Well, vacation time is over and classes have started again. I really enjoyed all of the time we had, and especially enjoyed all of the adventures I shared with some of the coolest folks to be found this side of the Pacific. A brief summary:
1. Shenzhen- a southern city right next to Hong Kong. We had our first ever IECS All- Staff Conference away from the cold and winds of Langfang, and it was glorious!
There was plenty of laughter, great lessons, and daily Starbucks runs! The 11 other teachers on the team are all so wonderful, and I truly treasure the times we get to spend together! 
Amelia, Shannon, me, Emily, Courtney, and Laura on the beach!
2. Shanghai- after the conference I met my great friend Jessie (a college roommate) in Shanghai. She flew all the way to China just to hang with me for a couple weeks! After spending so much time in Beijing, I was wowed by Shanghai's metropolitan feel- it's what they're calling the "new China"- crazy tall buildings everywhere! They call this one the Oriental Pearl TV Tower:
We also made a day trip out to Fuzhou, which they call the "Venice of the East" due to the vast canal system. No Italian food- but some neat sights.
3. Beijing/Great Wall- I had a great time showing Jessie around Beijing. It's fun to kind of feel like it's "my" city- I know my way around and enjoy showing others what it has to offer. We discovered my new favorite Chinese activity: chair ice skating!
Basically, they've rigged old chairs with runners, and then give you some metal poles to propel yourself around. No more twisted ankles! We also had a great day on the wall, and hiked the steepest part I've ever been on. My calves doubled in size!
4. Qian Xi- After saying goodbye to Jessie, I traveled with Shannon and Peter to visit Sunshine and her family in their home. She is one of our students and a fellow sister. The visit was a true adventure into the life of Chinese villagers- it is completely different than city life. Her family was very gracious, and fed us constantly. Here is her mom making us some homemade bao-zi (steamed dumplings):
I have posted pictures from all of these adventures on Facebook. Click on these links to see them if you haven't already:
Conference in Shenzhen
Shanghai
Beijing/Great Wall
Visit to Sunshine's
Throughout all of these travels, I realized a couple of things about myself. I was reminded that I really do love adventures- going to new places, seeing and doing new things. I hope to be a lifelong traveler and adventure-seeker. Yet, at the same time, I love and even crave routine and schedules. It's nice to know what to expect sometimes, especially here in China. And it's nice to have classes to plan for and tasks to complete and students to hang out with again. I am truly blessed to be in a place where I can experience both the adventurous and the routine sides of life. Come to think of it, we're all in that kind of place. You don't have to be in China to experience the adventures He has planned for you. But, if you do want to have a Chinese adventure, I have a bed with your name on it! :)
1. Shenzhen- a southern city right next to Hong Kong. We had our first ever IECS All- Staff Conference away from the cold and winds of Langfang, and it was glorious!
There was plenty of laughter, great lessons, and daily Starbucks runs! The 11 other teachers on the team are all so wonderful, and I truly treasure the times we get to spend together! 
Amelia, Shannon, me, Emily, Courtney, and Laura on the beach!2. Shanghai- after the conference I met my great friend Jessie (a college roommate) in Shanghai. She flew all the way to China just to hang with me for a couple weeks! After spending so much time in Beijing, I was wowed by Shanghai's metropolitan feel- it's what they're calling the "new China"- crazy tall buildings everywhere! They call this one the Oriental Pearl TV Tower:
We also made a day trip out to Fuzhou, which they call the "Venice of the East" due to the vast canal system. No Italian food- but some neat sights.3. Beijing/Great Wall- I had a great time showing Jessie around Beijing. It's fun to kind of feel like it's "my" city- I know my way around and enjoy showing others what it has to offer. We discovered my new favorite Chinese activity: chair ice skating!
Basically, they've rigged old chairs with runners, and then give you some metal poles to propel yourself around. No more twisted ankles! We also had a great day on the wall, and hiked the steepest part I've ever been on. My calves doubled in size!4. Qian Xi- After saying goodbye to Jessie, I traveled with Shannon and Peter to visit Sunshine and her family in their home. She is one of our students and a fellow sister. The visit was a true adventure into the life of Chinese villagers- it is completely different than city life. Her family was very gracious, and fed us constantly. Here is her mom making us some homemade bao-zi (steamed dumplings):
I have posted pictures from all of these adventures on Facebook. Click on these links to see them if you haven't already:
Conference in Shenzhen
Shanghai
Beijing/Great Wall
Visit to Sunshine's
Throughout all of these travels, I realized a couple of things about myself. I was reminded that I really do love adventures- going to new places, seeing and doing new things. I hope to be a lifelong traveler and adventure-seeker. Yet, at the same time, I love and even crave routine and schedules. It's nice to know what to expect sometimes, especially here in China. And it's nice to have classes to plan for and tasks to complete and students to hang out with again. I am truly blessed to be in a place where I can experience both the adventurous and the routine sides of life. Come to think of it, we're all in that kind of place. You don't have to be in China to experience the adventures He has planned for you. But, if you do want to have a Chinese adventure, I have a bed with your name on it! :)
2 comments:
That bed is mine:) Miss you:( Glad your having a blast
Good job Jess. And you also had an adventure in Beijing running to the train (and running people over) to get to Qinhuangdao. Anyway I'd like to come for Easter but I'll need to get back to you on that.
Blessings,
Andy Nelson
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