This week is my twelfth week to be in China. Which means I'm nearly halfway through my contract and that much closer to it all being over. It honestly seems as though I just arrived here last week, February 2nd doesn't seem that long ago at all, and August 9th seems to be extremely too close. I love Yangshuo, I love China, my job, my students, my lifestyle, everything. I'm not ready to leave this place. China is a huge and beautiful country, I don't want to return to America only to have experienced the tiniest piece of this place. I want to see what it has to offer. I obviously can't see it all, but I want to see more than just Yangshuo. I want to see The Great Wall, Tiger Leaping Gorge, Shangri-La, Three Gorges, Tibet, Xi'an, Haikou, Sichuan, and so, so much more.
I have already told a few people, but I figured my blog would be the best place to officially announce it. I have decided to stay in China for a few more months than originally intended. Not indefinitely, but maybe until the end of the year. This will give me time to travel, time to work more, and get more out of my experience here. I'd really hate to look back on my time here and regret things, regret not making the most of the opportunities I have available. This isn't just another one of my crazy ideas, I've thought for a really long time about my decision and did not, by any means, jump the gun on this. It's something I feel I must do, and I hope I can receive some support. If not, I completely understand. I thought about everyone, not just myself in this decision, and as a result I hope no one is affected negatively. One day, I know I'll look back and see this as the best possible decision I could've made.
I plan on returning to Tech in January of 2010 for my final semester. Then, who knows from there.
In the meantime, I must keep making travel plans for Ryan's trip here next month. We may go to Vietnam and Laos, it all depends on the visa situation.
After all, I believe it was Chili Davis that said 'growing old is mandatory, but growing up is optional.' So for now, I'd like to keep young as long as I can...
alive and well in China, more to come...
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Update
Last Thursday's social night was graduation for a couple good friends of mine
. Atam, a level 6 student that speaks near fluent English, has left a gone back to Shenzhen to work. A few of us went to dinner for his and Cindy's farewell meal. Here's a picture of us at social night...
. Atam, a level 6 student that speaks near fluent English, has left a gone back to Shenzhen to work. A few of us went to dinner for his and Cindy's farewell meal. Here's a picture of us at social night...Last week was also Neko's final week at Omeida. His first day at Omeida was also my first day to teach, and he was my student in level 1D and 2A for the next 10 weeks. So, I knew him pretty well, it was sad to see him go. Here are some pics...
Me and Neko, from his camera
Class 2A, class dinner at Chongqing
Libby, me, and Angie
Me and Neko, from his camera
Class 2A, class dinner at Chongqing
Me and Jon, my 2A student
Me and Neko
Libby, me, and Angie
On Saturday a few of us went out to Wine Bottle to climb. Our original intention was to deep water solo, as I explained in my e-mail, but the weather wasn't very cooperative. I got in several climbs, including my first lead climb on a 5.7 and I learned to clean the rope at the top. I belayed Jon on a 2 pitch route, so he was about 40 meters up the rock, or about 130 feet. I took my camera but forgot my camera card, so I unfortunately have no pictures. It was a little scary, but definitely more exciting to lead. Hopefully I can keep doing in more and more.
On Sunday we wanted to rent motorbikes and cruise around the countryside, but a storm started moving in about the time we were going to rent them. So, instead, me, Justi
n, Marty, and Esteban ended up taking a bike ride out to the Yu Long. We ended up taking a different route back, I haggled for a bamboo lift across the river, and we rode by Moon Hill to make it probably a 20K trip altogether.
n, Marty, and Esteban ended up taking a bike ride out to the Yu Long. We ended up taking a different route back, I haggled for a bamboo lift across the river, and we rode by Moon Hill to make it probably a 20K trip altogether. Thursday, April 9, 2009
Low Mountain - April 5th
Me, Erin, Joe, Fran, and Mark took a taxi van out to Low Mtn on Sunday. Our original intention was to head to Chicken Cave since it was raining, but our driver got a little off course and we ended up at Low Mtn instead. But, thankfully it was really dry, and we ended up g
etting in some good climbs for the afternoon. If I ever use terminology referring to climbing that you don't know, just check out this website and it should help. http://www.abc-of-rockclimbing.com/climbingdictionary.asp I completed a 5.10A and a 5.10B, both with a little help from my belayer, and I also completely a 5.8 cleanly. Here are a few pics...The first one to the right is Mark.
Random Climber, really cool pic
The View
Joe climbing
A few of us also went and climbed Wine Bottle Wednesday after class. I took my camera but forgot my camera card. I did complete a 5.9, two 5.10A's and a 5.10B. Joe says I'm a natural, progressing quickly, and should start leading climbs as soon as possible. It's more dangerous to lead instead of top roping, which is what I'm doing now, but I think there's a lot more self reward involved because of the difficulty. If the rain holds off, we should go out a couple times this weekend.
etting in some good climbs for the afternoon. If I ever use terminology referring to climbing that you don't know, just check out this website and it should help. http://www.abc-of-rockclimbing.com/climbingdictionary.asp I completed a 5.10A and a 5.10B, both with a little help from my belayer, and I also completely a 5.8 cleanly. Here are a few pics...The first one to the right is Mark.Me struggling on the 5.11B
Random Climber, really cool pic
Mark getting acrobatic
The View
Joe climbing
A few of us also went and climbed Wine Bottle Wednesday after class. I took my camera but forgot my camera card. I did complete a 5.9, two 5.10A's and a 5.10B. Joe says I'm a natural, progressing quickly, and should start leading climbs as soon as possible. It's more dangerous to lead instead of top roping, which is what I'm doing now, but I think there's a lot more self reward involved because of the difficulty. If the rain holds off, we should go out a couple times this weekend.
Pay day is today at 4:30! So, I'm thinking about heading down and buying my own harness and chalk bag so that I won't have to keep bumming from everyone and being a freeloader. I'm still doing good with money, even though this past month was an expensive one from leisure activities, I still made it through and only on 2/3 of a month's pay.
Things are still going great here in Yangshuo. Last night was social night, which I'm not a big fan of, and each table played different games. Our table played spin the chopstick truth or dare. By the end of the night I had kissed 2 or 3 hands, a couple of cheeks, danced with a student, and did my own "sexy" dance in front of everyone. It's Friday, so that usually means KTV night, which is always an experience.
I'm sure everyone is still pretty high on excitement from the news of our newest family member! Hopefully I can skype Avery soon so that she'll get to meet her uncle Tony.
For now, that's all I have from China...
More to Come
The Egg - April 4th
Me, Francisco, Eiki, and Joe all went out to climb at the egg on Saturday. We also met Erin, Jon, and Mark out there. I completed a 5.8 and 5.9. Here are a few pictures...
Why it's called the egg
Fran on the 5.9
Different view of the egg
Farmer plowing
Me, leaving my feet
The View
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