9/8 Shandong University/ Jinan

Today Jessica and I were able to start our painting because yesterday we found the window we needed to complete our idea. It has been so hard for all of us to get started on the project because of the availability of supplies. It was like, ok I have an idea, now I need table space to draw it on or a printer, scissors, Internet, colored pencil?......we basically had to work with little to no materials. The basic supplies we did find were sought out. It seemed like such a hassle to actually produce a thought into an image.
This day began with the challenge of hanging the window so we could paint from both sides in unison. It was quite the production; to get our only window hung with makeshift supplies and contrasting views of how it should be done. We painted all day and has a great time. Jessica and I were in our own world, working intensely toward an unknown goal. We decided to work in response to each others spontaneous painting, so we had no idea of how the finished product would look. We simply wanted to relay our impressions about the other's culture. I painted my thoughts on China and she recorded her imaginings of America. We also focused on the words understanding and exchange to keep our thoughts together. The project has already brought us close. We were talking at the end of the day about how we feel comfortable together, like family.