Botanical Garden

Sunday- a day of rest
Today was well spent (in the morning) at the Beijing Botanical Garden. Just thought I would share a couple photos.

The Great Wall

Saturday we loaded a bus and headed for the Great Wall. It was POURING rain from the moment we left the hotel until the moment we got on the bus to come home!! Yep... it rained the whole time... but that didn't damper our fun!! We had a great time... got soaked to the bone. I (Avery) even slipped and landed in a puddle... how many people can say the slipped and landed in a huge puddle on the Great Wall.
Here are some photos we took (a few out of the 85 pictures we took)

Beijing Park

You may be wondering... what happen to Wes and Avery??

We are still here!! We both have been battling a cold and most of our days have been consumed with classes.
In between homework and reading, tonight I thought I would share with you some pictures of a beautiful park in Beijing!! We got out of class at 3:00 today and decided to find a peaceful place.
This park was amazing. Beautiful trees, bridges, water, lily pads. There were also people dancing, singing and fishing.

A Mall 1.5 times bigger than Mall of America

Yes... you read that title right... 1.5 times bigger!! This night our goal (along with about 5 other American) was a western style meal. The winning restaurant... Papa Johns. You must have know it was pizza, since I was involved and pizza happens to be the best food on the planet!! It did not let us down!! All 7 of us pigged out on the most delicious pizza we have ever tasted!! After dinner we walked for about a half hour through a portion of the mall. I think we made it through 2 stores. It was unbelievable and overwhelmingly BIG!! This picture only show the front of the anchor store in the mall!!

Beijing Olympics

One evening Wes and I made a trek across Beijing to visit the site of the 2008 Olympics!! In order to get to this area you must take one bus and four subway transfers... Beijing is BIG!! We were really excited about seeing everything!! When we got there, we realized our views would be from the outside. We could not find an area to buy tickets and get inside where all the action took place... but none-the-less... here are some pictures of the outside :-)
Even though it looks like it's raining in the picture... it wasn't. This is a small example of the smog that takes over the city!! Sometimes you feel as if you can touch it and taste it.

Some pictures

Above, The Forbidden City... I would dare say the day we went so did the rest of the population of Beijing... it was SUPER crowded! Wes and my goal... make it to the other side as quickly as possible. We succeeded in about 30 minutes- it sits on a TON of land!!
I'm not sure if you can read this billboard... I will try to get another picture... but it says- "In Learning We Trust" This truly captures the mindset of many Chinese.
Little boy at the bus stop... OUCH - somebody help this poor child with his wedgie. :-)

The Three Ambiguities

The Three Ambiguities of China
1. Nothing is as it seems
2. Plans can't keep up with change
3. If you're not confused... you're not paying attention

OH HOW TRUE

Our time in China so far has been split between teaching classes and cultural outings. Even simple things in the States, like going to the grocery store, is considered a cultural outing. We have learned in our short 8 days that if something seems one way... it is not really that way at all!! The answer to most question is "perhaps" This can be really frusterating to a foreigner where everything is black and white. Flexibility like a rubber band is KEY.
My favorite has to be #3... I must be paying excellent attention because I am confused all the time!!

All American Sunday... Chinese Style

On Sunday, we decided to do it all American style. While in Beijing, we are trying to complete a list of top 100 things to do, see and eat in the city. Sunday... Americanish :-) We went to the Three Self Church. After service, we went to McDonald's for my new favorite drink Lychee Float and a Taro root pie. After our snack, we went shopping in one of Beijing's prime districts- Xiadan. WOW... the Chinese really know how to shop. From observation... shoes are the favorite here. I tried to buy a pair... but my size 40 isn't very popular or even carried in any stores!! One mall we went into was 10 stories high. All the walking caused a tummy rumble for more American food... next on the list was a Whopper from Burger King. Wes got the Spicy Whopper... he loved it :-) We decided we had enough of the mall and headed out to find a park. We walked and walked and walked... no park (even though it said there was one on the map) After getting slightly turned around... we got on a bus that lead to another bus that eventually lead to a taxi that took us to the Mac Center. Our organization had planned a time of reflection and a pizza party. To top of the pizza... brownies and ice-cream. American-day... a super success in our Beijing book :-)

First day on our own!!

This morning we started with class from 8:00- noon. We had the afternoon as free time. Today I realized I am in another country where English is not the main language and Spanish does not help!! Ordering lunch was a challenge. I understand why people lose weight when the come to China... because they cannot order!! I tried to order Vegetable Noodles... and below is a picture of my meal
This is a picture of beef noodles. They ended up being very delicious. Let's just say- it was a big challenge ordering food!! After lunch we went to the Wu Mart to stock up on drinks. Bottle water is a necessity. We also got some other interesting drinks. So far I have had one that taste like a flower :-)

After lunch, Wes and I decided to venture out on our own. Beijing city map in our hand and walking shoes on our feet!! We ended up walking about 9ish miles searching for the Summer Palace. After asking several people for directions and probably looking helpless a "black taxi" stopped and told us he would take us to our location for a small fee... since we didn't know where we were going and he wouldn't take no for an answer... we hopped in! The Summer Palace was beautiful! Amazing architecture. Here are some pictures from day one exploration.

Beijing Amazing Race

So for our first day in the city, a group activity was planned to aid in jet lag. We were divided in groups of 4 Americans and 2 Chinese student to tackle the Beijing Race (much like the Amazing Race) We went to several different neighborhoods to complete specific task in order to gain points. All points accumulated and the winning team get a planned outing :-) We had 2 amazing student guides. They did a great job of ordering lunch for us, buying subway/bus passes for us and taking us to all the locations in the Race. We had a great day!! Around 2:00, I was ready to CRASH. SUPER tired!! We made it back to the hotel at 5:00 and we were in bed by 6:00. Amazingly we slept until the alarm went off the next morning!! Now we feel pretty much adjusted to the time change. Amazing!! Here are several pictures from our day.

What does a Flight to Beijing look like??

Last Meal in the US

Pizza and Ice-cream!! Does it get any better? Got a huge cheese slice and Coldstone for dessert- chocolate with marshmallows :-)

We made it!!

Just wanted to let everybody know- WE MADE IT!! Pictures and stories later... now it is shower and bed time.

Day Off Training

Sunday- a day of rest!! Today, we had some time to spend outside of the training room. I thought I would show you a sampling of our day!! Above, we went to the Horse Tooth Reservoir. It was beautiful scenery. The river divided the mountains.

Preparing for China with a little ping-pong action. Wes had a great time. He was surprised at the intensity of ping-pong and he was definitely sweating by the end of his game!!

The CSU campus is beautiful!! There are several fountains, beautiful trees, super green grass, gorgeous flowers and views of the mountains. Above is one of the fountains on campus.

The family above is Jon, Jen, Micah and Lydia. We got to know them a little in NC throughout the application process and now even better through training. They are also headed to Hunan Provience, just about 45 minutes from our new home. We love them!! Micah has become my little buddy!! I think I even earned the status of a "train-name." Just call me Hero :-)

Computer is Under the Weather

Hi Blogging Friends. I wanted to share with you that my computer is under-the-weather!! I am currently using Wes' computer... but since he needs it... this will be short. Hope to get the computer fixed Monday. Have a fabulous weekend!! Miss everyone big time. Love to all!!