Are the details in the fabric (Hold your own, know your name) Are the things that make you panic (Go your own way) Is it Mother Nature's sewing machine? Are the things that make you blow (Hold your own, know your name) Hell no reason go on and scream If you're shocked it's just the fault (Go your own way) Of faulty manufacturing. Everything will be fine Everything in no time at all Hearts will hold.

Hi friends.Much has transpired in the last several months. Here’s a short list and we’ll go from there:. I completed my legislative internship with state representative, Glen Casada and the Health and Human Resources subcommittee.

Such an eye-opening, incredible and historic experience. I spent almost a month in China for a graduate class. I spent over a week recovering from jet lag I had coming back from China. 🙂. I finished my Master’s degree (the courseworkstill have to take a comprehensive exam in November). I moved from Brentwood to downtown Nashville. Most significantly, I was offered a placement with the United States Peace Corps.I know that’s a LOT of information but I’d really like to focus on my China experience in this post, just for the record’s sake.

I’ll talk lots more about the other events as time goes by, but I need to write about China before I forget anything!Let me just say that my decision to go to China was incredibly last minute. Logistically, it didn’t really make sense and as far as my personal life was concerned, it REALLY didn’t make sense. I thought that I would have way too much to do academically to take 3+ weeks off. Not working for three weeks seemed daunting as well. However, the trip was subsidized by the university almost completely.

I think I probably paid 25% of what the trip would have actually cost. Also, the international experience and comparison of cultures and governments was so intriguing to me. Let me say it here and now: I wouldn’t take it back for a second.The following is the diary or log that I kept while I was in China, and was submitted for a grade; however it’s easy to read. After that, there are some pictures to look at. (There are over 400 on Facebook if you feel like stalking!)Amanda HooverSpecial Topics in Public Administration: ChinaAugust 1, 2011Dr.

RizzoBEIJING:May 9th: IT is 4 A.M. And WE ARE HERE ENTIRELY TOO EARLY. I was too anxious (and hadn’t given myself enough time to pack efficiently) to get a good night’s sleep.Surprisingly, I don’t feel jet-lagged at all.

I slept almost the entire time on the plane, and I slept so well our first night.There are so many people from different backgrounds on this trip, so I am very anxious to garner other people’s responses to the things we witness.This airport is like a museum; everything seems like an assembly line. Beijing cannot be put into words adequately; it is like the city doesn’t end.Tiananmen Square is the largest public square in the world and I was in it today! Chairman Mao is obviously seen as a deity in some respects; his face is everywhere.The Summer Palace was somewhat confusing to me at first, but now I understand it was used to confuse enemies.

The architecture is so different from our society; I feel myself staring at it all the time.I finally asked one of our guide students to ask some of the locals why everyone wants their picture with me. She said that the local said that I look “extra Western.” Ha-ha—completely fascinating.Why are there so many KFCs? Is crunchy, greasy chicken a valued commodity?

I like tea—but where is the love for the hot coffee. I miss it already. Okay: finished complaining. Unlike many, many other people on this trip already.Dr. Chen seems a bit overwhelmed.

I can tell that his intentions are good, and he is certainly a commodity in that he is our translator, but I can tell that other peoples’ patience is wearing very thin.TIANJIN:Our guide students couldn’t be more helpful. I did find it very interesting that all of them think that Wes and I are married. I’m really thinking about just letting them think that instead of trying to explain to them differences in dating and marriage in the U.S. The matchmaker system in China. I think that might be a very, very long discussion.I wore shorts today in Tianjin. Apparently, in some areas of this city, not en vogue. It doesn’t help that I’m tall and “extra Western.”I find it hilarious that Tianjin has 6 million people and it is considered a “small city” here.

Context is everything.Tianjin is filthy. There, I said it. Beautiful and filthy. I can literally see dust and dirt on my skin and clothes at the end of the day. For a country that respects its culture and heritage so much, it baffles me that they are willing to destroy the air and water as much as they do.The students tried to get me to try chicken feet, a delicacy here in China.

I think the words “hell no” came out. Whoops.I can’t seem to ever remember to NOT flush the toilet paper. Do they have moral issues with tampons here?

I cannot find a tampon anywhere in this country! Hello, American investors! Big tampon market completely available in China!I don’t care what everyone else says; the food here may be monotonous, but it is delicious. It has been incredibly easy to maintain a vegetarian diet here as well. Pirates in love online game. Again, a lot of that has to do with the people taking care of us; I am so appreciative of them.Well, I rebelled today. Nathan, Ashley, Wes, and I left Tianjin on our “free” day and took the light rail train back to Beijing.

I evaded all of the arguments between Dr. Chen and Nathan.

I think both of them are being pretty immature about the whole thing. However, if I’m not missing anything on the schedule and I’ve signed a waiver holding myself responsible for anything that happens, my conscience is clear.Best decision ever. Traveling in a group of 4 (albeit, all of us walk fast and are fairly well-traveled) is AWESOME! The Great Wall was incredibly humbling; to be in front of a world wonder is something I’ll never forget.Also something I’ll never forget: the tens of girls I saw today hiking the Great Wall in dresses and heels but looking at ME like I am the crazy one for wearing tennis shoes and athletic shorts.I also saw a man hit his wife in the face in public today. No one budged or even acted like it happened at all. I’ve had this pit in my stomach all day after witnessing it too. The incident occurred right after we exited the Great Wall, so I thought I was delirious for a second, but Wes also saw it.

I think he had to remind me to pick my jaw off the floor.The light rail, high-speed train is the future. That is one of the coolest experiences I’ve had. Sitting next to Wes, an Urban Planning major, was wonderful too; hearing him discuss the future of public transportation while on a high speed rail was somewhat surreal. I was actually pretty disappointed when we had to get off the train!Our conversations with the students have been my favorite part of this trip so far.

MANY of them, to my surprise, are NOT only children. I guess the extra fine is worth it to some of these families, or maybe their parents are only children so they can play the numbers game a bit.I was a little disappointed that all of the professors asked us not to discuss policy and especially politics with the other students. Their socialist political infrastructure/market economy hybrid is one of the reasons I am HERE after all. I did find out that all of them study a good bit of Marxism. Also, all of the professors thus far have been extremely defensive of Chairman Mao—before any of us even say anything at all. I suppose they assume that we despise anything he ever did, which is a little presumptuous.SUZHOUI can’t get over beautifully framed this city is by water. The temples have all been so incredible to witness, but my favorite has been the pagoda and temples we’ve been to in this city.The “old” district is really old: one of the oldest cities in China’s history.

Still can’t believe I’m actually here. Being a part of this society for a few weeks has made me incredibly angry at the public schools systems in the United States. I don’t think I EVER learned a thing about Eastern Civ and cultures in school. All of it so far as been on my own accord.That really is a shame; there is such a rich culture and history here.SHANGHAI:I think this city might be the most aesthetically pleasing to me so far, and that is saying a LOT since I have loved nearly every minute in each city. Our guide said that Shanghai was like putting 8 Chicago’s together.

Again, context is everything.This city seems much more welcome to Westerners. People seem a bit more welcome, and there are definitely more American restaurants (and a STARBUCKS!) I also really love that the highways here are lined with roses. Since they spend so much time in traffic here, it’s kind of worth it, I suppose.Also, I FINALLY saw a church today. A Catholic church and it was guarded like Ft. Knox, but nonetheless, a Christian church exists in China!

It only took until my next to last day.Religion, on the whole here, seems very nonexistent. Or perhaps a “take it or leave it” attitude. I was surprised that more of the temples weren’t crowded. I’d love to research a little bit more into that demographic.We saw Chinese acrobats tonight.

I think I’m going to be hurting in the morning just from watching them. What a wonderful way to spend the evening.The Bund District. I was overcome with joy at how beautiful my surroundings were. What an honor; and what a feat for China to industrialize so well and so quickly.I can’t believe how quickly the time is going by on this trip.

It’s almost time to start our trek back to the United States. Part of me is very excited to return, but part of me aches at the thought of leaving. There is SO much more I want to experience, and more of this region that is so intriguing to me.

I’ll definitely be back—I have to see Hong Kong!Post Trip P.S.:The jet lag DID hit on the way back. It took me about 7 days to get back to a normal sleep schedule—but TOTALLY worth it. It’s not any surprise to any of my friends that I’m too busy to keep a blog updated regularly. I was initially going to start this post out with a long, sorrowful explanation for my absence–but I don’t have any reason to believe that many people read this regularly anyway and if they do, they understand my shortcomings. 18 months is a long time to be AWOL, and for that I’m sorry.The world’s eyes are on Egypt.

I have been completely fascinated (and perhaps somewhat dismayed) by the demonstrations shown in the north African region. Even as I type this, I’m watching reports that President Mubarak is stepping down as his country’s leader, even after swearing that he would withstand the cries of his constituents until the next election later this year. I can’t decide if the 18 days of emotional and sometimes violent protests there are a sign that democracy has failed, or perhaps that it, in this case, is completely triumphant.

These people (young people, families, etc.) aren’t involved with any special interest group or political party; they are essentially fighting for their human rights, sticking up for their role in the economy and society as a whole. Most of the transcripts that I’ve read indicate that within the Tahrir square, dynamics between the citizens are positive:“We have Christians, Muslims, agnostics, leftists and rightists and we all live together well. In our community we’re trying to set an example of how we can all live together.

It’s like a city inside the city here. We are the kernel of the revolution.” -Malek Mustafa, Egyptian bloggerFrom these transcripts, we also learn that social media is at the forefront of politics and communication. The original invitation to protest in Tahrir was sent from Facebook.

The popularity of the event led to the highly publicized shutting down of all social media sites by the Mubarak regime.Is it a coup, or is it a sign that true democracy has taken place? Perhaps a slice of both? Either way, this revolution is a sign that governments, democratic or not, HAVE to peacefully progress with their people.When it comes to the United States’ involvement, I really have to commend and compliment the Obama administration.

I feel that finally, FINALLY the U.S. Has taken a passive role in an important (but still completely Egyptian) event, and I think that decision is completely appropriate. Sure, there have been statements issued and advice allegedly given on how to handle the uproar of disgruntled citizens.

However, it seems that Secretary Clinton and President Obama have decided to let the system (what’s left of it in Egypt, anyway) work, while still monitoring the world’s pulse.Since last I posted, so many things have happened to me, personally. I’m nearly done with my Master’s in Public Administration (focus in health policy) and I am also working for a state representative at the capitol here in Nashville. I really enjoy working on policy (politics, not so much but we can’t put the cart before the horse, now can we?).I suppose now is as good of a time as any to let my friends and family know that about a year ago I applied for the Peace Corps, and I’m still very much involved in the process of accepting a mission from them. I’ve been nominated for a health mission that would focus on HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness that would be located in Central/South America or the Caribbean. Nothing is secure or final as of yet, but I feel very led to take this path.Keep me in your prayers. Keep Egypt in your prayers too.

This is a big, momentous day for their people.

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