National Day of Humiliation Remembered

This past Sunday morning, I awoke to sirens wailing outside my window.  I looked outside to see if there was a storm, but it was a clear sunny day.  On my way to fellowship, I could tell the sirens were coming from all the police stations located around the city.  And it wasn't until the speaker at fellowship informed all of us that the sirens were marking a historical day in China that I understood.

80 years ago on September 18th, Japan attacked Chinese troops in Shenyang, in the northeast of China.  The actual event is still a controversy as to who started it, but the Chinese say (as well as Wikipedia :) Japan blew up a section of the railway under its control near Shenyang.  Japan then accused Chinese troops of sabotage and bombarded the barracks of the Chinese troops that same evening.  Over the next few months, Japanese troops invaded much of northeast China starting a full-scale invasion of China and triggering a 14-year war of resistance against Japanese aggression.

Chinese troops had been under instructions to adhere to a nonresistance policy and were urged to not put up a fight, thus making it easier for Japanese troops to occupy many major cities and their surrounding areas with minimal difficulty.  The Chinese troops were made up of mostly irregulars or new recruits and were no match for the experienced Japanese troops. At this time, the Chinese government was preoccupied with numerous internal problems; a newly independent Guangzhou government, a Communist Party uprising and terrible flooding of the Yangtze River.  So China turned to the international community and appealed to the League of Nations calling for the immediate stop to Japanese military operations in Manchuria.  Japan rejected to the League of Nations attempt at negotiations and ended up resigning from the League of Nations in March of 1933.

Many Chinese view this day as a National Day of Humiliation and are urged to never forget the event.  "The past humiliation should be remembered, and it should also be taken as a driving force for the Chinese people to strive for the country's rejuvenation."

To read more about this event and China's reaction visit:
Mukden Incident - Wikipedia
Commentary: China Should Never Forget History of Humiliation

What A Small World It Can Be

I recently received an email from two Chinese exchange students who are studying at my alma mater, the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana.  I was shocked to hear that they had received my email address and information from my parents at the recent football game.  They happened to be sitting next to them and my parents, being the friendly people they are, started up a conversation.  They learned that these two students came from a university in Beijing and are studying at U of I for one semester.  My parents taught them the rules of the game and shared many stories with them of their dedication to U of I.

I emailed these two students back asking what they are enjoying about studying in America and what they miss about their home country, China.  After living in China for over a year, I recognize the many differences between the two cultures and how difficult and exciting it can be for an exchange student.  I have had to deal with many hardships adjusting to Chinese culture and I am sure that for many exchange students, living in America is a shock to what they are used to.

I stumbled upon an article on NPR explaining the struggles that these cross-cultural students can have.  It gives many examples of how awkward and un-relatable living in another culture can be.
Take a look: From China to the U.S.: Student Juggles Two Worlds

Some of you may know that I studied abroad twice while in college.  I went on a short-term winter trip to Benin, Africa in 2007 and a semester long study in Tuscany, Italy in 2008.  It was because of these opportunities that I am living and working in China today.  I recognized my passion for international work and the desire to learn more about other cultures. I encourage everybody to either study abroad while in school or go on short term trips.  They are invaluable experiences and often life changing.

My parents at the U of I football game...Go Illini!!

Beautiful Yunnan Photos

Here are a few gorgeous photographs taken by a professional photographer around Yunnan, not me.  They highlight the different minority groups and their traditional dress.  Enjoy!  More to come later.