December

December is a month full of reminders of Christmas and the upcoming holidays.  It is the same here in Beijing.  Our school is loaded with christmas trees, candy canes, and ho ho ho's.....it makes me sad to not be around familiar surroundings and people.  Yesterday I got a Merry Christmas CD from my friends in Sackville and it was a true gift, something that made me happy, yet sad not to be there. It is hard to believe that it has almost been 4 months since I landed.  What an adventure it has been!  I continue to experience new things, meet great people and work harder than I ever have had before.  I recently travelled to Xi'An which is a city south of Beijing famous for the Terra Cotta Warriors.  These warriors are all man made and each one is unique.  They were accidentally discovered by a farmer in 1974 who has been made famous (and rich!) as a result.  While we were there we got to meet him, get his signature and take his picture.  We travelled down on a sleeper train over Friday night which for me was a highlight in itself and flew back on Sunday morning.  It was a fast trip but full of lots of exciting sightseeing.
It is now less than 2 weeks until we depart for Bangkok, Thailand.  We spend 3 days there and then fly into Phuket which is the beach we are staying at for just under 2 weeks.  I am very much looking forward to a break from the school and my students and some much needed rest and relaxation.   Thanks for reading this short message.  Things are going fairly well for me..this whole experience very much seems like a fog that I haven't come through yet...it should be an interesting year.

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I apologize for the lack of postings.  I am more of a facebook'er and use skype frequently.  It is amazing how small the world feels when you are able to talk to people half way around the world and have it feel like they are in the same room.

In any case, it is the middle of November.  The weather is changing much like it does back in Canada...so far, we have not had snow...just some cold days and nights and the promise of even colder days as winter slowly creeps in.  I would say that I am adjusted to life here but I don't think one can be completely adjusted as there is still so much to get used to and learn.  I am learning a lot and growing as a person each day and through each new experience.   Things are becoming more manageable and it is hard to believe that I have been here for almost 3 months!  Christmas is coming soon and I will miss not being back "home" in my familiar surroundings of Sackville with good friends and families.  However, I have plans to head to Thailand for the 2 weeks and so that will be a good alternative...I suppose!

I attended an event called "The Gift" which was hosted at my school.  It was a local initiative to bring together NGO's, christian organizations, and local charities.  I was walking down the corridor and ran into my roomate from 1999 when I attended the Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship's School of Ministry!  This totally blew me away and made me realize what a small world we live in.  He is a pastor here in Beijing now and I will be sure to check out his church soon.....River of Grace.....(www.theriverofgrace.com).  I have attended a church next door called BICF (Beijing International Christian Fellowship) a few times but have not made any real connections as the church is rather large with a congregation of about 600 people.  You can only attend these international "christian" churches if you hold a foreign passport.....the local chinese have to find other ways of meeting....  I will update more on River of Grace after I make it to a service.  

.....thanks for reading, for those that are....take care and I miss you all!

First Month happenings

Well it has actually been one month almost to the day since I landed in Beijing.  I have already had some awesome experiences that I may have only dreamed of having before.  Beijing is an amazing city and there is always something to do.  Work has really consumed my life....I have been teaching for 3 weeks and must say that it has been the most challenging 3 weeks in my short lived teaching career. I have 21 students, most of whom don't speak much english....it can only get better I hope.  I spend my days at work and my evenings are usually filled with a short work out at the gym (the air quality is so bad here that you really shouldn't exercise outside) eating out as it is so cheap to get take out here, and keeping in touch with friends.  Last weekend I enjoyed a hike on the Great Wall and a visit to a preserved pagoda forest with lunch at a local restaurant that grows its own fish.  I am going to the canadian ball tonight and had my suit tailored made last weekend.  That should be exciting!  Well, that's all for now.....
We got a week off in October and I am heading to the guilin mountains and the village of Yangshau as well as staying a night on the rice terraces.  Guilin is one of the most beautiful places to visit in China.  Thanks for the prayers and support!

First Week

Hello all,
If you are reading this please attach a short note at the bottom to let me know you are reading as it will encourage me to keep posting.  I am safe and sound in my apartment in Beijing.  As we are 11 hours head of Atlantic Canada I have a hard time keeping in touch with some of you as the time difference makes it difficult.  We were on the plane for approximate 14 hours from Canada to Beijing not including the flight from Moncton to Toronto.  I was never so glad when the plane finally landed and I was able to get off.  We flew East and North over the north pole to come down into China....it was really interesting to look out and see the frozen deserts of Russia!  China is quite the country and I have only really seen our neighborhood so far.  I look forward to the traveling that will come in time.  I have eaten lots of interesting foods including Greek, Italian, Thai, German and other bits and pieces....you might be wondering why not chinese but it is actually harder to find real chinese restaurants around here as this area is so multicultural and diverse.  However, I am sure I will be enjoying lots of Chinese.  I absolutely love the food so far!  In addition to eating, we have done a little bit of shopping, visiting and exploring local markets, and getting settled into our apartments.  The crew here is great and I have met lots of interesting people and have already bonded well with many of them.  They really do become like a little family.... Well, we start work tomorrow at the school and I will finally get into my classroom and see what it is like and what is there in terms of supplies and resources.  Kids start next Monday and our orientation with the families is next weekend.  Thanks for reading..more to come later!

About to leave

On the way!  Pray for me especially as I create this blog.