Day 90 - March 31, 2010

We went to visit a Middle/High school in a neighbour city - Tianjin, which is 2 hours from Beijing. Very cool school and very nice kids. It's a fairly modern school with lots of room. Over 3000 kids and 40 per class. After listening to the principal speak and presetations, we were able to tour the school, check out classes in session, and participate in a cultrual class (in my case, Papercutting). All in all, it was a great day! (Yes, they are track suits, but that is their uniforms. Each School has the same look, with different colours.)

Day 89 - March 30, 2010

The Great Wall of China is certainly great. I've been wanting to stand on this wall since I was a little kid, so being there was just so surreal. Still the most impressive thing in China, I couldn't believe the size and length I could see from where we were. It just made me imagine I was a Mongol trying to storm a wall. Wow. The fact that there has not been any major maintenance to that wall in 500 years makes it even more spectacular. Save of course, the touristy vendors.

Day 88 - March 29, 2010 - 2

Tienanmen Square. I was looking forward to this, if only to see two things. First, the location of the Big Chairman Mao picture that you see in almost every news story about China, and second, The location of those infamous tanks and Cultural Revolution. It is definitely a place with an eery feeling, the moment you arrive there. Perhaps its the history, or just the warning from the tour guides, "Don't talk about democracy, don't take pictures of the guards. The government has spies..." Kind of sets the mood, eh? In any case it was interesting to see it and be there. Soldiers walking and marching constantly. I can see why this place is such a lightning rod...

Day 88 - March 29, 2010 - 1

One of the first highlights I'd been waiting to see since I went to China was to see the Forbidden City and Tienanmen Square. Although I knew a little about the Forbidden City, I had no idea just how huge this thing actually was. It was ENORMOUS! Yet so detailed and so planned. Everything from the feng shui to the painting to the vast courtyards to the rooms with original furniture and decor! What an amazing place. If you haven't heard of it, or seen it, check it out from Google Earth too. Forbidden, because commoners weren't allowed in, huge for ego and defense. Amazing...

Day 87 - March 28, 2010 - 2

The Summer Palace is a beautiful place. The summer home of the Emporers in China, is filled with statues, buildings, decorated pathways, a marble boat, and one incredibly long and very detailed corridor. The corridor, I think, is the longest one in the world. The Buildings are all very nice, some with the original painting. The marble boat was originally built as a tea house for the DragonLady. Marble (apparently) being the strongest thing available and symbolizing power. Definitely an interesting place!

Day 87 - March 28, 2010 - 1

While I'm in Beijing, I figure I'd add more than one picture for my days, and more than one day for my blog. I know the rules of the 365 project, but I'm not following it anyways :)

We arrive in Beijing late at night, so the morning we wake up and are ready for our first trip I decide to take a couple of shots just to remind myself where I am. First thing I noticed is the weather and traffic. A little hazy out, probably due to a combination of pollution and the sandstorm that had just blew through the city. Either way, it was interesting.

The traffic was more so. Crazy busy!! just look at the line of cars!



Think I'll just drink my water...oh wait, that's Chinese too. Why would't it be? It gave me a chuckle anways...

Day 86 - March 27, 2010

My China trip has finally started. Woke up early in the morning to head out to the airport. Check in 3 hours early, they say. So we were there and we waited and waited. Finally the time came to depart. I leave you with the shot of my plane before I left and one from the plane's safety manual.



Of course, you'd want a shot from the sky too, eh? See you in China...


<*Update*>

So I finally arrived in Shanghai, China. How do you know you are definitely somewhere new? Well the Chinese Arrivals and Departure board could be my first clue, pictured below,
however, I think the most important indicator would be the Official Welcome sign in Customs...

Day 85 - March 26, 2010

We went for dinner at a Chinese restaurant in Kitslano, Vancouver tonight. Nice restaurant, but I totally love the feel of the area. It’s not much, a few streets, some shops, but the feel and vibe of the whole area is cool.

Day 84 - March 25, 2010

For years my friends would purchase goods from the USA and send them to Point Roberts. For those unfamiliar, Point Roberts is a lone area separate from the rest of the USA, but attached to Canada. It comes from the drawing of the border along the 49th parallel. In any case, it’s cheaper to send things to a US address, than ship to Canada. Point Roberts has a mail center that provides the service, which is great for Canadians. Is it far? Not really. Is there traffic? Not really. Thank you, Point Roberts, USA.

Day 83 - March 24, 2010

On Sunday the time changed. Spring forward, one hour. Perhaps a sign, in a season without any snow, that I should change my snow-tires back to the all seasons. I do feel very ripped off that I finally purchased snow tires, and we had no snow. Not one bit. Murphy’s Law I guess.

Day 82 - March 23, 2010

This entry will go back a few days. Saturday, Detroit Redwings came to town. Long story short, Canucks lost in overtime with 0.02 seconds on the clock. Definitely heartbreaking. The highlight was the honouring of Canada’s Women’s Gold Medal winning hockey team. Way to go!

Day 81 - March 22, 2010

This picture is taken from here

I hate Mondays. They are such a letdown day. You’ve had two days of the weekend and today you realize the rest of the week is coming. Monday tells you there are 5 long days until you can relax again. Perhaps weekends should be three days long. I guess Tuesday would become hated then. In any case, Mondays Suck.

Day 79 - March 20, 2010

My second to last masters class this term. I had a presentation to give on Virtual Learning. I don’t mind having to give presentations; I think the class will agree with me. We all seem to learn more about the course from these presentations, than from the actual lectures itself; however, the lectures do give us the background, so I do see the value in them. Perhaps a course of just presentations would be valuable.

Day 78, March 19, 2010

The school today went to check out a Sledge Hockey game at UBC. It’s the second game I’ve been to, but still loved the atmosphere and the sport. This time it was Italy vs Sweden. There were lots of Italian fans in the audience cheering on their team. I chose the underdog Sweden. In the end, it was Italy 4, Sweden 0. Oh well, great game anyways.

Day 77, March 18, 2010

This morning my boss treated all the team leaders to a wonderful breakfast at Whitespot. Although the time spent wasn’t all fun, we ended up talking about some serious work issues. It’s nice to know that your boss appreciates you and the work you do, and treats you to something nice.

Day 76 - March 17, 2010

Top'O'the morning to ya! Tis Saint Paddy's day. The day when everyone turns Irish for just one day. I was fortunate to have ta great roommate through University who has become one of my greatest friends. To his credit, he's Irish. So I dedicate my Saint Patrick's day to him. while the rest of the people are out drinking green coloured beer, I'll stay true and have a Guinness.

Day 75 - March 16, 2010

My first sledge hockey game ever! USA vs Japan was awesome! Japan was shut out against the powerhouse Americans, but oh boy was the atmosphere and show just great! I'll definitely be going back.

Day 74 - March 15, 2010

The Paralympics are here and the opening ceremony last Friday was phenomenal. It was exciting and brought back all the passion. BC Place was the location of the Torch Ceremony and the Athlete's March. Canada won it's first Gold with Brian McKeever and here we go again!

Day 73 - March 14, 2010

Today was another Canuck Game day. I always like to go see the Calgary Flames. They have such an intense rivalry with the Canucks. It's also nice to get there a bit early to see the pregame warmup. Oh, the Canucks won. Very Huge.

day 72 - March 13, 2010

The Canucks finally arrived home after a long and huge 14 game road trip. This was due to the Olympics taking place in vancouver, and at their home rink, GM Place. So on the first game back, I went, and saw the honoring of the Olympians that Day. Awesome. As a bonus, the Canucks won. Huge.

Day 71 - March 12, 2010

I knew when I went to bed last night, today was going to be rough. I had the little sick sensation. Today, full out crap feeling. luckily I had the sense to stay away from work and just relax. It really helps. I hope tomorrow is better. Especially since its the first Canucks game at home since the Olympics started.

Day 70 - March 11, 2010

When we stated to fund raise for the Terry Fox Run, I had promised my class that if they raised over $1000 they got to shave my head. Not only did they reach that amount, they finished in at just over $2000. Today, I repaid my debt.

Day 69 - March 10, 2010

WE WON. We are District Champions. Congratulations to the team, they played hard and won the final game. It was intense and had great moments. They came together as a team and both the coaches and parents were proud of the players. Soak it up...

Day 68 - March 9, 2010

After two games today, the boys basketball team has won their preliminary pool and advanced to the semi final game tomorrow. It was a great showing by our team, playing hard, and playing as a team. Tomorrow, the Semi-Final game and, if we win that, the Final game on the same day.

Day 66 - March 7, 2010

Another lazy Sunday. Sundays have become the day where I really do nothing. Sometimes I clean, others I just laze around. Either way, its a relaxing day filled with, well, nothing. Except Timmy's at night. :)

Day 65 - March 6, 2010

My first Whitecaps game of the season was an "international friendly" between the USSL Whitecaps and the MLS Seattle Sounders. What was once a fabulous rivalry, has been fairly non existent due to two different leagues. It wasn't an exciting game, the final was a 0-0 draw, but it was the first game and hopefully they'll be more exciting as the season goes. Looking forward to the Whitecaps joining the MLS in 2011.

Day 64 - March 5, 2010

Kindness goes a long way. The class was up to no good, and were having these secret meetings. Eventually, they let me in on what was happening. Together, as a class, they pitched in and bought a microwave for me and the classroom. They felt bad that the old one they had been using came to its life's end. The kids were so sweet and kind. Now they can use it, I can use it, and it's practical. A constant reminder of just how awesome they are. Thanks!!

Day 63 - March 4, 2010

Today was a field trip to Rev's Bowling in Burnaby. We took our classes and spent the afternoon with Bowling, pizza, and good team building time. Kids had fun, we had fun, and Thanks to you, Rev's!