Friday, June 26, 2009
Blog moved again
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Some more observations
Monday, May 11, 2009
艺术创想
Ok I am totally going to nerd out on you now..
各位朋友,你好!这些相片是从我最喜的电视节目,叫做《艺术创想》!
若有空,我每天在五电四十分会去看。这个电视节目是从 1990 年到 2007 年传播,而相对来说是在英国最长传播的儿童电视节目。《艺术创想》的主持人名叫 Neil Buchanan。他以前是更一个英国摇滚乐团《Marseille》弹吉他。我听了他们的音乐之后,就支持 Neil 后来选做一个电视节目的主持人的决定!
在《艺术创想》有一段表演是叫作 Big Art Attack,我觉的真了不起。Neil 用一些很普通的家具来创造一些特别美观的大型艺术品,这的确是我最欣赏的,而且特别最收到灵感的节段。
Time taken to write in Chinese: 45 mins
Hi all, these are shots from a great show that I've been following lately. It's called "Art Attack" and it ran for 17 years, starting in 1990 and ending its run in 2007. It was run by a fella called Neil Buchanan, who used to play rock guitar for British Heavy Metal band called "Marseille". I had a listen to them and well, I think Neil made the wise choice to switch to a television career!
On Art Attack, they have a segment called "Big Art Attack" where Neil creates large art pieces on a hug scale, using a variety of ordinary household items. The end result is usually quite stunning, and this by far, my most favorite bit about the show.
Time taken to write in English: 5 mins - English wins!
Watch more episodes of Art Attack here. (Chinese version)
A long note I wrote to my green friends!
Dear friends,
I thought I would give you an update here on my life in China, and a brief overview about the social and environmental scene here! Much has happened over the month that I've been here.
Just to give you some background. I am a foreign guest teacher at the Beijing Union University where I conduct lectures on a Marketing, Social Entrepreneurship, Finance, Marketing, US Culture and History, and English. The university is hungry for foreign "experts" so I am thrown in different areas at once. I conduct these classes in a smattering of English and Chinese. I teach about 10 hours a week, which translates to about 24 hours of work, because of the preparation I have to do. The university doesn't provide any material, so I am make it up as I go along, drawing from books, magazines and the Internet.
Outside of classes, I am focused to getting my Mandarin up to speed. It's a slow arduous frustrating process. Speaking Mandarin well and fluently is an absolute must to really get plugged in here, whether at a personal level or a business level. There is, what I would call, an "alternate" reality to this..i.e. the expatriate world where English is the main language, its hard to make any real connections the public at large using just English alone.
In terms of opportunities in social enterprise, whether it be charity work, consulting work, or philanthropic work, there is a lot that one can get involved in. Most of them are with foreign NGOs or inter-governmental organizations like the EU. In the few conferences and networking sessions that I've attended, I've have yet to meet anyone from the CCP or any of the local government agencies. Digging deeper, and talking to Chinese friends, I've come to realize that -
1.) Chinese people aren't generally used to social networking events
2.) In terms of social volunteerism and civic society, the government dominates.
The notion of an self-initiated civilian activism, separate from the government, is a relatively foreign concept. Although foreign NGOs and charities have volunteerism events, most of what happens on a large scale is dictated by the central government and its vast network of agencies. I am trying to get closer to that center, to understand what the environmental issues are, and how the government is responding, and how, I might possibly help and learn in the process. This means learning Mandarin as best I can, so that I can plug into the real world, for real. It's a tough climb, and I am discouraged by the snail's pace of my progress, but I am determined to succeed and enjoy the challenge.
On the streets, buses and subways, I don't get a sense that the environment is foremost in people's minds. Too many plastic bags, wooden chopsticks, over-packaging, wasted food, trash, and litter. The natural environment, and climate calamity that the world faces, is unfortunately relegated to the back of most people's minds. Instead, what I have felt acutely here, is a sense of survival, as people try to get by so that they can put food on the table for their one child. It's not an easy city. In a crowded city of 14 million, social graces are occasional miracles. But it's a hopeful, energetic, and driven place, and I heartened by the boundless energy, creativity, curiosity and spiritedness of the university students. They are growing in a more open, more caring society that is changing everyday, and the environment just might have a fighting chance, if these kids hang on to notions of social responsibility, and slivers of naked idealism, before they head off into the "real" world. Outside of school, I have made friends with people who share my concerns over the environment, but as I've mentioned above, this doesn't appear to reflect the sentiments of the majority.
Here's what in the news these days...
1.) 1 year anniversary of the Szechuan Earthquake.
2.) 90th anniversary of May the 4th movement
3.) Yao Ming and Houston Rockets against Lakers.
4.) Global Financial Crisis (a lot is reported about what is being done to address this, but I generally don't "feel" the recession on the streets, mainly because I'm surrounded by students)
Well that's all for now! I hope this email finds you in good health and spirits! Be the change you want to see!
Calvin