Blog interview

Some weeks ago I was interviewed about my blog for Chinatravel.net. With the risk of being too narcissistic, here’s the link to the interview, where you can read about why I came to China, my best (and worst!) travel experiences, and so on.

"Stuck in the toilet"-drama as a cartoon!

I received an email today telling me my "stuck in the bathroom story" had been made into a cartoon on the site M and Mx.

The story can be found by clicking here.

To me, it's awesome to find out that people might laugh at my "misfortunes" because then at least I know that I don't make a fool of myself in vain, haha!

(And let's face it, I'm a bit of a clutz, so it tends to happen quite often)

Learning 'Suzhou-hua' on a local TV show

OK, so finally I’ve managed to upload some videos to my computer… that only took… one day?! Oh well, let’s blame it on the flu.

The TV show shooting went OK. Unfortunately I didn’t get to speak as much as I had expected though, and I don’t think that did me any favors. Rather, I believe I look a bit like a dumb, blonde just sitting there, wide-eyed, not understanding so much… Aooch, not an impression I love to make, but I’ll tell you why it went like that.

The show was about teaching foreigners some Suzhou-hua to emphasize the difference between this local dialect and standard, Mandarin (putonghua). The foreigners that had picked were me and a 5-year old girl who had a Danish dad and a local, Suzhou mom. I was happy when I heard about the half-Danish girl, and tried to speak to her (seeing that Danes and Swedes normally have no problems understanding each other. Besides, I am from the ‘Danish’ part of Sweden –the very south!), but to my surprise she didn’t understand anything.

-Oh she doesn’t speak Danish?
-No… just some words. She speaks Chinese.
-Hm… OK….

So… basically. The 5-year old girl knew quite a bit of Suzhou-hua (her mommy had done a good job teaching her some), meanwhile I knew nothing. Result: the little kid looked like a whiz kid and the grown up blonde looked like an airhead. Oh well.

Still, before the show I was quite hopeful. I spoke to everyone involved in the shooting and received praises and compliments for my Chinese. Then the 2 hosts arrived: two middle-aged, heavily made-up Chinese men that, when I looked at them up close, reminded me of 2 scary kind of white faced clown. They weren’t very friendly, and it was kind of obvious that they regarded themselves as big TV-stars, and us as…. Extras.

They show consisted of two short interviews, one with the cute little half-Danish girl and one with me. First up was the little girl. She’d already won the heart of everyone simply by being adorable, and as a result, everyone ‘ooohhhed’ and ‘aaaahed’ to every little movement she made. When the dropped one of her flip-flops halfway through the interview, she almost received a standing ovation.

However, it took a while to shoot her interview. While she rocked the ‘Suzhou-hua’ part, the hosts also wanted her to speak some Danish. She practiced saying: “Hej mit navn er Catherine!” (Meaning: "Hi, my name is Catherine!”) with her mom 5 times, but once the camera was rolling she got all nervous and didn’t get any further than to ‘hej!’. For being 5-years-old, however, I still think she was a star!

The hosts then taught her some phrases that I have no idea what they meant, seeing that they didn’t translate them to mandarin.

Once they were done it was my turn. I had by then swallowed so many painkillers, throat relief pills and hot water that I felt a bit… out there. But up on the stage I went and was blinded by the strong lights. I was seated in the middle of the two clown-looking-hosts and then we were rolling.

Funny, because they knew I didn’t know any Suzhou-hua, still, as soon as we started shooting they said:

-Oh so this young girl is from Sweden, let’s hear her speak Suzhou-hua!

-ehhhh… ehhh… Ne he?! I tried (Ni hao = hello, in Suzhou-hua).

Roar of laughter.

-Please introduce yourself in Swedish!!! They urged.

-Hejsan allihopa! Jag heter Jonna och kommer från Sverige!! (Mening: Hi everyone, I’m Jonna and I’m from Sweden) I said, flashing the camera my biggest grin.

-HEJSAN ALLIHOPA!! Said the clowns. (their pronunciation wasn’t bad!) What does that mean?!

I translated.

Big smiles from all three of us.

-OK, let’s teach you some Suzhou-hua, shall we?!

-Sure!

-OK! So, do you know what this means: 4872jsfkpgdsfiu9bf 89f724rbipnduv7vp92v7?! (yeah, seriously, that’s what it sounded like. A long line of words I had nooooo idea of.)

-Eh, no, sorry?!

-Well, guess!

-ehhhh, can you say it once more?

The completely new line of words was said and the clowns looked at me expectedly.

-I’m sorry, I have no idea!!!

Roar of laughter.

-Well it means “where do you live here in Suzhou!” Now repeat after me!

I then had to repeat this totally new line of words and I could tell just from listening to myself that I didn’t do a good job. The clowns, however, loved it.

We went on like that for 3 more phrases, and in between they engaged in heated discussions in Suzhou-hua, leaving me sitting in the middle, looking like a lost misfit.

Still, I was waiting for them to turn to me and ask me what I thought of Suzhou-hua, how it compared to Mandarin, or at least give me a chance to say something more.

But then, suddenly, we were done!

-Thank you so much! You did great! They clowns said.

-ehh, that’s it?!

-Yeah!

Oh dear.

The show will air in 1 or 2 weeks (yet to be decided apparently). The producer was happy with my effort, despite me not saying that much, and asked if I would be available for future shows.

-Sure, but only if they are in Mandarin, I replied. The whole airhead look just isn’t for me.

I asked if they would put the show online but the answer is no… so I don’t know how I could record it? (seeing that VCRs are not ‘in’ anymore). I don’t even know how much of the footage of me they will use, seeing that I wasn’t that good.

Anyways, I recorded some short, 20-second footage with my mobile phone (not of myself though) that you guys can enjoy. I pointed the camera towards myself once just to get some evidence of my actual presence!

All in all, it was a fun experience but I wish I could have gotten a chance to say some more things. Oh well, maybe next time!

And that's how I made the local news, everyone

Better behind the camera than in front of it...

Yesterday, just when I was rushing from Suzhou’s university (HSK afternoon class) to grab a taxi and head to one of the Korean families whose kid I teach, a Chinese woman ran up to me and tapped me on my shoulder. Now, I am one of those people that scares extremely easily (ask anyone who knows me and they’ll give you an exaggerated nod, followed by a ‘yes, really, SHE DOES! You have to walk on eggshells around her!’) so this unexpected tap resulted in me screaming out loud like a pig. Poor Chinese girl looked more than terrified when I calmed down and apologized to her (they always do….).

-Eh…I just wanted to know if we can interview you for our TV program?! The girl said.

-TV program? I looked around and instantly spotted two Chinese men, one carrying a giant camera, on their way over to me.

-Eh, I am kind of in a hurry?! I said. By then the Chinese men were by my side and pushed the camera in my face.

-Sorry, I don’t have time, I said, this time in Chinese.

-Oh, she speaks Chinese, PEEEEERFECT!! One of the Chinese guys said, and the camera guy got even closer to me (not going to help dude?!?!).

-But really, I am running late, I should go. I said.

-Oh no no no, insisted the guy. You just answer one question. Very short. Very simple! OK, let’s do it!

-Well, what is it about?

The guy waved to the camera guy who backed down a little bit, did some adjustments, and obviously had the camera focusing on me.

-We are doing a program about people’s opinions about lesbians and gays! So what do you think? What’s you opinion about homosexuals?

A microphone was passed forward to me and the boy and the girl looked something between agog and excited. Even the camera guy mastered a smile.

-Eh… I…. ehhh… What do I think?! Well I don’t have any special opinion about homosexuals? They can like whoever they like, boy, girl, whatever, it doesn’t matter. It’s up to each one of us.

The three face expressions changed from excited to disappointed.

-Where are you from?

-Sweden.

-In Sweden, what’s the attitude towards homosexuals?

Three new eager expressions appeared on their faces.

-Eh… same as I just told you. No special attitude… everyone likes who they want to like….and no one really cares….

Huge disappointment mirrored in their eyes. Gosh, what did they want me to say!?!?? That we hunt homosexuals with sticks in Sweden (because we don’t….)? Well, yeah, I guess they WERE in fact fishing for something more interesting than my mellow answer.

-OK then.. the guy said with a sigh. That will be it. Thanks.

Once the camera was turned off it was my turn to take advantage of the moment.

-So what channel are you from?

-Suzhou’s local news.

-Ah cool. Do you have any laowais working there?

They all started laughing.

-NOOOOOOO!!!!!! No laowais!

-I am currently looking for a job… maybe I will apply at your TV station… do you think it would be possible for me to work there even though I am a laowai? I can speak Chinese and I have a journalism degree.

-YEEEEES! Said the two guys.

-NOOOOOOO! Said the girl.

Name cards were exchanged before we said our goodbyes and I jumped into a taxi. On my way to the Korean family I thought of 8764386487 good comments I could have said… why is it always so, that once you have the chance you always get so nervous and often say something quite lame, rather than seizing the opportunity and actually say something rather smart? (maybe that’s just a ‘Jonna thing?!’). Anyways. The rest of the day went on quite normal and it wasn’t until 10pm when my boyfriend received a rather hysterical phone call that I was reminded of my lame, TV performance.

-You girlfriend is on TV, you girlfriend is on TV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was his company driver who was obviously watching the Suzhou local news. We had no chance to see it ourselves, and I am actually quite happy about that. Now I just wish, madly and deeply, that neither did any of my teachers!

SHE in China at "Blog interviewer"

Someone recommended my blog to a page called "Blog Interviewer" and as a result, I've been interviewed by them. Noting super interesting, I just thought I'd mention it. The Blog Interview page features a bunch of blogs, so maybe you'll find something you like from their link selection. And, you should of course add your own blog to their list! Read the full (although short!) interview here

About the ongoing (?) translation frenzy....

Wow, this is something between weird and ... weird?!
Emails and comments have been dropping in from all over the place: people have told me that a lot of Chinese online newspaper/pages, including Sina, have translated my post 'Chinese man + western girl,' into Chinese and posted it on their page.

First, to answer the most common question asked by people:

No, I didn't know about this and no, no one asked for my permission.

I actually don't know if there is any 'rule' applying to blogs? Can people just translate blog posts freely and post on their paper? Well at least in China it seems so!

I am not angry/upset in any way that they have re-posted my translated post (although I hope the translator did a good job! haha!), but more like, startled. (as one person who emailed pointed out: 'you should be flattered that they found your post worth while to translate....') Although of course it would have been really nice if they would have emailed/called and told me, or/and if they would have published a link to my blog. But they got my name right, and cheers for that, I don't have the most common surname (or first) name in the world... in fact, it's almost a 'one of a kind'-name, and I think I can confidently say that I am the only person carrying the combination of my first name and my surname in the world... (oh man, does that sound cool or smug?!)

Apparently, however, this 'translation of my blog post' has been going on for a while. I have been getting emails from different people for a while now, who have found my translated post on different Chinese pages/online papers. Just the other day I bought myself a 3-kuai copy of 意林 magazine, who has accompanied one translation of my posts (this one) with a cute little illustration. Kind of weird (but fun!) to find your post in a Chinese magazine?! I just wish my Chinese was good enough for me to do the translation myself (but yeah, as we all know, that ain't gonna happen anytime soon! But nothing wrong with dreaming right?! Besides, you should set high goals for yourself, isn't that what they say?!)

I should also mention that there are other (English) publications/web pages who have re- my blog posts AFTER asking for permission. So it's a combination of good and bad I guess. Anyways, any translator reading this, thinking about translating it and sending it to some Chinese page: please let me know!!!!!!!!!!! I mean, wouldn't you want to know yourself if someone translated your stuff??

For all of those (translators, readers and others) who have notified me about my translated posts, via emails or blog comments: thank you!

Oh, and btw... hihi... I showed my '意林' article for my Chinese friend Rocky yesterday, feeling a tad bit happy that he could finally read something I have written. I was expecting him to be over the moon, but when I asked him what he thought he said:
"Well, it was OK I suppose, but I think it is written for western people, not Chinese. I don't think many Chinese people would share your views."
Aoooch, so much for being confident?! Haha! Well, actually, I loved the fact that he was so honest. He also mentioned that my writing style (translated, but still) apparently broke all the rules for Chinese writing... hm... maybe that '写作' class I am currently doing will do me some good?

Oh, and another btw... a 'normal' blog post will come this afternoon. This translation stuff just got me a bit side tracked this morning.

US-China Today...

....has done an article about about China blogs/foreign bloggers in China, and my blog has been featured (including a small interview with me). Not 'news breaking' interesting, but if u wanna check it go ahead. It also features some other bloggers.

Check it here

"Your Say" at China Daily

Picture: China Daily

Someone at China Daily seems to dig my blog as s/he now twice has quoted me in a section called 'Your Say' (what I find extra funny is that unless a reader would have pointed this out I would have been clueless about the fact that I have had a 'say' at China Daily...). I'm not quite sure if it is a good or a bad thing that s/he calls me 'an inventive young lady'.... It sounds a bit smug?!

Anyhow, here is a link to my 'underwear in your handbag in order to avoid metro guards'

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2008-07/25/content_6875774.htm

And here's me talking about dirty warehouses being homes to good vegetable markets....

http://chinadaily.com.cn/cndy/2008-07/18/content_6857893.htm

SHE in China at the Pakistani Spectator

A lively morning. I wake up at 5am as I have to catch the 7am train to Shanghai. First thing I am told by my bf (who's been up since 2.45 am just to watch a game) is that Sweden beat Greece in the European football (yes we also call it football in Sweden) championship. Sure, it is 'only' the European cup, but still. Sweden hasn't won anything prestigious for a while so got to be happy for em. Next up I am told an interview with me has been published at the Pakistani Spectator. So if any one's interested to find out what my fave book is, and why I am writing this blog, here it is:

http://www.pakspectator.com/interview-with-blogger-jonna-wibelius/

Now, coffee.

SHE in China has made the Brazilian press :)

I forgot to tell you, but some weeks ago (or more like a month ago?) I was interviewed by a Brazilian reporter from G1 globo.com.

If anyone can read portuguese please go ahead, and while you're at it, please translate for me too?!

http://g1.globo.com/Noticias/0,,MUL395501-15516,00-SOB%20PRESSAO%20JOVENS%20CHINESES%20SE%20ENTREGAM%20AO%20ESTUDO%20E%20A%20INTERNET.html

Listen up!

A lovevly American couple has interviewed me about my spendings in China... in case any of you are interested, the podcast can be downloaded from this address:

http://www.podcastingnews.com/details/feeds.feedburner.com/AtHomeInChina/view.htm

If you cannot go that way (don't we all love the great firewall of China?) u can use the following link:

http://anonymouse.org/cgi-bin/anon-www.cgi/http://www.str8forward.com/athomeinchina.html

Happy listening!