I wish I could wake up to this sight every day. We spent the morning in Xing Gong Park watching the birds in their cages and what seemed like half the seniors in Xi'an doing various exercises. The activities included tai-chi (of all types, groups, individuals and levels); a myriad of different dances; choral practices; hacky sack, which they invited me to join; ping pong; badminton; water calligraphy; and a host of fixed exercise equipment for twisting and stretching. I hope you enjoy this as I much as I did. I will definitely try to go back.... read more

Fortunately for me, last week I was too busy to plan any weekend trips, so I got "stuck" with the prearranged activities. Boy was I lucky. I won't bore you with the record-breaking snowfall in Beijing and other parts that had people stranded beyond their deadlines for getting back. First, we had a home visit with a simply delightful family--one of my student's--on Saturday evening after touring her university campus. Then, I rode a bike around the City Wall of Xi'an in that thick, dry, gray air. Those at home will have a hard time conceiving of this inescapable smog "thingy" (as Mia would say). I will wear my mask, which one of my super students gave to me, when I am out like that again. I also got to see the (Beijing) Peking Opera. The ... read more

Happy New Year to All. It is still dark here on the morning of the 1st of January, 2010. I watched a bit of fireworks last night from my window, but I was too tired by the time the group left. Anyway, I knew it was going to be for more than just ice-cream, and I wanted to go to sleep. They say that whatever the New Year finds you doing, you will be doing a lot of for the year, so I hope that I will be doing even more to help other people become better and that I will also be growing tremendously this year. How about you? I wish you the best of everything and all that your heart desires. So, wherever you are, my friend, Happy New Year from Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, ... read more

It isn't mist. It isn't fog. (Wanna guess?) Just got back from my search for a laundry facility. When I did find one (some local girl in a record shop walked me over there) the woman couldn't understand me and was visibly frustrated. Half-way through, though, I knew I had to tough it out because I wasn't coming back to hang dry my winter clothes on the outside porch. People do not have dryers. It's easier for me to hand wash than to hang dry in the freezing cold. Brrr! It takes three to four days to dry on the porch. I wasn't prepared...ok! So, I missed the post office because that was less obvious than the laundry :O I am off to my Mandarin class. Have a nice day.... read more

Did I mention free time? I just finished a calligraphy class. I wasn't good at it. I will begin conversational Mandarin (or Pinyin, which is the word for the English pronunciations of Mandarin) class tomorrow morning and continue to teach in the afternoons. My days are full as I develop the lesson plans and mark essays. I may have already lost my heart to the eager, passionate, very bright students who do not worry at all about the English when we have the debates. There are 19 so far, but they will attend as their schedules allow. Our first visit to the Shaanxi History Museum will be tomorrow while I am in class, so I will have to wait to do that. However, it is literally across the street and I look at it from my ... read more

Arrived just before midnight here last night, and I am settling in to this wonderful, dusty, old city. Accommodations are good. My room mate is from Down Under, and the other five volunteers are from the U.S. Breakfast was waiting for us when we woke up this morning (can we do this at home?) and lunch was prepared for us after our walk--dumplings stuffed with fruit and meats, eggs, fried rice, spinach, potato noodles (too spicy!) and other foods including the American cold cereal and milk. We did a walking tour of Xi'an so we will know where we want to visit and shop later on our free time, discussed our assignments during Orientation, and went out for Peking Duck tonight. I enjoyed the tofu and gluten with sprouted edamame. Too tired to do much else ... read more

Today we are officially under the 21-day count. I need to make some lists...lots of lists...I am hanging all my hopes on e-mail, Skype and phone cards. They have promised me technology. Note to self: Do NOT schedule any more meetings. ... read more