Tigers and Lamb(s)

Some guy was eaten by a tiger. A zoo tiger. Right here in Ha'erbin at the tiger park. I havent been yet, but I will go. It sounds like a bunch of starved tigers in pens. You can buy things and to feed to them ranging from a live chicken to a live cow. Apparently, China's record for members of the public being mauled or eaten by zoo animals isnt so good.

Speaking of eating animals. I ate a lamb. We went to a restaurant called "one lamb" and ordered one lamb. After selected the cutest little cuddly wuddly white as snow one eye green one eye brown lamb, we sat and enjoyed some warm beer as it roasted in an electric rotisserie in the back. Some time later the little guy arrived on a platter. The presentation was somewhat lacking and the waiter immediately commenced tearing the flesh into chopstick size pieces with his hands. It was tasty. Have to go back for another. Pictures.

In other news, a student was bea1en by the po1ice this last weekend. Details are still unclear as to what exactly went down. But it seems there was an argument over one of the parties speeding in the parking lot, an ensuing argument, and then its not clear whether the student or the popo started it. Several other students were injured by the popo. Some of the popo may have been drinking, and the students were probably as well, as it occurred in a bar parking lot. There are pretty mixed opinions of the event. Some think the student deserved it, others think the cops were abusing power/ negligent. Every news source is a bit different. There are pictures and a video of only the argument if you search. I dont think Ha'erbin is dangerous, not any more than LA. This is only one incident and things like this are rare here. I am probably more likely to be eaten by a tiger.

You probably have heard something about this thing called the chinese zodiac. I happen to be a rat. Forthright, disciplined, systematic, meticulous, charismatic, hardworking, industrious, charming, eloquent, sociable, shrewd, and scheming. That about sums me up. 2008 is the year of the rat. I am supposed to have extra good luck. I am also supposed to wear red socks, underwear, belt, and as much red clothing as possible all year long for extra good luck. If only i had known. If you happen to be a cow/ox next year is yours, so ask santa for some extra lucky red clothes to welcome in the new year.

Gender equality hasnt quite spread here. There are many examples of inequality, but today I go for just one. What do you say when someone gives birth to a baby girl what do you say? so so. or at least you have less pressure now (referring to societal pressure to raise a stellar boy). Back in the days before government enforced single child rearing, if you had two or three girls and no boys, it was down right embarrassing to your family name. now(back then (before 1950's) girls didnt go to school, or at least not that often or for very long), girls are not held to the same standards. if your baby girl doesnt study well, so be it, but if your boy doesnt study well you better start worrying and get to doing something about it. when someone has a boy you say congratulations. When I explained the custom of pink and baby blue for babies, the first question was "americans think baby blue is better than pink, right?"