Still Playing Catch Up

Hello all,

So unfortunately I'm still about a week behind on this whole blogging thing. I'm going to try to catch up within the next week or so, if for no other reason than to make sure I'm meeting the 2 post per week average that I'm supposed to be following. For that reason, these next few posts will likely be on the shorter side, but I'll still try to hit on the coolest things going on here in China.

Last weekend we took a trip to the 798 Art Festival in Beijing. Those of you familiar with my tastes in art know that I'm have somewhat of an obsession with graffiti/street-style art, which explains the feeling of being overwhelmed I felt while walking around 798. I have a hard time explained what this "art festival" actually entailed. I guess the best way to describe it is what appears to be a former industrial area that is now covered in graffiti, and features emptied out factory rooms which now hold every type of modern-ish art imaginable.

[interpretation of my thoughts] : THIS PLACE IS TOO COOL.

I don't really know what it is about graff that really gets me going. Too be honest the only reason that comes to mind is that it looks "cool". But I don't really know what that means...

Some people appreciate art for it's historical value. Others appreciate art because it challenges the viewer to make his or her own interpretation. Others still appreciate art because it's just a "sophisticated" thing to do. I've always been a very visual person in terms of learning and understanding concepts, and for whatever reason the shapes that graffiti artists use just really strike me.

I feel like right now I should say something like "So forum, what is your favorite style of art, and why? Leave your interesting or creative responses in the comment section below." Sort of a strange post, I know. That's what happens when you have been listening to dubstep and have about a million things going on in your mind besides blogging. This week is going to be a busy one for me. I'm planning on taking the HSK Test this coming Friday, which is a standardized test that anyone who wants to work in China has to take. To friends and family, don't worry I'm not planning on doing any work in China anytime soon, it's just that HBA offers the HSK free of charge while signing up on my own could run upwards of $100. Besides the HSK, I'll be participating in the annual Beijing Speech Competition, which features students from all the various American summer programs in Beijing and Tianjin. The topic of my speech is my week at the Shaolin Temple and my experience learning gongfu (and here I was thinking high school graduation was the last time I'd have to give a speech in front of a bunch of people).

Anyway hope all of you are making the most of the last few weeks of the summer. I still can't believe two weeks from now I'll be sitting at home in Palatine. I think I'll do another post regarding the whole "time flying" aspect of this trip, so check back for that next time. Until then have a great Sunday.

Cheers,

Jamey

P.S. Check out Facebook for my 798 Art Festival photo album. Pretty cool stuff if you ask me.