Blogs from Liaoning, China, Asia - page 17

It’s hard to believe it’s been a full decade since I saw in the new millennium, dancing to cheesy songs and eating overpriced, inedible fast-food. So what better way to see in the new decade than to do exactly the same in China. Anyway, I will save New Year, alongside Christmas shenanigans for my next email. With daylight temperatures rarely warmer than minus fifteen degrees Celsius, exploring the bitter cold streets of Benxi haven’t really been high on my agenda. Apart from an embarrassing game of badminton, where my new boss gave a free lesson to his watching friends on how best to annihilate a foreigner, it’s been two weeks of pure, unadulterated teaching. Probably the greatest gratitude that can be bestowed upon a teachers weary shoulders in China, is the chance to give English names ... read more

Coming from northern Alberta, we know what cold is. And when it is cold, a person bundles up, sits in front of the television (or fireplace) and drinks hot chocolate - or other warm beverage. It was not in my range of thinking that I would be heading out to the airport for a trip to Harbin- to check out an Ice Festival - on New Year's day, with the temperature at our destination a frosty -39 Celcius! It so reminded me of one year ago when Connellans, Tutts and Berrys met at the Nest in Slave Lake for a 3 day ski and wine trip, departing at -40. Both of these ended up being fabulous trips, though. Leaving Rick behind, I joined Fairy (our intrepid tour guide), her husband Paddy, Marion as well as Peter ... read more

It doesn’t take long to adopt some of the habits exhibited by the local inhabitants. A persistent cough and unhealthy levels of hearty phlegm from the pollution regularly leaves me wanting to cough up my guts all over the city streets like everyone else. With the potential of taking part in such disgusting habits (there’s nothing like seeing a well-dressed, beautiful young lady, launch a mouthful of green mucus towards the gutter), and believing that my shocking levels of fitness might have something to do with it, I’ve decided to take drastic measures. Eight-plus weeks of non-exercising and over eating Chinese banquet style have most definitely left me heavier than I’ve ever been in my life. While size and appearance may not deter the celebrity-like status granted on the streets of this small Chinese city, looking ... read more

Merry Christmas to all of our friends and relatives. It has been such an exciting five months here. We wish that everyone of you could be here to celebrate with us and join us in the wonderful diversity of people, cultures, food, landscape, etc, etc, etc, that we have experienced. When I look back at our home page with 35 years in Peace River, we were definitely a bit hesitant and nervous as we started this journey, but can't imagine our lives without all that we have been exposed to here. Funny how things always work out - God definitely has a plan! We were planning on a very low-key holiday (Well - sort of a holiday - Who's complaining about a long weekend though). We actually have two long weekends in a row - one ... read more

We have not disappeared since our last blog which described our Yangtze River cruise at the end of September. We just haven't been anywhere but have been busy. On several weekends we take the QingGui down to Dalian and wander around seeing the sights, visiting markets and attending Church. Since I am not burdened with a job I get to scout out many locations so we can find things on our trips together. I volunteered to help with the ESL Club, a group that meets after school to play card and board games and basically just have a good time talking English. We have played many card games that are popular in Canada but we seem to have hit on a winner: Junior Monopoly. Personally I really don't like "real" Monopoly and got the "Junior" game ... read more