Hey Guys,
We have our internet now, so I should be able to send out regular updates. I do not get internet on my computer, but we our working on that, right now i am using mandys til we get mine up and running. Below are the journal entries i have been keeping. Read on....
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July 19th
Our trip to
We live in a gated community, there are 3 apartment complexes. When you walk in there is a small entrance room to hang coats. Then you step into the apartment which is multi-colored. You first see our blue Kitchen to the right and the green living room to the left. Mandy’s’ room is yellow and mine is pink. We each have our own bathrooms. We also have a front and back covered porch. Our apartment is pretty sweet. We are 5 minutes from the beach, which currently smells like green algae (the beach not our apartment). I will be working at the school on the beach, and Mandy will be working at the newer one that is a few block inland. I will have a 30 min walk every morning. Or I could get a bike or take a taxi or bus. For now I think I would rather walk and take in all the newness of this amazing place.
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Sunday, July 20
International connections
Saturday night Kirk (my boss) took Mandy and I out to meet some internationals in
I had the chance to meet Stephanie, a teacher from
Today I met Paul who is in
I also had the chance to meet Kirks wife (Sheena, also a
So, I feel like this move has happened so smoothly, I feel adjusted to the time and it is only Sunday. I feel very welcome by the other foreigners here. The Chinese stare, but I am told that is normal, they never stop staring at us. I am excited to get in to the schools, but I feel like there is so much to do before I start. Our apartment is coming along nicely. Sorry if I sound scattered, I am. There is just so much to see and do, and still have a bit of jet lag.
I do hope to meet many more foreigners here. I expect once the olympics start there will be more. Now it’s nice to meet the people that live here.
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Monday, July 21
‘Made in China’ does not mean it works in China
Mandy and I had our first experience with shopping this weekend. There is a Korean shop around the corner from our apartment that sells western food such as cheese, butter and bread. And then there is another small market around the block that sells more local things, it is much cheaper. We got some food yesterday and had to carry it all the way home.
Today we went to a Supermarket called carrefor (phonics: car-4) that sells everything, kind of like a Wal*mart, very cheap. We got some necessities there today.
Mandy got a phone there because the phones we brought for our magic jacks do not work here. Both of our phones were ‘made in china’, but neither of them work. Everything else seems to work fine, but we each need to get new phones.
We are also learning the bus routes. There are only 2 main roads that run parallel along the coast. We live one road behind Hong Kong Middle Road, one of the two main roads. We are two blocks from the beach, which I have yet to visit. We have driven along it countless times already, but have not had the chance to step foot on it. I feel very safe in the city, we have mountains on one side and the ocean on the other. It makes me feel protected. Sue said the part of the city we live in is 8 miles long by 1 mile wide this side of the mountains. There is more city on the other side of the mountains, but there is no need to go there. Everything we need is in this 8x1. So many neat things to see.
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July 23rd
So much is happening! I am learning so much. Mandy and I toured the schools yesterday. Last night we met Chucks family. Chuck is the senior international teacher. He is pretty much in charge of us. He has been teaching many years. His family is wonderful. His Wife Judy cooked for us this week. They have 6 kids. The 3 oldest boys are at a sailing camp for the next 3 weeks. We got to me bridget (8yrs), Salem (3 yrs) and the baby is 13 months. They also have a live in nanny for the summer, Elizabeth from Germany. Elizabeth is fantastic, very interested in America. The Birkenstocks are amazing and SO helpful.
Lizzie took us to get our check up for the school. It took us a long time to get there. Once we got there and got our paper work done we were in and out in a matter of minutes. The hospitals are very clean. Then we got cell phones and I already have 14 numbers in my phone. And I don’t have any of the internationals numbers that I met this weekend. I will see them all in a few days though. It was pouring down rain all day, by the time we got home we were soaked to the bone. All the shops one that side of town smelled of fish parts. It was a long day. The worst part of the day was lizzie getting hit by a car. The guy who hit her was not paying attention backing up. She refused to stop or got to the hospital. Sheena made her go get x-rays. I hope she is ok. I will update you tomorrow
Mandy and I got our microwave and DVD player! Still waiting on internet. We went to the Birkenstocks for dinner again. Tonight they took us out to this little hole in the wall place. It was a fun place to go. We went back to their house for dessert that the kids made. Scones with a homemade whipped topping and cinnamon, yum. They let us use their internet, I was so juiced. That about wraps up my day. I am pretty tired, so I am going to bed.
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July 24th
My computer wigged out on me a few days ago so I wasn’t able to journal. But it’s back up!!! This week has been SO busy!
My computer is not connecting to the internet and I had a bit of a breakdown. I just want to call home. Luckily I have the best roomie ever and she let me use her internet and magic jack to call home. I got to talk to my mom. I also got to email and facebook a bit. I feel much better. It has been a great week, a lot of change and a bit overwhelming. This is going to be a fantastic year. We got to observe Chuck teach and got to see what it will be like to teach at this school. I am so excited. It is much less intimidating now. I am so excited to get started. It has been a rough day, so this is a short entry. I am heading to bed. G’night.
3 comments:
Wow, sounds like an amazing time. I feel like I am right there with you, lol. God sure has moved quickly in your life and lead you on a great adventure! It's actually very inspiring for me and makes me wonder what God has in store for me in the future, lol. I love seeing what he has done in your life!
- Maggi (Magpie)
WoW it sounds like you are having a great time...wish i was there OH WAIT I am!!! I'm sitting in the same room as you...keep blogging I like reading your take on our life lol :)
I'm wondering what green algae smells like? Apartment, location and friends sound wonderful. It is very reassuring to read your journaling and know you are "safe" and "happy". Sounds like the staff is taking good care of you and you have an exciting year ahead of you. Keep journaling! It's great to see it all through your eyes. Miss you, but I know your "purpose" is there for now.
Gen went to Erie with Katie for the weekend to visit Danielle. KR went to Philly to see Amanda. Gram has a pinched nerve in her neck and is getting an x-ray done. Have you been able to get internet on your laptop yet?
Love, MOM
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