Tuesday, August 31, 2010
stereotype
很多功課,很多presentations, 很忙. 功課壓力排山倒海.
在上完negotiation後, 和本地的team mates交洽. paulina問我是否從日本來,
我苦笑, 中國. "I think I am suffering from identity crisis coz people will ask me if I either from Japan or Korean, but never Chinese. "
她安慰道, "no, coz in our Asian-pacific culture, we learned that Chinese are Ugly, Japanese are beautiful. and I think you are beautiful, that's why I asked you if you are from Japan. "
既驚又喜, 為什麼chinese are portrayed as being Ugly? why Japanese are portrayed as beautiful?
and The Tec is one of the most prestigious Universities in Mexico, her next generation's perception towards Chinese are coined in such a way, how wrong is that? how can it build a normal relationship with Chinese?
though could not help feeling the slightest joy as being praised for being "beautiful.".
but just learned that my two group mates need to work part-time to sustain their living expenses.
as discussed with Sangita previously, that the Tec is such a elite school, 有點像香港大學, 很多都是非富則貴的人, 而且比香港大學有過之而無不及,
當然, 這裏也一小撮很down-to-earth 的人.像是Paulina n Anaceli. (two group mates)
I like them. 班上有一大群的人都是來自"天上人間" 的學生, 可她們在班中討論時, 雄辯滔滔, prenatal deficiency in Social capital never underestimated their integrity and personality to stand themselves out.
好像尋回"人"的味道.
她也快畢業了, 明年五月. 和我差不多. 所以雖然只是短談了幾句, 可是我已喜歡上這個女孩, 覺得是一個交得過的朋友.
-----
回家, 乘校車, 遇見了那個會塗潤唇膏的陽光男孩, Edward.
他說, Tec is a private University. It costs about 66,000 peso per semester. 40% of his tuition fee is from Scholarship, 40% from credit, and 20% from his parents.
he has to study hard to maintain the scholarship or else he needs to go back to his home city to study.
listening to his candid sharing, I was dumbfounded. while lots of international students are squandering their time money on partying/ traveling (including me sometimes), there are people who strive hard to maintain a place here.
but different situations, can't compare. isn't it the same in HKU?
international students spend time going LKF, traveling southeast Asia, there are lots of students struggling to get the both ends met.
sigh...
and For the first time, I want to study hard here to get most out of it.
在上完negotiation後, 和本地的team mates交洽. paulina問我是否從日本來,
我苦笑, 中國. "I think I am suffering from identity crisis coz people will ask me if I either from Japan or Korean, but never Chinese. "
她安慰道, "no, coz in our Asian-pacific culture, we learned that Chinese are Ugly, Japanese are beautiful. and I think you are beautiful, that's why I asked you if you are from Japan. "
既驚又喜, 為什麼chinese are portrayed as being Ugly? why Japanese are portrayed as beautiful?
and The Tec is one of the most prestigious Universities in Mexico, her next generation's perception towards Chinese are coined in such a way, how wrong is that? how can it build a normal relationship with Chinese?
though could not help feeling the slightest joy as being praised for being "beautiful.".
but just learned that my two group mates need to work part-time to sustain their living expenses.
as discussed with Sangita previously, that the Tec is such a elite school, 有點像香港大學, 很多都是非富則貴的人, 而且比香港大學有過之而無不及,
當然, 這裏也一小撮很down-to-earth 的人.像是Paulina n Anaceli. (two group mates)
I like them. 班上有一大群的人都是來自"天上人間" 的學生, 可她們在班中討論時, 雄辯滔滔, prenatal deficiency in Social capital never underestimated their integrity and personality to stand themselves out.
好像尋回"人"的味道.
她也快畢業了, 明年五月. 和我差不多. 所以雖然只是短談了幾句, 可是我已喜歡上這個女孩, 覺得是一個交得過的朋友.
-----
回家, 乘校車, 遇見了那個會塗潤唇膏的陽光男孩, Edward.
他說, Tec is a private University. It costs about 66,000 peso per semester. 40% of his tuition fee is from Scholarship, 40% from credit, and 20% from his parents.
he has to study hard to maintain the scholarship or else he needs to go back to his home city to study.
listening to his candid sharing, I was dumbfounded. while lots of international students are squandering their time money on partying/ traveling (including me sometimes), there are people who strive hard to maintain a place here.
but different situations, can't compare. isn't it the same in HKU?
international students spend time going LKF, traveling southeast Asia, there are lots of students struggling to get the both ends met.
sigh...
and For the first time, I want to study hard here to get most out of it.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Daily Readings
Mexico sacks 3,200 police officers
(Al jezeera )
Mayor killed in Mexican border state
(CNN)
(Al jezeera )
Mayor killed in Mexican border state
(CNN)
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Authorities say the mayor was driving with his daughter when he was killed
- Governor says the killing was an "attack against institutions"
- Mexico's president condemns the violence
- The state of Tamaulipas is also where 72 slain migrants were found
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
- Company owns Mexicana Airlines, MexicanaClick and MexicanaLink
- Airlines suspend operations due to financial problems
- Grupo Mexicana changed owners a week ago
- Company hopes to begin flying again soon
Powerful
Randomly videos about her appeared.
and the I could not stop listening...
Nina Simone
the one that has profound impact on me as a listener for the first time.
Nina_Simone
Nina's biography from Wiki
Nina's official website
through the course of cultural, history and society of Latin America, the professor said, Latin Americans don't even acknowledge the existence of Black in their country. Black racial discrimination is kinda dark side of their race. they will feel pain when talking about it.
"well, probably it is even worse, we don't even know they have existed here. we could not see them." He said.
before coming to mexico, I know that Africa and Latin America is closely connected.
Cuba has the largest black population besides Africa.
As Aunt Ranee in Ghana said, as an extension of the Story of Slavery trade, she found that it is actually a triumph of human spirit. because of this, all the cultures meet with each other and connect. Which something contributing to the globalization present day.
and the I could not stop listening...
Nina Simone
the one that has profound impact on me as a listener for the first time.
Nina_Simone
Nina's biography from Wiki
Nina's official website
through the course of cultural, history and society of Latin America, the professor said, Latin Americans don't even acknowledge the existence of Black in their country. Black racial discrimination is kinda dark side of their race. they will feel pain when talking about it.
"well, probably it is even worse, we don't even know they have existed here. we could not see them." He said.
before coming to mexico, I know that Africa and Latin America is closely connected.
Cuba has the largest black population besides Africa.
As Aunt Ranee in Ghana said, as an extension of the Story of Slavery trade, she found that it is actually a triumph of human spirit. because of this, all the cultures meet with each other and connect. Which something contributing to the globalization present day.
Friday, August 27, 2010
友誼
墨國的公共交通系統很差,他們有公共巴士,可是好像沒有多少人會乘搭, 猜想大都是基層的本地人才會乘坐. 不少家庭都有私家車代步,要麼就是乘坐的士. 記得在機場通過agen叫的士時,當中竟有6家不同的的士公司.
因為我的課很早,要在7點30分出門,我沒有麻煩媽媽,asked her to give me a ride to school nor I wanted to spend money on hiring taxi. (it costs about 23 peso, which is about 16 HKD from home to school), I walk to school.
on the way to school, I met a guy, who I met during my first time to take the school bus. 一個皮膚黝黑,身材健碩, 愛聽ipod, 而當中的歌都是英文流行歌, 會塗潤唇膏的陽光男孩. (well, I sat beside him while on the bus)
He lives 2 blogs away from mine. In Monterrey, the streets and buildings are arranged in a Grid-like pattern.
And apparently, he recognized me too.
and we started to chat.
He is freshman this year. He is from the other city.
他的第一個問題便是, "what the hell are you doing here?" 言下之意是, 墨國那麼危險, 來這幹嘛?
"why not" was my response.他無言了.
反問, 他很誠實地回答, "why not, this is my home country. Tec is one of the best Universities in Mexico. My father also graduated here."
問他第一年的大學生活如何? 他說在適應過程中, 父母在3小時之外的城市, 要自己照顧自己,包括去supermarket. 每天一大早走路上學, 面對排山倒海的功課, 要安排好自己的時間. 當然還有語言問題.
to respond to my surprise, he said, due to the accents and difference in dialectical usages, lots of times, he could not understand what local people are saying.
"it is absurd, we are in the same country, speaking the same language, but .... "
一段路程, 一個故事, 一段友誼就這樣開始了....
---
下午上 Latin America scenarios, which is about the contemporary history of Mexico/ America/ Canada.
對於只有中三程度history knowledge 的我是一個很大的挑戰, 不過抱著想學多點,而且沒有Grading /GPA 壓力的心態, 還是選修了.
和Jacintha一起, 坐在前面的男生給了一個友好地微笑.
Jacintha告訴我, 其實幾天前在campus,他想叫住我,打招呼, 可惜我走得太快. 他知道我的名字. 沒辦法, chau 在german 是指再見, with the close relationship between Germans and Mexicans, well, it is pretty memorable.
他很好看, 有一雙會笑的眼睛,長得向上捲的眼睫毛, 清澈有神眼眸, 高挺的鼻子, 整齊潔白的牙齒, 是典型的拉丁美男子.
他半側身仕, 在我聽得confused時, 會旁加解釋, 又告訴我有關 international student club 的事.
oh, man !!!!!!!!!
放學,走在回家的路上, 他和遅來坐在他身旁的女孩停車,叫住了我, 請我坐順風車.
路過球場, 一群學生在練習排球.
"oh, look at that international student, so hot!!" he screamed at the girl who was driving the car, with his eyes fixed on a strong-built guy with blond hair.
"well, go and get him." the girl said in a dull tone.
"I know, I have already got him under my search engine." he smiled.
"Don't get too disturbed, he eyes on hot guys more often than I do." The girl said to me.
Wait, he is gay. Holly crap!!!!! why such a hot guy turns into a gay. well, here, girls not only have to compete with hot latin american girls, but also hot guys in search a companion. what the hell!!
Fine. at least, friendship remains.
The girl asked me where I came from.
Japan, China , US or where?
I frowned. China.
"please forgive my ignorance. To me, Chinese dress more old-fashion while Japanese are more fashionable. you are inbetween. your eyes are big, but Japanese don't have big eyes. and you speak English very well. so I am confused. " she explained.
hmmm, Living in Hong Kong, Where the East meets the West, I am a fusion of everything. :))
其實我喜歡這種confusing identity, well, in an increasingly globalized world, I can go everywhere and anywhere yet belong to nowhere....
因為我的課很早,要在7點30分出門,我沒有麻煩媽媽,asked her to give me a ride to school nor I wanted to spend money on hiring taxi. (it costs about 23 peso, which is about 16 HKD from home to school), I walk to school.
on the way to school, I met a guy, who I met during my first time to take the school bus. 一個皮膚黝黑,身材健碩, 愛聽ipod, 而當中的歌都是英文流行歌, 會塗潤唇膏的陽光男孩. (well, I sat beside him while on the bus)
He lives 2 blogs away from mine. In Monterrey, the streets and buildings are arranged in a Grid-like pattern.
And apparently, he recognized me too.
and we started to chat.
He is freshman this year. He is from the other city.
他的第一個問題便是, "what the hell are you doing here?" 言下之意是, 墨國那麼危險, 來這幹嘛?
"why not" was my response.他無言了.
反問, 他很誠實地回答, "why not, this is my home country. Tec is one of the best Universities in Mexico. My father also graduated here."
問他第一年的大學生活如何? 他說在適應過程中, 父母在3小時之外的城市, 要自己照顧自己,包括去supermarket. 每天一大早走路上學, 面對排山倒海的功課, 要安排好自己的時間. 當然還有語言問題.
to respond to my surprise, he said, due to the accents and difference in dialectical usages, lots of times, he could not understand what local people are saying.
"it is absurd, we are in the same country, speaking the same language, but .... "
一段路程, 一個故事, 一段友誼就這樣開始了....
---
下午上 Latin America scenarios, which is about the contemporary history of Mexico/ America/ Canada.
對於只有中三程度history knowledge 的我是一個很大的挑戰, 不過抱著想學多點,而且沒有Grading /GPA 壓力的心態, 還是選修了.
和Jacintha一起, 坐在前面的男生給了一個友好地微笑.
Jacintha告訴我, 其實幾天前在campus,他想叫住我,打招呼, 可惜我走得太快. 他知道我的名字. 沒辦法, chau 在german 是指再見, with the close relationship between Germans and Mexicans, well, it is pretty memorable.
他很好看, 有一雙會笑的眼睛,長得向上捲的眼睫毛, 清澈有神眼眸, 高挺的鼻子, 整齊潔白的牙齒, 是典型的拉丁美男子.
他半側身仕, 在我聽得confused時, 會旁加解釋, 又告訴我有關 international student club 的事.
oh, man !!!!!!!!!
放學,走在回家的路上, 他和遅來坐在他身旁的女孩停車,叫住了我, 請我坐順風車.
路過球場, 一群學生在練習排球.
"oh, look at that international student, so hot!!" he screamed at the girl who was driving the car, with his eyes fixed on a strong-built guy with blond hair.
"well, go and get him." the girl said in a dull tone.
"I know, I have already got him under my search engine." he smiled.
"Don't get too disturbed, he eyes on hot guys more often than I do." The girl said to me.
Wait, he is gay. Holly crap!!!!! why such a hot guy turns into a gay. well, here, girls not only have to compete with hot latin american girls, but also hot guys in search a companion. what the hell!!
Fine. at least, friendship remains.
The girl asked me where I came from.
Japan, China , US or where?
I frowned. China.
"please forgive my ignorance. To me, Chinese dress more old-fashion while Japanese are more fashionable. you are inbetween. your eyes are big, but Japanese don't have big eyes. and you speak English very well. so I am confused. " she explained.
hmmm, Living in Hong Kong, Where the East meets the West, I am a fusion of everything. :))
其實我喜歡這種confusing identity, well, in an increasingly globalized world, I can go everywhere and anywhere yet belong to nowhere....
Thursday, August 26, 2010
發生2
早上起來, turn on the computer, the head-line of aljazeera.com 是在美國和墨西哥的邊境城市發現了72具非法移民的屍體, 說是史上最大的drug-cartel-related killing.
心都寒了. 以為人民會擔[心, 會像是世界未日般地惶恐地活著,可不是呀, 市面一片平靜,同學們好像都不知道發生什麼事似的. 人民依舊照常地過日子. 吃喝拉稀睡.what the fuss have I made?
晚上, 乘 Brenda 的順風車去上filming workshop. 問她如何看這宗新聞, 她竟然不知道...
只好說, "we thought like local people will have a hard time to deal with the news. But here life goes on as usual."
she said, "yep, because we are not like what have been portrayed in the news. it is not like that. we live as usual."
而回來後, 墨西哥下了第一場的雨,好像有點什麼. 想起香港人在菲律賓發生的慘劇, 好像更是有黑雨警告, 真是天若有情天亦老.收到在LA機場認識Cassandra's husband 的 facebook inbox message,叫我小心. 很溫馨. 也很窩心.
只是除了繼續生活還能怎樣?
心都寒了. 以為人民會擔[心, 會像是世界未日般地惶恐地活著,可不是呀, 市面一片平靜,同學們好像都不知道發生什麼事似的. 人民依舊照常地過日子. 吃喝拉稀睡.what the fuss have I made?
晚上, 乘 Brenda 的順風車去上filming workshop. 問她如何看這宗新聞, 她竟然不知道...
只好說, "we thought like local people will have a hard time to deal with the news. But here life goes on as usual."
she said, "yep, because we are not like what have been portrayed in the news. it is not like that. we live as usual."
而回來後, 墨西哥下了第一場的雨,好像有點什麼. 想起香港人在菲律賓發生的慘劇, 好像更是有黑雨警告, 真是天若有情天亦老.收到在LA機場認識Cassandra's husband 的 facebook inbox message,叫我小心. 很溫馨. 也很窩心.
只是除了繼續生活還能怎樣?
生活
上完西班牙文課，和幾個新加坡學生和一個香港學生一起吃早餐．
是的，在這裏有１３個香港學生，來自港大，中大，科大和嶺大．
當然還遇到了大約十個來自新加坡不同大學的學生． 而我經常hangout with的不是香港學生，而是新加坡學生． 談到交流生的國藉，這裡最多的竟是德國人，在我上的６個課程中， 每班都有１／３德國學生．
在早餐期間，２５歲，已有女朋友的Andre慨嘆，在南美，亞洲男孩很難有艷遇，"Those Mexican girls are crazy about white guys, they don't pay a damn shit on me."
可是南美男人卻喜歡亞洲女孩，很不公平，he sighed with an injured ego.
"oh, no. Asian girls are popular among white guys too. Australians are also obsessed with Asian girls." 他說得有點咬牙切齒，像是恨不得自己是女生一樣．
好像有點道理，可是背後更深一層的gender differences 是什麼呢？
White supremacy, yep. coz of the colonial power, and girls want something of certainty, a sense of security, so white guys fulfill the expectation, and fits the perception.
but men, they care races less, 畢竟當談到relationship,當中的大男人主義，they are the one to provide the sense of security and protection to women. 所以，種族，膚色對他們的man ego沒有多大的影響？to go further, 男人都是用下半身思考, so such underlying cultural codes don't matter?
-------
在上六點課的ｂｒｅａｋ中，和兩個本地同學談了一會．我告訴他們， 早上聽到的新聞，
前兩天，有一個男人在學校附近宿舍前，用槍射殺了另一個人． 可是，在他賄賂警察後，他給釋放了．
當中一個同學說，”well, we have lots problems and struggles, but we don't pay attention to that. live for today is enough”.
我無言了．
放學後，和另同一個同學一起走， 她說，最恐怖的shooting是在去年， 有三名學生在踏出校門時給射殺了，兩個master students, one was Phd. "the atmosphere was so tense and fearful."
but gradually it died down coz life goes on...
-----
attended one film workshop.
Speaker is a 24-year-old, Bolivian guy. He is a former student in the Tec.
Pretty interesting....
當中有一個女生住在host mama附近， she gave me a free ride after the film workshop.
她說， 她是他的好朋友，大學時一起上課，然後一起上教會， 甚至曾約會一個月，不過後來大家都覺得不是彼此的cup of tea. 成為了知己．
然後，她邀請我去她的教會，因為有一個美國的傅教士， 沒有language barriers.
要發生的都發生著，順著生活走，會看見未來的．
是的，在這裏有１３個香港學生，來自港大，中大，科大和嶺大．
當然還遇到了大約十個來自新加坡不同大學的學生． 而我經常hangout with的不是香港學生，而是新加坡學生． 談到交流生的國藉，這裡最多的竟是德國人，在我上的６個課程中， 每班都有１／３德國學生．
在早餐期間，２５歲，已有女朋友的Andre慨嘆，在南美，亞洲男孩很難有艷遇，"Those Mexican girls are crazy about white guys, they don't pay a damn shit on me."
可是南美男人卻喜歡亞洲女孩，很不公平，he sighed with an injured ego.
"oh, no. Asian girls are popular among white guys too. Australians are also obsessed with Asian girls." 他說得有點咬牙切齒，像是恨不得自己是女生一樣．
好像有點道理，可是背後更深一層的gender differences 是什麼呢？
White supremacy, yep. coz of the colonial power, and girls want something of certainty, a sense of security, so white guys fulfill the expectation, and fits the perception.
but men, they care races less, 畢竟當談到relationship,當中的大男人主義，they are the one to provide the sense of security and protection to women. 所以，種族，膚色對他們的man ego沒有多大的影響？to go further, 男人都是用下半身思考, so such underlying cultural codes don't matter?
-------
在上六點課的ｂｒｅａｋ中，和兩個本地同學談了一會．我告訴他們， 早上聽到的新聞，
前兩天，有一個男人在學校附近宿舍前，用槍射殺了另一個人． 可是，在他賄賂警察後，他給釋放了．
當中一個同學說，”well, we have lots problems and struggles, but we don't pay attention to that. live for today is enough”.
我無言了．
放學後，和另同一個同學一起走， 她說，最恐怖的shooting是在去年， 有三名學生在踏出校門時給射殺了，兩個master students, one was Phd. "the atmosphere was so tense and fearful."
but gradually it died down coz life goes on...
-----
attended one film workshop.
Speaker is a 24-year-old, Bolivian guy. He is a former student in the Tec.
Pretty interesting....
當中有一個女生住在host mama附近， she gave me a free ride after the film workshop.
她說， 她是他的好朋友，大學時一起上課，然後一起上教會， 甚至曾約會一個月，不過後來大家都覺得不是彼此的cup of tea. 成為了知己．
然後，她邀請我去她的教會，因為有一個美國的傅教士， 沒有language barriers.
要發生的都發生著，順著生活走，會看見未來的．
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