tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28067390499807987492024-02-07T17:13:05.473-08:00The Nikki Madi DynastyChina AdventuresNikki Checkettshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01310196747369248245noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806739049980798749.post-46509653666954493532010-06-28T11:35:00.000-07:002010-06-29T07:47:20.221-07:00Talent Show and Yangming BeautyI love my students so much! Because of all their exams, I have made the last few weeks monumental but not too overbearing, as they do have many other classes and exams for which to study. Before I went to Beijing and Xiamen, we had the “Make a Difference” week, and last week we had a Talent Show. I figured this would be a good way for them to feel more relaxed, use the compliments they learned a few weeks ago, and to also practice the confidence they have built up throughout the semester. Here they are almost terrified at times to practice English because many of them are smart but their English is the only thing they aren’t good at, so they feel a little embarrassed when they get the grammar wrong. <br />The Talent Show was a great success! It was so great to see students who have had a prominent fear of getting up in front of people singing or reading poetry or dancing, etc. in front of their peers. As classes we have bonded very close. They even tell me now who their boyfriends or girlfriends are, which shows substantial trust because they can’t even tell their parents or teachers without getting in trouble. The school is very serious about students not having a significant other in High School, but I always tell them I think it is a good thing, so as far as I care, I tell them they should. I know, maybe that’s very unteacherly-like to me, but I feel like they should have the opportunity to date before they get released into the university. Here in China, High School is much harder than the Universities, so when they get the freedom to date in a university, it is so awkward for them. They have spent their entire lives being pushed away from the opposite sex so in college they are just socially retarded. See, I’m doing them a favor. :P<br />The seriousness of me leaving is hitting my students. For their talents I have receives poems, essays, paper roses, pictures, all sorts of artwork and little gifts, and many students come up to the front of the class or catch me on my way out and tell me how much they love me and how they will always remember me for my “Make a Difference” lesson, for my smile, for the love they feel from me, and for all the time and effort I put into each class. The seriousness is starting to hit me too. I’ve started packing and wrapping up my time here. I am very sad to be leaving China. My students are my children and I feel like a terribly mother for leaving them. Yes, I know I cannot teach them even if I do stay here, but I would love to be here for them whenever they need me. I want to continue to provide a place for students to come and feel love, the Spirit, at peace, and like their life is important and they can live their dreams and have support. <br />After all the Talent Shows of the week, Madi, Sam, and I went to Shuangpai for the weekend. We got up very early to make it there by bus by 8am, and then a small van tour group guide and driver came to pick us up to hike Yangming Mountain, which is a very beautiful mountain here in Yongzhou. It has some good history, rocks, bridges, views, waterfalls. It truly was a very beautiful hike. We got to hike, dine there, go rafting, and receive free water bottles and hats for only 150 Yuan each (US $22~), and that’s including the hardcore windy roads there and back for 2 hours each way. Pretty awesome!<br />Oh I will miss China SO much! <br /> <br /> Photo 1: A group from Class 344<br />Photo 2: God Bless You singing (that's his name)<br />Photo 3: Boyfriend and Girlfriend doing a duet together...awww.<br />Photos 4-5: Some gifts I was given<br />Photo 6: Singing together<br />Photo 7: Ian and Jake singing together<br />Photo 8: Tiger singing<br />Photo 9: Stella has a gorgeous voice and she's one of my best students.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_kqhvMvY2V0qF3QMvgIOfNlJRqoWFM4cQoOeOGtBBvputx5DOrhZWu78M7OHSZdwzjm5DRTzOtLpuH5CHAgE1gnT_glL57MYu_qiU3PoR49iEk9S5M3IdXXkQnCInrVVA5T6CeMccn4/s1600/TalentShow1-2+019.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_kqhvMvY2V0qF3QMvgIOfNlJRqoWFM4cQoOeOGtBBvputx5DOrhZWu78M7OHSZdwzjm5DRTzOtLpuH5CHAgE1gnT_glL57MYu_qiU3PoR49iEk9S5M3IdXXkQnCInrVVA5T6CeMccn4/s320/TalentShow1-2+019.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487898437940761170" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG94Uu2AimAUv55gXvre7PFjJ6C9WwO37v4KTHbkOOgPraAMKeL4gwaoaRqsFKmbw2vVQZhbda8HUSy23iYEAUDhzfP6MGFDqItK3seS9S0BKqhsvhg798kw4fUIrjDnEUF0QrVCvky5s/s1600/TalentShow1-2+058.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRs3NhX1blr9YvuXSMn7hAbFgbHEJzOC3ul7IenphqPo_wRggSQ2WLwXWu-bs9xTQIufbnlGgT-CBgJ2J6gkfZXSC7VFBuygguqgcfkJuCd_EXa7qo1JwyBa74L4NnGZtmEqT0SYDt9M/s320/TalentShow5-8+068.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487896117831445394" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRE4F5dJdLgqCv4lr2j14gVNctSIpQ6TuqIJW5wLsxgRlszmvDOTqen2fI6PE213okyjMCwcIqbRYDPtR6sZQuHyAk0RZ1XHDHQY2S0oQFyun0yfzj5uYTSvAn-J8gD-0gE7tU0nvlFMg/s1600/TalentShow10-11+004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRE4F5dJdLgqCv4lr2j14gVNctSIpQ6TuqIJW5wLsxgRlszmvDOTqen2fI6PE213okyjMCwcIqbRYDPtR6sZQuHyAk0RZ1XHDHQY2S0oQFyun0yfzj5uYTSvAn-J8gD-0gE7tU0nvlFMg/s320/TalentShow10-11+004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487896115317498242" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr16k-1liDBHQgCDV60vr0eh7TipqXPZB8QVJrRXxsKTV0TjucyZTWiV1vzRA39wqWGlMgCG2w-iyWZs2V-bJ6XtEyupiCbxdm1UT_RKQ-O7leUHuzix2vQZ9Y4M-4sw9b_1LyPie7TlY/s1600/TalentShow10-11+034.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr16k-1liDBHQgCDV60vr0eh7TipqXPZB8QVJrRXxsKTV0TjucyZTWiV1vzRA39wqWGlMgCG2w-iyWZs2V-bJ6XtEyupiCbxdm1UT_RKQ-O7leUHuzix2vQZ9Y4M-4sw9b_1LyPie7TlY/s320/TalentShow10-11+034.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487896106227126082" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk98F4VwwnAnngcFw45af12Q4bXqRQsvWF01TJLVZqadMvp0jK_Q-6ebB6k6sQ91_YRoPhIrPg77HODuVNazOuXKXyIC9jlSYvKgFCav-D1V1J1mZtrqo-cXhPekwudwBM0c_bhAS_KF0/s1600/TalentShow14-15+043.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk98F4VwwnAnngcFw45af12Q4bXqRQsvWF01TJLVZqadMvp0jK_Q-6ebB6k6sQ91_YRoPhIrPg77HODuVNazOuXKXyIC9jlSYvKgFCav-D1V1J1mZtrqo-cXhPekwudwBM0c_bhAS_KF0/s320/TalentShow14-15+043.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487896100596614098" /></a><br /><br /><br />Videos:<br /><br />Video 1: This is Knight, one of my beautiful students who is reading an essay she wrote about me: http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTg0NTc0MzAw.html<br />Video 2: A trio that turns into a sing-along: http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTg0NTc1MzI4.html<br />Video 3: Beginning belting out a tune: http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTg0NTc2MjYw.html<br />Video 4: Arean showing some King Fu skills: http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTg0NTc2MTUy.html<br />Video 5: Albert Einstein has a gorgeous, traditional chinese voice: http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTg0NTc3ODEy.html<br />Video 6: Doreme (Do re mi)-She's a singer: http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTg0NTc3OTgw.html<br />Video 7: Rock on, Mike: http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTg0NTc5NzY4.html<br />Video 8: Chase and Tom (I love Chase-I named him): http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTg0NTc5NjU2.html<br />Video 9: Rock on Mike: http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTg0NTc5NzY4.html<br />Video 10: James jamming "Beat It": http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTg0NTgwNDI0.html<br />Video 11: A dance trio: http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTg0NTgxMzY4.html<br />Video 12: A singing trio: http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTg0NTgxNjg4.html<br />Video 13: Tiger reciting a very long English speech: http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTg0NTg0NDgw.html<br />Video 14: Out Man and his gf singing a duet: http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTg0NTg0NTg4.html<br />Video 15-17: Groups singing: <br />http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTg0NTg1MjU2.html<br />http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTg0NTg1MjYw.html<br />http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTg0NTg1NjA0.html<br />Video 18: I suppose drinking a whole carton of milk without breathing is a talent: http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTg0NTg1NjA0.html<br />Video 19: Awesome kung fu skills: http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTg0NjI4OTMy.html<br /><br />Pic 1: A temple on Yangming Mt<br />Pic 2: Yangming<br />Pic 3: Drinking from the Temple Spring water. Best water I've had in all of China!<br />Pic 4: Madi and I in front of the mini temple pagoda<br />Pic 5: A Yangming Monk<br />Pic 6: Feeding the baby fish<br />Pic 7: The Temple<br />Pic 8: View from the temple<br />Pic 9: The squatters (Chinese bathrooms)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3VkoQ2ewqttzo4HslJSixLgbPVJ-j3HjhPDJReNlK6Jaocg-hG-yyQQ56nYmhXccnfaNznpHFNAwfyycmkzy5YwpSswzxXAI8cz2w2AHWxAwJZpLE5rfdlRJZnDGbHPp1Y4fYnNFOzW0/s1600/Week16Shuangpai+012.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3VkoQ2ewqttzo4HslJSixLgbPVJ-j3HjhPDJReNlK6Jaocg-hG-yyQQ56nYmhXccnfaNznpHFNAwfyycmkzy5YwpSswzxXAI8cz2w2AHWxAwJZpLE5rfdlRJZnDGbHPp1Y4fYnNFOzW0/s320/Week16Shuangpai+012.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487910498512971650" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw0Hm_D_cByaVOnxcTPsMd4Gu97abd_xn-Z1B0MipV8NOXs7T4u737mFfnMBUKvfCJMvFLk9AiJoSvRV16Euk-yxubqEOP2tVsLmGauZtClxwarpyC-z95KGxdwZ-35jwV-ofoUrqGNYo/s1600/Week16Shuangpai+014.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6s7-Yi8-94WuZaRdlsaB78eF1SLIzpZEUnSFJxNXub6b7PJYFaR_eFVAMf5k_Pq_kXPBgLiEvsEs-o5qazuNbHxxVF-u_yNPkYGJvyehRQaziCDPdv5LQGuNqJnUFU24u4V21ZophnE/s320/Week16Shuangpai+055.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487909162921352530" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggAkk206Wdr6_k5Syj3rkA2CvTSSPsV4z6GkpBaeuXXP5yBCcXVciy6BfWGQ1Z8YvZLMK_zH0VZwYaWC_2jyh7wTqQvrTsQ9eVLux2d-nSUwhk1eMwvDVMeXvUUnysW5oLMneKOy7P3Tk/s1600/Week16Shuangpai+060.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggAkk206Wdr6_k5Syj3rkA2CvTSSPsV4z6GkpBaeuXXP5yBCcXVciy6BfWGQ1Z8YvZLMK_zH0VZwYaWC_2jyh7wTqQvrTsQ9eVLux2d-nSUwhk1eMwvDVMeXvUUnysW5oLMneKOy7P3Tk/s320/Week16Shuangpai+060.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5487909148916202274" /></a><br /><br />Photos 1-2: Yangming Mountain<br />Photo 3: Flower Protector<br />Photo 4: More Yangming<br />Photo 5: Leaving a Spark?<br />Photo 6: A Yangming Pagoda<br />Photo 7: A fun bridge<br />Photo 8: Madi and Sam exhausted from the hike<br />Photo 9: Bamboo forests-beautiful<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCNzGi44eCre1bGVFSTSPWRr7NZm7WAJMMiMK1mOkxlsg06jLSw1m7JMZUAnx3LGF3NbXpUoahMV6xRCV7qRlQUUbBBKuZdI31owbh_JxGbudcTcZT48CD0QKXZ83HRrJgePcZLTx29wU/s1600/Week16Shuangpai+067.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1htE2D5tlL8XYpYaYZYzkbGSeVDdeLtR_MMReooVTyxj0JIuaBJHhUISj27OTgobFIlSLvjMwLpa4WHlo0LQRbxmRnxWcOoYIJ9g-0Pz8O539uRd8jOyU-y5XhuhFnM8a7wSaWWsAv-8/s320/Week16Shuangpai+126.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488201563157472322" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKh4FYLVHD1xbknqr04Ca6x3ubN1xinWwkwGE3zkcT5opWLJAE5oHqjscP6rpkaCY0gaq9bnd4JNqjsrnv6Qr3Yoik7-gx9VYToRl_Gczu-ILl5j7koZ2TXVy3kJhPsuzUbp4bJXyLv2w/s1600/Week16Shuangpai+153.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKh4FYLVHD1xbknqr04Ca6x3ubN1xinWwkwGE3zkcT5opWLJAE5oHqjscP6rpkaCY0gaq9bnd4JNqjsrnv6Qr3Yoik7-gx9VYToRl_Gczu-ILl5j7koZ2TXVy3kJhPsuzUbp4bJXyLv2w/s320/Week16Shuangpai+153.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488201555396263618" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hxy69K1OFzzmPmXZJZU4FsBhXo6cp2Ky-UJR-DnqB8JpjV52lsX7nqaGsiGM4CzCWyfUcLB_LWdjdmScRmCfSlxtgQNnInPkIdhSdP8KZj6EqbjTXmjDZ5Pyt17dPGgk1d346CW1KZs/s1600/Week16Shuangpai+164.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2hxy69K1OFzzmPmXZJZU4FsBhXo6cp2Ky-UJR-DnqB8JpjV52lsX7nqaGsiGM4CzCWyfUcLB_LWdjdmScRmCfSlxtgQNnInPkIdhSdP8KZj6EqbjTXmjDZ5Pyt17dPGgk1d346CW1KZs/s320/Week16Shuangpai+164.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488201549183928338" /></a><br />Pic 1: A bridge on the Mt<br />Pic 2: Waterfall<br />Pic 3: Grass Huts<br />Pic 4: Taming the frog<br />Pic 5: Ultimate Jenga!<br />Pic 6: Rafting<br />Pic 7: One gorgeous bamboo forest<br />Pic 8: Restaurant in the Cave<br />Pic 9: Stairway to the Cave<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPvTOLGAmsQbRorRdtwXihazrT7vxKgX1m1n8yRtQldaXAlmXUyAFiGQQDSNkgMv1NcazIHZf3bunDN5qmSxolxK5Uot1NSWbwpV8Sc3G3Hp6bLQwxx_8t2cPkPf7020Q7ctqpoUwx9zM/s1600/Week16Shuangpai+184.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1gcnGnaewcxlSeZptqre2p3gR6OEzPOPl1XrqwmaROtCGEX3_R0lZqW22QmaNlJa5y3mUPZmAb28YCaSTkDhjLLPqDWa7b88fhqMJBU36WBrgjXEQj-qLg_125HvBEErKgHKiXbeQRc/s320/Week16Shuangpai+257.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488205269613172450" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobwnfOHX4dps6JnPxHEacbiaZn4HIWes3_hH95y1g5bXeaInliZGq_ubHm7KxA9fZL38cnJxiJ_DgWlAw0rvowzfysV6xqRwytMg_TBgNIpOB_gGGYsgXAyTlq4fTGBjMhCPgz_CZT08/s1600/Week16Shuangpai+265.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobwnfOHX4dps6JnPxHEacbiaZn4HIWes3_hH95y1g5bXeaInliZGq_ubHm7KxA9fZL38cnJxiJ_DgWlAw0rvowzfysV6xqRwytMg_TBgNIpOB_gGGYsgXAyTlq4fTGBjMhCPgz_CZT08/s320/Week16Shuangpai+265.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488205265540010498" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5PE1xQ0NjFAJjo_dkltJK0V5FVOYXr3G1aGY1jmREVRXQyHN-LRfmTe9FlVBPxFxiogRh4_iyFCWCLj1q9KFuE4Pygr5RGLGMZJ_Rei9on6HmxBz4at_csvJLxYplhjzfeNeBEFF7Nk/s1600/Week16Shuangpai+267.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt5PE1xQ0NjFAJjo_dkltJK0V5FVOYXr3G1aGY1jmREVRXQyHN-LRfmTe9FlVBPxFxiogRh4_iyFCWCLj1q9KFuE4Pygr5RGLGMZJ_Rei9on6HmxBz4at_csvJLxYplhjzfeNeBEFF7Nk/s320/Week16Shuangpai+267.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5488205254978172274" /></a>Nikki Checkettshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01310196747369248245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806739049980798749.post-28324316996638619922010-06-18T10:30:00.000-07:002010-06-18T12:15:36.385-07:00XiamenI got into Xiamen Monday about 11am and took a bus around Xiamen for 1 yuan to find the hostel. I could’ve taken a taxi, but I wanted to see a bit more of the city. Xiamen is beautiful! Greenery, trees, palm trees, lakes, beautiful buildings, a beach and ocean views, and some 1st world conveniences-I got to eat at McDonalds! It’s amazing how good some American food tastes after being deprived for a few months. Oh it was good to be with Madi and Sam again! My China family! I’ve missed them a lot. We took a hike through some botanical gardens beyond a lake and through a field and the gardens were so magnificent. I got to see some cool trees, flowers, cacti, rocks, views, birds, and it was just great. It took most of the day and it was quite a hike. One cool thing about Xiamen is it has the big city portion, but it’s full of nature everywhere, a good blend, and it’s a more chill atmosphere compared to Beijing. I think if I came back here to teach Xiamen would be my first choice-I would choose Beijing, but it’s so expensive. Sam and Madi, who have both been to Xiamen before, introduced me to Zhongshanlu (middle mountain road, a strip mall) and Gulanyu, a beautiful island off the mainland that we had to take a ferry to get to and it has many more shops, beaches, fruit, and attractions. Tuesday the three of us went to a Buddhist temple, the Nanputuo Temple, where actual monks shave their heads and live. It’s set on the side of a small forest and it’s beautiful up there on the mountain. It’s a beautiful place and then a beautiful hike beyond. After the hike (I’ve done a lot of those this trip ;), Madi and I got to go off on our own and just talk and enjoy nature and a leaf fight. I love us! Afterward Alex, an old student of Madi’s Grandma Moss, took us sigh seeing around Xiamen and we drove underwater! There is an underwater tunnel 70 meters below sea level, and we went through it twice for fun. Then we picked up Sam and went to a Vegetarian restaurant because Jimmy, another former student, is one. The food was pretty good and so was the company. We got to meet a few more students, including Vera, Alan and Harry. After dinner, Alan took the three of us out for hot chocolate-always a good end to the day.<br />Wednesday Alan took us to what he thought was the Butterfly Valley, but it was just a good hike, which was perfectly fine, but we didn’t see all the butterflies we thought we would. Then he took us more sight seeing and out to lunch at a seafood place. We got to choose all of our food before they cooked it for us, which made me glad I don’t lose my appetite fast. It was alright, but I’m not a huge fan of an entire meal of seafood, just a thing or two here and there, so I wasn’t full or hungry at the end of the meal. Afterward he took us back to our hostel, where we chillaxed and Madi and I played a ridiculously silly version of pool. Good times! Then we went out to eat with Madi’s Grandma Moss’ Chinese Doctor, Dr. Tian, who took us around her hospital, which was pretty first world and nice. Then she took us out for Japanese food, which was really delicious. I have been severely spoiled these past couple weeks, completely! It’s nice, but I don’t think I could live like this forever. The most I spent was just plane tickets, and hardly anything on meals or water. After dinner we parted, and Sam, Madi, and I went to Gulanyu again and looked around and bought some fruit which we planned to do a documentary on.<br />Thursday was mine and Madi’s day to hang out while Sam went to Taiwan (Madi and I only have a single-entry visa). We went to Gulanyu (twice) and went to an organ museum, which is quite a cool place and we took a bunch of pictures, and then we hung out on the beaches, bought some things, gathered seashells, played around, and when we came back the second time it was raining with thunder and lightning, but we came back across the ferry to play on the beach anyway-everyone was getting out of the rain and thought we were insane. It was great! When we decided to go back and were sopping wet, people on the street still offered us umbrellas and I couldn’t help but laugh because of how drenched we were-we were more wet than the rain itself, what would an umbrella do? Haha. We went back and then to dinner with Alex, and he took us to his apartment-SO nice with an amazing view of Xiamen and he has a beautiful wife and the most adorable son, Thomas, who I just wanted to steal as my own. He’s so energetic and amazing at the piano and he’s only 3. He’s quite brilliant for his age, and so adorable. We met Charles, a colleague of Alex, and his son Andy, who wants to study in America after high school, so we had someone else to speak English to. After dinner, Sam, Madi, and I documented the fruit we bought, and then they went to bed and I stayed up all night skyping David. Why not, the next 24 hours would be traveling home? Friday we took a sleeper bus to Guangzhou and then a sleeper train to Yongzhou, and then a taxi to our school. This was my first time on a sleeper bus. If I’ve ever complained about sleeper trains before I was grateful for them after riding a sleeper bus. A sleeper bus is a bus with beds in them, if you can call them beds. They are only at most 5 feet long and a foot and a half wide, with rails on either side to keep you from falling off while the bus takes windy and bumpy turns. The only way I slept so well on them is because I was tired from being up all night and traveling always makes me tired. I can sleep anywhere now. It was nice to travel again with people I know. We met a guy named Chris who works at the university in Lingling and he’s from Boston, so we talked and visited, got numbers and promised to hang out before we went home, and in the morning (Saturday when we arrived in Yongzhou), we took a taxi home together. I slept so well on the bus and train, but I was still tired when I got back, and because I was locked out of my apartment, Madi was gracious enough to let me use her things.<br />Wow, these past 2 weeks were fantastic and priceless (even more for me because I didn’t spend much at all, hehe). Life is SO good! Thanks for your patience and prayers-the Lord has been with me every step of my journey!<br />This week my students are doing a talent show and next week the party for the class who has earned it. Then depending on if I teach the next week, we’ll have a final words lesson/party extension/pictures week, then I go to Shanghai (if I get out earlier than that last week I’ll go to Harbin first to visit Tate at his place and see the sights there), and then I fly back to America! I’m so excited to come home to see my family, friends, and David, but at the same time I’ll miss my students terribly. I did over these past two weeks and I’m not even gone for good. I love them. Life is excellent and full of adventure, and that makes one happy Nikki!<br /><br /><br />Pics 1-5: First Views of Xiamen around the University<br />Pic 6: Lover's Lake<br />Pic 7-9: Botanical Gardens<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OzTihau1Ya3dj1Dx-w8vUXraMAmapaPfskjMimnFKx42oRwhGhJDJ4FYlv5AAVqwrWJ2eHVb53dqp-_g6fL4rbDz7HmrGPlGVn4nuH8qm3YgFDutAwmbCBdrpoDbK_EjJ_zv5iegcgc/s1600/XiamenPart1+003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OzTihau1Ya3dj1Dx-w8vUXraMAmapaPfskjMimnFKx42oRwhGhJDJ4FYlv5AAVqwrWJ2eHVb53dqp-_g6fL4rbDz7HmrGPlGVn4nuH8qm3YgFDutAwmbCBdrpoDbK_EjJ_zv5iegcgc/s320/XiamenPart1+003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484192839125572082" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmfwJ0n4dg8eniaQ_wXer3BRJFjl3vWVAtxv9ZqVSyP7c4vs1m5ZNKTlwPrZtfoCy5M3WOBgsZPM5234SwF696GaMS6Y1eDaQl7UU2zns-D6Vi-Moqx9Hnw9zRUSTN1wPIcnE8Hi95J-M/s1600/XiamenPart1+005.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP31-tHOadVzbftcTbYkVHFUaODYeWFpWWZMCjQIVPeZga_cVDyVMOjjCXt_O7xGKKg7OZUaYpoQq0eYvaw5p1M-9ucY4rlZFR8cTQ5IHWRhL__5Bw8Dn0H_fz-DUlYJSEVXB2hcKdTo8/s320/XiamenPart1+131.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484188157152097746" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BeoUnEYODLClNaE3_Jiaj00CvnnovP_RJHaPEcwwape-oxJio2mO-zoDfwudLm25hq-ZM9fFJpvAk8jf-IoIUBMCne_-0FQ4I6NOshIRCvkm8jmG-qoBnZwRhsFNVB4WApZtICOMWIg/s1600/XiamenPart1+145.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-BeoUnEYODLClNaE3_Jiaj00CvnnovP_RJHaPEcwwape-oxJio2mO-zoDfwudLm25hq-ZM9fFJpvAk8jf-IoIUBMCne_-0FQ4I6NOshIRCvkm8jmG-qoBnZwRhsFNVB4WApZtICOMWIg/s320/XiamenPart1+145.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484188148349207506" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIN8k_WOQRU2LhBCNRKHr9hIDG2uG31OLDF4tZAc8Z_IFmz4izOK3WpDlgZ_6gUvX7Rymfj5dAG_MsIg5F3HwMs1ZmPnolHpyMnD_KbGGaoqMDh9CScD9rhjWPsJOdyFEj_amtBMjD0EI/s1600/XiamenPart1+170.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIN8k_WOQRU2LhBCNRKHr9hIDG2uG31OLDF4tZAc8Z_IFmz4izOK3WpDlgZ_6gUvX7Rymfj5dAG_MsIg5F3HwMs1ZmPnolHpyMnD_KbGGaoqMDh9CScD9rhjWPsJOdyFEj_amtBMjD0EI/s320/XiamenPart1+170.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484188140635204514" /></a><br />Pic 19: Xiamen sunset<br />Pic 20: Gardens<br />Pic 21: I rode an Elephant<br />Pics 22-23: Pics of Xiamen from the Gulanyu Ferry at night <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8hp1BO1TUfg4toBxLzMKTNmHJ44TfhmsuU_Hi03ZX_QUOSOidnRRiQu43b2Qv7d-hsilcwpeTPozEOlrMN_mcd9fxkk4HCl1E2JvbxlZg-SfcI6pouk9UKuYkPwFu_uskjn6S7ooOXE/s1600/XiamenPart1+186.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8hp1BO1TUfg4toBxLzMKTNmHJ44TfhmsuU_Hi03ZX_QUOSOidnRRiQu43b2Qv7d-hsilcwpeTPozEOlrMN_mcd9fxkk4HCl1E2JvbxlZg-SfcI6pouk9UKuYkPwFu_uskjn6S7ooOXE/s320/XiamenPart1+186.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484186754793995986" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34k3ktjIWP8ND8udjT3QjOVG4re3TNSHqQNyP4rHIwpe4BcDsB2cQHyEkqY-1mt6F3v5A1CL5gHaYfeYRjmX35_NkTqSP-LsyaTvQa_y0JOOdBXIsYtEJsydwPdzYUxZdz38NyHb14eA/s1600/XiamenPart1+191.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWxfrDJ-gf1uy_HuzomkBjo6FVN4EiE6kW7vWEiE1NvkkTVoVI4Pb_XUsnP0S7AJ5HGLEYxIrD-iiDt1mYFTNaNESbFicoNYq6jLbGGXvpsWIThZ0ZK31zHfPBxOvVtijYQoTGfbEoHno/s320/XiamenPart1+195.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484184967739700162" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBwipqBdfek43Chj-uOX9e-tZcG9zjkCB3lZhC5bQhNGZN9IE28XoVWIfRSzMIm1Dq-B6FoWHBr9RZkLGpLxMXHQTv-FaKym31DM_FWrmfNQn8OteP0ma8R63N745R7ldqrx4h6w65jJo/s1600/XiamenPart1+211.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBwipqBdfek43Chj-uOX9e-tZcG9zjkCB3lZhC5bQhNGZN9IE28XoVWIfRSzMIm1Dq-B6FoWHBr9RZkLGpLxMXHQTv-FaKym31DM_FWrmfNQn8OteP0ma8R63N745R7ldqrx4h6w65jJo/s320/XiamenPart1+211.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484184951890004562" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQhB3LeuRd4MVdrOFa071aPlzUaOmhO8WPOQ-5a2L-d8FRhuU5Rvy0CJwfhoiKwQ2AoQe94AVJNdMkvbhxNr7IPxZKq7SK8ZjB6zRG4WLtDdFwb0uEFCtxU9gskgDMSw4wp_BdhPU9jA/s1600/XiamenPart1+215.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHQhB3LeuRd4MVdrOFa071aPlzUaOmhO8WPOQ-5a2L-d8FRhuU5Rvy0CJwfhoiKwQ2AoQe94AVJNdMkvbhxNr7IPxZKq7SK8ZjB6zRG4WLtDdFwb0uEFCtxU9gskgDMSw4wp_BdhPU9jA/s320/XiamenPart1+215.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484184944092227986" /></a><br /><br />Pics 24-28: The Nanputuo Temple and views from the forest behind<br />Pic 29: Classical Music Park: Me and Beethoven<br />Pic 30: Alex taking us sigh seeing-one beach on Xiamen<br />Pic 31: Marathon Sculptures<br />Pic 32: The underwater tunnel 70 meters below the ocean<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1xZ5nQDMAtwDOepadkonO7tL8R1y4mTgCr3zYI_Uxe8lb89d_Vvp59TEn6TyvoCTSGMYCP9ViydGUw4lxKQ7bnDaES5ErtPmCaMdTe6OKpM7nmS3rCgrpzcscaB548hiJS4WUxgqQNF0/s1600/XiamenPart1+226.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1_qH81sLqZQuMOMCuRcCwwDyYPaxcs0zFRUMwgu4k1sWvlYvDiTE_5NOVMZnQLsjbszy_k37BT5hKtLp9jYE9yY_VOqbqLeWjpqblJDj-s3a6HZYpEwpZcTq5334qpJs8CGm49XaO7zc/s320/XiamenPart1+275.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484178366153262610" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHDGbbAO_uu776ccwqcNsKRxr_I749ypNOeSowdBz1noEHdHJyi01_Ka9ZelXOFFOMgkay3014ZnGFxLQrxKxhbG9zKUjC_hGeJTl8_R0UyMjrvGfzCv-LEK75gMFAB30FAbCZBRqI2A/s1600/XiamenPart1+278.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHDGbbAO_uu776ccwqcNsKRxr_I749ypNOeSowdBz1noEHdHJyi01_Ka9ZelXOFFOMgkay3014ZnGFxLQrxKxhbG9zKUjC_hGeJTl8_R0UyMjrvGfzCv-LEK75gMFAB30FAbCZBRqI2A/s320/XiamenPart1+278.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484178357846488786" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLq17naaWWDIzNZcjYt0N5mgBc7HuKsnM-898hptoCS8E0jKhvx2lczSsqilPcTLXFLaHMR9FRF9p-i3FrruvZBJ0vmCHS2UsHyKT6471n9hQgTAejnYeXE7s50xWOTUep_Za0A0sJUh4/s1600/XiamenPart1+295.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLq17naaWWDIzNZcjYt0N5mgBc7HuKsnM-898hptoCS8E0jKhvx2lczSsqilPcTLXFLaHMR9FRF9p-i3FrruvZBJ0vmCHS2UsHyKT6471n9hQgTAejnYeXE7s50xWOTUep_Za0A0sJUh4/s320/XiamenPart1+295.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484178349095859074" /></a><br /><br />Pic 33: The Butterfly Valley<br />Pic 34: My tail in Butterfly Valley<br />Pic 35: "Found a Peanut Just Now..." in Butterfly Valley<br />Pic 36: My favorite part of BV-look at that mole hair!<br />Pic 37: Baby Butterfly<br />Pic 38: Sam, Alan, and Madi on the path<br />Pic 39: Dolphins in Butterfly Valley? <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi1YvxjlBwoFX5BCyI3m1NG3UnVVpCUTK-GS6Zkfj5xPWypJ_QA0EP1sLIeh2C9EfXD6f8ctSGwvjN6YoBYloqbHQXM8Ha6V-nbysrFKQ-k0ZHsNXqu520qw5vNZ7w1czYqh2lMcaxnCk/s1600/XiamenPart1+284.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxnxYPDyq6fCUxK2YZzVOO15ZEmplZUnFtaRNa3wdTcY42jCyVQ3Lu9MqKYCavtQzNe37M2kPnrEkFhiDnBw7nBKYp7jZJ4qkXd06GNCe6nrf-19Zrj0terzafPM1DMi9UCTqgecaxf1Q/s320/XiamenPart1+313.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484175485072968738" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBrCNYUAHGfpnm86swH8SZo6Uw1U-zcBqhbsB8Xb52B-WkypbyegwH4HzvCjQzUSiag74m29eKSjq_7ZsDhEE-gg61do2E4xCX-Mrx8NOiJSUA4_9qr2C6jc3qNolZcqR7LAgUTIVma4/s1600/XiamenPart1+314.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBrCNYUAHGfpnm86swH8SZo6Uw1U-zcBqhbsB8Xb52B-WkypbyegwH4HzvCjQzUSiag74m29eKSjq_7ZsDhEE-gg61do2E4xCX-Mrx8NOiJSUA4_9qr2C6jc3qNolZcqR7LAgUTIVma4/s320/XiamenPart1+314.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484175471904489922" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8UBUS_WJH0sMBDhyRHHMAVXB77tuDobi-sSmVK7qSh56WLV5Y1dkfTSEpoZMNKvOVwsKbQE8cB-DbGNk0MDPH8YT0QlZXlG6DWYHdpW0mfyTRgY09fHk60N1u5ROKOQ7AObRYnSVv94E/s1600/XiamenPart1+315.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8UBUS_WJH0sMBDhyRHHMAVXB77tuDobi-sSmVK7qSh56WLV5Y1dkfTSEpoZMNKvOVwsKbQE8cB-DbGNk0MDPH8YT0QlZXlG6DWYHdpW0mfyTRgY09fHk60N1u5ROKOQ7AObRYnSVv94E/s320/XiamenPart1+315.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484175467442633202" /></a><br /><br />Pics 40-42: Alan took us to a seafood restaurant. We got to choose our living food to eat. Yummy<br />Pics 43: Our plates<br />Pic 44: Sam going to town on the giant shrimp<br />Pic 45: Madi and her shelled snail<br />Pic 46: Our hostel in Xiamen<br />Pic 47: The Gulanyu aquarium<br />Pic 48: Organ Museum<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTnsynKppiEqxBjgWAlDSxmzNlxPR0ytgRTHg06Q3MjNw8fXWfPt6z8JmFOHG3_EdFu_tbjN7YsDjgwFUYPSa0Op06mSyVaSRutGZ0ROY-pjeNVawC4rDglQMnxDyRekur0FfBLeUthNI/s1600/Xiamen+Part+2+002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTnsynKppiEqxBjgWAlDSxmzNlxPR0ytgRTHg06Q3MjNw8fXWfPt6z8JmFOHG3_EdFu_tbjN7YsDjgwFUYPSa0Op06mSyVaSRutGZ0ROY-pjeNVawC4rDglQMnxDyRekur0FfBLeUthNI/s320/Xiamen+Part+2+002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484172556305947058" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIFrLF1Ey1s2m-BfHY1lXZ2ZO_k7O6zDHJAJZt-PBqh3CYHJ2MzLovYIxYzpKFT-TqWFs1Jd0zfydl0aR7bD-wo-FHkfDEKi-cI-TLehETiGUONGsGS8L56NRPXRC3s-8oT-GV7SXlZs/s1600/Xiamen+Part+2+004.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfIFrLF1Ey1s2m-BfHY1lXZ2ZO_k7O6zDHJAJZt-PBqh3CYHJ2MzLovYIxYzpKFT-TqWFs1Jd0zfydl0aR7bD-wo-FHkfDEKi-cI-TLehETiGUONGsGS8L56NRPXRC3s-8oT-GV7SXlZs/s320/Xiamen+Part+2+004.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484172544944856018" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtwg2B4Apoip_jrGaIM7Ki3g3OCU5ZTmVpH8DEqVlDzlF9p61pEvY2eeDB3nGLLxw67BR255Z_5AUxV4FtaYDFw7lqxDlN59u8KutSMG9YNq5If5YQksy51VeRlqM4HWY6hUcXT0cfzM/s1600/Xiamen+Part+2+047.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDtwg2B4Apoip_jrGaIM7Ki3g3OCU5ZTmVpH8DEqVlDzlF9p61pEvY2eeDB3nGLLxw67BR255Z_5AUxV4FtaYDFw7lqxDlN59u8KutSMG9YNq5If5YQksy51VeRlqM4HWY6hUcXT0cfzM/s320/Xiamen+Part+2+047.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484172527290054498" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYxDPaKyKT9dFhUF3Y-hFhwE_T48TzYcRvhppb3wE3F1mB4aB16QB5Pg-lDJlxUwJlxN7ETcxW32QiQeQBN0uK1VEFhSfU-3f8x6zfLVr1WsCK9ConBqape8n7QyJq5H3cllNSriNv8c/s1600/XiamenPart1+326.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigYxDPaKyKT9dFhUF3Y-hFhwE_T48TzYcRvhppb3wE3F1mB4aB16QB5Pg-lDJlxUwJlxN7ETcxW32QiQeQBN0uK1VEFhSfU-3f8x6zfLVr1WsCK9ConBqape8n7QyJq5H3cllNSriNv8c/s320/XiamenPart1+326.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484172515121550034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguU93rM-gthz3-TZL58PS-6joZ0qOS3e8XVuAR9QaECzuFNoWDvRFq0vOduB2mmvnnOrVznGxVrPHkgjUsd6uKZhHoOJXBAfKE_bT2cgLzAR1s2-3JK53up2f3GXkhIiWryfdIVPIfW4w/s1600/XiamenPart1+328.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguU93rM-gthz3-TZL58PS-6joZ0qOS3e8XVuAR9QaECzuFNoWDvRFq0vOduB2mmvnnOrVznGxVrPHkgjUsd6uKZhHoOJXBAfKE_bT2cgLzAR1s2-3JK53up2f3GXkhIiWryfdIVPIfW4w/s320/XiamenPart1+328.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484171591694155042" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDVgSWfKQ0yEuY7egmN9Dqi_XS4Fii5WM2-CdPbFQTjAqbDeS2wzqR7sF2ZJ-_GnYU47aOvW13ySUdTDJytIdX3k5W8lS9kNYp6_UPrYe0KbTHXT5rFi7XrSLqFIw3KLv_fSbOdz531E/s1600/XiamenPart1+331.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNDVgSWfKQ0yEuY7egmN9Dqi_XS4Fii5WM2-CdPbFQTjAqbDeS2wzqR7sF2ZJ-_GnYU47aOvW13ySUdTDJytIdX3k5W8lS9kNYp6_UPrYe0KbTHXT5rFi7XrSLqFIw3KLv_fSbOdz531E/s320/XiamenPart1+331.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484171581252847746" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRABTHFLoZcXD_BKT7usGCmroXpwki4VttHZp2CVQYLTThqIQADT9jdFG3OrGoxea_Vae639Rrfrq2Pp_eDxg71JFvCvGbHs-hkyxdXLKVGisFeMQk3Xj8v7Wb64wEjwzueoE2V_9BPk/s1600/XiamenPart1+333.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRABTHFLoZcXD_BKT7usGCmroXpwki4VttHZp2CVQYLTThqIQADT9jdFG3OrGoxea_Vae639Rrfrq2Pp_eDxg71JFvCvGbHs-hkyxdXLKVGisFeMQk3Xj8v7Wb64wEjwzueoE2V_9BPk/s320/XiamenPart1+333.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484171570018065602" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRwZR3CRyr7IdDs-5sk9ptCuOQsh_pa_FA-FNgQhfSs_YmQgZcmDgHP0gDZDLpsqjDumWaYfDW1wtG0qHh9312Im8RJFAJon2WgCmkk440guFrUEBgeT0L7HzrmAIbsDVzRbDbGjDEho/s1600/XiamenPart1+334.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIRwZR3CRyr7IdDs-5sk9ptCuOQsh_pa_FA-FNgQhfSs_YmQgZcmDgHP0gDZDLpsqjDumWaYfDW1wtG0qHh9312Im8RJFAJon2WgCmkk440guFrUEBgeT0L7HzrmAIbsDVzRbDbGjDEho/s320/XiamenPart1+334.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484171562548696370" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKw05E6gxrkLvhpRVT5rE79-Xbt6BZuzsjGDd1YvqM9VmuQhmn9mJxS_vz-IDHtuRy6nj1idY4Nzoxfl-Hr07uiZGgpPVeijVCR_i3b6Vjq_rSymaMIOeOjkTjTXSK1MziGrUMIVrJjHw/s1600/XiamenPart1+335.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKw05E6gxrkLvhpRVT5rE79-Xbt6BZuzsjGDd1YvqM9VmuQhmn9mJxS_vz-IDHtuRy6nj1idY4Nzoxfl-Hr07uiZGgpPVeijVCR_i3b6Vjq_rSymaMIOeOjkTjTXSK1MziGrUMIVrJjHw/s320/XiamenPart1+335.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484171549968785090" /></a><br /><br />Pic 49-51: Gulanyu Beach<br />Pic 52-54: Getting soaked in the Lightning Storm<br />Pic 55: Alex's Family (I love little Thomas!)<br />Pic 56: Charles, Andy, Sam, Madi, Thomas and Mother, Me, and Alex at dinner together.<br />Pic 57: Sleeper Bus Madi and Sam- Our way back Home!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ09Nx6DKWEXsJQZOtVtiYS6ALRSGf_-CYBhKVvduP4inC387WFNR0STN7JZCp6-srFgtkvVtMy0jmQrfxsjyZbX5CALKACb3OIwBOmrwjt_rTADIolzb0POG3q4GEKJfzGi8K0lGvsmI/s1600/Xiamen+Part+2+072.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmu8L3dY4y-5Ak9vQJzGbFwFxq9XBdMg6ApmCkIGv-MWOatQCUn3DqwIwOsvKFI6J9-6Ez7P9sgSIgOcthEJZVVd5usGLbNZRufUig6g3csU5NUYa_QP9Y_Utho762J4XLd9bXT8VhuSc/s320/Xiamen+Part+2+091.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484168780155555858" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEY_mkGmNNbzTG_jdlqvNPJEzF-DycCbQbVwkLALUVZhP_68ixmMb3iBGX4Azf-wq3kRmnDzUUoqV1uW7QBOXEhqX8-ahLFGuNBDip4rwl3LzWCcUwd0FmbkkPbDc6k54nfJxQ-FMUe4/s1600/Xiamen+Part+2+094.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyEY_mkGmNNbzTG_jdlqvNPJEzF-DycCbQbVwkLALUVZhP_68ixmMb3iBGX4Azf-wq3kRmnDzUUoqV1uW7QBOXEhqX8-ahLFGuNBDip4rwl3LzWCcUwd0FmbkkPbDc6k54nfJxQ-FMUe4/s320/Xiamen+Part+2+094.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484168767879960258" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrjZk2hQ1wdNPIvQ3-cshSG_ewI7JxKiNPuF4fMwYu-rSNszLx5agqhNstrd0BNenhIFfuCUj1fwHSPgp73_8jZjCQWwHwN47NfDEQhzIK9_kBfsQBvDeBMkfrX1fkb8ep9OdHvbaSZQ/s1600/XiamenPart2WayHome+002.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivrjZk2hQ1wdNPIvQ3-cshSG_ewI7JxKiNPuF4fMwYu-rSNszLx5agqhNstrd0BNenhIFfuCUj1fwHSPgp73_8jZjCQWwHwN47NfDEQhzIK9_kBfsQBvDeBMkfrX1fkb8ep9OdHvbaSZQ/s320/XiamenPart2WayHome+002.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484168760267828434" /></a>Nikki Checkettshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01310196747369248245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806739049980798749.post-32215324702248227442010-06-14T13:37:00.001-07:002010-06-18T08:51:25.800-07:00BeijingHaven’t heard from me in 2 weeks, have you? Well, I’ve been a little busy, needless to say. My missionary David is home now, he came home the day after my last update, and I’ve been getting caught up with him and life, and good news: HE’S COMING TO OMAHA TO WORK! This means I get to see him in 3 weeks when I come home as well as the rest of you. Oh life is fantastic and the Lord loves me!<br />I’m back now in Yongzhou after almost 2 weeks of traveling in Beijing and then Xiamen. Unfortunately I am currently locked out of my apartment because Twinkle moved in with me right before I left for vacation and then went on vacation while I was gone and took my key with her, so Madi is being a saint and putting up with me. Since I teach senior grade 2 and my students were testing these past couple weeks, I had the chance to travel a bit. I left June 2nd on a bus to Changsha, and then on the way from the bus station to the airport I got a ride with a really nice cab driver who I got to practice my Chinese with, and I once again realized how bad I am at the language. If I spent another 4 months here in China, I think I’d be quite good, so it’s sad that right as I’m getting the hang of it and things are coming more and more quickly I only have a few weeks left. The taxi driver not only took me to the airport, but took my bag in for me and told me where to go. I waited in the airport for a few hours and practiced more Chinese with a couple nice old ladies who kept feeding me Lichees, which are a very good fruit here, and then took my plane from Changsha to Beijing (there isn’t a big enough airport in Yongzhou). On the plane I sat next to a lady who spoke English well and we had a wonderful conversation on the cultural habits and manners between America and China, which, being a sociologist, made me quite happy.<br />I met my cousin Robert “Tate” at the airport (we arrived in Beijing about the same time) with some awesome friends: River, his Chinese mother who is a skin specialist in Harbin, her daughter Betty, and Wang, a large figure in the Bank of China, and a friend of Wang’s who builds bridges. Because all of Tate’s friends have lots of money and love to show off by paying for everything, I hardly spent any money in Beijing, which is a huge blessing to me. Every day we were driven around by Wang and his friend, and when we would go to a place, they would park the car, get out and buy our tickets, and then leave us to enjoy it all while they went off and did their own things. I got a quite a bit of Chinese practice with Tate and the others. I just had to adjust to the northern dialects of mandarin and all their ‘r’s. They treated us to the nicest restaurants, we stayed in a hotel half the nights, and I felt completely spoiled. Oh I love Beijing! It’s cool to be around people who will fight you to the ground to be the one to pay the pricy bill to show off. Haha, it’s quite the scene.<br />The first full day in Beijing River, Betty, Tate, and I went to the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, the Temple of Heaven, and the Olympic Stadium and surroundings from the 2002 Olympics. It was a very busy day. Then we went out to eat with some friends of River. I had a lot of food in Beijing like the Chinese food in the states. The Chinese food in Hunan is not like the Chinese food in America, but this was more similar, and I ate a lot in Beijing. They didn’t just let us eat until we were full. They piled food onto our plates if we didn’t keep helping ourselves (and sometimes they did that anyway), until the food was about gone or we stuck out our stomachs far enough to make a food baby in protest. Oh it was so delicious. Hot Pot, Peking Duck, Kung Pao Chicken, all sorts of food and all so good. The second day we went to the Beijing Zoo just to see the pandas, which was way cool, and then to the Summer Palace, which is HUGE! We took a paddle boat on lake in the center of it, went to a Buddhist Temple, some amazing sights around it, took a boat down a main part of the city, saw the giant marble ship, and it was super fun. We were once again very tired at the end of the day, but then Tate and I went to visit the Temple of Earth and then to dinner with his old high school teacher and her fiancé. THAT was a blast! We got along fantastically. Their senses of humor and mannerisms are just so much fun. We laughed and joked and had a great time altogether for a good 4+ hours and then they drove us back to our hotel. Day 3 we went to the Great Wall! Oh wow, it is spectacular! Tate and I, being the daredevils we are, ran the great wall (which, if you’ve ever been, know it’s pretty dangerous), but it was so much fun! We climbed up off-limits parts of the wall and beyond where we were supposed to, but the views only got better and better, and the parts that were off-limits were in ruins, and you can’t take Nikki away from her love for archaeology, so we had the time of our lives up there. I would go to Beijing again and again if only to see the great wall-it is THAT amazing! It had to be one of the most memorable experiences here in China for me. Then we went to the place they have Dragon Boat Races and enjoyed the sunset, skipped some rocks, and took off our shoes and let the little fish nibble on our toes and then freak out. Oh I love Beijing! We then went to a fancy shmancy restaurant and had our last meal together as a group. I’m going to miss them all.<br />The next day, Sunday, Wang’s driver took Tate, River, and Betty to the airport back to Harbin, and then took me to the building where the Beijing Branches meet for church. It was awesome to be on the live side of the virtual branch, and I got to see my friends from Longhui and Shuangpai and spend some time with the Lewis family. Their house is SO posh for China, and we ate with forks (I am so bad with those now)-we had enchiladas, fajitas, CHEESE, brownies, cookies, ice cream, oh I could’ve died happy right then and there. The Lewis’ were excited to hear about David and then made me get on skype with him so they could meet him, so many of my Chinese foreigner friends have met him now and everyone out here approves. : ) I got to sleep at the Lewis’ and then President Lewis and I went to the airport and each flew out to different locations, and I was off onto the second half of my vacation: Xiamen.<br /><br />Pic 1: Beijing Sunset<br />Pic 2: Beijing<br />Pic 3-6 The Forbidden City<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWYFZgw8BcUJEoCcQUV4-eHR7ICcs8jGbs7G448y5r8-C_v5C8dGZKX69uX9B47s_HU0tdJIGPoQH9c_0GmBWM7Id208Z-Qn5Ksx49mjI-g7aM7SQfFGkWKr8plixC7fyzOV3BaS8KiU/s1600/Week14BeijingDay1+030.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBWYFZgw8BcUJEoCcQUV4-eHR7ICcs8jGbs7G448y5r8-C_v5C8dGZKX69uX9B47s_HU0tdJIGPoQH9c_0GmBWM7Id208Z-Qn5Ksx49mjI-g7aM7SQfFGkWKr8plixC7fyzOV3BaS8KiU/s320/Week14BeijingDay1+030.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484139467700640258" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EG8zJbYCmL37H_-67Pl8x565ArqQv3-silKcytoG1ChYk95UJNPfl4NsRUmhKkUHvZKiqTk4QUIGtxzB_VmA1Ho9GiBJzmUwqjiblBPM8gw_00_Mv5iqKZcPLWbIbOYUTDki8W7XgYQ/s1600/Week14BeijingDay1+040.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EG8zJbYCmL37H_-67Pl8x565ArqQv3-silKcytoG1ChYk95UJNPfl4NsRUmhKkUHvZKiqTk4QUIGtxzB_VmA1Ho9GiBJzmUwqjiblBPM8gw_00_Mv5iqKZcPLWbIbOYUTDki8W7XgYQ/s320/Week14BeijingDay1+040.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484138930317176786" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVyawZ7A9akZ9PU0Ewzs6_0o_OcoDKSGZuuJSaawWIzjPRWA8iORrV-Igg8ZCI-dfcBqV-F5HIx5iWmiG4BwM_IV8NkZeTWRZt-Me9nTJ4U498j6fjKvAnVFLh63wfjpvI8BfLHIIqxs/s1600/Week14BeijingDay1+042.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpVyawZ7A9akZ9PU0Ewzs6_0o_OcoDKSGZuuJSaawWIzjPRWA8iORrV-Igg8ZCI-dfcBqV-F5HIx5iWmiG4BwM_IV8NkZeTWRZt-Me9nTJ4U498j6fjKvAnVFLh63wfjpvI8BfLHIIqxs/s320/Week14BeijingDay1+042.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484138924307729506" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspHe2wNRzntLYtRog5E_N7EwnDmwAnn4Z9MSJwPRoDB2IZBCI2xIdCvfGWL8u6vj76ztxDb8Aun7ihAo7oV8Y9900srJZkn6bkUxyXk-Yc2HomJSNlFAVtkJZ52gM2cQMRnGHbGsQFmc/s1600/Week14BeijingDay1+064.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgspHe2wNRzntLYtRog5E_N7EwnDmwAnn4Z9MSJwPRoDB2IZBCI2xIdCvfGWL8u6vj76ztxDb8Aun7ihAo7oV8Y9900srJZkn6bkUxyXk-Yc2HomJSNlFAVtkJZ52gM2cQMRnGHbGsQFmc/s320/Week14BeijingDay1+064.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484138912733022978" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyubBtelR7ZTar4Uzz2JMKyNR1cZrvuE7f8sd900Hx1L4DDSYG6EJHUgaxb7clZwzhQVm8x-GncI6QGimfQ5C8c1BSZlr9QfGfHocGMJm22HfH4_DFs9KukBogYVfJY8kug-0dbNQQ6nY/s1600/Week14BeijingDay1+073.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyubBtelR7ZTar4Uzz2JMKyNR1cZrvuE7f8sd900Hx1L4DDSYG6EJHUgaxb7clZwzhQVm8x-GncI6QGimfQ5C8c1BSZlr9QfGfHocGMJm22HfH4_DFs9KukBogYVfJY8kug-0dbNQQ6nY/s320/Week14BeijingDay1+073.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484138903966726114" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJqe8Ta0XeiiJDcmpFH0l1kJN3COoxNel5SG8n6eW2Srt_anD0J5EWc5zlqwNnLklQ5ykTkHY3WsSP9fTqh2zPzs2kYbDYi3mL7UuAkoQBLSGm45PSEPjK-v9sYtE8FQ4ahJiLSR3tCY/s1600/Week14BeijingDay1+095.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCJqe8Ta0XeiiJDcmpFH0l1kJN3COoxNel5SG8n6eW2Srt_anD0J5EWc5zlqwNnLklQ5ykTkHY3WsSP9fTqh2zPzs2kYbDYi3mL7UuAkoQBLSGm45PSEPjK-v9sYtE8FQ4ahJiLSR3tCY/s320/Week14BeijingDay1+095.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484138889364244658" /></a><br /><br />Pic 7-8: The Front Gate of the Forbidden City<br />Pic 9-10: Tiananmen Square<br />Pic 11: Some cool church<br />Pic 12-14: An art gallery on Tiananmen<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrH-3MSuLsAynSOoab1ErDvAJkdGsdcPSec4OZ-gQIYRwx71jt3EDN5Vp02q0G6K4-uhvIMFhmH8gX87VbhDpH4qzSZxcGCruLEcctQj6WfOz-HztlvxbA13LDMKepGabY6Z7fPyJMxKI/s1600/Week14BeijingDay1+102.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrH-3MSuLsAynSOoab1ErDvAJkdGsdcPSec4OZ-gQIYRwx71jt3EDN5Vp02q0G6K4-uhvIMFhmH8gX87VbhDpH4qzSZxcGCruLEcctQj6WfOz-HztlvxbA13LDMKepGabY6Z7fPyJMxKI/s320/Week14BeijingDay1+102.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484136822688048002" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8o3xt877iYG3L3mU7aBYwMgjG46jIg0wdDV-LkSpxUlHd28ZCBuUl9F6Kwe-KvdAFnTTzYkv03wjblVYEUnNwA2rPEpegNiYsMpcVgC6URGWNPKqgw0vCpPJ-K763AnyQzsr_YmjCY1s/s1600/Week14BeijingDay1+105.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8o3xt877iYG3L3mU7aBYwMgjG46jIg0wdDV-LkSpxUlHd28ZCBuUl9F6Kwe-KvdAFnTTzYkv03wjblVYEUnNwA2rPEpegNiYsMpcVgC6URGWNPKqgw0vCpPJ-K763AnyQzsr_YmjCY1s/s320/Week14BeijingDay1+105.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484136810812349298" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvrPi0q4nlui4zbSJIQvOfkV-69z94b8h6io9cWi1YET4iSV9_HuYs3FHAMFt0k5y1hv4hv07vH9ERydd4F9T_P17jTA4ziJTtFEomU7he0mWgKxnDqsl1bdVy8AKE8gd6YpPBmS3ppQ/s1600/Week14BeijingDay1+114.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilvrPi0q4nlui4zbSJIQvOfkV-69z94b8h6io9cWi1YET4iSV9_HuYs3FHAMFt0k5y1hv4hv07vH9ERydd4F9T_P17jTA4ziJTtFEomU7he0mWgKxnDqsl1bdVy8AKE8gd6YpPBmS3ppQ/s320/Week14BeijingDay1+114.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484136013793871010" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWXxho4C27z3C_x4W0WIb7wgUOo_iHPKAyv_HNKNhJqD58c86IQ5MDGollLKZFbLWD6PujUdH_C8uhSZLS-Ie9t5fTB-su9Rakji61f1siKH7oJYZZ9ycJBulLGHtqPzgvS7P__9D0i54/s1600/Week14BeijingDay1+115.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWXxho4C27z3C_x4W0WIb7wgUOo_iHPKAyv_HNKNhJqD58c86IQ5MDGollLKZFbLWD6PujUdH_C8uhSZLS-Ie9t5fTB-su9Rakji61f1siKH7oJYZZ9ycJBulLGHtqPzgvS7P__9D0i54/s320/Week14BeijingDay1+115.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484136002161134674" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGG_qFK-if8QNvsU0ysoS9M4rwPTWK1XsyGwNigJbVpFLo5A1aILsVvSj59Ua9nM3u9kzpJ1su5yYq9i44YdR1B8Z59PsN5LK4ik91EAINMhlrNI7iF4SO5CouyQGfu3kCb9tqh4pGrx8/s1600/Week14BeijingDay1+123.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGG_qFK-if8QNvsU0ysoS9M4rwPTWK1XsyGwNigJbVpFLo5A1aILsVvSj59Ua9nM3u9kzpJ1su5yYq9i44YdR1B8Z59PsN5LK4ik91EAINMhlrNI7iF4SO5CouyQGfu3kCb9tqh4pGrx8/s320/Week14BeijingDay1+123.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484135996273635314" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-3HMDLckP9NwnbvHGzTkH7M1D4DNGyXiU3FCPXwXcgvReFphnJU7uaj-cRyqdobUTnZdwvUCwPw18YHxYKvZQr8y1NfzbRnzMwvMpjsA2OfIUMHWM6xp8CrdVBbbDQveCToXKCvurEg/s1600/Week14BeijingDay1+128.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz-3HMDLckP9NwnbvHGzTkH7M1D4DNGyXiU3FCPXwXcgvReFphnJU7uaj-cRyqdobUTnZdwvUCwPw18YHxYKvZQr8y1NfzbRnzMwvMpjsA2OfIUMHWM6xp8CrdVBbbDQveCToXKCvurEg/s320/Week14BeijingDay1+128.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484135987257718194" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZuz6bOp8nKShLzpZWaGrWTcDF4QmkPaCJlIVlTNTQNsXUoDuPiEq2xOA-pE1UOO9DTM9uoJeFuHxRjPtUYHskWb40PeddRMNd0YWYbpaCBgYBU4bxpVk-AlmSRRy9dv-8vhAWbNetGA/s1600/Week14BeijingDay1+142.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZuz6bOp8nKShLzpZWaGrWTcDF4QmkPaCJlIVlTNTQNsXUoDuPiEq2xOA-pE1UOO9DTM9uoJeFuHxRjPtUYHskWb40PeddRMNd0YWYbpaCBgYBU4bxpVk-AlmSRRy9dv-8vhAWbNetGA/s320/Week14BeijingDay1+142.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484135974871381346" /></a><br /><br />Pic 15: The Dragon and Phoenix are found everywhere in the big old cities and symbolize unity between man and woman.<br />Pic 16: Beijing<br />Pic 17: This is the biggest pile of trash I found in Beijing. It shocked me. Usually they are entire court yards full.<br />Pic 18: The Temple of Heaven<br />Pic 19: Tate in front of the Temple<br />Pic 20-21: More Temple of Heaven<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgk3dU3tIPD_UTzPJIZyR4zPxCiZiTGnpfZ44xMpdb6-FufBp_m5zfI-N8enG-LwjOlfGdBwaiZznMogcOt652Cdt-DGlM4foaXe9NCZsM_PhOtn0AL4qZuMFI1fnnpyQwTmq7SbfSJAU/s1600/Week14BeijingDay1+151.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgk3dU3tIPD_UTzPJIZyR4zPxCiZiTGnpfZ44xMpdb6-FufBp_m5zfI-N8enG-LwjOlfGdBwaiZznMogcOt652Cdt-DGlM4foaXe9NCZsM_PhOtn0AL4qZuMFI1fnnpyQwTmq7SbfSJAU/s320/Week14BeijingDay1+151.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484132308578103202" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFLRWgFovvYD7mJdwwmr9eUk6XcTdpHRhuhvnACwJn4wC96pe3XK04gnuj4ECh49eVlG1Thh5frpsQsMFim2sZNUkI711d7vOv-w0uZSV6DyW0qivguzsNJXIatocJpqIYTNmQIclyPI/s1600/Week14BeijingDay1+152.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFLRWgFovvYD7mJdwwmr9eUk6XcTdpHRhuhvnACwJn4wC96pe3XK04gnuj4ECh49eVlG1Thh5frpsQsMFim2sZNUkI711d7vOv-w0uZSV6DyW0qivguzsNJXIatocJpqIYTNmQIclyPI/s320/Week14BeijingDay1+152.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484132298369664322" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgk3dU3tIPD_UTzPJIZyR4zPxCiZiTGnpfZ44xMpdb6-FufBp_m5zfI-N8enG-LwjOlfGdBwaiZznMogcOt652Cdt-DGlM4foaXe9NCZsM_PhOtn0AL4qZuMFI1fnnpyQwTmq7SbfSJAU/s1600/Week14BeijingDay1+151.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgk3dU3tIPD_UTzPJIZyR4zPxCiZiTGnpfZ44xMpdb6-FufBp_m5zfI-N8enG-LwjOlfGdBwaiZznMogcOt652Cdt-DGlM4foaXe9NCZsM_PhOtn0AL4qZuMFI1fnnpyQwTmq7SbfSJAU/s320/Week14BeijingDay1+151.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484132308578103202" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFLRWgFovvYD7mJdwwmr9eUk6XcTdpHRhuhvnACwJn4wC96pe3XK04gnuj4ECh49eVlG1Thh5frpsQsMFim2sZNUkI711d7vOv-w0uZSV6DyW0qivguzsNJXIatocJpqIYTNmQIclyPI/s1600/Week14BeijingDay1+152.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFLRWgFovvYD7mJdwwmr9eUk6XcTdpHRhuhvnACwJn4wC96pe3XK04gnuj4ECh49eVlG1Thh5frpsQsMFim2sZNUkI711d7vOv-w0uZSV6DyW0qivguzsNJXIatocJpqIYTNmQIclyPI/s320/Week14BeijingDay1+152.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484132298369664322" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XXRdERUYVOT3DkzwpagIXddSfvco123PzTzzCCUPtzdHNklR6qFSni-M64dy5QESkGdSlJUs0Kn05Ybw9Rvo383KUBo8GBAOHfhm38cLkUNm119C_anm97FGhM5qcWGMLa0BLY5TEFk/s1600/Week14BeijingDay1+155.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5XXRdERUYVOT3DkzwpagIXddSfvco123PzTzzCCUPtzdHNklR6qFSni-M64dy5QESkGdSlJUs0Kn05Ybw9Rvo383KUBo8GBAOHfhm38cLkUNm119C_anm97FGhM5qcWGMLa0BLY5TEFk/s320/Week14BeijingDay1+155.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484131513801113170" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhet7yxEUvwymbJRErVH236FPs2yNJAGK_SPbgCDB3sWk6O27RR2oVJ20QBz8u8ecPgK3qRLiQR-2aYKI5ABL6iXsVAYxzi69PXX_Z3NpwreBg_Mry4SwX1E0wi2rlHy81BPqANExGm3ok/s1600/Week14BeijingDay1+160.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhet7yxEUvwymbJRErVH236FPs2yNJAGK_SPbgCDB3sWk6O27RR2oVJ20QBz8u8ecPgK3qRLiQR-2aYKI5ABL6iXsVAYxzi69PXX_Z3NpwreBg_Mry4SwX1E0wi2rlHy81BPqANExGm3ok/s320/Week14BeijingDay1+160.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484131507906590146" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYorGRN22Qo9r8kHvHf5zEOKD5GLUO5bI50-S6_xjxp6AI5Q9DCFPskzbdJmHgsLnKevv2Rv_J03b9dU7iNb-OA2Me1zbTcU_XW1jMi0vPO8I7drtACw0gUq-gFbo05zOCIQOjL34fXyo/s1600/Week14BeijingDay1+164.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYorGRN22Qo9r8kHvHf5zEOKD5GLUO5bI50-S6_xjxp6AI5Q9DCFPskzbdJmHgsLnKevv2Rv_J03b9dU7iNb-OA2Me1zbTcU_XW1jMi0vPO8I7drtACw0gUq-gFbo05zOCIQOjL34fXyo/s320/Week14BeijingDay1+164.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484131498665406178" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmns93qabeBwDAEL6-MDyWV7QldjUJT7sfP_qsUl9c_2ymLEdD6OYxZhuRDOxIwoj8O76n-m0-m82RJQiKdZvtcOR2q65RIcJVpf1sfAD8wsMebMCZ0mc21mkVCAfx8oEgIA-ZoL7Crwo/s1600/Week14BeijingDay1+185.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmns93qabeBwDAEL6-MDyWV7QldjUJT7sfP_qsUl9c_2ymLEdD6OYxZhuRDOxIwoj8O76n-m0-m82RJQiKdZvtcOR2q65RIcJVpf1sfAD8wsMebMCZ0mc21mkVCAfx8oEgIA-ZoL7Crwo/s320/Week14BeijingDay1+185.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484131485847771026" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfiPOk9CrN5fN3uxnW1ocMH7Kpq-4idCcEtPjrB8dmLUN7LGFNSpbOARSiKdf7aiDA1uDWmWv3CKK-xVcwFkuEvm6Rogr28RRM_EAlbWuM7jh1lPNSCoOLzfse9i_mwFnpXmo1peY6jws/s1600/Week14BeijingDay1+192.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfiPOk9CrN5fN3uxnW1ocMH7Kpq-4idCcEtPjrB8dmLUN7LGFNSpbOARSiKdf7aiDA1uDWmWv3CKK-xVcwFkuEvm6Rogr28RRM_EAlbWuM7jh1lPNSCoOLzfse9i_mwFnpXmo1peY6jws/s320/Week14BeijingDay1+192.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484131475903904722" /></a><br /><br />Pic 22: Olympic Stadium<br />Pic 23: Olympic Swimming building<br />Pic 24-25: The Olympic Area<br />Pic 26: Out to eat with River's friends<br />Pic 27: Tate in River's friend's piano shoppe<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9j0Mm9C7Y9n2YSGtloJU_bnVBc6ool8ZrARosbOiA46F7gRktODpE2Z6s1Hp5pXAaJ2Ti3QXg6OWHs4KoQ7nm7LzknlGCdJy-gP27aTSVr53QQ7hZIcicYmPEWoUTamsyH5y1jmAxDzk/s1600/Week14BeijingDay1+204.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9j0Mm9C7Y9n2YSGtloJU_bnVBc6ool8ZrARosbOiA46F7gRktODpE2Z6s1Hp5pXAaJ2Ti3QXg6OWHs4KoQ7nm7LzknlGCdJy-gP27aTSVr53QQ7hZIcicYmPEWoUTamsyH5y1jmAxDzk/s320/Week14BeijingDay1+204.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484129198092389506" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0_BBBLw_2p37qAuXIpsCq9qN_W0tp3Ier3IxKPK3SGik8nA_HnPjkuhdBQDmaFTbloLtLIdcHpzY2wX4qJjNaCgeWx35qFEJbal-VkdXRcYfdnzoXdlOyVATufNUrzD-87LPGaKL1yY/s1600/Week14BeijingDay1+205.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW0_BBBLw_2p37qAuXIpsCq9qN_W0tp3Ier3IxKPK3SGik8nA_HnPjkuhdBQDmaFTbloLtLIdcHpzY2wX4qJjNaCgeWx35qFEJbal-VkdXRcYfdnzoXdlOyVATufNUrzD-87LPGaKL1yY/s320/Week14BeijingDay1+205.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484127851962560194" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKgHllALaWt4RRjvbf7B0GQJTxq_DBpOqEywP-psh-9TRIEwNq0qe7aClzj28BuMu4yBUUDJrS_Gk6CHSAtP2ohmqj7aIou46Hx7Sd3wSIhHTThV9uwczUnQl4sqbzHBSGDCrM8YG9VYU/s1600/Week14BeijingDay1+208.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKgHllALaWt4RRjvbf7B0GQJTxq_DBpOqEywP-psh-9TRIEwNq0qe7aClzj28BuMu4yBUUDJrS_Gk6CHSAtP2ohmqj7aIou46Hx7Sd3wSIhHTThV9uwczUnQl4sqbzHBSGDCrM8YG9VYU/s320/Week14BeijingDay1+208.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484127848790857618" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0dG-i0NcmvaGUb_wy2e4MBQTIkgC7dTsaU7vUccQnsxK6x_Rb1HkJIcpOqWUdPcBQ6T7jm2Tkoha3VTUdoJv5FIIwGyZz37sl0shq9J0j-9Fj0himHVvhneo4DsnIkfmfJ0Dk4ZvVyUE/s1600/Week14BeijingDay1+210.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0dG-i0NcmvaGUb_wy2e4MBQTIkgC7dTsaU7vUccQnsxK6x_Rb1HkJIcpOqWUdPcBQ6T7jm2Tkoha3VTUdoJv5FIIwGyZz37sl0shq9J0j-9Fj0himHVvhneo4DsnIkfmfJ0Dk4ZvVyUE/s320/Week14BeijingDay1+210.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484127837718988562" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpOJXAaZxa8ZXSGQ4XtMO2UT0YWEK4CRqW_kJwpJZMkbFm2Fy-jE1R_gtCFsWlShHPAXfyntFt8DZjN0HbqYT8hjbtRQDFdfUx7Js7eTdbq7KehhwD4ebsoi7eNHOWQslLi6P5os3bOY/s1600/Week14BeijingDay1+215.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZpOJXAaZxa8ZXSGQ4XtMO2UT0YWEK4CRqW_kJwpJZMkbFm2Fy-jE1R_gtCFsWlShHPAXfyntFt8DZjN0HbqYT8hjbtRQDFdfUx7Js7eTdbq7KehhwD4ebsoi7eNHOWQslLi6P5os3bOY/s320/Week14BeijingDay1+215.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484127830863909746" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYEpstsotjT8y8mowOGqenoJ3KIcFiMeuEpHFqPL2PJ7-HS0nZ2waNdNs1x1OpUVsGqzrSK9OeruVdu7Ya36Sl2cqcVtq8PMHUHf-zc9PzmsxHEbWK2ZUG4iu_dXV76_n3ccY0BHXBmQ/s1600/Week14BeijingDay1+219.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzYEpstsotjT8y8mowOGqenoJ3KIcFiMeuEpHFqPL2PJ7-HS0nZ2waNdNs1x1OpUVsGqzrSK9OeruVdu7Ya36Sl2cqcVtq8PMHUHf-zc9PzmsxHEbWK2ZUG4iu_dXV76_n3ccY0BHXBmQ/s320/Week14BeijingDay1+219.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484127821494578194" /></a><br /><br />Pic 28: A panda breathing hard after climbing the ladder TO the obstacle course. There is NOW...a level zero.<br />Pic 29: Isn't he cute?<br />Pic 30: Smiling :)<br />Pic 31: Wrestling pandas!<br />Pic 32: Summer Palace<br />Pic 33: Dragon and Phoenix again<br />Pic 34 + 36: Summer Palace<br />Pic 35: Our paddle boat (I was driving)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrtFFjGPtBFR5mix7tj2UF_zIrw8nzjXeWcEQSRF84VTzR_PQ98-54_j9G0VV5CIUmXYlig6P8WmxGwPVQnx1WBXsEe-5FUxDITYmGny_CGzcR6unD7Slgd4qVimC25nv80KB1Voj9vBE/s1600/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrtFFjGPtBFR5mix7tj2UF_zIrw8nzjXeWcEQSRF84VTzR_PQ98-54_j9G0VV5CIUmXYlig6P8WmxGwPVQnx1WBXsEe-5FUxDITYmGny_CGzcR6unD7Slgd4qVimC25nv80KB1Voj9vBE/s320/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484126340021852754" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6QmXZOJQdYHazXSJPtL4ARpyAzYdpLeBrnD11PCw9_0BPJvKKicyKLeyDxygV36Tg828fCdEo397-RoczkFAxY0ND2XXCrKZi8nD807ZVnxDnvfRGsMlDMusN-PXOJLtELq36aHtJpg/s1600/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+012.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38PICy9RQxcp7CsCTU1Q6YLnbUx0kRrDCHYDKRGSffX1g6dAt8HC_UxujMv3xOFfs1aQVO0xLOmTm0fpU3_Y9tqbcm1I9k4EQjtLYNACMjvH4DbTb_wnRPZiH-V6PtnRznWXsz7SDMt0/s320/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+022.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484126313437206898" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdis9YT9fmUe3-rxW_HmMleIbqoF1rIpd_Pz2z6QSbzOiDR1bF7DMSN2nPcpp3j7oJ5_k21wKXZOrjSOXPzTT3sf27wugYyzm57-clPu9qLA5cwjecfMBaZaqQusOTeHtujk6EPnz9FQ/s1600/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+030.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjdis9YT9fmUe3-rxW_HmMleIbqoF1rIpd_Pz2z6QSbzOiDR1bF7DMSN2nPcpp3j7oJ5_k21wKXZOrjSOXPzTT3sf27wugYyzm57-clPu9qLA5cwjecfMBaZaqQusOTeHtujk6EPnz9FQ/s320/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+030.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484124646591053106" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvghTRt9J2SfL5mriGtdtrA8YQC3d69YEziX4O9KufvsISAEFTpxUi0eFh8Xs7x7HlYw3nQ4oWFhY8HNwpOBBVX2YdYRZqCUAphA9ktXwFBCzOan-n0CsfWaYZyrO2Em_7CgI0s2FzRU/s1600/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+032.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvghTRt9J2SfL5mriGtdtrA8YQC3d69YEziX4O9KufvsISAEFTpxUi0eFh8Xs7x7HlYw3nQ4oWFhY8HNwpOBBVX2YdYRZqCUAphA9ktXwFBCzOan-n0CsfWaYZyrO2Em_7CgI0s2FzRU/s320/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+032.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484124638359018178" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiigb9_IJJ28EJ8vwfER2J99ROEDhkM13cjArSMjpDCAL3zqcFH8e1AUfr05CA4a-JEkr89STzhZteBZOnOwrE-tTDAKJCdXAwY2UmSiXgULlU8J6DWauJVFkQ7gg54QU31pKiR3LqIiMg/s1600/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+037.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiigb9_IJJ28EJ8vwfER2J99ROEDhkM13cjArSMjpDCAL3zqcFH8e1AUfr05CA4a-JEkr89STzhZteBZOnOwrE-tTDAKJCdXAwY2UmSiXgULlU8J6DWauJVFkQ7gg54QU31pKiR3LqIiMg/s320/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+037.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484124626139753570" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAqUKnB_W139arH__swcKOPv2zapQbpwM94-5ZrG9h617wIR7WNgpDHcozqxwZfTBG42AAADJYnuDpTeCptNFJqXcF_YNaFEGZEMyYFCsW7tQ5GTk4XJCGypUoUY5ud3FOjot8i7rr6_U/s1600/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+053.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAqUKnB_W139arH__swcKOPv2zapQbpwM94-5ZrG9h617wIR7WNgpDHcozqxwZfTBG42AAADJYnuDpTeCptNFJqXcF_YNaFEGZEMyYFCsW7tQ5GTk4XJCGypUoUY5ud3FOjot8i7rr6_U/s320/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+053.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484124621209090370" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxz07rMmo9KAL_zOskFKilHnrcdcqP-G2JN8MzrhN84SgKQiaiJp8YPhLIGFWwgaFEORqpMPYQCMklRGs0XRdlvzgkWF_qdjrgtKtz34SJkaHV4wDts1pRSCx8nnzbcjr3gDefoXVs5k/s1600/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+082.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxz07rMmo9KAL_zOskFKilHnrcdcqP-G2JN8MzrhN84SgKQiaiJp8YPhLIGFWwgaFEORqpMPYQCMklRGs0XRdlvzgkWF_qdjrgtKtz34SJkaHV4wDts1pRSCx8nnzbcjr3gDefoXVs5k/s320/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+082.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484124609267062930" /></a><br /><br />Pic 36-40: Summer Palace Temple<br />Pic 41: The Marble Ship<br />Pic 42: Riding down the Venice of the Palace<br />43-44: More Summer Palace Pics<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZD-BpP8NgiAFfe_YqmbYlaF9IwjUAOsna-rAc4u6gs6CB1bFtoeut9BxA3BhiFrgsS9FeORJHCNk-owKyUfqgUlSoYKOsUBSNrxsglwUCRwVkatwR9whTNpeDd5RgO58OjaCQXS37UsQ/s1600/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+085.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZD-BpP8NgiAFfe_YqmbYlaF9IwjUAOsna-rAc4u6gs6CB1bFtoeut9BxA3BhiFrgsS9FeORJHCNk-owKyUfqgUlSoYKOsUBSNrxsglwUCRwVkatwR9whTNpeDd5RgO58OjaCQXS37UsQ/s320/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+085.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484122033198144098" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboUZMnPRr7OAwdtODLYFQM5d5Hrib35c8RWwkYkY3g0ld_pDHRxqXF08HT6lxn9RVsLUnMSh99c1mIXSm0UcNuk-sE9SGYS8j_797FvV8CFSw4Ea_tTy7v2cbiRf29BSSwqMgvnKd3Fk/s1600/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+086.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboUZMnPRr7OAwdtODLYFQM5d5Hrib35c8RWwkYkY3g0ld_pDHRxqXF08HT6lxn9RVsLUnMSh99c1mIXSm0UcNuk-sE9SGYS8j_797FvV8CFSw4Ea_tTy7v2cbiRf29BSSwqMgvnKd3Fk/s320/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+086.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484122017310849282" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSog1LQNryu9wmHrdDtChZeR8vJaK3d6RLCSFpOl2ntHiKmFnoFCgmZTG7QuYyOu06cayUNjnKwqlxxNFsZgjz3OhVquh4ANKoW9lFC38t2vfZvULYdk6uSSECH5uPFCP28BJUwaKnr0/s1600/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+092.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidSog1LQNryu9wmHrdDtChZeR8vJaK3d6RLCSFpOl2ntHiKmFnoFCgmZTG7QuYyOu06cayUNjnKwqlxxNFsZgjz3OhVquh4ANKoW9lFC38t2vfZvULYdk6uSSECH5uPFCP28BJUwaKnr0/s320/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+092.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484122012277678946" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLR0BkHUUCajefww1NKJ7u0FM1s9Q1OgFqiGBdgvwCBYBv1QMhnTmFoGKRbkICWJPiRF4wGsGz-aDGmW_RHrZfXNpGOoMn8sFNAqORsjDdwCfrF11nkE9LUgMJ8euHgka2JgyWZnLnsLA/s1600/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+096.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLR0BkHUUCajefww1NKJ7u0FM1s9Q1OgFqiGBdgvwCBYBv1QMhnTmFoGKRbkICWJPiRF4wGsGz-aDGmW_RHrZfXNpGOoMn8sFNAqORsjDdwCfrF11nkE9LUgMJ8euHgka2JgyWZnLnsLA/s320/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+096.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484122001504806130" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9b0jeRE3AEa4nP3Cg9rwgHkACcEqKh5zX58wwWb-Z8U6V3-hAhHWxh3XQqEmGeVdWE889sWuBsvw2VT9cONVwuMES0KCEKKj9mi9YY1SrIlo5OamrLhHFM7v4cwe7ZkOtHkZPytMcF18/s1600/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+106.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9b0jeRE3AEa4nP3Cg9rwgHkACcEqKh5zX58wwWb-Z8U6V3-hAhHWxh3XQqEmGeVdWE889sWuBsvw2VT9cONVwuMES0KCEKKj9mi9YY1SrIlo5OamrLhHFM7v4cwe7ZkOtHkZPytMcF18/s320/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+106.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484119040929610306" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGoOIYjwVjDX0-vl5U6onSB98MuL2goNyc-HNAwLoomC5inoWCryF7ixMwFPMFkX_VqLGKLnCia6SGVqaebA5c3IGPFgOXKQl3RDAko2mDWLKN_qChwMr_GrPSvFxcg7-woQXwcNnm_o/s1600/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+128.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMGoOIYjwVjDX0-vl5U6onSB98MuL2goNyc-HNAwLoomC5inoWCryF7ixMwFPMFkX_VqLGKLnCia6SGVqaebA5c3IGPFgOXKQl3RDAko2mDWLKN_qChwMr_GrPSvFxcg7-woQXwcNnm_o/s320/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+128.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484119032121668258" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKObdNMWLA4z0PRTLQ5vLOfD1riarVk4MPrUeq9mU5R0CqdXVxinlpu-bIHzqDyP6YVED1yDDfiO9jsLC58jTe5bXsVGD43BXeryXB1m2IHbWv_o0bWdlZ4thu-LGFwdCHMSMjsYM71yY/s1600/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+142.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKObdNMWLA4z0PRTLQ5vLOfD1riarVk4MPrUeq9mU5R0CqdXVxinlpu-bIHzqDyP6YVED1yDDfiO9jsLC58jTe5bXsVGD43BXeryXB1m2IHbWv_o0bWdlZ4thu-LGFwdCHMSMjsYM71yY/s320/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+142.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484119025450924642" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQeabR12mKTnqSfrrZ4670nDSH04Q-_rH8vSGD0TPyHDSxeOW2TuJAypC3vX_xjwftyncO0MFzeiQqHlK4FP4fi7xl0kycTt92Uw3oC-Xj4AXm6FWOTa8qjXt19uc-tEKsK7EPs-EKDQ/s1600/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+149.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKQeabR12mKTnqSfrrZ4670nDSH04Q-_rH8vSGD0TPyHDSxeOW2TuJAypC3vX_xjwftyncO0MFzeiQqHlK4FP4fi7xl0kycTt92Uw3oC-Xj4AXm6FWOTa8qjXt19uc-tEKsK7EPs-EKDQ/s320/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+149.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484119015578882514" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7rLLD_qnWoTjBiA7aWss0SIM_aG4v5glH6cPLo1z41LebxThxA91X2g5GWx0WHrP7l-gM8nKgM-aAA24FnShFX9EL1oAZrt7FCum-Kon4uUyrxdYoPj7Y3YwMQ2hbny443LrbVRB_rMw/s1600/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+157.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7rLLD_qnWoTjBiA7aWss0SIM_aG4v5glH6cPLo1z41LebxThxA91X2g5GWx0WHrP7l-gM8nKgM-aAA24FnShFX9EL1oAZrt7FCum-Kon4uUyrxdYoPj7Y3YwMQ2hbny443LrbVRB_rMw/s320/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+157.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5484119008738359202" /></a><br /><br />Pic 45-49: Temple of Earth. It's very "down to earth" and all about herbs and plants that help benefit man and points of focus and maps of the development of man. Very cool place.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNz4eiwyxEkV-6KqsJWSZHNxFmIEVDQni5thR4MwOjBZGbk-IKBoEtyWs9-0g7WGz5pLl3jZidCZ87zm1MoYsYYDv9TP4dc2dz6TZlQXOH-E335nn3fz_AwjzZoVf1bEN6_GiNrrE_VYg/s1600/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+169.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNz4eiwyxEkV-6KqsJWSZHNxFmIEVDQni5thR4MwOjBZGbk-IKBoEtyWs9-0g7WGz5pLl3jZidCZ87zm1MoYsYYDv9TP4dc2dz6TZlQXOH-E335nn3fz_AwjzZoVf1bEN6_GiNrrE_VYg/s320/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+169.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482751460815455090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvRIVxe0oWnCi_odD1rUbD4IiACxyBkYm0tsC9eEXg1eMFIIqw2mabv475zeBZQ2YvOWXxVLioFP3UftHjEfJBa1qhjpyaYO_MmuqXba1uKjO73kzVAh-goZ0AKbcWuBG3ZBG4j3Sm5A/s1600/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+170.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvRIVxe0oWnCi_odD1rUbD4IiACxyBkYm0tsC9eEXg1eMFIIqw2mabv475zeBZQ2YvOWXxVLioFP3UftHjEfJBa1qhjpyaYO_MmuqXba1uKjO73kzVAh-goZ0AKbcWuBG3ZBG4j3Sm5A/s320/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+170.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482736093249857986" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_bnOX_Y3flofjSMCgRJzS9eZNI-3tgfzTKR7Mo4jPIClLDmWNSGStDteOrGQTz-e1X4V95U96aRkORwMXsf1DcwWOIfEFwuFRdOsYE2GirzNGWIh_ml24i0CfpSp2yornnZJ_FhyqSY/s1600/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+173.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_bnOX_Y3flofjSMCgRJzS9eZNI-3tgfzTKR7Mo4jPIClLDmWNSGStDteOrGQTz-e1X4V95U96aRkORwMXsf1DcwWOIfEFwuFRdOsYE2GirzNGWIh_ml24i0CfpSp2yornnZJ_FhyqSY/s320/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+173.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482736066211810274" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXE22x9XRJK343LHYBZOytvXgBACXL2ZIWiTrt8cJVluxJ2Wh5dD59a8s7E8-cUjXpawfHAmF7TSFZK7EcKFL6fEmSqzhkc80bX1WYHWVBIyrWuXtcTTUIS7YogsmS43DW_xX1hDiNW7g/s1600/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+174.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXE22x9XRJK343LHYBZOytvXgBACXL2ZIWiTrt8cJVluxJ2Wh5dD59a8s7E8-cUjXpawfHAmF7TSFZK7EcKFL6fEmSqzhkc80bX1WYHWVBIyrWuXtcTTUIS7YogsmS43DW_xX1hDiNW7g/s320/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+174.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482736053406542210" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcpXvs2omL6ybJFGbaK4Qw1BM8pRYF4OzC5ofwUKIKJQ47WgjTo8jph-AqnqKS1IcELG9s82mNVtV5j3LiLbz4AVHmP4psEhUP1A-BehFzeQ_qyqlTrqO5hVhR2sR2kO2sxly__Oetk0/s1600/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+180.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcpXvs2omL6ybJFGbaK4Qw1BM8pRYF4OzC5ofwUKIKJQ47WgjTo8jph-AqnqKS1IcELG9s82mNVtV5j3LiLbz4AVHmP4psEhUP1A-BehFzeQ_qyqlTrqO5hVhR2sR2kO2sxly__Oetk0/s320/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+180.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482736043815000418" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw76rqTPf_0ZHn7N7zGOR6H2JafMVPKTcr-WXBXTTrv9I4gFuT8GaBl5pdD6NBX_1cNDiOHmEqgbTfXBjc1s4d1qmOreW7wU0GO7lLksd5LbeeizpWis8Iqo8IZKz4v9Ipla8KaUBOoR0/s1600/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+186.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw76rqTPf_0ZHn7N7zGOR6H2JafMVPKTcr-WXBXTTrv9I4gFuT8GaBl5pdD6NBX_1cNDiOHmEqgbTfXBjc1s4d1qmOreW7wU0GO7lLksd5LbeeizpWis8Iqo8IZKz4v9Ipla8KaUBOoR0/s320/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay2+186.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482736035688849042" /></a><br /><br /><br />Pic 51-55 : The Great Wall<br />Pic 56: Dragon Boats<br />Pic 57: Dragon Boat Sunset<br />Pic 58-59: Fancy Restaurant Toilets<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWi2bEFcOF3DDui3YmuORDcaEazK8-lqWoEa-yfj2V5TTJLcBXeEBDfUzEt2zMuHosmOfqETFYWBkGzk_WEIBA5nAzi4kYruCv3sPYDUxdlY20wyZ88VTxUhZa5E2QMsofrWydwzjEtg/s1600/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay3+181.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKWi2bEFcOF3DDui3YmuORDcaEazK8-lqWoEa-yfj2V5TTJLcBXeEBDfUzEt2zMuHosmOfqETFYWBkGzk_WEIBA5nAzi4kYruCv3sPYDUxdlY20wyZ88VTxUhZa5E2QMsofrWydwzjEtg/s320/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay3+181.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482734525947608514" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGFqVWTaDH2ZR2da3-Qin4_NYulYonyBvkDn6XtcK-0VDs8FZOJPHtwc0EEQCLUFA6D24RegHEoj3KXibRTUNYe39N_vWE1z6rlTKwgxD-IgO4JoMpddPQZrV_KGd3lUimhY_q9emQjx4/s1600/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay3+191.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHXQHJWnCL5Epjvcl-jBVAEQUqSBj0bi2Gv9CdZNiTiqRjkdSZEZsVWQZs7rKlfPup8owzhEz834JsEkheBr0V4SOt-fhr_hf4nluThRTjzjQecgzgbxxLKa10aqG2RIHy9kDb0p1iu9E/s320/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay3+280.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482732431989429266" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPYJhAbRpI3-GfWIlWeJc03Caw9AqR071iSYh09LvGUmKJKbtAr2MisXwq3SmdJBcj7i0OEC8epLMbXofn05N5RNssRs1tLzEwiL8yMDNdYDwSrpONtSTJORHw8zNkyOR8_wqcmz2Gvg/s1600/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay3+281.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPYJhAbRpI3-GfWIlWeJc03Caw9AqR071iSYh09LvGUmKJKbtAr2MisXwq3SmdJBcj7i0OEC8epLMbXofn05N5RNssRs1tLzEwiL8yMDNdYDwSrpONtSTJORHw8zNkyOR8_wqcmz2Gvg/s320/ChinaWeek14BeijingDay3+281.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482732424554681074" /></a>Nikki Checkettshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01310196747369248245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806739049980798749.post-48148145914791100722010-05-27T10:53:00.000-07:002010-05-27T11:31:20.310-07:00Teaching "Making a Difference"Hello Readers of My Blog,<br />OK, so the reason this is so late is because I have a lot on my plate right now: I gave myself so much to do for my classes that absorb all spare time I have, I’m planning the next two weeks for Beijing and Xiamen, David comes home, EFY giving me issues, and I’m trying to help all my students prepare for their exams and open my apartment for them to come and relax or have company over.<br />I lost my voice last week in Daoxian KTVing and so I sounded terrible, but my students are loving and forgiving and still listen to me. This past week I taught my students about slang and compliments. Here everyone says things as they think they are. They’ll point and yell to their friends when they see a foreigner, they’ll tell someone they are fat and should exercise and stop eating junk food, and they will knock on your door until you answer it because it is apparently rude to not answer here in China. I taught them about American mindsets on these things, and it surprised them. They all loved the lesson and now use the slang and give compliments to me when they see me, and I hope they give them to their classmates just as much.<br />So I got accepted as an EFY counselor! They were pretty unprofessional about the whole thing, but I’m happy that with all my extra efforts, checking up, and waiting, I can be a counselor for 4 different weeks this summer, ranging from Nauvoo to Colorado to Rexburg. I’m excited!<br />Then this past weekend we were supposed to go to Guilin but it was looking like rain, so we decided to all gather here in Lingling to chill. Jacob Harlan (the founder of China Horizons, sort my boss) came and we had a great time together! Saturday Sam, Madi, Twinkle, the Shuangpai girls, and I went to Lengshuitang and walked around and took some pics, which was fun. Twinkle and I came back to Lingling and did a little more shopping for yarn for my class for this week. Twinkle is amazing! She is pretty much the Chinese version of me, if I were to grow up here. Her heart is so good, and she spends so much time with me in my apartment and talking about our lives and seeing pictures, that even though I cannot even passively proselyte, she wants to know how she can serve a mission. I gave her my old camera because it is the first step in documenting her fulfilling her dreams as a tai chi coach, translator, or being like Opra and helping children in Africa, and I have full confidence that she will change the world and who am I to discourage such a strong Spirit? When Jacob and the Dong’an couple came in we went out to eat and just hung out together. Jacob got buttery flavor so we got to eat popcorn with it…it was good! He showed me how to make popcorn in a wok, which I’m excited to do when I get home-popcorn like that is so good!<br />For my lesson this week I decided to do my lesson on “Making a Difference”. Many people in China feel like they are so insignificant in the big world, that chances are high their dreams will not come true, and that they’ll never be able to make a difference in the world. I decided that I’d take my students outside and we’d get into a circle, and then I, armed with a ball of yarn, would hold onto the string end and throw it to someone in the class, followed by a compliment. Since we’ve talked about compliments and traits of heroes these past two weeks I figured it was a good way to give them practice as well as learn the object lesson. Once they’d get the ball of yarn I’d give a compliment, then they’d hold onto the string and throw it to another person, and so on, creating a spider web-looking design inside the circle. Once we’d demonstrated how the strings crossed and each string when moved will move all the other strings because they cross, I let them play basketball for 10 minutes (so they could have at least 10 minutes total free time for the week), and then we met back in the classroom where I explained the ripple effect and how every day they are alive they make a difference in all the people they connect with, and like a ripple in the water, they can only see the immediate effect, but the ripple goes on and on.<br />As I gave them this speech, the Spirit attended the classes. Students that had the most difficult time trying to understand the instructions for the yarn game even will all my gestures and simple words understood the message I was saying fully. The Spirit needs no human interpretation, for He speaks to the heart, not the ear. This is the first time I can recall ever having been part of a miracle like this. I guess you could say it was the gift of interpretation of tongues on their part, and it was incredible. All my students were thoroughly touched as I told them I’d remember them all forever and miss them when I went home because they have changed my life forever and I’m a different person because I know them. Some cried, others said I was very wise, but all of them said they’d never forget me and they all love me. Right before this week of teaching, Sunday, I decided that I not only wanted to play the “Make a Difference” game outside with the yarn, but I wanted to give them something as well to remind them of the lesson. Sunday afternoon I started making bracelets from the same yarn I was going to use for the game. I just cut them a little more than wrist circumference, and tied 5 knots in them. The middle knot represents them. The yarn itself represents their life, and the two knots on either side of the middle represented the people in the past who have touched their lives the most and the people who will touch their lives in the future, respectfully. It has taken me all week long to do them, which is the main reason this update is late. It takes me about 1.3 minutes to do each bracelet and I did a total of 720+, so thankfully I got some help finishing them for the end of the week. This week’s lesson by far has been the most productive and impressionable. They got to learn a game, practice English, have a few minutes of freedom, feel the Spirit and my confidence and love for them, and then they received a bracelet to remind them of this lesson. The understanding, love, trust, and strength from their eyes totally made this time in China completely worthwhile if not anything else! Oh I love my children. I love teaching. So those are a couple obvious miracles. The other miracle was the weather. See, the reason we didn’t travel this past weekend was because it was supposed to rain all weekend and all this week. Well I prayed in faith that the weather would be nice and sunny instead so I could teach the message most effectively, knowing full well God had a hand in my lesson planning. Well it cleared up just in time for my classes on Tuesday-it was sunny, but some of my students still complained that it was too hot. I adjusted my prayers a little for Wednesday that the weather would be “comfortable”, and it was. It only increased my testimony that God really pays attention to the details of our prayers and wants to remind us that He knows best. So that is what, at least 3 solid miracles this week?! I love being a part of them!<br />As well as those miracles, I came across a foreigner who works here in Lingling…you know what foreign passport means? I CAN SHARE THE GOSPEL WITH THEM! HaHA! She’s a black lady who lives in Lengshuitang but works here at a daycare in Lingling, and this Monday I’m inviting her to have FHE with Sam, Madi, and I, and we’ll have a picnic and just talk about life…and when Nikki talks to people about her favorite things….happy day! So pray for me. ;)<br />This upcoming weekend David comes home, so you’ll bet I’ll spend some time talking to him. All of my friends and students here in China know he’s coming home, so they are all happy with me and want to meet him. I love this culture! This next week I’ll go to Beijing, and spend a week there with my cousin Robert Tate, who has lived here for over a year. He has helped me with my tickets to and from Beijing, and he has planned some amazing things-he is the coolest ever! I feel so spoiled already. Living here for so long and knowing the language and culture is definitely a sweet hookup, so I’m in good hands with good connections-I won’t even have to pay for a hotel in Beijing-he has a friend there we will stay with! I will leave for Beijing Wednesday the 3rd, and then I’ll spend the week there, be able to attend the actual branch for church on Sunday (!!!), and then I’ll head to Xiamen the next week to travel with Madi and Sam (I have 2 weeks off while my students test). Then I’ll come home, well back to Lingling, teach 2 more weeks of classes (or however many they tell us at last minute-that is how they do things out here), and then I’m planning to come home July 2nd, because I couldn’t get my flight changed to a more convenient date. Can’t believe I’m coming home. I really don’t want to, but being an EFY counselor, seeing family (including extended), and David are good incentives.<br />I love you all! Thank you for all your prayers!<br /><br />Pic 1: Madi coming in from the rain<br />Pic 2: A man pushing his kid's stroller in the street<br />Pic 3: Chinese clothing (anything with English on it is cool)<br />Pic 4: A statue<br />Pic 5: Jacob making wokcorn in my kitchen!<br />Pic 6: Our beautiful school this Spring<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMVM7ZD0YWyfQXUz4nDBtvcMf3GjVv0OgWNM6Jz-M6EU-3FvBSPRVpsUfgk4EG40-3x5Vfb91YppF_4bKnLCHAeNN-DvlRcV23H03kXtSSMZhHqYZ9usmfrTaMCvtitJnUIa_P6vmtr0/s1600/Week+13+001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxMVM7ZD0YWyfQXUz4nDBtvcMf3GjVv0OgWNM6Jz-M6EU-3FvBSPRVpsUfgk4EG40-3x5Vfb91YppF_4bKnLCHAeNN-DvlRcV23H03kXtSSMZhHqYZ9usmfrTaMCvtitJnUIa_P6vmtr0/s320/Week+13+001.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476013312630793010" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppTnV64HSlAHG5jgkb2dEqSCpu4GCEsUkRUhxPUWTaaRCYcyTQrjRZB23SB5H6U_ihyphenhyphenuPucZKqpfluaEBNP6ix0SjrD34TRpNZwjBeGuRSEPigtmkrcnSJzxSf64UQUZxNrWH9Jnu_RQ/s1600/Week+13+003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppTnV64HSlAHG5jgkb2dEqSCpu4GCEsUkRUhxPUWTaaRCYcyTQrjRZB23SB5H6U_ihyphenhyphenuPucZKqpfluaEBNP6ix0SjrD34TRpNZwjBeGuRSEPigtmkrcnSJzxSf64UQUZxNrWH9Jnu_RQ/s320/Week+13+003.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476011061587627762" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC120XmwuAJPBy7w8mbglMn3oQAXS0Rk-rUAoeyffqTspXrmYeJnjEaf9HMwxGXu4LCwtwUAAOFz4aMZoodfT5cA81kbFDcCCzX256xclxu5GtF8xAcrlYsEVva5ZiIKXVhMKZ1N1iiBE/s1600/Week+13+006.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC120XmwuAJPBy7w8mbglMn3oQAXS0Rk-rUAoeyffqTspXrmYeJnjEaf9HMwxGXu4LCwtwUAAOFz4aMZoodfT5cA81kbFDcCCzX256xclxu5GtF8xAcrlYsEVva5ZiIKXVhMKZ1N1iiBE/s320/Week+13+006.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476011055103490818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGT3TL1nYqj-Hp-qCdHuDVUoEZUj-qEEfYsfF5tK2hVEL19ZVyip3_x-bM1V9FK-yGx86Qf-uwXoNc9d3uSQXS9GaLZrhJXakyqwRLrrtFLSqOW-WG8A9YR0IAgeNaRNUCKcK-t2twsI/s1600/Week+13+008.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrGT3TL1nYqj-Hp-qCdHuDVUoEZUj-qEEfYsfF5tK2hVEL19ZVyip3_x-bM1V9FK-yGx86Qf-uwXoNc9d3uSQXS9GaLZrhJXakyqwRLrrtFLSqOW-WG8A9YR0IAgeNaRNUCKcK-t2twsI/s320/Week+13+008.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476011044605074466" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixcFCLaUF0MIaxZ29J0xDdSnnsN2SX7Hl8ZKc1_R1P4N3Vih-X9uSgZj8Y4HvvPM5RXzldtsA6-C9VjLZ-xPZtHFtmIjzegZ4rBQSeHZMEJR1hFQW51nChBhLyJGk_Y3VeSDqtiR6NGl0/s1600/Week+13+013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixcFCLaUF0MIaxZ29J0xDdSnnsN2SX7Hl8ZKc1_R1P4N3Vih-X9uSgZj8Y4HvvPM5RXzldtsA6-C9VjLZ-xPZtHFtmIjzegZ4rBQSeHZMEJR1hFQW51nChBhLyJGk_Y3VeSDqtiR6NGl0/s320/Week+13+013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476011031002555298" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWekZhI070sMM6wLeKCDFPn2dTIRhOWOBe6f98oMPHmfiVIRb7F5IFv3EgHDveR61BvjIfg08lkipCByfSH3QzdtAwV9r2XXXdbmNeDmnFxizuMxa2L5A8UkKn7-2lKBqW3qagMmdx4cA/s1600/Week+13+024.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWekZhI070sMM6wLeKCDFPn2dTIRhOWOBe6f98oMPHmfiVIRb7F5IFv3EgHDveR61BvjIfg08lkipCByfSH3QzdtAwV9r2XXXdbmNeDmnFxizuMxa2L5A8UkKn7-2lKBqW3qagMmdx4cA/s320/Week+13+024.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476011022516601442" /></a><br /><br />Pic 1: Chinese recycling<br />Pic 2: Jake, the boyfriend of my student Stella (shh, don't tell, they aren't allowed to have bf's/gf's in high school). He showed me some magic tricks.<br />Pic 3: Jake messing with my er hu<br />Pic 4: Stella, me, and Jake (you can see my bracelet project in the background)<br />Pic 5-8: Madi and I decided to get hair makeovers.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVGxmzsSJRlcdZ-itXgT__d6K_V8cIcwhHVXZDnqSC5aZZw81S4vLRfCSY-zc_RWjmT5DuBT5je97bhpohfMh7mvt65_f1YtW9ODc7UmTMy7TsK0qSXWEX9XrI6zRAyTnJir_HpfSquM/s1600/Week+13+029.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpVGxmzsSJRlcdZ-itXgT__d6K_V8cIcwhHVXZDnqSC5aZZw81S4vLRfCSY-zc_RWjmT5DuBT5je97bhpohfMh7mvt65_f1YtW9ODc7UmTMy7TsK0qSXWEX9XrI6zRAyTnJir_HpfSquM/s320/Week+13+029.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476016882380149362" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFBBCkbKS4Sq4dNU4bmWJUUW7iCizqqyVqJMuVcUBm6_Z1MtNTlNi4Ta0f-p-J9UKQVxueBSmAVILna6EO2SHoru8dr2W6v6SZFWmmO2VVeeMAJ6xOLOCLH4zWmpIyPqH7BDIEMT0YWA/s1600/Week+13+030.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAFBBCkbKS4Sq4dNU4bmWJUUW7iCizqqyVqJMuVcUBm6_Z1MtNTlNi4Ta0f-p-J9UKQVxueBSmAVILna6EO2SHoru8dr2W6v6SZFWmmO2VVeeMAJ6xOLOCLH4zWmpIyPqH7BDIEMT0YWA/s320/Week+13+030.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476016874906450082" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4LrF9hAMNv9GUZS1I1cAyc2Oy7ia5rFV_5SkVA5o_PWVrXvTTr91yqp8UNXdgV_aKp0Vgsvujux1N_eRAQhPDCIRtLOuE6WRTUrdp8zRd4OFdrfbCoXN5YnNSQKp44uqdsge4GKiysgg/s1600/Week+13+031.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4LrF9hAMNv9GUZS1I1cAyc2Oy7ia5rFV_5SkVA5o_PWVrXvTTr91yqp8UNXdgV_aKp0Vgsvujux1N_eRAQhPDCIRtLOuE6WRTUrdp8zRd4OFdrfbCoXN5YnNSQKp44uqdsge4GKiysgg/s320/Week+13+031.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476016867113328866" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSa95pWswckOdOufsGGMlOkP3v5PwPNIECeBRvqoPdkBqNd4hYxzP7cAGZGl3DWeJfcP3Ve7sKG_ZHqg3UQW8T46U1IwAonR6tHwBez4yCW57YiSHJxrypQEqTkmswynTaKTaBJw4uCWM/s1600/Week+13+033.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSa95pWswckOdOufsGGMlOkP3v5PwPNIECeBRvqoPdkBqNd4hYxzP7cAGZGl3DWeJfcP3Ve7sKG_ZHqg3UQW8T46U1IwAonR6tHwBez4yCW57YiSHJxrypQEqTkmswynTaKTaBJw4uCWM/s320/Week+13+033.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476014715897347362" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevH4Iikm0NYIUTY5aIFLxdjFfh4OkmYKKrfBg8e71ImeNAKcEWCaQkmumvPxkdM4aBN-EkWCjUcz0PuYMIswpHdNqaNsj5jwGz4ZFLZV8xcGxuIeqf2kyab7NuBa1u-hvENU7BhPaMFc/s1600/Week+13+063.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevH4Iikm0NYIUTY5aIFLxdjFfh4OkmYKKrfBg8e71ImeNAKcEWCaQkmumvPxkdM4aBN-EkWCjUcz0PuYMIswpHdNqaNsj5jwGz4ZFLZV8xcGxuIeqf2kyab7NuBa1u-hvENU7BhPaMFc/s320/Week+13+063.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476014703221069602" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOU5gndYSLBe6G3TJc_rxbSv0HzMAzFn0olAs-pRlOOGxgiszc1mRD5pKIRku9eF2yDgILSjyKNkG5r2d9Y6MJD5w49EUOVJdbCKllFNWS7X2Zsh7cl-Z0sS_rharq-st7O3eV5J6e4I/s1600/Week+13+065.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOU5gndYSLBe6G3TJc_rxbSv0HzMAzFn0olAs-pRlOOGxgiszc1mRD5pKIRku9eF2yDgILSjyKNkG5r2d9Y6MJD5w49EUOVJdbCKllFNWS7X2Zsh7cl-Z0sS_rharq-st7O3eV5J6e4I/s320/Week+13+065.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476014694610896498" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Mk9ewLEyoGq5krc6BOblqK78WgCivDjub0CcmhVOabd6FFCIlYVRTlmoP6e1zygPQqS13cfCLrIb-Gc90SauKIpwaftdJketudCT-Qg3ikTUOQ9z43ge-DmzRIou4_ZmnHfa8vTgftM/s1600/Week+13+067.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Mk9ewLEyoGq5krc6BOblqK78WgCivDjub0CcmhVOabd6FFCIlYVRTlmoP6e1zygPQqS13cfCLrIb-Gc90SauKIpwaftdJketudCT-Qg3ikTUOQ9z43ge-DmzRIou4_ZmnHfa8vTgftM/s320/Week+13+067.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476014689701059362" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeZC4lyi1MREO3PynXYmMDVP7z_i52p5alI0KsGno2fbcLOjoZIfRUvmYr_Cp_jwZ-EiV7eIUe9wrC57rHN6koltDwKi0nILO2QoD1NmxabiJTjICVxaOyaypcbvYPlVQGx21nyPXY7Q/s1600/Week+13+071.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNeZC4lyi1MREO3PynXYmMDVP7z_i52p5alI0KsGno2fbcLOjoZIfRUvmYr_Cp_jwZ-EiV7eIUe9wrC57rHN6koltDwKi0nILO2QoD1NmxabiJTjICVxaOyaypcbvYPlVQGx21nyPXY7Q/s320/Week+13+071.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476014682877950178" /></a><br /><br />Pic 1: More Madi-Nikki fun<br />Pic 2-4: The Yarn Game<br />Pic 5: Madi enjoying the remains of the knotty yarn!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ivmaGcOTM42y4-kH0H6WheaQlVEeLJ-8Ry8nbEkrJytTxH-mdtOROSx6N23xxvz1MvaguROqnKWq5EMjKJR85gx_vTJnwlBEWX7QmnHlJmM11AFadInWdeZKhX9tt_TMyI6rXjTr7mw/s1600/Week+13+077.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ivmaGcOTM42y4-kH0H6WheaQlVEeLJ-8Ry8nbEkrJytTxH-mdtOROSx6N23xxvz1MvaguROqnKWq5EMjKJR85gx_vTJnwlBEWX7QmnHlJmM11AFadInWdeZKhX9tt_TMyI6rXjTr7mw/s320/Week+13+077.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476018577682878402" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWQYRIUKV_Z2sc3moz3fDhxZh4aw88FCGKybiaXbfFbzaQFSLXpQ3DATqIfW7QDHkdPMcLOSghkBWpZKlb5neG7_-4XrSOvTCv7NmfsYrAq5bTXN_p_-jF49ZIWcwRedyTiNUAipDY-s/s1600/Week+13+078.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdWQYRIUKV_Z2sc3moz3fDhxZh4aw88FCGKybiaXbfFbzaQFSLXpQ3DATqIfW7QDHkdPMcLOSghkBWpZKlb5neG7_-4XrSOvTCv7NmfsYrAq5bTXN_p_-jF49ZIWcwRedyTiNUAipDY-s/s320/Week+13+078.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476018570110003522" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwv7117h70928QuL4WSjHYj8tQij_rawcz1WZGZUQEHHK0zPLvpc_BwYX685RRRWRMnEAo-C2gu8OilwegJNBRtkSUxqFr4PkGmh78In4cEjGJM3drMDwnk4lEZ-9woJHt4Dk3cOxEvnE/s1600/Week+13+079.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwv7117h70928QuL4WSjHYj8tQij_rawcz1WZGZUQEHHK0zPLvpc_BwYX685RRRWRMnEAo-C2gu8OilwegJNBRtkSUxqFr4PkGmh78In4cEjGJM3drMDwnk4lEZ-9woJHt4Dk3cOxEvnE/s320/Week+13+079.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476018559108917202" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8Lx6XPqtlhS-QEQbvxT1P2qiVuMikRwTrD9GDA5JwpLecypFO7BgjahEg7SqyiEu4re5bh8XxCP6f4MuDUvbDOkPQLrduhIdCGHkeBXUJoDPKNvruDHdRJEy8ulj97Niz5dsgFKoC74/s1600/Week+13+080.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ8Lx6XPqtlhS-QEQbvxT1P2qiVuMikRwTrD9GDA5JwpLecypFO7BgjahEg7SqyiEu4re5bh8XxCP6f4MuDUvbDOkPQLrduhIdCGHkeBXUJoDPKNvruDHdRJEy8ulj97Niz5dsgFKoC74/s320/Week+13+080.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476018549957187106" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphJR2-1_RRtcZa4inQOe8hBTkCFQO2XuszyoJIo_HGEOG0qIkSc-OK-irQhL4ffjX5LTlEvXD8JuLBxK7gEDuaTNAYmzW_dSOkwhA_JLS1WXqd8z1s9f_eHeQnunlG6u_XifY694gaKo/s1600/Week+13+082.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiphJR2-1_RRtcZa4inQOe8hBTkCFQO2XuszyoJIo_HGEOG0qIkSc-OK-irQhL4ffjX5LTlEvXD8JuLBxK7gEDuaTNAYmzW_dSOkwhA_JLS1WXqd8z1s9f_eHeQnunlG6u_XifY694gaKo/s320/Week+13+082.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476018539452981138" /></a>Nikki Checkettshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01310196747369248245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806739049980798749.post-68948215163163626142010-05-17T10:33:00.001-07:002010-05-17T10:55:50.710-07:00A Hot Week In DoaxianThis has been one full week! I have yet to hear from EFY to know if I have a counselor job this Summer except that they'll contact me soon, but I did talk to my China Horizons director Jacob who told me that because of the worldwide expo going on in Shanghai this July, it is only a 50-50 chance I'll get to change my flight to the later date I wanted to to travel, so if I can't change it, I'll be coming home July 2nd. I admit that would be nice to have some family time and road trips and reunions together, but that would mean I wouldn't be able to visit Tibet or the other cities I've wanted to visit. It's strange to be on such a fast downward homeward slope. I have 2 more weeks of teaching, then 2 weeks of holiday (in which I'm planning to go to Beijing and Xiamen for each week respectively), then probably one or two more weeks of teaching (at least one of those will be a party for my best classes), and then I'm done! Crazy huh?<br />Alright, now for this weeks spoils! This past week I taught my class heroes. I taught them what a hero is and traits of heroes; then I had them write who their hero was and I gave them points for standing up and reading what they wrote about their heroes. The responses were ones I'll never forget. Some of their heroes were the normal "Kobe Bryant" (and other NBA players), "Chairmen Mao", or "Superman", but some of the responses really touched me, some of which I'll type below:<br /><br />"I think my father is hero. He gives me good education and he gives money for some poor people."<br /><br />"My father is my hero, because he works very hard. He gives our family much love. He doesn't give me much pressure. He hope that we are all happy."<br /><br />"My father, because he always encourage me to study and deal with the problem. He is very kindness and he love family. He is bravery."<br /><br />"My mother is my hero. She is courage and selfless. She has lots of love. She is conviction."<br /><br />"My mother is my hero. She is a teacher. She very selfless and has love."<br /><br />"My parents is my hero. They are selfless and they love me very much."<br /><br />"My hero is myself because I think I has conviction to do anything. I will have conviction to do everything. Just do it by myself never give up."<br /><br />"My hero is you! Because I think you are the best woman of I know from America and I feel you are selfless and fortitude, so I feel you are my hero."<br /><br />There were so many about family members, and it just reminds me how close Chinese families are, how much they love eachother, and how much of their lives are spent making eachother welcome and happy and loved despite all the pressures and adversity they all face. Many older teenagers I teach boldly spoke of the love they hope to have like that of their mother someday- most boys here are not ashamed to express their love for their mother. The respect for their family members here in China makes me almost want to raise my family here. This week I plan to give my lesson on some slang words and compliments and provide a way for them to earn more points. I tallied their points and told them which classes were in the lead with points for a party and who needed to kick it up a notch, so my students are as good as ever, trying to earn that party. It's awesome! Have I mentioned I LOVE being a teacher?! The week after that I plan to do a talent show with my class. Life is SO good.<br />So last Monday the three of us (Sam, Madi, and I) went to the Liuzi Miao Temple (the one I've already been to but they were bums that one day), and also exploring, which was way fun. This week we also have played glow-in-the-dark frisbee and just had a good time whenever we could find it. Then this weekend I went to Daoxian to visit Lawrence and Quincy and Madi and Sam went to Longhui to visit the girls there. I love Lawrence and Quincy, and I felt I should be there this weekend, which was amazing! I got to travel by myself. I bought my train ticket, got to the station by myself, was able to ask some people where I was supposed to be, and they helped me know. Then I met a nice lady who's English name is Dora on the train. She speaks a little English, so we exchanged lessons back and forth on the way to Daoxian, where she happens to be a primary school teacher. She helped me know where to get off and knew exactly where I needed to go to meet up with Lawrence and stayed with me until I found him. She is one swell lady! She even invited me to a primary school party in Daoxian at the end of May. Oh I love the Chinese. Now some of you might think "So what? You succeeded getting on and off a train and meeting someone." If you say this, you have never traveled in a foreign country for the first time by yourself where the language is super hard to pick up with all the dialects and everything is inconsistent. That was Saturday afternoon. Quincy, Lawrence, and I visited for a while and then we went out to "Dicos", an American-style restaurant where we had chicken sandwiches and ice cream, and then we decided to KTV (sing karaoke). On our way there, we ran into a Wahaha Water campaign and since we are beautiful American foreigners, they brought us up on their stage and we got to dance and gather a crowd. We even got to do a commercial for them: "Wahaha Wahaha We Love You!" It was a blast, just up there grooving and crowds taking photos as if we are the coolest things ever to walk on the streets of Daoxian...well, maybe we are. Wahaha. Hehe. So we did go KTVing with Mike (a native who happens to be LDS) and David, Lawrence and Quincy's liaison, and it was a blast! We sang (Mike and David had to leave early) for hours, dancing as we went, and we literally sang our voices out! Man, I haven't had this kind of fun since I left the US. It's great to be with such outgoing people! Then we got back and we visited for a while, laughing and talking about everything. It's AMAZING to be around people with good senses of humor and don't take things seriously all the time. Oh man, I can't even describe how much fun I had. :) It was a blast!<br />Sunday we called in for church, which was good, and still "pooped" from the night before, we took naps, and then I taught them how to make an amazing egg, pepper, tomato, onion dish that turned out very well. For dinner we went to Mike's parent's house, where the food was pretty amazing! They had eel, whole chicken (as always), pork stuffed gross greens, jiaozi (dumplings, a personal favorite), steamed buns, bamboo shoots and beef, a cucumber dish, and a few others. Man, the Chinese know how to cook anything! So many things I thought were nasty in America have now grown on me so much because of the way the Chinese cook it. I now like cucumber, egg plant, pineapple, mushrooms, straight up peppers, cabbage, to name a few. The Chinese do so many things right we American's are missing out on. I love it here.<br />Today we went to the Daoxian pagoda-it's a pagoda on a hill that was built in 1624 and although it's decomposing, it's super awesome and has an excellent view (pics will be on my blog). It took us an hour in the humid heat (still no sun) to walk there and then another to walk back, but it was worth it. After that Quincy had classes, but Lawrence and I went to check out some instruments, and I bought a traditional Chinese instrument, a 2 stringed fiddle called an er hu (二胡), literally meaning "2 strings", go figure. The pagoda and trip to the music store wrapped up my time in Daoxian, and then I went to the train station and got a ticket back to Lingling, and once again I was spoiled. The first 1/2 hour of the train I was standing, pretty cramped, but I took out a book and started reading when a train security steward told me to come with him. I had a split second of panic, wondering why he'd chosen the foreigner among the cramped crowd, and wondering if he'd request to see my ticket, which the ticket lady accidently stamped for the 18th instead of the 17th but no one had noticed so far. Then we got to a mini cabin between trains and he told me to come in there. He set my bag down in front of him, and we just talked. That's all. We just talked about why I was in China and asked about America, and had no other disposition than to give me some space from the crowd and let me sit down. Such a nice guy. Then when we got to my stop in Lingling, he told me to come with him again, he plowed through the crowded bus and let me out first before the stampede of the others. I wish I'd gotten the chance to thank him, but once I got out a crowd separated us, but he'll definitely be in my prayers. I was pretty tired from the weekend, my feet were hurting randomly, and it was super nice to not have to stand the last hour on the train. That guy will definitely be in my prayers. See how the Lord works? Everything turned out great! I actually don't mind traveling alone now. For the first time I felt a little pressure here and there, but all in all, it's a great chance. I had no one else to worry about keeping close to me-I could just freely talk to the people and go where I pleased. It was a great feeling to be in Lingling and have all the moto taxi drivers bargain with eachother to see which one of them could take the beautiful lao wai (foreigner) home. Can't say I looked like a million bucks either. I was hot, sweaty, completely toasted from the sun, and smelling like smoke from the bus, but the people still welcome the beautiful foreigners, so it was nice to be home again. I love China.<br />I love you all!<br />Nikki<br /><br />Pic 1: The Liu zi Temple<br />Pic 2: A painting inside<br />Pic 3: Exploring<br />Pic 4: Some old guys fishing<br />Pic 5: Our river <br />Pic 6: A sweet, green, diving board<br />Pic 7: That's my village<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8JoBI2O529KIg3o1qmLesexUUNWNWxN8GqRA9l3gMNlexcUeTiOr2tSr7cOoAdaajYwY8C4ZRooS7MorjQ-9oCyTE7n7uUtFWTdiMeR3w9Qbtsd5HDQKZQpbzDqISutqvc0kt0oQrXs/s1600/Week12+013.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie8JoBI2O529KIg3o1qmLesexUUNWNWxN8GqRA9l3gMNlexcUeTiOr2tSr7cOoAdaajYwY8C4ZRooS7MorjQ-9oCyTE7n7uUtFWTdiMeR3w9Qbtsd5HDQKZQpbzDqISutqvc0kt0oQrXs/s320/Week12+013.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472296139622394066" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid7sKvOwJVdQJThKj9vjTpEhDrJj_SsfQO4YIUH2cjd7FjKEcEW0tH5A7MpGv2cafJVeRii_8lQvyGVy9fFHaTAyktxs6fF2l9OZN00CjOpofuL0m8Xb1TprbMqRN34fZbKsrXDlQAdCg/s1600/Week12+038.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Huo7hDBujZ5zD4OnCDpYF2zFIAMONxGtJ6jmw5R7_Bi9EyTEj4NrmYRxmAxPrxbTnDgXiyrhQgjEv6hrYKbbNFkV0Uc8x21sCKIS6XIR-T6fp0xT-C2cuNZTp5pRxTXPlt_EbBd7Pkc/s320/Week12+064.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472295312871918914" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdJijR0GgxljbiVAZ50gXqDXxtN7LWqasBe8bZ0BCgl64lKULG42sVeYgV1UjgtDjv4YuVyJAKtSs96ThFJsJsiL1KlfLWRDTrdrSU9XhkXrFuLG2s7DB7w0BUEiQT13_FO9o1XewLgU/s1600/Week12+086.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdJijR0GgxljbiVAZ50gXqDXxtN7LWqasBe8bZ0BCgl64lKULG42sVeYgV1UjgtDjv4YuVyJAKtSs96ThFJsJsiL1KlfLWRDTrdrSU9XhkXrFuLG2s7DB7w0BUEiQT13_FO9o1XewLgU/s320/Week12+086.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472295304794223138" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Z35miswaxROXaD5aaAOhX5YkedkFw8PYfqk345otRaA4YLuieuWKLbXM2w_UgVkddxaAke3WdkbyBzitNJMWlD0CKLKah8Qz6I_A6hfjrs741QKtxT8nbKsigCxVE-M_4XfbPQ647Oc/s1600/Week12+106.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1Z35miswaxROXaD5aaAOhX5YkedkFw8PYfqk345otRaA4YLuieuWKLbXM2w_UgVkddxaAke3WdkbyBzitNJMWlD0CKLKah8Qz6I_A6hfjrs741QKtxT8nbKsigCxVE-M_4XfbPQ647Oc/s320/Week12+106.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472295293451181522" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEOuDj3Yn4mRFlj97ahhdpcnh8O9u0reokuchmPNGGAx33riA48aQZ0pbqrvPdkCsT0IvBLWmbcfXutznCg7cJr2G8qQqbiGBuaqf78fz7rcGM_oH3CE_2zejWA46Bq68xJGxg6sbETw/s1600/Week12+120.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOEOuDj3Yn4mRFlj97ahhdpcnh8O9u0reokuchmPNGGAx33riA48aQZ0pbqrvPdkCsT0IvBLWmbcfXutznCg7cJr2G8qQqbiGBuaqf78fz7rcGM_oH3CE_2zejWA46Bq68xJGxg6sbETw/s320/Week12+120.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472295279989134338" /></a><br />Pic 1: A cute little "girl" I met on the train<br />Pic 2: KTV! Mike singing, David interpretive dancing, and Quincy and Lawrence in the back<br />Pic 3: All 3 of us on a roll!<br />Pic 4: Cookin' it up<br />Pic 5: The stage we danced on! Wahaha<br />Pic 6: Daoxian Pagoda<br />Pic 7: Great view from the top, huh?<br />Pic 8: Cool huh?<br />Pic 9: Learning how to play an er hu<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2US_PMhbcGim7Q68gqAxezWWZISSXAegc6Mff2fmBEVVq00AO6de8ujyZFOXznemDmhY0pciKRAAHkDYtenpvgLGtidUGLTKcGNHRRZlcT69-yOtSP13LgUdl5OMn_XffVxs7mdD7aUo/s1600/Week12+133.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2US_PMhbcGim7Q68gqAxezWWZISSXAegc6Mff2fmBEVVq00AO6de8ujyZFOXznemDmhY0pciKRAAHkDYtenpvgLGtidUGLTKcGNHRRZlcT69-yOtSP13LgUdl5OMn_XffVxs7mdD7aUo/s320/Week12+133.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472298620089451650" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikCAIBzMR-OgrVNsOECJ8ZL1_QsdPZEJ6Q5lSlk3wf7CZDk8J6NO431zuN7It_gFrJi8ZzFJDLkPaIiaxK6l-vbUUmMYSAOPTq3TwNyTEZKa9gd26QAsiKDh1bsLv_4N8FKXT_4ZMyd3U/s1600/Week12+140.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0oxwidcWIGfDYeU5wkOzsMIA1Be01Ndar92gMl3YF-Kzz6pRAUC_IM3-R5OtNw2gBRZd28WwdZLviad21FMweM1pbnoMw2uR18C2RVTi9v8rkJ5gbO7rpZjl_e1of3Doc085WWSyMmZI/s320/Week12+198.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472297267387394530" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaBM3QRcyVLlnTq23Hmk0DC81P6oRH520aNx63kR3VQYBnslFy7cr1uafCG1KbPm6PklqhsI5ae0vHhTHM29wOXsCTqfjyWwfsv2OeXzt7c_8buHFK8NyUzbzcj3uOV14SZmx2Znlao4/s1600/Week12+201.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUaBM3QRcyVLlnTq23Hmk0DC81P6oRH520aNx63kR3VQYBnslFy7cr1uafCG1KbPm6PklqhsI5ae0vHhTHM29wOXsCTqfjyWwfsv2OeXzt7c_8buHFK8NyUzbzcj3uOV14SZmx2Znlao4/s320/Week12+201.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5472297260291090130" /></a>Nikki Checkettshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01310196747369248245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806739049980798749.post-20593735766062590212010-05-10T09:08:00.000-07:002010-05-10T09:57:09.811-07:00Home Plate and Karaoke<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" border-collapse: collapse; font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Remember all those times I told you I loved the Chinese people?<span> </span>Well I’ve outdone myself once again.<span> </span>This week my love for China and the people have grown even more.<span> </span>Crazy how that works.<span> </span>This week I taught a lesson on American manners.<span> </span>I taught them some things that are rude to do in America, like hacking and spitting and blowing snot on the ground, telling people they are fat, etc, and I taught them some manner phrases, like “bless you” when someone sneezes, “please pass the ___”, “excuse me”, “sorry”, and so forth.<span> </span>Because I like to act things out as I say them to go for the full effect when communicating to ensure everyone understands regardless of their lingual level, they all had a blast!<span> </span>They found this lesson the more amusing so far, watching me up there hack a loogie, run out of the classroom to demonstrate how rude it is to peak into a window, or push past people without saying “excuse me”, pretend to belch or fart, man it was a lot of fun.<span> </span>OK, so from the sound of it, you’ll think I’m very immature, but honestly they learned it all!<span> </span>They didn’t miss a rule, and when we had a quiz at the end, everyone got 100%.<span> </span>So yes, maybe I sacrificed some reputational dignity from across the world, but it was worth it to see everyone succeed.<span> </span>:P</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">This week I have been able to spend more time with more students.<span> </span>I have met at least 10 new students from grade 3 and some have decided to come over and swap English lessons for Chinese ones, which I’m happy about.<span> </span>I’ve been able to exercise with some students, go out to eat with them, visit some places around town with them, and it’s been fabulous.<span> </span>One of my favorite students at this school downloaded the movie “Avatar” onto his hard drive, so I got to watch it with him (Bruce), and another favorite, William, both of whom I’ve mentioned before.<span> </span>As I was visiting with them, joking with them, and watching the movie with them, I realized something that has happened to me.<span> </span>Bruce, William, Cold Icy, Twinkle, Ginger, Evie, Stella, Angel, Shelly, Daphne, Patrick Jay, Albert Einstein, and so many others have become some of my best friends.<span> </span>Before I used to think of them as friends to hang out with on occasion so I wouldn’t be homesick and I’d teach them and they’d visit.<span> </span>Now I feel like they are some of my best friends.<span> </span>When I go home, they will be so hard to leave.<span> </span>I want to stay here in China, to be with them, to spend time with them, to learn from them.<span> </span>I feel like I have opened the door to a huge mine of valuable gems and I’ve only begun to scratch the surface.<span> </span>If I could, I’d want to stay here until December, when I’ll hopefully leave on my mission, but alas I could not get a good-paying job out here.<span> </span>I love my friends out here.<span> </span>They mean so much to me.<span> </span>No matter how hard I try, it is impossible for me to stay detached from people.<span> </span>I know I have less than 2 months left, but these are some of the best times of my life!</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">This weekend, Shuangpai, Daoxian, and Dong’an came up to Yongzhou and we explored the smoking factory (the largest tobacco plant in the area), because it is the cleanest place in all of Lingling.<span> </span>It has some amazing gardens, waterfalls, “clean” land, grass, flowers, and just some awesome sights.<span> </span>Bruce, William, and Twinkle went with us and got us in (it’s cool to have friends with connections), and we got some good pictures.<span> </span>Then we sort of split up and Sam and I visited some other places and got some more pics in some new parts of our town.<span> </span>Last night we all went KTVing (singing karaoke).<span> </span>Everyone just chills in a soundproof room with speakers and a karaoke, and we just sing with our friends.<span> </span>That was probably some of the most fun I’ve had with white people in China yet!<span> </span>Sometimes Americans just get really boring and complacent in China (no offense intended) and it’s nice to see them be normal, outgoing human beings again.<span> </span>So that was way fun.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">So that was my week in a nutshell!<span> </span>I’m loving it here so much, I’m going to hate to leave, but I’m definitely willing to do whatever the Lord wants me to do.<span> </span>I think my English is getting worse the longer I stay here though.<span> </span>Yesterday I said “I think I’m overly the top rusty.”<span> </span>I’ve made fun of so many missionaries who come home doing things like that, and I think this is God’s way of telling me off.<span> </span>He’s so good to me and always knows what I need to learn.<span> </span>Haha, well that’s it for this week!<span> </span>I love you all!</p></span><br /><br /><br /><br />Pic 1: Our group walking in the Smoking Factory area<br />Pic 2: Twinkle and I<br />Pic 3: Madi and I<br />Pic 4: Twinkle trying to catch fish<br />Pic 5: Playing in the flowers<br />Pic 6: It's clean, huh?<br />Pic 7: Super clean area<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDapVRLcLI6oYoNzoDMo6q0BgJfEP0IWVb9paLRJFy-BRzXlBTsnqadExSv1VycXcbRYhnK6e0VvYqI0SLT8VLH7HGQsK8iQxl3yodikYmdsV4f56bI1Zs919jwBsqFKJERqtMIDjqEMI/s1600/Week12+004.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwZjA5YGabBqf1GO1REY_imXE3DIQ9p0SAAL9XJR7pBHbgn1x-GKOp0lfaJob_2HhjRLRee9CIQUvymylMNgjtSf1XHYBMizyT0Ovoi1GrEIMj4qI-GEFmFaQgQ-nHcprXMeEQVFsx6JA/s320/Week12+030.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469676229717362818" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEwHxMIqTw6Ge6Dvro2PRrzNMJ9KiZOgT3zZTdIvjpYySuJTUKfqiF8PuZeRz0_OLK0wL8NwigeMtjSjgif5_8D3kbhWe7tfuCNu17zM4j8mnhyr1aha-8pSilDJM11_r3WaffZ_rodI/s1600/Week12+035.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEwHxMIqTw6Ge6Dvro2PRrzNMJ9KiZOgT3zZTdIvjpYySuJTUKfqiF8PuZeRz0_OLK0wL8NwigeMtjSjgif5_8D3kbhWe7tfuCNu17zM4j8mnhyr1aha-8pSilDJM11_r3WaffZ_rodI/s320/Week12+035.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469676224340015042" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyj77Q9TzqjyF_0eYyEBzGzw8x6lXJI00q4bjimoyC4DA3gXMvRDXbL2Slj75FWC3_BGiqmIiVo5r3XxXlj4sXl8EQM3m9QOMP0AsZnhZpkktOs6i201384pYF6EE7GHwABDkJFwfAKbg/s1600/Week12+046.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyj77Q9TzqjyF_0eYyEBzGzw8x6lXJI00q4bjimoyC4DA3gXMvRDXbL2Slj75FWC3_BGiqmIiVo5r3XxXlj4sXl8EQM3m9QOMP0AsZnhZpkktOs6i201384pYF6EE7GHwABDkJFwfAKbg/s320/Week12+046.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469676212016848450" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CRB1MaZJmHTyEL6RdRbPMofrx01-7l1rzkiDeGssESfDBtTQhvmN5CB1UH73m4dBLcQ9NEz5H5QEhTl1GV6jd-XOp8pTZZPxJKOhTBjgvPk12YhHaqmpi2-cCqkS9LURePoHW26bWhc/s1600/Week12+058.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CRB1MaZJmHTyEL6RdRbPMofrx01-7l1rzkiDeGssESfDBtTQhvmN5CB1UH73m4dBLcQ9NEz5H5QEhTl1GV6jd-XOp8pTZZPxJKOhTBjgvPk12YhHaqmpi2-cCqkS9LURePoHW26bWhc/s320/Week12+058.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469676205922916498" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAF0KwTTYSTSqNF4_sG0nW8hg0tgrfQTmFse7DVA0wlT-QhqFrHilu_em_sQZYUUMB7qKwZo1KdUqAEUOcwsQHXwYRiznsSLmd_ADHtU2cZVJtrIssnOE-chTjSljhr3nO_mEMTQ5mifI/s1600/Week12+079.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAF0KwTTYSTSqNF4_sG0nW8hg0tgrfQTmFse7DVA0wlT-QhqFrHilu_em_sQZYUUMB7qKwZo1KdUqAEUOcwsQHXwYRiznsSLmd_ADHtU2cZVJtrIssnOE-chTjSljhr3nO_mEMTQ5mifI/s320/Week12+079.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469676194161599410" /></a><br /><br />Pic 1: Me<br />Pic 2: In front of the smoking factory (the view)<br />Pic 3: A random normal farm on the side of the road<br />Pic 4: A bat on Madi's curtain (poor guy)<br />Pic 5: 9 Lao wai (foreigners) on the bus<br />Pic 6: KTV baby!<br />Pic 7: Quincy and Lawrence jammin' out<br />Pic 8: Backup singers<br />Pic 9: Lawrence and I <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_n3G4hRQUH4KVoSiKW-UFM58Mx3xxXHwqlYy1t97RZVi8utk9ExOrctd0Ag6Kv6BdHHgyhfTdnDTE0-d5NsVs5yJCcUtuE2kN5b5kL6xJsQawbWDvJgmKDguQIk57O78bEk0Wx1KWk4M/s1600/Week12+055.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSCPYSj7TjPbocOM4xzNrA7tHunhh-KjGi1KMHAGA_nn9PakQ2PPeoM9SzHaixMPfJ5shwrLyDYUMiqPbl_HoAfMgh59-PalED7P2fnfhRpDXiE2Zh2tOjUSMd_V8aD9gUi6jl3XAEG_Q/s320/Week12+088.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469686014403809010" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhBUNlRAXz5x_xWD99TKOArsvvCLuwvAFguCN2hbxWllRQdIkgY5DFtx-3NacRCPdfB5bWCEkParzVpHn-2966HOhrj9BgAD_r9lvDEI9EHFMqiWyeORW2bkYgU4nChMOvikwQjw9PY8/s1600/Week12+092.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhBUNlRAXz5x_xWD99TKOArsvvCLuwvAFguCN2hbxWllRQdIkgY5DFtx-3NacRCPdfB5bWCEkParzVpHn-2966HOhrj9BgAD_r9lvDEI9EHFMqiWyeORW2bkYgU4nChMOvikwQjw9PY8/s320/Week12+092.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469686005367602498" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKw1vnJsKR50XPMUDyVmvfdtfHsDH_vkGbT9f03M9d9k_QT4Umvfp2ESDYHnkrD7XMR3x1xhz0fDm1nHjrMbRROUEKKrT8LasCD3FqvGBMmZZhMJNJsUG1TI0asQU8hLRkNRVmxiLLwk/s1600/Week12+098.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimKw1vnJsKR50XPMUDyVmvfdtfHsDH_vkGbT9f03M9d9k_QT4Umvfp2ESDYHnkrD7XMR3x1xhz0fDm1nHjrMbRROUEKKrT8LasCD3FqvGBMmZZhMJNJsUG1TI0asQU8hLRkNRVmxiLLwk/s320/Week12+098.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469684449853649186" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHdSMKdGqu1xsTRXMgJeSwnbgJ22EczVzALFWt5H38zxEG7MDJDMbybFdctG4LeNL-MWAyVX9gY5MyykOpUfc7E8s8aYlszuBPav65BwK1B3JmozmeY9RVN-6FUojhvle6_Bi2IK_CXE/s1600/Week12+112.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHdSMKdGqu1xsTRXMgJeSwnbgJ22EczVzALFWt5H38zxEG7MDJDMbybFdctG4LeNL-MWAyVX9gY5MyykOpUfc7E8s8aYlszuBPav65BwK1B3JmozmeY9RVN-6FUojhvle6_Bi2IK_CXE/s320/Week12+112.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469684448326321890" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBf4WZ0bowuuScIZhaeJ7qQP0e2UE-h__Edh3FzGZ_0B-_YwUuda88mo9U9ftr34TYs-Z8V03JSGBTFF-jJ4QGSFO-nenuITYfw1CkbkhS8ffZhkSGLJKbCYQioKbQrR0z9reUFx96mg/s1600/Week12+121.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBBf4WZ0bowuuScIZhaeJ7qQP0e2UE-h__Edh3FzGZ_0B-_YwUuda88mo9U9ftr34TYs-Z8V03JSGBTFF-jJ4QGSFO-nenuITYfw1CkbkhS8ffZhkSGLJKbCYQioKbQrR0z9reUFx96mg/s320/Week12+121.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469684430051903186" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ePGGIPDA3uZll-vjD8SmCiYi_cHgjpPYrI9YG-_C1hJyWaAOerbFgTwDWNfUndDbivTRoKVaWncAUWmmRZo8rEyXyM21Rs3KHslfbbQHgMKJ-DEY0UcwBzpV8DRNIUfMKkfHrWeefi4/s1600/Week12+158.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ePGGIPDA3uZll-vjD8SmCiYi_cHgjpPYrI9YG-_C1hJyWaAOerbFgTwDWNfUndDbivTRoKVaWncAUWmmRZo8rEyXyM21Rs3KHslfbbQHgMKJ-DEY0UcwBzpV8DRNIUfMKkfHrWeefi4/s320/Week12+158.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469684425766126034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-i-Tw2vNSbGy9fXiauQvKIPDJ05bvXGKRhIAIitVFTZU5uV_3k5T72PoLcOiUP56CLiEMAmahoy7j-6H0j7fPhTqwbVPzzx6Us8hry-vrf5LuhTXFrkkvam1amoE9qF9wU4smKS1aWc/s1600/Week12+159.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH-i-Tw2vNSbGy9fXiauQvKIPDJ05bvXGKRhIAIitVFTZU5uV_3k5T72PoLcOiUP56CLiEMAmahoy7j-6H0j7fPhTqwbVPzzx6Us8hry-vrf5LuhTXFrkkvam1amoE9qF9wU4smKS1aWc/s320/Week12+159.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5469684417212683986" /></a>Nikki Checkettshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01310196747369248245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806739049980798749.post-28693249590017329882010-05-03T11:23:00.000-07:002010-05-03T13:57:11.060-07:00Fenghuang and Zhang Jia Jie<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This weekend has been the most incredible for traveling I have ever experienced! Given last Thursday to today (Monday) off for the May holiday break, everyone here in Yongzhou, Shuangpai, and Longhui all met here in Yongzhou and we left Thursday morning to travel. For the record, this weekend I rode 13 buses, 5 taxis (and 1 moto taxi), and 2 trains (one of which was a sleeper train); I went from here in Yongzhou->Lengshuitang->Shaoyang->Longhui->Huihua->Fengshuang->Zhang Jia Jie City->Zhang Jia Jie National Forest->Changsha->Yongzou between Thursday and today. Crazy huh? Well it sure was worth it, every bit.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So Thursday we traveled (a lot) and got to Fenghuan, and it was a gorgeous evening! We sort of got lost because we didn’t have the hostel name in Chinese and people kept trying to help us by taking us to their hotels when we asked for help finding our own. Haha, I love the Chinese people-they love to help, but they’ll do anything before admitting they don’t know something (example: saying they know where our hostel is and taking us to theirs). The hostel was nice, the weather was perfect, the people are very kind, but we didn’t buy much there because things were really expensive. I did realize while I was there that I LOVE pineapple here. I used to dislike it completely back at home, but now I crave it here. One old lady in the town was kind enough to let me have a candle boat for taking a picture of her-she was cute.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Friday we met up with Jacob Harlan (founder of China Horizons) and we got to meet his family, which was exciting! Jacob is like a dad to me out here, and to see white kids again made me very happy. We visited a little, explored, and then my group parted to head toward Zhang Jia Jie. We stayed in a hostel that night and took the chance to chill a little bit after our travels. Some people in our group are really hooked on the show Avatar, so we watched a lot of episodes throughout the trip. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">For those of you who know me very well, I love geology and I love monkies, so needless to say Zhang Jia Jie National Forest was by far my favorite place in China so far! These mountains are the “Hallelujah Mountains” from the movie “Avatar”. It costed 250 yuan to get in for 2 days (Saturday and Sunday), and it was glorious! There were monkies here and there, and the rocks are gorgeous! I saw more geology in that place than anywhere else in the world! We met a man (and I wish I knew his name) on the bus to the National Forest who offered us a place to stay that night for only 65 yuan a person (which isn’t bad for staying in a National Forest), and he even gave us a personal tour throughout the forest! We all expected to walk through the forest with this guy for an hour or so, get to his hostel, drop our bags off, and then go back through the trail and take more pictures. Haha, not. This guy took us upward on one of the steepest hikes of my life- the path was paved like a sidewalk, but I swear we walked up at least 5 million stairs that day. After about an hour and a half many of us were exhausted, but the man said we were almost there…another hour and a half later, we’d made it up the mountain to…to the road? no hostel? We were wiped out after the strenuous hike straight up the mountain, and at first I wondered if this guy was pulling a joke on us and was going to say “OK, now it’s time to go back down the mountain” (in Chinese), but instead he pulled out his phone and soon a bus picked us up (free of charge, that was nice) and took us to the hostel. Whew. We’d made it. Then they gave us a good sized meal for 20 yuan (decent price for the middle of nowhere), and then the guy was ready to take us to some more good lookout points for pictures. My image of that guy changed. He never let us on our own, never made us pay for anything extra, and the next Morning, he escorted us out of the park and into town to get on a train to Changsha. What a fantastic guy! I hope I can get his name. Sam and I want to repay him somehow. He didn’t have to do any of that: give us his hostel for 65 yuan instead of 100 yuan, give us a personal tour, give us extra food free of charge, take us on buses free of charge, take us to more look outs, and escort us and guide us perfectly back out of the park. I pray for him now-he’s a great guy (even if he did tell a fib about ‘almost being there’ halfway up the mountain). We saw some incredible things, all sorts of monkies and rocks, and some of us even woke up early Sunday morning to see the sunrise.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Sunday night we took my first sleeper train to Changsha. It left at 7pm and we arrived in Changsha at 6am this morning. I really like sleeper trains. I hear bad things about sleeper buses, but I really wouldn’t mind taking sleeper trains overnight again sometime. We split ways in Changsha, and Sam, Madi, and I made it back to Yongzhou. It feels so good to be home. *sigh* I love it here. This past weekend was one very packed weekend, but it was totally worth it. I’m excited for more traveling! I’m almost ready to go for round two! The next consecutive weekends I plan to go to Daoxian next weekend (to be with my buddies Lawrence and Quincy), then go back to Guilin and Yangshuo (I’m out of cheese…and I love it there), then to Longhui (to visit by other buddies), then I’ll spend the weekend of the 29</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">th</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> here at home (to talk to my missionary who will be home then!!!), and then Madi, Sam, and I are booking it to Xiamen for the June testing period (we don’t teach then). So yeah, I’m super thrilled about traveling more and more. After school gets out, Madi, Sam, Sam’s buddy who’s coming up to backpack with him a couple weeks, Alyssa, and I are going to Chengdu (to see some more monkies and monks), and then to Tibet. Then Alyssa (my awesome buddy from Longhui) and I will go to Beijing and then Shanghai (then to America) together, so I’m guessing I’ll probably be coming home around July 20</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">th</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, but I should know by next week. Hopefully I’ll hear from EFY soon about counselor positions in the Midwest and Idaho.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">OH! I can’t forget about my classes this week. Remember last week how I decided to try to remember all 800 of my students’ names? Well let me report a little on that: my relationship with each student has changed completely. When they realized I was serious about memorizing their names, told them they were important and I loved them and always wanted to remember them, and showed them I was trying, it brought very tender feelings between us. Being so far from home and constantly pressured by everyone to get perfect scores to the point of not receiving any affection and love, this has made a huge impact. “They” were the teachers, and I was the student, and they had to “grade” me on how well I remembered their names. It touched me that these students, who think it’s horrible to get under a 90% on anything and are harshly examined every week by the school, would be so encouraging and merciful when in some classes I’d only remember 70% of their names so much as to give me a 90%. Just because they knew I was trying out of love, after I’d gone over ever person and finished off the names, they’d clap, smile, and say “congratulations!” I’ve seen tears come to students’ eyes when I say “Hi Anna!” or “How are you, Yuki?” or “You look good in green, Albert Einstein” in passing some of my students. Each day after I left from teaching my classes to go back to my apartment, I felt my heart becoming more and more tender as I reflected on these beautiful students, and I thanked God again and again for letting me be their teacher. None of my students have disrespected me one bit since then; all of them try to help me out, talk to me more, visit more, and their desire to learn English has sky-rocketed, all by my mere efforts in trying to learn their names. I’ve always heard the quote “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care” so many times, but it has become even more real to me. My only regret is that I didn’t try to remember their names from day one, but I am halfway through the semester, and my goal is to remember them forever, and I will. Each one of my students I would be willing to do anything for. I love them and try to treat them as if they are my godchildren, given I can’t replace their parents, and every day in class I will only feel accomplished if I have fulfilled 2 things: teaching them to speak more English than the day before, and showing them I love them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This weekend has been life changing for me. It’s hard to describe, but this week I am a different Nikki than I was last week. My love for all God’s children has reaped a hundredfold, my mind and great have been turned to greater and more important things, my priorities are aligned as they should be, my desires are more closely secured on what they should be, and I think I’ve matured a little bit more this week. Don’t worry, I’m still too playful for my own good, crack cheesy jokes, and show off on occasion, but as far as things of a greater perspective are concerned, my thoughts have been placed on higher ground, if that makes sense.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1-Before we left to travel:</span></span><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 1: We celebrated Cierra's 20th birthday</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 2: Delicious hand-pulled noodles, Mariah, Sam, and Savanna<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 3: Visiting our pagoda at sunset<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 4: Lighting off wish lanterns (make a wish, light the kerosene base, and send it up)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4oQAUGD34VaY6VK0KFvXNw3n03D7Wp-A1ZvaJ_G7XvF8dLF4NEX7uHRiLfyet8H7RzTWj6YO4H3qIBbKGzv7NcQEZXBwSc8TET-DLy0a2-w2bgxn7ForNZlzQOQbxg6sKMGtdm00C8A/s1600/Week10ZJJ+022.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG4oQAUGD34VaY6VK0KFvXNw3n03D7Wp-A1ZvaJ_G7XvF8dLF4NEX7uHRiLfyet8H7RzTWj6YO4H3qIBbKGzv7NcQEZXBwSc8TET-DLy0a2-w2bgxn7ForNZlzQOQbxg6sKMGtdm00C8A/s320/Week10ZJJ+022.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467149923697037762" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9fQhiWQoSRmbAXi1CpYf9l0Fy2Y3ojEd2zVJHUkP1iGYjA-iCbHMii8TTuqfxGtinAiGh_A4NtTku1TlAFmR1Jxbp1OCcO7pfQf7QzeZtT2ILOvX7-PpZ809juLBiSRSgsFHUO2hVN0/s1600/Week10ZJJ+026.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9fQhiWQoSRmbAXi1CpYf9l0Fy2Y3ojEd2zVJHUkP1iGYjA-iCbHMii8TTuqfxGtinAiGh_A4NtTku1TlAFmR1Jxbp1OCcO7pfQf7QzeZtT2ILOvX7-PpZ809juLBiSRSgsFHUO2hVN0/s320/Week10ZJJ+026.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467149913764848098" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIm_CbFLU519e2-eXUuwKlZnLDblVLlKQ_au6I-5B1FbgE7kTVy1p8TcmpUszHgACghgwRLurmcYvCMNU7ox9DUY0M4h-k97j7rHbEAGNFOVqzQ3GmLtmh5d1iBOF8FG4-g9FRDlNacX4/s1600/Week10ZJJ+104.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIm_CbFLU519e2-eXUuwKlZnLDblVLlKQ_au6I-5B1FbgE7kTVy1p8TcmpUszHgACghgwRLurmcYvCMNU7ox9DUY0M4h-k97j7rHbEAGNFOVqzQ3GmLtmh5d1iBOF8FG4-g9FRDlNacX4/s320/Week10ZJJ+104.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467149901404961554" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmyQPgSWw9GVzM5Cx0JSkq-GSkLoKP7X-YSKGbTrevRbDmj1aarLlAr2QJVqX10UuNf50Zk6j0S_WzigpmRMsXnOu7a36Q-2dn_EUua1eJpOxsNxh3crfyI9iYkfjxF_N0sPaawDepNc/s1600/Week10ZJJ+134.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmyQPgSWw9GVzM5Cx0JSkq-GSkLoKP7X-YSKGbTrevRbDmj1aarLlAr2QJVqX10UuNf50Zk6j0S_WzigpmRMsXnOu7a36Q-2dn_EUua1eJpOxsNxh3crfyI9iYkfjxF_N0sPaawDepNc/s320/Week10ZJJ+134.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467149894937913970" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2-On our way</span></span><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 1-3: Scenery</span></span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 4: Lost in Fenghuang<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 5: Fenghuang at night<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 6: The cute old lady-she gave that to me :)<br />Pic 7: Fenghuang at night<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 8: Fenghuang at day time<br />Pic 9: Fenghuang hostel</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZ4d6uQ2TMtoF0jHHXr9pjhzVoNUK6Pv3ohG9kF7qGE5AbgP_mVmW55y9TdqardK6EeVM-GFXa7Z1XhG1f9XQ3LcXJDxUQXoH857M7A1dK15wtYRMuf8HYJB7wqi10KSdvIoz9w8XeME/s1600/Week10ZJJ+154.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7reLD4yd0OJrsXjKsE2SqpK31YbYnLUsbOwSWgW-hjBM0hZOaZJ_SWCIQaJ0Is3BlLI5DdlYqYvdEdsxEdfnR8ZdVrSnClBpPYZ48li86rlxkTG8SnwihVFml-0eIks6VDB_insmLK5s/s320/Week10ZJJ+195.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467145394303030610" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMP-H2dNdHJ9R018KBbU4Y8MK1efBLr1oI5rBzgmfMMp_k2jWnJNTur-NEno6ORRTUShAx0qzcpC6bELMpEFYZuqzdUHx9kqxpghSU5PNKUQV3T33Vke9OIEc_sUSggusQqOqbXNND-c/s1600/Week10ZJJ+196.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMP-H2dNdHJ9R018KBbU4Y8MK1efBLr1oI5rBzgmfMMp_k2jWnJNTur-NEno6ORRTUShAx0qzcpC6bELMpEFYZuqzdUHx9kqxpghSU5PNKUQV3T33Vke9OIEc_sUSggusQqOqbXNND-c/s320/Week10ZJJ+196.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467145382437082194" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UBqay8kXq2fP86e55dhjpvDlRi-hr7BrU_1CYVR4TWdxc9jBvREWcB3WM_VthGDGi73tgre02cwk-tPi92oY9JmZv_kzYNsuRGikmbw-LHy-jHT_dzARRskH8MAOL5Hl3VasaijM4Vo/s1600/Week10ZJJ+200.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2UBqay8kXq2fP86e55dhjpvDlRi-hr7BrU_1CYVR4TWdxc9jBvREWcB3WM_VthGDGi73tgre02cwk-tPi92oY9JmZv_kzYNsuRGikmbw-LHy-jHT_dzARRskH8MAOL5Hl3VasaijM4Vo/s320/Week10ZJJ+200.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467145376108806930" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCUhfRCp0DHiP0CNag5k2BUuWgMPX7tG1swAdz8FLvfTSvJkTRd3bJvL14ZsLSlvYDo1ZdB4paHVzedpWye9EMzF9PT1Ko5jiq_BCX4-6WR4IziyjUc6UUMR2ZB1zOves_m7li0eewPW4/s1600/Week10ZJJ+234.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCUhfRCp0DHiP0CNag5k2BUuWgMPX7tG1swAdz8FLvfTSvJkTRd3bJvL14ZsLSlvYDo1ZdB4paHVzedpWye9EMzF9PT1Ko5jiq_BCX4-6WR4IziyjUc6UUMR2ZB1zOves_m7li0eewPW4/s320/Week10ZJJ+234.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467145359128275586" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfN11XMapRFGi8Z455klK9Fp7csd9F1Js43LYTEGh4U6iteHfwMHB1MvZLHEfeeMy96izuamFdbWJQ-X16Eaa8NRCPbzJ3Y2P1cyC6SXxz4egonR56dDNZTbNlZ6M8tSsdxs8hilOqQYo/s1600/Week10ZJJ+239.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfN11XMapRFGi8Z455klK9Fp7csd9F1Js43LYTEGh4U6iteHfwMHB1MvZLHEfeeMy96izuamFdbWJQ-X16Eaa8NRCPbzJ3Y2P1cyC6SXxz4egonR56dDNZTbNlZ6M8tSsdxs8hilOqQYo/s320/Week10ZJJ+239.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467145344404160594" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">3-Fenghuang Cont</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 1: Welcome to Fenghuang</span></span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 2: Grapes of Wrath pic-almost to freedom... (if you've read it, you know)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 3: The Harlan's treating us to fried noodles<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 4: Stepping stone bridge<br />Pic 5: I have no idea <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1i5E1cJaWkv7ofyBlPF6e3Kat_vkMTarNN2di45n64vWChnajKDtmYzCcKT8WzqbyLj2WWPwAOH-w6LrN01PtUhQPM5H_5WZb4WufY7pHozIKGop5xnZsB8p6jTy9m7odRw9X6M6te0E/s1600/Week10ZJJ+244.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1i5E1cJaWkv7ofyBlPF6e3Kat_vkMTarNN2di45n64vWChnajKDtmYzCcKT8WzqbyLj2WWPwAOH-w6LrN01PtUhQPM5H_5WZb4WufY7pHozIKGop5xnZsB8p6jTy9m7odRw9X6M6te0E/s320/Week10ZJJ+244.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467140829798979042" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0rJfExGnLTevaQGk66e0bHS53Xzl-AV3gFLH69xwneD8NNvXhAh0zngbgXpebFoJ59IvxNLNVVdKliyDZu5NSxMt3llLEJUWKdJtPe84ysUly7OuZ64JALUCqatn0YAvGtLq4a6L7t4/s1600/Week10ZJJ+254.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_0rJfExGnLTevaQGk66e0bHS53Xzl-AV3gFLH69xwneD8NNvXhAh0zngbgXpebFoJ59IvxNLNVVdKliyDZu5NSxMt3llLEJUWKdJtPe84ysUly7OuZ64JALUCqatn0YAvGtLq4a6L7t4/s320/Week10ZJJ+254.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467140801756359378" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXm2o4_YXJFQQZfe-pOxZ8gUqSB0bibTMH-_N6HMAg7CVlGqgNmf-ZpW3J_oUymflr9DTV_LN_NRhIDzZ8H5jeU6WgX4muqoUT9DyFjgKBpHz7s9fRbnm-0I8EDw8fHV9DQ0Nef6o1AxI/s1600/Week10ZJJ+290.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXm2o4_YXJFQQZfe-pOxZ8gUqSB0bibTMH-_N6HMAg7CVlGqgNmf-ZpW3J_oUymflr9DTV_LN_NRhIDzZ8H5jeU6WgX4muqoUT9DyFjgKBpHz7s9fRbnm-0I8EDw8fHV9DQ0Nef6o1AxI/s320/Week10ZJJ+290.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467140787097033554" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZEPLmxuctINcmiijnutpb-XF_rr_lEkdOZDOhduNZ9FSiqBCdAoJr6Ows20wHGZ1gSEmS7hgC8BeUZjZB_-g6nw3blZPvdiBt66HHFjBL8c6ObU7Tje6yfEPZwZrxmrn1NDlpx2Un3A/s1600/Week10ZJJ+295.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZEPLmxuctINcmiijnutpb-XF_rr_lEkdOZDOhduNZ9FSiqBCdAoJr6Ows20wHGZ1gSEmS7hgC8BeUZjZB_-g6nw3blZPvdiBt66HHFjBL8c6ObU7Tje6yfEPZwZrxmrn1NDlpx2Un3A/s320/Week10ZJJ+295.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467140772976823410" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg-lhbriv896QCNMY41EIwyUeF0xLIA2USE40ATPczzrmN7oU9SWengHVeqpOhNQKz5vLZodomZPej8NWj4VdbB6PZUJ7uTBQSjX96YIuXRoE-1sJR6Hi8ahERv6yY1GBwQr-daaKX5Q/s1600/Week10ZJJ+311.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCg-lhbriv896QCNMY41EIwyUeF0xLIA2USE40ATPczzrmN7oU9SWengHVeqpOhNQKz5vLZodomZPej8NWj4VdbB6PZUJ7uTBQSjX96YIuXRoE-1sJR6Hi8ahERv6yY1GBwQr-daaKX5Q/s320/Week10ZJJ+311.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467140766397824466" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">4-The Road to Zhang Jia Jie</span></span><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 1-3: Roadside Scenery</span></span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 4: Welcome to Zhang Jia Jie (MONKIES)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 5: More Monkies! :)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 6: Me and something gorgeous<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxN7U6qiTQMU7izzgfUBLa3LYx849CPljdLe8s-5aoBw__05SXT5hyphenhyphenkOE3ul4wpFMDl4NXp6VdKutIBOQKKe6RUpTQxO9K_rPAUsvI8iJaPCuxKJiP43WFIdbe5Wn_Ts9ovcSMrkPTMGY/s1600/Week10ZJJ+334.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxN7U6qiTQMU7izzgfUBLa3LYx849CPljdLe8s-5aoBw__05SXT5hyphenhyphenkOE3ul4wpFMDl4NXp6VdKutIBOQKKe6RUpTQxO9K_rPAUsvI8iJaPCuxKJiP43WFIdbe5Wn_Ts9ovcSMrkPTMGY/s320/Week10ZJJ+334.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467135257576454258" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIROalAhqIHToNq5PneJb_KN29jFwhx2H4JrcbWB_6VhBt6E0jKOxw2HDM9T15I1b802x18nVGr5dC0EihzO-TwTZ6dGtq58GfW-RQel6tQvExLKpt1HUEOXJWqgiUo7jlar6_ep3TTE/s1600/Week10ZJJ+361.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIROalAhqIHToNq5PneJb_KN29jFwhx2H4JrcbWB_6VhBt6E0jKOxw2HDM9T15I1b802x18nVGr5dC0EihzO-TwTZ6dGtq58GfW-RQel6tQvExLKpt1HUEOXJWqgiUo7jlar6_ep3TTE/s320/Week10ZJJ+361.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467134837772009330" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_1AXUwz9bnaQmSYTFVzAfky7_tiviQ4C9V3yfu2j7wZCznV4_9n3j8nLpCQgwlqpcXxaahBrSa6M01rwXKOrvbEqweTB1B56_5TSttxUiP9zyCl87XglC-TOiSiBZx-kS2Lk9wSCx34/s1600/Week10ZJJ+385.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE_1AXUwz9bnaQmSYTFVzAfky7_tiviQ4C9V3yfu2j7wZCznV4_9n3j8nLpCQgwlqpcXxaahBrSa6M01rwXKOrvbEqweTB1B56_5TSttxUiP9zyCl87XglC-TOiSiBZx-kS2Lk9wSCx34/s320/Week10ZJJ+385.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467134821832482354" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9znzSl53AvZdHOU3shIZHbM8UhgvQk3qyHYcl08bhM8gMBxixvSW0r4AMGm7o9fg_1cLTvMu8oTmPc_iVgVYXtvKglCe2C-NhmT9fLpESH_KXhQEKy5AXVi-j7PkxQLoj2XpD4saASM/s1600/Week10ZJJ+408.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9znzSl53AvZdHOU3shIZHbM8UhgvQk3qyHYcl08bhM8gMBxixvSW0r4AMGm7o9fg_1cLTvMu8oTmPc_iVgVYXtvKglCe2C-NhmT9fLpESH_KXhQEKy5AXVi-j7PkxQLoj2XpD4saASM/s320/Week10ZJJ+408.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467134813810379986" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiaigbQ8WNihKOGhenJXygRX7yCkfRxBebbMLM9PRlc9i53kjng6QjIr0s0wHcAvhmE_NasIPemcyriSU3ZyJIpEZ0aW2W1abb3JRa4o0nRP6O-X-AiD0j0KwuC3Z60nn1XhQL3f2061c/s1600/Week10ZJJ+411.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiaigbQ8WNihKOGhenJXygRX7yCkfRxBebbMLM9PRlc9i53kjng6QjIr0s0wHcAvhmE_NasIPemcyriSU3ZyJIpEZ0aW2W1abb3JRa4o0nRP6O-X-AiD0j0KwuC3Z60nn1XhQL3f2061c/s320/Week10ZJJ+411.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467134802267678290" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbcg3qU1vn2xP23iDToZD6YVkToDVk29wCKGuIAkKYqQXD-X7Q99hzpXKMatvW_6Dzj3hZKOIz62CXsgGXpYRokrrSKVkvWKXElsSfhNsuHbhYps-UdSo3OCJ7tiZ4Yi6ZRwbOrsFZExg/s1600/Week10ZJJ+461.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbcg3qU1vn2xP23iDToZD6YVkToDVk29wCKGuIAkKYqQXD-X7Q99hzpXKMatvW_6Dzj3hZKOIz62CXsgGXpYRokrrSKVkvWKXElsSfhNsuHbhYps-UdSo3OCJ7tiZ4Yi6ZRwbOrsFZExg/s320/Week10ZJJ+461.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467134787201876466" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">5<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 1: I love ZJJ</span></span><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 2: Meet the Rocks</span></span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 3: A peacock. Can you see it?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 4: Almost there...or halfway to go.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 5: Vine swinging<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 6: We finally made it to the top (I picked up a few flowers)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE4WuTeOS6Kw9i73SP9l1oe6NEf76CEEaPOp6PeTT3Dn-caP-u9uVgIzAovO8mh83U0q2BV1IjCDnihqiT7YBdxok2FMR5ahyiSThjtQA19L2zmFc8g2IjHr2ekI9jqG7iqot5xbcI9xA/s1600/Week10ZJJ+421.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE4WuTeOS6Kw9i73SP9l1oe6NEf76CEEaPOp6PeTT3Dn-caP-u9uVgIzAovO8mh83U0q2BV1IjCDnihqiT7YBdxok2FMR5ahyiSThjtQA19L2zmFc8g2IjHr2ekI9jqG7iqot5xbcI9xA/s320/Week10ZJJ+421.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467131516322839522" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbm5Z7v9uRlbdK228dRkLEYwnBGsQqrYLXMtMu6Dv1taYqG_YLR8M48H4u2oNwkCReRBKI8ixtIM1RoyjNKRR9r842YyBx5aLYUdEqcsjbnYhkNRwrejtYCzvTjPpPO2ErFhXnptekVo/s1600/Week10ZJJ+422.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbm5Z7v9uRlbdK228dRkLEYwnBGsQqrYLXMtMu6Dv1taYqG_YLR8M48H4u2oNwkCReRBKI8ixtIM1RoyjNKRR9r842YyBx5aLYUdEqcsjbnYhkNRwrejtYCzvTjPpPO2ErFhXnptekVo/s320/Week10ZJJ+422.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467129579714955378" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1CScUkuUusjt6sdBUfAuzOXCE8HDSz1si5uTfzcHu3JwHXDQtflVIf0KukEnO-5lSk5gY462UeGVWFX98mb8W88lvY8H6S-v_M4uV_tu3jFyPgVALob_hEkAW5E4lrmtONr37yl6XO8/s1600/Week10ZJJ+566.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1CScUkuUusjt6sdBUfAuzOXCE8HDSz1si5uTfzcHu3JwHXDQtflVIf0KukEnO-5lSk5gY462UeGVWFX98mb8W88lvY8H6S-v_M4uV_tu3jFyPgVALob_hEkAW5E4lrmtONr37yl6XO8/s320/Week10ZJJ+566.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467129567815756626" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlS256aP17ktpDnPHgl5Oy4UxwZYgrafxFIlipCmlvRFvFYG4aDHWfsrx5nUN1QLLyfV2qyPDZzCg8dOCZUS4GDoVmDtJwqbCnt4hih_CxZ1qVfky-zIbGCnfdLQSZGtGf0Y9Nvt6eH8/s1600/Week10ZJJ+587.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQlS256aP17ktpDnPHgl5Oy4UxwZYgrafxFIlipCmlvRFvFYG4aDHWfsrx5nUN1QLLyfV2qyPDZzCg8dOCZUS4GDoVmDtJwqbCnt4hih_CxZ1qVfky-zIbGCnfdLQSZGtGf0Y9Nvt6eH8/s320/Week10ZJJ+587.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467129556991782514" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yf77kRTPBUJNA35jUsR9mTeUtFu7X5xzJz1p01EEe4cam4dXcOfvi8fayUEAeeqoxicOxQhqgOIgxrUESIRNeAsk2q8nLioCpsJI0ewFQP-_nqDeLu-CnCwhVUXqTXZ8vv_qmQENH5w/s1600/Week10ZJJ+595.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5yf77kRTPBUJNA35jUsR9mTeUtFu7X5xzJz1p01EEe4cam4dXcOfvi8fayUEAeeqoxicOxQhqgOIgxrUESIRNeAsk2q8nLioCpsJI0ewFQP-_nqDeLu-CnCwhVUXqTXZ8vv_qmQENH5w/s320/Week10ZJJ+595.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467129544809781714" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDOnQ9YdKHoDsFxFvmB8R1pwNu447jJibuslscM18Jwc4K8_sfY6WxzKYVP2ZcL3WvURdePx6E6T3DqHFscE5LIemKlYJvEwwCirUqT93NQXYhnNY9hCW6d-tSMvIxW-p-dPwU49Kd8k/s1600/Week10ZJJ+628.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlDOnQ9YdKHoDsFxFvmB8R1pwNu447jJibuslscM18Jwc4K8_sfY6WxzKYVP2ZcL3WvURdePx6E6T3DqHFscE5LIemKlYJvEwwCirUqT93NQXYhnNY9hCW6d-tSMvIxW-p-dPwU49Kd8k/s320/Week10ZJJ+628.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467129536378535762" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">6<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Zhang Jia Jie the Beautiful</span></span><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 1: Exhausted at the top</span></span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 2: A "Z"-for ZZJ<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 3: Behold...<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 4: Madi and I<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 5-6: At dusk<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVg062YIxGiyalL0pff4pnHqSbGdQHpLQLEUNmUU3rrhmgFqPY0SlCpWfulX0RvwlZo7bodKdjlIcjWVTCfqhUXnA_T4N5AmIoQRT9IJzjKzgl8LsnvXFoub1mnbFL81BgMLgahLWJi0/s1600/Week10ZJJ+632.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVg062YIxGiyalL0pff4pnHqSbGdQHpLQLEUNmUU3rrhmgFqPY0SlCpWfulX0RvwlZo7bodKdjlIcjWVTCfqhUXnA_T4N5AmIoQRT9IJzjKzgl8LsnvXFoub1mnbFL81BgMLgahLWJi0/s320/Week10ZJJ+632.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467126862115584082" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAbZV6zdU3wCb0z8ShPZ44IuKJsBUS9tnCwev6a1cPkpvFP9EVnZu78GhRK7p7IoXp0v7BIPoTDnx4CeM-fCi1nnyVhdKswjz4UOtCQuWzWm9A4vB4wf9WSkjMJVcxuMt2HpoCS9l7hA/s1600/Week10ZJJ+649.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFAbZV6zdU3wCb0z8ShPZ44IuKJsBUS9tnCwev6a1cPkpvFP9EVnZu78GhRK7p7IoXp0v7BIPoTDnx4CeM-fCi1nnyVhdKswjz4UOtCQuWzWm9A4vB4wf9WSkjMJVcxuMt2HpoCS9l7hA/s320/Week10ZJJ+649.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467123775441399458" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdakyniXhFzWkRN0KZPiVotLW50h48X7FMibznKLWf6qEGTNgO_mPpd30yaBho98Vu9Ogcvdqwy8WWoNlrMq2dLZfLSH3zU2V46uSDxuEniLWbsy6zI84PvbhWnMNQeRsHUuVFBSB8sIY/s1600/Week10ZJJ+663.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdakyniXhFzWkRN0KZPiVotLW50h48X7FMibznKLWf6qEGTNgO_mPpd30yaBho98Vu9Ogcvdqwy8WWoNlrMq2dLZfLSH3zU2V46uSDxuEniLWbsy6zI84PvbhWnMNQeRsHUuVFBSB8sIY/s320/Week10ZJJ+663.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467123762719353202" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmaPo1a5b6bTWw6X6Nog0oH1lKnCHtuO0IYD8yvGL6SqfZOFaLAcKI5TlTgIjUINEhE4kY3X6Jn8mAZzbo_alAN_hLyKS7yY73jEoEOqi5XxIvnzmVjAaY9u1cguoNkXgNLbOZpx2t18/s1600/Week10ZJJ+669.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtmaPo1a5b6bTWw6X6Nog0oH1lKnCHtuO0IYD8yvGL6SqfZOFaLAcKI5TlTgIjUINEhE4kY3X6Jn8mAZzbo_alAN_hLyKS7yY73jEoEOqi5XxIvnzmVjAaY9u1cguoNkXgNLbOZpx2t18/s320/Week10ZJJ+669.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467123751308844402" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-4EMBVMRNpdk0pqMxRSKYWUSnJpd_QdFR-Wim3QzVWf0JdwfrwGzWH68nIWfKQkzQXFHjBGn4Rv72xXTQJGYvjhth4xH5ctpBQPRDsxT5sIJU_R9KiYCNbF-7YNSYMTu5Yp96ka9C-o/s1600/Week10ZJJ+723.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-4EMBVMRNpdk0pqMxRSKYWUSnJpd_QdFR-Wim3QzVWf0JdwfrwGzWH68nIWfKQkzQXFHjBGn4Rv72xXTQJGYvjhth4xH5ctpBQPRDsxT5sIJU_R9KiYCNbF-7YNSYMTu5Yp96ka9C-o/s320/Week10ZJJ+723.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467123735893790802" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3g2MhdXJGrJ7FXnWlqSxOl4y6yJl4g_Dj4A6W2RlT2I8laT1KvzQAjHKRc8bMjU2NQ74h82-UFBj2qapLPOV3vmMl35ABIPQ8Y1NWzftZ0I7fowZLCaAkgBbluzyD8sRBpZNvc7yurQc/s1600/Week10ZJJ+795.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3g2MhdXJGrJ7FXnWlqSxOl4y6yJl4g_Dj4A6W2RlT2I8laT1KvzQAjHKRc8bMjU2NQ74h82-UFBj2qapLPOV3vmMl35ABIPQ8Y1NWzftZ0I7fowZLCaAkgBbluzyD8sRBpZNvc7yurQc/s320/Week10ZJJ+795.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467123721927746210" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">7<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 1: Alyssa and I</span></span><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 2: Me and our tour guide</span></span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 3: Sunrise over ZJJ<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 4: Watching the sunrise<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 5: Me and Madi (on the way down)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 6-7: Crazy-awesome geology, huh?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 8: "Lovers Meet after a Long Separation". Can you see them?<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 9: Our group at the end<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn-VPIRQYZA7z3nGK60FnUW5i9hhHztKEtOKN1V9o4M7pSJJ5NTCQieZgoFF9qdwjXD4N8gGf4-PIkGLk8YKmaG6tjLdkPFj6ClX0_2PX55jZyIAXWPeSa0eyzLegfvmCm46mY1I_rWlA/s1600/Week10ZJJ+701.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorbESWyvJhSqjK1f1T1w3R4VCAvvbMxmdvdcPSA2axkDj5wzVLB9DOoNXonr5LyKwDJkMREJShqNDUEqe1Wz4aEs4Fhb0DogvmudrvyIq8uwE4Pa0V6a1VzFV13nUO_Zj4jFomaQoB0U/s320/Week10ZJJ+824.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467119035764914018" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Jk0xKQGtGy-aK054nBBZXIy9YnoXOFMGwH7CNO1Jrohpn5IHgCDP2ssJNoUoQi2pdm1WxCaoiblwpebxBLCoO6MaF3ctHoeOZpzqEql3QCjPFXWEHDA9XkNNJbprlmbg-qC96MYHPQ8/s1600/Week10ZJJ+829.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Jk0xKQGtGy-aK054nBBZXIy9YnoXOFMGwH7CNO1Jrohpn5IHgCDP2ssJNoUoQi2pdm1WxCaoiblwpebxBLCoO6MaF3ctHoeOZpzqEql3QCjPFXWEHDA9XkNNJbprlmbg-qC96MYHPQ8/s320/Week10ZJJ+829.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467117100440702530" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj729hDQbxfo9bKQ8KOBCBMjNpxnugT-oa8SdMgmSr52jK21FjbCWjVW0Ah5EBGZkb35EchfgE_m0UvkaCs7wLdA7XmdAENCbQhzCSx1-i60p7sRITwEgc97tzrCsKMDmGsBvCG7q3FX48/s1600/Week10ZJJ+868.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj729hDQbxfo9bKQ8KOBCBMjNpxnugT-oa8SdMgmSr52jK21FjbCWjVW0Ah5EBGZkb35EchfgE_m0UvkaCs7wLdA7XmdAENCbQhzCSx1-i60p7sRITwEgc97tzrCsKMDmGsBvCG7q3FX48/s320/Week10ZJJ+868.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467117093730985346" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNiz_yIX4aPBEyNIm1Dfi0GGlBkDorqVC55Z0LMoA6RnvEEm9OimVa_iWJ7yBru_uD79CmCaQgZB8Td-YqE0X5nrZIUIdsN5z7C1fPE_IjyvHt44vnsqdM3qR3dunufkWsMrSQHH5yOp8/s1600/Week10ZJJ+870.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNiz_yIX4aPBEyNIm1Dfi0GGlBkDorqVC55Z0LMoA6RnvEEm9OimVa_iWJ7yBru_uD79CmCaQgZB8Td-YqE0X5nrZIUIdsN5z7C1fPE_IjyvHt44vnsqdM3qR3dunufkWsMrSQHH5yOp8/s320/Week10ZJJ+870.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467117080161259858" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfU0PjNGhZod9_oXmt4PpyPeT-43GheERRGLj4ZM6aS8fEIk408NKrwVCfF8pzK4ZhjdAKmn0xD4Ax7WJnmpW3sU93l_jyJ_RA-cMohMfdXOPew6wjEZmvVoNDUqU1N00jmoWi9OQtUXk/s1600/Week10ZJJ+887.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfU0PjNGhZod9_oXmt4PpyPeT-43GheERRGLj4ZM6aS8fEIk408NKrwVCfF8pzK4ZhjdAKmn0xD4Ax7WJnmpW3sU93l_jyJ_RA-cMohMfdXOPew6wjEZmvVoNDUqU1N00jmoWi9OQtUXk/s320/Week10ZJJ+887.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467117068980460738" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">8-Traveling</span></span><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 1: Madi and I ate a whole pineapple after the hike</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 2: Sleeper train<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 3: Madi exhausted <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 4: Some of our group<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 5: Madi and Sam sleeping<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 6: A monkey and her baby... zhen k'ai (very cute)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz919Gc6lDGCZyePBu2yy22ssYpn7YMVf6hznaeFKiLfdl0b-LVo9B1xxzsjSLFRTlru2kxJ-YwHyYoHM6RRvMx78LPUs1VpKaQ1RPLyS8h18xku0S88zml0W-A9-4pRGCAp9zkL23nBw/s1600/Week10ZJJ+326.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkwVM-5BC_FXvUOe9rSr4KtPuZRvCS0N_qxcz9HwUksEUigzzWICA2fMAaxbk8mU-dLWtJkaExVrZrWJdPaT2qgqu0-y7s0tzmAxvug8GEMfZ4-_5AURo6HJO8O_b7Gk4v2XtNR76IYVk/s320/Week10ZJJ+890.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467113144406002866" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CZQWWq4Uepschj-O5M3lfCVNFlaIGSAXFhPazPrEoY5WMQoErNLPOUH77Jy_u_dGdo4YIIYFxFqNjFchsKU_eUoDW9EDrlUyKwfZq54zHTOi9GZNN8gqy7Tt6G0EMF2k-vOvQ19ENIM/s1600/Week10ZJJ+897.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_CZQWWq4Uepschj-O5M3lfCVNFlaIGSAXFhPazPrEoY5WMQoErNLPOUH77Jy_u_dGdo4YIIYFxFqNjFchsKU_eUoDW9EDrlUyKwfZq54zHTOi9GZNN8gqy7Tt6G0EMF2k-vOvQ19ENIM/s320/Week10ZJJ+897.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467113130319696338" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6aGm99MmHpRA1aHFxz_jXeCYfyU5-XgqUI8VJpn-ze9oH1MSdhk-k6_NSYJARNzwvjH_B0pj8acQA_BTb30JGBv92LyQaEmxjQ60YMZudDc4zJ8xSCmUJ_xkr4JKnsFcrzgkbbZKjdAs/s1600/Week10ZJJ+898.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6aGm99MmHpRA1aHFxz_jXeCYfyU5-XgqUI8VJpn-ze9oH1MSdhk-k6_NSYJARNzwvjH_B0pj8acQA_BTb30JGBv92LyQaEmxjQ60YMZudDc4zJ8xSCmUJ_xkr4JKnsFcrzgkbbZKjdAs/s320/Week10ZJJ+898.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467113118512012802" /></a>Nikki Checkettshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01310196747369248245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806739049980798749.post-90052463388614065702010-04-26T20:29:00.001-07:002010-04-26T21:03:53.346-07:00Bowling, Cow Stomach, and Americans in Dong'an!<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So I’ve decided to drop out of school and normal life in America and just live here in China like my cousin for a couple years or so… I love it so much! *Sigh* I wish. I’ve never had such a simple but enlightening lifestyle before and to give it up is going to be so hard. Were it not for David coming home from his mission, work, school, and turning in my mission papers and then serving I would be SO tempted to stay here. Nothing could make me go home if those things didn’t stand strongly in my near future.</span></span></div> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">This week I told my classes that they were the teachers and I was the student and it was their responsibility to teach me their names. See, I think it’s super important for me to remember all 800 students names. Why? Because they are children of God and each one is important to Him and I want them to know I care enough to learn all their names, because they are the future of China and if I ever get the chance to meet any of these amazing people again I want to remember them (hint hint: if China opens to the church), because I want them to know I sincerely care about them enough to make the extra effort, and because I want them to know I am honored to be their teacher and wish to connect with them. So this week, because “I” am the student, I have the homework assignment of memorizing their names. They seemed very surprised, but in the end, I could tell they were touched by my sincerity. Teachers normally just have a seating chart, lecture, leave and don’t come back until next class. I want them to know I am different. I care about each of my students and I am determined, with God’s help and my memorization skills, to memorize all my students’ names. After they all taught me their names I got pictures of them and their nametags so I can review the names in my spare time. Then we sang some English songs they were interested in singing with lyrics. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">What’s motivating to note, my love for my students has grown tremendously as I memorize their names and see the look of admiration shining back in their eyes when I call them by their names. They feel singled out and important and they know more and more I care about them. I want to stay here forever. I adore these students like they are my own children! I never want to leave them and I’ve only been here for 2 months. Coming home will be super hard for me. I love my children. I wish people could just come move to China to be with me; then my life would be complete.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Some of Sam’s students (to whom he also teaches guitar lessons) come over on Wednesdays and they are teaching me some Chinese songs in exchange for letting them practice in my apartment, which makes me very happy! I try to connect with as many students as I can, whether it be helping them with spoken English, discussing stress, taking them out to eat, letting them relax in my apartment, exercising with them, etc, and the more I get to know them, the more I love them, and the more I want to share with them all the plain and precious truths that I’m nearly bursting to share.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Good news! It’s warming up here! It’s been raining the past month and I’m hoping it’s warming up for good. I got some sweet pictures with Madi outside around the school in the sunshine this week. Sunshine is beautiful! I’ve never missed it so much in my life. This weekend Sam, Madi, and I (from Yongzhou), Shelby and Cierra (from Shuangpai), Savanna, Mariah, Alyssa, and Nora (from Longhui) all took a train to Dong’an (so this is my second time there), and we just had a blast! We walked around the markets and such, where I got some sweet communist army shoes and some books to read, and just got to all hang out as Americans. Alyssa and I (being the rebels we are) bowled with pomelos (a thick-pealed, white, bland fruit that nobody likes) and water bottles in the Carter’s living room, Nora and I got to just sit outside in the sun and talk about life, Shelby read to us, and we all just got to chat, read, play cards, watch movies, and just have normal, casual fun. I love Americans!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Saturday night we all went out to eat and I got to add “cow stomach” to my list of odd foods I’ve eaten. It’s not a favorite of mine…it tasted like some sort of chewy tentacles. Later that evening we had a blind “Chinese Lays Chips Tasting”. They had chicken flavor, cherry tomato flavor, cucumber flavor, lime flavor, seaweed flavor, mango flavor, and blueberry flavor, all of which I got wrong. Out of those, I think the seaweed was my favorite-which I’m sure wouldn’t have been had I known what it was before I tried it. It’s funny how different your perspective is on things when you are blind to prior knowledge or color. Sunday afternoon for lunch we had an “American Food Party”! Madi and I made Reeses Brownies (thanks to Madi’s mom ;), Sam made some instant potato soup, the Dong’an couple (Matt and Kristal Carter) made potatoes, gravy, and stuffing, Nora and Alyssa made amazing scrambled eggs (with cheese!), Shelby and Cierra made hot chocolate, and Savanna and Mariah made s’mores. Oh it was delicious! <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So that was my week. This week is the May Holiday, so I only teach Tuesday and Wednesday, and then Thursday all of the previously mentioned people minus the Carters are going to Zhang Jia Jie (</span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="font-family:SimSun;mso-hansi-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman";mso-fareast-language:ZH-CNfont-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">张家界</span></span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">) and Fenghuang (</span></span><span lang="ZH-CN" style="font-family:SimSun;mso-hansi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-Times New Roman";mso-fareast-language:ZH-CNfont-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">凤凰</span></span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">). Zhang Jia Jie is a famous national park and beautiful rock forest, and for those of you who know how crazy I am about rocks, you know how exceptionally thrilled I am about visiting there and filling up my cameras with geology. From what I hear, Fenghuang is like Yangshuo but foreigners usually don't know about it, so I am so happy about this week. I’ll have from this Thursday through next Monday off school. “I’m happier than a raccoon at Christmas-WITH PEANUT BUTTER!” Haha, that’s what I say a lot out here when I’m super happy, which happens rather frequently. Life is just so good out here. I think I’ll teach my first two days of classes an English song and work on their names, and whatever else they want to learn. I just have to be careful not to tell them too much or else I’ll get confused about what I taught my first 8 classes as opposed to the other half, you know? <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">So life in China is super super good as always! If you can’t tell, I absolutely LOVE it here in China! Thank you everyone for emailing me back (it is always exciting to hear from people I know when I can’t see them!) and writing me letters. I feel loved! :) I appreciate all your prayers and responses in my behalf.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I love you all!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:";color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:";color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:";color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">First Batch of Photos<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:";color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pics 1-3: Students and their nametags</span></span><span style=" font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman"; font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 4: Sam's students that meet in my apt</span></span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 5: A Grandma and baby playing on the campus<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 6: A student enjoying 10 minutes of sunsine between classes<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 7: My campus lake<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 8: My campus. Pretty, huh? Pic 9: Enjoying nature.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 10: The oldest tree in the area...a few hundred years.<br />Pic 11: "Alright, up against the wall!" "How about 'up the wall'?"<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 12: Nora and I in Dong'an<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 13: Just another normal cultural picture <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"></span></span></p><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFopW9suhd2nOx0_PvOCMf8UGivVUFMaM8X8Q6ofIwVNl3ihCtEibGNFImhhOxfONzmyvW8PrYo0Gn21sY2YfQAFbm_huTykogkgWb6dxRsm8DCL77IYbfj_5PMYRRVVgyX3zPkvAw4g/s1600/Friday+Classes+and+Dong%27an+070.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKFopW9suhd2nOx0_PvOCMf8UGivVUFMaM8X8Q6ofIwVNl3ihCtEibGNFImhhOxfONzmyvW8PrYo0Gn21sY2YfQAFbm_huTykogkgWb6dxRsm8DCL77IYbfj_5PMYRRVVgyX3zPkvAw4g/s320/Friday+Classes+and+Dong%27an+070.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464660728542365890" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; 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mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Second Batch of photos</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 1: Bet you can guess what's about to happen.</span></span><span style=" font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman"; font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 2: Huh, that's weird. A fire hydrant is urinating...too bad not on a dog.</span></span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman"font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 3: Alyssa and I chillin' after our dance music video (without the video part)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 4: Pomelo bowling!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 5: Our Group out to dinner (Madi took it)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 6: I got a new hair style<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 7: Making our American food (and sharing an apple with smears of peanut butter)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 8: Mine and Madi's masterpiece<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Pic 9: My contribution (I love peanut butter, like a raccoon on Christmas :)<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"></span></span></p><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb8Qy564OqnurwJAj90YQL7CSphd1pEOTOTaI67ZcbWfcW2FUXN09TlaDf9CUIx5EEFhrCdkKg_jhL9UHGkJleizy5w1eu6JFljxaWdkZZXMHwIPESRrgIx-yZhLjF3CqZPGcYcwUv9d4/s1600/Thurs+Fri+Classes+and+Week+10+316.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0bLKPCiO7ZPy7H0vYckSBBQr-cjRngeXU-a-ccMzaK8SLS-QE6bB5IuX_LcPRdDF_OBXeHa4_HbizOR8JmX8j7ALdrB9iuvXUSbNMrSysI7IMW2qgAgHeYLpychUm5Gzj1G9imkXyc8/s1600/Thurs+Fri+Classes+and+Week+10+366.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv0bLKPCiO7ZPy7H0vYckSBBQr-cjRngeXU-a-ccMzaK8SLS-QE6bB5IuX_LcPRdDF_OBXeHa4_HbizOR8JmX8j7ALdrB9iuvXUSbNMrSysI7IMW2qgAgHeYLpychUm5Gzj1G9imkXyc8/s320/Thurs+Fri+Classes+and+Week+10+366.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464661714613486722" /></a></p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><a href="http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTY4MDE1OTky.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:";color:#114170;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTY4MDE1OTky.html</span></span></a><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman"font-family:";"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">There's the video link of a short clip of the markets, watch for what animals you see for food.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Nikki Checkettshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01310196747369248245noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806739049980798749.post-41528912814798087272010-04-19T22:19:00.000-07:002010-04-20T23:45:21.126-07:00Yongzhou the Beautiful<div><br /></div><div>Know what’s funny? After last week’s email about sunshine and blue skies, it rained all week. God has a sense of humor, and do I know it! But the rain was good. See, when it rains it doesn’t smell bad, and for once China seems to at least appear a little more clean. I like the rain, but given it’s rained a lot of the time since I got here, I am looking forward to the second half of my time being sunny and nice (knock on wood).<br />This week I taught my students Weird Al’s song “Eat It”, and taught them about American food customs. They all sang the song because they already knew Michael Jackson’s “Beat It”, so they only had different lyrics, which I explained, and for the most part, the lessons went exceptionally. It was a lot of information all in one day, and a lot of practicing in one day, so this week I’m going to talk to them a little bit about my house, some new slang and mannerisms, and let them sing along to some of their favorite American songs with the lyrics provided. I figure they deserve it after an intense week. Oh, and I’m going to make it a point also this week to learn as many names as I can. I have about 1,000 students, but I love them all and I want them to know that…the least I can do is remember their names, right? At English Corner on Friday (just a time for kids to speak ‘only English’ for an hour outside with us foreign teachers and other students who are pretty good) some of my students told me that I was like a boy. I asked how, and they reminded me that girls in China are reserved and shy for the most part, and the guys are the crazy ones. I told them I had to be crazy in order for them not to fall asleep with their ridiculous schedules. They laughed but agreed and a bunch of other students told me they’ve seen me teach through the windows and wished they were in my class. Haha, that always makes me feel happy inside.<br />So teaching went very well, although I am super sick of the song now and will probably not sing it anytime soon again. Life is good. This week I bugged Sam enough so he took us to the university here in Yongzhou, and the scenery is beautiful! We walked through the campus and down a strip of stores and then across some bridges all lit up at night and got some sweet pics. We crossed the bridge onto an island to look for buried treasure. Instead, we found some people who could speak English! Now that’s my kind of treasure. It was super fun. Sam, Madi, and I are pretty much our own little family. We eat usually one or two meals together every day, we go out to town and shop for food together, we go see things together, travel together, read conference talks every night together and have family prayer, and we are just way tight. Sometimes I feel bad Sam’s name isn’t included in my blog title. Haha. So we got to see some sweet things on Thursday night, and Friday night Shuangpai came in and we went out and got our favorite chao mien (fried noodles), and I bought a side of jiaozi (steamed dumplings-I LOVE those things), and every week it’s sorta like a family reunion, and I like it. We get together and see things, play cards, have church, visit, laugh, joke, tell funny stories all as Americans, it’s a good time. Friday Daoxian and Dong’an came into town and we went out to eat with the director of the school, Mr. Zhou, and our liaison Mr. Luke Liu, took us to dinner and I got to try some awesome things.<br />DISH LOCATION OPINION<br />Chicken Foot Shenzhen and a few places since Pretty delicious, not gonna lie. People eat it like beef jerky here.<br />Dog Here in the Yongzhou cafeteria It was accidental, but good, and I feel horrible to say this, but I’ve craved it since.<br />Eel Here in Yongzhou The meat is very good, but the guts and head are nasty.<br />Duck Head Here in Yongzhou The meat is good and tender, but the brains are pretty gross.<br />Chicken Head In Ling Ling City Not as good as the ducks, but worthwhile to try.<br />Boiled, Pre-matured Chicken Egg (Inside the chicken, before it gets a shell) Yongzhou Good. Just tastes like a hardboiled yoke.<br /><br />Those are just the abnormal meats that might interest people. I’ve tried a ton of other things, but nothing as cool as those.<br />Anyway, out of those things I listed, I had some chicken foot, eel, duck and chicken head, and a pre-mature egg this week. It was weird, after I’d eaten those things, I think my appetite grew (not for more of the same though) and didn’t disappear like some people’s might when they try such “disgusting” food. Haha, I love it here. I love trying new things. So Saturday we went out to lunch with the group and then we climbed the pagoda in our city overlooking the river, which was amazing, and then we went to a haunted amusement park with old, broken-down rides. It was very pretty. Then we just walked down by the university and the bridges again. Great sights. Sunday I gave a talk virtually via skype to all the foreign members in China, which went very well, thanks to God’s grace, which was actually the topic of my talk, how fitting. :)<br />By the end of the week, everyone was sort of tired, so the only person who was still game with seeing new things was me, so a couple 3rd year students, Bruce and William, took me to a Confucius Temple, which is so beautiful. There are actually many Buddhist influences in that temple, and it was absolutely beautiful to explore. I think I’m dragging Sam and Madi back for FHE next week. After we went to the temple, my students asked if I wanted to see the 2,000 year old house on a rock in the river. Why not?!?! So we got to ride in a fishing boat paddled by some fishermen to this house on a huge boulder originally built two millennia ago, and it was just so amazing to be able to see so much history in one day. It was Nikki Heaven. Then for the last stop Bruce and William, and their friend who ended up driving us around- Liu Jie I think his name was- took me to an old Catholic church now a daycare. The students were saying there are some Catholic people who go there sometimes, but for the most part it’s a kindergarten. There were some Bibles on a shelf, and William, one student that always asks me about religion opened one and read me the first part, translated. He read for a little bit. I wasn’t going to stop him…………….So this week was awesome!<br />Luckily my package with my camera arrived in perfect timing! I felt the Easterness and love from home, which is always a joy! With my camera I was able to get some pretty good pictures this week. Life is so good! I am super excited for this week! Can you believe I’m halfway through my time here in China? It has flown way too fast, but I’m very happy with what I have done thus far.<br />I love you all! I can feel your prayers and I love love love to hear from you all!<br /><br />Nikki Checketts<br />C/o Zhou Zhixi<br />Foreign Affairs Office of No. 1 Middle School of Yongzhou City<br />Hunan Province, P.R. China<br />Post Code: 425006<br /><br /><br />Group 1 Pictures<br />Pic 1: Assembly line making French Toast before General Conference<br />Pic 2: Madi in our grocery store<br />Pic 3: Checking out the university campus<br />Pic 4: Madi and Sam walking through the university campus<br />Pic 5: Sam rocking out in a guitar store on university street<br />Pic 6-9: Bridges<br />Pic 10-11: Eating with the teachers<br />Pic 12: Our group<br />Pic 13: The pagoda at a distance<br />Pic 14: View from the Pagoda<br />Pic 15: Sam on top the Pagoda<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYTOO80UsDxz4c1oCNFykPjAx87Ui6tUlrAGu3NYhCvSEfp7ImTdWbXv7KwMSJcknMZIgTT7Dhq-mhjNuGcKoNlXbF9GwG68pzs3mQwDepdwYb6vf4vFTtbdJjKmkLUbl2OIk2EmVKR-o/s1600/Week9+010.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYTOO80UsDxz4c1oCNFykPjAx87Ui6tUlrAGu3NYhCvSEfp7ImTdWbXv7KwMSJcknMZIgTT7Dhq-mhjNuGcKoNlXbF9GwG68pzs3mQwDepdwYb6vf4vFTtbdJjKmkLUbl2OIk2EmVKR-o/s320/Week9+010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462474186337761970" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjQqHDKqVLR_bwRIUSdAe79nG9qavH2Ly5nPcEP7Lc0CKiqoEsa9GWs0Ykbic57qKfFJUb6KqqaEeH7RAoFb0eFTO83cG-k_CPyZGJWQNbeDuCoCR2aeIVId3ecHECGb71ydmz9ZCbUg8/s1600/Week9+012.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY93OhgbZ42bq0CnEcnssuxlWcdQ3vvzeSfhUfuheHh62VOCDD54Q-Uie09MAJuyY8lrHdGkWCOKxWZ04f48wxbCOWmt6LCxCFrFj9v5-bjYfrRHyN01gHc0LF5H_MFz29PMRcAKnROoo/s320/Week9+055.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462473061462258994" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkSzJsu9lWRbTxNDAuDgb4I5beCTkNf5WSWpoVBgHWYaCfa8PiibVofpC2RKWacsLwkR_WSEZ-cpHbe2DA2HSzRWEJQcOhpVOLNYz9vXxGmWqjVgNf3037MDo00bS01S68WavspSJfbM/s1600/Week9+374.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpkSzJsu9lWRbTxNDAuDgb4I5beCTkNf5WSWpoVBgHWYaCfa8PiibVofpC2RKWacsLwkR_WSEZ-cpHbe2DA2HSzRWEJQcOhpVOLNYz9vXxGmWqjVgNf3037MDo00bS01S68WavspSJfbM/s320/Week9+374.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462472558795590082" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWYXk-E3iAMWLUjAn9SXohR2s1f5lULkbXwreMq6Natro8FSAqpLEnCNXNQSeRi3Er7N9phSrjF0_J2yTPAae_K-8v6IrFqEFe_sSSCcyHHrX-4g0BZSx3inPmIjvBosm94xBYylgYs4/s1600/Week9+402.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihWYXk-E3iAMWLUjAn9SXohR2s1f5lULkbXwreMq6Natro8FSAqpLEnCNXNQSeRi3Er7N9phSrjF0_J2yTPAae_K-8v6IrFqEFe_sSSCcyHHrX-4g0BZSx3inPmIjvBosm94xBYylgYs4/s320/Week9+402.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462472549723629122" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_dS8zggtrnWLwqBtA_Wxdy4XbEvnboxTHPlysE5p7hFdrAg02PkqlAyihKqDvJo24uqGcagVvZMqSHSAYMSS2_JVidOizHiieSqx631ULYlasfQqaIuSS83tffgPP8Cqf4rT_xK2hNU/s1600/Week9+429.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_dS8zggtrnWLwqBtA_Wxdy4XbEvnboxTHPlysE5p7hFdrAg02PkqlAyihKqDvJo24uqGcagVvZMqSHSAYMSS2_JVidOizHiieSqx631ULYlasfQqaIuSS83tffgPP8Cqf4rT_xK2hNU/s320/Week9+429.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462472542150709378" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeFoNBtF3D_3cvf9bDvdERcD8BC_GpKond4OsMtPeVfBgfewQvzi33iqRtNFfmHxx0X4rraEjDBwXYuN9xSPogesnTjjt0vIhyphenhyphenb7BP9Y_HN73IpI_EjVMXkiVTtBCd6zOI2pxqNTNj40/s1600/Week9+449.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVeFoNBtF3D_3cvf9bDvdERcD8BC_GpKond4OsMtPeVfBgfewQvzi33iqRtNFfmHxx0X4rraEjDBwXYuN9xSPogesnTjjt0vIhyphenhyphenb7BP9Y_HN73IpI_EjVMXkiVTtBCd6zOI2pxqNTNj40/s320/Week9+449.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462472532016819074" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4e_JSyoh_a-iCSUSFlGT0NHtM7eXOn32lSsDlMnqzv_VBW6VWafhAh6x6YOydJQMEbdNB3lHXuSJ2bdQOHwFpw0y3M6dqgYvO6Xt1MBrh8JAEHdvu7oHBXhc47zZR7UkkNK-ZZL1xks/s1600/Week9+476.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4e_JSyoh_a-iCSUSFlGT0NHtM7eXOn32lSsDlMnqzv_VBW6VWafhAh6x6YOydJQMEbdNB3lHXuSJ2bdQOHwFpw0y3M6dqgYvO6Xt1MBrh8JAEHdvu7oHBXhc47zZR7UkkNK-ZZL1xks/s320/Week9+476.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462472524866847682" /></a><br /><br /><br />Group 2 Pictures<br />Pic 1: Me in the pagoda<br />Pic 2: Me at the haunted amusement park<br />Pic 3: Lawrence, Quincy, and I rode that paddle boat duck through the lake.<br />Pic 4: The Confucius Temple here in Yongzhou<br />Pic 5: William, Me, and Bruce at the Temple<br />Pic 6: The Liu Temple statue of Liu<br />Pic 7: Our Boat Ride to the 2,000 year old castle on a rock<br />Pic 8: The castle on the Rock<br />Pic 9: Me in the castle<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRauY6xn6TgaQKIvT2BHi79r62qZwkygNERI4IQoJ1qupYGKMVGLgPwxK7b8vUtZwrQ-cdNTZtE5RqefeF53CveXNqae81sQG818pWhjgRg6uym_0IZcf7hncYrhi3OGS2LOckFS_fSU/s1600/Week9+081.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbGrz1jOdBdmnBhHDSjuDUPXhKtz5dQ3x4FYx9vjI2-HCdzErdgqz-gsLSl81QMCCa5UwVQ5z8pMcm6D9Rh_TXloJNsjy39KAhdF9E7axdOY6sn3LDHJDImFKQRG8_S4i4TmWtzxmajz4/s320/Week9+305.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462475143011491314" /></a><br /><br /><br />Group 3 Pictures<br />Pic 1: Originals from the 2,000 year old castle on a rock<br />Pic 2: The Catholic church now a daycare in Yongzhou<br />Pic 3: Chinese Bibles and Hymnals there<br />Pic 4: The outside of the church</div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcI7nAuA9hZTSQy1yhVQUvuQ_DWZvC6bGoUfV3m3LOs06geLy1tNTzd9UEuQiuwFXL0s0AB2Co8JDPsJ2-ZEyS0AIdigKpb_KVhlr8ooVCxel2ED5z9wV474cZ0EFppRhxY09vOwKjsic/s1600/Week9+293.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcI7nAuA9hZTSQy1yhVQUvuQ_DWZvC6bGoUfV3m3LOs06geLy1tNTzd9UEuQiuwFXL0s0AB2Co8JDPsJ2-ZEyS0AIdigKpb_KVhlr8ooVCxel2ED5z9wV474cZ0EFppRhxY09vOwKjsic/s320/Week9+293.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462477530991231138" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzcctWuf8T_RFmCWb7qg4jdnKDhjwxRgjyj5Qr9xa2eeOuCzsWepkTdEZ5Ye4xK142mdnzSkcY4YN6dU3Itiq19DHkEvZX6CBeOGdYH5SoBZq4JpDWt6FfkN0HQsZcKPB1gQhzOQwQDs/s1600/Week9+307.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCzcctWuf8T_RFmCWb7qg4jdnKDhjwxRgjyj5Qr9xa2eeOuCzsWepkTdEZ5Ye4xK142mdnzSkcY4YN6dU3Itiq19DHkEvZX6CBeOGdYH5SoBZq4JpDWt6FfkN0HQsZcKPB1gQhzOQwQDs/s320/Week9+307.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462477522527465938" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4hZpx7N3VW9-4kL5IRwwhNJZsKsb2yZWkBFn5BSTQ4Dn2YeUMDdZ84Fk8qPuf6nN-mI69CdnTDkIRLNmtVQ6ujSklG7H3x6Qvxk_pbs2T7YnLYe6CO28MkuJZo9qfvKfd_NSdyIx2AA/s1600/Week9+317.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv4hZpx7N3VW9-4kL5IRwwhNJZsKsb2yZWkBFn5BSTQ4Dn2YeUMDdZ84Fk8qPuf6nN-mI69CdnTDkIRLNmtVQ6ujSklG7H3x6Qvxk_pbs2T7YnLYe6CO28MkuJZo9qfvKfd_NSdyIx2AA/s320/Week9+317.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462477515788170610" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwRszG3fOi-LQ1EqBBv7tKeDCfxoWmHLggt7q31LqM7LJk8wvQCMtGcGGGDuIZqmUFalBG8VXlGxT9Kp4HwJq4PCY0KvKUTRR6bMZ6NTnUmdpcInS_Edy7eMQdpu87n-Gu-kbqmP4X4U/s1600/Week9+318.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmwRszG3fOi-LQ1EqBBv7tKeDCfxoWmHLggt7q31LqM7LJk8wvQCMtGcGGGDuIZqmUFalBG8VXlGxT9Kp4HwJq4PCY0KvKUTRR6bMZ6NTnUmdpcInS_Edy7eMQdpu87n-Gu-kbqmP4X4U/s320/Week9+318.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462477506042828722" /></a>Nikki Checkettshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01310196747369248245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806739049980798749.post-9464848820628018902010-04-12T08:40:00.000-07:002010-04-12T12:11:01.393-07:00Blue Skies and Sunshine...Guaranteed! Even in smoggy China. :)<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;">Once upon a time there was a young teacher who was sent to China to teach English. When she got there, things just fell into place, and every single moment of teaching made her want to teach more. Classes only got better and better every day, and she’d never trade teaching these classes for anything in this time she’d been given. Every day miracles occurred, unexpected opportunities found her, and she had the time of her life. She'd never feel unattended even when she was alone, and life was beautiful. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><u><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;">Circle One</span></u><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;">:<br />This paragraph is a fairy tale:<br />True / False<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;"> To tell you the truth, this is how Nikki Checketts feels!<br />Not even kidding, it’s all still as true from the first day as now. From day 1 in China things have just “worked out”, fallen into place for the better. Now I’ll admit I am human so many people would think “Not everything can go right ALL the time, especially in Communist China” but that all depends on what you mean by “go right”. Here in China everything happens for a reason; there is a purpose to everything, and if you open your eyes it’s obvious God’s hand is in it all, and if God creates perfect things, how can you say those things aren’t “going right”? One thing I liked about the movie “Princess and the Frog”, which I watched before I came here, was Mama Odie’s message about how you often know what you want, but not necessarily what you need, and says:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;">“You gotta dig a little deeper!<br />It really aint that far!<br />When you found out who you are,<br />you find out what you need.<br />Blue skies and sun shine; Guaranteed!”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;">Sometimes we just have to remember who we are, and when we do, we know who is in charge, and when we know who is in charge, it’s time to take a step back and see all the sunshine unfolding all around us to opportunities of the day and not just the light from outside disturbing our sleep, if you catch my drift. So honestly I can say it has all been marvelous! I never go anywhere alone, even when nobody accompanies me. Life here in China truly is incredible and has done wonderful things for me. The person I come home as will still be Nikki, no worries about that, but she will be a little different. I’ve learned so much here, loved much, laughed much, lived so much! That’s why I don’t often think of going home. I love it here so much. It’s changed my life so much in these short 2 months I’ve been here.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;">Teaching, no greater call….’nough said. What? You want details? Fine…This week was amazing! So 3 weeks ago I taught my students music genres, then 2 weeks ago I helped them create bands, and then last week they presented their bands. They spent the first ¾ of the class presenting their bands, telling what they would sing about, what genre they’d sing, what instruments all of them would play, and then write their names on the board. Then they surprised me in a good way, which always makes a teacher happy. They had prepared songs and some of them had written original songs with their bands to sing to the class! They all were so beautiful. I feel so blessed to teach these such talented students! They teach me so much of the time, and we are ‘all edified together’. This week was just so much fun! They did all the work and LOVED it. This upcoming week I think I’ll teach them Weird Al’s “Eat It”, and introduce some parts of American culture. They all know Michael Jackson’s “Beat It”, so it won’t be hard for them to learn it. Haha, I’m excited. <o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9JlhQEbh4GuVpZF3b-hs95vS50Qn47Vp-iLLFLxpuq58RlfcETvYlApl2XpWUeAI94-XkA094tjxkZdTD9Zl40_JWkGjaIWHCDxwlLhi0XsPDdTWgXQc5g6ccmW-EANj4XRpBUT_tvkI/s1600/118_4700.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9JlhQEbh4GuVpZF3b-hs95vS50Qn47Vp-iLLFLxpuq58RlfcETvYlApl2XpWUeAI94-XkA094tjxkZdTD9Zl40_JWkGjaIWHCDxwlLhi0XsPDdTWgXQc5g6ccmW-EANj4XRpBUT_tvkI/s320/118_4700.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459324468736564258" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8wL41KKBPvWTESAp_htrWdh8oaP_FYCByrSLJKpcDHRLxqV_1RUDjEvfMJKKb8p2T5tBCnEvVbngNU19pbivyCiOs2X7OCdEa_lfx3ohGgsv7JAAj_4hOQRu-2atCjWzM1zgr4E33cpQ/s1600/118_4702.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5s8zuvYaEcSFpJTT3Az1yhw1-TKX2X0eQx7qjM9CQg_e1J2i594sTH9519bEqDvTf-K32ngIlJdgZ37sepjsyLfw6jvqz5G4u-Hgde8iA_JPs9KACsJdgcPrDBD_k9hRnzYd9pwJpcYk/s320/Week8Videos+022.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459323077941808386" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFRJF_JWXl_KtFdfEoUmZgjaDloPIq3Tgf7jJlGm6qhRkevehyphenhyphengZnCktEtvoR9NKHaVqef2huia_qFvKDm89mTrIBqsirW3qxoYWM9X73Tg80CJ5txt1xJnJV1HvbPU5biM4ARc58Wtg/s1600/Week8Videos+037.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcFRJF_JWXl_KtFdfEoUmZgjaDloPIq3Tgf7jJlGm6qhRkevehyphenhyphengZnCktEtvoR9NKHaVqef2huia_qFvKDm89mTrIBqsirW3qxoYWM9X73Tg80CJ5txt1xJnJV1HvbPU5biM4ARc58Wtg/s320/Week8Videos+037.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459323067415585922" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBA62pTFS6_xGSU5H8TrTHN-POMOnCYcE217Szf9GjjWMAWMkNKxFvOdZEO-2wVwTNMVlrzR4_1WhOaFvshQtbl9JFitP5HWr6sccaUwdZ8bSITdt252dHdGpHIP7roPn24tCUVCAdzbk/s1600/Week8Videos+044.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBA62pTFS6_xGSU5H8TrTHN-POMOnCYcE217Szf9GjjWMAWMkNKxFvOdZEO-2wVwTNMVlrzR4_1WhOaFvshQtbl9JFitP5HWr6sccaUwdZ8bSITdt252dHdGpHIP7roPn24tCUVCAdzbk/s320/Week8Videos+044.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459323055935877858" /></a><br /><br /><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;">I love all my students so much. They are all different but all have secret dreams and wishes, and they can express them in class as they share their feelings on certain aspects of life. I seriously hope they enjoy class time as much as I do, which, judging by their smiles and enthusiasm is a comfort. Every week I plan hours for the lessons, and as Elder Perry said about preparation in conference, it’s never wasted, and it’s so much fun here. After teaching my 15<sup>th</sup> class of the week Friday, I just got an overwhelming joy and realized that I could do this forever. Live like this in China, teaching such beautiful, smart, loving children, hungry for truth and knowledge. (Yes I understand that sentence is a fragment, but I’m a teacher so shush. OK, Nikki stop talking to yourself. Ok. Thanks. You’re welcome.)<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;">This week has produced some sunny days, so I’ve spent time outside this week with students, rather than just inside my apartment. I took one student running this morning at 6am. Oh I love China. Usually my afternoons and evenings are taken up with students visiting, which I absolutely love. You know, I’ve become quite casual about leaving pictures of missionaries, temples, my family, my scriptures, scripture journals, etc around. If you know me, you know that’s 70% on purpose, 30% because I’m lazy, and 100% convenient. Now I can’t proselyte, but I can help familiarize those around me with bits of the most important things to me. Every single student who has spent more than 5 minutes in my apartment ends up asking about the purpose of life, if there is a God, what I believe, why I am so happy, or what the beautiful pictures are and of whom, and the more often they come over, the more they ask. It’s SO SO SO SO SO SO SO hard, times a million kazillion, not to share my testimony with them. When they ask why they feel different and more relaxed in my apartment, I tell them about love and truth (fruits of the Spirit, but not using those words) and how I am a strong believer in those things. Many students have told me that they just know anything I say is true, even though they don’t know me that well. It’s almost torture not to proselyte, but I’m doing what I can, and I hope to help them learn to recognize truth and divine love, if nothing else. I pray I can serve among these people again someday, and this time…I can do what Nikki likes to do best. Testify and bring everyone into the fold.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;">This weekend the girls from Shuangpai and the couple from Dong’an came here to Ling Ling and we watched General Conference! We watch it a week late because of the time difference (we get the DVD’s), and it was wonderful. Why is it that God loves me so much to make every single talk inspire me to do better and love this work more? I feel so greedy sometimes about it, so greedy I want to watch all the sessions, including priesthood, and then read them again when they come out in print. Hehehe, yeah, GCT (Gen Conf Talks), PMG (Preach My Gospel), BoM…all my addictions are getting worse here in China. Oh, funny story, Saturday night the director of the school and our liaison came over to Sam’s apartment drunk, and the first entertained us with the little English he knew and his crazy gestures, (drinking out of Sam’s cup, trying to make friends with everyone by holding their hands for too long and slaughtering their names, urinating all over Sam’s bathroom, giggling, and doing some sort of Chinese sign language), while the latter took Sam out to buy 150 yuan worth of snacks! Oh I love this school!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;">Life is good, not a day is dull, and the memories are countless. Yes, I can say things go right. They go exactly as they are supposed to, as long as I do what I am supposed to. Life in China is not a fairy tale, but I’ll tell you what, they are better than any dream!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;">I love you all! Be good, safe, don’t smoke!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi- line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman"; font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;color:black;">-- </span><span style="line-height:115%; font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman"; font-family:";font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-line-height: 115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman"; font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;color:#888888;">Nikki Checketts</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman"; font-family:";font-size:10.0pt;color:#888888;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-line-height: 115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman"; font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;color:#888888;">C/o Zhou Zhixi</span><span style="line-height: 115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman"; font-family:";font-size:10.0pt;color:#888888;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-line-height: 115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman"; font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;color:#888888;">Foreign Affairs Office of No. 1 Middle School of Yongzhou City</span><span style="line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:10.0pt;color:#888888;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-line-height: 115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman"; font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;color:#888888;">Hunan Province, P.R. China</span><span style=" line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman"; font-family:";font-size:10.0pt;color:#888888;"><br /></span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-line-height: 115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman"; font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;color:#888888;">Post Code: 425006</span><span style=" line-height:115%;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman"; font-family:";font-size:10.0pt;color:#888888;"><br /><br /></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style=" line-height:115%;Arial","sans-serif";font-family:";font-size:10.0pt;color:black;">Here are some sample videos from my classes. Enjoy!</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-size:11.0pt;color:#114170;"><a href="http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTY0NTkwNTUy.html" target="_blank">http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTY0NTkwNTUy.html</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "> </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-size:11.0pt;color:#114170;"><a href="http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTY0NTkyOTYw.html" target="_blank">http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTY0NTkyOTYw.html</a></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><a href="http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTY0NTkzODc2.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-size:11.0pt;color:#114170;">http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTY0NTkzODc2.html</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(17, 65, 112); "><a href="http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTY0NTk1ODA4.html" target="_blank">http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTY0NTk1ODA4.html</a></span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-size:11.0pt;color:#114170;"><a href="http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTY0NTk2OTAw.html" target="_blank">http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTY0NTk2OTAw.html</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "> </span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:10.0pt;color:black;"><a href="http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTY0NTk5OTQw.html" target="_blank"><span style="mso-bidi-;font-size:11.0pt;color:#114170;">http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMTY0NTk5OTQw.html</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><br /><br />School Campus<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrbTWQD4lbD797hZCcLt2C5KTRG3NjAwwGTRnRYGBIgDx4SnjHI9HjPnZUkA3aMumATHdt_VCqVa4zypsAjSMtWt2PF3aPuU_-v4oXoT7I6mRpnDRLt_ZfnInMp0U2WTCrEo1tVJQZRg/s1600/118_4662.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrbTWQD4lbD797hZCcLt2C5KTRG3NjAwwGTRnRYGBIgDx4SnjHI9HjPnZUkA3aMumATHdt_VCqVa4zypsAjSMtWt2PF3aPuU_-v4oXoT7I6mRpnDRLt_ZfnInMp0U2WTCrEo1tVJQZRg/s320/118_4662.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459329944253692226" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbv-69HlcS9GhRKnpDMzL9UO3OPnbsKYh0lLE7aPPUGDdAxKR1sw1Y4WTKGJ744O09C15YyJWxwuw5QGOzt69reXz6YjpkwsckaLdMA21PCWj8FCadd0rymKubJTHNadAf7TJIniuN-w/s1600/118_4664.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNp25mdBhd1gu6i3bBgEjIlYYEg3r60du6G6nwtBjywoihIOEG9hje4dNVetOvrIqn9xXBbS9pU_bdu37LOCil035Ai7DrP3RX1GyPRXOHSDvhlrCdvWDCTFlio2cVJXlhuhCdg9WtvE/s320/118_4683.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459327629175971378" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDG-_r0770ypEU0xaiLZ-lhNWaIXzK71UbDi2ltKeKRp3crLsJWB_IJ_a_6JDiMjxpMTl6CEn7DL455mjMal5TGUiwOgo1h3A7HPG2gd3Fc8XPjE7uYeDUOXP7RhdhbaDl0lggwTdk4Bo/s1600/118_4693.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDG-_r0770ypEU0xaiLZ-lhNWaIXzK71UbDi2ltKeKRp3crLsJWB_IJ_a_6JDiMjxpMTl6CEn7DL455mjMal5TGUiwOgo1h3A7HPG2gd3Fc8XPjE7uYeDUOXP7RhdhbaDl0lggwTdk4Bo/s320/118_4693.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459327611763357586" /></a>Nikki Checkettshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01310196747369248245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806739049980798749.post-69086865569838384132010-04-05T10:39:00.000-07:002010-04-05T12:05:32.867-07:00Guilin and Yangshuo!<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;background:white"><span style="Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Oh I love China so much! Miracles happen every day, and one thing I've realized is if you don't participate and look for the miracles, life really seems to leave you in the dust. If you pray for something here, you'd better expect Heavenly Father to hear it-He answers every prayer, and if you don't look for it, it's like asking someone to go do you a favor and then not even caring to follow up on it. What kind of a relationship is that? Well apparently it's how alot of people treat God. Wow, it's quite humbling to think about treating God that way, yet many do it all the time. I think that is one reason ingratitude kindles His wrath so much (D+C 59:21). <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;background:white"><span style="Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;background:white"><span style="Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Imagine someone asks if you'll go to the grocery store and pick up all the means for a meal, then to prepare the meal for many people. Imagine this is a very good friend of yours so you do it and then after the meal has been consumed you get no thanks, no mere mention of the favor you've done, and no payment. How would you feel? I can imagine we'd feel a little offended and unwilling to do anything like that for them again. That is how many people treat prayer. We pray for health and safety and that things will go well, and when the prayer is answered, we just keep praying the same things expecting that God will still do them for us...Now you can see why God's wrath is kindled by ingratitude. I mean seriously, WHY would someone still answer our prayers consistently when we hardly give a glance of thankfulness to what they've already done? Because God is EXTREMELY merciful, that's why. He's hoping eventually we'll get the hint and deliver thanks to him.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;background:white"><span style="Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;background:white"><span style="Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This has been so easy for me to see living here in China. If we were to mathematically calculate the chances here in China of anything going according to our plans relatively well is pretty low, the chances of a majority of our plans going accordingly is very low, and the chances of most things going according to plan and working out pretty well is pretty much impossible, yet here in China, it happens ALL THE TIME! I can't even describe it. Here in China communication is really random, there aren't many store chains, because of the lack of much local TV, you never know big events except by word of mouth, and the government can change anything as it pleases, so there are really not many things you can count on that in America we take for granted: any transportation leaving on time, reservations anywhere, business and people directories...no really, you could go to a extremely delicious place one day and the next day they will be gone and never be back and no one knows a thing about them. You will figure out something a million times faster asking someone on the streets than you will trying to look something up on the internet or watching for an ad via TV, magazine, anything. They have internet but no one uses websites for advertisement, and much information is blocked in China. Go figure. You look to look up something China doesn't want to release and it's completely blocked. Then you try harder and if you succeed hackers jump your server and try to block anything using your IP address. It bites. So if this is a "free country", as my students say, it is just free from: global truth, associations with people outside the PRC, having definite work schedules and calendars (for instance, the government decides last minute when schools will start teaching in the year and when they will get out), a stable living, counting on the government (people can bribe the government to do just about anything), having a relationship with members of the opposite sex before graduating from a university, choosing occupations they would be passionate about, and essentially accessing information to know what is really going on. They think they are "free" because they can legally pirate music, they get to choose what to eat from menus, they can choose hobbies to practice once they graduate from high school, they can watch, read, listen to anything China allows, and they can sing in the shower (when they get the chance to take a shower); they think they are free, but they are not. They highly esteem any philosopher of communism and many people say their hero is Mao Tse Dung. That is communist China. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;background:white"><span style="Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;background:white"><span style="Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">So that's life in China. I learn not to count on things in China, except one, and that is my Heavenly Father. Yeah, I trust Madi, Sam, and the others, but they are American and LDS-not Chinese. The people here for the most part are amazing, genuine, kind, helpful, and beautiful, but the corruption in the government really changes things, and the fact that it's third world (for the most part) puts EVERYTHING up in the air. Anything could happen hear in China and it really wouldn't surprise me too much. Crazy huh? Well that's my speal for China. Haha. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;background:white"><span style="Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;background:white"><span style="Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Back to my first point, getting around China and having things work out is really an accumulation of miracles. Every day that things work out to my expectations or better I know God has a hand in it. So I pay attention to what I pray for even more, because here in China I have no one to tell me everything will be alright and help me for the first few steps. It's all on me. Anything I do here in China is because I want to-I am an active part in planning things, making sure things work out, teaching my classes, feeding myself, exercising, purchasing everything, taking care of my physical well-being as well as Spiritual, mental, and emotional. It's one thing to be 2,000 miles away from home and be able to call family and close friends on a regular basis, and it's another thing to be halfway across the world with extremely limited communication. Being in this sort of situation really forces change. I've seen people going through these experiences and every day feel crushed by the inconveniences of China and how things don't work out according to plan, and I've seen people thrive, mature, and grow so much. The one thing I did learn from my fat old Cross Country coach in High School still sticks with me. After every hard workout he used to ask, "Did cross country beat you, or did you beat cross country?" So every day when I am confronted with many inconveniences and some hardships I keep it in mind, and at the end of the day I ask myself, "Did the obstacles of the day beat me, or did I beat the obstacles of the day?" It keeps me focused on my goals and the things I should be keeping in mind. Here in China I have felt the companionship of the Lord's Spirit in all things I do: teaching, visiting with students, feeding people, sharing love for those around me, thinking of others first, cleaning my apartment, and I've realized that you can be drown in the midst of the world but still keep yourself and your surroundings a place the Spirit can dwell and where others can feel God's love. Isn't it incredible? The Lord has really taken me in His arms and blesses my life every day. It's great to have Him here in China with me. Things just go SO well...so well compared to odds and chance-they are miracles.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;background:white"><span style="Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;background:white"><span style="Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Well this week has been a great one! With my classes I taught how to create a band (for music), so I split up each class in groups of 2-6 people, and in each group they had to pick a topic or two they would sing about, a genre, instruments for the individuals in their bands, and make a name banner. These were ALOT of instructions for my classes who don't understand much English, but they got them all figured out, (I am SO proud of them :) and this upcoming week they will present. Some even got creative and WROTE SONGS! Seriously, some of my students make me so thrilled and full of joy! Have I mentioned I LOVE being a teacher?! I do! I am so excited to take videos and pictures of their band presentations! Well other than teaching this week I got my camera fixed, but it is going downhill so I'm very excited to be receiving my new one in the next couple weeks from home! We designed our classes so a bunch of us could all go together to Guilin and Yangshuo this weekend, which we did. Mariah and Savanna (from Longhui) and Cierra and Shelby came in town Thursday night and we all went out to eat with 3 students (Twinkle, Bruce, and William-some of my favs!) at a Chinese-American restaurant and then just hung out and had a great time. Friday we finished our morning classes and took a bus to Lengshuitang to the train station, and took the train to Guilin, meeting up with Nora Evans and Alyssa Petersen (all of the above are people we came to China with and are all good friends now) and picking up Matt and Kristal Carter in Dong'an. It was a party! We stayed in a pretty nice hostel there in Guilin and all went to PIZZA HUT! (minus Sam, who decided to be a rebel). Oh cheeeeeeeesy pizza...delicious. Then we learned how to bargain viciously in the night markets and I got a few souvenirs, (Madi got a bamboo flute!). Then Saturday morning we took a bus to Yangshuo and met up with Parker Abegg, Quincy, and Lawrence and our reservations at a hostel were apparently useless, but Madi, Quincy, and I managed to get a hostel much nicer than my apartment in Ling Ling, and so needless to say we took advantage of soft beds, a bath, and a more-clean environment! Wooohoo, I felt like I was living it up posh! We tore up the markets here in Yangshuo with our amazing bargaining skills and I got some more souvenirs. I also purchased 2 very beautiful dresses that are custom made to me, which I am super thrilled about!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;background:white"><span style="Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZmPt7Je6cP4J1pcSRIgKV6thMep12uXey_z014jolxm6ckUb8WTzSPsF9DReIdRVgUdpEOb8wvtVFdJOmcOuQioDrt8z11vE0iA19E6U1j-DeptQQskdosScCmfagu5R-3nBUEEE6nA/s1600/Sam'sPics4-5-10+148.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZmPt7Je6cP4J1pcSRIgKV6thMep12uXey_z014jolxm6ckUb8WTzSPsF9DReIdRVgUdpEOb8wvtVFdJOmcOuQioDrt8z11vE0iA19E6U1j-DeptQQskdosScCmfagu5R-3nBUEEE6nA/s320/Sam'sPics4-5-10+148.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456715983317441666" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfJezbs-P3FT2_m-StKo7rRRJcHqSsjUUqdExQDHXlpYEn-gQXKYn2g6R37zsBuhekQnLdjLZ99BjpQy0Kpu9OqC1SupHtNQ6V5ybnEQuq0b9Luad3UCOdh5l41rbMVkHHZtEzVUPoeY/s1600/Week7+017.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;background:white"><span style="Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">It was so great to have so many people for Church on Sunday!!! We are not doing General Conference until next week due to the time difference, but we will watch DVD's of them next week for church. This week we had Fast Sunday and we called in, which is always so awesome-we had SO many people for church!!! Matt and Kristal Carter (Dong'an), Shelby and Cierra (Shuangpai), Quincy and Lawrence (Daoxian), Mariah, Savanna, Nora, and Alyssa (Longhui), Parker (out in the boonies somewhere, I forget), and Madi, Sam, and I (Yongzhou). 14 people for church! Woot! Oh I love being with members and being with as many as I can on the weekends. Yangshuo is gorgeous! Awesome shopping (for someone who doesn't like shopping, it's SO much fun to bargain, which makes it so much more fun because if you are more shrewd you get a pretty dang good deal and then you are proud of yourself). I'm not a huge shopper, but I thoroughly loved Yangshuo. Not only that, but it's gorgeous. We went to a pagoda look-out, and man it's something else. Then we went to a cave lit up in different-colored lights and woah! I've had my fair share of breathtaking moments this trip. I would live there in that cave for a while if I could. Everywhere you turn-BAM-incredible view! This has been an incredible weekend, to say the least! I am so thrilled to do more future traveling. :) Needless to say this trip has made a happy Nikki off the roof happy...or is it "off the walls"?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPr3hBnMrxlOos4FX_EByKbLLBTvx1gu9CP9SgX95YVkHws8IP8NZzwQdTzaPkhqJQPb4DQu-MQHZuZxcnz4-pqpBET_XBbAYjGX0qQ_g0Xg3FUhLOZN4gqtHLUwpuqx7qtQb82FhUpU/s1600/Sam'sPics4-5-10+179.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEPr3hBnMrxlOos4FX_EByKbLLBTvx1gu9CP9SgX95YVkHws8IP8NZzwQdTzaPkhqJQPb4DQu-MQHZuZxcnz4-pqpBET_XBbAYjGX0qQ_g0Xg3FUhLOZN4gqtHLUwpuqx7qtQb82FhUpU/s320/Sam'sPics4-5-10+179.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456723848312687138" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV94UyUhpi1qcybuRNZn8mKpQkHg3qu65WoNoSpfbZHQO5oHi9y6Z-X7Be0Z5vytjoLITzIaGpGsmlDErSQ9G4XUF0ACeRpQC8aiFjS66TZse_Vzj6ohWcUCn80wPKAvyUyEdKMeq-TJY/s1600/Sam'sPics4-5-10+206.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_xbTqUn1WeP7mIFO20PasvbRNnwZTiiOT3IslU-OC1djqrFbxiUtSWFhBUiVux0ZmMLOnPTbtlO1mtHIfUQcbfOKlD-Apv0ekGmav2OliABAt79mzmVjaBujs9uOkAHAT2-JbgxnEOa0/s320/Sam'sPics4-5-10+240.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456725862926937106" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfA4l-AfOnljGNdE0jrE3GvlwMTaXbBY9iRQJOoIUXqpV5FPnqpOqrZvvgUjew1iLdIW-uZWL8GsWmEHqmb1MPnBFoidmFYHY3LYliB7Uvi62BSyYzYLNlYOxS-ytTtg1kSbuBladuHw/s1600/week6+147.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfA4l-AfOnljGNdE0jrE3GvlwMTaXbBY9iRQJOoIUXqpV5FPnqpOqrZvvgUjew1iLdIW-uZWL8GsWmEHqmb1MPnBFoidmFYHY3LYliB7Uvi62BSyYzYLNlYOxS-ytTtg1kSbuBladuHw/s320/week6+147.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456725856098772594" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVrJqljt05pSpL3aaLNTLdpVst9l37-S_N7rjMcLazseA4hWRht7IOPDB3HIbvyLp5pqx1VbGWkKnfBI25jNR8ya7YB_hcIlERByshL15_AK6ddrRwYa4eMXArBv2Ty5HuCqFmDgKinco/s1600/week6+166.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVrJqljt05pSpL3aaLNTLdpVst9l37-S_N7rjMcLazseA4hWRht7IOPDB3HIbvyLp5pqx1VbGWkKnfBI25jNR8ya7YB_hcIlERByshL15_AK6ddrRwYa4eMXArBv2Ty5HuCqFmDgKinco/s320/week6+166.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456725845219199186" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSlBPOkOr831R4UGFPd9j-7T_g1EiuHchYZ8wkEBi4-nBlpP_Z2EWevzEvDrYPatCTnW_Jf7tlRzGVqZgd6BbBnfb7neoouTqkjClVwP97Jt6YGY_SQWYKErOU6XLR4tVNhK8ZGzo5RA/s1600/week6+183.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSlBPOkOr831R4UGFPd9j-7T_g1EiuHchYZ8wkEBi4-nBlpP_Z2EWevzEvDrYPatCTnW_Jf7tlRzGVqZgd6BbBnfb7neoouTqkjClVwP97Jt6YGY_SQWYKErOU6XLR4tVNhK8ZGzo5RA/s320/week6+183.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456725834225552562" /></a><br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;background:white"><span style="Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;background:white"><span style="Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Man, my turn of phrase is getting mixed. I'm around people who try to use English phrases and end up saying "break your legs" instead of "break a leg," and today I said "I'm wearing every color under the umbrella." Madi corrected me, "It's either 'under the sun' or 'of the rainbow'." Oops...sorry if I come back saying things weirdly. But that's life in China! You rub off on others and they rub off on you. Haha, it's pretty funny though sometimes. Wow...this weekend I have been so spoiled! A soft bed, a bath, casual shopping without heads of animals and body parts hanging everywhere, being with 13 other Americans who I know and love, meeting German, English, Australian, and Swedish people who speak English (!!!), eating pizza, a hamburger (it wasn't fast food and it was SO good...MMM...MMM!), and on top of that it was Easter Weekend! Gotta love it! Well, that's my week in a nut shell. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;background:white"><span style="Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> </span></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;background:white"><span style="Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Take care! Keep up the good work!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;background:white"><span style="Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I love you lots!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;background:white"><span style="Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br />Nikki Checketts<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:7.5pt;line-height:normal;background: white"><span style="Arial","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";color:black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">C/o Zhou Zhixi<br />Foreign Affairs Office of No. 1 Middle School of Yongzhou City<br />Hunan Province, P.R. China<br />Post Code: 425006</span><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Trf__YCzkdlnp-U7ZSsUTpZi4Ahr1BLVrPIM-FowO-KZWMx0XoMPLR1ChVXbzWJmhVKn_Xi-r48z_nKv7zrYxZfh7xvB4Y7lZRgNZM-VyNKDy3G1v6zlHjVrNJ3-SU5uPdBZ9SiFdPA/s1600/IMG_9690.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Trf__YCzkdlnp-U7ZSsUTpZi4Ahr1BLVrPIM-FowO-KZWMx0XoMPLR1ChVXbzWJmhVKn_Xi-r48z_nKv7zrYxZfh7xvB4Y7lZRgNZM-VyNKDy3G1v6zlHjVrNJ3-SU5uPdBZ9SiFdPA/s320/IMG_9690.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456727812481383618" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rEW4wIB3Gm7UmS8nd67yCZRroTuF_OrU5KMcg6RwpycocZ3POcvBjW-iPhrCVZmKapXv-hxuvrwKLw6SvRYfnLQfWNevUHHnb_5ig7X0DJC-QP4efWdoM3wvN79SoNSRQK6gkdBAvWY/s1600/IMG_9696.jpg"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjuUCLm8RsESYg5S2-DJqbPcY56vnjoDdiOh8XK0RNRU0cJUtKAu4x3bBC7HPDhgYdOVdUplUtyEIDC_wMnD_nqyvqNN3oF8YNzRagebauQbrZgBIQIZAjN9FrWxPlzF-c6Ljntyafhgg/s320/IMG_9729.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456727780543659026" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjsfyHkJ_6Uqxb5D0z1FtL9HZpSTBJ83BUJO4FYDj3BDZAuj7wG0g1Ul8XSQTzGlR08cIExHoSZaUVYHPKLV-ayrDluAiCQpXsMUQL32qSixVUZOvgAZnrruQObxbJ0ad6Fo6IW9XawM/s1600/IMG_9730.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTjsfyHkJ_6Uqxb5D0z1FtL9HZpSTBJ83BUJO4FYDj3BDZAuj7wG0g1Ul8XSQTzGlR08cIExHoSZaUVYHPKLV-ayrDluAiCQpXsMUQL32qSixVUZOvgAZnrruQObxbJ0ad6Fo6IW9XawM/s320/IMG_9730.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456727772488369874" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigW8tGn6794-7PxpTaFWgmz6D5Cr9E4Kiz7XgqPP0pNRgYRehd4aFr7B2gcyEZbCrzNUCSI0QMF-u2aJWX1OYlVhhTXzHTFackm9A2TKINFx4674ZNvZrahegjllpg_V7JafxScfk1AMI/s1600/IMG_9745.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigW8tGn6794-7PxpTaFWgmz6D5Cr9E4Kiz7XgqPP0pNRgYRehd4aFr7B2gcyEZbCrzNUCSI0QMF-u2aJWX1OYlVhhTXzHTFackm9A2TKINFx4674ZNvZrahegjllpg_V7JafxScfk1AMI/s320/IMG_9745.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456728959141139330" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqXOStebIp6fKhEeeO_ncbLok-xJ4kvxrxcJ2jcL0lGTDwC-MxC9u8eoS5vfBcbOr04L4CTgXtGhesHg7u5mokDPXlmLjEwhTXz2tsHaRraG6NYp2P4BmX9MEfpQz74_r64ziO3uXULo/s1600/IMG_9749.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFqXOStebIp6fKhEeeO_ncbLok-xJ4kvxrxcJ2jcL0lGTDwC-MxC9u8eoS5vfBcbOr04L4CTgXtGhesHg7u5mokDPXlmLjEwhTXz2tsHaRraG6NYp2P4BmX9MEfpQz74_r64ziO3uXULo/s320/IMG_9749.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456728965969393506" /></a>Nikki Checkettshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01310196747369248245noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806739049980798749.post-47202290268199714522010-03-30T08:46:00.001-07:002010-03-30T12:52:37.447-07:00Time Flies When You're Having Fun!Dajia hao!<br /><br />Man, this week flew by so fast! I taught my students genres of music, mainly classical, jazz, blues, rock and roll, pop, country, disco, latin, hip hop, and alternative, and they all LOVED it! I have a lot of music so I had tons of samples of music and they all loved it. I also let all my students dance to the music if they knew how, otherwise I just danced to it for them so they new how to. Some new how to dance to rock and roll, others the cha cha, and many could dance to hip hop. Some of my students even sang sang along to some Elvis, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Backstreet Boys, Brittney Spears, and Taylor Swift when I played some samples and we did some karaoke (they call it KTV here). Madi taught her students sports and the song "Take Me out to the Ball Game" and while demonstrating "kick", she hyperextended her knee so she's been in alot of pain this week which hasn't been alot of fun. I hope she feels better soon, but she's been a really good sport.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEi4NnVpd5jpHbltP506FV9yjpkF80edOjnad5qmr7t7iYkbJw-g1vkMrLTm_IwYYP3HPUnNTLon2HS8hKlidetTdnqlXoVgOHelpX2ViYTbJ3TNdVV-vFd6XmaMXFMgP98kRCAJL1p04/s1600/Week5+022.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEi4NnVpd5jpHbltP506FV9yjpkF80edOjnad5qmr7t7iYkbJw-g1vkMrLTm_IwYYP3HPUnNTLon2HS8hKlidetTdnqlXoVgOHelpX2ViYTbJ3TNdVV-vFd6XmaMXFMgP98kRCAJL1p04/s320/Week5+022.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454460990973830002" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6BOHUqPU1wovcNdrnSZGtxuijSZb_xyDkEY-FEOnlMNtmcKfNpIOzq8alf3GfegTubvN-4qXPTNDVFdSlPEEIuDOTUwHcv-OxrABZhexrcDe6hCiLM_OvsVTjjjE-YfMlB3t_BLZxE0/s1600/Week5+019.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6BOHUqPU1wovcNdrnSZGtxuijSZb_xyDkEY-FEOnlMNtmcKfNpIOzq8alf3GfegTubvN-4qXPTNDVFdSlPEEIuDOTUwHcv-OxrABZhexrcDe6hCiLM_OvsVTjjjE-YfMlB3t_BLZxE0/s320/Week5+019.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454460981353508226" /></a><br /><br /><br />Oh, funny but sad story, so Thursday Madi and I decided to have peanut butter and honey sandwiches for lunch and the bread slices we cut were about two inches thick so it was funny to watch her eat it. Then as I was taking pictures my camera fell and the lens got jammed. Well I tried to straighten it out with my teeth but I ended up accidentally biting the lens part off and it broke in my mouth, and I turned to Madi with a stunned "Uh oh" look and said "Oopth" (Oops, except I had stuff in my mouth). So my camera is pretty much broken and I can only take purple pictures. I'm going to see if I can get it fixed this week, otherwise I'll either have to have home send me one or buy one for much more expensive here, which I wouldn't especially like to do, but I need a camera here so...But it does make me bust a gut laughing every time I see the pieces of my camera.<br />So...hopefully that wasn't the end of my camera, but we shall see...hehe, that still makes me laugh.<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi20JXrw8oS4fUX2NfnjQ9TvrLwvatfiqwbWbKG-0gaRmJBrKUmyhLtMKhgY-Ve9e1LMb1skCMTrXUvWVCvMYB4sitEEg1YSNtYyY0v7V_gChQ8avP4qEP3JGC9fQZ8lataWYAbg-tWf8w/s1600/Week5+028.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi20JXrw8oS4fUX2NfnjQ9TvrLwvatfiqwbWbKG-0gaRmJBrKUmyhLtMKhgY-Ve9e1LMb1skCMTrXUvWVCvMYB4sitEEg1YSNtYyY0v7V_gChQ8avP4qEP3JGC9fQZ8lataWYAbg-tWf8w/s320/Week5+028.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454461970990703922" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRUZv3BEof08CbSNKyG12t75Y51AeLRTgI_4hJIDkleLIhY3PuBXFhCMjjXO0MZ6CatjuiXhWz8f2XkuktGztVz9fGsN4INMGgSJb-VSppG0OIODwgU1yhbp1d47MtEr4OmEu9f3fjc0/s1600/Week6+001.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaRUZv3BEof08CbSNKyG12t75Y51AeLRTgI_4hJIDkleLIhY3PuBXFhCMjjXO0MZ6CatjuiXhWz8f2XkuktGztVz9fGsN4INMGgSJb-VSppG0OIODwgU1yhbp1d47MtEr4OmEu9f3fjc0/s320/Week6+001.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454463776846684978" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wimFJD4MKcMdY4ECPpvqTw0CALVfTXU4yL7DTAS11gvn1yVkAkFpn75PAw5JwYwPnisuHufkxXIZ_0zRrdI3lknyT95JafHHcB7tWDWKjIpDb3Zp19W9R9XjTg6e0s61CJm1gGUL0Yg/s1600/Week5+033.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5wimFJD4MKcMdY4ECPpvqTw0CALVfTXU4yL7DTAS11gvn1yVkAkFpn75PAw5JwYwPnisuHufkxXIZ_0zRrdI3lknyT95JafHHcB7tWDWKjIpDb3Zp19W9R9XjTg6e0s61CJm1gGUL0Yg/s320/Week5+033.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454494427870264066" /></a><br /><br />So this weekend we went out to Daoxian, where Quincy and Lawrence live. Okay, so let me give you a brief layout: Madi, Sam, and I live in Yongzhou (Ling Ling), Shelby and Cierra live in Shuangpai (where we were last week for church), Matt and Kristal Carter live in Dong'an (where we were 2 weekends ago for church), and Quincy and Lawrence live in Daoxian (where we went this past weekend). We had some really good jiaozi (dumplings) in peanut sauce and it was a good peanut buttery taste. Then a native named Mike, who apparently went to Hong Kong and was baptized a month ago and he's WAY cool, helped us get a ride up to the Moon Caves, which is this beautiful mountain landscape with some giant shallow caves for sacred burials and there are 2 cave-arches and the geology is wicked awesome! Too bad I didn't have my camera so I hogged Madi's, but she was too busy trying to get around so she didn't mind as much. ;) We worked together. We realized once again that our picture-taking styles are way different. It's ok though. Life is great! The moon caves were so amazing! So huge, breathtaking, gorgeous. Sometimes it is hard to believe I "live here" and I am experiencing all of this first hand. These are the moments that are changing my life. It's crazy to think about. I almost don't want to come home anymore (if there was a temple here, the temptation would be far greater), because the land is beautiful, the way of life is simple and wonderful, and the people are so genuine. I prefer not to think about going home because that makes me sad. I will say that as of right now, here are some of the most frequent things I miss about the US: cheese, the FDA, being able to drink out of the faucet or eat off the table, my family (especially Tristan), any sort of sanitary environment, and people who I can communicate with easily and casually. Here they all speak different dialects and so I have to learn those. I know enough to communicate what I want, but not enough to be fluent and understand everything and communicate fully my impressions, thoughts, and feelings as deeply as I hope to be able to someday.<br /><br />Bruce is a student here who studies philosophy, and he comes over to my apartment and talk about it all the time. Now we don't talk too much religion, but he knows I believe in God and my religion is very important to me and he shares his thoughts and feelings with me and we discuss politics a bit, which are totally different views, and it's just cool. I think he just likes our apartments because not only can he practice English, but the Spirit can be felt and all their stresses leave for a while...like a temple. Many students feel that I way, I do believe. He also has showed me some cool sites to share a bunch of music so I'm going to do that before I go home (take THAT iTunes! :P). It is perfectly legal, no joke. "Of course it's legal," said Bruce, "It's a free country!" Haha. He is a way neat guy, always telling me more about Chinese traditions, customs, and beliefs, and he speaks very good English. I constantly find myself in a pickle of deciding whether to speak Chinese to them to practice mine or encourage them to practice English by only using English. Usually I choose the latter unless they understand only a little, and since they are the people I am around the most, I don't find myself in as many opportunities to speak Chinese as I'd like. I'm trying to look for other ways to use it and pray in Chinese and such so I can use the new things I've learned, but much of what I learned at school is fading. Darn. But it will get better; I think a big thing was culture shock, but now that I'm out of it, I have bigger fish to fry.<br /><br />So yeah, a camera here is a MUST and I haveto figure out what to do soon. Everywhere I go I learn new things, and every day there are things I'm wishing I could take pics of, but Madi can only take a small amount of pics until the package arrives from her family, and we take so many different styles that we'd constantly be wanting to be taking pics, and that can be really inconvenient, so yeah, I will figure it out this week. Being out here is so incredible! All the customs and cultural experiences are shaping who I am and who I will become. I love it here. I would love to come back here and live a while. Not to stay permanently, but for a while would be great. Back at home it's rush rush rush, and out here it's slower, one-thing-at-a-time attitude, and it's very refreshing. Every day I try to make count, because the number of days here are limited. I'm getting on top of my scripture masteries and prepping more for my mission now, while at the same time I am in shape and staying that way. I think I am probably 143ish lbs and it's great! I love how the non-rush lifestyle makes me eat healthier because I contemplate more what I do eat, and at the same time I get out and burn energy so I'm in good shape. It makes me happy. I'm pretty content with the personal progress I've made here, but I do think I need to get out and do more, regardless of what Madi and Sam decide to do, and until now I've sort of just followed Sam around or planned things with Madi. I feel comfortable enough now that I want to get out and explore things myself. Don't worry, I'll stay in safe places, but there's just so much to do and explore and it would really give me more opportunities to practice and learn more Chinese.<br /><br />I got back from Daoxian on a train (there and back were actually my first times ever riding a train, and both ways there was only standing space) tonight (Monday the 29th), and this week I think I'm going to teach my kids about Bands. I taught them genres last week so this week I was going to have them do their own bands and teach them band vocabulary, since they love music so much, it would give them discussion topics and phrases to actually communicate things that are cool to them. I am totally open for other ideas, so if you have any, please fire away and give me some suggestions.<br /><br />This upcoming week will be exciting! Classes flew by last week and I'm sure these lessons will go very well and fly by as well and before I know it a large group of us will be heading to Yangshuo this weekend! Apparently everything is in Guilin or Yangshuo, and we hit Guilin on our way there! Man, I am so excited for my upcoming adventures, so stay tuned! Life is so good!<br />I love you so much!<br /><br />Nikki Checketts<br />C/o Zhou Zhixi<br />Foreign Affairs Office of No. 1 Middle School of Yongzhou City<br />Hunan Province, P.R. China<br />Post Code: 425006</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2oislwHGaA-dmvzuhVNvi9O9jxBbpSShMLU_TL_bQQpNmJmXLGxAFJ2K5Hnq3AHnrewBZU_yhCAld4JWRr6W8_Vi_zgCbuRAQKk0sdV7UI5GNs-axQYzWVjvx9j88DjNN993hVeP3NA/s1600/Week6+018.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN2oislwHGaA-dmvzuhVNvi9O9jxBbpSShMLU_TL_bQQpNmJmXLGxAFJ2K5Hnq3AHnrewBZU_yhCAld4JWRr6W8_Vi_zgCbuRAQKk0sdV7UI5GNs-axQYzWVjvx9j88DjNN993hVeP3NA/s320/Week6+018.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454502030948097890" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4E3w0WZ1lgjmFUuAGtiLcxXF6yqHo9QLRM6gctbpsbOWfV-ctfWK_yqXYE0EVf7Su3BzUMgGRUE426XoNVx0eGM7hY9jBrl1eNKGOFvabR2YHabptzYOPiHFhTcQRrUamAIFMTnGsoM/s1600/Week6+012.JPG"><img style="display:block; 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margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxzKxi-KXIuNI5u-6ZjAuq9L4dWB1F7Jc8A6bp2jBAAF3-I6pM1GGNIKK30BgTQSYjTVtOlUjJ_ec645AHrn2v-O8smlDJAH4Dc3_l0ncXjNyUzcwtjangnqZntXdNka2i-G1SEgZ7XI/s320/ChinaWeek5+093.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451050230549900818"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2YhiPWYs3NeNwL7IrWmpzV4tCoKprkusalhEzi9EvX0JKZAv9ezENzK252QGRnY6RsI354TjJKgJaW6zAVImZwmYPEEThnJJfDaGE4dA_yAJF4_3n2ddLC364Z_Dy2bbZ5JXwbyS4_zU/s1600-h/ChinaWeek5+094.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2YhiPWYs3NeNwL7IrWmpzV4tCoKprkusalhEzi9EvX0JKZAv9ezENzK252QGRnY6RsI354TjJKgJaW6zAVImZwmYPEEThnJJfDaGE4dA_yAJF4_3n2ddLC364Z_Dy2bbZ5JXwbyS4_zU/s320/ChinaWeek5+094.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451050222528206050"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndYoyduJQXi4q8D6Aat6oAkr4lbZfHlUh__R_ABAL445RhrT63qHjvn94xH14wKbK9WYJS9SfzDgVD53fZxSvr4sXsRQ1aotC7U5DOxB_eBCbU0oKm4u_JZB3tqkDMztdw3flrvvAo4Y/s1600-h/ChinaWeek5+096.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjndYoyduJQXi4q8D6Aat6oAkr4lbZfHlUh__R_ABAL445RhrT63qHjvn94xH14wKbK9WYJS9SfzDgVD53fZxSvr4sXsRQ1aotC7U5DOxB_eBCbU0oKm4u_JZB3tqkDMztdw3flrvvAo4Y/s320/ChinaWeek5+096.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451050218442808594"></a><br />Love is everything. It gives you something to live for and to die for; it gives you purpose and the more love you have the more purpose you find in life. <br />This week I taught my students about Valentine’s Day (accompanied with St. Patrick’s Day in some), and it has been the greatest experience here in China! Love…oh a wonderful thing called love makes an eternal difference. In my lesson I talked about St Valentine dying in the name of love, how we show love for each other in the America, and I had them write poems from their heart, giving stickers to the ones who would stand and read theirs aloud. As I listened to these teenagers testify the power of love in front of their peers, a sweet Spirit entered the room and I could feel Heaven pouring smiles upon these precious children on God. <br />These students live in a boarding school here in Yongzhou far from their families, only able to see their families on holidays, while their parents and grandparents pour everything into their education and depend on their success in the world for the future well-being of the entire family. So much rests upon the shoulders of these youngsters, and when it comes to boyfriends and girlfriends their parents and teachers forbid it because it could undermine their success in the world. To hear these students pour out their hearts for the love of their families, the forbidden romance for their secret sweethearts, and the fear of the pressures of the world, my heart cried with them. I cannot explain my tender experience except to say this: that our hearts became more unified in those classrooms, the Spirit was felt, and I could feel an added strength enter the room and see burdens being eased on the backs of these beautiful soldiers.<br />At the conclusion of the lesson, we all sang the famous song “My Heart Will Go On”, by Celine Dion. The Spirit in that classroom flooded out the windows, I am sure, when they got to the third verse and sang with all their hearts:<br /><br /><br /><br />“You're here! There's nothing I fear<br />And I know that my heart will go on.<br />We'll stay forever this way.<br />You are safe in my heart<br />And my heart will go on and on…”<br />Oh the power of love! The power of God’s love for His children is full, whole, encircling, enfolding, perfect, warm, enlightening, uplifting, strengthening, beautiful! Perhaps I have learned more from my students this week than they learned from me; to know that they felt the sweet Spirit of their Father above brings me the purest joy. Some of the students were even moved to tears, and others were beaming like Heaven. Oh I love these children so much! <br />The poems that the students wrote will be some of my personal souvenirs; they are my greatest tangible treasure here in China. I picked a few of my favorites, below:<br />“I want to tell a story,<br />A story about shmiley.<br />Do you know the meaning?<br />You will know. You will see.<br />The meaning is<br />‘See how much I love you’” (Crystal)<br />“I open up my wallet,<br />I find no money.<br />I open up my pocket,<br />I find nothing.<br />I open my heart,<br />I find you!” (Dawn)<br />“If you are alone,<br />I will be your shadow.<br />If you want to cry,<br />I will be your shoulder.<br />If you are happy,<br />I will be your smile.<br />Whenever you want a friend,<br />I will stand here waiting for you.” (Lucifer)<br />“The time is long,<br />The history is too.<br />But nothing can be longer<br />Than me as I love you.” (Jack)<br />“I want to fly,<br />But I have no wings.<br />But Mother gave me happiness and love.<br />They are more than wings,<br />And I will use them to fly.” (Price)<br />“I write your name in the beach,<br />The wave took it away.<br />I write your name in the sky,<br />The wind took it away.<br />I write your name in my heart,<br />And it will stay forever.” (Sophia)<br />“I always see you in my dreams,<br />But I don’t see you.<br />I can’t help missing you,<br />As you always stand in my heart.<br />Oh Mother, I am tired.<br />I want you to be near,<br />But I can’t always see you.<br />Maybe I should work hard,<br />Just for your love to me.” (Tina)<br />“There are 3 things I need:<br />The sun, the moon, and you.<br />The sun for the day,<br />The moon for the night,<br />And you forever.” (Kay)<br />Aren’t they just the most wonderful? I feel like a mother sometimes. One of my students came over to my apartment after my classes for the day were done (this week I’ve been sick so I didn’t go anywhere or do much), and she was feeling stressed and her family has problems, so we just sang together until she felt more relaxed and at peace, then when I said goodbye to her and gave her a hug, she said “You give me the feelings of my mother.” I love love. So much! It is the medicine for all wounds and the source of good.<br />Needless to say my classes made my week and have been etched in my heart for all eternity. I got sick probably over the weekend in Dong’an but it didn’t hit me until Monday. Through God’s grace I was able to have enough energy to teach my classes the way He intended them, and every day once classes were over I was drained. By Friday though, I was lively and healthy as a lark-there are miracles here in Ling Ling every day. I don’t think I could ever believe that God forgets about us, because He sure has remembered me every day this week and has taught me to see and be a part of so many blessings! Not too much else happened this week except students coming over and me being sick, but Madi and I did, with a lot of time, exploring, and patience, make some excellent jiaozi (dumplings), Oh, and Madi and I explored our beautiful campus and the forest around it a little bit. So that was our week! I can feel your prayers and I soon hope to feel some letters as well! :D Or maybe even a nice package with chocolate would…be…nice…haha, only if you want to. Thank you for all you do and your love! It makes a world of difference even a world apart. <br />For church this past Sunday (March 21st) we went to Shuangpai where Cierra and Shelby live. It’s always good to travel, but then it’s good to come home to Lil Ling Ling too. I love it here! This week I’m teaching about music genres, so that should be pretty awesome! Hopefully my kids love the classes as much as I do…haha. Life is the best!!! Sometimes I wish I could stay here forever…just the simple lives full of meaning, family unity, and peace is just beautiful.<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwlSts-XoQs25z4ZaFOf5y2V5-xE9-tpKcirm9qP9mFxD5B8IPF5v2a-bW5HYKo7lYVGmQcypyU53vZn1-CVA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Nikki Checkettshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01310196747369248245noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806739049980798749.post-6789563796061278062010-03-14T00:34:00.000-08:002010-03-14T05:00:49.288-07:00Lengshuitang, Dong'an, and Exploring Home (Ling Ling)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4s7xYKa04QF9jdgqMvtPuf-U2jR9ku0pYaVrErxQrtYb-_Gvkl71wjCemaohRyKrtQiEvhUPvq1xDiR0tyVDuzsnonxYm4ipBd5DwWhupf39JFAeg7iarprAKldNE2joXaM_wge6PCM/s1600-h/ChinaWeek4+171.JPG"><img style="float:left; 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margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3tKCeVIbeheOD_jtujVWy6jQQpfgqZU-ez1NcAewJD2dqZJOSozj1AJUyx3LtFQh4V_gaayC5zXua4yYVi8C5Jixu8pCHd8S8Cw_pgZ7H1WPIiCd5I1skRlv-6ONAseK09xCF3RuRXo/s320/ChinaWeek4+033.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448422051772973346"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidV8CDI_l7zFv-Wt2olCQduBHUZLT8nU_vT9cPBuVIDCDs4MRpRwamBJAC5jeoiDV0u3n5ezKOOY-cFFgECQIAerVOaPBxtp2xAi68D5lCuHPx_kkK6-k-19dlKULGIUycEKdAfOJsK8w/s1600-h/ChinaWeek4+010.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidV8CDI_l7zFv-Wt2olCQduBHUZLT8nU_vT9cPBuVIDCDs4MRpRwamBJAC5jeoiDV0u3n5ezKOOY-cFFgECQIAerVOaPBxtp2xAi68D5lCuHPx_kkK6-k-19dlKULGIUycEKdAfOJsK8w/s320/ChinaWeek4+010.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448422043102057010"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_A5KZfZGam8TvyP43EEjZVL5p18R1IuvqsNWZGm2RA3PmtDqwxIwM9Au8t-J7EaZNhwkl83iC-sNiN2vAuLttMlm2Yq7HdYafnkU5exP_K4jJToFUb-Xr6JgE8V2x3GSLuFlHG79Ccb8/s1600-h/ChinaWeek4+014.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_A5KZfZGam8TvyP43EEjZVL5p18R1IuvqsNWZGm2RA3PmtDqwxIwM9Au8t-J7EaZNhwkl83iC-sNiN2vAuLttMlm2Yq7HdYafnkU5exP_K4jJToFUb-Xr6JgE8V2x3GSLuFlHG79Ccb8/s320/ChinaWeek4+014.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5448422036413847986"></a><br />This week I was thrilled to really start teaching English, English, English- done with intros, rules, etc, and this week I decided to teach Animals and adjectives. Well my first two classes were fantastic, but then I got told that I wasn’t supposed to teach until further notice because they hadn’t figured out our schedules completely yet. Well they’d given us our schedules, but they’d put us teaching a class the same time another teacher was supposed to, so it was a game of ‘whoever gets to the classroom and starts teaching first gets the class’ type of thing, which of course meant we always won and they were having issues with that. Here in China they like to keep everyone on their toes at their will by deciding schedules last minute-well apparently that didn’t work so well here, so I only taught two classes this week, which made me a little sad, but it’s life!<br />Instead I made good time of my free week! I FINALLY HAVE A KITCHEN!!! The foreign teacher who lived here before me never used his kitchen- he would go out to eat or keep snacks in his fridge or on top of it. After spending about 4 hours cleaning it, hunting down the propane guy for 3 days to fill up my tank, pressing the school for a rice cooker (as well as to fix all my electricity problems…which there were a lot), I finally got to cook in my kitchen! I made an egg-tomato rice dish and some vegetable fried rice in a wok, which I am excited to try at home! Oh cooking makes me so happy, especially knowing I’m learning how to cook foreign food. Sam is awesome. He taught me how to cook and I love it. Remember how I used to not like cooking at all? I guess I’m growing out of it. <br /> On Tuesday I got my bank account set up and me, Madi, and our liaison talked about the idea of religion and even though we couldn’t talk about ours he knows about our standards and thinks they are good and our religion must be very good to send out such great teachers who have self control, dependability, and who are so happy. That made me happy too. Tuesday night our student, Twinkle, came over and made Madi work out at 11pm and then she spent the night to take us to a town about 45 minutes away the next day. Needless to say we are living it up here, joining the culture with hardly a reservation-the people are just so wonderful out here! Well the next day we went with Twinkle to Lengshuitang and got to visit Twinkle’s boyfriend’s “adopted mother”s primary school, which pretty much made my week! Have I mentioned how much I LOVE Chinese children? Well I surely do! Madi and I sang them some songs and then we all ran outside (all 170+ of us) to play the ultimate game of “Duck Duck Goose”. Well the game didn’t go according to plan, but just being able to see the children, talk to them a little, take pictures with them, run around the playground together, and laugh together just filled every part of my heart with joy! There is a great light in their eyes and purity, and just thinking that this generation will probably be able to accept the gospel and become missionaries pierced my heart. I love these people so much- they are some of the most beautiful people I’ve ever met.<br />Thursday I got to go to my first birthday party here, and that was fun. We just had it in one of the outdoor garage restaurants. Basically someone brings a cake (they are very beautiful but don’t taste all that good), we sing happy birthday, the birthday child makes a wish, blows out candles, and then everyone starts eating cake. It goes like this: Step 1: Cut the cake, Step 2: Pretend to be enjoying the cake, Step 3: Grab a piece of your own cake and shove it into the face of the person nearest to you OR better yet into the FOREIGNERS’ faces! Madi and I knew it would happen, but why not become a part of the culture? It’s so much more fun when you get involved with the Chinese people. They are so good and sincere for the most part, and it’s so hard not to love them.<br />This week has just been beautiful! It’s been in the 60’s and 70’s, and one day I just sat up on the roof of my 8-story apartment and read all afternoon. Oh life is so good here! I can communicate all I really need to here, but I would really like to practice conversational Chinese, which is a little more work, but I’m trying my best. I found the post office here! I pretty much know where a lot of things are here in town. For church this past week we went to Dong’an, where our area leader Matt Carter (and his wife Kristal) live, and Madi and I were quite proud that after only being there a few hours we knew our way around town. Culture shock is pretty much over, I realized that this week, and it made me happy! <br />Actually, almost everything makes me happy here! A functional kitchen, friends to talk with, wonderful students to teach, little children, little opportunities to share glimpses of my testimony, my wonderful roommates Sam and Madi who make being here so much more fun, my acceptance into BYU Idaho for Fall semester, traveling new places at my own leisure, opportunities I have every day to practice my Chinese and make friends, glorious Chinese food, a warm apartment with everything I really need, time to change my habits and become the person God wants me to be, the prayers I feel from back home, everything! What is there NOT to be grateful for?! It’s all here! Yeah fresh water running through the pipes, my comfortable bed, a bunch of friends around that speak my language, and American luxuries would be nice, but I am perfectly happy here. All those I could give up if I had to-I love it here so much! People live so simply, happily, and they work hard for what they get. It’s wonderful to be around people who aren’t always trying selfishly to jump to the next big thing, stepping on eachother, worrying about a million things to do…so nice. ;)<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyglz_D4f0gO0y_xch4Ugf5FPwUJAjgWK528sswOOUe5voxydCKq6itlOdrbVfVggR2UMne6N9yg2Y9rvJIww' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Nikki Checkettshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01310196747369248245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806739049980798749.post-9031944672953990732010-03-07T22:26:00.001-08:002010-03-07T22:38:01.672-08:00First Week of Teaching in China!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11m2aOD5Hes7wak2lZG3LXOReDT0mzyImUjC7w9-WYLIZooSGBIILK0S8S6LxRPmwQAAdxMJ_NSRXjKUrqovhkk6i_Zyqe2sUMo4PUckmgWAzac_BbcIRKGL7qM40B1a6TvzeI_04Wa0/s1600-h/ChinaMainland+069.JPG"><img style="float:left; 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margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCWrWQD9OZKbcAE8FtMxzl-F1TLFFKe8-IvXo_SpX7XQtWA6ObQoMGLthsAHOuOkn0LPlI_xj404TkvUjcwMV6fhyj3W9YRpzWpeUBr2ZuWCA97x_4sn24FT9v11amLLoChQWD42oPTmM/s320/China+3rd+week+027.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446146312442595026"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rwUzgB24x6cBdNKUHkaiGdJcl7QjktvBODjlIRAysi8cWHmstXATShm3LAQBNyQNjI9quUnXrFl18aIIhAdUsFvTw9yK2FogSqQUxuk3Iu3AsmgRx683sWtlSkt1x2O4_GEi2DJn0YQ/s1600-h/China+3rd+week+016.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rwUzgB24x6cBdNKUHkaiGdJcl7QjktvBODjlIRAysi8cWHmstXATShm3LAQBNyQNjI9quUnXrFl18aIIhAdUsFvTw9yK2FogSqQUxuk3Iu3AsmgRx683sWtlSkt1x2O4_GEi2DJn0YQ/s320/China+3rd+week+016.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446146296901636770"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77X7_hhAmO-Jrs_mlsrQsCrXpRINQvEx6T0xrV39d1DhhhaBHowPhkeV_GDCv8rmVGwMq44VWvbnK1Hfy8ln_kCf1834ci2R_Lyuj8nr_tkL_YPyC-Bhm_TYGXfjPlAECIgeCgNWdRFM/s1600-h/China+3rd+week+013.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj77X7_hhAmO-Jrs_mlsrQsCrXpRINQvEx6T0xrV39d1DhhhaBHowPhkeV_GDCv8rmVGwMq44VWvbnK1Hfy8ln_kCf1834ci2R_Lyuj8nr_tkL_YPyC-Bhm_TYGXfjPlAECIgeCgNWdRFM/s320/China+3rd+week+013.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446146288946826242"></a><br />I am living posh here! Life for a foreign teacher is great! Just outside, however, is real 3rd world society. Let me compare my life as a foreign teacher to the students and most of the other teachers here at the school. <br />+ I have a heated apartment with hot running water in the shower when it has been in the 30’s and 40’s Fahrenheit since the holiday.<br />They have unheated, some of them without window panes, apartments with no hot water at all. They have to go across campus for a small canteen of hot water.<br />+ I teach classes the earliest at 8:10am and the latest 5:55pm Tuesday through Friday, total of 16 hours a week.<br />They go to school from 6:00am-10:00pm with 2-hour breaks for lunch and dinner, 7 days a week.<br />+ The school never inconveniences me and fixes whatever problems I have.<br />They have to do chores for the school outside of their time in school and no time to sleep or study.<br />+ I teach one lesson the entire week and then I can come back to my apartment.<br />They never get a break and they are constantly at school. Their livelihood and that of their entire family rests on their success as a student at age 14. Parents work day and night to support their children in school in the slight hopes that their children will make it into a prestigious university and make enough money to afford to take care of their family.<br />The middle school at which I teach has 3 grades, 200 teachers, 4,000 students, and this is only the county’s 1st middle school. There are 5 others just in this city. Small cities are those that have a million, believe it or not.<br />While I sit here in my warm, clean-ish apartment, humming to John Denver, entire families work in one-car, run down garages trying to sell their goods and food basically on the streets to support their entire family on a day-by-day basis. I can get a delicious, good-sized meal for 4 Yuan, which is the equivalent of 50 cents in US dollars. They put everything they have into their daily produce and rarely have anything to fall back on. If they were to randomly disappear, another family would be in line to take over their garage and life goes on. There is one restaurant in the ally outside the school where this old lady cooks awesome food (same old same old for her day after day), and it is a one-car garage sized, dirty place that functions as not only her business but her home too! There is something humbling about eating in a filthy garage with cheap, small, dirty tables and chairs next to the makeshift bed of the owner. <br />The people here don’t think they are all that poor though, they are happy in their work and they don’t complain. I have a student who is so vibrant about wanting to earn lots of money and be like Oprah to help people in Africa. Her family is dirt poor and yet she doesn’t see it that way- she wants to help other people less fortunate, and I thought you couldn’t find anyone less fortunate.<br />Needless to say I’ve learned a lot here. I LOVE THE PEOPLE SO MUCH! I feel my greatest dreams are coming to pass here! I have never felt so much like I was in the right place doing the right thing! I love these people. I hate to think about going home, even though I miss it. It’s something I cannot explain. The people here are so dear to my heart. I feel like I belong here, and not because I fit in, but because I am prepared to make a difference in these people’s lives and to see the changes in others because of things I’ve done and to see the changes in myself from what I’ve learned. I’m trying not to think of having to come home in a few months, even though I just got here, because I love it here so much and it makes tears come to my eyes to think about leaving. I can see why Robert Tate is still here after a year and a half. There is just something about the people here that makes me realize life is SO good! They are a different kind of happy! They get a piece of candy and their week is made! They get a hug and remember it forever. You make a friend here and they are sincere. They don’t step on eachother to get to the top. Oh there are a million things about China that my heart sings for! I could go on for hours just talking about all the things I’ve learned this week, but you still couldn’t comprehend my great love for these people!<br />Try explaining “love” to someone who has no clue what it is…that’s like me trying to explain to you my love for the Chinese people. You have to feel it to know it! Just like the gospel. No matter what I say you can only try to understand, but when you immerse yourself in it, it is the greatest thing you know!<br />On a lighter note, my classes are AWESOME! I teach 16 classes of 60+ kids each a week, and yeah they are rowdy because they are teenagers, and I can’t give them a grade so there’s no incentive there, but my knowledge and my love for them are what keep them doing as I ask. Foreign teachers are basically spoiled icons or mascots for the schools-this school is deemed as most prestigious in the city because they have foreign teachers. They milk the students but spoil us to stay here and be those models for the school. I love the students so much that I do everything I can to give all I can. I invite them over to my apartment if they ever get a minute so they can feel warm and welcome in a clean, smell-good apartment. I talk to them and they feel at peace listening to music, looking at pictures, and it’s like an escape from the rest of the world. Every opportunity I get to safely show my love for them, I gladly do! This week I’m teaching them about animals and adjectives, which they are all excited about because I’m showing them a million zoo pictures. Oh the simple joys! :)<br /><br />This week I am doing a seating chart, but these are some of the "English names" my kids chose:<br />Iron Man<br />Super Man<br />Chinese Man<br />Black<br />White (Black and White sit next to eachother)<br />Obama (several of them)<br />Smile<br />Happy<br />Joy<br />English Name<br />Alone<br />The Death<br />Demon<br />Nelly<br />King, Kevin, and King Kevin (they are friends)<br />AK-47 and AK 74 (sit next to eachother)<br />Baby (a boy)<br />and the list goes on...they make me happy! :)<br /><br />Madi and I, after reading a conference talk last night, made a fort out of my couches and had a campout in my living room! Good times! We even made it fancy and had oreos (pretty much the only sweet thing here that is American). We made Sam come down too and join in the fun! Speaking of Sam, I'd just like to say every day having him here is a great blessing! He is an outstanding priesthood holder and all around just one of the best friends you can find. He knows the ropes and he's always willing to help out or play. Keep him in your prayers too...especially your gratitude prayers! :)<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwM0I7_jMLloavKMDXq6F1ypvmhtOCVMWbnpcTPxgWN4uAu4TLmmzVsMu7m_TcbpqRs_2iGhZTJ_DPd2BhsCw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Nikki Checkettshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01310196747369248245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806739049980798749.post-31168036369851028812010-02-28T00:19:00.000-08:002010-02-28T01:13:09.449-08:00All Grown Up and Saving China!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFzGK90s7NflMbWT6ixaHKfKYRQj6NmqNaH0WYk45luqEU-xeNlTbiOGGjs0pjHPmcNlf51UGqtFeycOvDYfJxS3NwUNcfczLFqrPjd-tqEJC5sbgEKyDa8nnOjfXdVu8MxnboB8OTC6Y/s1600-h/Hong+Kong+Shenzhen+227.JPG"><img style="float:left; 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margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXV65BPCdCCoeyufVR5xqjK9dUiUpx3PxS-4uDEhXPEN6HCzy2EgNTsbTJ4MJIbZq7pOf0uxGEXwHuE_jKFfZz70w1kQchaxdkNEVqDxddPEhvIthnoaSm-HrhDGY2wSPXCU0eD4ImN5k/s320/ChinaMainland+028.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443209919945514098"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtKj6lCty8PrT0YqD3UiWuqVvO5TX9Vg4pbssDKBkycGWZLehyphenhyphens9zH6Ercl8Ka7JnjeSLtYzvNZnNnl9ZSA33QI4qogUS998cJ5-uikmW7wo0djK6JIlPcSh7SwSyAfDoqQ-KugaEAN0/s1600-h/ChinaMainland+045.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOtKj6lCty8PrT0YqD3UiWuqVvO5TX9Vg4pbssDKBkycGWZLehyphenhyphens9zH6Ercl8Ka7JnjeSLtYzvNZnNnl9ZSA33QI4qogUS998cJ5-uikmW7wo0djK6JIlPcSh7SwSyAfDoqQ-KugaEAN0/s320/ChinaMainland+045.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443209492690298578"></a><br />This week has seemed like every day was a month. I feel separated from life in America, as if I died and was reincarnated into a different world with different lifestyles, responsibilities, and I don’t feel my age either. I feel older. I feel like I’ve joined the middle-aged almost, because that’s how I’m treated here. Now Madi and I of course still randomly burst into song, burst out laughing at inside jokes, and poke fun, but in many ways I feel like I’m beyond my trial stage of my teenage years- I feel like I could be a mom now. Scary thought though, but I feel if it was God’s will, I could be right now-is that weird?<br />This past week the 21 others and I in the China Horizon’s teaching group went from Hong Kong across the border in the mainland to Shenzhen, where a beloved fellow teacher here in China for many years named Gail Chou set up a 1 ½ day class on teaching methods and expectations. Thanks to that wonderful lady I feel prepared enough to begin teaching tomorrow. Wednesday we all went to Hunan and there at the airport we were picked up by our school directors- a few of us had a little detour because our directors were hung over, but that’s another story. Madi and I rode the 5 hours to Ling Ling City, Yongzhou County, Hunan, China, where we will live the next few months. <br />Poverty. For those who have experienced it, you know what I mean. For those of you who have not at least lived among it, no matter what I say of how I describe it, that word is like a dismal description compared to what it is in actuality. The apartments we have are high class compared to all the rest, yet I spent all day long Friday cleaning my apartment and still have lots to do. Nothing is ever clean for long though-all I can do is semi-control what types of germs I allow in my apartment, but I will never have sanitary clothes until I come home to America. I could go 4+ days without showering and still not be able to smell myself- the air is full of urine smells, smoke, and…China. My apartment is HUGE! I have a living room, kitchen, bathroom, study, and bedroom. I have a small washer and air conditioning. I have it SO good compared to the people here. My apartment compared to anyone else’s is very clean though. The other teachers and students here have called me a clean freak, which anyone back at home would bust a gut if they heard someone refer to Nikki Checketts in that way.<br />Today we had our first virtual sacrament meeting! Matt and Cristal Carter who teach in Dong’an, Lawrence Parry and Quincy Zimmerman who teach in Daoshen, and Shelby Woodhouse and Cierra Vanleeuwen who teach in Shuangpai, all came here to join Sam, Madi, and I in our call-in sacrament meeting/Sunday school. We were so blessed to hear over the line some testimonies from a family somewhere in China and the testimonies of others around China in our China-wide branch. This past Monday we were able to meet Branch President Lewis and his wonderful wife and Relief Society president Sister Lewis and dine with them. I skyped cousin Robert Tate and invited him to join us so he might join our Sunday teleconference! I’ll get to see him when I go to Beijing for the May holiday, which makes me happy to have some family here! I feel so connected here and feel part of a much greater work than I can even imagine. I want to stay here in China for a couple extra weeks (I hope everyone doesn’t want to kill me for it), and be here until mid-July instead of the beginning. I love China! <br />A few interesting things I’ve seen? Well I’ve gnawed on a chicken foot, that was pretty good. When I go out to eat on the streets I get to see my living food before I eat it. I’ve seen duck heads in garage restaurants, pig snouts in grocery stores, I’ve had fish jump out of their tanks in the grocery stores when I walk past them, seen people urinating in the streets, I’ve found a chicken head in my soup…hardly anything surprises me anymore. It’s pretty fun to see what new things I’ll come across though. It’s SO much warmer here than in the US. It’s been in the 60’s and 70’s since I’ve been here. Every bit of Chinese I know I’ve used and I learn more and more every day. I’ve been on the a plane, buses, subways, and motorcycle taxis (which are by far the most enjoyable) all over the place this past week: Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Changsha, Ling Ling (where I live), Shuangpai (with Sam to help the teachers out there). I got a cell phone and a tour of the school with my liaison Luke Liu who is very nice and the father of a young girl named Kate who loves to practice her English with me , and I have my first lesson for tomorrow planned. I’ll be teaching 16 classes (I think. I should get my schedule sometime tonight-that’s how communist China does it. They like to control everything by changing everything last minute to keep you on your toes and too busy trying to keep up that you don’t gain any power yourself) and each class I’ll teach for 40 minutes once a week. I’m so excited to teach! I LOVE the people here! I want a Chinese baby so bad, but not bad enough to marry one, haha. I’ll adopt one. <br />Know what? Whenever I chance to see a white person I don’t know, I stare at them like everyone else does. It’s so weird to see white people. I’m used to being stared at, being called beautiful, and I’ve had plenty of pictures taken of me, but when I see another white person, I have to force myself not to stare at them-it’s so funny and I don’t know why, but I do it. Lol. <br />Well, that’s all for now! But PLEASE if you get the chance write me a letter, or even an email is better than nothing. It’s the only way I feel like I’m a part of your world. I miss you all, especially today. I love you all! <br />Keep me in your prayers and you are in mine! <br /><br />Here is my address and number. I have free incoming calls but you need a phone card to call me. Keep in mind I am 14ish hours ahead of you in the midwest, and yes I do get texting. Love you more!<br /><br />Nikki Checketts<br />C/o Zhou Zhixi<br />Foreign Affairs Office of No. 1 Middle School of Yongzhou City<br />Hunan Province, P.R. China<br />Post Code: 425006<br /><br />18774690241 that's my phone number.<br /> <br />Love you more! <3<br />Nikki<br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzbreM9iIL0i1VZXRqTv2dFi3zpOEc3H_bJ1aklLEBiNT2d2Bfv1bcQkO-6tAlLN3m5nvpc8Xi_jpndndDgcw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Nikki Checkettshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01310196747369248245noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806739049980798749.post-19823821978840352722010-02-23T06:17:00.000-08:002010-02-26T21:49:38.098-08:00I'm Here in China!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDwqtxs1MsKjSYFm6uJqzJ_YNLttirRo-np-4BxBf2rh_4cM3i_L77hwFQWJHIOSM78reyir6t-m36w3JEJCiFzcXiS2W2oOEjP5mz6NBxuau20p8BxUy2rVy7oJFvwikLiR_Y_t6BNE/s1600-h/InChina20Feb10+204.JPG"><img style="float:left; 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margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGzAMKGnSSG1fqxFNKe1lOYmuA_jmHaCwYfv0MQZMI9k-_yxhCLW3qZJqSbcNK371ZIfCktwR6loE9wJwf9Q2uYimqMmxVa4U_zUt8THd_O3Xo-XMhDulNZgcynVPMh4hxKui0VnN4ivA/s320/InChina20Feb10+217.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442795721084778050" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntARtmzmB3VR2h3_lzRoQQEzBvuiXxI8DTfhsro25LDr2Q2B7yqsXedg7yfYUuu9K5nMJwWE2Epj8paySjVSjm1rcQAm-NTbjoHGN_aIOQ9vrSLiUQRHmkBofHt_t62AKnZR-f026HsU/s1600-h/InChina20Feb10+191.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgntARtmzmB3VR2h3_lzRoQQEzBvuiXxI8DTfhsro25LDr2Q2B7yqsXedg7yfYUuu9K5nMJwWE2Epj8paySjVSjm1rcQAm-NTbjoHGN_aIOQ9vrSLiUQRHmkBofHt_t62AKnZR-f026HsU/s320/InChina20Feb10+191.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442795442858537922" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuvAS14q-LCW5TCTRj2MVoSEH_Qlve5lHJSOO4C3u2tnlz6aVNdLNNofXisB4zCUycPpj8KmtujGDL5X4HlkaB96cwVVYyIMclE7OPVOgJOp7jtdXqr3eMn4KmMuXO3IThAio3cFErjSU/s1600-h/InChina20Feb10+159.JPG"><img style="float:left; 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margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjppS9s7azGooKP4NgwaNlfP3zhxv9OUJgqYwF3ehTCAWNjOY0L_eHjE28NkjofsIzhnnlk7-eb-VJ0_GaMt9i-jL2a4Sy3iRtI_Xj0wHSBEtU0fbuVo0k352tu6smla5VgHVdh5s5I18o/s320/InChina20Feb10+040.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442793949082421282" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlwk3FMA6r9hNNbH5xn1ogPtPw7zjKCuWp1afNjgWOUckY5M2MdA294WZMfM8vLk4ylWD7gPLs8F0VNI9Q6o7Fh1EbmmQsUeE3d1YWfl-wWcq9MSiLYg_3ditMYbwNTfCB_HuTQSFhq4/s1600-h/InChina20Feb10+038.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMlwk3FMA6r9hNNbH5xn1ogPtPw7zjKCuWp1afNjgWOUckY5M2MdA294WZMfM8vLk4ylWD7gPLs8F0VNI9Q6o7Fh1EbmmQsUeE3d1YWfl-wWcq9MSiLYg_3ditMYbwNTfCB_HuTQSFhq4/s320/InChina20Feb10+038.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441443627598911234" /></a><br />I left Tuesday with Madi and we went to Chicago and then Los Angeles and by midnight Wednesday morning we were on a plane to Korea. Oh, and in the LAX airport we saw some missionaries, about 8, heading from the MTC in Provo to the Philippines and some were on the phone and I asked how many were calling their gf’s. I got a few smirks. Well we arrived the 14 hours to Korea and then stayed a few hours and then finally arrived in Hong Kong 11:30pm US Central time on Wednesday evening but Thursday 1:30pm Hong Kong time. Needless to say it’s taken a while to get used to the time change of 14 hours ahead with all the touring we’ve done the past few days. When we got here we left the air port and there was a dramatic difference from the US. The trees, the construction, the tall vertical but narrow buildings, the random poverty. Much of it reminds me of third world pictures I’ve seen from missionaries. I’m surrounded by palm trees, which I’ve never been that close to in my life. <br />The group of about 23 of us and Jacob came first to the temple housing which isn’t 5 star accommodations by any means. It’s all tiny, relatively dirty, cramped, and with 15 girls and 10 guys in a 2-room, 250 square foot apartment there is absolutely no personal space whatsoever-welcome to China! J Well we’ve had the great privilege of being able to do temple work 3 days straight at the Hong Kong Temple. The baptistry is beautiful-absolutely. There is so much symbolism there you’ll have to remind me to share with you when I get home. Today we got to have church in the temple too in a Cantonese Branch and we got to hear from the temple president (President Gu), the area 70 President Li, and Sister Wen, a sister about to leave for a mission to the US. President Gu shared much with us about the work in China and how it’s going to infiltrate throughout the nation, which is pretty confidential information, but if you want to know and swear to secrecy, let me know and I’ll give you some insights.<br />As far as touring goes, we’ve been able to go to downtown Hong Kong, Victoria Peak, which overlooks Hong Kong and the harbors which is gorgeous, NGong Pong which is a giant tribute to Buddha and it’s got beautiful gardens and a Love Sutra forest with trees cut in half the long way and on each one in a figure 8 has parts of the sutra scriptures. Oh it’s SO pretty here! I honestly feel like I’ve been here for years, yet I don’t actively miss anyone much except Tristan. I’m sure I will when I finally get the chance to relax and get to the school. I haven’t had much time to do anything or time to myself with all the touring and sharing a tiny apartment, etc, but it’s been amazing. I’ve taken hundreds of pictures already and I’m so happy to be here! I almost can’t wait to start teaching-I’m so thrilled. Apparently discipline is different here with children. We can punish children here unlike the US, lol. I’ve done so much here it’s crazy. I’d have to say the bakeries, fruit, art, and nature are so beautiful, and the people are so kind and sweet, but they have no concept of personal space, especially on the trams, subways, air planes, buses-it’s all cram cram quick. I’ll get used to it. So yeah, Asian drivers are named appropriately. Although I won’t be able to really share the gospel in the mainland, I can serve with love and answer questions briefly that can touch people and help them recognize truth and light. God has GREAT plans for China and I feel so privileged to be a part of this work. Oh it is glorious and I feel so unworthy yet as prepared as possible to provide the faith and obedience for the greatest miracles in these last days. The church is true, and I will be too!<br />So this week tomorrow we cross the border into the mainland into Shenzhen where we get out training on lessons plans and such until Wednesday and then we travel the rest of the week to our locations. Madi and I and another teacher named Sam are going to the same school in Ling Ling City, Yongzhou, Hunan, so we’ll have a priesthood holder in the same apartments as us which is amazing! Sam is cool. Served his mission in Australia quite a while back (he’s 26), and he’s the youngest of 9 children, so we’ll get along well. So life is grood! I have TONS of pictures, and if they are worth 1,000 words, I could just give those to you and end this email. Well I do have to go for orientation, but I HAD to make sure I wrote you, because I love you lots and lots. I’ll let all of you know my address when I get there. Apparently from the US it only takes mail about 10 days to get to my school, that’s what Sam said and he’s been there a while, so I expect a few things from home…maybe hot chocolate periodically and some love. I miss cheese here…a lot. Oh well I’ll live. I’ve got my 10lb bag of chocolate from home, so I’ll be good. Once I get things settled I’ll give you another update.Nikki Checkettshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01310196747369248245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806739049980798749.post-73537648082045255522010-01-27T21:00:00.000-08:002010-01-27T21:32:09.839-08:00Pre Departure and Pics<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.mormonwiki.com/wiki/images/8/8c/Hongkong_china_lds_temple.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 264px; height: 366px;" src="http://www.mormonwiki.com/wiki/images/8/8c/Hongkong_china_lds_temple.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />So guess what??? 3 weeks until I leave for CHINA! I got my itinerary and I'll be departing Omaha <br /><br />February 16th 2:40pm Omaha---> Chicago---> Los Angeles.<br />February 17th 12:10am Los Angeles---> Ar Seoul Korea<br />February 18th 6:10am Ar Seoul Korea---> Hong Kong<br /><br />Then we'll go through luggage and customs and then we'll go to temple housing, eat, rest a bit (if that)and then we'll go do a baptism session in the Hong Kong Temple 7-8pm that evening!<br /><br />February 19th Do 2 Baptism sessions and visit the Victoria Peak Tram (whatever that is, lol)<br /><br />February 20th More baptisms and tour time and orientation.<br /><br />February 21st 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. – Attend Church meeting on 2nd floor of Temple!!! :D More sight seeing...Fun fun fun!<br /><br />February 24th Depart for schools...it will be a 4-5 hour car ride to the school in Ling Ling City, Hunan...I'm sure I'll be DONE with traveling for a bit. :P<br /><br />**We got some pics emailed to us of the school we will be staying/teaching at...check them out-- they are beautiful! :)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg063ZNdUymOiB0Rniu__SBlUZa3AyvszUrTqC9vNxrkqbjTsOnoQt_lwCvHTATF2R-s7jeOOSvDt6GWfb9-U96eM-HIb-R0rQpUU5x7s3bdZ-jvU-UP1lgIZXrJX_swuW2Mj6NeNi6XI4/s1600-h/06+(2).jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg063ZNdUymOiB0Rniu__SBlUZa3AyvszUrTqC9vNxrkqbjTsOnoQt_lwCvHTATF2R-s7jeOOSvDt6GWfb9-U96eM-HIb-R0rQpUU5x7s3bdZ-jvU-UP1lgIZXrJX_swuW2Mj6NeNi6XI4/s320/06+(2).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431653452599971186" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGBTWfkt9QmswaQyD6pcCVqIRZYAjXg-AtmXi7jsVO0Y3Fd0vNCCbE7w6wZxgdYbx8E3-PWvb2IIpOq2s58pbMxyoCOKC6BbDIqbFFuD8MeGmgZp3CwtW24atZZtOfISuB1e0HSSfLgE/s1600-h/5+(2).jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWGBTWfkt9QmswaQyD6pcCVqIRZYAjXg-AtmXi7jsVO0Y3Fd0vNCCbE7w6wZxgdYbx8E3-PWvb2IIpOq2s58pbMxyoCOKC6BbDIqbFFuD8MeGmgZp3CwtW24atZZtOfISuB1e0HSSfLgE/s320/5+(2).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431653444086319458" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC800UJsp0lvSB-M-FXDA5XHVs-JXOP8IwiObrB4RQlNBNSdlV6tkZ0Ym-jCBN0v5TqSwGS9u6ytVvYccM1YE7-rsxm7VhnND6juN7Xp9SlW2Z0IJOvlRetGqJuHLPEPCN6h0JvFBSsE0/s1600-h/05+(2).jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC800UJsp0lvSB-M-FXDA5XHVs-JXOP8IwiObrB4RQlNBNSdlV6tkZ0Ym-jCBN0v5TqSwGS9u6ytVvYccM1YE7-rsxm7VhnND6juN7Xp9SlW2Z0IJOvlRetGqJuHLPEPCN6h0JvFBSsE0/s320/05+(2).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431653435912034082" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7l88QY22ifPKItHt91YdC0DnAJedS-I8CKBYiOLAJ8xwcEUl3YBl1e4iI0O_lpLPtLfGXYQ_Q9ufRRRPLXmPt7n0Gvefyad9fXXR2V6RuxYbvoE1NZ2DCd71A1D-9a8gAIJA6fJk04M/s1600-h/3+(2).JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ7l88QY22ifPKItHt91YdC0DnAJedS-I8CKBYiOLAJ8xwcEUl3YBl1e4iI0O_lpLPtLfGXYQ_Q9ufRRRPLXmPt7n0Gvefyad9fXXR2V6RuxYbvoE1NZ2DCd71A1D-9a8gAIJA6fJk04M/s320/3+(2).JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431653422640366306" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjht0H6BpAaeMyX6ZZGxyUCeYFP-EIvNRRhtLtbjHV0XY2rlDlk0M-x3tNzHa-vkXGw96FOJSk1LNzUBt9Cib-UR7cgwobQvIZQaKRLMwnrEJKk_Gcyz_5X9DCsmGhDrbWyxoYGHo8aClY/s1600-h/04+(2).jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjht0H6BpAaeMyX6ZZGxyUCeYFP-EIvNRRhtLtbjHV0XY2rlDlk0M-x3tNzHa-vkXGw96FOJSk1LNzUBt9Cib-UR7cgwobQvIZQaKRLMwnrEJKk_Gcyz_5X9DCsmGhDrbWyxoYGHo8aClY/s320/04+(2).jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431653412967227122" /></a>Nikki Checkettshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01310196747369248245noreply@blogger.com0