msinglynx's Forum Posts

Well hapatofu I will be staying a dorm for a few months after I arrive so it will be a while before I can have a dedicated space in my own home but that is ultimately my plan :)

I actually have quite a bit of experience working with for-profit independently owned galleries. It's not the ideal situation but to be perfectly honest, they are the ones who make the most $ and as an artist, I want to see what really sells, unsubsidized :) if that makes any sense.

This biennale sounds super exciting! I cant wait to go :D

Well hapatofu I will be staying a dorm for a few months after I arrive so it will be a while before I can have a dedicated space in my own home but that is ultimately my plan :)

I actually have quite a bit of experience working with for-profit independently owned galleries. It's not the ideal situation but to be perfectly honest, they are the ones who make the most $ and as an artist, I want to see what really sells, unsubsidized :) if that makes any sense.

This biennale sounds super exciting! I cant wait to go :D

Hi Kate! They sounds awesome! I would definitely be up for some sessions :D I'm adding your # on skype so you can delete it here if you want :)
I'm really looking forward to having more time to create and painting new things ^_^
See you soon!

Only a week left! Who else is excited?

So, there are less than 2 weeks left until I arrive in Chengdu :D and I'm wondering what to do when I get there. I consider myself an artist, love art of all kinds and love volunteering in anything related to art.

Do any of you have recommendations of cool artists to meet, galleries/museums to go to/arts programs to volunteer with?

Also I am think of possibly renting a studio space after I am there a few month. Do any of you know a good area to start one?

Hi Ben Tossell. The schools lack of responsiveness made me pretty anxious but I have become pen pals (sorta) with a couple of people from it and they are very reassuring about the quality of the program. I will add you on FB. :)

Hi Jonatan & Dominik.
Well, time is going by so fast! I'm starting to freak out! Only 3 more weeks!! What dates are you guys arriving? I'm flying from LAX on August 30th if anyone going on the same day wants to meet up before the flight.

@Dominik, I will also probably look for my own apt. but in the beginning while getting to know the area I thought it would be better to stay in the dorms.

I was wondering if anyone knows of a good, english speaking doctor in Chengdu (preferably a womens health doctor but I'll take what I can get ;p)? I need to get relatively regular check ups so it would be nice to go to a doctor who will understand me. Who do you recommend? Please include location and contact info if you have it!
Thanks very much :)

well jeez -_- whats the point of even having the number then? ;p And I'm technically a "sister" ;D

I dont have all the paperwork tho, they didnt mail it to me. I only just got the invitation letter yesterday & I had to ask for it in case I have trouble on entry. The appropriate embassy/consulate is in Texas & I am in Florida, I'm not going there and they seem to NEVER pick up the phone :(

Hi again!
I'm filling out the Visa app right now. I was wondering, if any of you have a sec right now, can you tell me how you filled out the second page? Since the school told me to come on a tourist visa I have no idea what, if anything, t put in the sections where it asks for "detailed mailing address (during stay)" "name of inviter" "name of contact person in china" etc. Should I just totally not mention SWUFE or should I write in the info and explain why I'm getting the tourist visa?
Thanks for your time!

Personally I'm really terrible at interpreting sarcasm so it'd be great if everyone just stuck to the facts and we stayed on topic about the school, classes and etc necessary info and stayed away from unnecessary commentary or criticism of anyones character.

For politeness sake and all.

And also, Ai Zhe Xi has been very nice and helpful towards me and made an effort to actually forward the discussion. I'd much rather be reading his writing on scary food than snide "jokes" or whatever.

Jane was referring to a mean spirited post mocking someone giving me advice. Looks like she removed it which is good cuz it was pretty rude.

WTF lol I dont even.....
But when does class staaaaaaaaaaaaart??? :)

Hey, does anyone know the exact date classes stare at swufe? I feel like I read it somewhere but now I cant find it. I want to make sure I arrive at least a week early to get my bearings.

I'm sure I will eat out ;p I just like having the option of cooking if necessary. I feel it gives me a broarder range of potential meals and healthy food is important to me (eh I'm old—27—gotta watch my health ;). But all joking aside, I am pretty sensitive to additives, preservatives and food coloring, so I prefer to know what I'm (really) eating whenever possible.

I also plan to get a single room and maybe an apartment next semester, after I get a hang of everything, but mizuiro I am definitely going to follow your advice about buying the fridge and burner.

How are the on campus cafeterias?

LOL Ai zhe xi, lamb is already shrapnel to my stomach (at least the one from the greek restaurant near my house is) but I'm definitely down to check out a net cafe. I will be arriving in a month more or less. I want to arrive at least one week before class starts but I'm aiming for the cheapest ticket ;p I knew I should have bought it last month. It was $600 & now it's almost $1000.

I totally agree with you both about Westerner groups. I'm going to China to learn Chinese and Chinese business practices, not keep speaking English! I will make soooooooo muuuuch moooore money with a third language.

What types of jobs are easy to find? I've gotten some teaching job offers, but I wanted to avoid those cuz when I leave they really wont help my resume. I work as a writer tho so I'll technically be working while there.

Anyway, if any of you want to, add me on Facebook. Maybe we can hang out once in a while when I get to China :D or make a study group :)
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=670090593

Oh and I thought there were small fridges you could rent for your room??

Heh brilliant, thats what I was gonna ask and forgot. Anybody recommend a good VPN? And do they work with the school's internet or should I get my own connection (I think I read that you can have internet in your room for an extra charge)?

Actually, I lived in the tropics. You can use mosquito netting and staple it around the window. You might get a few crawlies but it will keep out the mosquitos. Any fine, net-like fabric will work in a pinch, they can double as curtains :)

Did you choose your room or was it assigned? Can you switch?

Also, eat lots of garlic, like 2 to 3 cloves a day, otherwise it wont work just taking a bit once every couple of days. It's like a drug, it builds up in you and makes a toxic environment for pests but you need it regularly, or it's just flavoring ;p it's good for your immune system too, stops colds if you eat some right as they are starting. Better than going to the doctors for an antibiotic drip anyway (IMO ;)

Are we allowed to cook in the dorms? If necessary I can make most of my own food (including protean filled vegetarian if necessary), so I dont think I will spend much time sick :D I''ve read China Smack often enough to know I will probably not be eating much (if at all lol) at roadside stands :D I'm sure I'll find something edible, I dont mind spicy food at all :)

So it looks like I probably wont be losing all that much weight! hehehe

Dude, you sound like you are getting sick! Have you considered learning to cook for yourself? I chose Chengdu because I heard that it has a strong organic farming community. Cheesy I know, but I am aware how contaminated a lot of things in China are, so I thought it would be in my best interest to have a source of healthy food.

About parasites, eat garlic, as much as you can every day for a few weeks. It will kill at least some of them. You can eat it raw or heat it in a microwave for a minute and it'll get soft & sweet. Obviously I love to cook lol.

Thanks for the info on the gyms and cardio :D I'm sure I'll find something to do :D

I had a couple of other things to ask but my brain is fried at the mo & I cant remember :D I will probably ask them later.

Thanks Ai Zhe Xi