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Background: For centuries China stood as a leading civilization, outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences, but in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the country was beset by civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation. After World War II, the Communists under MAO Zedong established an autocratic socialist system that, while ensuring China's sovereignty, imposed strict controls over everyday life and cost the lives of tens of millions of people. After 1978, his successor DENG Xiaoping and other leaders focused on market-oriented economic development and by 2000 output had quadrupled. For much of the population, living standards have improved dramatically and the room for personal choice has expanded, yet political controls remain tight.

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By carriebaron
September 3rd 2006

Insomnia

Asia » China » Shandong

BLAST it's 1:30 in the morning and I have my first class to teach tomorrow at 7:30am and I can't sleep! I'm kind of nervous but mostly my mind is just really awake. And I'm hungry. Oh my God, I want cheese right now. Mmmmmm, a goat's cheese and cucumber sandwich TOTALLY. Hmm. Now I'm torturing myself. SO, anyway, I'm awake and not really doing anything so I thought I'd update my blog. Last night (Saturday night) we went to JJ's bar, which actually opened this weekend. I thought it was opening next weekend. The pictures I took didn't come out [View Full Entry]

By carriebaron
September 2nd 2006

Carrie Baronoke strikes again!

Asia » China » Shandong

The girls at dinner

Thursday night Kara's Chinese friend Cabby took us out to dinner in the citywith some of his friends. We were given a private banquet room on the second floor of the restaurant. (This has been pretty standard. Many restaurants do this.) Cabby is president of the English Club at the university. He's HILARIOUS. He's got a lot of energy and is very outspoken. His friend Tom is much more subdued and very sweet. I tried a few new dishes that I liked, especially the niu nai mai pian zhou, which is a cold milk soup that has what I think is [View Full Entry]

By Preston_66
September 2nd 2006

Mumps mumps and lots of lumps

Asia » China » Shandong » Qingdao

Hospital 101
Just relaxin and waitin for this stuff to kick in!

Well we were told if you take this shot you'll be free of mumps for the rest of your life. But what they convienetly forgot to tell us is that there are different versions of the mumps through out the world. Which really does make sense. But all i know is that I spent a good 4 days in a Chinese hospital. Which really wasn't as bad as i thought. But at the same time it was a VIP hospital. Hahaha Lastly I have to give a shout out to the nurses that hit my vein twice and only missed once [View Full Entry]

By carriebaron
August 31st 2006

A couple new spots

Asia » China » Shandong

Zack, Kara and Jessie
The one picture I took inside the dance club.

Hello! Yesterday Kara Chin arrived. Kara was a teacher here last year. She went home for the summer and will be spending this year in Beijing. She came to Dongying to pick up her stuff and spend a few days with her Dongying friends. So we now have an expert to show us around! Last night Kara brought us to a couple places for drinks. At the first place, City Freemans, we met Zack and Jessie, who have been teaching English at another school in Donying and will be here for another six months. We then moved to 2046 (I think [View Full Entry]

By carriebaron
August 29th 2006

Where I live

Asia » China » Shandong

Where I live
Greg and Richard in front of the hotel where we live.

So like I said, I'm in Dongying, at Petroluem University. The campus is pretty big, compared to Skidmore, anyway. I still don't know my way around. I've posted some pictures of my apartment to give an idea of my living space. I'm patiently waiting for a clear day to take more pictures of the campus and the city. It's been very hazy and a bit rainy. As soon as the sun comes out, you'll be seeing more! [View Full Entry]

By carriebaron
August 28th 2006

Here I am!

Asia » China » Shandong

Wall of China
Richard, Dasen, and Greg.

Finally, access to the internet! Here's a quick catch-up of the past five days. I arrived in Beijing on Wednesday, August 23rd in the evening. Dasen, a liason from PU (Petroleum University, where I will be teaching) met us at the airport and brought us to an apartment building affiliated with the school. The next day he brought us to see the wall of China and the Summer Palace. Both were quite stunning despite the hazy weather. Friday we took a bus to Dongying with 30 PU teachers who had just returned from a month in Australia. I was expecting a [View Full Entry]

By Canucks in Asia
August 6th 2006

Blog 4: Teaching English

Asia » China » Shandong

Linyi
During rush hour this intersection is jam packed with cars and people going every which way!

Patrick and I have been here in China for almost 4 months, with only 2 to go before setting out and traveling Southeast Asia. For our first time teaching overseas I'd have to say I couldn't be more thrilled with how this experience has taken it's course. Our teaching staff at EF is really great, Charlie's from America, Patricia's from the UK, and Rachel's from Australia. We also have 5 chinese translators to help us with our classes, they are all oh so sweet! We are currently finishing up our busy season. Since all the kids have summer holidays from Chinese [View Full Entry]

By lisarenay2
August 6th 2006

TV star!

Asia » China » Shandong » Qingdao

Today I participated in the filming of a Chinese talk show. The entire episode of this local talk show was about Ohio State's Chinese program and the Americans in it learning Chinese. Terribly interesting, should do wonders for their ratings! We were on this big stage with purple lights and white sheer fabric draped in the back and a green teletubby...ok so it wasn't a teletubby, but they did have a green little pudgy alien looking cartoon character as the backdrop. My Chinese professor who has lived in the US for twenty years and so can no longer decode the Chinese [View Full Entry]

By Canucks in Asia
August 5th 2006

Blog 2: Summer

Asia » China » Shandong

Children's Day
Patrick's student Leaf, having fun

Rollin' Along Summer here in Linyi has been going great, and has been very busy with teaching. Both Chantel and I are loving the jobs and loving the experience of living in China. Linyi has been a great place to view the changing, developing side of China. In Beijing and Shanghai we expect we will find more of a "big city feel". A while back we had a childrens day in People's Square (located at the very centre of downtown Linyi) and the weather was great and so were the kids. More recently I took a trip with a busload of [View Full Entry]

By Canucks in Asia
August 5th 2006

Blog 3: The Calligrapher's House

Asia » China » Shandong

Calligrapher's House
Look! GREEN!

A few days ago two girls from an advanced English class that we are sharing took us out to a historic site here in Linyi. It's a rebuilt version of the grounds that belonged to a famous and rich Calligrapher that lived 1000 years ago. The grounds most likely dont resemble much of what they used to be, but it was still very beautiful and old looking.... and there was grass. During our journey through the site we met an artist who lives in Linyi. The girls let us know that he is quite famous in China, and even has art [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » Asia » China » Shandong