Life in China | Dominik Mayer – Products, Asia, Productivity
In 2008 and 2009 I spent 1.5 years studying Chinese at Tongji University in Shanghai. This is my way to China, these are my experiences in Shanghai.
I arrive in China on page 15.
Helsinki With Two Vegans
A first view of Finland while disembarking
Finn’s favorite letters on a poster in the tram
Tourist intruding Finish living space
Downtown Helsinki
Counter area of a Finish bank
Ship seen from Helsinki Cathedral
Building with display
Vegetable cheese pasta, not vegan
Near central station, too expensive
Perfect restaurant with dishes without “any animal matters”. Doesn’t serve à la carte food until 3 pm.
Vegetarian chicken
Final destination
My Rice noodles with vegetables
One-week vegan’s noodles with vegetables and separated egg.
Hardcore vegan’s tofu with vegetables
Finish record store
Pedestrian lights
M/S Viking XPRS being built in Helsinki
Advertising for tax free shopping everywhere aboard M/S Mariella.
Leaving Sweden
Another view of Lappis
Previously mentioned Grillkrydderi
And the fried noodles I’d usually make with onions, basil, oregano and thyme. But if Grillkrydderi is the only thing available… ;-)
Last combined breakfast and lunch with fried noodles, Kanelbullar, bread and margarine. That was one-week vegan’s first day back in his old life and the first time in Sweden that we could eat Kanelbulle together.
On the way to Universitetet
Nice light
Flygbussarna terminal
Check-in at Stockholm-Skavsta Airport
Our plane arrived too late so we had to wait for an hour. The pilot was quite funny, he appologized and assured: “We’ll have you down there as soon as possible.” Then he asked everyone to be seated as soon as possible because: “We have to be airborne in ten minutes.” He didn’t even stop at the beginning of the rollway, just drove around the corner, speeded up and took off.
They take away all the nail scissors but sell canned peanuts with these sharp tops. I’d rather be threatened with the scissors.
Frozen car
Burger King vs. Gusticus. Why is the first one closed at half past midnight?
Fried potatoes
Finally home
Impressions Back Home
I’ll post some of the over 1.400 pictures I took in Sweden soon.
Swedish Ads
Is it because of this blog or why do I get Swedish facebook ads now?
À propos ads. I don’t know if it’s the same in Germany, it never caught my eye, but Stockholm seems to be flooded with the same couple of ads over and over. Some popular examples:
That’s one I’ve only seen once. Looks like a Swedish version of the “Musikantenstadl”.
Spring Starts
As interesting as computer networks may be, learning for an exam is none of my favorite pastimes. And it was so beautiful outside. The sun shone, people left their winter coats at home, the city began to be in bloom.
How Old Are You?
A friend studying psychology started a Skype chat to ask some friends whether they would take part in an experiment. She was looking for people between 23 and 29 years. Here’s one response:
A: (hi)
… not 23 - born xx.4.84, you’re a bit too early :D
B: 1984 is ok
A: I see
C: :^)
A: well, then I’m on board :D
C: you are 23 when you’re born April 1984
… you’ll be 24 now :^)
A: I see
… shit
… yes
C: (shake)
A: I had counted with 24 (blush)
… I think I better hide…..
Munition
Just in case you want to torture someone, here’s what you need. I know what I’m talking about. I’m a victim.
Die Wildecker Herzbuben: Herzilein (According to Wikipedia Wolfgang Gliem, the one with the beard, is the second cousin of Bruce Willis)Die Flippers: Bye bye BelindaDie Flippers: Die rote Sonne von BarbadosSemino Rossi: Aber dich gibts nur einmal für michBoney M.: Rivers of BabylonDisclaimer: I want to emphasize that I distance myself from these videos…
Here’s a good one for a positive ending:
Simon and Garfunkel: The BoxerEmptying
I don’t know if the recycle bin has ever been emptied before. With the large hard drives you don’t really notice that you’re wasting 49 GB.
That's All It's Worth
One month after I sent in the form, I finally got the money for the Vista license. 30 Euro. Not as much as you have to spend if you want to buy it but who wants to get Windows? I wouldn’t use it if I’d get it for free. And I could get it for free as our university offers a legal version on the MANIAC server.
The Beginning
Took off the harddisk. In the external case I can transfer the most important files to the laptop and take the rest with me to China. With all my things gone, my computer feels so strange now.
Free Breasts
A Swedish feminist group called “Bara Bröst” (“bare breasts” or “just breasts”) chalked up their first success for the right to bath topless in swimming pools. According to The Local, the employees of a pool in northern Sweden decided not to act if women tried to bath semi-naked. There’s also an older, more detailed article about the group.
German news site Spiegel Online summarizes the comments asking why feminists have been fighting for a ban on pictures of naked women in the past.
Two or Three Days
I still don’t have the admission to Tongji. According to the friendly woman, they sent them out out on Friday so I should get mine in two or three days.
Hard Time
Preoccupied with Machine Components a friend forbids me to sing “Herzilein”. ;-) Not my kind of music but the two are so funny.
Questions
The TUM International Office called before. They got my Chinese documents. The admission? Why didn’t I get it myself? And how can it be delivered in only three days including the weekend? I better wait and book the flight tomorrow.