Musings in a Reverie

3 comments Tuesday, March 1, 2011

It's been ages since I got back, but somehow the surge of being able to access blogger after being in China for 2 months wasn't quite as strong as I envisioned it. I guess it got drowned out by the surge I felt for Facebook and Twitter.

Of course, it might well be too late for a detailed analysis of a lot of things. What's worse - I STILL don't have all my pictures yet. Forgetful person that I am, I backed up a significant portion of them on a friend's USB stick - and that friend was abroad before I realized how important it is. Seems it is on the way now, but knowing the Indian postal service, it will be a long time before i get it.

Anyway, I digress. This post is going to be about the funniest, and likely most repeated story my brief period of living in China (as opposed to travelling there) gave me. To set the stage, I must acknowledge that I didn't have the difficulties most laowai face in China - I had people that I knew, and who could speak English to help me out with a lot of things. This included registering as a foreigner with the police, signing my one-month rent agreement, and so on.

Through my first week, I had already started using my phone (I was limited - only a feature phone with no working SIM card) for an extremely important task - eating. Before you jump to strange conclusions, I used it to ORDER food to eat. Now, I'm not a fussy eater, and with few restrictions (even sometimes scaring my Chinese friends with what I am willing to eat), pointing randomly at the menu worked just fine. Still - after the first 6 meals I started wanting to know what I was getting before I ordered it.

So I started googling things, and found that I needed to create my own menu - and what better place to have it on my phone. This also applied to basic translations of things I needed (Beer was one of the first words I added. Followed by water). This place was the most helpful EVER

So after getting the characters, followed by some formatting and screenshots, I had the basic translation cards for food (I had done this earlier with simple phrases and addresses). Here are some examples

So all was well - ok not quite. My friends had their own life to lead, and the timing was such that they actually had a lot of really important things to do in the first week I was there. Basically - I had no phone connection, and in the first couple of days I couldn't get one. Seems no one was free to help me for some time. This was quite annoying to be honest - not least because Zhejiang University is HUGE, and I needed to keep walking outside every time I needed to make a phone call to the person who was meant to meet me outside the Lab I was interning at.

I had no intention of buying a SIM card myself - hell I had a hard enough time buying groceries, even without having to ask for anything. Anyway, on the first weekend I saw a shop really close to my place, and decided it was worth braving the risk to go in. Perhaps the guy would understand a few words of English?

Well - sorely mistaken. It took my ten minutes to communicate to him that I needed a SIM card. This was after I removed the SIM card and actually showed it to him. Luckily, he had a computer and I could see an active internet connection. So I grabbed the keyboard (he instinctively realized he had to get rid of the pinyin translator), and navigated to navigate to an english version of Google Translate.

For the next 20 minutes, neither of us spoke a word - there were even a couple of people who stood by, looking with amazement at this weird Indian chap who was typing away on the store-owner's computer. Now people knock Google Translate, but I love it. Thank god Google didn't piss the Chinese off enough for them to block the service. I got every detail I needed - the rates, the best deal given the exact places to which I was travelling, the English language service number.

The minute I put that SIM card in, I felt totally empowered. Not because I had a phone, but because I'd managed a complex negotiation, without either of us understanding a single word that the other was saying. In the end, it wasn't my intercultural experiences that helped me out - it was my propensity towards thinking of tech-solutions to any problem.

So - if you're travelling to China, and the trip isn't long enough for you to think it is worth mastering the language, do not fear.. even with just a feature phone, you've got a lot of options. The rest of the trip would probably be a lot easier for you if you have a smart phone, and can manage to get internet access (there are some apps that translate photographs of Chinese characters into english) - but keep the Google translate option in mind while getting hold of that internet connection from the local shop.

Posted byKK

at1:53:00 AM

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What's in a name?

0 comments Wednesday, August 4, 2010

I've been using the monicker "wayfaerer" in quite a few places... and it isn't uncommon for someone to stop and ask me what it means. As I mentioned in the very first post on this blog, it is essentially a middle-english spelling of 'wayfarer', which means a traveler or someone who goes on a journey.

Now although I've been on a few trips before, in Europe and India, this upcoming trip is the only one that really feels like a journey. As I mentioned, I'm off to China... and I'm going to be spending more than a month living by myself there. Its my first real experience like that, and in a country that is more than just a bit foreign... and for once, I feel like I REALLY connect with that alias.

That said, I'm totally excited.. I'm working in a really reputed lab there, so I can look forward to both academic learning in things I am really interested in, as well as life-learning. And even if the former doesn't happen.... which it might not because things look really complex (Blogger is blocked in China, so my advisor can't read that), I can be assured that I'll come back with experiences that will help me adjust anywhere in the world..... which can be a really useful thing.

One other thing I'm excited about, is that I get my own apartment there (or rather, I am paying for my own apartment). So no roommates, and the other trappings of college life that make being out of home a relatively simple experience.... at the same time, there's space peace and quiet. Things I value quite a lot. Perhaps my opinion would be different were I to spend years studying somewhere.. but for this one month, I'm glad about it.

The best part, of course, is that solitude isn't the hallmark of the trip. There are plans to go to Hong Kong, Macau, Beijing and a few other cool places in China, and I'll be travelling with people I know quite well. Following that, the Symposium (which I've mentioned before).. which means I'll be interacting with many many people. Seems like some type of exponential progression :)

So.. there it is. Learning, and fun lie ahead, and I shall be off in a few hours. What doesn't lie ahead, however, is my blog. Or Facebook. Or Twitter. Since all those things are blocked in China.... by what some people I know call The Great (fire)Wall.

So I'll be behind the wall... but those of you who know me can always find me on the various IM platforms that I am known to haunt... I have a feeling I'll be online quite a lot.

Look forward to a post in about a month and a half about the trip, and my experiences.... until then, read the archives. lol

Posted byKK

at6:50:00 PM

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Deviance

2 comments Saturday, July 10, 2010

Today I just got out of the hospital after having a minor surgery. It was the first time I've been checked in to a hospital myself, and the whole experience was quite interesting

I was in there to correct a deviated septum... basically my nose bridge was bent, and that restricted my breathing. It was a problem that had been bothering me for quite a while, so I decided to get done with the correction once and for all... rather than keep suffering in small amounts over time.

Well, one thing I've already figured out is that being a rebel isn't always good. If it hadn't been for my damn rebellious septum, it wouldn't have moved out of place, and I could have avoided the surgery.

I was getting admitted at night, and the surgery was only in the morning. Since I was going to be there for a few days, I packed a whole bunch of things with me. Laptop, iPod, a book, chargers for all my electronic devices... it felt almost as though I was going on some type of long trip. In retrospect... that's almost exactly what it was. Come to think of it, I think this is what my dad's ideal vacation is (minus the anesthetic and surgery of course).

After getting to the hospital, there was some paperwork, and lots and lots of waiting. I was getting quite frustrated, since the plan was timed so that I'd be able to catch a show on TV. Well, that plan went up in smoke as I waited for what seemed like an eternity for people to take me to get a few tests done. What's worse.. I didn't get a wheelchair!

After watching so many people on all medical shows being pushed around in a wheelchair, I thought the least I could expect was to avoid all walking around during my stay at the hospital. Well.. no such luck. I had to walk the short distance to get the tests done.. and soon I was in the rather comfortable room, watching TV. I listened to my latest musical obsession (at least that's what other people seem to call it).. the soundtrack from the show Dexter.

For those who haven't listened to it, or watched the show..you must check it out soon.

The next morning was the surgery... someone woke me up at the unearthly hour of 7 AM (especially considering the late night), and started with some antibiotics and fluids being put into the IV. After that they decided to pack my nose with some type of cotton in order to prep my for the surgery.

The rest of it was a blur of activity.. I finally got my wish of being pushed around when I was put onto a bed and rolled out to the OT for my actual surgery. I remember seeing my CT scans, where the doctors explained what they would be doing, some regular conversation... and the next thing I know I was back up... the packing in my nose was changed, and I was quite confused (more than normal).

I got a memento from the surgery though.. the bits of my cartilage that they removed. One of the nurses was showing me that bit, and I requested her to keep it around. When I got a proper look at it I was shocked... I wonder how there were that many EXTRA bones in my nose. No wonder I had trouble breathing. Oddly enough, the container did echo some bits of Dexter. Those who've seen the show will be able to make the connection

Yes... I like freaking out people who are slightly squeamish. And yes.. my nose is still intact. Contrary to a belief being spread on facebook, the result is NOT a Michael Jackson style false nose. Most of it is still around.. and it looks no different from before.

Anyway.. one bit that I did not expect was that there was not much pain associated with the surgery. Not immediately after I woke up, and not several hours I had recovered from the effects of the anesthetic. Although I'd been told that the surgery would be painless.. it was great to discover that this was, in fact, the whole truth.

Following this, I had to hang around in the hospital while the packing in my nose had enough time to steady my now-tamed septum, and also so that I could be pumped with a variety of medicines in order to speed up my recovery.

The discharge report I got from the hospital said that the recovery was "uneventful". Spot on! In fact... it was annoyingly uneventful. I slept most of the first day, but after that.. I was horribly bored. The fact that I couldn't sit up for too long without my nose dripping blood didn't give me a variety of options either.

Most of my time was spent messaging people, listening to my iPod (Muse was the flavor of the day.. needed something interesting but still soft since I couldn't move my head) and watching television. I even got my laptop for a few hours of internet surfing in order to change up my routine.... it seemed so much like home, except that I had a bed that tilted as per my controls.

One thing that I did like about the hospital was the food. It seemed that it was always time for some meal. Juice, a snack, lunch, tea, dinner.. the list went on. Surprisingly (this was the most surprising bit to me), the food was actually good. I would have no problem voluntarily paying for food from there if I was in the vicinity. I found myself enjoying every meal at the hospital.... it really made me wonder why hospital food has such a terrible reputation. Quite undeserved in my opinion.

Anyway.. today morning it was deemed that I'd been hanging around long enough, and the packing was removed. It was quite a bloody sight. Probably the only part of my whole stay at the hospital which actually hurt. When I left the hospital, it was strange to notice that the only bandages I had on were at the point where the IV was connected.... it didn't seem to fit, but I'm glad that more damage wasn't done.

Hardly as eventful, traumatic, exciting, or unexpected as a surgery post *should* be, but that's exactly what I thought as well. Still a bit peeved about the wheelchair though... it wouldn't have been too much of a bother to give me one to roam around in for a few days. Ah well... not everything can go the way one wants.

Posted byKK

at10:46:00 PM

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New Beginnings

0 comments Sunday, July 4, 2010

I'm back! Well, for now at least... and hopefully at least a few other posts.

The last several months have had a lot packed in.

The year started off quite nicely. We got to celebrate New Year's after a long time, and although the night itself was far from being perfect, it still was nice to be able to be out at a time when everyone was welcoming the new year. My new year's resolution fared reasonably well for the first few months.. but as with most New Year's resolutions, it ended up getting eschewed quite soon.

This was soon followed by my second attempt at the GRE (my first attempt fared reasonably well, but not well enough), and the result was very satisfying.. though perhaps not perfect. As you could guess.. there was nowhere to go but down. ( actually everything COULD have stayed just as good.. but no such luck for me)

My semester started off with an accident on my bike. I ended up getting quite badly hurt... some scars that are still around (some of them are intriguing actually), and a few stitches. No one to blame but myself really. Seems like my short motorcycling career involving high speeds and reckless driving was waiting to catch up with me.

More recent events have, however put me in a contemplative mood.

The first of these has been my semester exams, which got me thinking about my attitude towards important points in my life. I've long followed the principle of "minimum effort for good results".. which had me put in the amount of effort required to get what I deemed were good results, worth aiming for. When things got important, that minimum was automatically raised and I found ways to ensure that I did not just 'OK', but well. It seemed like the crunch situations were made for me. I found myself automatically focusing at levels I never bothered with earlier. This worked out quite well... and I managed to get what I aimed for most of the time (one might question if I aimed high enough, but I've always been happy with it).

The principle got augmented to "minimum effort for acceptable results" over the last few years. Apathy towards exams builds quickly when very important ones are every 6 months, the focus is on regurgitation, and its possible to do quite well with a very small amount of work. Until recently, this too allowed me to get what I aimed for.

As you might have guessed from the mention of GRE, I'm planning to apply to grad school later this year.. which means my 6th semester is the last one I'll be able to show off on applications. Not much to boast about so far, but I had a desire to do WELL (in the absolute sense), since it would probably be the most important. I went with the assumption that as before, things would work out naturally in crunch situations.

Reality caught up with me. The exams went poorly, and there is no one to blame but myself, and the lack of desire to get myself working in line with my goals. This was quite a disappointment... not because I expected to do well (I realized I couldn't), but because my belief in the magical ability to pull one out of the bag took a deserved beating.

The other event is a bit closer to home. It didn't turn out well, and this was not in my control.. and the way things unfolded got me thinking about some qualities and ways of approaching situations that I value a lot. I tried hard (perhaps too hard).. but looking back it need not have been this way (i.e. same result, better route) if I'd thought about the way I view most other things: practically and logically.

While everything I've said so far is highly disconnected, the changes made me think about how to deal with a multitude of situations.

Its obvious that relying only on what works naturally is not always good enough.. effort and dedication are definitely important factors for anything to succeed.

However, it is also important to realize when you are trying to fit a square peg into a round hole (this is a blog...clichés are allowed :P ). I've realized that maybe my approach of dealing with academics and people could do with some mixing and matching. Effort when applied in the right amount can give great results. However, there is a point in both cases, beyond which the efforts put in stop yielding results... and the incremental effects of what is put in diminish rapidly.

It is also interesting to consider that many times, putting in too much effort into making something work may in fact be counter productive. In my case, I find that the most visible effect is that it disconnects me from my core strength: analyzing situations even-handedly. If you are too invested in making something work, you are unlikely to realize when the effort isn't having the desired results.

So the last few months have taught me that its essential to put in enough work to move towards what you want. Without this, you are left with a goal or a dream... but no movement towards it. At the same time, it is also important to maintain enough perspective so that you can judge whether the work is paying off... in order to be able to decide when to cut your losses.

With that learning, I've figured its time for me to start getting serious about my short-term goal: get into a good grad-school. I've probably spent the equivalent of a few months looking up programs and doing research about where to study.... its time to start putting in work to reach that goal.

For now, that work involves an interesting project, which I have the opportunity of pursuing in China within the field of my interest (if the noble great and benevolent Chinese Consulate grants me that longer-duration visa I need), for which I need to spend a significant amount of time supplementing my current knowledge before I start off.

And those are the "new beginnings" I hope to have... derived from the ending of an interesting* semester.

*Here interesting is the way Germans say it... meaning not so good

Sorry for the rambling post.. its been a long time since I've written anything. I'm sure it will get better... it feels nice to type out something though.

Musings in a Reverie

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