ChinaGirl

Xi'An, China (September 15, 2013 - July 2014)

[organicmovementfoundation]

Such a great idea. Somebody make this for me. #garden #gardening #growyourfood #diy #food #organicmovement #organic #healthy #fruits #veggies #growfood #gardens #fitfood #plants #eatclean #earth #healthyfood #please

[queerkhmer]

[mingsonjia-deactivated20170120]

The traditional term for homosexuality in China is “the passion of the cut sleeve boys” (断袖之癖), so named from the story of Emperor Ai of Han (27 BCE - 1 BCE) and Dong Xian (23 BCE - 1 BCE). As the story goes, Emperor Ai fell in love with a minor official named Dong Xian. Dong Xian quickly gained the Emperor’s favor. One afternoon as they slept in bed, Emperor Ai woke up. Rather than wake his lover, he cut the sleeves of his robe to let his lover sleep longer. Homosexuality was regarded as a normal affair up until the late Qing dynasty when the government attempted to westernize the country.

Because we don’t have the story like Adam and Eve created humans. Our story is a Goddess named “Nuwa” made humans from earth ‘cause “earth” is the only element from wu xing which is yin-yang balanced. Those who have more yin are girls. Those who have more “yang” are boys. 

[jada111]

[offbeatchina-blog]

A pet pig went for a stroll near Tiananmen, and has been escorted by police.

[skylarmarin-blog]

Thanksgiving in China: Japanese Food with my Korean roommate. My Chinese friends and students also gave me thanksgiving cards.

[nicci-darling-blog]

is there a Black Friday deal for college tuition or is that not a thing

[meanwhileinchina-blog]

In the China’s battle for bottled water supremacy (yes this is a real thing) this brand now provides litmus paper to prove it’s safe to drink. #China

[skylarmarin-blog]

My roommate is adorable.  Sometimes she talks to me in Korean though...and I just nod and smile :)  Sometimes all a person needs is for you to listen.

[skylarmarin-blog]

U.S. Embassy Beijing, China Emergency Message: High Air Pollution Alert

The National Holiday in China (Oct 1 - 7) celebrates the foundation of the People's Republic of China in 1949.  Most people received a week-long vacation!  As expected, crowds of tourists in major cities has reached all-time highs.  As travel has increased, so has the pollution levels.

I received an Emergency Message from the U.S. Embassy this morning stating that the AQI pollution level readings in Beijing has been above 300 for the past 24-hours and over 400 at night.  Any readings over 300 are considered hazardous and all activity outside is not recommended.

I am very thankful that I am not in Beijing right now.  However, the AQI levels in Xi'an for the past week have also increased and have been around 180 - 220.  The pollution isn't only something you can "see," it is something that has physical effects on an individual's body.  Trouble breathing, coughing, and throat problems are all symptoms of the air pollution.

I began to wonder why the people living in these conditions tolerate the pollution.  There are many factors that influence the pollution - population density, consumer demand, number of cars on the road, industry outside of cities, and environmental/geographical factors.  Pollution in China should be a global concern.   The decisions individuals make ALL over the world to purchase inexpensive goods made in China that were manufactured using cheap (sometimes child) labor and fossil fuels is supporting the industries that pollute the air.  

Next time you see the "Made in China" label, remember that the price tag might not represent the true inputs and consequences of buying the product - think about the environmental consequences, think about the individuals living near cities with high industrial outputs and merchandise exports.  Think of future generations.  Think of me.  

[skylarmarin-blog]

When you're at the airport and starving for a western breakfast, you will spend quite a lot of money for it. For toast with strawberry jam: $5.35. And it's not even wheat bread!

Chinese culture has not freely adapted the love of “finger foods” as much as the US. Most things edible with your hands are served with toothpicks or in this case, a plastic glove!

[skylarmarin-blog]

Good bye Xiamen :) Who knows when I’ll see a beach again!

[skylarmarin-blog]

Everything for my week-long trip fits in this backpack.

Packing list: Clothes

2 pairs of wool socks 2 pairs of quick-dry underwear 2 tank tops (not made from cotton. Cotton takes wayyyy too long to dry) 1 long sleeve shirt 1 north face jacket 1 bra 1 swimsuit

Toiletries

1 towel (~2 ft by 8 inches) Shampoo Soap Toothbrush Toothpaste Comb Hand sanitizer Homemade bug balm Lotion Diva cup

Other items - umbrella (I would have preferred to bring a poncho, but didn’t find one before I left) -Water bottle -iPhone and iPhone charger -Chinese cell phone -Wet wipes -Small plastic plate (very useful for eating food on the train ride) - Book to read - Flip flops for the beach and as “slippers” on the train/hostel - Toilet paper (because it’s not provided in public areas in China) - ***Silk Dreamsack (travel silk sheets - absolutely necessary for the 2 night train ride as no one changes the sheets between customers!)

- “Bra Stash” - a cloth pocket that you can snap on around your bra or underwear to keep $ and credit cards.

[skylarmarin-blog]

Taking in the sun. Coconut juice, fresh crab, and scenic views. I've spent the last two days on the island Gulangyu. It lies to the east of Xiamen, China. No cars allowed. The air seems very clean and I love feeling like I'm in a small city. Tomorrow I will spend the day in Xiamen and Thursday will leave for the mountain city of Wuyishan!

[skylarmarin-blog]

Seafood seafood seafood! Everywhere here. Xiamen Gulangyu Island, China.

[skylarmarin-blog]

Goodbye Xi'an! I'll be back in one week. P.S. Is that Christmas music I hear playing in the background?

[skylarmarin-blog]

Time on the train. 34 hours in total. Did you know that most of the land in China is made up of mountains? It is. And it's gorgeous.

[skylarmarin-blog]

Before the train. Packing. Korean sushi, waiting in crowded areas.