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Published: December 23rd 2009
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Christmas Performance in the New Grand Theater of Taizhou
The newly opened Grand Theater in the city of Taizhou has brought world entertainment to the hometown of China's current President, Mr. Hu Jintao. From its interior, happy holiday wishes to all of my family and friends. MERRY CHRISTMAS 2009 AND HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010 --- In China the "Spring Festival" will honor it as The Year of the TIGER !!!
2009 IS MY 4TH CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY SEASON IN CHINA, AND THE TIME AT TAIZHOU TEACHERS COLLEGE IS JUST AS EXCITING AS DURING MY FIRST YEAR. I WISH ALL OF MY FAMILY, MY FRIENDS, MY STUDENTS AND COLLEAGUES (past and present), AND THE HUNDREDS OF READERS OF MY TRAVELBLOG FROM SO MANY COUNTRIES A VERY HAPPY HOLIDAY TIME. THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO SHARE MY ADVENTURES IN CHINA, AS WELL AS FOR YOUR MANY GENEROUS COMMENTS AND KIND THOUGHTS. MAY YOU ENJOY AND SHARE THESE HOLIDAYS WITH YOUR FAMILIES AND YOUR FRIENDS IN AN ATMOSPHERE OF WARMTH, AFFECTION, AND GREAT LOVE. TO ALL OF YOU, A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR, 2010.
IN CHINA, THE SPRING FESTIVAL PREPARATIONS ARE ALSO IN FULL SWING, AS THE EXCITEMENT OF MY STUDENTS MOUNT IN ANTICIPATION FOR THEIR "SPRING-FESTIVAL-VACATION". TO ALL OF MY STUDENTS, FELLOW TEACHERS, THE STAFF AT TAIZHOU TEACHERS COLLEGE AND MY WONDERFUL FRIENDS AROUND CHINA, I WISH YOU A HAPPY "SPRING-FESTIVAL 2010", THE YEAR OF THE "TIGER" !!!
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Some months have passed since
More holiday wishes from my home in Taizhou Teachers College.
Though the Christmas tree in my new home inside the campus of TTC is more modest, the loving wishes to everyone comes from the heart. Happy wishes for a special Christmas Season 2009 to my family, friends, staff, students and the many readers of my TravelBlog. my last TravelBlog entry, I am sorry. The delay is mostly due to my focus on the needs of my eager students at Taizhou Teachers College and the attention I must pay to them as their teacher. All of them have been making intense efforts to pass their all-important official and nationwide examinations, which are presently being administered all over China.
These examinations, known as the CET-4 and CET-6 examinations, are the only and next avenue for my students' continued success as future teachers. My student-scholars at Taizhou Teachers College study and shiver from morning until night in unheated classrooms and dormitories, making sure that their scores and results permit them their next step toward a successful future. The process is not an easy feat for them, and competition in the job-market of China is fierce, and not without fears, anxiety and some tears. But they continue to sturggle and persevere.
So, I am sorry for the lack of communication, but as a teacher, I must take the needs of my students into consideration and make them my priority.
But my past months have not been without adventures and excitement, some ups and downs, new travels and,
Everyone of my classes helped in a Christmas celebration.
Each class had a Mr. and Mrs. Claus helping me to give out some small presents to the students. Here, the winner of the biggest prize smiles with joy. at times, a need for some solitude from professional and personal pressures.
To share with you some of these times, I have compiled a photo journey of these past few month on our campus and of some of my travels. A journey to the city of Wuhan in the province of Hubei was one of these highlight during the past months, as well as a few return-visits to Beijing.
Within the city of Taizhou, I will offer some photos of a new floral park just outside the city limits and some colorful activities on the campus of Taizhou Teachers College.
I hope, the compilation of the pictures (sorry, 265 photos) in this TravelBlog #120 will convey the special and pleasant times I continue to enjoy in China. Perhaps you will forgive me for the amount of photos, but they may also privide you with some additional entertainment during your Christmas Holidays.
I extend my holiday wishes to all, who have been so faithful in the love and friendship during my past 4 years at Taizhou Teachers College in Taizhou, China.
A VISIT TO THE CITY OF WUHAN, THE CAPITAL OF THE PROVINCE HUBEI:
The
All of my students at Taizhou Teachers College are special.
All of my students have asked me to extend to all of you their special holiday greetings. industrial city and somewhat bland city of Wuhan is about halfway between Shanghai and Chongqing. It is situated at the junction of two rivers (Chang Jiang/Yangtze River and Han River). Some years ago, it was an important arrival point for cruises passing through "The Three Gorges" of the Yangtze River. These cruises are no longer available from Wuhan.
With 8 million inhabitants, it is a rather large city, thought I found it a rather boring and dull city, of little interest for a tourist.
It consists of an amalgam of three formerly distinct settlements: Wuchang on the right bank of the Chang Jiang/Yangtze River, and Hankou (once a treaty port from 1861, a base for merchants and consular officials) and Hanyang on the left, north and south along the Han River.
The remnants of its colonial-era architecture can be seen along the waterfront of the main road along the Yangtze River, the Yanjiang Lu.
In Chinese history it is also interesting to note, that the 1911 Nationalist revolution began here and because of its location Wuhan has become a major economic center and transportation hub for China.
Wuhan does not have much to offer in
My '09 English Education Majors
Everyone of my classes are so special, and we had a great time celebrating this holiday season together. Though I am far away from home, they helped sooth some of my holiday longings, now having missed Christmas a 4th season, while teaching in China. terms of specific sights, though the "Huanghelou", the Yellow Crane Tower (built in 223 AD) has been carefully restored, and the surrounding buildings have been rebuilt in traditional Chinese style. The view from top of the yellow- tiled-roof tower and its curved eaves provides a great vista of the entire city and the two rivers.
The Guiyuan Si (Temple) is an impressive temple in the Hanyang district, and has a collection of 500 luohan (arhats), known as the pupils of Buddha, each with his distinct persona.
On the eastern edge of the city is a large lake and a huge park area known as "Dong Hu" or East Lake.
Close to the lake shore stands the "Hubei Provincial Museum", one of China's great museums and a must-see, when visiting the city of Wuhan. The museum is dedicated to the artefacts excavated from the lavish tomb of "Marquis Yi", who died in 433 BC.
The highlight at the "Hubei Provincial Museum" is a complete set of bronze bells (bianzhong), still possessing perfect pitch and tone. It has been impossible to replicate the casting methods used, and the bells have only been played a few times. However, it
My friend, Gunther the Christmas Goose!
He did not have to worry about ending up on the dinner table. Whenever I visit him in one of the local parks, he recognizes me and poses for me with a smile. is a joy to hear concerts at the museum auditorium, using duplicates of the bells.
I am sorry, but I hope you will not tire as you look at the 265 photos in the TravelBlog entry. They will provide you with a glimpse into my life these past months in China.
As always, your thoughts and comments and suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!! MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!! MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!
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ONE LAST NOTE: I HAVE RECEIVED SO MANY FACEBOOK MESSAGES AND REQUESTS. I AM SORRY TO SAY, THAT I AM UNABLE TO JOIN YOU ON FACEBOOK NOR READ ANY OF YOUR MESSAGES. IT SHOULD BE KNOWN TO EVERYONE BY NOW, THAT THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT HAS "BLOCKED" FACEBOOK AND U-TUBE WITHIN CHINA FOR EVERYONE !!!!
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cynthia
non-member comment
Happy Holidays & I'm glad to hear you're okay. Best wishes.