Blog doesn't work!

Hi Everyone,

Hey, my blog doesn't work over here! I can go in and make new posts, but when I try to view the blog online, like to see if anyone has written anything., I can't view it! Not good! So, I will post to it from my email, but I can't add photos or see what you've written.

So, I must resort to email, and even that is not too consistent. I do have a yahoo mail that seems to work more conistently. It is librarysteph@yahoo.com
Use either that one or this eartrhlink one. OK?

I may try to email Matt some pictures and see if he can post them to my blog, that way I don't have to try to send out lost of photos through email, which is slow and takes up email space. But first I need to have time to figure out how to do that on these computers or from one of the other participants. Hey, I am going to send out a group photo that one of our people took and emailed to us. It's from San Fran.

Tomorrow we go to the Forbidden City and the Temple of Heaven. It'll be nice to get some sightseeing in of all the places we've been learning about. The next day we go to the Great Wall. Right now, I'm on my way to meet up with the group at a Muslim (yes, Mom) Muslim restaurant. It's one of Prof. Belsky's favorites. I really don't like the food at the hotel, we ate there last night and for breakfast. Too much meat and fish lots of the veggies are different, too. Not too worry, I won't starve, there's always rice, bread and McDonald's.

Today, we sat at the Ministry of Ed and listened to talks from high officials about the ed system of China. I caught up on my journal and practiced my Chinese language words. Anyway, I must go now. I will get some free time tomorrow or the next day & will write more. Hope everyone is doing well. Oh, the weather here is not too bad, really muggy, but today it rained a bit, so the temp was only in the low 80's. Let me know, Matt, how all my critters are when you get home Saturday, please.

Love to all, Steph

Culture Shock!

Hi All,

We are here after a long plane ride & got to our Chineses hotel. Culture Shock! We are in an interesting area of the city. Lots of local Hutongs (small alley ways, etc.). I Can't find an internet cafe yet & we are off to the Ministry of Education this morning, so I just don't know when I will be able to really sit down and tell you about things in a more detailed way. There are five people with computers & they are kind to share, but I hate to be on here for very long. Anyway, I am fine, hope everyone is OK & my cats have food & water. I will write longer as soon as I get a chance.

Steph

Nihao (Chinese Language Lesson)

Nihao (Hello),

Nihaoma? (How are you?
Wo hau. Ni ne? (I'm fine. And You?)
Wo jiao Stephani (My name is Stephani)
Xinghui (Nice to meet you)

Cesuo zai nar? (Where is the bathroom?) Very important one!

xiexie (Thank you!) Also very important, it's said [sheshe] short e sound

Zaijan (Goodby)

I also learned the numbers, but have no more time right now. Hopefully, at the airport or in China I will have more time to work on this blog. Now I am an expert on Chinese history and geography. We've had several really wonderful speakers this last two days, long listening days though. We pack up and leave Vallhambrosa Retreat tomorrow by 8:00 AM & fly out to Beijing at 11:00. The flight is about 12 hours, we'll be in Beijing the afternoon of the 28th.

The group is really interesting, a good mix and Dr. Belsky will be a really good scholar guide. He knows China & the language very well, but is calm and laid back "No Worries, Mate" I think, should be his motto. When I have more time, I will pop up a photo of the group that we took today. We went out for a Chinese meal this evening, I think I will pick up a couple of plastic forks, because using chopsticks is really frustrating!!

I have lots more to say, but I am using one of the group members computers & must end for now. Zaijan!!!

Home

Just a few photos of home and the animals that I can look at when I'm lonely.

A gift from France

N 40° 40' 20" ; W 74° 2'42.4" This Wonder nomination was a gift from France to another country. It was designed and built in Paris and then shipped across the Atlantic in crates. For newly-arriving immigrants this statue was a symbol of hope and opportunity.

European Wonders

1. N 51° 4' ; W 1° 48'. Look at the low longitude co-ordinate. Also, there is a replica of this wonder in the Columbia River Gorge near the Maryhill Museum.

2. N 48° 51' 32" ; E 002° 17' 45". This one has a low longitude number also, but it is to the east of the Prime Meridian, instead of the west. It is named after the person who designed it and it's in the center of the European 'city of love'.

3. N 47° 44' 00" ; E 10° 19' 02". This building is in the beautiful Bavarian Alps and is one of the most photographed buildings in Europe. It was designed by Mad King Ludwig of Bavaria.

4. N 41° 53' 24" ; E 12° 29' 31": Gladiators, Christians and lions. Need I say more?

More Info: S 33° 51' 35" ; E 151° 12' 50"

This Wonder nomination is in the Southern Hemisphere (big hint). I was there when I was on a year-long teacher exchange program and lived in Naracoorte.