Me and Heather with a jade Buddha.
The Summer Palace
Walking along the lake in front of the Summer Palace.
The Hall of Mental Cultivation is in the Forbidden City... it's also the new name for my apartment. For example: "Would you like to have some dinner and play some Uno at my Hall of Mental Cultivation?"
Jenika and I in part of the Forbidden City- this is actually not one of the largest areas- the scope of the Forbidden City is indescribeable.
My first view of the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube.
Zhaodi and I in front of the Bird's Nest.
Dinner. Yes folks, Korea has taught me how to eat fish off of the bone using chopsticks.
The greatest sign ever.
So, there are a few for you... I took over 700 pictures, so if you would like to see more, let me know and I will send you the link! After I returned from Beijing, I spent one night in my apartment, and then left for Seoul with my friends Heather, Laura and Jenika on the 30th. New Years Eve is also Heather's birthday, so we celebrated her 28th year, as well as the commencing of 2009.
Since New Year's in Seoul, I have been quite busy. Since all students are on Winter Vacation, there are many winter camps. I taught a class of 20 3rd and 4th graders this last week at my school. Tomorrow, I leave for a winter camp that is hosted by my city's Office of Education. I will return from that camp on Friday, and then the following week, I will teach a class fo 20 5th and 6th graders at my school. The last week of January, I have off and am making plans with Andrew to do something in Korea.
While I was in Beijing/Seoul, Andrew took off for Hong Kong, which he loved! He said that the sight of double decker busses, the taste of salt and vinegar chips and other little things made him feel like he was at home at times. I was able to see him last weekend before he left for his Office of Education camp. However, he returns tomorrow, the same day that I leave for my camp. So, in the course of 3 weeks, we have been able/will be able to see each other for one weekend. It's definately not a desireable situation, but it's a bit out of our hands. And once I return from winter camp this Friday, we will be back into a routine and able to see each other like usual!
For now, I am signing out so that I can get some rest for camp. Based on what I have heard from Andrew and others who have been at camp this last week, it is not looking good. Very long days, not very good conditions (staying in the residence halls of Gyeong-ju University- sans heat), crap food (rice and kimchi does not a meal make...), limited teaching resources, and students literally everywhere, all the time.
But, back on the positive side of things... I really believe that 2009 has the makings of many wonderful things for me, and I wish you all the same. Take care.
kb
