Oy

With computer troubles, I may not be able to update my blog soon. My last blog post that I had typed up was lost to a random shutdown so I will simply post this one in its stead. If anyone could give me suggestions on how to fix an overheating laptop while stuck in Xiamen, China – it would be greatly appreciated :) I haven’t even succeeded thus far in finding compressed air to try to clean out the fans. I know, air in a can is a pretty crazy idea, but surely somebody is bound to have it somewhere here...

Researching food! :)

(麦当劳！ McDonald's in China!)


Not much to say about this week! Having survived another consecutive battery of three-hour long Chinese classes within the past five days, I am ready for a breather! Yet, there is no rest for the study abroad student :) I have two ten-page research papers coming up, a group project to present in about two weeks, a book to read (China Candid by Sang Ye)…along with my sanity to keep in tact!


While I could try to explain the rules of Mahjong, I have realized that there are WAY too many variations to even begin an explanation on this blog. Instead, I’ll leave this post short and mention my second research paper (with all advice and suggestions welcome!) While my first paper is going to be on western influences in the Chinese gaming industry, in general, my second paper will be on McDonald’s. I I will be doing my research on McDonald's applies to the phrase "Made in China" and the differences I have learned about Chinese McDonald's (versus American McDonald's). I will also be discussing the localization of McDonald's in China and what has made it evolve culturally.


Any suggestions for how to go about this? I think I might try to interview workers, if I can find some that speak English. Of course, there will have to be some “research” done on the food, too! :D I am fascinated with the way America’s fast food culture has been interpreted here – maybe others will be interested, too!

Hallowen, Mahjong, Voting - oh my!

(Picture of the inside of "Matang Village" or the Yinlu factory)

(Xiamen Yinlu Food Co. is famous for its canned foods and other bottled products - we got to go through the entire factory!)

A few days after Halloween and a lot has happened! China does not really celebrate Halloween, though it is beginning to be a popular holiday shipped over directly from the United States. The American students here definitely celebrated, though, with a lot of partying and crazy costumes!


The day after, we went to the Matang Village, which wasn’t even really a village! It was the home of Xiamen Yinlu Foods Co. which built a gated technological/factory community where the Matang Village used to exist.


“Xiamen Yinlu Group locates in the first batch of °National County and Township Enterprise Scientific and Technological Park Xiamen Yinlu Hi-Tech Park, which occupies 800,000 square meters with nearing 400,000 square meters construction area, it is one of the largest manufacturing facility of canned foods and beverages in both Fujian province and the country, key supported developing enterprise of Fujian province” from here


A few days ago, I also received word that my ballot arrived back home! Voting in Surry County, I had the pleasure of participating in my first presidential election as well as vote to re-elect my mother for her position on the School Board. It was exciting, as well as to vote from abroad! I had planned this two months ago when I applied for my ballot, received it last month, then immediately sent it off again. I am still so excited it made its way back to the States!


Something that was even better, though, was re-learning to play Mahjong yesterday with my Chinese language teacher. After two games of learning rounds, our teacher joined us playing. With a bit of luck on my side, I then won the next three games until we called it quits. :) It was a lot of fun and I can’t wait to buy my own Mahjong set to bring back home! I will try to explain the rules again later, though there are so many variations that it is kind of pointless :D