Saturday, October 4, 2008

Vacation in Beijing

Much has happened since my last post. We have started school and have been teaching for about a month. Teaching is going very well. It is much easier the second year for the simple fact that I know what is going on in my students minds! I know how to make the lessons interesting, how to get them involved and how to help them learn.

I have been volunteering a lot more at Mr. Mai's coffee shop. The manger has given me more responsibility with planning events and helping out with other little things. Between school and Mr. Mai's I have been staying pretty busy!

The Chinese national holiday was on October 1st and we decided to take a trip to Beijing. It was lots of fun. It was very very crowded, but fun nonetheless. It was kinda like going to Washington D.C. for the 4th of July.

Since I have been to Beijing before I did not do too many 'tourist' things. The first day we got there Cory and I went to meet our Chinese friend Shane and we all went the the Beijing Open. It was a small tennis tournament with a few big name players. The finals was played between Andy Roddick and some No. 94th ranked player from Israel. It was a good match. Andy Roddick won the match in 3 sets.

I also went to the Beijing Olympic sites. We did not go inside because tickets were too expensive but we were able to get right up next to them. We then went to the Summer Palace where we hike around and marveled at the Qing Dynasty Buildings. It was beautiful. Tiananmen Square was always buzzing with excitement. We tried to see the morning flag raising ceremony but we arrived too late.

That's all that is going on with me right now. Things are going very well. I miss you all and thank you so much for your pryer support.

Ernesto, Will and Myself at the 5th anniversary of Mr. Mai's Coffee House


The Beijing Open


Shane and I watching some good tennis!


The Birds Nest


Me and the Cube. Chinese people love Michael Phelps!


A bridge at the Summer Palace


More of the Summer Palace


Amazing. The emperor's summer get away!


Chairman Mao and Thousands of People! Tiananmen was buzzing with excitement.

4 comments:

Barbara Bartlett said...

so glad to see what your doing! thanks for updating your blog. how come shane didnt take his picture with andy roddick this time?! wow it was packed in beijing! keep sending the pictures! i love you sport...pryin for you. mom

Carpenters said...

YEAH! I'm second after mom! Bro, I'm so glad to see you're up and bloggin' again. My mom is here with us to celebrate Sophia's 1st bday. I just showed her your video from last year, 18 Sept 2007. I can't believe it's been over a year. I've shown that video to so many people for educating and recruiting. It's classic man. And that rap! It's no wonder Mai's is promoting you. hah! Anyways, I continue to live vicariously through you man. How is the team? Give 'em my love please. Keep lettin' me know how to pry. I've got a crowbar of faith with your name written all over it. Adam.

Anonymous said...

haha.

Shazhou Liu said...

because i didnt get a chance to take a picture with him. actually, this time i focused more on enjoying the match than just following him around.