While I am really happy about the fact that Chinese legislators have passed a law banning domestic violence, I am wondering how and if it would be applied to this case.

I do not propose that this story is necessarily true as I do not know the source.  (The article claims that the source is source: SCMP.com).  However, if the story is true then the guy might be grandfathered as he did bash his girlfriend’s skull in at their bakery in September 2014, the law came into effect on March 1, 2016 and she woke up sometime in March 2016.

According to the article, while the guy was hailed on social media as the most attentive and loving boyfriend, but he tried to ban the girl’s family from visiting her at the hospital.  Now the moment she woke up, she accused him of bashing her head in because she burnt bread at their mutually owned bakery back in September 2014.

http://mp.weixin.qq.com/s?__biz=MzA3OTgwOTczMQ==&mid=434446597&idx=7&sn=d6e800e8aeffc72f4d76e7cda34520ef&scene=5&srcid=0310UPqILMGhRzLvJSRa0dBO#rd

Current Mood:  With boyfriends like these, who needs haters?

There has been an outpouring of opinion on social media regarding women’s roles in China of late.  While there is quite a number of people who claim that women’s rights in China are being eroded away due to human rights issues, we seem to forget that there are many issues which are finally being addressed in a positive way.

While, I am very American in the way I approach things which includes my continual need to complain and fix things, I try very hard to celebrate and encourage the good.  If you never congratulate or appreciate the good when can you tell if some thing bad is going on?

I do appreciate that China has passed and officially enacted a Domestic Violence Ban as of March 1, 2016 😀  There are many countries which do not recognize domestic violence as a crime never mind actually banning this form of violence.  This is a very remarkable step that needs to be applauded.

I did not think that domestic violence would be legally banned in China as it still happens in the U.S.  While we have tort laws in the U.S. which maybe used to charge those who are involved in domestic violence actions, we do not have a ban on domestic violence or abuse.  Hopefully, China will do one better and strictly enforce their domestic abuse laws as you see it almost on a daily basis.

China bans domestic abuse: ‘I woke up to my husband’s fist – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-35708330

In the past the Chinese government promoted marriage later in life and the one child policy, those laws and perks have been rescinded of late.  Women who were single use to have a few extra vacation days.  People with government positions in the past were only allowed one child or faced the risk of losing their jobs.

While those rules have been relaxed, other rules have been more strictly enforced.  For example, single women currently are not allowed to have IVF treatments in China.  Women are still encouraged to get married culturally and politically.  The Chinese government at one point had a campaign asking single women who were older than 27 to not be so picky and to marry.

While I love my freedom of being an independent woman who does not need a man, there are some news stories which make me consider the need for companionship, if nothing else to prevent me from dying in an elevator and not having anyone coming to look for me in 30 days.  I can hear my Chinese friends clucking at me right now saying, “I told you so.”

Xian lift death: ‘Why did no-one miss her – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-35742148

Another lovely thing about being a Chinese woman in China of late is the increase in marriage prospects for those who would like to participate in this institution.  I remember listening to my female relatives telling me their stories about being married off for money, business arrangements, etc.  Very happy to see that women now have a choice and if their hearts only are interested in material goods, they can ask their future mate to provide worldly goods.  While this is not my choice, at least Chinese women now have one…

The rising cost of a Chinese bride price – http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-35727057

See the portion of the article where the city girl dumped the country boy because she decided that his family was too poor.  (Personally I think this is rather shallow but to each their own).

International Women’s Day: Five pictures that reveal how women are treated – http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-35660047

Current Mood:  Encouraged by the increasing women’s rights in China.

Image taken at China Art Museum in Shanghai at the World Expo China Pavilion.

There have been so many stories about women in the news regarding imagery, their roles in society, and their place in society.  I do not think that this is largely due to International Women’s Day and its awareness through political promotion through agencies such as the United Nations.  I believe that the increased reporting on women’s issues in general are due to coincidence and media economics.

I think that the role of women should always be well represented in the news as we do make up at least 50% of the world’s population – 51% if there is no practice of femicide due to cultural practices.  Nature does seem to select for those “X” sperm…

What I disagree on is the need for a specific type of female imagery.  Why should we all need to look the same way?  Why can we not be fat, skinny, lanky, short, or in my case squat – as long as we are all healthy?  Therefore, I think that is is ridiculous that we need to have skinny only or plus size only models.  Frankly models should look like the average person because average people buy most of the clothes.  You want to sell more clothes, let me see how I am going to look in them.

Plus Size Models are Unhealthy Says Edwina Currie– http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-35681455

I am glad that the UN has decided that text books are showing sexist images and realizing that educational materials are an important source of stereotypes.  However, what are you going to do about this other than have people tweet examples of how their books are displaying sexist images?  How are you going to educate those about these issues who do not have textbooks?
International Women’s Day: Sexism rife in textbooks, says Unesco – http://www.bbc.com/news/education-35745327

Current Mood: Contemplating the need for better imagery in my own class.  Need to show women and men engaging in tortious activities…  I think that International Women’s Day should be a week long celebration instead.

Image courtesy of www.SDvictims.org.

A friend and I were happy about the lovely weather in Wuhan so we decided to staycation.  We headed to Forest Park to visit the monkeys which were quite docile and well acclimated to people.  However, they can also be vicious.   There are signs all over the park which state “Please do not wear red and antagonize the monkeys.”  I find the signs really interesting because I am not sure monkeys can even see red.  There were so many great moments with the monkeys which were not caught on film or through video because the monkeys were so adorable that I forgot I had the camera in my hand.

Yes, very behind on sharing photographs.  The weather in Wuhan has been lovely and has encouraged me to venture out and take photos.  They also reminded me about the photos that I have not had a chance to post.

The photos below are of my first Chinese New Years in China 2016.  You can see  that security was high and there were many people who were out and about to enjoy the festivities.  The Yu Yuan Gardens were impressive in the day but at night it was so beautifully lit and also packed that the Shanghai police had the help of military police.  The soldiers literally formed a wall and encouraged people to continuously move while taking photos to avoid the stampede issues associated with New Years 2015 in Shanghai.

There are so many museums in China now that art institutions and works are in vogue.  However, there are few that are actually worth the trip or the admissions ticket.  The former Chinese building at the World Expo site however, is amazing and exceptional.  They have an interesting mix of Asian art. Currently there is a focus on Indian artists and the traditional Chinese water colors, leather puppets, and more modern interpretations of Chinese water colors.  Also really loved the sculptured dress which if was actually made of cloth, I would wear.

Finally stayed at the Peace Hotel after all these years.  Talked about this moment since I saw the reconstruction crews in 2008  working on the outside. Will eventually look up the photo from the archives and post it on the site.

Family seems to have lots of ties to this hotel through the years.  Grandfather was a chef there during the war.  Great grand relatives were married there and had the wedding banquet there.  Some new memories as well – the views from the restaurant were rather amazing and the photos were excellent.  Had a really good swordfish sashimi at the restaurant.

The hotel now has a little museum on the second floor and free tours of the architecture within the hotel for guests/non-guests need to pay 100 yuan which is cheaper than a nights stay and probably rather worthwhile.  (Not sure,have not taken the tour yet).

Service was really nice and top notch.  Pool was a little small but nothing you can do about it as it is a historic building.  Lobby was beautiful.  The elderly members of the Old Jazz band were entertaining and the bar was comfortable. Even the wind cooperated with me for the photos – see the lovely fluttering Chinese flag.