Work Starts! ... Or Not

YES!!!!!!! I’m FINALLY back on a regular sleep schedule. This morning I got up and got dressed for work, but after calling the office, I found out that they prefer my first day to be tomorrow instead.

For whatever reason, I just didn’t feel like venturing out of the apartment, so I curled up in bed again and watched a chick flick. For the duration of the movie, though, I felt a tinge of guilt that I was cooped up in an apartment instead of exploring and enjoying the vibrant and foreign city of Shanghai. It was just one of those days, and it took quite a bit of resolve to force myself out.

Luckily Henry was taking the day off from work, so I walked to the Shanghai Art Museum and met him. Not expecting much, I was pleasantly surprised at how enjoyable the main exhibit was! In honor of the World Expo, which is in Shanghai this year, Chinese artists painted depictions of each country. The exhibit was outstanding; the infusion of traditional Chinese artistry into portrayals of other countries was startling and beautiful. It was also very interesting to see how the artists chose images they felt embodied the country. Oftentimes it was famous landmarks, like the Eiffel Tower or Machu Picchu, but other times it was people, a dance or an animal.

"Madagascar" (Notice the style - very reminiscent of traditional Chinese paintings.)

I was incredibly eager to see the United States’ painting… What would the artist choose to symbolize America? I told Henry, “They definitely won’t paint people because Americans all look so different.” WRONG! The painting was a montage of faces – white, black, Asian, and vaguely brown – with the Statue of Liberty and generic skyscrapers in the background. Oh, there was also a fire-y dust cloud filling in the spaces. (We couldn’t wrap our heads around that!)

"The United States"

This painting reminded me that the US is fairly unique in its tremendous racial and ethnic diversity. I think that many Americans forget how special it is that our country is such a melting pot, and we really don’t celebrate it much.

Ah… I digress…

Anyway, after the museum, Henry and I parted ways and I met Nancy, a friend from the Seneca, for dinner. (She’s working at the art museum!) We wandered down Nanjinglu and its side streets, and feeling adventurous, got our food from street-food vendors. Later on we met up with Henry and some other Harvard students back in Jing’an Park. (I’m so amazed at how many of my classmates are in the city for the summer!) It was really nice to sit at the pond-side tables!

Jing'an Park at Night

I'm so glad that I ended up pulling myself out of my funk and getting out into the city. The weather right now is perfect – not too hot. Now it’s time to get some rest; tomorrow is my first day of work!