Having Had it Stuck to Me by the Man 2006 April 3
Posted by tufareast in China, Uncategorized.add a comment
We've all heard the rumors about the Chinese government blocking websites. Well, at least some of it is true because my Chinese friends report they cannot view this or any other wordpress-based blog.
Honestly, I think rumors of the Chinese government spying on foreigners is really overblown. And I really don't like it when those missionaries get all cryptic in their emails. I've met people who don't stop when they get face to face–they start freaking me out. And who wouldn't get freaked out–let alone the Chinese government–when people are coming into your country, starting secretive cell groups and opening business that are only fronts for getting visas. To be fair, such methods are very necessary in some parts of the world sometimes. But I also think this kind of activity becomes a fetish for some who relish the sense of heroism.
Anyway, the website blok wasn't personal as it effects all wordpress blogs (and other companies like blogger.com). To be sure, the Chinese government has very different values than we do. One of my Chinese professors once confessed to me he believed his government really had a lot of challenges. But he pointed out how greatly things have changed. Indeed, I would need to spend several years in China to notice the trend, but it is definitley in the right direction.
For the meantime, I think I'm going to need another blog. I'll keep you posted here and on www.xanga.com/tufareast.
If you're interested in Chinese-media issues, check out www.danwei.org for all the latest news.
介绍新的tufareast 2006 March 2
Posted by tufareast in Korea, Uncategorized.2 comments
Welcome to the new tufareast. Whether you are migrating here from xanga or have just met me, let me introduce you to the new site: purpose and features.
Purpose: Cultural and spiritual exchange. Here’s where I’m going to pass on the insights and sounds of interesting, inspiring and international experiences. It’s the best way to keep in touch with family, friends and netizens in America and China. The new tufareast is a two way street, so everyone can comment.
Features: I hope to highlight future stories with video as well as pictures (See video page). Also, articles can be found by month, category or keyword search (See sidebar). The bloglog section of the sidebar contains useful web resources for learning more about China.
A comment on commenting: When posting comments on the new tufareast, everyone only needs to fill-in their name and e-mail address. However, your e-mail address will not be seen on the site.
Chinese: The Chinese characters, 走遍世界 (zuo3 bian4 shi4 jie4), mean “go around the world.” I hope that universal commenting and video clips will make tufareast evolve into a more vivid exchange experience for Americans and Chinese.
The only thing left is a thrilling adventure article. On March 10, I will escort a team of DBU faculty and staff to Seoul, South Korea, and Beijing and Shanghai, China. It’s finally time to start using that Mandarin. I’m going to bring back a fresh impression of 韩国 (han2 guo2), South Korea, and a Beijing come back story.
See you soon!
The People’s Story 2006 March 2
Posted by tufareast in China.3 comments
My year in China has come to a close. So many reflections, so many memories. Many people will ask, “Tim, what’s your deepest impression of China?” The world’s most populous country often seems so homogenous to outsiders: 1.3 billion heads of black hair, 2.6 billion almond brown eyes. Under the surface, I began to discover a world of different outlooks, lifestyles… people. I decided to tell you about the best stories from my year in China: the stories of the distinct individuals who affected my life.
A Note About the Faith of China 2006 March 2
Posted by tufareast in China, God.add a comment
There are all kinds of opinions about the faith of China. Some people claim it has been more or less an atheistic culture for thousands of years, while others insist that a unique blend of Buddhism, Daoism and Confucius thought is as Chinese as chopsticks. I don’t want to contribute to the on-going dialogue on the subject, just note a few observations.
Rockin’ Under the Red Flag 2006 March 2
Posted by tufareast in China, Rock.add a comment
Raising the “Five Star Red Flag” over Tian’anmen Square starts every morning at sunrise. It only takes two minutes to reach the top, just enough time to sing the National Anthem. But a lot can happen before sunset. At 4:30 AM, October 3rd, my longest day in China’s dynamic capital began. My mission: to see a side of China my eyes had never seen before.
Oops, I Did it Again! 2006 March 2
Posted by tufareast in China.add a comment
Nothing’s bigger than New Years in China. It’s time for final exams, family reunions and the biggest campus activity of the year. So when you get asked to sing, you can’t say no- not even when it’s in a foreign language. Oops, I did it again: volunteered for another opportunity to be embarrassed. But I knew exactly what I had to sing- the mother of rock songs from the father of Chinese rock: Cui Jian’s “Nothing to my Name.”
Escape from Beijing 2006 February 27
Posted by tufareast in China.2 comments
Population 90, Cuandixia Village lies three hours and four hundred years from the heart of China’s megatropolis capital, Beijing. What do ninety people living in a historical mountainside town do besides farm corn? Tourism. For about $2USD a night, urban escapees can live in an authentic Chinese courtyard house, climb to nearby peaks and forget about Big B.
