Before I begin, let me say that my day to day life in Shanghai continues to improve. I am getting used to the layout of the city and making more and more friends. Also, last week we had mid-term exams. I think they went pretty well, but I don’t know the results as of yet.  Anyway, on to my story.
I have befriended almost all of the other students in my class, including a German fellow who owns his own modeling agency in Shanghai.  He is very friendly and outgoing. So, one day we struck up a conversation about his business.  During the conversation he asked me if I had done any modeling before. I replied, “Of  course not!”  He then told me that he may have some opportunities for me if I were interested. I said sure, noting to myself how absurd the notion of me being a model sounded.
So, a few weeks later he called me and asked me to come with him to a Cartier store to try out for an unspecified ‘modeling’ job.  He said that they pay was good and that I wouldn’t have to do much.  Later that day I went with him, and sure enough I was chosen for the gig (not that I was a better choice than any of the other guys who were there).  I was then instructed to show up at a hotel (the name is escaping me) at 9:00 am last Saturday morning.
Now, keep in mind that up until the day of the event I was never told exactly what I was going to be doing.  All I knew was that I was representing Cartier at an event where there were going to be some “famous people”.  So, I arrive at the hotel and am whisked away to a changing room where I was dressed in what looked like a bellboy’s uniform.  I was then taken outside to the hotel lawn where I finally realized what the event was-a wedding between a famous actress and the godson of a famous kung-fu star named Ti-Lung.
The next thing I know, I have two Cartier rings set on a tray and placed in my hands, as well as instructions on when I was to walk down the aisle. I was the ring bearer at the wedding!  I was socked. Then, just as I was beginning to understand what I was doing there, the media came rushing in.  There were literally a hundred camera men and a dozen TV crews on the scene.  Shots were being taken left and right as the Cartier representative yells at me, “Smile, smile!”  A dear in the headlights seems to be the appropriate analogy.
After about twenty minutes of more pictures and standing around, I am taken back into the hotel for final instructions. In a very serious tone I was told, “First, walk slowly down the aisle so that all of the camera men have plenty of time to take pictures of you.  Second, and this is important son, DO NOT DROP THE RINGS!”  Of course, I am immediately terrified by the thought of tripping in front of all the guests and media and watching the rings hit the ground as everyone recoils in horror.Â
Finally, the moment of truth arrived and I walked slowly down the aisle and presented the rings to the bride and groom, breathing a sigh of relief after it was over.  At this point, as I look back, it really was a crazy experience that could only happen in Shanghai.  Come for the people, culture, and language. Stay for the random opportunities to be a ring bearer at a wedding!

-Adam

I am by no means a perfectionist. My room doesn’t always have to be spotless, my clothes ironed, or my hair straight.  However, when it comes to studying Mandarin, I have high expectations for myself.  Before I started, I had read and been told that Chinese was the hardest language in the world.  When I arrived in China, I was by no means naive about the challenge that lay ahead.  Now, after five weeks, the stress of learning this language has hit me full on.

With a thousand characters written on flash cards and fifty new grammar rules, a 70% retention rate seems like a dream.  So, in response to the overwhelming amount of information presented to me on a daily basis, I have increased my studies to at least six hours a day, and on some days up to ten.  I know, it sounds brutal.  Fortunately, time flies and with great effort comes great satisfaction.

The greatest challenge comes in the form of writing.  At first each character seems like a picture.  Luckily, this is not the case as they are each actually a combination of different radicals, each of which has its own meaning.  This makes it easier to comprehend the definition and context in which character is used.  The aspect which is the most difficult is simply remembering how to write each radical.  For example, in the last two days I have spent at least 5 hours writing and rewriting 50 different characters.  However, on today’s quiz I still had problems remembering a few of them, and was second guessing myself on others.  Writing well in Mandarin is clearly a long and arduous process.

In any case, I have found comfort in my classmates who are studying just as hard and having the same difficulties.  Every one of them has expressed the same frustration.  I have come to realize that there is a serious learning curve when it comes to this language.  I am waiting for the day when I reach the point when everything really starts to click. I’ll be sure to let everyone know when that day comes!

Wish me luck!
Adam

Myself and classmates in Shanghai

CSA bunch on trip to SuZhou

Having lived abroad in the past, I felt that I had been exposed to a pretty wide range of people from different countries and from different backgrounds. Then, I came to study at Jiao Tong University.  I didn’t hit me right away, I guess I was still adjusting to my surroundings, but it recently dawned on me that I have never been a part of such a diverse group of people. It’s fantastic!

I went to a jazz bar named The Melting Pot last Friday to have some drinks with my classmates.  We had a table reserved for ten people.  I was one of the first to arrive, so I got to watch as everyone came in and took their seats.  As I greeted each one, I began to kind of keep track of the home country of each person.  By the end of the night I was sitting next to two Germans, an Austrian, a Frenchman, a Turkish woman, two Chinese women, and the most entertaining Japanese guy I have ever met.

I can see how some could feel lonely our out of place in this eclectic mix, but everyone was really inviting and pleasant.  As I chatted with each one, our conversations covered a wide variety of topics.  It was so refreshing to hear intelligent people give their own you unique perspectives on the world.  I felt as though I was learning a lot. I am also having a similar experience in the classroom.  I have befriended students from Brazil, France, Turkey, Pakistan, Spain, Australia, Korea, Japan, Germany, Austria, and even Tahiti. Again, it’s fantastic!

Now, having said this, I didn’t come to China just to meet other foreigners.  If I wanted to do that I would just go to a city like Amsterdam. I came to China to learn about and experience the people and the culture, and I must say that I have been very pleased.  Almost every Chinese person I have met has been warm and friendly, especially the younger generation.  On several occasions I have struck up a conversation with a Chinese person and then ended up having lunch and working on my Chinese.  I can envision myself staying friends with many of them for a long time to come.

All for now.  Check in next time, and leave a comment if you like!

Adam