Hello,
I have just read your blog and found it very interesting. My sister, friend and I will be travelling to daqing to teach at the Joy school there. I was wondering if you had any comments on the school or just in general. We've heard the boss is great and the teaching is great as well. what did your sister think? do you have any suggestions for the city.. hot spots? is there anywhere in the area you would recomend visiting for a day trip or something along those lines? Is it actually as cold as everyone makes it out to be?
Any info is greatly appreciated. we are just curious about our new home.
thanks :)
So glad you made it home Three month away from home! Must be wonderfully relaxing to be back in a country were you can understand the customs, and language of those around you, and what an experience to draw from! Thanks so much for sharing those adventures so candidly. I'll miss them. It's like armchair travelling; far more comfortable!
Anne from the fourdutchies
long finger nails Someone finally gave me an explanation for the long finger nails. He said that the long left pinky finger nail is for opium. I don't know if that is actually true so I will continue to ask until I get a concensus on that. It could explain the behaviour of the happy taxi drivers however. You know how it goes in the taxis- The taxi driver rattles off in Chinese and then ends with, "...ma?" so you know that he just asked a question. I tell him, "I hear you but I don't understand you." (In Chinese of course.) Then he thinks that it is incredibly funny that I don't understand and so continues to rattle off in Chinese and then he tells me that I didn't understand anything and the process continues. I have never thought it was a very funny situation but I guess if you are on opium, maybe it is funny. In fact, I think my limited Chinese is VERY frustrating. On the other hand, maybe the long fingernails have nothing to do with opium. Perhaps taxi drivers just have a different sense of humor.
bubble tea Yes, we will buy you a bubble tea in China Town. We know where to get them. And they are great, especially on a hot day. You have created a wonderful keepsake of your trip.
sunglasses Hey! You don't wear sunglasses on the top of your head! You took some great shots of Colleen at home and job, helps those of us back home to see what her life is like too. Look forward to your arrival back home.
graphic--descriptive--blunt? a little TOO graphic? you can leave some details to the imagination of the reader, its ok. but, being blunt, you come by it honestly. next time try: 'not quite fresh underwear'. that will be sufficient detail. enjoy the read, gives daddy something to laugh at. love, mommy
Should have seen mom!!!!! I really liked it! It was sooooo pretty! I think you will all most laugh when you get back "out of it" It was REALLY good! why sould have you seen mom? 48 hours! she was alnost planing your funerall!!!!! (not quite!) thank goodness!
your mom... Somehow I can't see your mom getting you a new cell phone that way!
Love reading your blog, glad we're finally getting up to date news, it was a bit confusing. All the lovely photos really add to it, thanks!
Ina
uh huh I have always said that I love glasses that perch on the top of your cheeks rather then on the bridge on your nose... I also like if they can extend at least half way up the forehead, that way a person doesn't have to bother drawing in their eyebrows.
Entertaining Well you have some very interesting thoughts and perceptions. I surprised to hear that you have discovered so many of these differences in so short a time, and to describe them in such language. You should think of becoming a travel writer. I was very entertained. Great work. Oh bother...this sounds like a blurb on a report card. Anyway, just wanted to let you know that I'm enjoying your entries.
question? How many times a day to moms have to change there babies clothes if they leak?! Do babies get to have a bath at home? (in the sink) Have you tried the pea favor ice cream bar? Have you bought an umbrella? Did you model it? Are considered fat? (I hope not!!!) Have you ever sat on some body? he he, how do you like the look of guy's panty-hose socks? that would be sort of nice to be able to quiet babies that way! (in shock, just when they are being bad or some thing) I like to hear from you! Really liked this one! It is sort of funny, the more you tell me, the more I have got questions!?
you are funny, as usual Well, you must surely think that it is incredible: your sister has made that place her home. And she likes it! Miss you both, Mother
You really have a great way of summing up everything that happened without writing volumes like I did. I got my pictures, which are pretty good but not as good as I hoped. I'd been counting on some prize winners, and there isn't really any. Anyhow, I'm glad you got pictures of everything. It brings me back...and it's great because no one here can understand exactly what it was like. You know...: ) megs
I love it! Dear Anna, What a gruesome time you had to have all that gunk come down on you in the bus. I was wondering if that sticky stuff might have been anti-freeze coolant from the air conditioning. Sleeping on a tile wall sounds too hard for me, and I know about trying to sleep sitting up when all you want to do is lie down. Thanks for all the news. Ina and I just love living it with you.
Great blog! Thanks for the descriptive updates Anna - it helps me picture a little bit about what your life is like in Malaysia! Where are you headed now? Laurie
Beautiful What a wonderful evening-it will be a memory you will treasure for the rest of your life. The clothes are so beautiful. I really enjoyed reading this blog and looking at the pictures.
I'm can hardly wait for you to arrive in China. I'm very excited.
Elizabeth Sullivan
non-member comment
Hello, I have just read your blog and found it very interesting. My sister, friend and I will be travelling to daqing to teach at the Joy school there. I was wondering if you had any comments on the school or just in general. We've heard the boss is great and the teaching is great as well. what did your sister think? do you have any suggestions for the city.. hot spots? is there anywhere in the area you would recomend visiting for a day trip or something along those lines? Is it actually as cold as everyone makes it out to be? Any info is greatly appreciated. we are just curious about our new home. thanks :)