tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32666762708782183112024-03-05T17:42:02.028-08:00Canada World Youth Kelowna/Beijing 2007-2008So yes, I'm travelling again. Never thought I'd find myself in another travel/volunteer program, but sure enough, here it is. I'm quite happy that I get to see part of my own province and then a completely new country, culture, and people that I've never been exposed to before. If Canada likes Devon, then the world's gonna love him!Devon Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00727809806990079723noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266676270878218311.post-72619183379394015122008-03-29T09:45:00.001-07:002008-03-29T09:49:47.297-07:00Culture shock?...I'm not sureWhen I came back from Katimavik, I returned after nine months. Everything had this weird vibe. Everything seemed slightly shifted to the left. Naturally, some things were gone, others were new, people were different. I stood in my living room and just looked at everything. An old life, the ghosts of dust on the wall. I cleaned up my old room, throwing out so much. It was momunmental for me. I wanted to leave most of my old life behind, and bring my new self forward. I eventually got a job, saw friends, and settled in, a different person. <br /><br />I come home to parents who missed me, but no friends at the airport. Whatever, people have their lives, no biggy. But things didn't seem out of place this time. It was all familiar, but in a distant way. It seemed different then just returning after a long time. Maybe I'm wrong, this is only my second time returning after a long trip. But as my parents drove home, and I showed a few pictures and shared a few stories, limiting myself as I knew I had only a lifetime to share what I experienced, the things that passed on the road, and even through my mind, just seemed like a dream. It was all a fuzzy dream I was awake in. The friends I left, the places I'd been. Hell, the place I was! I wouldn't know about the friends part until later. It just seemed like the day after would be different. <br /><br />Upon arrival, I unpacked things, ate a bit, sent off everyones contacts like I promised and hoped I would talk to one of my old friends online. I slept in the most comfy bed I have slept in for 6 months. The following morning came with a whole new set of chores to do, attached to my already hefty list. This included paper work, filing tax papers, replacing lost cards, opening mail, etc. However, I got a lot done. That lingering feeling of being in a dream...is still there. Maybe that's because I won't be here for long. I'm going on a bike trip across Canada. From what has resulted in my 6 month absence, I'm now doing it alone. And I'm scared.<br /><br />Now what consists of "culture shock" is coming home to friends who abandoned me, parents who have little idea of my plans or the reasons for them, despite being told several times, and a town who may not notice when I leave next time. I have my own reasons for biking across Canada. Very few people understand why. I hope they will soon, and be supportive, and maybe inspired. <br /><br />But the benefits of our efforts are not always obvious. <br /><br />Do you know where that quote came from? <br /><br />A little piece of paper...from a chinese fortune cookie...Devon Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00727809806990079723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266676270878218311.post-31185641448185693572008-03-29T07:46:00.000-07:002008-12-10T21:00:03.087-08:00The epic return<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvQAbwtQuBWuEjjYKU5HSErLqnDYiva45OZXV8_j0MWHv-ZwIYTqp4JcklNgV6_3Bv12scIM8mqcKwP9O0SbiPHKtK3RETO44TNIkCO8229xx8dT_ZleHgZhzU5tOUgxcEq-k_8U9qTk4/s1600-h/833.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvQAbwtQuBWuEjjYKU5HSErLqnDYiva45OZXV8_j0MWHv-ZwIYTqp4JcklNgV6_3Bv12scIM8mqcKwP9O0SbiPHKtK3RETO44TNIkCO8229xx8dT_ZleHgZhzU5tOUgxcEq-k_8U9qTk4/s320/833.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183211514456215122" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5ecNarlapQ2-OCylJBMCfd3MQGzwkDR-NBMMQtG4UpdDvt93PfkyQXXs0MzE4iQosbIlXxHWEMvQ7p8n4a94ItFDCzFUyHSsDZpstbgnKO4SvVS6WG_7Ql4cLs8q2zRHPSWVXhIT95xc/s1600-h/831.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja5ecNarlapQ2-OCylJBMCfd3MQGzwkDR-NBMMQtG4UpdDvt93PfkyQXXs0MzE4iQosbIlXxHWEMvQ7p8n4a94ItFDCzFUyHSsDZpstbgnKO4SvVS6WG_7Ql4cLs8q2zRHPSWVXhIT95xc/s320/831.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183211523046149730" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6FWA1Hz_V7Lv7QxCUhqQ2kAFZJscjm-MTR_cbJ2j8MdOwx6jhOKr7uVx9WIGPCXniXjsV37DPOW2kfbgjGT8LtEUWpc9j3CBDQGEY_3bt2Nk8Z0ffxEecRBT3gDf7gJFMUKdbmP4Vi9O/s1600-h/826.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR6FWA1Hz_V7Lv7QxCUhqQ2kAFZJscjm-MTR_cbJ2j8MdOwx6jhOKr7uVx9WIGPCXniXjsV37DPOW2kfbgjGT8LtEUWpc9j3CBDQGEY_3bt2Nk8Z0ffxEecRBT3gDf7gJFMUKdbmP4Vi9O/s320/826.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183211527341117042" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBt6jJTL3eqgKENb9DyY6mkMQgG9ae2NQy-NbIvmKy2t_CY9gdaQgfD-jgo10dI7iMaSlqRCtJHCfgQatTV5hu_fR9rq0-8pJyJXQ1Wb_b-j_MC1Tb6dK4eUNcL4zoxnw13-AfcVXs1lF/s1600-h/804.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHBt6jJTL3eqgKENb9DyY6mkMQgG9ae2NQy-NbIvmKy2t_CY9gdaQgfD-jgo10dI7iMaSlqRCtJHCfgQatTV5hu_fR9rq0-8pJyJXQ1Wb_b-j_MC1Tb6dK4eUNcL4zoxnw13-AfcVXs1lF/s320/804.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183211531636084354" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-88xG3WOALG_CBMpXFsZzVQKAzIZd0JRn7ozfJRQCBDMV8aDwo_UcnBrVYJfP6PE5fIHVh4F2fkZ-74zZR76hJkYpbRf25CtmvCIwyfa8Bh_c9DDuTI21eEp8R8-Ui1i44gEr_Dan9OEH/s1600-h/789.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-88xG3WOALG_CBMpXFsZzVQKAzIZd0JRn7ozfJRQCBDMV8aDwo_UcnBrVYJfP6PE5fIHVh4F2fkZ-74zZR76hJkYpbRf25CtmvCIwyfa8Bh_c9DDuTI21eEp8R8-Ui1i44gEr_Dan9OEH/s320/789.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183211535931051666" /></a><br />We arrived at the airport, some with our host families, some without. After getting our tickets, we hung out in the lobby for a bit with some of our counterparts who showed up to see us off and the few of our host families. It wasn't as teary as we thought, but they will be missed. We eagerly awaited our Jiaxing friends to come with their baggage. When they did, we quickly shared some stories, but had to board our plane. We were quite tired, them more so. Most of us were spread out on the plane, so it wasn't as energetic as it usually was. Most of us read or watched movies, some talked. I read Into The Wild, a book on a man who ditched his old life and family to take to the wilderness, eventually dieing in Alaska. It is somewhat reflective of my soon to be trip across Canada, except I'm not dieing in a frigid state. I did that, wrote in my journal, and played a bit of DS, and before you knew it, we were in Vancouver. We met Joey, a CWY facilitator, and we boarded the school bus to the YWCA where we were at last time. Vancouver was just gorgeous. Everything was so shiny and green! It was like a ahem, veil of smog was lifted from our eyes. We couldn't stop staring at the mountains, the buildings, the glistening water, the green grass! It was beautiful. We settled in the building and dealt with paper work, which included getting our last allowance. We were a bit surprised that our debriefing sessions were 9-5pm. Considering both groups had done their own debriefing, we thought this was a bit extensive. We were wrong. The debriefing was usually done by past supervisors, but now was being handled by CIL, Canada International Learning. However, the facilitator had much experience, from being in the program to working with CWY and also had great cultural knowledge. She understood the concept of culture shock very well. The two groups, Kelowna/Beijing and Northern Okanagan/Jiaxing shared their experiences and compared a bit. They were very similar on some parts, being apart of the same country, but I found had subtle differences. Nothing drastic. We both had good times and rough times. But we all matured and grew out of it. We went to the bar that night, just to relax and meet one of Jamies friends, and wouldn't you know, the world is always small. I ran into a shaggy haired friend of mine! We were both surprised. We went out for a beer the following night. Our three days in Vancouver followed that schedule: Wake up, debriefing, lunch, debriefing, rest or sleep (still suffering from jet lag) supper, bar. Mostly with our group. The debriefing sessions dealt with things from culture shock, how to deal with it, integration into a new life after CWY, and appreciating what we've learned. It was really helpful, and we all took it very serious. The facilitator did a very good job, and we have a booklet to fall back on after were done. I met some friends of mine for dinner the last night. I'm a people pleaser, and had to choose between dinner with them and my group. I hadn't seen them for more then 2 years, and I would still meet up with my friends after for beer, breakfast and lunch, so I went with the friends. But irony follows me around like a persistent cold. After dinner and catching up, I walked one friend to the bar, so I knew where they were and I could try to convince my CWY friends to go there and we could party together. I went to the hotel, expecting everyone to be getting ready to go out that night. No one. After extensive phoning, I found their location and walked there. It was the same bloody restaurant I just ate it! Well, sort of. It was the same restaurant, The Steamhouse, but in a different building not 30 feet away. Fuck. But I met up, and we had a good time. It was different that night at the Cambie though, with beers in our hands. We weren't our energetic selves. We weren't dancing or shouting or even talking all that much. I think we all had so much going on in our heads, that it was hard to live in the moment. Going back to our lives was just a day away. But everyone was there, and I'm glad for that. <br /><br />Most of us went to breakfast at Cafe Des Arts, this lovely little cafe with great ranchero burritoes. Some of us went there every morning! We returned for our final debriefing. We met with Colin, the manager of our CWY program, and we discussed our experience, what we learned, ups and downs and how to make the program better. He decoded some things for us, and straightened a few bumps I guess. But not all. Then we met with Joey and did a final activity I suggested. I've mentioned before, that I wasn't interested in where I'd be in a year, but who I would be. I suggested an activity that allowed others to express who they thought you were. It's one thing to think of yourself, but it's another to hear from your friends. We had papers with our names on them, and people wrote final comments. Thank yous, reminders of good times, and good expressions. We weren't to read them until we were gone. We held our final circle check. Everyone said their last words, what the group was to them, and their utmost thoughts on the program. To be honest with myself, I had to be honest with them. I told them I felt like I was in a corner most of the program, occasionally stepping out from the shadows of my silent leadership. But despite that, I felt very close with them, and although I did not live with them or maybe even knew them as well as my Katimavik family, they still held the honors of being considered brothers and sisters to me after all we experienced. I don't know how I didn't cry. Some of the girls, however, weren't as introverted. One by one, we all left the hotel, taking taxis to the airport, sometimes in groups. I left in the middle, with Joss from Jiaxing. Heather, Sadie and Leah were left to hug me goodbye. I didn't feel like I did in Katimavik. I didn't feel like a monster for not crying. I didn't say anything. I didn't cry. As I got into the taxi, the only words that could escape were, "I'll see you guys..."<br /><br />And even as tears start now, writing this, I remind myself, I will see them.Devon Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00727809806990079723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266676270878218311.post-34164650047135880692008-03-23T00:16:00.000-07:002008-12-10T21:00:05.311-08:00The weather knows when people are leaving...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-L4v4Xo9kYqCVybl5HEY8Xgh7fcyIeqHUdo7NChkbz3WmTUc5YVu0P8Db1Or2riVJDow3Ep_cJ7vis9u4PadSv53wsPvG9bw8y3S-cbdLxndiZTnc3araZzb5pwW-3EJ6CLKGfYh08xz/s1600-h/650.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic-L4v4Xo9kYqCVybl5HEY8Xgh7fcyIeqHUdo7NChkbz3WmTUc5YVu0P8Db1Or2riVJDow3Ep_cJ7vis9u4PadSv53wsPvG9bw8y3S-cbdLxndiZTnc3araZzb5pwW-3EJ6CLKGfYh08xz/s320/650.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183216170200764146" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_A9K1x_gZnyZ4kjAx0mrNpOyo06Awgozin2Y3IVSlTwnRWuRF-3SvvGN08XcLw96ZaGGACyahXBIV7e2_n_FUa9kbYDQLiSPRQgxp-C3cS4n3JRtXNkFi3kB_BHY-uunnbVoFva3te4l/s1600-h/645.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW_A9K1x_gZnyZ4kjAx0mrNpOyo06Awgozin2Y3IVSlTwnRWuRF-3SvvGN08XcLw96ZaGGACyahXBIV7e2_n_FUa9kbYDQLiSPRQgxp-C3cS4n3JRtXNkFi3kB_BHY-uunnbVoFva3te4l/s320/645.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183216178790698754" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlytYxqtZq3RpurnPHIcMpfKAdy3vI9U3J-rwEYBZ3BuTddk07lOb-qYfc4L3o0n4_Oe29QfojBQwxiKEowDUUQogycl-V0vXZTvjsxNoACSpob7wiJs7ZPNMiSGSeFMzdPq0DrzNR9A2/s1600-h/642.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNlytYxqtZq3RpurnPHIcMpfKAdy3vI9U3J-rwEYBZ3BuTddk07lOb-qYfc4L3o0n4_Oe29QfojBQwxiKEowDUUQogycl-V0vXZTvjsxNoACSpob7wiJs7ZPNMiSGSeFMzdPq0DrzNR9A2/s320/642.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183216187380633362" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqr17nmpMYxc8sYfHKhfH2hwXIJSUgFxAm3FQbY6d_5XTHHFEixxISmzuXwNIgHMUJXcTRmGTROoDReIe2gz7lw1kRzBEEqmpbrWtXRuMNAu4GrBZYaNba8j2jun1EPc8iMGzHvaSSKfBk/s1600-h/753.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqr17nmpMYxc8sYfHKhfH2hwXIJSUgFxAm3FQbY6d_5XTHHFEixxISmzuXwNIgHMUJXcTRmGTROoDReIe2gz7lw1kRzBEEqmpbrWtXRuMNAu4GrBZYaNba8j2jun1EPc8iMGzHvaSSKfBk/s320/753.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183214636897439394" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpO_oOdKabrDKZD7b3z1XqnR9hYTv1Z1K6RW2DzxpTNQ934ujy3eGVQ61uBrBFeFJXH5lbPkMKWyY0yQF9OUx-BtaJJwI6JfXAD7ZhViIk-dgbSQV1dt7-jik4rW3q9SYiHIC7wCeiF9m/s1600-h/745.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpO_oOdKabrDKZD7b3z1XqnR9hYTv1Z1K6RW2DzxpTNQ934ujy3eGVQ61uBrBFeFJXH5lbPkMKWyY0yQF9OUx-BtaJJwI6JfXAD7ZhViIk-dgbSQV1dt7-jik4rW3q9SYiHIC7wCeiF9m/s320/745.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183214641192406706" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXPC3CpkO3fbRTDZ__vjldDqhgwKD00C3fzCZR8QF-1cuXfek6Pdso_ToRTyLXEXEDB1aWu3q9ZbR8vwKHYaWzaDOkIVdW8c5wdbEQdnjg9Y8_z_mpM64UmVSkqCccFpDrvhOs-m2R2CG/s1600-h/740.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXPC3CpkO3fbRTDZ__vjldDqhgwKD00C3fzCZR8QF-1cuXfek6Pdso_ToRTyLXEXEDB1aWu3q9ZbR8vwKHYaWzaDOkIVdW8c5wdbEQdnjg9Y8_z_mpM64UmVSkqCccFpDrvhOs-m2R2CG/s320/740.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183214645487374018" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsTr3ZRx_JhwFsmGlD8KAS2qC8chjAv9wukwHce3zoaw1owYSg91ZiCfDB_1EsC7xhvRh_H-0v-NsMPX_lMbofe4wD9p4BvgeqWkDnuwpKekgbnvISd8_p4uNWso67Y-1sZQOa4dl4OIc/s1600-h/712.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbsTr3ZRx_JhwFsmGlD8KAS2qC8chjAv9wukwHce3zoaw1owYSg91ZiCfDB_1EsC7xhvRh_H-0v-NsMPX_lMbofe4wD9p4BvgeqWkDnuwpKekgbnvISd8_p4uNWso67Y-1sZQOa4dl4OIc/s320/712.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183214654077308626" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtd8CJE5boSNcO57iBZL4ctEIsavi4DU3nAL7PXcFhyphenhyphenQoO1-hkqmvAgYHYc2A4M8rHL1W7s4GH8JzPhpA8XmbiuhEAt8NuQ8PnYS7cu7VHPVNG1xiz90RXoTvEGKl2PGpB7g8GuwhYJHrE/s1600-h/700.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtd8CJE5boSNcO57iBZL4ctEIsavi4DU3nAL7PXcFhyphenhyphenQoO1-hkqmvAgYHYc2A4M8rHL1W7s4GH8JzPhpA8XmbiuhEAt8NuQ8PnYS7cu7VHPVNG1xiz90RXoTvEGKl2PGpB7g8GuwhYJHrE/s320/700.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183214658372275938" /></a><br />Aye, it rained on Friday, the day of our farewell party. Most of us were aghast and in awe to find everything had been wettened! It rained during the night, and there was evidence in the morning. It surprised most of us, but we were glad. I'm sure it would greenify everything, which would be a welcome change. We went to the office that morning and did some planning for the farewell party. It was a bit frustrating to find that there was a schedule already planned, which really could have helped earlier on in the week. But whatever. While we did that and sorted through photos to put onto a group CD, Maxime held meetings with the individual Canadians. These were to evaluate the program, what we learned through our personal experiences, rating the skills we were supposed to have and comparing them to what Maxime thought. It was an honest process. We felt similar on my subjects on my behalf. I had wished to have shown leadership in times, but he agreed it was hard to stand up when there were already many leaders. We met at the Kao Ya restaurant where we had lunch with Director Wang before Spring Festival. All our host families were there. Only the parents though, except mine because Li was out of the area for work reasons. Mavis, my host sister came in place. Our work leaders were there too. We were given gifts, one from Felix's Du Shushu, and from the government. We were given our plaques and certificates, prooving we had officially finished the program. Not like we need a piece of paper to say we went through all that! We did a few performances, including the worst rendition we've done of Hey Jude, a decent version of the Dr. skit, and many many toasts of gambe-ing, with our friend, baijiu. I myself, even without the baijiu, found I had a open attitude. I didn't feel like putting on a face. This included telling Gary things, with a bit of attitude, and even playing with deep fried scorpions. Seriously though! Don't cook those things if people aren't gonna eatthem! Or in this case, play with them. We finished the night fairly quickly, with hugs and goodbyes. Some of our counterparts would see us off at the airport while others had to work. I find it ironic that the ones who promised to see us off were actually the ones who really did work hard and had a tendency to be absent. The Canadians plan was to go partying now. Some went home, some dropped things off, but we all met up at Nanjie bar in our favorite area. We were so pumped and full of excitement (and booze) we were hopping and dancing right from the get-go. We settled in, and everyone went to do their own thing, picking up the opposite sex or chatting. I did all of the above, from rude beauties from Turkey to a computer program with a boss who apparently has a disease that makes you lie. Who knew. We were all over the place, but somehow managed to meet up with everyone from our group at other bars throughout the night. One friend was sick, so I watched over her most of the night. I didn't feel bad though. I can pick up girls any other time. I had a good run, didn't need to cram everything into one night. Our final stop was in front of our favorite Mexican bar, Luga's. With our supervisor full of mojito and burrito, he dawned his final knowledge on us. His inspiring words included his point of view from our program, struggles he had to go through, and just filled in a lot of the blanks that he couldn't have done during the program. He felt we all matured and was very proud of us. Thanks Maxime! He was even going to tell us about his secretive last days in Benign! But some people were missing, and he wanted to share with the entire group. Hopefully, we'll hear about them at the airport before we depart. The night ended with 7 Canadians crammed into a small two bedroom hotel room. I'm really going to miss those nights. <br /><br />I didn't want to waste the following day too much though. I'm sure most of us had plans, but mine were supposed to include getting up early. But fuck it, it was a fun night. I left with Heather and Felix before noon. It was a big Devon day, one where I would spend it alone, walking long and hard, seeking answers or places to discover. <br />The places in this case included the Summer Palace and the Old Summer Palace ruins. I found the bus and took a long ride there. However, despite it even raining, the day was smoggy as hell. I decided to check out the Summer Palace anyway. I'm in China, might as well. I didn't stay long though. It was very pretty, the trees in bloom. The lake was covered in cloud though. I did like the gardens. I left the Summer Palace, after barely an hour, heading towards it's historical version. I stopped at Tsinghua University, the same one I went to with Lilly and Lynsday and friends one day. Part of my Devon Day was to find some geocaches in the northern side of Beijing. The university held one. But I couldn't find it. I didn't want to waste the whole day, so I moved on. I passed a pub called The Kro. The aroma of pizza was just too inviting, and I spoiled myself. Besides, I missed breakfast, had a quick street-food lunch and had been walking all afternoon. With 1/4 for leftovers, I continued on. I found the Old Summer Palace and explored. It was a very, very large park. I foudn the geocache there, which was a large European maze structure. It was fun to walk through, and then climbing up top and jumping over. I called it a day and walked for a long time back to the entrance. I took a bus to a subway station and went home. It had been an exhausting and long day, but I was happy to explore Beijing one last time. I settled in my tiny bed in the corner that night, reading old journal entries and cleaning up papers that cluttered the potted plant shelf. I fell asleep, readying myself for my last day in Beijing. <br /><br />I was on my own again for most of my day here. I mainly needed to do some shopping. But that is never a simple thing here. I primarily had gifts to buy for family and friends back home. I have most of the things I need. I went from Panjiayuan in the morning to Tiannenmen Square in the afternoon. I had planned on seeing Mao's tomb. However, this is China. Nothing is simple. First, I got turned around. I had to deposit my bag, across the street, at a baggage check. After realizing the line I was in was likely for pick ups (unusually, I figured this out quickly) I went into the proper line. But like I said, this is China. I had to pay, and with my yuan running out quickly, I said screw it. Besides, the baggage claim closed at 12, it was 11, and I really, really did not want to argue with someone who didn't speak my language about getting my bag back, which I would absolutely need, because I was leaving the next day, and it wasn't my fault that their stupid process caused me to take over an hour to look at a dead Chinese leader. Yeah, I think it was best I let it go. I shopped at Hong Qiao, and returned to Panjiayuan, and then back up town again to pick up a cd with photos from it from Maxime. I was getting exhausted. I'm retiring here, at home, to finish my blog, charge my mp3 (12 hour flight remember!) and begin packing. So ends the exciting part of my journey to China. Sure, there are bits to wrap up, like the awkwardness of our last dinner we'll have, saying goodbye, etc. But not only has it yet to occur, I can imagine most of you can fill those portions in. If anything amazing happens, I'll fill you in on my post-CWY entries. <br /><br />But I'm sure most of us go through this when travelling. How do you get ready to leave? And I think I can say from experience, 3 months is much harder then 3 days or even weeks. It's been a jumble for me. What should I buy before I leave, should I go see everyone I met, what gift should I get for my host family or counterpart, should we have a last dinner, should I waste my last bit of money while I'm here, what about those exhibits I really wanted to see? It's hard to find an answer for any, if not all of these questions. I think there's always going to be that ONE thing you didn't do, or say or see. Its a personal thing. You have to accept that your leaving, and you have to decided what holds priority. What are the important things you know you have to do or say or see. I remember feeling so bad at the end of Katimavik, because I wasn't crying like most of my friends. Granted, most of them were drunk. I felt like a monster, because I knew I'd miss them and the places I'd been. Only until after they left my sight did I begin to cry. I don't feel the same. I'm sure many of you can tell, I'm ready to leave. Beijing holds great stories for me, but it's time for me to leave, as I'm sure it is for all the Canadians. Some of us are spending time with our host families, some are shopping, others I'm sure may even be resting! There's just that empty and uncertain feeling that is very difficult to rid yourself of on your last day. And you can only be thankful there are 8 other Canadian brothers and sisters who feel the same way...Devon Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00727809806990079723noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266676270878218311.post-85840104770891013362008-03-20T05:49:00.000-07:002008-12-10T21:00:06.449-08:00"So, Chairman is Mao's first name?" - Stephane<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSrugVYgmzO7cTxI3NtKUPhnCmHRcgWuiIgsOCSptRm5Hq7lcqjjb6sKGRqLwgZS-Cug_eYfy7j7Y_vKx2F1pC4tERQS4Rl_v3sssKQva3Ei7eAnM6h2QjTP2EZSZupI247SJLnq914zW/s1600-h/629.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVSrugVYgmzO7cTxI3NtKUPhnCmHRcgWuiIgsOCSptRm5Hq7lcqjjb6sKGRqLwgZS-Cug_eYfy7j7Y_vKx2F1pC4tERQS4Rl_v3sssKQva3Ei7eAnM6h2QjTP2EZSZupI247SJLnq914zW/s320/629.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189336659279384994" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikf39XFEXtxPf9bSUt89Ksdo4f9-Hxle_rQuFz190M5ElUPSt9EvJlMZmYU_f8ghWsfQu-Bp_M_a9foKS9F9xP2Mu4wm5Gtka9nwje1yKQ-WvL3TL7lwfbwMlS59g10I_K3E4Ayt1a2HUw/s1600-h/630.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikf39XFEXtxPf9bSUt89Ksdo4f9-Hxle_rQuFz190M5ElUPSt9EvJlMZmYU_f8ghWsfQu-Bp_M_a9foKS9F9xP2Mu4wm5Gtka9nwje1yKQ-WvL3TL7lwfbwMlS59g10I_K3E4Ayt1a2HUw/s320/630.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189336663574352306" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hRLpKmSyzQCdjtvRz0koUme9ys-zwI6Qr5KJi2J-ziXLbxnTpLRLBWuPdqUN85KQP4qM9Z3_abPgIli6UkE2KEHS34yHuo9nKighKrah8eMhcdAQByDeKv_HhyuaikRbIgPVCV8Xy_de/s1600-h/577.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hRLpKmSyzQCdjtvRz0koUme9ys-zwI6Qr5KJi2J-ziXLbxnTpLRLBWuPdqUN85KQP4qM9Z3_abPgIli6UkE2KEHS34yHuo9nKighKrah8eMhcdAQByDeKv_HhyuaikRbIgPVCV8Xy_de/s320/577.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189334876867957074" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7RTb3YFQymlYZOO5I-B2ofF6OH14fKyIgRd5u4-8esmzRs__LdDPuJnGPAMV5mSGp2dKx0ve4Lq3MKYfrda2yrUiAu-PZGGW2bIJ_OehikA-BPghUN4C03AurgZb3tO9Q2PTWc0_QYB8/s1600-h/583.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW7RTb3YFQymlYZOO5I-B2ofF6OH14fKyIgRd5u4-8esmzRs__LdDPuJnGPAMV5mSGp2dKx0ve4Lq3MKYfrda2yrUiAu-PZGGW2bIJ_OehikA-BPghUN4C03AurgZb3tO9Q2PTWc0_QYB8/s320/583.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189334885457891682" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDRzrw4owcXTNCZydXOdk1h-HQGGyBQA04sxBiF6yCb9w1M2UIKTlwGrhuap2DvnGe4Gv8Q8Q_EpAy939_yszBeuDaWlvQJhbN6O1BEJfnyoouTr-uRwXfnFvyW868SHEbHG9t21nRSx8/s1600-h/602.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwDRzrw4owcXTNCZydXOdk1h-HQGGyBQA04sxBiF6yCb9w1M2UIKTlwGrhuap2DvnGe4Gv8Q8Q_EpAy939_yszBeuDaWlvQJhbN6O1BEJfnyoouTr-uRwXfnFvyW868SHEbHG9t21nRSx8/s320/602.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189334889752858994" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhUFgyrR87H4sCGq2Rj-_N1A4zCDk03DiOABA2AjmxD4pHUMcrwU3-wBzsfmzeXtjJHCEHK-V4QCbQmXnVMPX24WOD4n3MOpY3-iQYBsnJS7bKHfL9cyubUyD4wMjDeY3ixIwxbqSaTnP/s1600-h/604.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmhUFgyrR87H4sCGq2Rj-_N1A4zCDk03DiOABA2AjmxD4pHUMcrwU3-wBzsfmzeXtjJHCEHK-V4QCbQmXnVMPX24WOD4n3MOpY3-iQYBsnJS7bKHfL9cyubUyD4wMjDeY3ixIwxbqSaTnP/s320/604.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189334898342793602" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijIBary1qyZwkxJigZ0eAv4Tmya7eyhJJp0JJQP6jzBY_euo1PNTRpkaqQyUbo25pcEWFjh6UeFG4r4CeCpIILmxrYddqVRLQQWs1Ta9ILbCiVLomKgqSZAbWZV9CejxQ8rdyfWzAnK-YY/s1600-h/611.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijIBary1qyZwkxJigZ0eAv4Tmya7eyhJJp0JJQP6jzBY_euo1PNTRpkaqQyUbo25pcEWFjh6UeFG4r4CeCpIILmxrYddqVRLQQWs1Ta9ILbCiVLomKgqSZAbWZV9CejxQ8rdyfWzAnK-YY/s320/611.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189334906932728210" /></a><br />I met Anne-Marie for a date on Sunday at the Book Worm in Sanlitun. We continued talking about China. She shared a lot of similar views, and even the few differences we fun to discuss. It was a shame I hadn't met her earlier and she was leaving soon. But that's where email comes in. If I ever go to Germany, I now have a contact. <br /><br />We held our last CAD. It seemed a bit childish to go EEEH over going to the Beijing Zoo, but many of us hadn't gone in a long time. However, I think we expected too much. There were only two Chinese participants there. Participation level has been declining lately. I'm sorry to say, but that was the saddest zoo I've ever been to. We saw many animals walking around in circles or back and forth. I've been told that's a sign of them going crazy. The cages weren't always too small, but some just didn't seem that great. The animals didn't seem too happy. Not only that, like 4 exhibits were closed, including the bears, penguins, crocodiles, and hippos/rhinos. At least I got to see pandas! All 3 of them. Sorry to those I promised I'd bring you one home, they're a little harder to sneak out then I thought. Damn cages and all. Those bastards scratch hard too! <br /><br />I had my food workshop the next day, the first part of debriefing. My intent was to compare the differences between breakfast, lunch and dinner in Canada and China. I had put a lot of effort into it. But the best laid plans go to crap! I was asked to shorten it to 11am so Jonathon could take us to a reserved room for Jamies birthday. I was already pressed for time, as circle check took up a large chunk. I tried. It went well at first, with Yuchan and I writing down information comparing the two countries. Yuchan was a bit unprepared for a question portion, and people were getting frustrated at the answering system, which made me flustered and jumpy. But it smoothed out. However, I still had to give up two activities I had planned, including a marshmallow fight. Everyone gave positive comments, but I was still a bit disappointed. I was a little bitter for the rest of the day, but wasn't mad at anyone. Sadie and Andy prepared a reverse culture shock workshop that afternoon. It was well needed for some people I think. A lot of the symptons of culture shock, and even reverse culture shock I had experienced before. I've warned people back home that I will be acting odd for a few days, so people should be expecting that. It set up some good remedies to dealing with it. <br /><br />The next day, I had another workshop. This one was on reflection with our counterparts. I had everyone write a timeline, from the beginning of the program to the very day we left. They were to write good moments with their host families, counterparts and group, as well as bad times. They were to reflect on these and share with their counterparts and comparing experiences. Heather held a workshop that we would reflect on what we learned during our CWY experience, and what we would take home from it. I took it very seriously. We read letters that we wrote at the beginning of the China phase. I have a tendency to write something that makes me laugh when I read it afterward, such as at the end of my letter, "P.S. Go pick up as many fine women as you can, you stud you." Okay, okay, I lie. I didn't put, "you stud you" in there. I looked hard at what I learned and what I would remember when I came home. <br /><br />Our last workshop was Felix and Anthony's on Chinese history. We read through some Chinese history, back to the Opium Wars. We've come aways to discuss sensitive subjects with our counterparts now, which include Mao, the Cultural Revolution and to a slight degree, Tibet. I'm quite happy our counterparts respect our desire to learn about these. Tomorrow is a our last CWY oriented portion of the program. Afterwards, its party party party! Except tomorrow. That's still totally Chinese, as we have very little idea whats going on, we're expected to cook god knows what dishes and do god knows what for entertainment. Damn. Shit, how many days left?Devon Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00727809806990079723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266676270878218311.post-72137621097314972072008-03-20T05:26:00.000-07:002008-12-10T21:00:11.402-08:00I love the bubbles! But they aren't melting!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkV9UJu_ZLadMIHrWyW2PSHVxvTmrAJvYy0A0DRnL3pEppsIAPEYN-mnr8dtSS6Oh4GpRyXibe-If_gLHQysEwFIgTvMtfweCjzN2rucKQ61vc-4snugTjtFkbhG15ADmfV1KEH5gnmLdT/s1600-h/550.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkV9UJu_ZLadMIHrWyW2PSHVxvTmrAJvYy0A0DRnL3pEppsIAPEYN-mnr8dtSS6Oh4GpRyXibe-If_gLHQysEwFIgTvMtfweCjzN2rucKQ61vc-4snugTjtFkbhG15ADmfV1KEH5gnmLdT/s320/550.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188969864777339154" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5rtJDQiDdnGkxwURJ0oXELJO4kfyyrKOlk0U9c1F-GEfs0Yw5LQIxgKeXVYGcBhO6gQMM8Y2bCiR-0Zecdo6YGvuefwBNRL3iD_ItMvbCrD64im3WWJIRc12u2F9HfFZtuqcOAdjegtau/s1600-h/553.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5rtJDQiDdnGkxwURJ0oXELJO4kfyyrKOlk0U9c1F-GEfs0Yw5LQIxgKeXVYGcBhO6gQMM8Y2bCiR-0Zecdo6YGvuefwBNRL3iD_ItMvbCrD64im3WWJIRc12u2F9HfFZtuqcOAdjegtau/s320/553.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188969869072306466" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIijDqAmeAiykg1FAQTwJrbAJA6phLYB2leoJQZq2WO2VDSQyOM3peAx0c3zXPo77PGHamw9ggZhwiGsp5da2Uu3uhQtwVyMn9qf2IvhSoTK4Rk0rUYT4si78ATRLUsjHXhxOVCbbF2FN-/s1600-h/555.JPG"><img style="float:left; 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margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPF4fjBDZgTvk0sFxnHJHyc4gCynWfNlmx9LlXb6nzoXFZF-_rG80Vcm2LA7LJSyuoWC0j7PwUrQq55JonmBeBvzvUbi_PqRlT6wfyxlXKq7AnOlUZBSBqZxeNCCCnDfZ0suHUYcM0YkXZ/s320/448.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188965153198215266" /></a><br />I wasn't that motivated on my last day of work. To label books anyway. I did enough books to stack and make a pile in front of me so no one could see me, in the selfish effort to read my book, Oracle Bones. It was one of the books Maxime desired us to read so to be ready for our Chinese history workshop during debriefing. That, and just to read in general so to understand China. They've been really helpful and I suggest them to anyone desiring to understand China sans visiting. I had lunch with Yuchan and Lynsday and went shopping with them in the afternoon. Near Xizhemen, we shopped for clothes. They reminded me I needed a nice dress shirt for our farewell party, and I asked them to help me. They were helpful, but it still felt like a mistake. They insisted on this shirt, or that shirt, none of which felt like "me" I hate wearing clothes that I don't feel comfortable in. I stopped being someone else after high school, and to have someone insist on wearing a shirt that wasn't my style felt a bit like an insult. I know they didn't mean it and they were being helpful. I could have been a little more cooperative though. I sucked it up and bought a shirt. Now, I can look like every other Chinese poser in the clubs! I didn't stay in the mall long, and decided to spend the rest of the sunny afternoon visiting Beihai Park, another stop on my to-do list. I made a sarcastic remark to a girl about having to pay like 4 tickets to see everything at an attraction, which she knew about. We began talking and next thing you knew, 2 hours went by. We walked around the park, talking a lot about China. I gave Anne-Marie my number. Still got it. And I didn't have to wear a silly shirt! <br /><br />I wore that shirt the next day to our final EAD, the Olympic EAD. Jamie and Jonathon did a good job and put on a good EAD. There was lots of information, from the history to the olympics to the political and environmental agendas attached. In the afternoon, we went to the Birds Nest stadium. Or tried to. It's still under construction for crying out loud! The park area anyway. We couldn't get close, so we took pictures from afar. We even saw the neighboring Water Cube in the distance! Alas, they would not remain in the distance out of reach. That night, we went partying, staying in a hotel. It was an alright night. Dinner at the same Russian restaurant, we stayed for a bit of a house party at Michelles, and then went out. From meeting cute 30 year old lawyers to almost getting run over by trucks in a random construction yard, it was a good night. It was quite the coincedence meeting up with our other half of the group who had stayed at Michelles at the same club late at night! But we all partied together until late. Yuchan had informed us earlier that she met a guy who designed the logo for the Water Cube, and he could give us a tour! Felix was going to the Summer Palace, which I also wanted to do, but I would never get another chance to go to the Water Cube. This was too perfect, especially considering we couldn't see it or the Birds Nest at the EAD that day. We went out the next morning, with only a minor case of a certain person getting lost in another subway station. We made it to the meeting point where her friend picked us up. The Water Cube is one of the large swimming gymnasiums for the Olympics. In fact, it's not even open to the public until AFTER the Olympics! We were very fortunate. We were toured around, seeing the pool and other areas of the stadium. It's unique because it's a new conceptual architural design, and is actually environmentally friendly! It's made of large special plastic bubbles that are inflated with air constantly. It was really cool, especially knowing we got a sneak peak of what many will not get to see it for a long time!Devon Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00727809806990079723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266676270878218311.post-90212549131927817482008-03-20T04:36:00.000-07:002008-12-10T21:00:13.416-08:00"The smoke from my imaginary guns made me cough" - Sadie<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDySyTggBMyMvMfrLgajmHCYay12UrnnADeS45ZLtOmEolQ-5MugCOUlNLSYtSSbZPhpoofDiS__do4gROg1a2j4imC1Bla7vHz3JVUSsy9MF2hlO5W7UJ7aqfp3Jc7FppKK9pVmA6ueU/s1600-h/340.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcDySyTggBMyMvMfrLgajmHCYay12UrnnADeS45ZLtOmEolQ-5MugCOUlNLSYtSSbZPhpoofDiS__do4gROg1a2j4imC1Bla7vHz3JVUSsy9MF2hlO5W7UJ7aqfp3Jc7FppKK9pVmA6ueU/s320/340.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188220961146973826" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0645gLExLjcgr5Sv0cblh0b90koWHht_lwhe_SkP3REmlfcPLuhJYujBP2En7Mb7sAj1_0rsdlsqcjLWlhOh-7uIrky5SPIIzzebVrnKMnVMr6Lt3jqtzwh5QtQ2BTcPvyUhQgjmRD6GF/s1600-h/355.JPG"><img style="float:left; 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margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5GegZqAIASs3ihzed9dsQp5z1wagMEDIC8AKTwxDVem_SC4NvIJk-xWaO7lyNv8LPjaWP-8CC2RHVgewcPYKKnOkRYDbsXi1x8Ks-lYAMsRVhXf50RAKB72MceFoupbJT-uCKv9oJ4-YG/s320/318.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188218689109274226" /></a><br />I found myself with a free afternoon one weekend, and decided to go to Mao's Tomb. I still haven't went, so it felt like a good time to check out it. I caught the bus and was pissed to find out that Tiannamen Square was blocked off. Apparently they knew I was coming. Actually, March was the month of two very important meetings I was told. So when the politicians come out, they block off the Square, which includes Mao's tomb. Rather then waste an afternoon, I decided to do something else I wanted to do for awhile. I went to the Military Musuem. Gary had shown interest in making a day trip there with the group as an activity, but I'm sorry to say my faith has been waivered in him. And I thought it would be too hard to plan, and therefore wouldn't happen, so I went anyway. I didn't have any ID (on account of a lost wallet) but the guard gave me a ticket! I think it was free anyway though, I'm not sure. It was a very large museum, and one of the most well put together ones I've seen here. There was a vast amount of Chinese history, from the dynasties, during the Great Leap Forward to present. I was glad to be alone, as those are often places I feel rushed by others who glance at things quickly and move on, so I could go at my own pace now, and enjoyed myself. <br /><br />That week was my last week of work. I didn't feel as though I could justify 3 months of shitty volunteering into 3 short days, and I was right. Although the tasks they held for me did have validity, I wasn't too enthused. Sticking decimal labels onto the spines of books isn't that great. But I did it anyway, just listening to music the entire time. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaall by myself. Yuchan had family matters to deal with, Gary had things to do at his other workplace, and nobody knew where the hell Nancy was, who hadn't shown up once yet. Whoopee!<br /><br />We had another CAD on Monday the following week. It was to a new neighborhood most of us had never been. We first stopped for lunch, where Andy and Jonathon joined us with some baijiu. It was a merry afternoon, and they were very sentimental about us leaving, wishing for us to remember that moment and try not to miss them when we were gone. I fail. I miss them already and I haven't even left yet! We walked (with a little stumble) to a tea house run by a friend of Jonathons. We drank some tea, chatted, and then watched a traditional tea ceremony. We walked through a hutong, exploring a bit until we arrived at a antique shop which turned out to be fucking expensive! 100 yuan for a tiny lock? Screw that! We explored a little more, checking out other shops with paintings, antiques and whatnot. We got seperated from everyone and went out own way, eventually going home. <br /><br />It continued being a busy week. We were invited to play basketball with the Chongwenmen Government District Office. We all went to a school gym after work and warmed up a bit. It was the CWY guys against them. We put up a good fight, made some good sweat, but they beat us in the end. They were very sportsmen and took us all out to a kao ya (roast duck) dinner. They were very chatty and asked us questions about Canada, our Mandarin, and living here. They were a nice bunch of guys. <br /><br />The next day, I left work early to go to Gary's workplace. It may have taken 3 months, but he finally planned a day for me to play games with kids. We went to an elementary school not far from his work place. I found it a bit frustrating, because I had to keep changing the plans I had made, because it would go from 2 hours to 1, and then I had to make it educational and teach them english or something, and then I had 2 groups instead of 1. But I improvised well. I taught the kids the numbers 1-10 in french, as I couldn't think of some new standardized english phrases they hadn't already heard a million times, and then I taught the next group the Canadian provinces. Forgive me, I forgot the territories. I played "steal the bacon" and the island game with them, both of which they loved. As a thank you after, Gary's supervisor gave me the last Olympic volunteer bracelets. Now I have all 5 olympic colors! Blue, red, green, yellow, black. A full set!Devon Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00727809806990079723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266676270878218311.post-15743650993097180422008-03-16T06:53:00.000-07:002010-09-04T23:08:47.045-07:00The only thing that is best at its worse!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrmbinx3aRB9oUEH0H1toA86MlOoXRFJH5LmBEEOVf3V7_sjZBOzDdLLbhB-vz46vzDL7CPF8v6cMDeOzuvrp9ng5GbJOY-g1DoEy8X-FTVMGwF97WB3FhLEQIk10UY-pGyORXMklYhL2/s1600-h/232.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTrmbinx3aRB9oUEH0H1toA86MlOoXRFJH5LmBEEOVf3V7_sjZBOzDdLLbhB-vz46vzDL7CPF8v6cMDeOzuvrp9ng5GbJOY-g1DoEy8X-FTVMGwF97WB3FhLEQIk10UY-pGyORXMklYhL2/s320/232.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188147989652614658" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlD7-4OpUgsnxxtIxoGnitISuXdaOh350W9IiK8Wybg4zo_eGWgjzKxa2ubg39dYFde7pyViXZGx9dt0sHNXN34btmixCQRYLQ3eTs7imnJ-4Xb0x7o0rG8clwefxQSgMQi549goIr-Yl3/s1600-h/242.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; 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float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjspW-Xe_dSUTv495FS1F8f1wIrTj1lNgtDD9gppS3TH0e7AgMxQsdZ-mSRsW9_Z96UCCD6B3PvsCIREOFH19fOzW-YOps31jmxjVbF-hdavhffE9NgaPrQuHywRIo1Zr-JjIWx0y-Ey0MV/s320/039.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5188139288048872786" border="0" /></a><br />Shame on me, the usually disciplined blogger. However, I've been busy, as I'm sure these stories will tell you. Rather then throwing in two weeks or so of long, boring Canada World Youth adventures, I shall write them in small chunks. Chunk number one!<br /><br />We had a CAD one day at the Natural History Museum. I found many of the exhibits were half finished, broken, or even innacurate. However, the museum had not actually been open yet, and we were granted special access. I laughed at seeing a display showing so few bears in BC, yet plenty in Quebec, along with cougars (heh, cougars). That afternoon, we went to the Temple Of Heaven to chill. We had extra time to spare, so many of us relaxed in the warm cloudless day; some read, others explored, or even slept. I found myself not particulary restless and hacky sacked. After, we had a small volunteer job to do. We helped clean the game room for kids of a building that I believe was a center for children. Details were very vague and little information was given to us. We cleaned the dusty area, from toys to fooseball tables to a small science lab. Had it been opened, and the place actually informed of volunteers in need, we may have ended up there. Zao gao. <br /><br />Just when I thought there was nothing better to do in China. Boy, was I wrong. Going to the Great Wall a third time keeps things interesting. Especially this particular trip. Gary and I had just finished our Environment EAD, where we discussed the environmental problems and solutions of China. Some of those being desertification, the obvious air pollution, and sanitation. However, before I met our group at Maximes, I had a date. Yes, Devon Flynn works his magic around the world. It was Natalie, the Russian girl I, ahem, got to know. I met her at the subway station and ran into four of my friends before we made it to the coffee shop. We sat and talked, from living in Beijing, to travelling, work, food, etc. It was a short, but good date. I met up with the group after some frustrating confusion with train and subway/metro. Naturally, it was me who made the blunder, but I don't want to take all the blame. We boarded our sleeper train which we would be housed in until 3:30am. Some people chatted for awhile, others slept right away in our tiny yet cozy bunkbeds. We arrived at a train station debating whether to walk to the beach or take taxis. Advice: at 4am, walking should never be an option. Don't be cheap. This, however, is not a live and learn situation for which I am prone for. We coughed up the 15 yuan for a ride to the beach in two taxis. There, smack dab in the dark, in a far off province of China, at 4 in the morning, on a cold wintry beach, were 10 Canadians and 1 Chinese participant. But don't things like that make the best memories? We walked a bit, and then retired for the morning in the front of a cement building. We all chatted for awhile and then slept. Not all of us brought our sleeping bags or blankets, which would resort to some rather close sleeping. Spooning=heat. And it was pretty cold. Morning came, and we enjoyed our own packed lunches, waking up with some "Foreign Girl" wine, the butt of some jokes there. We revelled at the rising sun, a bit late as we thought we couldn't see it through the pollution, which apparently even haunts the eastern shores. However it soon rose, jaded in smog, with a tanker on the water and a fisherman on a tube, bouncing on the water. We carried on, eager to see the beginning of the Great Wall. The very beginning is called the Dragons Head; however, due to rising waters, it can no longer be seen. In fact, we never did find where the wall meets sea. We were side tracked, and it was too difficult. With some peddlars pushing post cards on us a town away, we showed interest in the location shown on the cards. We had a woman drive 8 of us to this wall, quite a ways away. It was located at the bridge of a damn, far away from anything. So secluded, miles from anything it seemed. We paid our tickets and found out the attraction was more then just a section of the Great Wall. It was actually a bird sanctuary and history exhibit in cave tunnels. Both were unfinished, as we were in the off tourist season. We did see a few pretty birds in a large netted area, and wandered through some cavernous halls, seeing the occasional exhibition room or bronze statue. We climbed the wall after. It was different then the rest, as it ran directly into the mountain side. Upon reach the top, it went nowhere. It just merely stopped. However, the journey up was amazing. It was an unrepaired section of the Great Wall, lending to its authenticity and making the danger factor multiply the adventure. Parts of the wall were missing, destroyed by history. Yet it was stable enough to go to the top. I contemplated the idea that it was an earnest thing to be enjoyed, not bought, climbing the Great Wall. It's not something you can buy a ticket, ride a gondola and say "I climbed the Great Wall!" Those people are phonies and should be shot! You have to sweat, in the heat and dust to experience it. Third times a charm! We returned to town, grabbed dinner and boarded another train. It was quite crowded, but we found salvation in the dining car, where we paid extra for seats and a small meal. We were exhausted, but some people mustered the energy to go party that night. I wasn't one of them.Devon Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00727809806990079723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266676270878218311.post-12573462013545986352008-03-03T21:43:00.001-08:002008-12-10T21:00:19.802-08:00Lets see how well I do with Russian<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGzIaZGTk-Jb3Jaeos5Gl6kcEreroTQl-e_ebyn4jTvwk2jwLnYKZ_g-5P1OLBrMERxwGfkzJFaI4Oy0sBJdTEHgYDWp1OpG-v8WLi0e18bX6eVZsVeEpMhixWuo3xLZEyeHxm_xuUiCS/s1600-h/IMG_2874.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGzIaZGTk-Jb3Jaeos5Gl6kcEreroTQl-e_ebyn4jTvwk2jwLnYKZ_g-5P1OLBrMERxwGfkzJFaI4Oy0sBJdTEHgYDWp1OpG-v8WLi0e18bX6eVZsVeEpMhixWuo3xLZEyeHxm_xuUiCS/s320/IMG_2874.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187862215413640386" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR79jpqMpmkCJyMJbyIeW5pSRhFS2NIgDL8fQxzSbV4yqycxCg5dDuavi0UgbL1ztOGzJOPAgY4iTltrRmSx0bRJVpvO_xh1005DgJlPjrrci8-gr2jQpnmAfmY4vmkcmz47PQcB95Z_oN/s1600-h/IMG_2895.JPG"><img style="float:left; 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margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEZePDxoMkncGFhDPxtxmiyjNr7_hcs7E6d7EJApA_uoW98sbBbilG8Cl8r6qC31jZ9NRZtmoNXlGXQ0B5Mjw_WYlrVuklgjeNFPye4vAHDBSfcvtKJJ_V0Djx8XqRinQm-d2d4KaP4n4t/s320/IMG_2857.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187859578303720594" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL63DmzBbBFgGCsIArsPMDw7bvuW0-J2w9JlpUlZYy2qkUh05w_8adJ9rSr5oKUHxN8XhyphenhyphengvU-qEEFNm_eK45LehdhoxYD98Z8gCv7AozIjUA14gbLULaLm8679sufHHcN34qaTvBldJQn/s1600-h/Russian+bread.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL63DmzBbBFgGCsIArsPMDw7bvuW0-J2w9JlpUlZYy2qkUh05w_8adJ9rSr5oKUHxN8XhyphenhyphengvU-qEEFNm_eK45LehdhoxYD98Z8gCv7AozIjUA14gbLULaLm8679sufHHcN34qaTvBldJQn/s320/Russian+bread.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187859582598687906" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGl6G_UzpIkIwF-AT2Zqz2u4lhaIRnheH5pBoEJZW1jpqh1Iq43DGuhoGhq7rgP1AFnELtOyvh1dhbIQ-qnroP-rmG-c4WNDTMaK-34q0BFQ4KxN872iYKB2r-UsPhAHtnoG68dvePzp28/s1600-h/IMG_2865.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGl6G_UzpIkIwF-AT2Zqz2u4lhaIRnheH5pBoEJZW1jpqh1Iq43DGuhoGhq7rgP1AFnELtOyvh1dhbIQ-qnroP-rmG-c4WNDTMaK-34q0BFQ4KxN872iYKB2r-UsPhAHtnoG68dvePzp28/s320/IMG_2865.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187859586893655218" /></a><br />It was a very mild two weeks. I'm back tracking here, because I haven't been on for awhile. I had quite a boring week after our big Great Wall/Party day. I no longer worked in the basement of the library, but moved up a floor, to the childrens section. The librarian acting as our supervisor was very nice. Although the work indeed sucked, I beared it and did it. I once again, organized books. Makes me wonder if the librarians ever have any free time. But this was the kids section, and I know those little bastards rarely put them back properly. I was working solo quite a bit, as Yuchan would have places to go, Gary would be late, and Nancy...well, she hasn't shown up once. I did a great job organizing the books and the librarian appreciated it. So much, that she took us out for lunch across the street. It was a great meal, and she really seemed to like us. She's even going to try to bring us to her house for a bbq! Like, a REAL bbq! So I'm looking forward to that. Otherwise, after work, I'd been going home and organizing my food workshop and environment EAD. It was a simple schedule, with a Nintendo DS break in between.<br /><br />Friday came, and we participated in Felix and Anthonys EAD on the minorities in China. It was a well planned EAD. We visited a buddhist temple, then a mosque, and had some traditional minority food in a cafeteria. However, I think it blended with Chinese food too much, and we couldn't really tell a difference. The afternoon was ended with an excellent betting game for trying to learn about the minorities and interesting facts about their lives. That night, a few of us went to meet with another CWY alumni living in Beijing; Michelle, from Quebec. He was pretty cool. He told us some stories, we told him some stories, and we went for dinner at a Russian restaurant. There was a lot of meat on the menu. I'm getting a bit sick of meat. I need some fresh veggies when I get home! Anyway, there was also a Russian wedding going on. So it was a bit loud, but there were a few cute girls. Two of them named Natalie and Anya. A little friendly dancing, and your hot shit with the Russians! I was the only one who was friendly and danced, and played game where you pass an orange from under your chin to the next person. Although I wasn't so good at that, they brought me back for another game. I was a bit iffy about being blind folded, but not so much after I was told I had to find the bread off of Natalies body. I love those Russians. A phone number later, I'm getting Russian lessons by text. Not to mention, I had the most succulent steak, and possibly most disgusting green beer, ever!<br /><br />The following morning, I went with Sadie, Heather, Felix and his host mother, Aunty Gwei, to go tea shopping in the tea district. We spent the whole morning looking at tea, tea pots, and drinking tea before we bought some. I won't say who, but some people are getting some tea when I come home! We caught up with the rest of the group after being 2 and a half hours late. Whoops. Bad bus! We walked around the Chaoyang district, looking at the architecture of some new buildings being constructed. We saw the soon-to-be tallest building in the world, the CCTV tower, that you have to see to believe, and another one that looked like it was stomped on. Those Beijing arcitects sure know how to dream.<br /><br />But we didn't stop there. I went with Sadie, Lyndsay and Lilly on Sunday morning to check out Beijing universities. I will admit, it was a bit boring; I just mainly wanted to get out and sight see. But the universities were indeed very nice, and quite large. But my feet weren't up to it. Lately, my feet have been hurting real bad on account of walking, almost, ALL the time! And I think my new shoes don't fit quite so well. Damn skinny Chinese feet!<br /><br />Mondays CAD was a trip to the Natural History Museum. Although I have indeed been to a few museums, I hadn't seen many dinosaurs. Or dead bodies in jars! The human body portion was quite neat. However, quite a few parts of the exhibits were either broken, unfinished, or innaccurate. I don't think Quebec gets too many cougars, and BC gets bears as well as Alaska. I don't know, I just found some parts funny, being a North American. We chilled in the Temple of Heaven park after lunch, sitting on the grass, reading, hacky sacking, or listening to music. It was a very peaceful time. We are trying to ready ourselves for the end. Yes, the end. It's coming very soon I must say. I will be home in about 3 weeks. I know most of you are excited, because I know I sure am. We're trying hard to put together our final workshops for debriefing, including reflection, what we've learned and how we've grown. I know we've all done that. This last week has allowed me to do that a lot. I'm finding myself thinking about my up and coming bike trip more then I do the program now. But it really ties into a workshop we plan on doing; what have I learned? You know, you have to show something for 6 months. China has lagged a lot according to the CWY program, but I still have learned a lot. It's hard to describe in text, but just maturing. I remember doing the same excercise at the end of Katimavik; who will I be in the next 5 years, and what will this/these programs have done to make it so? These are large chapters in my life, each a puzzle piece, connecting eachother more and more the further I go. With each new piece, they connect to the past ones more intricately, building the puzzle that is the person I will become. Thats the imagery I use anyway. It might explain my actions or what I say when I come home. 3 more weeks...as Andy says, "Wow...how time flies"Devon Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00727809806990079723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266676270878218311.post-40066368657442021182008-02-24T00:34:00.000-08:002008-12-10T21:00:22.473-08:00"Shaolin monkeys" - Maxime<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrd5LQEBu1ca9uyT12InH3aSih2xz3jTZJfrML4thiN4JyRzf5Du4_QrGGoVZp-s9cjvkmnD-SA9cIY_xg1XO0XnDQlUyJ29nhHekWXvGceinwTnD1AH2LifkG2DQCwwSjkTLnyQTIHbe/s1600-h/ç §ç+596.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173789403007291538" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbrd5LQEBu1ca9uyT12InH3aSih2xz3jTZJfrML4thiN4JyRzf5Du4_QrGGoVZp-s9cjvkmnD-SA9cIY_xg1XO0XnDQlUyJ29nhHekWXvGceinwTnD1AH2LifkG2DQCwwSjkTLnyQTIHbe/s320/%E7%85%A7%E7%89%87+596.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnHtSKloPgn8W9VC56lUg95vjbGlK61mxQlHcLOj9BOtrdFDC9Em7SdNn1_y4MOzMOlEsiymipuoekpsfVCRpVY0N-lIyVLtlJt7w6-jNGq8HJvtqLeI7qeLgXHMJlMO60Yw2zQUhq7weu/s1600-h/ç §ç+616.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173789420187160738" style="FLOAT: left; 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MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCE6FTa5hnkatpAzXziwHQOHw0elrV43_oG7B7hVpRJ1uLxbhl7dbnchYJBwAF20wifLeePYl3gWzUf2LQjXOjjPowcCuiaV38gn6-2h8fCgb_znMH2YsrYHk3UHJNGN7apJPYHGUZDuom/s320/%E7%85%A7%E7%89%87+506.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkhyphenhyphensCOgOR6-gAYpX2qbeAqv8EfP3AD-U11ws1Qas_PbwLGvIuVT0k7QL9eZFOpiSbSH6DurMgVPf3gVHJaVkfFnoOwbucH2Bp8B07w5tf3nzuGlx8XzChPkr-xnvBUvbx6_LM16bPTms/s1600-h/ç §ç+311.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173785979918356498" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkhyphenhyphensCOgOR6-gAYpX2qbeAqv8EfP3AD-U11ws1Qas_PbwLGvIuVT0k7QL9eZFOpiSbSH6DurMgVPf3gVHJaVkfFnoOwbucH2Bp8B07w5tf3nzuGlx8XzChPkr-xnvBUvbx6_LM16bPTms/s320/%E7%85%A7%E7%89%87+311.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlA-sjs7Flx_FMBxxFch9dKGG-xWDcvu8wuoi_bJCltYhabU2IM5XJo5kB56ARUXJJGj7Z-pOW9RZYUZGMf00xNGUjdtBREufranBIYg2KhJQM2uUILw5qrXw3ulGkkTIDX0a-Vj9aW6HU/s1600-h/ç §ç+316.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173785992803258402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlA-sjs7Flx_FMBxxFch9dKGG-xWDcvu8wuoi_bJCltYhabU2IM5XJo5kB56ARUXJJGj7Z-pOW9RZYUZGMf00xNGUjdtBREufranBIYg2KhJQM2uUILw5qrXw3ulGkkTIDX0a-Vj9aW6HU/s320/%E7%85%A7%E7%89%87+316.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqdvgZETgnVxejswILUQd3VjhqqgoePR0anzb1ztWlUpF7bNguTUeE5Anyr_HhBd_rxi4CYxGU1BkKf8PfVYjztMz9w0EkXPUcQNjj-ytPfV8pAWSUI2eDDue4f5g21Rdwu-cvt5HUMEn/s1600-h/ç §ç+332.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173786001393193010" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsqdvgZETgnVxejswILUQd3VjhqqgoePR0anzb1ztWlUpF7bNguTUeE5Anyr_HhBd_rxi4CYxGU1BkKf8PfVYjztMz9w0EkXPUcQNjj-ytPfV8pAWSUI2eDDue4f5g21Rdwu-cvt5HUMEn/s320/%E7%85%A7%E7%89%87+332.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cXIxx7xj7z-rV3vDlSOpfBnX5XwgqyRy0MfG5w4HZqZDpBXIwKS_qs8OszI_j2uX_0n1qVbt7M_wKpF5eLsIV_mdXEKKcAovcCFrZavmkMEO-KUtF3xg-Yulf5xJXkSn3pLGbnofNnZS/s1600-h/ç §ç+363.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173786005688160322" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5cXIxx7xj7z-rV3vDlSOpfBnX5XwgqyRy0MfG5w4HZqZDpBXIwKS_qs8OszI_j2uX_0n1qVbt7M_wKpF5eLsIV_mdXEKKcAovcCFrZavmkMEO-KUtF3xg-Yulf5xJXkSn3pLGbnofNnZS/s320/%E7%85%A7%E7%89%87+363.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Let me explain some of my titles - I hate coming up with clever titles, so they sometimes pertain to the chapter I'm writing about, other times, they are random yet funny quotes from my dear group members. I have been forming a habit of writing down random quotes that people say, so that should we ever hear the quote again, we can laugh as we are reminded of a whole story that we had forgot.<br /><br />I'm not gonna lie. It was a brutal week of work. Brutal in the sense that it sucked ass. But what came afterwards was always worth waiting for. One such thing was an amazing show: the History of Kung-Fu. Yes. Kung-fu! The very same ass-kicking moves that everyone loves to see, with a bit of story to it actually. It was awesome. We attended Lyndsay and Lilly's EAD on social services which was interesting. I know I use that word a lot when describing the EAD's, but its appropriate. And it was there we met Ben and Jackie, other CWY supervisors who were visiting. Jackie was cool for several reasons. First, lets rewind to the day before. Jamie called me about the kung-fu show and then out of the blue, asked me if I knew Kelly and Glenn and "JAKE!" to which I finished his sentence. He was naming Katimavik people I met in Hazelton. Jackie found out there was a participate in our group who was from there, and was getting Jamie to see if I remembered them. Jackie was their Katimavik supervisors! I met her! THIS was the small world connection I was waiting for here in Beijing! It happened several times in Katimavik, and I knew it would happen again. It actually spawned a web of connections, with Katimavik, CWY and random people that I knew who were all connected through me. I actually drew a map, which was unbelievable to a few of my friends. It's too much to write, but I'm gonna try to get an online drawing or something to show you. The world is not a big place, that's for sure. So after the EAD, we were asked who wanted to go to the Great Wall. There was an impromptu trip that would happen the next day. I really wanted to go back, and take much more pictures, so I went. It was a big Saturday planned out; wake up early, go to the Great Wall in the day, come back, and go clubbing and stay in a hotel at night. Flawless, right? Well, we managed to get to the Great Wall, Felix, Saidie, Heather, Jamie, Jackie and I. Jackie told many stories, and just loved Hazelton, which just made me beam. From taking a 2 hour bus ride, to bargaining a price for a small truck taxi, we finally made it. It was beautiful, absolutely thwomped Badaling and was the high point of quite possibly the entire program. I vowed to take as many pictures as I could. I think 400 oughtta do it. But some are extra. So worth it though. It was not touristy, for you could see barely a group of people 3 towers away. There were few sales people, who walked after you for awhile, but weren't too bothersome. We respected them a bit more then those at the major tourist spots. The wall was even more steep then the other wall in some parts, but I conquered them just as well. 10km went by so fast. I really want to go back already. They didn't have gondolas or even roller coasters, but this section DID have a zip line across a river! But no one else wanted to do it. I figured it was one of those things that would just be the icing one the cake, a one of a kind experienced. I walked away though, because no one else wanted to do it and I was afraid we'd get lost on the other side. I was a bit disappointing. You have to remember though: I'm Devon-fucking-Flynn! I nagged Felix, and it didn't take much, until he broke and we ran back, and bought our cheaper-then expected tickets. 35 yuan, about 5$ for a zip line on the great wall? Best $5 anyone could ever spend! I filmed it of course. I could go home satisfied, my trip to China had been topped off. We met up with our friends after. We did some more haggling for another taxi ride, and then caught the bus home. It was an amazing day, but didn't end there. The bus was slow getting home, and we were supposed to meet the girls at a club. Yuchans cousin reserved us a table, and we had to be there by 9:30pm. We were very rushed. I came home for not 5 minutes, not seeing my host family all day. I quickly changed, no shower (we'd be dancing anyway) ate 4 strawberries that were on the table and left. My host dad asked me, like always, if I had eaten. I said no, and I was really hungry, but couldn't stay. I felt a little bad, but time was of the essence. And the essence stunk! A few of us got there right on time, cold and hungry, and there was no sign of anyone else. The rest of the girls were late. They showed up and we went in and had a blast. Drinking and dancing and talking all night and all morning. There were more foreigners then Chinese in the club almost! We had an awesome time, playing drinking games, meeting new people. I laugh every time I chat with a pretty girl in Chinese, she thinks my Mandarin is good. I even met some cute Mexicans, taking a break from Shanghai. You never feel out of place with foreigners from everywhere. We got to the hotel at 6am! I was awake for a good 24 hours, and it was one of the best 24 hours I've ever had.<br /><br />The next morning, most of us went for a full-english breakfast at a quaint, quiet cafe in a hutong near the Llama Temple. It was great, because it was awesome after morning food, but also because it was a regular breakfast. Sausages, eggs, toast, beans, button mushrooms, hashbrowns, bacon. I kid you not, I almost cried. And when I picked up that fork, an odd feeling came over me. I haven't used a fork before that. Sure, it may have been heavy, but it still felt weird. I've been in China too long. It was the most delicious meal I have had here. Actually, one of the most expensive too, 65 yuan. But as with most things, it was so worth it.<br /><br />So obviously, I'm very tired today. We all were, and are a little crabby to say. But it's not because of the previous activities (although I'm sure a 10km hike and partying all night doesn't leave people too bubbly the next morning) but it is now exactly one month until I return to Canada, although not necessarily home. I'm sure it's spawned lots of personal thinking and reflection. It has to me. I tried not to start counting, but it was hard. I started at 1 month, 9 days. I miss home. I've added a lot more to my to-do list, which things are being crossed off slowly but surely. The 2nd visit to the Great Wall, the latest. Many of us have personal things to get done, some having to do with our host families, some counterparts, some back home with loved ones or work. I have all of the above. I'm not sure what it's going to do to the rest of us. But talking with Jackie, and indeed everyone around me, it's concreted the fact that this is my story, not anyone elses. This is my experience, to which I have to make the best of. I have a month to figure out how to do that.</div></div></div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dybY1F4IxAlM7ohoBPDtjN1nLEjHOJnHSUdUE8O56OvFzIegGJpaQNK_F04_hFkbXWouGCNbbA0aFjR6Q9Cdw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Devon Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00727809806990079723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266676270878218311.post-84886651700493202402008-02-19T21:55:00.000-08:002008-12-10T21:00:23.207-08:00"We just want you to be happy"<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZvv8d2RLBiEl24wWWoJbCPW7V2ZQZx1NBwhimidjwpUDSGDfbEokclQAnu3W2yzKWCuwbGDZv2TjsVuYAnJ_wpM6FK5laoAMz8QZxflrUE5YUgodovLBS3s-7DFkfRGeVIf2klFRSQbPS/s1600-h/ç §ç+091.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173776689904095186" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZvv8d2RLBiEl24wWWoJbCPW7V2ZQZx1NBwhimidjwpUDSGDfbEokclQAnu3W2yzKWCuwbGDZv2TjsVuYAnJ_wpM6FK5laoAMz8QZxflrUE5YUgodovLBS3s-7DFkfRGeVIf2klFRSQbPS/s320/%E7%85%A7%E7%89%87+091.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQU61HQmG8wED0PtXi_LxNg6ewp70VdJzEA4cvBCX-neIDLHH13HGBgZifS11CnQDl6hvm-WH-fH9WJRhZ5EkAkCkvjAebL7b1jiKcmjNYCTzRBeaLHpAs3XvE89-UJPNWIGObIzqearl/s1600-h/ç §ç+129.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173776698494029794" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQU61HQmG8wED0PtXi_LxNg6ewp70VdJzEA4cvBCX-neIDLHH13HGBgZifS11CnQDl6hvm-WH-fH9WJRhZ5EkAkCkvjAebL7b1jiKcmjNYCTzRBeaLHpAs3XvE89-UJPNWIGObIzqearl/s320/%E7%85%A7%E7%89%87+129.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7agZZ2k1Z51cjvjyEPsFiekXdzFzxdnorqiHs0YG4nVPd4B4fPw_QDH1i34fL2ZZjngUVdOVQ_Iv-tNOMnHqITQTheEuRJCjcwzc5r7hudSOw6D5RdwFHsVgi7CzZuyQXUHGse9KbrvXI/s1600-h/ç §ç+140.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173776707083964402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7agZZ2k1Z51cjvjyEPsFiekXdzFzxdnorqiHs0YG4nVPd4B4fPw_QDH1i34fL2ZZjngUVdOVQ_Iv-tNOMnHqITQTheEuRJCjcwzc5r7hudSOw6D5RdwFHsVgi7CzZuyQXUHGse9KbrvXI/s320/%E7%85%A7%E7%89%87+140.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQmlXDppVF3Mp2Oo9C1eVkG0kLpOPXY23m240MiBsC0m25rRU6BHdp62rokWRW_jctRSCh1H8Li-_bItbYSnCCkHYzFIUg2DSWU7Z4gtKvL4ZLd0cfA03eW6pElMODqnzwfVNyBMdXyhyq/s1600-h/ç §ç+145.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5173776715673899010" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQmlXDppVF3Mp2Oo9C1eVkG0kLpOPXY23m240MiBsC0m25rRU6BHdp62rokWRW_jctRSCh1H8Li-_bItbYSnCCkHYzFIUg2DSWU7Z4gtKvL4ZLd0cfA03eW6pElMODqnzwfVNyBMdXyhyq/s320/%E7%85%A7%E7%89%87+145.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Good lord, the last month is taking too long. And I'd like to say, I do appreciate peoples comments that I'm in China, I should be enjoying it. But you do have to understand, I'm not on a vacation here, I'm living here, I'm doing activities, I'm working. Okay, the work is bullshit, as you'll find out, but still. I'm aware how fortunate I am to be here. However, take into consideration how difficult it is to integrate into a culture not for a few days or a few weeks even, but 3 months! I'm not always gonna be hokey pokey on the phone. I have good and bad stories, both of which you will hear when I get home. None the less, I have a positive attitude in mind, so I will indeed try to make the best of the last month.<br /><br />With that in mind, here are some stories.<br /><br />The Canadian-style Chinese New Years lunch was awesome! We got drunk and made SPAGHETTI! I remember just inhaling and smelling it. It reminded me of Canada, or just a homely feeling really, even though spaghetti isn't Canadian and my mom doesn't make it all the time. But it made me feel really good, smelling and being with good friends, just talking about things from food, to the program, to the existence of dragons and dinosaurs (I kid you not! I have a movie to prove it!) We held a guys night, with the guys going out to the bar, but we gave in and let some of the girls join us. Personally, that's breaking a golden rule, letting women on guys night. I was quite adamant on this for good reason. The two were kind of pushy most of the night, but made up for it when they found some hot women to dance with. We hit up a bar, where they ordered shisha and then we went to a club. I don't usually like clubs, as there's too much pressure for a lot of things. It took awhile, but we got into the swing of things. But god, it was so smokey from all the cigarettes! I was a bit unnerved by the friendly people in the bathroom, offering me a massage while I pissed. They'll do anything for a tip! We saw a car stopped with a girl puking on the street. Guess Chinese people can't handle their bai jiu sometimes either! It was the last night of Spring Festival, so Felix and I decided to celebrate and bought some fireworks of our own. We lit a few off a overpass, overjoyed, and then met the others. We saved the rest until we were with the others. One particular firework had a broken base, as we found out when it was put on the ground. It fell over, aimed at two people, but they ran away just in time before the firework richocheted off the wall, and exploded on the street, nearly hitting two people! Happy New Years! But we didn't feel too bad. Chinese people light fireworks on the street all the time, near vehicles even, at all hours of the night. Plus, we could say it was windy. It was a good night. There was a bit of a sleeping arrangement problem, as I did not have my sleeping bag, hoping to use our supervisors, left behind. But we had two extra girls and another guy didn't bring one. I was happy sleeping on the floor with sheets. It was a great night with good stories.<br /><br />Now, guys night 2!<br /><br />Same people, one less girl, one more supervisor. Good ol' Maxime. But communication sucks here. Guess no one told anyone else I was coming, but was having dinner with my host family. So I had my backpack with my sleeping bag all night, and had to play phone tag with Jamie to find the restaurant they were at. But I remembered some advice Stephane about just being confident, and I kept that attitude all night. It made me feel better, and not worry about showing up late. I was just there to have a good time. After their dinner, we walked the streets. Maxime and I talked to some randoms, my random being an American-Chinese man, trying to set up a Beijing Beauties contest, with single women no less! I told him he had his work cut out for him, and NOT because they're weren't single! We went to good ol' Sanlitun, chock full of ex-pats during this time. We chilled, went off on our own, sharing stories. I found a group half full of gay men for some reason, but they were all interesting to talk to, including this cute girl named Yenny. Scored a phone number, so yay. But even that was not a highlight. I sat down with my group who barely wondered where I was. Not two minutes later, the table erupted and a French participant had another guy in a headlock! We split them up and took him outside. The condensed version: it was Quebecois vs. France. A cocky french guy came up to us and was belitting Montreal and Quebec, being full of homos and what not. After getting into my buddies face, shit started. But the French guy did start it, even as Maxime told assholes buddy to get said asshole out of there before he called the cops. After we were outside and settled, we went into another bar, like, 15 feet away. Real problem solving there. Maxime was furious though! He steamed all night, but settled a bit after telling us all a dramatic story of his youth, of drugs, alcohol, and violence. I enjoyed the part where the people went from 50, 100, 150, to 200 that he had to take on. Haha, but it was great entertainment. While texting a friend, this blonde Norwegian girl came over and began talking to me. We talked about music, geography, travelling. She had points to make, but they were never clear. Felix joined us half way, but he got annoyed with her and started to get rude, which was entertaining to me. All the others had left I found out, so I grabbed Felix and we left, but not after he belittled her. Hey, they can't all be winners. The next day included breakfast at the hole in the wall, basketball with Jamies buddies, and a cheap and delicious hot pot dinner. With days like that, you just can't go wrong!<br /><br />We were excited to get new work placements finally! It had been in the works for awhile, but all that patience has been for naught actually. The list included the library, a labour office, gym, two schools, and working with old people. Sorry, no food bank. Gary was unreasonable and only wanted to work at the library. Just like I told him, Maxime made him choose a second one, just in case we didn't get it. We now work at the libary. Sorry, I should say, we now "work" at the libary. Haha, I love my diction. Quite quickly, after one day, we all found out that our new work placements were just as bad as our last ones, maybe worse! I thought that even though it was boring, they could use me at the libary, as a lot of the books were out of order. But I think Yuchan is right, that the librarians were misplacing books just for us to have work. Some books are like, not even close to the right section! And they said they just want us to be happy. Well, here I am, happy, to actually be doing work, which includes updating the website, blog, talking to friends, facebooking, research for my CAD and EAD and I even found a way onto wikipedia!!! But there's only 9 work days left. Nevertheless, I take consolation in considering it what I'm calling reverse learning. Sure, our workplacements suck so much ass, they might as well be shitting out brown donkeys, but we can realize what we DON'T want in work placements, and to a further extent, our own work ethic and how about we can create that. Justification, not just for microsoft word no more!</div>Devon Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00727809806990079723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266676270878218311.post-19102335526185954952008-02-09T19:12:00.000-08:002008-02-10T18:30:09.477-08:00Pyros Paradise.<div>Lets face it, we all love fireworks. But god damn! Chinese New Year anyone? </div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>It finally came around. Like a Christmas or a New Years. Well, technically, it was a new years. If things around here weren't leading up to the Beijing Olympics (didja hear!) they were leading up to the flipping New Years. Year of the Rat I should remind everyone. My only beef was that I was told I had to volunteer that night. Until 1am! Like wtf! But I didn't let that ruin my new years. ...Entirely.</div><br /><div> </div><br /><div>We met the group at the front gate of Long Tan park to attend the opening Temple Fair ceremony. For the longest time, I was hearing Temple Fire, assuming they were going to light an altar or something. No. We went in and sat down, watching the rehearsal of the dancers and performers. We were sitting right in front of the world ambassadors I think! Now THAT's how volunteers should be treated! We watched the ceremony, chock full of kick ass dancing, martial arts, flowing ribbons, stilt acrobatics, children dressed as mice and the fuwa mascots, and dragons. It was very cool. However, it was quite frantic, with everyone running about. And the ambiguous style of our program was at full level. "What are we doing now?" "Waiting" "Then what?" "I don't know." "Where are we going" "Lets just go over here" I know some of the Chinese participants try, but never knowing what's going on is very frustrating. But we sorted out that we would just go do our own thing. I went with some of my group along the temple fair and checked out the booths. There were booths all around the lake, more then your average fair. Most sold food. And I love food. I wanted to try everything, or at least the really freaky stuff. I ate fried squid, silk worm, scorpion and some other bug looking thing. Don't try the silk worm. We walked through an amusement park and decided to check out the ferris wheel and get a high elevated view of Beijing. Quite neat. We were going to go go-karting (or go-karking as they wrote on a sign) and pit the Canadians, all who have driven, against the Chinese, some who have never. But we decided to leave that for another day. Everyone went their own way for supper, and I was kind of on my own with an hour to have supper before I went to my workplace. Fortunately, I ran into a co-workers of Gary's, who had a really cute daughter who spoke English very well. I told them I couldn't get ahold of Gary (I couldn't get ahold of Gary) and the woman phoned him, talked, and Gary told me to go with her for dinner, she'll bring me to the workplace after. Yay! I get shipped off again. But the cute 25-year old named Sunny was worth it. And the free dinner. So after, I went to the work place. I ran into Gary's supervisor, who handed me to another co-worker, who put me in an office, who then handed me over to the supervisor again. Not only this, I still hadn't seen Gary, whom I learned would be volunteering in another "community" Now, the community in this case refers to the hutongs. I guess it never crossed his mind that his counterpart might want to volunteer with him. So I walked with Gary's supervisor (as I don't consider her mine) for 7 hours that night. First, we went into a hutong house and delivered a small card, a New Year's gift I guess to a deserving family. It was my first time in a hutong house, which is basically a small room with a small stove, but large bed, and everything piled up on the sides. I guess the young girl slept in the same bed as her parents. But these hutongs don't really seem like impoverished. They seem less off, but happy and unique. You don't feel sorry for them as much as you might a homeless man laying in cardboard. With that in mind, although it was a brief visit, it still made me appreciate the box I live in at home here in China. After that, the night was about playing fireman. I would go around for 7 hours, dousing random dry areas with water from a pop bottle or empty detergent bottle. The intent was noble, but the act just seemed so disorganized. I told Gary's supervisor that it would be easier if we had one of those three wheeled bikes you see everywhere and filled the box with containers of water. She thought about this and decided it was a really good idea, and that none of them had thought about it before. I revolutionized this whole act right there. But she insisted no one had a bike like that or knew anyone that had one. I persisted they try to plan that for the next 5 days later where they would do this again. Luckily, they had planned shifts and snacks, so that was nice. Midnight came rolling around faster then I thought, and that's when all hell broke loose. I kid you not when I say this, the only possible way to describe midnight on Chinese New Year is a world war. Sure, for the whole day, there were fireworks, but this was when they lit off the biggest, brightest and most bad ass fireworks anyone had. And it's not just a city block, doing it for half an hour. It's the entire CITY! There's explosions everywhere, screaming, whistling, sparks, blasts from large ones that make you check to see if your arm is still there. Around every corner there's a light up from fire crackers, sounding like gun shots. This went on for at least a good hour before it died slightly. I was amazed and promised myself I would never forget that feeling. But despite the amazement, I was indeed tired, from being awake 18 hours and walking in the cold hutongs for 7. I asked the supervisor when I could leave, but she said the leaders haven't told them they could. I waited patiently, and when she made some phone calls, we went back to the office. I looked for Gary, but the other workers insisted I have eat jiao zi (dumplings, as per traditio) I humoured them and said just one, but ate a whole box so they would leave me alone. I finally saw Gary and told him I'd like to go home, but he too insisted I eat jiao zi. I was a bit frustrated and told him I already had. He said young people stay up late, but I told him I'm a foreigner and was tired from walking all day. He told me the same story, that the leaders hadn't said they could leave, including Mr. Li, my host dad who was volunteering as well, who would drive me home. I was fed up with the leaders and asked if anyone had tried to talk to them, contacted them. He told me they were in a meeting. I'm quite sure just hooting and a hollering from jiao zi, bai jiu and new year merriment. I idly-threatened Gary that I would take a taxi at 2am if I didn't leave by then. Well, 2:05am came by, and I did what I don't usually do; I said something! I told my counterpart I was tired of the beaureaucratic bullshit that had been plaguing us since we got to China and that he and Mr. Li had a responsibility that the leaders should be aware of. He had this goofy, clueless look on his face. "Me, Gary!" I think he seemed to have forgotten that. He might as well have had a joint in his hand and told me, "Just relax, maaaaaaaaaaan" Instead, what came out was, "Devon, haha, you need to be more tolerant." That just pissed me off. We went to get Mr. Li and were going to talk to the "leaders" but it turned anti-climactic, as we reached his office, he had his coat in hand; the leaders said they could leave. Gary told me I was angry for nothing, but I didn't back down. I insisted that I was still angry. Although it was an amazing night, that still bugs me and will be circle check material in the incoming weeks. <br /><br />Althought street cleaners came out around 1:30am to start cleaning, there's still bits of fireworks debris everywhere. My first thought before all this was "Who the hell is gonna clean up this mess?" Thoses guys have a big job ahead of them; kudos.<br /><br />The days after have been going by fast and full of friends. I've visited my host family's aunts house for dinner and almost every day, have went to a different temple fair with friends. They are everywhere around the city, at parks, at actual temples. Most sell the same stuff or foods, but some sell something unique or have cool performances you don't see elsewhere, so it's nice to get out and explore, never knowing what you're going to see. Although yesterday, I took a break and took some me time. I received money my friend lent me, as well as her remaining calling card minutes to which I used to call my previous host mom, Brenda! She was so happy to hear from me, which makes me wonder why they haven't called me! That day, I also had dinner with a CWY alumi ex-pat living here in Beijing! I brought some of my group along and we had a great night, talking about working here in Beijing, the differences in programs, and the New Year's here. And today, we're celebrating our own Canadian Chinese New Year's party at our supervisors house, who, ahem, left us the key to feed his turtles. Should be fun! <br /><br />GONG XI FA CAI! It means make lots of money or something. <br /> </div>Devon Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00727809806990079723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266676270878218311.post-44731716513371894402008-02-03T04:16:00.000-08:002008-02-05T04:32:34.795-08:00And the poop jokes just kept coming!I didn't think I could get any more dramatic then I did last entry, but come on! I'm Devon freakin' Flynn! I have a flair for the theatrics! And if you don't agree, then quit reading and fuck off! As per the last blog, I find it pointless to lie on this travel blog. I could surely put how amazing things are, how I've made friends for a lifetime, but thats boring. I write reality, through my eyes, as that's what I see. With that in mind, read on...<br /><br />But none the less, it was one hell of a weekend, I cannot deny that. It was in fact our mid-project camp. It has been under debate for awhile, as we chose a date before the 2 week Spring Festival, during which obviously was not an option, as the Chinese participants all had to work. However, as we soon discovered, although the date may have been inconvienent for them, it was extremely convienent and well placed for us. As usual, the middle time frame is where it gets tough and people get home sick. Except the Chinese participants in this case. As they are home. We needed a break from our host families and the city. It was a bit rough and tumble, getting started, as information was a bit limited and no one truly ever knew what was going on. We woke up early, meeting at a subway station, and from there, catching a 919 bus, one of many. We rode it for about 2 hours out of Beijing city. We caught another bus, and then another. Few of us knew where we were going, but we knew we were going far and away. Mountains and villages full of dry dead fields were everywhere. We got off in one of those towns. Actually, it quite reminded me of Hazelton. Butt-fuck nowhere. I was quite eager to share this with my group. We unpacked our bags at a small bed and breakfast that you would never guess was. The staff was few but friendly, and the place was welcoming but far from warm. In fact, it was freezing. Most of us never took our clothes off that weekend! But the Canadians loved it, and I'm sure the Chinese were quite miserable. They had seen the country sides like this before, and I'm sure most of them could care less. We started up some workshops<br />, focusing on group dynamics. These were put together by the Canadians and a few Chinese. They were well planned I think and well executed as well. However, the fault in this lay that several counterparts were missing, and would show up later that afternoon, and some had to leave the next day! Mine was one of them. However, before he left, I managed to have a talk with him about our work placement and my deep disatisfaction with it. Although nothing new had changed, it was a little more structured now. However, I would have really liked to have done the counterpart contract review with him. I haven't met some of my goals and I don't think he's met some of his. I was a bit disappointed in this, and in place, did a graph on my own of my up and down times of the program and wrote out the many things I missed back home in Canada. We're all home sick, I told you. Most mid-project camps are about bonding and strengthening those bonds and becoming better counterparts, teachers and even friends. Well oh my, aren't we the exception! Most of the counterparts talked at one point or another, discussing problems and communication. However, it was a lost cause. Keep in mind, some counterpart pairs still get along. We night held its own surprises. We were treated with fireworks by the village chief or mayor or whatever. Our guess is that they used the money we paid the bed and breakfast for was used to pay for them. We shopped for our own as well, but they were too expensive. Upon telling the mayor this, he offered to get us a deal, but we declined as we didn't want to impose and we would see plenty during the Spring Festival. We had a few drinks and played cards in Maxime's room. The next morning, we were a bit shocked to find the Chinese participants (or who was left) left for the bus without us, inciting that the Canadians were always late. Not only was it not true, it was very un-mid-project-like. They didn't even warn us. We were to leave at 8:30, we left at 8:31. WOOOOO! Too bad they walk slow, we caught up fast. It relayed back that nothing had really kicked in that weekend it seemed. We caught the bus and bussed to Badaling. It's a very busy tourist attraction, but for good reason. It's a popular gate to the Great Wall of freakin' China! We climbed the Great Wall! I was mesmerized by the fact that we got to do what millions of people have on their to-do list. It was much cooler then any temple I found, despite having no plaques to read or translators or anything. It was just cool! And very steep might I add. The mountain ranges were beautiful, misty in the distance. I wish I took more pictures. Even so, it was short lived. We were only there for about 2 hours. I'd have loved to walked further. Felix and I raced up and down at one point. One thing they forget to tell you is how many goddamn tourists are there! You don't see them in the photos. I found it to be one big bricked mountain for me to conquer. Even with a heavy back pack, I found no trouble traversing it. There's talk amongst us about going back. I think it would be worth it. I was sad to leave. We took the gondola down because I thought the roller coaster would be too slow. Yes, that's another thing they don't tell you. They have a fucking ROLLERCOASTER down the Great Wall! They look like colorful go-karts. That's deplorable! Using a national monument as a tacky tourist attraction. Did I mention the huge Beijing Olympics 2008 sign on the mountain? Guess not. We had a long bus ride home, but didn't end the weekend there. We went to Xidan shopping center. The girls went shopping while the guys went to the arcade. Figures. We met up with Maxime and his pregnant friend who's travelling around the world and went to Li Qun, a famous roast duck restaurant found in a hutong. It was my first roast duck dinner. People have ranted and raved about it, and I find it a bit dramatic. It tastes like turkey, except for the fatty skin which is delicious. But it's nothing to eat over and over. And they eat it weird. You eat it as a wrap with cucumber, green onion slices and a sauce. But when in Rome, do as the Romans do. I'm not sure how excited my host family was to have me back. But I can never tell what they're saying, so whatever. At least I didn't have to sleep in my clothes. <br /><br />I was busy for the next couple of days. I visited the Llama Temple. This time, I found it! I was excited to see the big ass buddha statue carved from a single sandalwood tree. 18 meters does it justice, boy howdy! And one tree? That's insane! It's Spring Festival time, so there are lots of parties to attend. We went to one at the Government building. We saw dancers and singer and performed "Hey Jude" again. I'm sick of that song now. Although this time wasn't that bad. And yesterday, I went to Gary's office Spring Festival party. He was the MC; it was the accumulation to all his hard work (and absenteeism of mid-project) But it was a very cool party. They dressed me up in a Chinese shirt and made me dance and play a balloon popping game. Of course I won because I rock. I'm sure anywhere else in the world they would recognize me and my balloon popping capabilities as that of a god. :) Today I had quite a different attitude. I was very depressed. It was just one of those days where all the small things add up, and you can smell it coming from the morning. The short volunteering I did was a joke. It was at a volunteer booth for...um...volunteers. I wore a volunteer vest and a silly hat/mask. I was the "foreign translator" My job was to speak to foreigners, ei: those who spoke english, asking questions about the olympics. 1) What the fuck is wrong with them? I suck at translating! In fact, some guy talked to our group briefly. They pointed me out and he talked to me in Mandarin. Gary explained he wanted to know how well my Mandarin was. I told him the fact that I couldn't understand him was testament as to how bad my language skills. 2) I had a box full of bandaides and minor injury aids in case someone ill or hurt came to our booth. Buddy, your arms missing! Don't come to me, go walk to the goddamn hospital! In fact, why the hell are you talking to me! Ask the guy beside me who speaks your language. For that matter, a missing limb screams "TAKE ME TO THE FUCKING HOSPITAL" in any language! All this, and I was only there for 20 minutes. Christ! See? I told you it was a bad day. One worthy of a nice tourette style rant. Oh wait, I just did that. We had a lunch with Director Wang after. Roast duck again. He had no problem with us drinking some bai jiu. It's Chinese New Years! Drink up! I didn't have much. I didn't feel good. Don't give the bitchy guy booze, it won't end well. He might end up typing something he might regret *looks around* Nope, nothing yet! <br /><br />AND ENOUGH WITH THE GODDAMN FIREWORKS! I'M TRYING TO GET SOME SLEEP FOR CRYING OUT LOUD! YOU DON'T NEED AN EXPLOSION EVERY FREAKIN' MINUTE!Devon Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00727809806990079723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266676270878218311.post-80832735995405539732008-01-28T16:23:00.001-08:002008-01-28T16:23:49.062-08:00See that? That's the fan. See that brown stuff all over the place? That's the SHIT!Yes, I rather like that analogy. When it rains, it pours, and when shit hits the fan...well, all you can do is grab a scraper and suck it up. Sigh. THIS one's a story! So, we've been busy here and there. A few EAD's, a few field trips, like visiting a pin gallery. I don't know the official name, but they make pins for like, everything, from Disney to tourist attractions around the world, and now, the Olympics. It's a 3 billion yuan company. A little impressive. We also learned that emperors in ancient China had thousands of concubines (women lovers) and had no personal time. Quite amazing.<br /><br />I was invited to Kassie's school to help her class in a workshop with group dynamics (my specialty) I played some games with her students that were supposed to help them with group functionality, from non-verbal communication, to thinking outside the box to team work. It went very well, and was the first work I had actually done here. Ironically enough, today is when I'm supposed to do work. As far as I know, I'll be meeting-bitch; serving tea, writing peoples names, and then probably start staring into space when they talk. Yay!<br /><br />I also had a meeting with our work supervisor, regular supervisor, Director Wang, his assistant and Gary. What I thought was supposed to be a check-up turned out to be, what I was told, more of a diplomatic meeting. We met in a meeting room, they would talk in Chinese, usually looking or pointing at me, the assistant would occasionally translate for Maxime, and then they would talk to me. They asked 3 great questions. "Hows the food at home?" "Are you cold at night?" "How are you finding Canada's government in comparison to China's?" Are you fucking kidding me? I was a little shocked. I'm glad I at least told them I wasn't thrilled that I was doing so little, because I wanted to tell them SO much more. Anything to do with counterpart relations or do I get along with my host dad would have opted for a much longer meeting. Same old things though, nothing grand and new. I barely see or talk to Gary, and Li...yeah, well, he still doesn't understand that I don't understand like 95% of what he says, but keeps on talking. I was also a bit pre-occupied, because just prior to the meeting, there was screaming. Turns out, a drunken man came into the office, broke things and I'm guessing touched a woman. Just your average day at the office I guess. <br /><br />Some other great events include going to a dance class organized by Andy's work placement. We did some "modern" dance. It was utterly hilarious. Our group, in my opinion, can't dance or sing. Thank god we're pretty. We've also went to tea houses, where for a thrifty 18 yuan, you can have unlimited drinks and ice cream! The ice cream sodas were delicious. We pigged out. <br /><br />And then, the story. It was all innocent. Felix and I went to a small party through Stephane and Heather's workplacement, where they had a small skit to perform. There were dancers and singers and lip-synchers, and some small games that the four of us participated in. We were given soap and toothpaste as prizes. Hey, don't laugh. Perfectly enough, that's exactly what I needed! I was running out. In the afternoon, we planned to go to Sunlitun and get suits, tailored and made, real cheap! I took some money out for it, but later decided I didn't need one. A tailored suit is nice, but I won't need one for like, a LONG time. I'm going a bike trip! So I passed. The plan that night was for the guys to stay the night at Maxime's apartment after a night of drinking. We stopped at the Hidden Tree for a beer and pizza ( I miss pizza) and then went to The Red Rose, a Muslim restaurant that Maxime told us about. The food was awesome, and the bai jiu, cheap. The entertainment, better! There was a singer, and two belly dancers. One was really freaking hot. In fact, we noticed her when she walked in through the front door, before she was dressed up. She seemed to like our group just as much. She sauntered over and brought Stephane up stage! And so did the singer, and so did the other belly dancer. One belly dancer brought a snake on Maxime, and then brought all of us on stage to dance. At this point, the bai jiu is movement-activated. We were dancing up a storm, having a blast. By that point, the restaurant closed. As soon as we went outside, all hell broke loose. I was holding myself and one girl up, another guy puked, and before I knew it, we were sent back to our host homes in cab. I'll spare details. I woke up in my bed, with my host family around me, asking me if I needed to go to the hospital. Of course not, I was just drunk still! But it was still not a proud moment. After phoning my friends and filling in missing information, it didn't seem all was well. After sleeping to recover that afternoon, I discovered my wallet was missing. ID, debit cards, and yes, about 2500 yuan that I took out. Bad Devon, bad! I still shake my head. But what's done is done. I'm assuming it's in the cab still, or, if found by someone else, will be returned soon. My memory's a little fuzzy, and isn't helping the situation. It's sounding half and half that I'll get it back out of human kindness, or not because people are douche bags and steal money. Damn cab companies are no help. I didn't even know they gave receipts when I was sober, let alone drunk. So yes, details, blah. I'm taking the precautionary methods, cancelling debit cards, replacing ID when I get home, preventing identity theft, etc. Hey, if they want my life, they gotta take EVERYTHING that goes with it! I have photocopies of my ID's, so luckily, I think I can still get home. The circle check that day was one for the books. Most of us hung our heads in shame at the course of events. We apologized to our counterparts, to our supervisors, but especially to our host families. Bad Canadians, bad! You know what you did wrong. We talked about it, trying to justify, or more ratify our actions. We were having such a good time, we didn't realize how much we were drinking. Obviously, we hadn't planned on getting that drunk. I'm not too worried about my wallet. Sure, it sucks, but I know for a fact I'm not the first person to get drunk and lose their wallet in Beijing. Shoulda been more careful, but shit happens, you learn, you move on. Actually, I'm surprised this type of maturity is flow so naturally in this occasion. I mean, you can't beat yourself up forever, as most teenagers do stupid shit. A few of us got warnings and are being more careful. And me? I have a looooooooooooot of phone calls to make.Devon Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00727809806990079723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266676270878218311.post-15535403597821758162008-01-21T20:29:00.001-08:002008-01-21T21:12:01.838-08:00It's like French: I can't understand, but now can barely speak it.I still do like surprising people that yes, I'm not totally retarded. I do understand a few words in Mandarin. My ears to prick up when I heard Fang de Wen (my Chinese name) or Jia na da.<br /><br />On that note, I have been missing home. I really do think that when I go home, I'll still be using phrases like "wei shenma?" or "duei" or my personal favorite "shenma de fuck?" Ah, le melange de langue aus francais et chinois. But yes, I've been very homesick. Quite in tune with these volunteer programs, as I've found half way is the time you get very homesick. We hit our one month mark just the other day. I'm quite proud.<br /><br />We have been slightly more busy, but it still seems so sluggish in comparison to what we could be doing. But it's all connected as to how things are related. I'll explain that later. Some things we've seen as of late have been minor, but still interesting visits. We've seen two art buildings. One was a jade factory, but more indeed a gift shop. We seen how several chinese-culture art pieces are made, including silk rugs, vases, glass sculptures, clay dolls, jade art, bone, and leather work. Seeing the finished pieces is one thing, but seeing how they're are meticulously made is another. The next place we went to was a cloissone factory, whatever that is. There, we saw the process of how those shiny copper vases were made, with the intricate designs on them. Intricate indeed! They are put on, small piece by small piece, covered in a sort of paint/sand mixture and grinded down to a nice finish. And we can buy them in the market place for so cheap! It's quite neat. In the gift shop (naturally, they have a gift shop) we even found a 1,100,000 yuan vase bigger and wider then a door. Now seriously. How pompous and rich do you have to be to need to buy that beast? We joked you'd have to build your house around it!<br /><br />We also went to the 200 day count down the Beijing Olympics. We were to perform "Hey Jude" there. Silly Canadians, we can't sing! Especially this one! Liu Meng was actually the MC, along with his girlfriend. There were other performers, including young children, some dancers, older woman doing sambas, and this HORRIBLE teenage girl singing Celine Dion songs. I thought the Peking opera was bad, this was unbearable. I got a movie to share with everyone when I get home, lol. And there was a african man who sang Chinese songs, which was very impressive. Surely, it wasn't best for last. But we tried, and they liked us. No big ovation this time. I guess they prefer Christmas songs.<br /><br />The weekend was actually a quiet one. Most people were busy with their host families. All of the youth from universities are home for vacation now, so I spent some time with my host sister. She took me to the White Cloud Taoist Temple. It was very similar to every other temple I've been to so far. I think they have a temple-TEMPLATE. They had this large disc with a small bell inside of it. You could buy coins to huck at them. I found it an interesting place to be at none the less, as the taoist principles coincide with mine that I've been pondering for a while; all about balance, the ying and the yang. Alluding to buddhism, positive actions lead to happiness and fullfilment while negative actions lead to unhappiness. May the force be with you.<br /><br />I was trying very hard to use up some gift certificates we were given for spending so much money at the spicy restaurant awhile back. I managed to get Felix and Stephane to come. We made it a guys night out. Good, meaty, spicy food, followed by some a medium bottle of bai jiu<br />between the three of us, which juuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuust did the trick. It was another well needed night out with some friends, as I was feeling very depressed this weekend. We just bullshitted, about the group, things back home and guy stuff. And what's more manly of an after-dinner activity then going to the arcade and playing some shooter games? My aim couldn't have been better. Jamie was absent though. I think he missed out.<br /><br />And with that positive mind-set in motion, we seem to be having some group problems. As I mentioned, most are connected. "Participation" levels are low, especially with the Chinese participants it seems. Our supervisor isn't happy that we aren't happy with our counterparts. We barely see them, and work seems to be a problem. Because of their hectic schedules, we don't see them and they don't/can't participate in many group activities. There's always someone missing. Shit, half the time during EAD's or whatever, they're on their cell phones taking important calls. And there seems to be plenty of work for them, but none for us. We are getting a bit fed up with this. We understand they are busy, but the work placement is an important 3rd of our relations in CWY, the other two being host families and the counterpart themselves. If we complain about our workplacements, even to another supervisor at work, it reflects on our counterparts, whos responsibility actually IS to find work for us. Same with if we have a problem with our host families, despite the counterparts not living with us. So it's been stressed that we need to work on group dynamics. Mid-project camp is coming up very soon, in the next week or so. We plan to have lots of group dynamic workshops, but want to fashion them into a constructive environment rather then a blaming one, but doing so seems harder than we thought. Although it has nothing to do with group dynamic, I have this idea for a food workshop that I think has promise; it will go in depth as to what exactly is breakfast, lunch and dinner for the two countries, what foods they eat, customs, traditions, and maybe a few recipes. So I hope I can pull this off.Devon Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00727809806990079723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266676270878218311.post-51574362659044374902008-01-15T16:33:00.000-08:002008-12-10T21:00:27.501-08:00KTV - Beijings hiding place of the Chinese Idol<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZv29YOBFu-1RPxMdFmVAYLlp7kFYn0jQ1F6lqfiBY_tJ_BqHenKeRv91vk_DxDhKNgwYHeG281W9EyJUEZ_BIAvpx2fhqfnD2e-FYDbXKfWlT31R2_7xgbDZazEMEjykw7uR6CetpWS6C/s1600-h/ç §ç+168.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157041749417652466" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZv29YOBFu-1RPxMdFmVAYLlp7kFYn0jQ1F6lqfiBY_tJ_BqHenKeRv91vk_DxDhKNgwYHeG281W9EyJUEZ_BIAvpx2fhqfnD2e-FYDbXKfWlT31R2_7xgbDZazEMEjykw7uR6CetpWS6C/s320/%E7%85%A7%E7%89%87+168.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJX6B5p-4Nj9vX4XIeCwNdWl8XJyCrzNy-lydaxNcOqkSjAc0VQLIn1eFAx0UAptmKqvgh9gO6M-weDFedd-kjUze-7SNL8d-7VXM_IGsW8mefPKB__59CF7F0SO18o1x4RowRFPL1atu/s1600-h/ç §ç+185.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157041753712619778" style="FLOAT: left; 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MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQh8LkUWHCEEmt-wIwGc3UBSSP4d72UXFyQhjFENKMJxc9x07y5y46i9kV93-i_bCO5oFf3bc1VSW_0sRv7vAGOGeCMN42rSbzlds6lxLWxm3qGxieysdiXvT8zu8aHyt5kVjoYRl311UO/s320/%E7%85%A7%E7%89%87+038.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3R4i3zCciBJ_uq92mKSso4txp9QYzE85LYgkocRTL-2JgETkIRz2C5CSjK6hOsP9H5lrM1qm7Ka2Nv3WvljqRTK9fTdSPUglDCypZ2ejWyrXHcPzwz8Y-QF36pUTC4Ez7dt_EGkLeTtY/s1600-h/ç §ç+041.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5157031969777119266" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij3R4i3zCciBJ_uq92mKSso4txp9QYzE85LYgkocRTL-2JgETkIRz2C5CSjK6hOsP9H5lrM1qm7Ka2Nv3WvljqRTK9fTdSPUglDCypZ2ejWyrXHcPzwz8Y-QF36pUTC4Ez7dt_EGkLeTtY/s320/%E7%85%A7%E7%89%87+041.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div>First off, wow. The food is pretty good here. But it will catch up to one day. Or like once a week. And when it does, make sure your in a private bathroom, with an actual toilet and plenty of toilet paper. Cuz those shitty little flat ones you squat over (even in the guys public rest rooms) will NOT cut it! And if you forget to bring toilet paper, your shit outta luck. Did anyone else notice the two references to shit in there? Quite the clever pun, eh? Anyway, back to whatever it is that I do. I'm still not quite sure yet.<br /><br />I bought a new camera finally. And I think I chose an ideal time to buy one. I mean, hello! Where have you been? I'm in China! And my other one, god bless it, is about to bite the dust. The screen gets these scratchy digital marks and has very few functions, unlike my new baby. It's got functions out its ying-yang, which no doubtably has its own functions coming out of their ying-yangs! 6x optical zoom, 3x digital, face detection, anti-shake (cuz no one could take straight pictures with my camera but me) As you can tell, I did a lot of research (I told you I had a lot of free time) I did some shopping at Hong Qiao market, which I noted for its aggresive sales people and possibly cheap merchandise. But I looked at the very one I wanted, it came out of a box, had all the right stuff, including a salesman who spoke english. The thing at that market, is that almost guaranteed, if you walk away, they drop the price. I just didn't have enough money for the 1800 yuan, so "Dian" dropped it to 1520. The next day, I came back and bought the camera, a 2gig memory card (come the great wall, that puppies getting filled up!) and a case and lens cover that good ol Dian threw in last minute. All for 1650 yuna, or about $220 canadian, which I think is decent. The camera is fairly cheap, but that price would have only covered the camera, not the memory card. Gary thinks I could have got it cheaper, but I wanted it now and wouldn't know where to shop for a cheaper, possibly knock off version. So Devon wins! Because I said so! Yay!<br /><br />I put it to a good use the day after, where we went to Stephane and Andy's EAD. Now, if you haven't read my first couple of entries on entering Beijng, do so now.<br /><br />Okay. I promised myself I wouldn't do it. I told everyone I wouldn't do it. I'm still AMAZED that I did it. I don't think I want to do it again. Sigh. I rode a bike. Here! Amidst the crazy Beijingers. I'm sure that it qualifies as the Chinese version of screeching. You're now one of them. Gary unliked a bike to get to the EAD and said "okay Devon, get on." I'm like, "WHAT?" "Your riding the bike this time." At that point, I thought I was riding on the back of Gary's like ?I usually do. No. This time, I was riding his colleagues. I was not aware of this. Oh, and you want to know what the EAD's topic was? TRAFFIC! Irony's funny. It wasn't that bad. Considering that when I go like 45kph in Kelowna traffic where I thought the drivers were bad, I was on full alert here. It wasn't that bad. Just had to keep a sharp eye out. I think my group was a little surprised that I met them at the traffic control center on a bike. But I don't think I'll do it again. Not because it's scary or dangerous, but because it made me miss biking at home, where I could go fast. This was faster then walking, but I'd rather take the bus. So we went into the traffic control center, which I kept getting confused for a police station. It was a bit blurred. We met in this board room where we were photographed and filmed (I'm not sure what for, news?) A speaker was translated for, who welcomed us. We were explained to a bit of the traffic control in the Chongwenmen District. They pulled back a curtain and showed us this hi-tech control room full of computers and on the wall, many monitors showing traffic, roadways and different systems. It was pretty fancy. Like a war room or something...on traffic! We left soon after that and went for lunch. Upon returning to the office, we were surprised to see Director Wang there. Maxime wanted to talk with the Canadians. I'm sure enough, many of us were thinking "oh shit, what did we do now?" Actually, no. I was surprised to hear Maxime tell us Director Wang was giving the Chinse a speech on their lack of participation with the group. No one had really said anything about this, as I guess most of us were used to it, and just thought the Chinese participants were busy with their job and families, a viable excuse. But it upset Director Wang, and he had a talk with them. This was actually good news, because lately, it has been the Canadians going out with the Canadians. So we continued on with the EAD, learning about Beijing's bus system and brief history on it. It was a very quick EAD, but we were cut for time and didn't learn about the subway or even the bikes, and where the hell the millions of them come from! I'm gonna have to ask Stephane and Andy out of my own self interest, because I really want to know! That night, the Canadians went out to the well talked about bar street, Sanlitun. Except a sick Sadie, we went out to the bar street intent on a "mandarin lesson" Basically, ordering food and alcohol in chinese. But oh, I must work on my spanish, because we went to a tiny Mexican restaurant. Oh good lord, nachoes never seemed so appealing and never tasted SO delicious in my life. And the burritoes! The marguitas and daquiries and other drinks were good too. It really made me miss the variety of food back home in Canada. [Little excerpt here. Gary was asking me about the food at my host families house, if it was good, did I like it, etc. I began to talk to him about food. He, obviously, likes Chinese food and mentioned how it has such a deep history in different areas of China. Bluntly, but respectfully, I told him most people in Canada don't care about the history of their food, they just eat it because it tastes good. I was a bit saddened by the fact that Canada doesn't really have a signature food. I will disclude all things maple that come from Quebec, because that hardly represents Canada. We create other cultures food, they don't make ours. We make mexican food, we make french food, we make greek, indian, chinese, italian. When's the last time a Greek woman make Canadian food? Never!] So back to the night out. We decided to look for "The hidden tree" another well talked about visit. We found it, ironically, hidden in a quiet, turning alleyway, through a small unexpecting door. It was filled with ex-patriates, foreign people living in the country, if that is the correct term (FIX) Jammed pack. I guess it could have been a family establishment as well, because I saw children seated. However, we actually felt out of place and that we should be with Chinese people. Funny how that works. We found a less crowded bar, had a few cheap drinks and then most of us went home.<br /><br />The following afternoon was also Canadian oriented. We decided it would be a good day to go to the Forbidden City. Ooooh! Revere in awe! Even with only half the group, it was still tough organizing everyone to be on time and meet at a place. Good thing we started "early" The Chinese participants had already been there before, as I'm sure most of us have been to the tourist attractions in our own home towns. We played it smart and split the cost of a tour-guide ear piece, having one person at a time play tour guide and telling the rest what was being said. It worked, but not as well as I had hoped, although Jamie and Heather had a blast. I was a bit preoccupied as my cameras batteries were dying and I was desperatly seeking a geocache. I never did find the geocache, instead being lost from my group (my decision though) It wasn't that great of a attraction, as many of the places were under construction. We were told we need several days to fully explore it. It's not just a temple, it's a city. Although we did explore a good 3/4 of it, I think we were rushed and didn't really get to take in a lot of things. I might go back again, with Felix and Sadie who were MIA. And go at my own pace. And bring fucking batteries! But it made me realize how I prefer natural attractions, that more specifically appeal to my adventurous side, like climbing mountains, unspoiled by people (mostly) Or hiking trails, national parks, lakes. That sort of thing.<br /><br />I did a bit of bonding time with my host brother and sister. I taught them crazy eights; simple, yet fun. I also read my host brother the English off of his text books. I've accepted that I may not learn as much Mandarin as I like, despite how much I try. So the next best thing, if you can't learn, is to teach, right? Although I will admit, he's as impetious as his father when it comes to teaching. Almost shouting the chinese word does nothing! I don't know why they can't understand this. If I have a blank look on my face, I don't know what the hell you are trying to say. I can fill in the blanks sometimes, but not always. I'm not HOPELESS.<br /><br />After reading a second book, entitled Cradle 2 Cradle, I've done a bit of reflecting. Actually I did even more reading Why I Hate Canadians. That's right, I've read TWO books! Look what boredom has reduced me to! Anyway, it's just gotten me thinking about Katimavik and CWY and even just everything after that. I read the second book of the author of Why I Hate Canadians, Will Ferguson. It was I Was a Teenage Katima-victim. Perfectly set, the author was in both, Katimavik AND Canada World Youth. I think I read the books at appropriate times. I really think that Katimavik made me appreciate my community and home, where as CWY is making me appreciate my culture and identity. Who knows what my bike trip will do for me. [It's this kind of reflecting that is prevalent in these volunteer programs]<br /><br />I had no one interested or able to go in search of another geocache, so I did what I do in Hazelton a lot. I went by myself. I miss out on so many things just because of a lack of other enthusiasm, can I? I cranked my mp3 player and took the subway up north towards the Llama temple and Temple of Confucius. Walking along a strange street, I actually found the Temple of Confucius quite quickly. I paid a small fee to get in and explored at my own pace this time. It couldn't have been a better setting if it was planned. It was so quiet and peaceful there, barely a sound of the outside world seeping in. I walked around, took pictures and enjoyed myself, learning the history of Confucius and his teachings. A great place to reflect if there ever was one. And I found the geocache! Unfortunately, the other one nearby was closed for construction.<br /><br />I can't remember what we did Monday. It get back to this.<br /><br />But YESTERDAY! I'll be brief about my day at work. I played my DS, for almost the entire morning and afternoon. There. After, I met the Canadians at the library. We were to go to a government building and teach english apparently. We went there and met a group of executive directors, managers or something. I was completely out of the loop as to who these people were. They managed...stuff. And coordinated...things. But they were very nice and extremely pleasant about how good looking we were and being friends. I kid you not. We played a game where we had to see who could remember the most about other people, including family, name, and major in school. It was a mix of feelings, telling people I don't really have a major. They always take a bit of surprise to this. But after the game, that was it. We didn't teach anything or do any more activities. It may have been because of our time restriction. We had to go for supper before we went to a Chinese war movie, called Assembly. Damn Korean restaurants take forever! We were 15 minutes late for the movie. Luckily, I was told, there were no previews. It was a good war movie. Typical, but good. I swear though, the "American" soldier they had was TOTALLY a canadian! We laughed. Was a good night<br /><br />Damn blog. I'm expecting a few emails or comlaints that "Devon, your blog is too damn long, blah blah blah." Haha, I gotta learn how to say, "Go to hell" in Mandarin!</div></div></div></div></div>Devon Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00727809806990079723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266676270878218311.post-50431078030192745602008-01-07T16:36:00.000-08:002008-01-07T17:30:10.235-08:00"I'm gonna make Beijing my bitch!" - DevonIt was another quaint weekend, closely knit with the group. It is indeed a cultural experience, but weekend time just feels like it should be reserved for the group. Mostly because we never seen anyone outside of weekdays, because our routine seems to be; go to work, go home, eat, maybe some small activity with family, and go to sleep. Very little in between time. Unless of course you're doing so little at work you can afford to go visit Maxime who craves our attention like a 7 year old wants candy. It's quite funny sometimes.<br /><br />It was great seeing everyone again at Maxime's office. It's always great. I will admit, not like Katimavik, because we ARE away from eachother for so long (or what seems so long) The circle check was another, well, the word emotional is getting worn out. There was a bit of almost-crying, bit of laughing, and a bit of yelling. However, I really must disagree with one participants notion that we don't need circle check. We joked how we shouldn't say anything about anything and just let it blow up at the end. It's funny, cause that exactly what would happen! It's not just about expressing how you feel and WHY you feel that way (as we described it should be) its about sharing, your feelings and your experience, letting others know about issues you may have similar problems with or have never thought of. It enriches the culture and eases the shock I think. And apparently, segregates some particular people when we all think shes a BITCH. *cough, but I won't say who. We went for a little field trip to Tiannanmen Square that cold day. I was a bit sad, because my camera was full. Although I had already taken pictures of the square, I wanted to take pictures of the very large theatre and all the other random places we were. Not to mention the bad parking some cars did! Oh wow! I don't know how some of them do it. We went shopping at some electronic store and we had Lilly help Lyndsay and I look at USB keys. I got a 2Gb stick for 100 yuan. So about 15$. Not bad. Gotta store all my pictures somewhere. I'm still in the market for a camera and shoes. But here, you have to be careful of getting knock offs. And you can't really tell until you use the product, although some have a sticker to show its good. We went to a very, VERY spicy restaurant that night. It was more nice then spicy I think. The bathrooms had pole dancer silhouettes and the hand washers were spouts of out trees! Classy. The food was good. We had fun with a certain pepper corn that made your lips and tongue all tingly. We did the pub thing again, which was a big hassle getting people home again. And it's so freakin expensive at pubs. Like seriously, 5 yuan for a beer at a restaurant, like 45 at a pub. Go get plastered at the restaurants! Then go get the casual beer with lounge. That's the Chinese-Canadian way.<br /><br />I went out with Yuchan the whole day after. We were planning on getting lost and just finding our way around, exploring, whatever. I didn't care. We did a bit of shopping, and took the subway. I was a bit surprised when Yuchan, the chinese-Canadian participant, wanted to take the LONG way to her aunts house. It would have been like 16 stops! I told her we could turn around, take the transfer and be there in like 4. She was a bit mad and stammered "Do you want to get off and go back then?" Usually, I'd fold and just be like, "sigh, FINE!" No, this time I said "Yes! I do! Let's go back" We went back, and taking the transfer, Yuchan looked at a map, and hung her head. I looked at the map and bugged her "Yuchan, does this mean I was right? Does it!!! I know China better than you!!??!" She was pissed, but also, WRONG! It was funny and made me feel a little better knowing that a small-town boy can adapt to the big city well. We went to her aunts house, visited for a short bit. They had a medium says puppy husky. It was fun, being all friendly with it, as most of the Chinese are afraid of dogs. I was rubbing its face, being all "YOUR SUCH A GOOD BOY, ARENTCHA! ARENTCHA!" They were a bit surprised I wasn't afraid, as I was a bit surprised they were surprised. It's a dog! A cute fluffy dog with one of those smiles they give! Sure, some bite, but come on! ITS CUTE! It made me feel relaxed though, almost like a bit at home. Where a pet is a pet, or to a larger extent, a member of the family. Not a novelty, like so many small dogs in clothing I see walked around. I was told large dogs are illegal. I have this theory that they are chopped up into Chinese meat. I kid you not, one restaurant had dog meat. I won't go home til I try it once! Anyway, I took Yuchan home after a long day and lots of walking.<br /><br />More walking ensured the next day (FUCK, I need better shoes!) I met Leah and Heather for coffee and RBT, (real brewed tea) and has a rabbit as a symbol. Jokes of the name are easy. They also have swings in there at some tables! But we also have this theory (lots of theories) that there's a waiting list to get on there, as they are always filled. So, back to lunch. We had some interesting conversations over various mocha/coffee/tea drinks and potatoe snacks. (I miss potatoes) The topics included the regular group stuff, sex, cars, and missing home. I think in that order. So now you see why I love hanging out with my group. Jamie joined us in a walk to a very commericial business center, like Times Square almost. We checked out a book store, flipped through some pages. I bought a better mandarin translation. Before I went home, I visited Maxime shortly to drop off his belated house warming gift. I had planned to buy him a carpet, but his floor is ass-nasty, and everyone wears slippers, so that seemed pointless. So I bought him some action figures at the market place, so he can re-enact little battles when he's all lonely and not with the participants. He loved them.<br /><br />We had our first CAD yesterday. As Gary and I walked to the north gate of the Temple of Heaven, I asked Gary if we should be walking across the road at that point. Rushing traffic answered my question. Like the metaphor I used to describe my culture shock, it had become real. I was like a cat in the middle of Beijing traffic! Gary gripped my coat tight and told me not to walk. Well, no shit!!! We waited until a break between the cars and ran. Geez Gary! Pay attention next time!!! So we carried on. The Temple of Heaven is like right dab smack in the middle of the Chongwen district. It was quite pretty. Lots of gates, and trees, and buildings, and okay, it was AMAZING. I takes a lot to really amaze me. This was just nice. The architecture was cool though. I almost cried when camera dilemma wasn't a full memory card this time, but dead batteries! Luckily, Sadie loaned me some. So I carried on, taking group pictures, those of me in front of these monuments, and some artistic ones. There was this cool "echo wall" where if you stand at opposite sides of this circled area with bricks close together, you can hear the other person quite clearly. I was assured that it probably wouldn't work, with too many people doing it. But there were few. It was a highlight. Although you were only like 60 metres away. Some cool pictures later, and we were out for lunch. We went to a nice jiaozi place (fried dumplings) We went to a Peking Opera after! I was excited. Sure, it was opera, but I like theatre and the arts no less. Fuck, was I surprised. I thought we were going into an apartment building to take a piss, but no, it was in the basement! The stage was decent though. We had this theory (see!) that this opera, being in the basement of an apartment building, was put on by the employees (land lord, janitors, etc) the audience was the tenants. And a few bored as hell CWY participants. As you could imagine, it wasn't that great. It totally wasn't what I was expecting. While I was expecting a large auditorium, bellowing singing, amazing costumes, and the sense of a grand opera, what we got was pretty cool costumes, a talking, coughing audience (especially one guy!) annoying repetitive music, shrilling annoying "singing" and of course, the good ol' language barrier. I am quite sure, that even if I did understand what they were saying, I wouldn't have enjoyed it much more. Even the Chinese participants didn't understand everything! So we learned something that day: stay the hell away from peking opera! A few of us went to Maxime's for dinner. One girl had a real tough time, having not getting ahold of her host dad and letting him know where she was. She came from a controlled family, and had little freedom, because they were so worried about her. But she's a very independant girl, who loathes that kind of restriction. She was quite worried, but I offered to take her home. I knew abouts where she lived, so I promised her I'd get her home; it might take awhile, but I wouldn't leave her until she was in her house. So we went for a dinner in a real "hole in the wall" as Maxime called it. His dish was this seriously messed up chicken dish. It was like the chef chopped up a cooked, yet FROZEN chicken, bones and all, mashed up some nuts, through random spicy spices on it, and served it. Not well enjoyed. I took the girl home after. It was quite the adventure. I knew where we were going, but we just kept getting detoured, roads not going quite where we thought they were. But I kept on insisting it was an adventure, and we were exploring along the way. Plus, I promised I'd get her home. Also, I'm stubborn and hate to turn around. We ventured through the subway, new foreign streets, hutongs (poor, close-knit alley ways) speeding traffic ways and even walked along this dark, dirt road beside the train tracks. Surely an adventure. I think it was about 2 hours later that we arrived at her apartment building. There was a bit of phone tag between our counterparts, so to communicate to our host families what happened. My mission completed, my chivilaric self boastful, (yet modest) I bussed my own way back home. I was hen lai le (tired) and dropped into bed after getting home. And now, back at work, relaying this story to the fans.Devon Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00727809806990079723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266676270878218311.post-31193821237534841812008-01-01T16:56:00.000-08:002008-12-10T21:00:31.331-08:00"I can see clearly now, the rain is gone!" Seriously, I got new glasses!<div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZR-to_Dud2GAwGw7aysN898Kz3Drf7OMo7dmabCGc-rHCDO57JxCGhUvLz0xXMWCkfT3GZAK8_CEbF1k-2skbQNincm68oGI8RQGumXYZ_JmPE6VDGylxtVOhiBP3peLh_H0YgTNtovf/s1600-h/DSCF4573.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152923026104643282" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLZR-to_Dud2GAwGw7aysN898Kz3Drf7OMo7dmabCGc-rHCDO57JxCGhUvLz0xXMWCkfT3GZAK8_CEbF1k-2skbQNincm68oGI8RQGumXYZ_JmPE6VDGylxtVOhiBP3peLh_H0YgTNtovf/s320/DSCF4573.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86WNZoubzMLVacO4U75kMJBoDCv3byCKiSagMdNvDYIN05K0MdvZYIXGx2Fq6BIWCG-o7POM0dprByB0twOdWlKDRxpUZ74BWN-D71pJHu3aCuFONGURg8sSA11In1NjHzWKg3wRo_SGv/s1600-h/DSCF4585.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152923047579479794" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86WNZoubzMLVacO4U75kMJBoDCv3byCKiSagMdNvDYIN05K0MdvZYIXGx2Fq6BIWCG-o7POM0dprByB0twOdWlKDRxpUZ74BWN-D71pJHu3aCuFONGURg8sSA11In1NjHzWKg3wRo_SGv/s320/DSCF4585.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTen0NWv-sryC-dathKQa4WUiObeeYN1q3QBQb2bUlqXUECZjrqdSeCunpObvhQ5ANWh6NsnZQIsklsvi2ZFz78N46fdzkigbrKwPDyzP3oRjio4pJ43CBNKUoEp6n1q3GDfH0RMdsIXSn/s1600-h/DSCF4576.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152923034694577890" style="FLOAT: left; 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MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKbNTRRJ_0k8-DJPOW7-9yoLWDu-zdUz7ggEpj-7xgRW1J__cyJf5Q49stGoPoDo5hAYSK_Poa7kI5t1nltfmNcSd_AZG7BKRUQPVoqv1jCJ1Nkg5kfz8fjxag2fO3_iqqSKMhaGYu16aR/s320/DSCF4603.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySdmHH1naTFVhP-MA-TZJEqwYuNqnqyvlBolII2GV3-0NkB7sLa-AQ6L2Guz5oh7SI59aHKPuFLZGlnx5c-Pd0wxPRJCDpSSilsOVYBGOgbcvJlMr8tUZnfmlOA9aRrHHv_yXie5YFemd/s1600-h/DSCF4610.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152924245875355426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySdmHH1naTFVhP-MA-TZJEqwYuNqnqyvlBolII2GV3-0NkB7sLa-AQ6L2Guz5oh7SI59aHKPuFLZGlnx5c-Pd0wxPRJCDpSSilsOVYBGOgbcvJlMr8tUZnfmlOA9aRrHHv_yXie5YFemd/s320/DSCF4610.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzrH_hQryaaJkXCGca9NL6xjWHZU_AK-n-yfVHIICPAuj4aVQB_ByauNMCW6Plzic5jShbgfExe-kY08u7v4hWV0-n27j1hy7VJYwu3oBJHdGfJ-Wy7SbXvmw2EayUMAjOt5HwkP5J4WR/s1600-h/DSCF4640.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152924250170322738" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWzrH_hQryaaJkXCGca9NL6xjWHZU_AK-n-yfVHIICPAuj4aVQB_ByauNMCW6Plzic5jShbgfExe-kY08u7v4hWV0-n27j1hy7VJYwu3oBJHdGfJ-Wy7SbXvmw2EayUMAjOt5HwkP5J4WR/s320/DSCF4640.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jHoqTnpcHyXaXdBipWB12WVYU3Y-QY44edESrT8FkVwWFDZFg2yTu5pmOu5fpOsCXXgxKD0yJvqvanEQxoDFBvXOFcvdUj0Qvf0YG5Fvg6jdhnrZAf5gM9uDmoXJhwNaxM_v9z-mJKIg/s1600-h/DSCF4703.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152928622447030194" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4jHoqTnpcHyXaXdBipWB12WVYU3Y-QY44edESrT8FkVwWFDZFg2yTu5pmOu5fpOsCXXgxKD0yJvqvanEQxoDFBvXOFcvdUj0Qvf0YG5Fvg6jdhnrZAf5gM9uDmoXJhwNaxM_v9z-mJKIg/s320/DSCF4703.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKURO64Em27O79yF8cCUrKbyX6kx9QQDmoM6sHaunN0iQZppaiWjzQH8cQR9CXzGIDDzi6Me2-4UwQ0IzmAmSnng1Pt7XZtBCsKGp64dujyIrbp-yDM_nElc4FHpl50MB6f-Fu4E8iycg7/s1600-h/DSCF4704.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152928626741997506" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKURO64Em27O79yF8cCUrKbyX6kx9QQDmoM6sHaunN0iQZppaiWjzQH8cQR9CXzGIDDzi6Me2-4UwQ0IzmAmSnng1Pt7XZtBCsKGp64dujyIrbp-yDM_nElc4FHpl50MB6f-Fu4E8iycg7/s320/DSCF4704.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrvfA9bPmMp6wQ4PubZiN3qmfRLr4dc2sk8V7B2-Qk5QZTMJPlJrektIAPIow2YOGPi5uyPCpn_LGTvqvtSf89jFvMEWVTR0-fcgw12CYysPu-EhIX-ip_uBgR5Ow_wceWxUz3Ll-tMuY/s1600-h/DSCF4705.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152928639626899410" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrvfA9bPmMp6wQ4PubZiN3qmfRLr4dc2sk8V7B2-Qk5QZTMJPlJrektIAPIow2YOGPi5uyPCpn_LGTvqvtSf89jFvMEWVTR0-fcgw12CYysPu-EhIX-ip_uBgR5Ow_wceWxUz3Ll-tMuY/s320/DSCF4705.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pXyQrqVssL5fTONCrP2Idw7DCF6VmeVqZIiQESIMVurdcL4Ij_TtxXLd40UpNbxdtB1-z5-KzTiZL7KK2cSsyfnd27oNo_dUTZ4uNo3IOrdBgz7dfOY2c3YYOnTVIhxbzl3k7AXiS4PM/s1600-h/DSCF4702.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152928609562128290" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pXyQrqVssL5fTONCrP2Idw7DCF6VmeVqZIiQESIMVurdcL4Ij_TtxXLd40UpNbxdtB1-z5-KzTiZL7KK2cSsyfnd27oNo_dUTZ4uNo3IOrdBgz7dfOY2c3YYOnTVIhxbzl3k7AXiS4PM/s320/DSCF4702.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Wow! Whoa! Ho! .....Slow!.....Now I remember why I quit writing poetry.<br /><br />The last week has been quite....something. I was so excited to finally see my group. Like, REALLY excited. I was so jittery. Really. I couldn't stop shaking because my nerves were shot! Like, nervous break down shot! First, it snowed! And driving in the snow was worse then normal, and if you've read the last few excerpts, you'll know that normal is bad! Then Gary gave me a ride on his bike to our meeting place. It all just added up you know? I was so happy to see Anthony smoking outside, just a familiar face. Then the others, just asking how it's been, what have they done, how are their host families, etc. Most of the experiences seemed similar, a bit scary, not knowing what our host families are saying most of the time. Everyone gatherered in Maxime's office, where some of us just began to hug eachother. Sadie, known in Kelowna to bike everywhere, I just hugged and told her "Never, EVER touch a bike here!" We all shared in excitement and nervousness our stories. We had a well needed circle check, ever since the olympic talk fiasco. I was last, listening to everyone talk about their miscommunication, or lack thereof, sharing things with their host families, and just the experience. When it got to me, I was very jittery. I told my group, well, practically everything I've past written. I described it as being a small kitten in the middle of a Beijing highway, me being the cat. It just hit me hard is all. It felt very comforting to tell everyone this. Just hearing some people having the same problems helped. That afternoon, we opened up letters we had written to ourselves at the beginning of the program. It was like talking to yourself, a different self who had different expectations and aspirations. I laughed and chuckled a bit, cuz I wrote some silly things to myself. What do you expect? So we wrote new letters, and I just shared the same experiences I did at circle check and how I expect to overcome them, that I will, and when I'm done, I'll be a better person and stronger one at that. It'll be good to read after the next 3 months. We went for a small walking tour and went to a mall for lunch. Fast food restaurants are similar I guess. The one we were at gave out large stone bowls with our food in them. But even the food all looks like the food everywhere else. Doesn't really look "greasy" or anything. Ironic I say that, because they add oil to EVERYTHING. I calmed down a lot by the afternoon. I went home, excited to see my host sister who was coming home from university as well, but she wasn't there until Saturday.<br /><br />The next day, I went out with some of the group to go meet some of Kassie's friends for dinner. It was nice to go out to another dinner. We've been doing that a fair bit lately, but it seems expected. We just discussed everything, had a few beers (15 tall ones between like 8 of us) and Maxime shared some great stories with us from his Benign program, like the one about the kid bleeding out the ass and the retarded doctors who let someone die next to him. Glad we have an experienced person in our group. We went our Lotus Lake, a frozen lake with lots of pubs around it. People beg you to come into their pub, and sometimes drag you I've been told. We chose one, but it was a bit hectic as it was late and we were still deciding and figuring out rides. I came home around 10pm. Just in time to meet my host sister and fall asleep.<br /><br />The next morning, we were meeting at the Red Theatre to watch an arts performance. Dancers, singers, and even a short demonstration of kung fu. I liked it rather much, as a supporter for the arts. We were planned to be part of it! As the Canadian guests, we were to perform a Christmas song. What song did we choose? That damn annoying one! 12 days of Christmas. But we shortened it to the 8 Days of Christmas instead. We were all nervous, but I just enjoyed the idea, that we were performing (albeit a very minor) at a Chinese arts performance! The song was alright, but our counterparts in the audience said it was grand. At the end, they brought us out with some higher officials (the judges maybe?) and they blew confetti guns and cheered. Oh, to be a foreigner in front of an applauding crowd. We rock! I went out with some girls for lunch at a noodle place, with a stop at the Chinese 7/11. It was a bit different. God I miss taquitoes! Then we walked around, Canadians only. It was the most cold and windiest day ever. What I thought was the sweet munchies for Yuchan was actually a stop for a slice of birthday cake for me! Although it was a day early, my friends remembered my birthday! I was so happy. We walked around a bit more, stopping at a book store. The rest of the group seemed to appear. I guess they were called. They had some drinks and snacks and we went into a building close by. I thought it was another activity that was supposedly planned for later, but as we walked into a karaoke room, they all yelled "SURPRISE!" It was! It really was! I had no clue the entire day (which isn't hard if you know me well) I really appreciated it, especially considering I ruined my surprise party last year by, ahem, showing up. Don't ask. We laughed, we sang. But take note. Even the english songs aren't the same versions we all know and love. The energy by our well known singers just isn't there. And the singer themselves are different. Even Ivy, the vice director of foreign affairs (second to Director Wang) was there. I was thrilled, however, the party ran short, as it was in the afternoon, but people ran out of steam quickly. We retired for the night.<br /><br />On my actual birthday, my host sister took me to the market place, close by our house. It's insane there. So many people, even foreigners, walking up and down like a hundred aisles and alleyways, lots of small counters and shops and stores. It was more antique oriented. But it was very cool, and I had a tough time saying no to so many shop keeps, telling them I was just looking. Next, she took me to get a SIM card for my cell phone, that I was borrowing off of her cousin. I was a little surprised to be buying a SIM card off of a random lady on the street almost, picking my phone number out of a coloring book it seemed! But lo and behold, it did work. It was charged that afternoon, while Gary took Mavis, my host sister, his girlfriend and I bowling. But the bowling alley was closed, and Gary tried hard to find things for us to do. It was difficult though, as he kept asking me what I wanted to do. It's Beijing! How the hell do I know what I want to do, or know what there is TO do? We went to the Hong Qiao market, another market place, but more uptodate and sold new things. In other words, a lot of stuff that was either fake, or they sold expensive. It was another thrilling place for me, bustling with people from all over the world, haggling with the clerks, this time a little more refined, dressed up, and THEN trying to rip you off. I wanted to look for a new memory card for my camera. But when Gary found a cheap one, they found out my camera was out of date and couldn't handle a 2 Gb memory card. I sighed and decided I needed a new camera. Mine had lasted long enough, for the last two years. I bought it in Katimavik, when my last one burned out. But I was not sad, as it had been far and wide, from mountain tops to underground, to yonder rivers and above the air. I kid you not. So now, I'm shopping for a new one. What better place to though, eh? Gary took me to see Tiannanmen Square too. It was so crowded with tourists, even Chinese alike, against the rails to see the guards. They come out of Mao Zidong's building and lower the flag with the sun. It was good timing. Gary took us out for birthday noodles after, as is the tradition in China. I was more excited to eat sweet and sour pork, TRUE sweet and sour pork. It was so delicious, moist, yet crunchy, just like my old love affair of meat, ginger beef! I returned home to find my cell phone now charged and ready for phone calls. It was a great birthday.<br /><br />New Year's, sorry to say, wasn't as exciting. We planned to hang out with people, but being still fresh with our host families, it's hard to stray away as lots of participants were being shown off to other family members or just busy. I went exploring for the first time by myself. I walked towards the Longtan (Dragon) park. It was a shame it was winter, as I expect it will be beautiful in the spring or summer. I met Lyndsay and Lilly and we went to a restaurant for a hot pot. Only about 10 of us showed up, but it was still a celebration. The restaurant was very hospitable, with hot towels, plates of fruit, and a small demonstration of noodle making! This lady practically skipped with noodle dough, almost whipping it in your face. And through casual conversation, we found out that a "hairdresser" is slang for prostitute. Needless to say, that sparked some vulgar jokes. After, I decided to try to stay out fairly late, as in, home by 10pm. I went out with Jamie in attempts to visit Maxime, but he wasn't home and was hard to get ahold of. So there we were, in front of a mall with a big New Years stage, in Beijing, at 9:20pm. Happy New Years! I left, not wanting to be late, especially because my host dad trusted me with the house key. That was big, considering I don't think any other participants have keys. We couldn't stay out late, as most of the host families didn't want us to. They we scared for us, especially the girls, and refused to give most of us keys. We tried to express the importance of New Year's but they didn't understand. It's quite disappointing for us, because we like to go out, experience the night life. This does not necessarily mean go partying or drinking, but we have fun late at night. I think it's part of the cultural experience. But I've been told me may have to wait like a month or two before they soften up on this.<br /><br />Yesterday was a nice, cold, windy day, as the past couple days have been. I guess that the dark smog we saw the first couple of days actually was due to the stranger weather.<br /><br />Yes. I am admitting the pollution problem doesn't look as bad as I made it out to be. I'm not saying it's not a problem, but it's not as bad as it seemed the first day.<br /><br />So I went out in the afternoon with Leah and Kassie to go get my glasses fixed. Lucky I am to be in a place where a lot of these kind of things are cheap. And plentiful it seems! We went into a 4 story building, one floor consisting entirely of glass crafters, contact lens stores and the such. I repaired my old glasses for 60 yuan and got a whole new sexy pair for 100 yuan. Typically, for pricing, we divide by 7 to get the approximate value of how much were spending. So 160 for a repair and new pair comes to a little more then $20. Yay China! And Leah got purple contact lenses for fun, which make her look like an anime character. We visited Maxime to show them off and just chilled with him. I haven't even mentioned his apartment, which is hiliarious in itself! His bathroom is like 1 meter by 1 meter (yes, metric sytem!) He has to turn sideways to use the toilet, and has to stand over the toilet to shower! The whole apartment just makes you laugh. And laughing, at this point, as how we stay sane.<br /><br />I got to laugh some more when I finally phoned home, the first time since I got here. Just hearing comforting words from family and friends really helped. And even when I checked my email, lots of people remembered I'm over here and wished me Merry Christmas, Happy Birthday and even a happy new year! Glad to know I'm missed.<br /><br />The hurricane has passed, and things have slowed down a bit. After getting to know the city and it's people a bit better, the stress level has quickly dropped. It was just the intensity of being thrown in it all so fast with no group members and little counterpart contact. I've thought about it though. To me, Beijing is the scariest place I've ever been. From going to one of the smallest places in Canada to one of the biggest in the world, where the traffic still scares the hell out of me, and the obvious language barrier. The biggest city ever, the worst traffic I've experienced and I can't understand almost anyone. This is the scariest place I've ever been. And I'm not afraid of it no more. Except when I'm standing in the middle of a cross walk on a green light, then its like "AUGH HOLY SHIT! STUPID BEIJING!"</div></div></div></div></div>Devon Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00727809806990079723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266676270878218311.post-50110653378119556512007-12-26T16:28:00.001-08:002008-12-10T21:00:32.227-08:00I think the radio is annoying in all languages!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgf_5wmmapQWQFfBFEWs26_MTGvh4MTs8i4E57b6ovYQP0kRLgrsTPITeI7GPIYlaneee9ErKZLWlGhgBzuqbnKsOA56gAmCD8CiX6Heq6LkfDO9q9Y-41aUgYqACVPpwfaC2lUtjst2X/s1600-h/DSCF4526.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152921415491907234" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPgf_5wmmapQWQFfBFEWs26_MTGvh4MTs8i4E57b6ovYQP0kRLgrsTPITeI7GPIYlaneee9ErKZLWlGhgBzuqbnKsOA56gAmCD8CiX6Heq6LkfDO9q9Y-41aUgYqACVPpwfaC2lUtjst2X/s320/DSCF4526.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_RKrpobgA4_WkRR21nOt3qcrkPeaEIuUOQr9v56LEd_BigbV-MpcJlMLyRbm1PgHlFU3jDR-Ni6Ej5xy-OhzKs9k9GgLYED-muqf0ShNak68VyNWwYUbvXvrqw384UoIdwGDZ050OcK7/s1600-h/DSCF4533.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152921424081841842" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP_RKrpobgA4_WkRR21nOt3qcrkPeaEIuUOQr9v56LEd_BigbV-MpcJlMLyRbm1PgHlFU3jDR-Ni6Ej5xy-OhzKs9k9GgLYED-muqf0ShNak68VyNWwYUbvXvrqw384UoIdwGDZ050OcK7/s320/DSCF4533.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfbJWLcLjMtG7OA8LewSx3W12n_6nyPqArL7abISpnasqi_DJickvViYfP2lZCYz3QEdeU-cZuKYYlasLh1r3cSDZYDu3gc28G8ajvH0PTGrsOCVe_DWCEtH9F85lpfApgKjAJ2rK1qk-/s1600-h/DSCF4547.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152921441261711042" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVfbJWLcLjMtG7OA8LewSx3W12n_6nyPqArL7abISpnasqi_DJickvViYfP2lZCYz3QEdeU-cZuKYYlasLh1r3cSDZYDu3gc28G8ajvH0PTGrsOCVe_DWCEtH9F85lpfApgKjAJ2rK1qk-/s320/DSCF4547.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I had my first day of work yesterday, today being my second. The fact that I'm updating my blog goes to show you how much I'm doing right now.<br /><br />The first day wasn't that exciting. The 15 minute drive to work was more of an adrenaline rush (seriously, I kid you not! NEVER BIKE IN BEIJING!) Gary's colleagues all welcomed him back and were excited to see the little scared Canadian teenager following him around. He introduced me to everyone, I'd say what little mandarin hellos I knew, you kinda get the picture. He said I could check my email, and like a frightened boy seeking his thumb to suck, I embraced the technological comfort that allowed me to go back home, talk to my friends. Irony blows! Stupid time difference meant very few family members were online. Gary informed me there was little to do until after the New Year's, which meant it would be boring. So the computer was solice. In the afternoon, we went for lunch in another building. Luckily, most government work places in China give free lunches. I found out they also get a 2 hour lunch period, which, with the later time, they spend playing cards. By the end of this program, I'll know how to play that fucking game and beat all their asses! More so in the afternoon, Gary and I went to the mall. Remember, we had nothing to do. There he showed me a mall, we looked around a bit at shoes, watches, etc. We also bought a map of the Chongwen district and a chinese dictionary. By that, I mean the chinese words come first, and then you find out what they mean, not the other way around. Oh well, it's still useful. I thought Canada was consumeristic? China's just as bad! It's all about brand names, and who endorses what. Everything tries to be so bright and colorful and "advertizistic." I'm sure we're not the only two countries plagued by this. We also picked up some juice and water that Gary's workplace gets for ordering the newspaper. He had to go get a bike for it, but thank god, we walked it back. Uncle Li drove me home, and we cooked dinner. I'm sure even by the end of the program, I won't know half of what I ate. I just eat it. After, he helped me find my friends on my map that I bought. I was so excited to find out where my friends were. But I think they're further away then they seem. Afterwards I phoned Lyndsay. She was online briefly at work, and was freaking out, desperatly seeking Canadian company. Sadly, she was not home. I got ahold of Leah, who seemed to be having a tough time as well. I think we're all a little AUGH right now, although I'm sure Jamie is just loving it, as he knows the most mandarin. Bastard. I get by though. But I can feel my stress is high. It's a culmination of things; settling in, not knowing what the hell my host dad is saying half the time, missing my group, having a severe disability in my skills. I can't really go out, can't go shopping by myself too much, can't do a lot it seems. I want a calling card to call home. I miss everyone. But I keep telling myself to stick it out. I did Katimavik which was longer, I survived Quebec. And it will really prepare me for my bike trip across Canada I think. It's making me appreciate everything back home and even things here. Like, I respect how hard the Chinese try to save water, from washing dishes, to their "showers" However, I do miss food at home. I made Li shushu french toast today. I thought that would be a real treat, to share some Canadian food, and he could use the maple syrup Gary bought him. But he didn't seem all that interested, so I was kinda sad. But familiar food in my belly made me happy. It's all part of the experience.</div>Devon Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00727809806990079723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266676270878218311.post-21211193027296706202007-12-26T00:53:00.001-08:002008-12-10T21:00:33.412-08:00Breath in....breath out....breath in.....and cough<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEKRXQEugRgwisuj7b-5au9W7GmXzhRF_SNVSBs_pPMgWAhy6wyoUkCidjjz_uBim2D8PwPiHUepqRvx902wIqQvl-ksK4PESOVACnULxZrrnfpnm0Ok23g72MTVPaDxP_oZDA69pfYRO/s1600-h/DSCF4521.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152918804151791218" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSEKRXQEugRgwisuj7b-5au9W7GmXzhRF_SNVSBs_pPMgWAhy6wyoUkCidjjz_uBim2D8PwPiHUepqRvx902wIqQvl-ksK4PESOVACnULxZrrnfpnm0Ok23g72MTVPaDxP_oZDA69pfYRO/s320/DSCF4521.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBy9PZYVkyq7FVjjLyJZywqdRZImgpgMyXsjGdErq2AXvs2EU0trto61p-eaX4gFEvzFTtKyOUQR_9snyDS59LYlsrqgZrmhi097ok_W3EDwnMyngrdwC67TBs_vJjDl7fZyU7AtzrtmTp/s1600-h/DSCF4504.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152918722547412546" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBy9PZYVkyq7FVjjLyJZywqdRZImgpgMyXsjGdErq2AXvs2EU0trto61p-eaX4gFEvzFTtKyOUQR_9snyDS59LYlsrqgZrmhi097ok_W3EDwnMyngrdwC67TBs_vJjDl7fZyU7AtzrtmTp/s320/DSCF4504.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmduXD_blrf27a9mL51kt-pL8hrSNRgvMpc4m3no-9LggAFF7XOdLTBxB1UOTHuQhtTtjC8lo-G3u2ChkHhJkQiL4Gwa0mr2372_hZzyltUMaurTDFHedYghCSfIssopPwwN4AvMthhNq/s1600-h/DSCF4511.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152918735432314450" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmduXD_blrf27a9mL51kt-pL8hrSNRgvMpc4m3no-9LggAFF7XOdLTBxB1UOTHuQhtTtjC8lo-G3u2ChkHhJkQiL4Gwa0mr2372_hZzyltUMaurTDFHedYghCSfIssopPwwN4AvMthhNq/s320/DSCF4511.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4R_r4GfTSZ36nV6AguUB2k23BwAAzxTlWrQ2E8gz3fBMbJu5Vw5SrGMQpyLdMZteunXpOAVspRVbD_ojXsQMxsF85Tx9n8Y4aRBweG1s6MTQtg0n8b7Z-hNR25I0aoYrHSb7EHp1HNhv5/s1600-h/DSCF4512.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152918799856823906" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4R_r4GfTSZ36nV6AguUB2k23BwAAzxTlWrQ2E8gz3fBMbJu5Vw5SrGMQpyLdMZteunXpOAVspRVbD_ojXsQMxsF85Tx9n8Y4aRBweG1s6MTQtg0n8b7Z-hNR25I0aoYrHSb7EHp1HNhv5/s320/DSCF4512.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihy_WpvJa4fb9wCht1dUC0D4UI81RNQ8Na2u06pagevVRG3EohLUS5AX2kwoUlUQG3LRtgdZsM1wZHBXUMVJ4s0E2R22vZp-qZfP5r9FQRanv4MaMgjoFqNts_xdckAlMlcu7kJuyroB-k/s1600-h/DSCF4522.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152919916548320898" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihy_WpvJa4fb9wCht1dUC0D4UI81RNQ8Na2u06pagevVRG3EohLUS5AX2kwoUlUQG3LRtgdZsM1wZHBXUMVJ4s0E2R22vZp-qZfP5r9FQRanv4MaMgjoFqNts_xdckAlMlcu7kJuyroB-k/s320/DSCF4522.JPG" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8IuwTyJSHmS1JNrpkTvBn7sXKjKedd38LrFKZ2vV9Hz10fsQPecOrQROEXg0Li1KYf7rKpYIFdxkNfcBybKA_Lab0qHcxD4YMr1Dh-ky2r__BJq5nvHm8uqVETeRhYXMLoxdiMML1_-jx/s1600-h/DSCF4645.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5152919933728190098" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8IuwTyJSHmS1JNrpkTvBn7sXKjKedd38LrFKZ2vV9Hz10fsQPecOrQROEXg0Li1KYf7rKpYIFdxkNfcBybKA_Lab0qHcxD4YMr1Dh-ky2r__BJq5nvHm8uqVETeRhYXMLoxdiMML1_-jx/s320/DSCF4645.JPG" border="0" /></a>I'm still getting used to Beijing. It's an experience, it's new, it's scaring the crap out of me, I miss my friends, I want to go home! *deep breaths. It's not that bad, but the culture shock has come hard.<br /><br />There we were, having Christmas in Beijing, partying and having a few beers with the Director of Foreign Affairs of the Chongwen District, singing karaoke, Stephane and I trying to pick up the Chinese waitress with our poor Mandarin and it was like BLAMO! We were thrown from our cozy group into host families, the which almost none spoke english, and almost all of our counterparts living elsewhere. Most of the families didn't want a Chinese stranger living in their house. I find that ironic, because would a foreign stranger be much better? Also, many of the family homes weren't large enough to accomodate extra room mates. So we bussed to a new hotel to meet our new host families and work leaders and have dinner with them. I don't know about the other participants, but my dinner was quite quiet. I was just tired from the previous night and worrying about having broken my glasses and not knowing the man beside me that I would be staying with for 3 months. Casual conversation didn't flow like I was accustomed to. But I have been in situations where it takes awhile for that to happen, with or without a language barrier. We went to his home afterwards, with barely a chance to say goodbye to my friends. But I think we were all a bit rushed and confused. I found myself looking out the window of the car at the strange new world. Strange signs, odd faces, and a shit load of bikes! I found myself saying holy crap every ten minutes after someone almost getting hit. We brought my bags in and soon went shopping with Gary. Uncle Li, or Li shushu, took us to a store to buy bedding and some food. It was strange, being in a grocery store, where I'd usually be accustomed to. There were new products, some familiar ones with different names. Like coke. Oh my god they love coke! We had it for every meal at the resort in 2.5 litre bottles. Li shushu is going to buy me a bed tomorrow. However, it will be in the living room as space is limited. I understand, but think it will still hard for me to find my privacy. Showering is completely different here as well. No tub, no shower curtain! Just the tap and the shower head. I actually suggested the tub to stand in to Li shushu. You have warming lamps above so you don't freeze, and you just mop the floor after. Every time. They're big on saving water, which I can also understand. It just takes some getting used to. I think my showering habits might still take a turn though. And as we've been warned, even described to in the CWY guide book, my appetite has taken a turn. I'm very tired lately, trying to understand the people, language and everything. I went to bed probably the most early I've ever went, last night. 8pm! It didn't seem like I needed sleep while we were at the hotel, but now I really do. I'm gonna give this time.</div></div>Devon Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00727809806990079723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266676270878218311.post-15741773776002771862007-12-21T05:37:00.000-08:002007-12-21T06:11:21.982-08:00So apparently, there's more Chinese people here in Beijing than Vancouver...go figure!Yes ladies and gents, I have gone abroad. I am now in Beijing. And I must say, it's .... odd. Not different, not bad, just different. But let's recap as to how I came here. <br /><br />Our host families all dropped us off in front of the Friendship center that Tuesday. We loaded our bags onto the crowded bus, filled with the Vernon group. We drove to Vancouver, sharing anxieties, fears, excitements and other feelings to eachother about the new part of our adventure. We arrived at the YWCA hotel in Vancouver and quickly settled in with a brief meeting about expected behavior, the relaxed schedule and just what would happen. Right after, the Canadians in my group went out and about, braving the Vancouver rain to find something to eat for supper. We couldn't agree, so a few of us went to a shwarma place, Jamies favorite kind of food. After a brief stop back at the hotel, a lot of us, mostly Canadians again, went out to a pub with our Canadians supervisors. I believe most of the Chinese were, what else, shopping! But it was good. Maxime and Becky are cool to hang out with casually and they don't hold onto their supervisor roles too tightly when they don't need to. There was quite a large group of us, from the Vernon group as well. We all tried new and exotic beers, sipping from everyones, trying them all out. I didn't like a lot of them, but was content with sharing my micro brewed cream soda. After a $250 bar tab (between a large group of people though) we wandered a bit. It's always fun in a large group! We hung out in our hotel rooms, just chilling, sharing thoughts about Beijing and recent going-ons.<br /><br />The next morning, a small group of us (mixed this time) went to the Vancouver Aquarium. It was quite the rainy morning, so we were very wet after walking, taking the bus, walking some more. Worse then the weather was the fact that when we arrived at our destination, we discovered that we were at the Aquatic Center, a pool!!! Not the flipping aquarium! Boy did I feel like a shitty tour guide. But no one minded. Good I think, cuz no one pointed out that mistake beforehand either! We took the "scenic route" along the shore towards Stanley Park. We actually made good time, walking fairly fast. We made it to the aquarium before lunch. After we went in, we split up and enjoyed all the fishies and whatnot by ourselves or in small groups. When we were finished, Ian from the Vernon group and I walked to a Mongolian restaurant where it was cooked on this round flat grill. Interesting was that they charged either a bowl, or all you can eat, but they charged for uneaten food, which I kind of agree with. After working in the Food Bank, I kind of don't like to waste food. So we caught the bus after and came back. I went out with my group to exchange some money. I had planned to visit a friend after that, but she could't come, so I walked across the bridge to MEC, my new favorite store. I bought a dry bag and dry/compression bag for my sleeping bag, so to make more space. Which we needed when we weighed our bags that night to make sure everything was under 50lbs. It was good, because our counterparts needed extra space to bring home souvenirs, mostly chocolate. Oh, the chocolate. But we all made it . Right after, I went out to dinner with some more people. We went to Red Robin's where had a fairly cheap, but delicious dinner. One of the last few burgers I would probably enjoy for 3 months. We were pretty tired after that, but the girls still came to chill in our hotel room. I really like hanging out with our group, very casually, with no restrictions or structure. <br /><br />The next morning, we all caught the bus to the airport. We did the plane thing; wait in line, check your luggage, blah blah blah. After some people bought some duty free goods, we bought our last canadian meal in the food court. A & W never tasted so good! Fuck you McDonalds! We boarded our Air China plane for a grueling 12 hour flight. Damn't all that my freakin' DS would die early. I read a bit, watched 2 movies and slept. To me, it went by fairly fast, for being 12 hours. The tv/computers they had on the plane were sweet! You could play games on them! So, we touched down through grey smog, or what looked like thick grey fog. Yes, I'm saying it. The pollution people. You aren't coughing and gagging when you get off, but you can't see far into the city! Like 2 or 3 blocks become hidden in clouds. We were told this is exaggerated by the cold winter weather, but we'll see tomorrow. I was quite quiet on the bus ride to our hotel, as I tried to process what was going on; I was in another country. I kept waiting for it to kick in. I saw foreign words, I saw asian people, but it just didn't FEEL like I was in another country, let another content. I was not home. I'm pretty damn sure no one here has heard of Hazelton. Shit, in Vancouver, I even ran into a friend from Smithers!!! I'm going from one of the smallest towns in Canada to one of the largest cities in the world!!! It gradually caught up to me. It wasn't a big shock though. Just small things. We brought our stuff into the hotel, which incidentally is like a goddam amusement park! Seriously! They have rides and gyms and a spa downstairs! AND A TRAIN that connects them all! It's unbelievable! But we'll discover more of that tomorrow. We were hosted to a dinner in a fancy restaurant where we got to try out our chop stick skills. We tried some "authentic" Chinese food. Ifound it tastes similar to the food the Chinese participants made for us in Kelowna. But don't tell them that! So far, I don't like soft chicken bones. But it's just day one. Even touching down on the plane, I found ourselves mocking the Beijing pollution and just other things. I didn't want to, but that's how were coming to terms with where we are I guess. When we don't know about something, we usually treat it with fear, questioning it, poking it, sometimes attacking it. We fear what we don't understand. I didn't want to feel that way, but I will try to change that attitude. I want to appreciate it. It will take some time. It just seems like another city right now with a language barrier. We've been given our host families and work placements already! It was decided with no prior knowledge or meeting. We knew about it, but we just don't know about them. So I think we're all scared. Not because where we are, but what we don't know will happen. However, I do like the fact that my host family has a 21 year old daughter. See? Things are picking up already!Devon Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00727809806990079723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266676270878218311.post-19941908146398240132007-12-16T22:29:00.000-08:002007-12-16T23:00:53.618-08:00Hand cramp...must...stop...Seriously, between writing 18 pages in my journal and updating the blog and then the freakin website, my hand is gonna be fucked! So I'll try to keep it brief, not like I ever do. <br /><br />Our debriefing continued on Thursday. We discussed specific, real scenarios that basically, pissed people off, without using names though. We talked about these and resolved most of them. Then Emma, our previous guest, an alumni from the Beijing program as well, talked with the Canadians about culture shock. It was really helpful, just hearing her stories, how she felt, how she dealt with things there. She gave us good advice on relationships, communication and Chinese norms, culture, behaviors, etc. The meeting went late, which combined with more fiascos with the busses caused me to be late getting home. First, the busses. I had to get get off the 97 express for whatever reason, but it was okay! I didn't even have to wait because there was another one right in front of me. Surely it wouldn't drive away as I walked towards it. Oh! Yeah, it did!!! Fucker barely left the curb but the bus driver wouldn't let me on! So I had to wait for the 11 South Rutland bus. I got on and began reading, and they kicked us off, because it was turning into the number 7! I was pissed. After getting home, I started baking cookies for the next days farewell party. I was up pretty late baking delicious cookies. Brenda was very helpful in getting ingredients last minute. <br /><br />So, we dropped off our baking and pre-made supper the next morning, because we were going skating! It was most of the Chinese participants first time going skating as well! We rented our own private round rink for this! Practically all the Canadians knew how to skate and therefore taught all the Chinese. They picked it up alright, for a short afternoon. They just needed more practice is all. It was quite fun, spinning, falling down, sliding on the chairs, chasing eachother. We returned to the Friendship Center and began to set up tables, chairs, and heating up or cooking our dishes for our very own farewell party. The guests included our host families, friends, and work partners. We ate a fantastic dinner (ahem) and watched a short but great slide show put together by Anthony. Then the participant counterparts went up and shared stories about their host families with the crowd. Gary and I shared scaring Brenda when I hid in the leaves, Gary getting attacked by the cat, the great marshmallow fight, and even how we met. Lots of great stories were shared. After cleaning up, we expected most of the group to go to Flashbacks, a popular bar. But that list dwindled down to 6 participants, 2 host parents, one of their friends, and a partridge in a pair tree! It was a rocking night though. It was a big bar Christmas party as all the snow hoes and naughty elves were out and about, minus their shirt. Call me crazy, but I didn't think it got that cold at the north pole. Brenda even came, to party with me one last time. Flashbacks was her old stomping ground she told me. The girls had fun chasing after guys to buy them drinks and we all just danced the night away. We walked home with one of the fire fighters who gave us a tour at the fire hall! And also some woman named Tina. You meet the greatest people walking in the snow at like 2:30 in the morning! We all slept at Leah's house, just exhausted. The next morning, Leah's host mom took us out for breakfast at Denny's! It was delicious!<br /><br />Saturday I should have packed. I tried hard to get my to do list done. Didn't really happen. I wanted to spend some time with my host brother, so we ended up going to I Am Legend. Quite the movie I should say. I was dropped off at Felix and Anothony's house where there was another party! We played some good rounds of Sociables. I walked Lilly home, describing in-depth my work history and thoughts. <br /><br />Even thought I got home around 1:30 am, that didn't stop me from going snowboarding with my host sister at Big White. It was quite daunting thought, and expensive! I spent like $120 to go for one day! That includes bus ride, pass and rental! Holy shit eh! I guess the Aussies there have never heard of cash. You needed a credit card to rent! But I was able to put a $200 deposit on my equipment, even though they don't often do that. Still, I just wanted to get out there and board! There was lots of powder, especially with all the fog and wind and snow blowing everywhere! At some points, we couldnt' even see in front of us. But I'm crazy. That didn't stop me from going fast. And apparently, neither did ditches, which I thought were dips, causing me to come to a complete stop after shoulder bashing it. Good fun! I just got up and laughed it off. We took some good jumps, a few spills. Nothing amazing, but I did get to try a new ski hill. It was very nice. Although with that price tag, it made me miss Smithers. And now, I'm home, finishing up my last minute chores which included my journal entries, blog update, burning photos onto cds, and such. Tomorrow I have to go print photos at Wal-Mart, send home some things and put together a scrap book for Brenda. And now, Gary has so much stuff he's bought for family, friends, co-workers, etc, that he has to put a lot in my bags and we don't know if we can manage to get it all in. I did warn him though not to buy too much. But we'll see tomorrow during my last day in Kelowna!Devon Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00727809806990079723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266676270878218311.post-14348452604369394682007-12-12T21:18:00.000-08:002007-12-12T21:49:41.961-08:00Marshmallow fights prove to be the ultimate conflict resolution activity!Yes. Ho ho ho, the snows got nothing against marshmallowy goodness to the face!!! POW!!! My host family didn't see it coming!<br /><br />So this week has REALLY zoomed by. I'm so freakin far behind in my journals and we're leaving in like a week!<br /><br />The sweat lodge was great. It was a nice cold day, so before we got all sweaty, we went onto the ice and basked in our canadian ways. Sliding, spinning, just having fun the way you should in the winter. Except the sweating part. That was kind of odd. Although, we found it a bit daunting that we had to practically beg the Chinese to come out onto the ice and play. We had to put them on a bit of a guilt trip, saying this is one of the most Canadian things you can do. They came. And they loved it! Makes us wonder why it's so freakin hard to get them to do other things. They complained it was too cold before, which I found ironic because we would be outside in our underwear practically for a short time before sweating the cold away. We went into a short dome, covered in layers of blankets, furnished with a floor of pine needle branches. Hot rocks, or "grandfathers" were placed in the center. The door was closed, leaving us in pitch black. We would say prayers, listen to a beating drum and song or be in total silence, while hot water was put on the rocks, enveloping us in steam. We had 4 "rounds" the first three being longer and hotter then the last, but the last one was short and the most hot! The hosts were very respectable and explained things to us clearly. After each round, we could go outside for a few minutes to cool off, which was great. Cold was not even an issue, as you were steaming so much, you didn't even notice it. Cold was welcomed at that point! It was not a point of seeing who could stand the most heat either, it was participating and, as I saw it, relaxing and reflecting, which so many of us find so hard to do. I didn't find it as spiritually cleansing as I thought it would be, but it was my first one and I did feel good nevertheless. It was a potluck as well, so everyone brought food. We found out it was their custom that we couldn't leave until ALL the food was gone. We ate great soup, fruit, donuts, muffins, and drank lots of water. However, I had to leave early because a man giving me a ride had to leave early. He assured us we would all sleep so well that night. I wasn't too sure, just cause I wasn't really paying attention. It was also the night of our Super Bad party. In case you haven't watched it, I suggest it. Even the Chinese loved it! Some were, sigh, imitating the language. Even my counterpart, Gary, whipped out some wine to join in the party. It was quite the party night. Most everyone slept over and Brenda was so gracious enough to help me make breakfast, which I think everyone enjoyed.<br /><br />Sunday, although not a hangover, is a blur.<br /><br />Monday, however, was the best part of the program yet! I went SNOWBOARDING!!! I was so excited to go, as I haven't at all this season and almost cried every time I saw a snowboarding commercial. It really meant a lot that we went, because I love it so much and even worked on a ski hill back home. It was most of the Chinese' first time skiing, which was great for them. Another Canadian activity. It was cheaper to get a beginner package, so four of us who went boarding, Felix, Jamie, Heather and I, pretended to not be great snowboarders. We pretended to have backgrounds in surfing or skating or wakeboarding. Just fucking around on our boards on level snow, I think the trainers knew we weren't THAT bad. They sped us through our "beginner" lesson fast, especially after our second run where I said screw it, and just went. When we got on our own, it felt amazing. There was this rolling hill which was phenomenal! I got fast enough and got like 20 feet of air, although only like a foot off the ground! I refused to go inside for lunch as time went by too fast to waste on food. Speed and adrenaline kept me going all day. No, really. Even when we were done boarding, I ate very quickly and then went tubing where I was practically running up the hill. I think I amazed people and my energy. Maxime paid for a round of tubing for all of us, which was great too. Lots of speed, and they measured how fast we went too! They even gave us a few free runs! What a bunch of great guys up on Silver Star. And I get to do it all again this Sunday!!! This time on Big White with my host sister.<br /><br />Despite being so close to leaving, we had one more CAD. It was a field trip of a water waste recycling plant and a fire station. Simple tours, but informative nonetheless. We were so freakin lost in the morning though. There were a lot of gellatly roads and it took us a long time just to find the wrong one! But we made it. The tour was neat actually, as I said when I took a picture of the shit (literally) collected from sewage. And the fire station was cool too. But there's no more fire poles :( They were very hospitable, showing us their equipment and letting us take lots of pictures. They even turned on the siren! Yay :p<br /><br />And then there was today! It was the first day of our debriefing of our Canadian phase, which lasts 6 more days. We started with a circle check to which most people expressed their soreness but excitement from snowboarding or skiing (ie me) We also expressed how we felt about the olympic situation that happened last week when everyone got very tense and defensive about it. But we brought that up in order to get past that issue, learn and grow stronger, which is what this program is about; cultural differences and learning! We also wrote down problems we've seen with group dynamic under different categories and discussed them. We were quite behind on time, as Maxime had rightfully predicted. But there was no hostility today, which was great. Respect seemed to be the operative word. But there's plenty more reflecting for tomorrow. After so much reflecting, I went shopping with some of the girls and bought some gifts for my new host family as well as my current one. Upon getting home, I brought everyone together and unleashed hell in a frenzied fury of marshmallowy pain!!! Lots of head shots, matrix style dodging, a marshmallow down the butt, some *ahem* biting, and it all ended (kinda) after an ornament broke. I think I brought my family a bit of my family from home. They won't soon be forgetting that anytime soon! Merry Christmas! MWAHAHAHAHA!!!!Devon Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00727809806990079723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266676270878218311.post-43732792252444429702007-12-08T10:11:00.000-08:002007-12-08T11:05:02.210-08:00Tis the season to have fights, fa la la la la, la la la crap!Don't take the title with a bah humbug attitude. It's with good intentions in mind. It's been very busy and a bit stressful for us down here. Partially because we're getting ready to leave, problems with our host families and yes, problems with our group. But we're a trying group and have made great efforts to get beyond this.<br /><br />Monday was a good day off. I worked on my Educational Activity Day, ironing out the scheduling and phoning more guests. One of those good, "get a lot done" hours. And I rewarded myself with SHOPPING! I went shopping around town, looking at more bike stuff and also some things for my host mom and my new host family. Christmas is around the corner you know!<br /><br />We had two guest speakers on our CAD. A politician type man who knew a lot about the West Bank issue and he explained it very thorougly, results, descrepancies, situations, etc. It was another intelligent politics learning day/thingy. Our next guest was an RCMP officer. She gave us the down low about what they do, things she's done, issues the RCMP deal with. Kind of like a job fair, but more conversations. A good guest. During the day, and after we finished watching An Inconvenient Truth by Al Gore, some sensitive subjects were brought up. Some were the idea of larger, more powerful countries telling the lesser, more developing countries that they can't use polluting methods of becoming industrialized and more developed. As a technically developing country, the Chinese participants felt hurt when a few of us thought this was a good idea. I mean, I tried to use examples to compare. One I found was, a little brother looking at his way older brother, how cool he is, how much he looks up to him. But the older brother tells his younger sibling, "Don't do what I did" He left home, he did drugs, he was homeless for awhile, but he cleaned up his acts after a long time and now has a wife and kids. The point is, his methods did great damage, and shouldn't justify where he is. He wants his little brother to grow up healthy, smart and doing the right things. You have to ratify polluting the world in efforts to become part of a the higher up countries. Anyway, another button we pushed was the Olympics in Beijing. The Canadians were very surprised to hear that none of the Chinese, all 1.3 billion of them, that none of them oppose the Olympics there. We tried to explain how the Vancouver olympics had some groups that opposed them, as it wipes out entire blocks of homeless people, and from what we've heard, ships them East! This doesn't happen in China. People are compensated for their homes for more then they're worth. And because China has never had the olympics, its important for EVERYONE. It's a great pride thing. It was a sensitive afternoon, even with our circle check. Some participants felt that the circle check wasn't working, that we weren't discussing these sensitive issues that we were having and SUPPOSED to be talking about, that it was all about the little things; what we ate, some small activity we did, not how we feel about the group dynamic. Almost all of us talked about this with our counterparts that night or the night after.<br /><br />We shared our feelings about this during mine and Gary's EAD on Thursday. It was a good break through for us, as were are breaking down those personal barriers and becoming a group. It's a good thing. I hope it gets better though. I'm glad to be apart of a mature group that discusses these problems (even if it takes awhile to) It was a good start to our EAD. Part of our presentation was community; what it was, what it meant to be apart of it, and how ideal communities are hard to produce. We had everyone come up with the perfect community and we explained how this was extremely hard to maintain. After, we sent everyone out with a questionnaire to ask people about volunteering, issues in the area, etc. The results were good, which we shared with our guests: representitives from organizations of community gardens, Kiwanis, poverty, community resources, etc. We had some good discussions about more issues around Kelowna. And for a final bit, we discussed just what we've learned here, how we've learned these things and what we hope to expect from Beijing. I gave everyone puzzle pieces and had them write down what they brought to the program, feelings, passions, interests, skills, etc. What "piece" did they fill of the CWY puzzle. It was a good reflective activity I think. It was a real good EAD I believe. We cleaned up and left for the Friendship Center, where our Mandarin teacher had prepared a Chinese feast for us. It was great. Rolls, hot pot, curry pork, sweet beef, lots of food! I will admit, I beginning to get used to Chinese food. But it's gonna be a full menu soon, so that may be a problem. But the night was good nonetheless.<br /><br />It was an early wake up day Friday. We met the Mayor of Kelowna, Sharon Sheppard, at 8am. It was a brief, but very warm visit. She's very open and intuitive with the youth, despite being an older woman herself. We shared who we were, where we were from, where we worked, and just some general thoughts of Kelowna. One large thing was our partial dissatisfaction with the bus system. Face it, it sucks. Although we did appreciate that they had bike racks. She was glad to hear our comments. Friday was also the final day of work for most of us. And boy, did they put me to work at the Food Bank. I unloaded two trucks of food, moved boxes in the warehouse, sorted for a little bit. It was very crowded in the Food Bank, a rare sight! There was a tour of little kids, and a Korean group from a college, bar coding. I'm still kind of mad that Wendy, my work counterpart, left after like 2 hours, leaving me to continue working, because she doesn't like the work in the back. Whatever. I'm gonna pull that stunt in China! After work, I went straight to Parkinson Recreation Center where I helped the group make dinner. It was a large banquet for handicapped volunteers and their friends. We helped in the kitchen, set up tables, clean up a bit. I had to leave around 7:30 to go to my work staff party down town. I wanted to say goodbye to everyone. So some of the staff were there, just having a fun dinner in good 'ol Kelly O'Briens. There a small band that came in, collecting donations for, what else, the food bank! I don't know if they were hired through the food bank or someone else, but it was funny. I said my goodbyes after some dinner and a root beer, and returned home, late. It's been like that for the last couple of days. Leave in the morning, get home late at night. And today will be similar. We're going to a sweat lodge and having a Super Bad party after! We're not supposed to drink before going to the sweat lodge, so we're gonna make up for that tonight likely!Devon Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00727809806990079723noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266676270878218311.post-78478942467425863382007-12-02T23:10:00.000-08:002007-12-02T23:41:28.755-08:00Ni practique wode francais yode putang huoi!Yes, yes I do. It's been getting tense down here, what with Christmas approaching, as is our leave date and the squeezing of activities into our wintery calendar. <br /><br />One of those activities was a surprise birthday party for one of my favorite french men (there's only like 5) Stephane, and Lilly. It was held at Stephanes house, and EVEN though he was in the house, he didn't hear the other people sneak in the door and prepare a room. It was a good party. We drank a bit, played Settlers of Catan ( I don't like our board games that much) some cards and had a good ol' time. Felix showed us off to his family, his REAL family, that was visiting from Quebec. Some of us got to practice our french skills more so. I flirted with his cute sister too, avec le langue du coeur. *wink wink. However, it had been mentioned earlier this week that some host families think the participants are staying at other participants houses too much. From what I understand, that is an exaggeration. Which also hindered the party a bit I think because only three people stayed the night. I was saddened by this. Upon arriving home early the next day, I helped Brenda put up Christmas lights outside. And the earnest reward? Two tickets to a Kelowna Rockets game! I almost had to drag Gary to go. He's in Canada, and he hasn't and didn't want to see a hockey game! I was disappointed! He's not trying to be as culturally excepting as I'd hoped. I kinda hoped he'd be more excited to do things. But Brenda did convince him to go. I learned he didn't know the rules, which I still found a silly reason not to go. But he did have a good time I think. It was a good game and there were lots of freebies and giveaways, despite us not getting any. I was THIS close to grabbing a free ticket dropped by a small remote control blimp. But it was great. <br /><br />Today we were supposed to have a lunch/hike up Knox Mountain at our Mandarin teachers house/our Chinese supervisors host families house (too many slashes) The luncheon outing was cancelled due to *scoff SNOW. I'm sorry, but we are in Canada. It IS winter. So what if the drive way is a little slippery? I consider that an adventure, not an excuse to cancel and indoor lunch. But there could have been reasons. I was just looking forward to going I guess. I was planning to go to Parkinson Recreation Center to volunteer at the Little Elves Craft workshop, and to visit a cute girl volunteering there, but the buses SERIOUSLY suck. Two buses were late for me! I said screw it and went shopping, bought some more bike equipment, including a camelback water back pack, a bike tool, gloves and lock. I'm happy. And the Christmas spirit continues. Gary and I put up the Christmas tree for Brenda who thinks it looks mah-ve-lous. Which is great, cuz if she didn't, well, too bad, she can take it down and decorate it herself, lol. Oh, fa la la la la la!Devon Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00727809806990079723noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3266676270878218311.post-87233300163450573072007-11-29T22:11:00.000-08:002007-11-29T22:39:50.117-08:00My sarcasm is through the roof these days...Lordy, lordy, lordy. It's been....well, not entirely BUSY. Although after todays cramming of events into the calendar, I may be surprised to have rest, which I could really go for. <br />Sunday was quite the day. I went to Heathers house with some others to watch the Grey Cup. I don't usually watch sports, but I just wanted to hang out. It was fun though. Everyone got in it, rooting for Saskatchewan, all except Heather, a true Winnipegger. Boy was she pissed when Rough Riders won! We were hooting and hollering. It was a great game. We stayed for supper and played a board game after.<br /><br />So I didn't work on Monday, AGAIN. Monday's are just weird I tells ya! I went to work and it was if they never met me before. My would-be boss wasn't there right away. I talked to her over the phone and she thought that because we hadn't shown up for four weeks, that we didn't like the job the first time we were there. Wrong! It's just been shitty scheduling; Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, Mid-Project camp, and last week, they just didn't have work for us! They had no work for me that day either. I read the newspaper, cutting out articles about the "arts" and I moved two boxes. After that, I kinda called it quits. They had nothing else. I squandered the afternoon, waiting for Heather to return my bike after getting a ride from her host dad. I never found her and went home. Turns out, her counterpart, Jack, got into an accident. He fell off his bike and broke his wrist. But things are getting better. He's getting surgery tomorrow and we'll be seeing him in a few days. We're all pretty worried and sending him cards and such. Such a caring group. <br /><br />Tuesday was pretty relaxed. We had a guest speaker, a girl from last year's Beijing program. She told us stories of when she was in the program, described some forms of culture shock to us and prepared us for living there. It was an important guest speaker. Because we're going through some segregation issues, she talked to the Chinese and Canadians and was a sort of mediator for the two. You see, we split up so naturally, just casually sitting next to our own people. It's not really a concious thought, it's just "oh, look, all Canadians" But it's been happening a lot lately. It's a bit of cultural differences and a bit of personal issues, yet to be dealt with. Emma, the past participant, stressed how important our counterparts are going to be and how the culture shock will still be hitting them, even though they're returning home. However, they're are still technically in the program, despite some of their work places possibly thinking they're home and should just go back to work. Work is extremely important to them it seems, so it will be quite the rumble when we got to China. We're trying to deal with this, but it will be during an extreme circle check. Sooooo, aside from that happening in the morning, we went to Parkinson Recreation Center for a good ol game of basketball and soccer. The games were pretty intense. Lots of sweat and fun. And I forgot about my love for indoor soccer, bouncing off the walls. I did this cool slide kick and double spin on my side. Looked pretty bitchin! Me and some girls hit the steam room and hot tub after, just chatting. I was so tired that night. But the good kind of tired. <br /><br />Wednesday was busy at the food bank, as per usual. They need volunteers like all the time. There's always something to do. And there's Devon, out of the blue! It was the first time walking there in a while, because we got snow and have been advised against biking. Sigh. I miss biking already. I need my speed. GOD I want to go snowboarding. Oh, right, work. Yeah, it was work. Sort this, move that. They love me. Only like 3 or 4 days of work left! That is unless I decide to go on Mondays as well. But I need Monday next week to work on my EAD on community. <br /><br />Thurday (or today I guess) It was Stephane and Andy's EAD on Social Services. And once again, the Friendship Center (ironic name) screwed us over again! A group of Guatamalean's stayed the night in our board room, despite Maxime warning the center we needed that room, kinda like how we've been using it every Tuesday and/or Thursday! So they let us in their main building for the morning. The EAD was pretty standard I found. Well done, but the info was kind of what I expected. Although 3 guest speakers were a nice touch. We had our classic Thursday night dinner at Mad Mango Cafe before going to our Mandarin lesson. It went by fairly fast. I was pretty tired and out of it though. I need some sleep. But the internet duties call! This blog being one of them. Monday's gonna be a day "off" for me!Devon Flynnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00727809806990079723noreply@blogger.com0