture from Sohu.com
Premier WenJiaBao, a geology major, has done an amazing job mobilizing the forces to assist in the rescues and repairs. My friend commented that the Premier probably has the best game plan for this disaster: “Whatever it Takes”. Doesn’t matter what they need, food, aerial support, troops, power, they’ll get it.

A friend was teaching at my company’s Chengdu factory on that fateful Monday. Although he was fine, it took angels to get through the airport and over to Shanghai for his next leg of his journey. Said he didn’t know they actually grabbed his ticket and put him on his plane that was taking off.

It’s hard to describe the type of support people are offering their own countrymen. Donating money and resources doesn’t seem to be an effort at all, as it seems to me that the collective whole of this country understands that this is just another day in the life of China.

The Red Cross has set up channels to take donations as well as the Care for Children, as they have quite a few adopted children in that area.

If you want to take a look at a great timeline of events, Here’s a great English blog of the updates during that first day.
And more here from Shanghaiist
For Chinese news, check out Sina here.
Sohu here has some great pics as well.

Oh yes, and please keep praying.

P.S. If you have any experiences or thoughts from the incident, leave a comment…

Tags: Chengdu, China, Earthquake

May Holidays shortened, but not without its craziness…

Administrator — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:41:47 +0000

May holidays is upon us here in China again, but it’s not without its craziness. With the shortened holidays lots of people won’t be traveling as long, but it doesn’t mean they won’t be traveling. I think a lot of us here are expecting a lot of tourists to come into town and generally making the already crowded shopping and tourist areas, well, more crowded.

This May holiday will be even more interesting with the ongoing protests that many locals are supporting against France and, unfortunately, in turn, our regular French-based shopping paradise (for families), Carrefour. If you’ve read some of the latest news articles (here or here), it seems that a lot of people are planning on not shopping at Carrefour over the holidays to make their statement.

Chinese nationalism has been on the rise the last month or so, aptly timed before the Olympics and in face of resistance found during the Olympic Torch relays. Perhaps you might have also noticed in your MSN friend lists that some of your Mainland Chinese buddies now have a (heart icon) China at the beginning of their name. Yup, they’re related. For some interesting takes on the recent Chinese nationalistic movements, check out this link.

Usually the best things to do during May holidays is to hibernate in your home or to head out of the country. But this year, I will be heading out to Shenyang in a couple of days, traveling with a bunch of friends helping out with an event. Should be exciting going to a city that I’ve never been to before!

What are your plans for the holidays?

Tags: China

You know you’re more local Chinese than the local Chinese when…

Administrator — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 08:48:02 +0000

1. You jaywalk streets that locals don’t even dare to. 你干闯红灯，可是你的本地朋友们都不敢。
2. Locals call you out for spitting in public places. 本地朋友们骂你在公开的地方吐痰。
3. You crowd people so closely on the bus that other passengers ask you to stand back. 你在公交车上挤到别人要请你让点空间。

Obviously, I’m not talking about myself…
当然我不是讲关于我自己。。。

(Feel free to add others)

Tags: China, life, Shanghai

Kids these days…

Administrator — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 18:05:30 +0000

Life in Shanghai includes the excitement of new additions to my friend’s families. I used to joke around with my friends in university that our get-togethers would end earlier and earlier because we’d be spending most of our time taking care of our kids. Well, that time has arrived! However, it’s quite amazing to see how each of these kids’ personalities are so evident at such a young age.

Take for instance, the little boy on the left. Logan has probably one of the kindest hearts, caring for me especially after my tonsillectomy. In fact, he was so concerned that he began mentioning my name to his parents non-stop, everyday. I haven’t seen him since, but I still get messages from his mom saying that she gets awakened by Logan calling me. Such an adorable boy.
Dylan, on the right, is a very personable kid, loves running around and hugging people. Good of you to visit Dylan!

Probably one of my closer friends, Skylar and her baby sister Sydney, are bundles of fun. Skylar has amazing interpersonal skills and is already so good at taking charge or situations. She is also a very skilled dancer and guitar player. She is absolutely adorable.

Pictures courtesy of John’s and Morris’ flickr pics…

Tags: China, Kids, Shanghai

T. Kao’s farewell show

Administrator — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 01:42:30 +0000

I’ve mentioned in a previous post somewhere that I’ve been helping a my friend Tim record a few of his original songs. As great as a songwriter he is, I personally think he’s an even better performer. Last Friday, Tim held a special farewell concert for his students and invited a handful of guest stars to perform with him. And what fun when I was invited to be a guest musician!

It was an interesting mix of people in the audience that Friday night, with school kids from elementary to high school, couples, young families, locals, school teachers, and giddy schoolgirls wanting his autograph, the show went on without too many hitches. Best move Tim pulled off was to hire a professional team to do the sound. The venue he played in is notorious for poor sound and Friday night sounded….Gooooooood.

Finally had the chance to use all this equipment that I’ve hauled from overseas to its full potential. I can say, my 2nd week of June was complete. I played electric for one song and bass for another, using my ES-335 with my Valvestate, and finally, the Acme Bass Amp that was turned up to half of max volume for the first time! Yes, I was one of those giddy schoolgirls.

All in all, it was a fun one-and-a-half hour show, with entertained friends and HK style food for late night dessert. I consider that a night well spent.

Tags: China, Music, Shanghai, T.Kao

新年的习惯与理发师的历史课程

Administrator — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 07:18:05 +0000

回家前去了理发学了很多关于中国历史。你知道剪头发时候就不能作别的东西，而且不想听也很难避免。这位理发师是从四川来的，跑到上海工作。他分享了很多关于四川，觉得我该去看一看。他也分享了关于上海我是从来没学过的。很多年前，上海是个非常笑的城市，只有城华庙的地区是算上海。他说如果想找到真正的上海人要跑到松江去因为他们保留的文化是比较稀释的。

这次过年就回了一唐家。应该对我父母和家庭一个很开心的时间，终于可以全家都能一起庆祝新年。你们的家乡有什么过年的习惯呢？我们红包传统是结婚后才要送红包。羡慕吗？过年也有瓜子，年糕，桔子吃。你过年是吃什么的？

Tags: China, Shanghai

百度2006年“十大” Baidu’s 2006 Top Ten search lists

Administrator — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 07:16:22 +0000

最近在百度搜索网站找到许多的2006年“十大“列表。我跟大家highlight几个：
Just recently found a bunch of search top ten lists from Chinese search engine Baidu. Will highlight a few for you…

十大电视节目：第一）超级女声 – 如果你没看过，你应该住在大陆之外。
十大男艺人: 第一）周杰伦 – 几年以来还是那么火，真的不容易！
十大女艺人：第一）李宇春 – 好失望，好失望。。。
十大网络红人：第一）芙蓉姐姐 – 几年以来还是那么火，真的太BT!
对我最有趣的搜索的题目是：十大为什么: 第二）为什么活着. 大陆的在线社会还是有很多人问同一个问题。如果你点进去的话，你能看到许多的答案，可是很多都讲道德，可是这些道德该有个愿根，对不对？

Top 10 TV shows: #1 – Super girl competitions – If you’ve never seen this before, you’re definitely not from China…
Top 10 Male artist: #1 – Jay Chou – to be top for such a long time is very impressive
Top 10 Female artist: #1 – LiYuChun – oh so sad, so sad…
Top 10 Web Personalities: #1 – Sister Furong – to be top for such a long time is very disturbing…
To me the most interesting fact is that the #2 item in top “Why..?” questions is “What is the meaning of life?”. Seems like the online community also face these problems. If you click into this item and read on the answers provided, a lot of them list a lot of characteristics, morals. But the question remains what grounds these morals stand on…and if they don’t have grounds then are they worth seeking in their own self?

Tags: China