| Does is seem sureal to anyone else? |
[Jul. 7th, 2006|12:16 pm] |
Hello Kirk family and any other enthusiastic viewer who may still be faithfully reading the updates from our journal. First of all I MISS YOU GUYS!!! I feel like the trip was a time-out from life. I feel like we were in China ages ago.....when really this time last month we were still saying such things as "what's that smell?", "zhe shi shenma?" and my person favorite "a shibby" (MISS YOU B-MONEY!!). I feel like I took something from each city in which we spent time. Beijing was an eye opener. The pollution, the poverty, the crowding.....all things we needed to see. The Great Wall, wonderful teachers (liu Loashi YOU RULE!!), Yuen Ming Yuen, the Forbidden city....all things we are incredibly lucky to have seen. Hangzhou was beautiful. The air was clean (I was finally able to run for more than 15 minutes without hurting my lungs). The people were incredibly friendly. I felt like royalty. The West lake was honestly one of the most beautiful things I have every seen. Fuyang was important for us to see because it was the least westernized part of China that we saw. Going through the village where families worked and lived was something that although not glamerous, was an essential part of experiencing China. It was hard for the whole group when a few members (including Fu Laoshi) fell ill. I guess our Western stomachs weren't prepared for some Eastern prepared foods. Shanghai was like a futuristic New York city. Since I have never spent time in NY, this was the biggest city I had ever been in. The lights and the buildings and the traffic and noise stood in stark contrast to the simple beauty of Hang Zhou and Fu Yang.It was like another world, an amazing world!! We were also treated like kings and queens in Shang high. Although I really appreciated the treatment from the Chinese Universities, I couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between our plush beds, 4 star meals and every need tended and the Chinese students 6 bunk bed dorms and simple meals of rice (during our welcome banquet one student in Hang Zhou told me that they had never eaten some of this food, usually the eat rice). Overall, an experience that can't be summed up in words (even though clearly I just tried.....but we all know that these entries are only a glimpse and don't do justice). I met a group of people who I will never forget. I learned a lot about all of you and you all helped me learn a lot about myself.
Lizzy....how good is it to have unlimited access to Jiany Ke la!? Kim R~Good luck at Tech next year, don't get so caught up in the Hokie craze that you forget your Highlanders!! Little Kim~For someone who doesn't run consistantly you sure kicked my butt!! Thanks for the walks and talks. Brandy~One more lap girl <3 U!! Cory~ My neighbor, don't think we didn't hear you and Ma Wie up giggling late at night :-D Ma Wie~Don't think we didn't hear you screaming late at night while Cory did goodness knows what!! Shannon~ Thanks for the talks and the wine....good luck with grad school!!!James R~PSP forever man!! Keep eating weird stuff!! Alana~"It's okay....I'm funny!!" Ashleigh and Jenna~I fully expect a visit in Texas...with Chicken fried steak!! Emily and Tif ~You know I had to do yours together...You are both individually great and even better together Joy~YOU MUST COME BACK!! WE MISS YOU!!! Heidi~Did you know they stopped making cereals with raisens in them?? <3 U!! Brittony~ Words can't say it, I think Kim R described it best when she said "It's like watching 2 brothers playing". YOU BETTER BE IN TEXAS!! Shibby.
<3 U guys!! :-D
Jenny |
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| (no subject) |
[Jul. 5th, 2006|04:48 pm] |
This was probably one of my favorites times on the trip. We went to a Aerobatic Show where we witnessed some of the most amazing feats ever. In this picture, women are spinning 6 plates on sticks in their hands.
Brandy |
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| Foods! |
[Jul. 5th, 2006|04:42 pm] |
This is one of the many foods we tried on the trip. I call this "Shrimp with Eyes". Fulaoshi told us that you just pop the whole thing in your mouth and eat it... later we found out that you can peel it and then just eat the tail! I loved this trip!!
Brandy |
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| Summary of my Chinese Experience (Edited Version) |
[Jun. 30th, 2006|04:04 pm] |
A few days ago I sat down and started writing the full summary of my whole China experience from day one. I started from my first inquiry within the foreign department and after a post twice as long as the LONGEST post on here and only just getting to Beijing in the story, I decided that I should possibly recap a little more concisely. So this is the short version. When I finish the long version, I will post that also. But it's taking some time.
I knew that I was excited about China before we left and had a thought as if whether or not to continue my involvement with the country after graduation. I have come to the conclusion that no more is it a matter of "if" I return to China to further my studies/career, but a matter of "when", "for how long" and under what circumstances.
From reviewing many of the posts, I'm glad to see that most everyone really enjoyed China. It was a little higher on the influence level for me. I feel in a way that my life has changed since returning to China. I didn't know that I would fall in love with China this much, but I am very interested to see where this newfound passion takes me.
Of the 3 main cities, I enjoyed Beijing the most. I didn't think I would each time we arrived somewhere new. When we first arrived in Hangzhou, I was in awe of the land and scenery. Is was such a beautiful city. The West Lake was among the favorites, especially at night. I enjoyed the lack of beggers, however the trade-off to being a nicer town was that things seemed to be a little more expensive. With a few other reasons, I soon realized that Hangzhou would be a nice place to visit, but not likely my return destination.
When we arrived in Shanghai, I was bedazzled by the lights and awed by the size and development of the city. I have never lived in a big city like that and while many things were still appealing there (being a epicenter for international business comes to mind) I was taken back a bit by the size itself and the tribulations that come with that life. I was not excited about the traffic. I don't know yet if my plans while I'm in China would involve owning a car or not, but that is one distinguishing factor that deters me from interest in residing in Shanghai. The other is a reinforced language barrier. It's hard enough that I have only studied Mandarin for 2 semesters, but toss in local dialects just for added confusion. This also pertained to Hangzhou. While my visits to both other cities were enjoyed immensely, my heart still stuck in Beijing.
My first reaction of Beijing was looking up at the sky and thinking to myself "man, that's some rough air." Later I was corrected by Fu Laoshi that there was a sandstorm approaching and that was the reason for the lack of the sky's usual cerulean color. I later talked to another student who said it was pretty much always like that, but I'll go with sandstorm ^_^. People's driving habits was another facet of Beijing that scared the hell out of me on initial contact. I will NEVER forget Fu Laoshi's answer to my question about why people didn't seem to be following traffic signs; "they're more like a suggestion." Again as with Shanghai, stil not sure about having a car. One perk was that there were taxis every and I personally never had any problems getting to where I needed to be. (Except for that one night ^_^) I really like the ability to traverse the city via subway. I never really had any issues of negativity other than riding back on the red line at about 6:00pm (18:00 Xia) and people getting off work from a long, hot day and not smelling too pleasant. Could have been much worse though.
Along with seemingly simpler transportation options, I think I especially liked the people. I don't mean this is anyway to sound like I didn't like the people in Hangzhou and Shanghai. The professors at the other universities were wonderful and seemed excited to interact with us. I appreciated their willingness to answer my questions too, even when I think I cross the comfort line a few times. However the staff of BLCU and the people that I had conversations with just seemed to make a very positive impression on me. The professors were excellent and while sometimes seemed long and drawn out after long days before of traveling and shopping, I still very much enjoyed their teachings. I very much would enjoy taking another course from Liu Laoshi (that didn't involve him making the class sing ^_^).
I couldn't tell you with complete sincerity that I have a particular list of reasons why I loved Beijing so much more than the other places we went. I guess in a way it may have something to do with the matter that it was the first city we saw and I put my proverbial foothold in and called it home. The other places I can best make analogous to cities like New York or Washington. While I would enjoy visiting those places, home is still where the heart lives, and Beijing is my China home.
I would love to be active in any way that I can with the future of this program. I believe strongly that increasing the awareness of studying abroad and emphasizing the importance and life-changing possibilities that are right at our fingertips.
-James R.
我爱中国！我爱FU老师！我爱我的中国朋友们! |
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| Cory's Reflections on the trip and some of the greatest memories ever!! |
[Jun. 28th, 2006|01:36 pm] |
Aight, well this is my second journal entry, so Jenna you aren't that big of a slacker. Besides I didn't even put my name on the first one, so I am going to make sure and put my name now: CORY BROYLES. So now Fu laoshi can't fail me :-P!
This trip will always be next to the center of my heart in terms of memories. Whether it was making Chinese friends, making friends with people who that you were a complete butthole before the trip, taking the classes in China, getting lost in the second largest city in Beijing with your new best friend/roommate, tour all the tourist places and just looking like a tourist, eating some amazing food or food that is just down right nasty, or spending time in the hospital with three people that I didn't know that well before hand and know better now, this was one AWESOME trip.
I will go back at some point in life, but maybe not with the group next year. I have no financial means right now. For all those people who do go back, tell me what was the best part the second time around.
The last week was rough because of Heidi, Shannon, Fufu and I getting sick. Although they thought that we all had the same thing we most certainly didn't. I continued being sick after I got home but I am now finally over it after 2 more doctors visit and a hospital visit. Now I am on a quest to regain some of the 30 lbs I lost while over there and also to fit back into my clothes.
This trip changed me in a lot of ways also. I never really thought that I was very judgmental but apparently I am. So after a month of living with the same people and learning something about them I feel as though I came away with a little piece of all of you all. Although we will probably never have the whole group together again, whether it be here or in China, you all will forever have a place in my heart. This trip taught me to be more opened minded as a person and to just accept people for who they are, not who I want them to be or who I thought they were.
Now, I guess its time for my reflections on the trip after all my non-sense rambling. Beijing was extremely fun for the first week or so. After that the whole feel of being a tourist wore off and I felt more like a local even though I didn't speak the language well. Frank was my favorite tour guide of all and I want to go back and chill with him again. I enjoyed just going out and exploring the city. The tourist spots were nice but explore the city with some friends just made it seem even better.
Hangzhou was arguably my favorite city because Shanghai was pretty cool too. I felt that we were more welcomed in Hangzhou than anywhere else. I enjoyed spending time with the Chinese students and West Lake. Hangzhou was the most beautiful of the cities by far. And taking a page out of Ma Wei's book, I miss Jazzy.
Fuyang was a disaster cause of the illness and hospital, enough said about that.
Shanghai was extremely fun, it just stunk that there was anything really close to campus. Downtown was the way I expect most of the cities in China to be, nice and bright with big buildings.
My favorite tourist spot that we went had to have been the Great Wall which, I know, is so cliche.
Well, I'm going to shut up now so everyone can get back to there daily life and not read a novel. It was great getting to know everyone, some of you I will see on campus this fall, others of you I will see probably in Blacksburg(Kim R. and Shannon), and to those of you that I don't see I will forever miss you and I'll be in touch, you can count on that. Zaijian.
Cory Broyles
P.S. I miss my Fu Fu xiao tuzi and I'll see you soon. |
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| More Pictures from Fu Laoshi |
[Jun. 26th, 2006|11:37 am] |
A Glance of the Beautiful Vinece of China -- Zhu Jia Jiao
Our Final-Stop in Shanghai (Behind us is the Pearl of the East)
Standing in front of the Shanghai Normal University
Receiving a Gift from Prof. Zhang's Chinese Calligraphy Class
We were fortunate to have two famous professors from the Shanghai Normal Univ. to teach us Chinese Calligraphy and Painting
A Photo with Professor Zhang's Chinese calligraphy class
The Vice President and the Dean of Shanghai Normal University took time off to meet with us personally. Our visit to their university made the FIRST Headline on their campus newspaper, and school website!
Our LAST dinner in China, June 12, 2006 :-(
Joy Come, Joy come, Joy come, come, come to China :-) |
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| Fond Memories of Zhong Guo by Jenna |
[Jun. 26th, 2006|12:24 am] |
So... I feel like a slacker. I have only written once, and even so I feel that entry was a bit lack luster, so I'm trying again.
I've been home for nearly 2 weeks now. My sleep schedule is pretty normal for the most part, which I am thankful for because for the first few days I was going to bed at 8:30. Its really strange to be home now. I miss having everyone around all the time and there always being somewhere to explore. Home just seems really boring to me now :)
I am in awe of how many pictures I took, which total more than 400. Every time I look at them its hard to believe that I was really there, somehow it doesn't quite seem real. I'm glad to be home, but part of me would have also been glad to stay.
Beijing was interesting. I will never get over all the traffic and the zillions of bikes. Basically the masses of humanity in general. I loved exploring parts of the city each day, and things like the Great Wall are lifetime memories. I enjoyed our class time, the majority of it spent singing that song ... I can't believe that made us do that :)
Hangzhou was my favorite. I wish we had spent more time there. Everyone was so incredibly nice, and Hangzhou is such a beautiful place. I didn't feel like I was able to see all that I wanted. West Lake has to be one of the most amazing places to behold. Someday I hope to go back.
Shanghai was crazy. I've never been somewhere so big and so busy. The Pudong was awesome, and the boat ride we took at night was one of my most favorite things. I also enjoyed the calligraphy and painting classes we took. I can't believe they gave us such a nice set, I'll have to practice with it.
All in all, this was an amazing experience. It is one of those things I will remember for a lifetime, and no matter how many pictures I've taken, or how well I describe it, no one will truly understand what it was like to be there but you guys who went, and I'm glad that I was able to share something like this with all of you :)
Thanks for the fantastic memories,
<3 Jenna |
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| I miss China!! |
[Jun. 25th, 2006|11:53 pm] |
Two of my favorite places on the trip was the Green Tea House in Hangzhou and Longmen Village in Fuyang. The first picture is a person working in the tea field and then the second is a man washing vegetables and I thought my mom would enjoy this because she used to make us wash vegetables when we were little. I thought it was neat seeing him and just the surroundings of it all.
I've also been reading "The Good Earth" by Pearl S. Buck, I think everyone who went on our trip should read it, it's really good about China before the revolution. Hope everyone's summer is swell =)
Love, Heidi |
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| Back Home- From Shannon |
[Jun. 25th, 2006|10:29 pm] |
Hello Again,
Well, been back home for a few weeks. I believe my sleeping pattern is back to as normal as is possible for me. I personaly miss China a great deal, but hate talking about it to people here. It seems like they all have opinions about it, and its frustrating to explain how a place can be so wonderful, even if things are different than here. In fact it is so wonderful because it is different and exciting and new.
I still wake up in the morning trying to figure out if I need to go to classes or get on a tour bus. I assure you I am very dissapointed when i remember I must go to work.
I started going through my pictures tonight and realized I have about a thousand or so. I Believe I will make a website dedicated to just my china pictures. Until then I thought I would share a couple of my Favorites.
This is James being eaten by the Zebra. I had no trouble petting the Zebra, we were cool. Then James attempts it and the Zebra Sneezes on him, then kinda lets him pet it. Then decides that it really just wanted to take a chunk of his hand. I being the helpful me that I am took pictures.
This is Fu Lao Shi in front of Beijing Univeristy. She James and I went there after we dropped Joy off for real at the airport. It was a very beautiful campus.
This was taken the first night we were in Hangzhuo near West Lake. Obviously this one is for Joy. We wished you could have been there with us, and apparently the people of Hangzhou felt you should have been there drinking and singing Kereoke.
This is Cory, Heidi, and Fu Lao Shi in the Hospital. Apparently we missed an amazing Cave. But we did have fun talking to people in Suits and making new friends who thought we looked like sick.
This is after our last dinner together in China :(
And finnaly.. this is me expressing my undying love for Ma Wei. |
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| Get some meat on your bones! |
[Jun. 25th, 2006|09:57 pm] |
So I broke in my teaset and chopsticks tonight. My parents ordered takeout and I set the table with the little chopstick holders and used my tea-tray and everything. I even took out some cloth napkins and did that thing where they put one end under the plate while the rest goes over your knees. I'm such a dork, but it was pretty fun. I was able to give out all of my gifts and everyone was happy, especially with the pearls. All in all I'm really happy to be home. China was so fun though. I definately already miss you guys, especially my partner in crime, *ahem shibby*. Can't wait to come back to RU and talk about the fun times we had. Hope everyone's summer is going well... I just got a job at McDonalds. Not too happy about it, but it's money and it will keep me busy. I'll post pictures as soon as I figure out how to :)
~Britt |
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| (no subject) |
[Jun. 25th, 2006|03:58 pm] |
Wow, I miss China A LOT. I can't wait to go back again, maybe next year with the new Kirks! Everyone back home has been asking me what it was like. Well, I always have to tell them that I don't even know where to begin because it was so amazing and I have a million stories! =D
Anyway, I'm at camp now and have very limited Internet access, but I definitely want to post some pics and write more about the trip when I get home in August. I miss everyone and we have GOT to hang out when we return to RU in the fall! ;)
Kim H. |
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| Manuel Gomez- Best pictures of trip! |
[Jun. 23rd, 2006|09:10 pm] |
Here are some of my pictures, I hope you enjoy them and please comment on them!
These are everywhere! I was amazed by how they get everywhere via bikes!
We decided to buy some tea, we had to model it!
Beautiful entrance to Forbidden City.
Me and Heidi in the bridal bed!
I like this picture because it shows how cool this shopping street was, with many modern stores, plus Cory looks like a model!
Me, James and some of our friends in Hangzhou!
America's next top model!??
Me and Jazzy before we left Hangzhou :(
I am ready and excited to hike this mountain!!
Me and some friends at Shanghai Normal University!
Some of us decided to pay 5 Yuan to rent a traditional Chinese costume!!
Waterfall while Hiking the mountain near Hangzhou! it was AMAZING!
Acrobat show! they were so good! A hightlight of the trip!
Night boat ride in Shanghai, the light show was great! Another hightlight of the trip! ( looks like a video! I hope you are able to see it! It is bad quality, so I apologize for that! Enjoy!)
With this sad face I said goodbye to China and new frienships there, I also said see you later because I WILL GO BACK!
I hope you guys enjoyed my pics! I can't wait to see your pics! |
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| Manuel Gomez-reflection on trip. |
[Jun. 23rd, 2006|08:59 pm] |
Now that I am back at home and my sleep is FINALLY getting better, I want to take some time and write about the experiences I had while in China! I was nervous before we left because I have only been on a plane once before! But all of this changed once I saw everyone else at Dulles Airport! The flight was okay, long and boring, especially the flight from San Francisco to Beijing. I was stuck in the middle of two strangers and the lady sitting by the aisle never got up! She slept the entire trip! Now I will write something about each city that we went to!
-Beijing- It is very different than what I expected. I was especially sad to see all the poverty. I was not prepared for that, especially when beggars came up to you. It made me sad when children and elderly came and asked for money as well. Besides the poverty, I enjoyed staying at Beijing. The Subway was especially fun! It was also very convenient to have it right next to our campus! I liked going to the stores and just walking around with friends. The best shopping area that I went to was the Silk Market mall. I liked this place because it was inside and the vendors did not grab you to buy their things! I also bought many things there. As you all might have already heard, I did have an incident in the Beijing Subway. When me, Tiff, Em, Cory and Britt went to the Silk Mall, we were coming back to campus. It was rush hour and the trains were packed, I don’t know how these people fit in there! I was able to get in, but the rest of the group wasn’t, I didn’t want to go by myself because I knew that if I did, I was going to get lost! So I decided to get out, right when I w as getting out, the doors closed! I was stuck! And of course I did my scream. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! What made it worse was that the doors kept closing and opening! It was no fun. I am glad that the people in the train were able to enjoy it, they were laughing! I am proud to say that I was stuck in the Beijing Subway! Another thing that I liked about Beijing was the campus. It was really cool, with all the parks everywhere. I also liked the students. Some of them were really friendly.
-Hangzhou- This was my favorite place in the entire trip. The place was beautiful, the food was delicious and the people were very friendly. I especially liked the fact that the city was clean! Also, there was less pollution, which was a plus because I could actually see the moon at night, unlike Beijing. I enjoyed the boat ride around West Lake, too bad it was raining that morning. The food was amazing! I really enjoyed how they treated us on campus. I especially enjoy breakfast! I think I gained weight here because of all the delicious food. The people were also amazing in this city. I really like how friendly and open the students were there! I met a really met friend there, Jazzy. He is really cool and we hope to see each other again! Maybe next year?!?!?!? I am really hoping to go again next year. I also liked the tea farm that we went to. That was some great tea. Also the mountains were amazing. The hike to that mountain was also fun; I hope to do it again if I return to China in the future. I also enjoyed the Chinese Kung Fu lessons! Surprisingly, I also enjoyed when we had the fitness testing! It was fun, I was doing something healthy and I did it with great friends! I wished we would have spent more time there.
-Shanghai- This city to me is more like New York, which was really cool. I was especially amazed by the buildings there. They had architecture was amazing, especially when we went to see the Pearl Tower. The buildings in that area were impressive. The boat ride we had at night was one of the highlights of the trip. All the different lights made it even better! The Venice of China was also fun! Not only because there was the water, but because we had a chance to do some shopping as well. I bought most of my gifts here. The movie studio that we went to there was also fun. Again, I was sad that we didn’t spend much time here. I know that if I return to China, I will spend more time in this fun city.
Overall, this trip was amazing and I would do it again in a heartbeat. It was great because I came back with about 20 new best friends. The friendships that I made in this trip will last forever. I met some of the nicest, most intelligent and friendliest people while in this trip. I will always remember them, my friends in China and this amazing experience I had. Thank you Mr. Kirk, Shelley, Holly, Dr. Flory, Fu Laoshi, Reed, Charles, tour guides, my new 18 best friends, my new Chinese best friends and all the teachers in China for this amazing trip!
-Manuel Gomez (Ma Wei) |
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| Home again in Belspring VA |
[Jun. 20th, 2006|04:26 pm] |
There's a slight mist that's still hanging in the tree boughs of the opposite mountain, soft sunlight warming the stone, and the slightest breeze gently kissing my skin. How can I convey, to whoever may be reading this, how violently happy I am to be home?
China... there were details concerning the trip that I would consider to be both good and bad. I know that I will definitely return one day, but to try and sum the whole experience up... I'd say that what I found there was different from what I'd imagined I would.
I went to China with three main purposes in mind: to better learn the language, be more knowledgeable about the country and it's people, and to directly observe China's progress, proceeding mentality, and methods concerning current and future business ventures aimed toward the evolution of it's society. From what I'd heard by attending Radford University and listening to the speakers that were brought in, I was under the impression that China was a leading economic power etc. etc., and what I found was a country that was still in it's more rough developmental stages.
One of the most interesting things that I observed was the way in which the Chinese that I interfaced with seemed to be going about furthering the development of their society. The top three things that they seem to want to acquire are continued rapid construction techniques and materials, high technology, and better medical care. The way in which most are trying to go about achieving this is to adopt more of a western mentality. This bothered me to a certain extent because from what I observed I wasn't sure that this was the best way to continue to develop because as a result of the inherent survivor mentality the Chinese have due to the hardship conditions which the people had experienced for hundreds and hundreds of years. These two mindsets seem to be conflictual in a number of ways.
What I gathered from this, was that it may be better for the Chinese to try to find a way to work with their traditional values and lifestyle, which is so ingrained in the very culture and mentality of the people, instead of working against it. If they were to find some way to use this to thier advantage I feel that they may be able to get more done at an incomparably faster pace.
From what I've learned most recently, there are several influential individuals associated with the Chinese government, who actually make these kind of directional decisions, who are acknowledging this fact and taking into consideration what it would take to try to implement this course of action. Apparently, an example of this is already present in the way that Singapore is evolving. For further information of this one can research the name Lee Kuan Yew.
So obviously what I was trying to do is to asses what the Chinese are doing in relation to my own future business prospects and seeing whether or not I would like to be directly engaged in future business projects concerning Chinese companies. I was looking at what it is that is in most demand, what it is that they're capable of, and how I may be able to work with this in the future.
Mission accomplished. It was nice to see for myself, but really, all I would have had to do is to ask certain individuals who I work with already.
This was the focus of my trip to China. I enjoyed other elements of the trip, such as climbing the great wall and the unlimited selection of cuisine, but I'm happy to be resuming the learning process I have well underway here in the United States. |
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| (no subject) |
[Jun. 18th, 2006|06:20 pm] |
Hey guys,
Well we have all been back for several days now and I have to say my sleeping pattern is still off a little bit, but its getting there. For some odd reason, I fall asleep really early and wake up early, go figure?? It was so fun to get to know everybody better on this trip. Having a class for two semesters just doesn't cut it. I'm glad I had the opportunity to spend this trip with you guys.
It was awesome!!!!!!!!! I hope we will all keep in touch.
China was amazing. I have to agree with everybody on that one. Even though most of the time we had no earthly idea what we were doing each day, it was so fun, exciting, and interesting. We never knew what to expect, but we all were ready to meet the challenges whether it was food or culture. I feel we learned a lot about the Chinese culture as well as learned more things about ourselves that we didn't know before. Many people thought they would never eat weird things in China but James and Alana proved it by eating scorpions on a stick and some wild dog. If anybody else ate that and I didn't mention ya, sorry, congrats. Lizzy ate some mystery meat balls and found she liked them. Emily and I ate anchovies, jellyfish, and octopus, as well as many others. Some even went to the point where they ate everything and had to pay for it later. (Sorry Fu Laoshi, Cory, Heidi, & Shannon) I think everybody had their share in trying new foods and many people found out they liked more foods than expected.
My two favorite tours were the Great Wall and the Cave in Fuyang. How can I possibly explain and express my feelings about the Great Wall. It was so mind boggling to stand on the Great Wall and actually know you were in China across the world from your family experiencing one of the greatest historical achievements of the Chinese people. The cave in Fuyang was absolutely beautiful and breathtaking. All of the wonderful bright colors were gorgeous to the eye. I am so mad at myself because that day I was messing around with my camera and accidently erased all of those pictures, so if anybody had some really good ones can you please share with me?
Hard Rock Café was a blast not only because we were so energetic after the Great Wall but because all three teachers got up and had a great time also. It was so special that they joined in with us to make our trip in China have long lasting memories. THANK YOU FU LAOSHI, REED & CHARLES!
Its great to be back home safely with my family and friends but I do miss our everyday adventures and friends in China. Having almost 1000 pictures developed, I don't think I will ever forget the great times we had together.
Likes: Friends, Historical places in China, Hangzhou, the meals in Hangzhou, the mountains/greenery, tea, shopping, bargaining, the nightlife, etc,etc,etc
In summary, this was a trip of a lifetime and I will never forget the memories of China and the friendships we have made. I miss everyone and especially FU LAOSHI!!!!!!!!!! (love you) See you all in Radford.
Tiffiney Allen |
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| My China response |
[Jun. 17th, 2006|04:35 pm] |
Wow, this is my first journal entry. I have been home now for a couple of days, and my sleeping pattern is still messed up! Its was much easier going to China than coming back, you guys agree? Over the past couple of days I have been looking at my many many pictures and reflecting on our trip. To sum it up… China was amazing. Probably the coolest thing I have ever done. I not only learned about China and the culture, but I learned a lot about myself. The things I was worried about before I left turned out to be nothing. The flight wasn’t nearly has bad as I thought it would be. I slept the entire flight there and on the way back Cory, Kim, and I played a stupid question game that took up some time. The food also was much better than I thought . Apparently I like balls of mixed fish and pork …who knew?
My favorite day in china is tied between the touring the water villages of Zhouzhang and the cave out in Fuyang. However, every tour day was pretty amazing. Looking through my pictures I have realized how much cool stuff I got to see.
It’s good to be home but at the same time I miss the excitement of everyday life in China. I never knew where the day was going to lead to or what I would end up trying. I loved it! The best part about being home is being able to share my stories with everyone. It seems everything that comes out of my mouth these days starts with “in China…". HAHA.
I hope everyone is doing well and I miss the fam(as Kim puts it). It’s weird to go from being around people 24-7 to being around no one. And lets face it… we were a pretty fun/crazy group to be around! Much love! BYE
Things I am going to miss about China… chopsticks, bubble tea, bok choy, ice cream on every corner, cheap shopping, being able to bargain, city lights, being able to walk and metro everywhere, and of course FU!!!
Things I am NOT going to miss…the spiting, pushing, and staring…having no lines, no public TP, and living in a country where street signs and lights are only “guidelines”
*Lizzy* |
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[Jun. 16th, 2006|10:35 am] |
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So, I am back in Radford now (SOOO sad) and still suffering from jet lag. I didn't realize how much that I would miss everyone! Then this morning I read Fu Loashi's letter to all of us and I thought I might cry. It's lonely here without all of you and leaving Fu Loashi in China was not fun either... I love you Fu Loashi, keep safe!
Just to update a few things about the end of the trip...
I had a great time experiencing everything we did in China. Still, my favorite place we visited was Hangzhou. It was beautiful, less crowded, smelled better, you name it, I thought it was better. :) We had so much fun with all the students especially with out besteset JAZZY. In Shanghai I was overwhelmed because never before had I been in a city quite like it. In fact, Beijing was the biggest city I had ever been in before Shanghai. Needless to say, I don't get out into the cities much in America. So that was a neat experience for me. Even Shanghai was cleaner than Beijing. I could go on about this forever, but you get the picture. The last few weeks in China, after we left Beijing flew by so quickly. Before I knew it, it was time to travel back. Yes, I was excited to go home to see my family and the boyfriend (and my puppies) but I was sad to leave all my new friends.
Once I got back to Virginia and saw Andrew and my family at the airport I started to cry. I am not sure if it was because I was so ready to be home or the fact that I had made such good friends with everyone I traveled with and was sad to go. I am sure it was a mixture of the two. Since being back, I have been very tired but wide awake at the same time. I can't stop talking about the trip and how much fun we had. I miss everyone and can't wait until we all get together again. Hopefully we can all go dancing (haha) or have a tea party, and don't worry Jenny we will travel to Texas to have a tea party with you too!
I hope everyone is doing well and recovering from the jet lag. I want you all to know that I'm glad I got to know every single one of you and hope we all stay in touch. This is the kind of experience only we can share together and is something that connects us. I want ya'll to know I hold a special place in my heart for you all. Good luck and see you soon!
Sad but happy all at the same time,
Emily Flora |
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[Jun. 15th, 2006|04:10 am] |
Dear 2005-2006 Zyphia Kirk Scholars and Faculty Members:
The Study Abroad Program in China has finally come to an end. I hope this letter finds you well. Even though there were a few students, who volunteered to stay in China with me, 16 Zylphia Kirk Scholars and two faculty members flew back to the U.S. on June 13, 2006. I trust that everyone arrived home safely and is sleeping on your comfortable bed by now.
I miss you all, and I applaud you for the courage of trying NEW things in China. I am especially touched by the love and support that you again and again demonstrated for one and others throughout the China trip. Yes, this had been one of the most challenging and adventurous trips in my five years of Study Abroad career. Surely, we went through a lot together this summer, but we made it!! And, I am very proud of you all!!!
To summarize some of the highlights this summer, I hope you will continue to post your reflection on this Living Journal:
· Fu Laoshi and the two faculty members were sick in the beginning of the trip. Fu Laoshi was recovered by taking lots of cold medicine; Charles was recovered by drinking a few glasses of white liquor; poor Reed never did. He is taking his cold back to the U.S. as his souvenir.
· Joy had a bad infection on her left butt and suffered a great deal! After a week and a half traveling between hospital, school and tour sites on a wheelchair, she finally decided to return home in Virginia Beach. We miss you a great deal, Joy!
· There were more students suffered from diarrhea or stomach discomforts. The tall Kim even had six days of diarrhea, but she refused to go to the hospital after seeing what Joy had suffered.
· Manuel was stuck between the subway doors! His classmates were ALL screaming with him…. The local Chinese people found it amusing and laughed!
· More classmates screamed on the bus to stop the driver from going further when they discovered that little Kim was missing and left behind…. What a group spirit!
· Emily came to me with her beautiful wide-open eyes and told me that her blue bag was missing! “Fu Laoshi, all my money, credit cards, passport, and camera were in that bag!!!”
· The night we danced at the Hard Rock Coffee after a long day of climbing and walking on the Great Wall, 13 Ming Tombs, and Laoshe Tea House. I was especially surprised by the level of energy that my “children” still had after 10PM, and I was also impressed by the level of enthusiasm that affected us -- Reed, Charles and I -- wanted to dance with them on the floor.
· The Zhejiang Education Institute arranged a big welcome party for us. The Zylphia Kirk Scholars also participated in singing Chinese and English songs. Four students performed in the Chinese opera. I love how Brittony sang the Lion King song. In the meantime, I could not help to laugh at James, Jenna, Shannon and Cory’s Chinese costumes and their opera performances. We had a good time there!
· Lastly, before we arrived in our final-stop in Shanghai, three Zylphia Kirk Scholars and I experienced another crisis in Fuyang, Hangzhou. Ever since 6PM on June 7th, or 2-3AM on June 8th, Cory, Heidi, Shannon and I were continuously either throwing up or having severe diarrhea, or both. We were later delivered to the Emergency room at 8AM on June 8th, and were diagnosed as possible "food poison" and stress related problems. Thus, three of us ended up staying at the Emergency room for 9 hours of treatments and observation. Since I was the worst one, the hospital nurses gave me four bags of IV’s, oral medicines and a shot. Many big officials including National and Local Heath Bureau, hotel president and managers, restaurant owner and mangers, etc. came to investigate the situation and to show their concern for our illness. Thus, the parking lot was filled with cars, people and media personnel. (It seems like whenever I closed my eyes, someone would wake me up for more questions.) By 9:30PM on June 8th, we were finally transported to Shanghai and joined the rest of the group there.
I am so proud of you all to be able to travel with Professor Zhang to Shanghai by train given the fact that he does not speak English. My body is beginning to recover after your departure; and I am thinking of you everyday. I MISS YOU ALL….
Much Love,
Fu Laoshi (In Shanghai, China) |
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[Jun. 10th, 2006|01:28 pm] |
Hey guys,
Only two more days in China! I don't know whether to feel sad or happy. I miss some American things (friends, family, cheese, Dr. Pepper, music!), but I wouldn't mind staying here longer, either... This has been my first trip out of the USA and it has been the most wonderful month EVER. My favorite parts have been the Great Wall, Mt. Tianzhong, the cave, the massage, that awesome bungee ride thing, and going on a cruise around the AMAZING Shanghai harbor. I've tried foods that kind of freaked me out; walked more than I ever have in my entire life; dealt with many bugs, annoying salespeople, and stinky bathrooms; and been sick once or twice, but I still wouldn't want to forget ANY moment. I've learned so much from every aspect... =D
Well, we have a long day tomorrow, so I better go get some sleep. SEE YOU SOON!!
~ Kim Hawks |
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| Picture Update #3 |
[Jun. 7th, 2006|09:53 am] |
Have some free time while at the hotel in Fuyang.
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rukirks2006's journal
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