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Published: August 8th 2009
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We woke up to the sounds of thunder, lightning and fierce rain pounding on the roof. Dreadful. I didn't bring the best dress shoes to wear in the rain and of course don't have a coat. Luckily we have one hideous poncho (what poncho ISN'T hideous), Martin's non-waterproof jacket (but hey, it works) and 1 umbrella. We bundled up and headed to school, stopping at the bookstore on campus on our way to pick up some breakfast. When I say bookstore, I mean weird underground store that has a convenience store inside, a bakery, clothes shop, shoes, perfume, hair accessories, umbrellas, backpacks, kitchen stuff and an assortment of school supplies. I think it's my favorite place so far just because it's impossible to look at everything in one stop. Granted, we haven't gone too many places in the city 😊
After class got out at 4, we came back to the hotel for about an hour and were able to connect with Clare and Randy by calling her cell from Skype- 2 cents a minute, yeeeah! It was the first time we'd really talked with them since getting here, since they're in Hawaii right now, so that was nice. Then
we headed back out to explore and finally take some pictures of campus. We also walked down the street in the opposite direction of our hotel where there is a bit more of 'city' life and some CRAZY intersections. We were warned by the program people to make sure to wait for the green signal to cross the street, otherwise we could get a ticket for jaywalking...not to mention be killed by the insane cars, buses and bikes that just fly by honking at everyone in their way. We are just amazed at the lack of concern cars seem to have for pedestrians. And pedestrians get SO close to other vehicles and don't even seem scared with a close call. It almost gives me a heart attack watching them, but whatever! On the way home, we stopped at Dairy Queen- oh yes, we are Americans. It was lovely. I had a mocha moolatte (c'mon, I haven't been drinking coffee here, give me a break!) and Martin had a Rum Raisin Blizzard. We decided it was for an early celebration of our big one year that's occurring TOMORROW! 😊 Too bad we'll be in class all day...
Monday night we're
going as a big group to some acrobat show for free- should be a fun experience and it's the night before our group trip to the Great Wall so we won't have anything to take care of that evening. I am pretty ready to get moved to Shenzhen and get settled. The training could probably be cut in half and be just as effective- I mean, how many days of teaching classes of 14 kids will really prepare us for teaching classes of 40-60 children? Let's move on, people! I don't think it helps that Martin and I are total nerds either- we're of course going to stay dedicated to the program and training schedule, because we've been out of school for too long to remember how to slack off and just go get wasted instead, which is what a lot of people seem to be doing...
BTW, I don't know if you all know how freaking cool it is that we're in classes on Peking University's campus. It's like the Harvard of China. Only about the top 5% of students get in, and there are guards everywhere controlling entry to it. Yeah...most people walking around campus are like
100 times smarter than either of us!
Anyway. That's all for now. It's bedtime, and off to the same routine tomorrow. How's life in the States? Are we missing anything exciting or crucial? Love to all.
PS we have more pictures to post but our internet isn't cooperating. Maybe another day😊
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Yum...Dairy Queen
First off, Happy Anniversary again...how cool is it to celebrate your 1 year anniversary in another country?! None of the rest of us can claim that one! Good you found a place for an early celebration and how appropriate for you to do so with a coffee! The poncho looks...well to use a mother's phrase...interesting...but it's better than nothing! Hope between that, the non-waterproof coat and the umbrella you can combat a few of the raindrops! Love the new pictures...especially the one of you walking down the street. I know Martin is way taller than everyone there...but do you feel the same as well? You look quite a bit taller in the picture but it could be perspective too. Love being able to catch up with you each morning for us/evening for you...in spite of whether the video part works or not! Just nice hearing your voices and knowing that you guys are doing well. By the way, loved your little dance this morning Martin as I sang Happy Anniversary! Hope the day went well for you and sounds like you have some fun things coming up in the next few days...and hang in there like the good kids you are with the program. You're ready to move on, but there is a reason they keep you there for a certain amount of time, and you are seeing it in the kids who whittle away their freetime! :)