What Does that Even Mean?
Oh the things you miss out on while abroad, most recently the title of this blog. I just found out yesterday that to "do da heisman on dat ho" apparently means to "diss an ugly chick" and comes complete with crazy dance moves. I guess this has awhile before it makes its way to the big HK.
So crazy insane weekend, holla!
I'll start with what happened during lunch on Friday (aka the 13th.) I was eating outside the Canteen with some friends, just like any other day in which I eat. Then a big black van pulled through the quad...ok kinda weird. Then another van comes up with a huge portrait of a guy framed in flowers...ok weirder. Then a ton of people get out of the first van and pull out...wait for it...A HUGE COFFIN (I'm guessing the unlucky guy on the front of the van.)
The coffin is transferred, then someone climbed on top of the second van, took off the portrait and flowers, threw them on the ground, and everyone left!
Special treat today during lunch kids...a funeral.
Apparently Lingnan is built on/or surrounding a huge cemetery! And remember all the cats, from my blog "Five Weeks of Asian Madness: Monkeys, Cats and Squirrels" yeah, I found out those are to protect us from all the evil spirits that live among us. Apparently every single hostel is haunted. I asked around and heard tons of stories about haunted laundry rooms where entire conversations are heard, footsteps at midnight, and evil spirits that reside in mirrors.
How have I been here this long and never heard about this!
I tried to get some students to go to the haunted mirror-less bathroom I mentioned in my last blog and do Bloody Mary's, considering it was Friday the 13th and all, but no one would go for that. Haha craziness!
Anywayz, after this lunchtime treat I had a field trip with my Abnormal Psychology class to the mental hospital (talk about the start of a promising weekend!)
This class is really interesting because there is such a difference in the way mental health is viewed. Everyone gets really into the discussions and there is usually a lot of shock between the local students and the American teacher. I learned a lot about mental health in Hong Kong. While everyone and their dog has a shrink in the states, in Hong Kong you sometimes have to wait two years to get an appointment with a psychologist for things like sleep disorders or depression. But don’t worry, as long as you're suicidal you will be moved up the list, and if you have made at least one suicide attempt you may only have to wait six months!
It is crazy and everyone wants to fix the problem, but its complicated because of the population size. We had a great round-table discussion with some of the doctors. The facilities at the hospital were amazing and the staff was incredibly diligent and knowledgeable. It is good to see students here take such an interest in addressing the mental health issues that continue to plague Hong Kong (in the building next-door to campus there have been three suicides by jumping in the past year alone!) There is a growing awareness of the need for mental health treatment, and being that I'm a Psych minor it has been interesting to witness the change through this class.
SATURDAY
Today was the Annual Lingnan Sports Teams Gathering with the President.
Lingnan has tons of teams from Judo to Volleyball. I am on the Lingnan Dragon Boat Team. It's like rowing and paddling mixed on a huge boat with a dragon head and drums. Its a very traditional Chinese sport. And I am absolutely in love! Also I am getting killer biceps, which is a plus!
Here is the one and only Lingnan boys and girls dragon boat teams!
I love these guys!
My friends from the team, Kong and Queck, some of my most favorite people eva.
I am proud to say that we are the only all-girls team in Hong Kong! That means we compete against Macau and mainland China in June. Some girls on the team have offered to put me up in their houses after finals so that I can compete! I can’t believe how generous they are. It is such a great sport and I will miss it sooo much. They are trying to get it into the Olympics next year, fingers crossed.
Here are some more pictures from the dinner.
Me trying to find the camera.
The Lingnan Basketball Team. My friend Becky from America (front left) is definitely the tallest member of the team. The first day of practice she walked in and the couch pointed at her and immediately said "center!"
This is my friend Ken from the Rowing team, he's one of the nicest people I know.
All-in-all a hugely productive weekend and I am hugely exhausted and have practice tomorrow, so.
Peace love and drums!
