Brazilian at heart

Just got back from the World Cup and a few drinks at Zub in WDK... for some reason, still am not fatigued, though the day started at 9 am for me.  It is grotesquely hot in my room. My roomie Hannah sold the AC 2 weeks ago, just when BJ was going to hit its peak June temperatures... summer bummer. I can't sleep....

so, ....2-0 Brazil!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Though my love, #8 Kaka, was a little disappointing tonight, he pulled some great assists and faked with finesse as usual.  The two scorers though, did not disappoint, especially after an entire game of vivacity and commendable skill from both teams. Adriano's powerful, through-the-legs, grounder was clever and quick, contrasting with Fred's closing tap in with less than 7 minutes left in the game. Though I really like Australia (especially after the 3-0 win against Japan in the last ten minutes) and  hope that they medal this year, I can't help loving a good Brazil win.

Mmmm. Do you think if I put myself to sleep now, I can dream about the game? :)

"Holy Grail" and faith in humanity...restored

So I really haven't been having much luck with holding onto my cell phone while in China. Besides occasional "Uhh, wait a second, where is my cell phone? It's not in my bag," episodes, I have also managed to lose my Motorola cell phone with my old number + friends' numbers while away in Hangzhou. 

Last night was almost a Round Two. After a night of exorbitant feasting (½ð¶¥Ðþ), KTV(Ìǹû Tango Club), and drinking (began at Ìǹû, continued in ÈýÀïÍÍ) in three different locations, we finally settled on the rooftop of Bar Blu in ÈýÀïÍÍ to watch World Cup, mix and mingle with other Beida international students who were hosting a "Farewell Party" there. Occasionally, we went down to the second floor (after a few drinks) to dance.  I was with Lulu (Beida friend), her two guy friends from Minnesota here on Summer CIEE, and Army friends of her two guy friends that decided to follow us around the whole night, and had asked someone to watch my bag while we danced downstairs.  

Of course, when I got back, something was missing from my bag and my friend whom I asked to guard my possessions was also MIA.  Upon frantically searching the area and inquiring several security guards, I decided to call my own number... it rang.  A guy picked up. 

I told him that it was my phone he had picked up and used the most pitiful, pleading tone of voice to convince him to meet me and give it back to me. He said he was at Ç°ÃÅ, or "Front Door" if you directly translate it.  Naturally, I thought, OK, front door of Bar Blu.  WRONG. It turns out he and his pal were already back home in Ç°ÃÅ, near Ìì°²ÃÅ (Tiananmen Square), which is a 25 minute cab ride from ÈýÀïÍÍ. Lulu and I grabbed Brian and Chen (other Beida friends, who are fairly masculine and could pass off as intimidating upon first impression...actually, maybe this only applies to just Brian- you would need to hear Chen speak before passing judgement), and proceeded to go on our 2am excursion...slightly apprehensive.  The guys seemed to believe that a fight was going to occur, since they were convinced the strange cell phone kidnappers were conniving to lure an innocent female owner of the cell phone into their trap. Although originally optimistic and hopeful, I gradually grew more nervous. Lulu, skeptical from the beginning that this was a complicated ruse, did not assuage my unease. 

We kept calling them and ended up designating the small church outside Ç°ÃÅ as our meeting place. The four of us took our posts. The guys were circulating the two front sides, while Lulu and I remained centrally stationed. Five minutes later, two young men around 25, both holding cigarettes and wearing wifebeaters with jeans, strolled from a side street.  The four of us regrouped and approacched them in guys-in-front, girls-in-back square formation.

I popped out from behind and saw that they did have my phone. I asked them very politely in Chinese if I could have it back.  They responded, equally politely, that they were sorry for the misunderstanding and that in actually, they picked it up in a cab. They were glad the cell was returned to its rightful owner.

I was speechless for the next ten seconds, shocked at their level of courtesy and moral character. Quickly, I made the offer of giving them compensational remuneration for coming out so late at night to return the phone. They refused. Brian and Chen asked if they could take them out for a drink (yes, at that hour...). They shook their heads.  Finally, I asked if I could have thier numbers, so I could treat them to a dinner sometime in the future. Again, they rejected my offer.  And thus, we parted, puzzled and incredulous.

We joked that my cell was like the modern "Holy Grail" (no religious mockery intended). There was consensus in the taxi that nowadays, it is so rare that (young) people would go through such means to perform this act of kindness. More personally,  it really strummed a heartstring when Brian and Chen, who I was barely acquaintances with, were adamant on accompanying me last night/this morning insteading of heading home to Beida.

Our finding of the "Holy Grail" was quite enlightening. Rare little incidents like this one are what remind me that the Lockean belief in the goodness of man should be upheld.

Optimism should be smiled upon.

ÓÂÆø£¬I suppose we all need a little of it.

Central leaders are comforted by the knowledge that direct political challenges to their authority by local governments are extremely rare. Li Fan, an independent consultant in Beijing who advises local governments on election-related issues, says there is strong demand among lower-level officials for political reform. But very few rural townships have pushed experiments with freer elections or more open government beyond the party's guidelines. And none has tolerated organised opposition or open attacks on the party leadership. China's local leaders know where to draw the line.

Economist, http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=7011470

I don't really understand why this type of fairly widespread pattern, local resistence and proclivity towards political liberalization and dissent, has continued through almost one entire generation of Chinese citizens-- beginning from our parents' time post-Cultural Revolution until now. What does it take? Now, a lot of returning º£¹ê who once left China to get a more comprehensive education abroad are doing wonders for baseline reform (mostly economic, corporate structural) but what about the politics? If there is something we can learn from Taiwan, it is the 'infiltration' of new ¼û¶àʶ¹ãµÄ¡¡government leaders who are more audacious in their policy-setting moves. 

Evidently, no impetus from the top is occurring anytime soon. Bottom-up approach is more realistic, albeit difficult in execution.  Among qualities the Chinese people lack, and of course, I am cognizant that I am generalizing, is courage -- one sparked by reason and not rashness or haste. ¸ü¶àÈËÓ¦¸Ã¼ûÒåÓÂΪ£¬·Åµ´²»î¿µÄÈ¥×éÖ¯×Ô¼º¡£

It's funny how reflective patterns or incidents in society can be on own's personal life...

"Insight" from the Beer Garden

Interesting observation tonight.

This morning I read an article titled "Why Aren't We [MNCs] Targeting China's Middle Class?" that left me inquisitive as to whether or not that was the direction they were heading in.  T'is true. Key to China? The core of China is still is burgeoning (lower to) middle class, right?

But how do these lower-middle class people better their situation?

Anyway, I just got back from a really late night and exhilarating day of "relaxation and fun." I put these in quotes, because these activities were not originally scheduled for today. I have a sea of work awaiting me to drown in...productivity will have to delayed a day.  After an intense massage, dinner at Î÷Ãż¦³á, pilates at the gym, and then karaoking at ʨ×ÓÍõ Lion King in Wudaokou, a group of expats (3 girls from my elective Chinese class, 1 Parisian-Chinese girl, 2 of their guy friends, and then Anji from my US-East Asia class and her boyfriend) and I relentlessly ended up at the (24-hour!) Beer Garden behind karaoke. Searching for an empty table for ten minutes, we suddenly lost our sense of time.  3 AM apparently was the Beer Garden's peak hour. 

So I felt very out of place. All around me were Koreans, Japanese, American (white), Europeans, Hispanics, and some Africans.  Never had I felt like more of a minority in China.  Continuing with what I started talking about... I thought of that article from this morning and realized that an article from the Chinese perspective should be "Why Isn't the Lower Middle Class of China Targeting the Expat Foreign Community?" Who would have even thought that these street vendors could make such a profit if they switched their target consumer base and image... prole snack food sold at a higher price as long as it is paired with relatively cheap alcohol in a gaudy backyard "garden" patio environment, conveniently open all night to party-loving foreign night owls.

Maybe there is something to be learned here from observing the streets of Beijing.

A lingering thought

Just got off the phone with my mom. Surprisingly, I was just as much the listener as I was the talker.  I suppose we all have thoughts bottled up inside us, waiting for the right people to reveal them to.

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