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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 daveterry
April 23rd 2006

Qingdao

Asia » China » Shandong » Qingdao

[img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/3085/97/200/DSC_6516.jpg" border="0" alt=""]What a clean city Qingdao is! It's weather is cool and dry. It reminds me of San Francisco this time of year. Wayne and Susan (Bill's associates) took us on a driving tour of Qingdao. We started in the fish market. Here's the deal. I dressed in my very best so that I would not embarrass Bill in front of his business associates. It turns out that I was the best dressed weiguoren in the entire fish market. I wore slacks, blac [View Full Entry]

By Lozy
January 16th 2006

My last day teaching!!

Asia » China » Shandong

My beautiful favourite student-I love him!

Well Friday was more or less my last day teaching and it was so so sad -I cried! Some of my Grade 1's were crying and shouting don’t leave Lauren, it was terrible, my favourite student wrapped himself around my leg and kept hugging and kissing me and wouldn't let go. I have completely fallen in love with him he the sweetest weirdest most adorable little boy in the world and it's breaking my heart to leave him! I gave all the students little presents -pencils and rubbers and ribbons and things but since he is my favourite he got a [View Full Entry]

By bohemian_astray
January 7th 2006

Je t'adore le tomatas.

Asia » China » Shandong

I am trying to remember the events of this last week but time has just kind of.. melded... and the definition from day to day isn't really there. Drank myself drunk on New Years and fell asleep behind a locked bedroom door... woke up at 11:30 and put myself and my spinning head into a taxi. Got to Pyramid just in time to see the New Year in and get soaked in champagne (not to mention a New Years kiss or two!). The wine hangover is one that I'd forgotten and I was kindly reminded of the morning after. Danny, Sophia, [View Full Entry]

By bohemian_astray
December 31st 2005

Happy New Year!

Asia » China » Shandong

In the spirit of Christmas, Travelblog hasn't been letting me update for the past two weeks so here are my belated Happy Holiday wishes for everyone, and best wishes for the coming year. Tonight is New Years Eve and I'm halfway into a bottle of wine and already plagued with the hiccups. It's going to be a fun night. The last week has consisted basically of two things.. work and sleep. Spent my one day off DVD shopping with Danny and then at hot pot and KTV with Danny, Sophia and Fay. Other than that, it's been teaching the ELEs, watching [View Full Entry]

By Lozy
December 24th 2005

Sheng dan kuai le

Asia » China » Shandong

Hi guys just wanted to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. Have just got back from spending a few days in Beijing and then a river boat cruise down the Yangzi which was amazing! Will write more about all that later. Hope you all have a great Christmas day wherever you are especially those of you far from home and missing your turkey like juls and Jayne in Argentina and NG in the land of schnitzel. Lots of love and festive cheer Lauren Hope the bar oz crew -shod,maclay,liz and MC have good night xxx [View Full Entry]

By Lozy
December 13th 2005

Yellow haired english teacher

Asia » China » Shandong

jojo

Just had to write another quick blog to inform you that this week I will be appearing on Chinese TV on a news report titled "Yellow Haired English Teacher" but don’t worry I'm trying my best not to let my fame change me! I was just taking a normal class when the headmaster rushed in and told me to brush my hair (how rude!) as the camera crew was about to arrive. They filmed me teaching and writing on the blackboard and singing head shoulders knees and toes - some how I don’t think it was the coolest TV debut but [View Full Entry]

By bohemian_astray
December 10th 2005

Bad China Day

Asia » China » Shandong

I'm writing this post to tell you how much I hate China at this very moment. I woke up this morning to an apartment with no power. No light. No heat (not unusual). No hot water. I can't boil water. I can't use my computer. I can't watch DVD's (not the end of the world). I can't do laundry. And all of the food in our fridge is bad. So it's 645 AM and I put myself together by flashlight. Out the door and my landlord meets me on my way out and demands the "property maintenance" fee. For sweeping leaves [View Full Entry]

By bohemian_astray
December 7th 2005

Fender-benders and Mop Closets

Asia » China » Shandong

Tuesday night, just got home from a very long day and here I am in my room, hidden away in my make-shift blanket tent with my laptop, because it's the only way to stay wsarm. I gave up on feeling my nose and toes about a week ago. It's winter in Jinan. Our "beautiful" city is still without snow, but honestly I hope it snows soon because this much cold without something visual to justify it is ridiculous. Today was another 7 hour teaching day. I fought a nasty battle with the alarm clock again this morning, but was defeated as [View Full Entry]

By bohemian_astray
November 30th 2005

Laura is a beautiful!

Asia » China » Shandong

Thursday morning and here I am, squatting on my maja (little Chinese stool), head stuck into the closet where my computer is now located, drinking my milk tea and finishing the last of a PB and J sandwich on stale bread. What a morning. I taught at the college, a completely unprepared class, as lately my mind's been preoccupied with other things. "Other things" mainly being this afternoon's class. Long story, but I have time, so here it is. The program we use in our Childrens' Department is a program very unique in China. It's originally from Korea and the only [View Full Entry]

By Lozy
November 27th 2005

Tall Tales from Binzhou

Asia » China » Shandong

Tae Kwen Dao

Again I have been slightly rubbish at updating my blog but due to the lack of broadband and sometimes electricity it is proving quite difficult! Sine my last blog entry I have been attending Tae Kwon Do classes (and yes I can hear you all laughing!) I cannot profess to have any skill whatsoever when it comes to martial arts although I do have a beautiful white suit in which to do it! There were four of us in the class, Chinese guy about my age, Brett, myself and a Chinese 12 year old girl who was some kind of Bruce [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » Asia » China » Shandong