China: It's coming...

An article at gizmodo.com (link) shows an example of how different Shanghai is from Indiana.  Recently, I watched a Discovery video on Shanghai.  It was an interesting 45 minutes that highlight some of the things that don't match US culture.  The video was the last part of a four part series "Paul Merton In China."  It starts by highlighting the how Shanghai is really the leading capitalistic city.  It isn't that the socialism doesn't exist there, just that the culture is part of the fast paced world.  He likened it to the way New York City is always moving, vibrant city.  Continuing - A vibrant city famed for it's progressive thinking, independent women, and hedonistic lifestyle.

The video covers many experiences, night life, going out to eat, having a suit tailored, and visits many of the places china wants you to see.  There was also an example in the video of Paul traveling down the river to a trash dump.  There were citizens that (illegally) setup a small community.  They rummage through the garbage and find things that can be sold for money.  Eventually his camera man was spotted and was told to stop filming or face consequences.  These rummagers can make up to three times a taxi cab driver's daily pay, but the lifestyle is quite limiting.  There is no doubt that China has many different faces, it will be interesting to experience first hand.  It is very encouraging that Shanghai is leading the way on the emerging capitalistic way of life.  While there is some movement towards capitalism, there is still a very strong cultural standard that is encouraged by the Chinese government, such as the regulation of video games.

I need to watch the video again to complete my summary and will continue this at a later date.

Another video that I saw recently on the PBS website showcased the world's largest mall, recently built in China.  It's an interesting watch, part 3 of the Utopia series.  The mall was built.  It is larger than the Mall of America.  It is also nearly completely empty.  Only a few shops and very few people.  Definitely worth watching.

It will be an interesting place to visit.
JBiber

China: Go There

Just finished up with my two exams today. I am happy to be done with exams until after thanksgiving. It will be a sorely welcomed 1.5 weeks of no evening exams. Today, I was told the flight number I'll be riding over to China on. The route is by Asiana Airlines. It appears to be operated by US Airways. Today, it was flown in a 777. If I get to go one a 777, that'd be cool. I haven't ever gotten to ride on one that I can think of.

http://www.flightstats.com/go/FlightStatus/flightStatusByFlight.do?id=176175134&utm_source=airlineInformationAndStatus&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=co-op

Jbiber

Preparing for China

Things are about to kick into high gear around here. I'm getting ready to go to China. I've paid my deposits and all systems are a go.

I am having plenty of trouble studying because of my growing interest for going overseas. I will soon start sharing my ideas here on the blog hopefully readers will be able to contribute good ideas for things to take and some problems I think I'll be facing.

All input is welcomed!

JBiber

Back

After a month of not publishing anything, it's been on my list of things to do for awhile. I am happy to report that school is taking up nearly all of my free time. If it hasn't been spring break, it's been school work. Spring break on the other hand actually was fun.

I'm currently finishing up a 4 week spree of exams. Sprinkled with homework and quizzes to add flavor, or just maybe to make sure the other teachers get attention when they're not offering an exam that week.

I've been involved with the Purdue Motorsports Association Grand Prix team. However, my interaction with the team has been severely limited by the amount of study sessions, exams, and supplemental instruction I've been going to in order to keep up to date with all the materials. I am fortunate that the management course I am in comes with little difficultly. I wish that the other courses were as intuitive.

Spring break was a good time. I was originally planning to go with friends to northern Michigan for a few solid days of skiing and snowboarding. This fell through at the last moment because it was going to be raining, rather than snowing, throughout the week up there. I was disappointed and relieved. It was a very long drive for very mediocre skiing plus it did save me some money. My new goal for the week was to get something productive done everyday. I was successful in that way. I learned more about the private pilot licence I've been considering getting. I took a demo flight, got a friend from the airport, enjoyed time with friends.

Other than spring break my recent life can literally be summed up by just saying school. I have been painfully busy with school. In my introduction to design course, the group work that has been required has been, less of a group effort and more concentrated than it should have been, imho.

I am still very much considering going to China next January. I am going to work at GE Aviation this summer in Cincinnati, OH and have just arranged for summer living. On a related note: if you know someone who is looking for a cheap apartment for the summer, let me know.

I am also looking for two solid roommates for the Fall 2009 semester. It is going to be a short term lease for only the half year. All utilities walking, distance from campus, 3br 2 bath. Competitive rate! hahah.. let me know if you know someone who's looking.

Thanks for reading,
Jon

Short Update

These last few weeks have been rather long. I've spent less time sleep and more time working than I would prefer. I have been working on class projects, exams, and gobs of homework. I have also been recently looking for new directions to take with my post-graduation plans. I've reconsidered going out into the industry right after graduation and started looking into government work or going DIRECTLY into grad school. Not sure how I want to continue right now, I'm just trying to get as many options as I can right now.

I will probably be going to China for school Spring 2010. It is an opportunity through Purdue to go over to the "#1 Engineering School" in China for a semester. I am hoping that this will allow me to grow my creativity and imagination when it comes to problem solving. I figure seeing the world from a completely new perspective will help develop these skills. I also think it'd be nice to go over there. I have a friend who went there for a semester and she thought it was an amazing experience. Getting out there and experiencing something beyond the everyday is important to self growth.

I've slowed down, thankfully, on following the internet and the daily blogs I used to visit. While I feel like I'm a little less connected to what's going on around me, I've enjoyed not sitting in front of my computer as much. Part of this is because I've been trying to go running a few times a week. It takes up an hour I used to spend online, but running seems to be a good usage of time. My best time so far has been running for 30 minutes at ~7 mph. I'm hoping to improve this to 8 mph in the next month.

Spring break is coming up. I believe I am going skiing in Michigan with a few of my friends. It should be a good time, I enjoy skiing -- and we're not going to just the dirt piles in southern Michigan. We're going to northern Michigan where they have full sized dirt mounds! (I'd rather go to Colorado, but real mountain's just aren't in the budget.) Take what you can get I suppose.

Jbiber