Blog for liud2

After a long sound sleep last night and an enjoyable bath this morning, I'm glad to see myself totally refreshed now. Everything is so strange and exiting since my arrival here while actually the silent campous hasn't yet made me feel "American" a lot. The program leaders and interns strike me with their responsibility and hospitality. The campous is open as a community which is quite distinct from that in China. If anything not that satisfying should be mentioned, it's the food and the temperature set inside. The former tastes too salty and both of them are unadaptablly cold.
So it's the general impression of here made on me so far. I expect more of it.

I didn't expect life here is so fully arranged that even no time is spared for me to accomplish my blogs. Anyway, I love being busy.
The day before yesterday we had a bus tour around the city of Richmond and visited the State Capital Government Building which architecturally reminded me of White House. In the front door hall some words printed on the wall struck me deeply: Only when people of a country are well-informed, they can be trusted by the government.That's definitely why the government building is open here to anyone in need of knowing more about it. I'm not quite sure whether it's a certain form to indicate what we've called democracy nevertheless I totally believe it's a smart way to acquire public trust and loyalty.
Yesterday we started our academic part of this program in forms of lectures by professors of VCU. I tried my best to keep track of what they said and basically I did it. It was not easy, admittedly. After all, it's not the primary thing for which I come here.
In the evening, we took a trip to the shopping pump, the largest shopping mall of Richmond, as well as Wal-mart. Shopping here is not that distinctive comparing with that of China both of which offer products of large abundance and varieties. Shoes are much cheaper here. Some food on sale in the supermarket is of poor quality especially those drinks added too much sugar.
Tonight we plan to play bowling which is said by one intern quite an "American" sport. It must be very exiting. Expect it. : )

The day before yesterday we were introduced to the whole library by Mr Ream, one administrator here. This library is not large comparing with those of some famous private university actually, but in terms of its entire construction and facilities, it's undoubtingly integrated. I appreciate a lot the idea of dividing the building into four areas by floors for those demands of individually silent work and group discussion. It's a good symbol of an open, sensible academic study atmosphere in America. In comparison with this, Chinese libraries are a little bit close and stiff. Strict rules are set to force students to do what or not to do what. Further more, the considerate designs for those incapable readers are also lovely. Generally speaking, there are a lot we have to learn.

Yesterday evening we went to see the movie Harry Porter. It was not the movie itself that whipped up my interest of which I have seen none of the books and only two of the films. In fact I was attracted by the cinema, the imax screen. It was amazing. I'm fascinated by its wonderful visual effect. The movie was just so so for me but i like the atmosphere with a lot of kids and their parents. I also found audience in America will react more than Chinese when watching movie. They laugh, talk and tend to exchange their feelings.

It's five days since we arrived here and met these foreign guys in the airport. Within these days I feel that younths always have a lot in common no matter which coner of the world we're from. We are not mature enough and have our values modifying and developing. We talk about the topics we're all intersted in and ignore those we don't care about. We even judge a person in almost the same way by his appearace, manners and speech, measuring whether he's warmhearted, smart, responsible and welcome. It's quite intriguing.
After such a short-term contact, I have a primary impression on some of them, mainly those I've already had conversation with.
Vinh, our intern, is admittedly a considerate and responsible man who's always pleasant to oblige giving good suggestions about our schedule, transportation and diet.
Julie, also a beauty, one of the program leaders, plays the role of a planner sophisticatedly and succesfully.
Hannah, another leader, has a sagacious smile and even-tempered look who's definitely a good trouble shooter. I'm thankful to his twice help.
...

Last Saturday we spent a whole day in Busch Garden, a theme park in Williamsburg. It has not a large scale as such parks like Disney but it's constructed well and is fun. The first thing I have to mention is the ride Griffon. Honestly speaking, I had never tried rides like roller coaster or such scary games before and even believed that they would be isolated all my life, for my timidity or the opinion that seeking for such excitement was ridiculous. However, this time I broke the rule set by myself , or rather, the psychological obstacle inside. I joined my group mates with tremendous pressure, like waiting to be decapitated, although I managed an easy look on my face. The queue was long. It was a definitely torturous experience at the same time however, a gainful or even enjoyable undergoing. I conquered myself--the one with cowardice and indecision deeply in my body. This excited me not less than the ride itself. Until we were leaving I was not informed that Griffon was the most scary one of all the rides and just a few of others dare try it. Nothing is impossible only when you try.
Besides, the buildings in the park were adorable. I also love the music, the ice cream as well as the kids. It will be a nice memory for me.

It was so amazing to spend a day and two nights with sea, beach and sunshine last Sunday. Although my hometown was not far from the seaside, it was definitely the first time for me to be so close to it, I mean, living in a room with a balcony facing the beach, sleeping with the sound of ocean wave and enjoying such a whole day from dawn to dark. It was romantic. Nature is fascinating.
In the bus journey, we had some talks with Mathew, Brian and Mitchell. They are good guys--talkative and thoughtful. We picked up some topics about cultural difference, college life and even mentioned democracy. I'm a little upset for our education system which compared with that of America is suppressed and close, although we learned that when very young. The comparatively open politics in the US is also worth learning from. China performs very well on her way of economic reform but there's still a lot to be desired and expected.
During our talks I'm more and more convinced that young people have a lot in common no matter you're from. And if my English can be improved better, I believe our conversation will be deeper and more interesting.

I've just checked some videos on Youtube about some former current affairs, or rather political truth, which I'm always curious about but ill-informed all the time. I tried my best before to search such records and was also inferred to Youtube, but unfortunatelly, i couldn't get a link successully. Well, I've convinced myself that maybe for some reason such a block would make things better. After watching the videos I was shocked like any classmates of mine who once shared such staff before, from some resouces. It may seem to be nonsense to give any comments about this now because it's already passed by and left far behind in our history, but viewing from a broader perspective we can detect that certain old, awful fator is still retained. And it can just account for a lot of problems existing in our society. But what can account for it? I'm confused.

This Tuesday we went to CaryTown and had Thai food there. It was my first time to try Thai food which I had been told by some friends tastes pretty good. Well, I should say I love curry but Chinese food is my eternal favorite. It's the conclusion drawn by myself from these days' privation.

After the dinner John drove us to a bookstore where I got Harry Porter for my sister. I love the bookstore here for it's generous discount even for bestsellers which in China would be supposed to miss a big profit earning chance. Sometimes I'm really puzzled about American business mind although I could often benefit a lot from it.

It's nearly two weeks since we arrived Richmond. Viewing our recent life I've picked up a few key words to describe it: interns, lectures, cooking, activities, blogs and weekend. I haven't yet mentioned lectures in my blogs which actually takes a big part in our daily life, although we're fully aware that they're not the core thing we're here for.
The lectures covered most social science topics including culture, politics, business etc. I've tried my best to keep track of all the main points, but still it's difficult to concerntrate my attention for a long time. Probably it requires an upper improvement in my English. Also I'm impressed by some classmates here who can often come up with deep, sophisticated questions. They have a better manipulation of the language and must read more which's worth learning from. Besides we're encouraged by the professors to build an open mind and indiviudal thinking which means a big deal for us. Chinese students are used to follow the trend for saving the trouble of seeking and trying. It's the ultimate killer of youth's creativity and even the sense of responsibility.

Last Saturday we spent a whole afternoon with the Robinson's-- Ms Robinson and her adapted daughter Gellion, who's from China, Nanning. We joined a swimming party, walked along the Carytown and had dinner together. It was a pity that we didn't visit their home which, as Ms Robinson said, was not an American style house but just an apartment. But we're still thankful to them for the entertainment. The Chinese buffet was definitely a big gift since we came here. The eleven-year old girl was totally "American" from her manner and speech. I believe she should be fully aware of who she owes all of this to and what should be done as a reward because the person who adapted her must rescue her from an unimaginable life, favoring her with a family. At the same time I feel sorry for such children who lost the most precious thing when they were born as well as those parents who deserved them. It's also said adapted children from china are well-known for their filialness. I may feel better when the saying goes like children deserted in China and other countries become less and less.

Not until I come to this summer program did I find that the most attractive thing to me when I'm in a new region is it's landscape. I love beach, sunshine, sea as well as mountain and beach. Nature is the essence of the earth. At the same time the attitude of people towards nature life to some extent reflects their cultural differences
Yesterday we had a nice day by Sherando Lake about two hours' drive from VCU. It's a small sized lake with mountains around it, silent and peaceful. Far away from the city noise and pollution, people enjoyed their weekend excursion a lot with their friends or family. Children were playing water with their parents. Couples were lying on the beach, chatting under the sunshine. Some big families were cooking barbecuing busily, talking and laughing... Such scenery is everywhere in the broad land o f our country while these spots are crowd of people all year long. However, usually it's regarded as the luxury enjoyment of a year, like a bonus to a long time hard work. Few people have the sense in their mind to relax themselves by way of a trip to nature in their regular free time. Most of us tend to call friends out, have a party in KTV or a restaurant in the city, sometimes go shopping or see a movie together, or stay at home, reading a book and watching television. Time is easier to find with a group than by individual. Actually the sight by Virginia Beach in the evening is quite similar with what we see in the vacation of China. City or nature? Obviously the latter seems ideal and fair while the former sounds fretful. But I'm always wondering does the"individual" American often feel lonely and have they ever expected a better distance between people.