How hot is it?

So, next time you're tempted to say, "It's SO hot!" in Minnesota, ask yourself, "How hot is it?" Is it so hot (and humid) that your clothes are sticking to you after a leisurely 5 minute walk at 7:30 in the a.m.? I knew it would be warm, but this is something I am very unaccustomed to. Thankfully, the apartment is cool, with air conditioning units in each bedroom.   One of the counselors, Jeffrey, took us via bus (BRT #3) to the shopping center. It costs about $.30 each way on the bus. There is an enormous market there with most anything you can imagine needing. We shopped lightly, though, as we have to carry our purchases back on the bus, and up 5 flights of stairs. For immediate needs, there is a produce market and a little market in the lower level of our builidng. How convenient!   Yesterday, the girls (after having slept ALL afternoon!) made a couple of purchases all on their own. And, no, the shopkeepers speak no English. I am very proud of my girls for recognizing that they wished they could speak Chinese (not the other way around) and felt bad that they are visiting and should be able to speak the language. Last night, they had the guidebook out trying to pick up a few phrases.   The cafeteria in the school served stir fry (surprised? I was, and I am not sure why... Maybe because I assume that Americanized Chinese food is probably in reality very different from real Chinese food. Not so far... ). We enjoyed the Chinese broccoli very much too.   Last night, I used the little kitchen and stir fried our dinner. It turned out pretty well but I certainly don't get the rice as lovely as the locals make it. It was nice to get to bed early. Actually, I tried to stay awake to watch a movie but the girls kicked me out when I started snoring at 8 p.m.!   The air is not very clean and the streets, while not littered, are dirty/dusty. The apartment floors seem to have a film of dust on them, thereby necessitating the house shoes that are there by the door when you walk in.   We have a "regular" toilet. I have yet to see a different version, but we have been very few places yet. The apartment is larger than my condo! There is a shower (2 stalls, actually) and in the kitchen, 3 sinks. Not sure why and they are all much smaller than we are used to.   Well, it's day 2 at the job. I am having a great time getting to know my colleagues. They have been so incredibly accommodating and gracious.   Do let us know what's happening at home, too!   Jackie

How hot is it?

So, next time you're tempted to say, "It's SO hot!" in Minnesota, ask yourself, "How hot is it?" Is it so hot (and humid) that your clothes are sticking to you after a leisurely 5 minute walk at 7:30 in the a.m.? I knew it would be warm, but this is something I am very unaccustomed to. Thankfully, the apartment is cool, with air conditioning units in each bedroom.   One of the counselors, Jeffrey, took us via bus (BRT #3) to the shopping center. It costs about $.30 each way on the bus. There is an enormous market there with most anything you can imagine needing. We shopped lightly, though, as we have to carry our purchases back on the bus, and up 5 flights of stairs. For immediate needs, there is a produce market and a little market in the lower level of our builidng. How convenient!   Yesterday, the girls (after having slept ALL afternoon!) made a couple of purchases all on their own. And, no, the shopkeepers speak no English. I am very proud of my girls for recognizing that they wished they could speak Chinese (not the other way around) and felt bad that they are visiting and should be able to speak the language. Last night, they had the guidebook out trying to pick up a few phrases.   The cafeteria in the school served stir fry (surprised? I was, and I am not sure why... Maybe because I assume that Americanized Chinese food is probably in reality very different from real Chinese food. Not so far... ). We enjoyed the Chinese broccoli very much too.   Last night, I used the little kitchen and stir fried our dinner. It turned out pretty well but I certainly don't get the rice as lovely as the locals make it. It was nice to get to bed early. Actually, I tried to stay awake to watch a movie but the girls kicked me out when I started snoring at 8 p.m.!   The air is not very clean and the streets, while not littered, are dirty/dusty. The apartment floors seem to have a film of dust on them, thereby necessitating the house shoes that are there by the door when you walk in.   We have a "regular" toilet. I have yet to see a different version, but we have been very few places yet. The apartment is larger than my condo! There is a shower (2 stalls, actually) and in the kitchen, 3 sinks. Not sure why and they are all much smaller than we are used to.   Well, it's day 2 at the job. I am having a great time getting to know my colleagues. They have been so incredibly accommodating and gracious.   Do let us know what's happening at home, too!   Jackie

We have arrived!

As we're taxiing to the gate, we proudly announce: we survived the flight. And while it was certainly long, we're doing just fine.

Olivia noted, as she looked out the window at the runway, " china is sparkly!"

Looking forward to meeting Ying at baggage claim and tomorrow starting work with Bing!

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-----Original Message-----
From: dragonflycity68@yahoo.com
Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2010 21:38:19
To: <dragonflycity68.eeyore@blogger.com>
Reply-To: dragonflycity68@yahoo.com
Subject: Skype

If you use skype, I am jackie.Mosconi on my Skype account.

Wow! Technology...
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Seattle's best= double Decker cheesecake!

Made our way from Sea-Tac to downtown on the light rail.  Took a shiny red double Decker all around Seattle - twice. Played in Pike's Place market, ate breakfast, breakfast again, pre-lunch, lunch, snacks. We are borrowing the energy we lost by getting up at 4 from grazing all day long on tasty treats. Currently at Cheesecake factory and am indulging in caffeine!

The girls did a little shopping and got to see FISH FLY at Pikes place. We love the sea smell and the breeze and temperature are perfect!

Apart from bring tired and having sad news about our dear old Nightmare, we are having a fantastic day.

Till next.....

--------------------------
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Message From MPS HandHeld

Oh My Luggage!

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Message From MPS HandHeld

----- Original Message -----
From: Jackie Mosconi
To: 'dragonflycity.eeyore@blogspot.com' <dragonflycity.eeyore@blogspot.com>
Sent: Mon Jun 28 04:56:13 2010
Subject: Oh My Luggage!

I have never seen such luggage! 11 items including carryons. I went to Italy for 3 weeks with a school-sized backpack.... This is ridiculous!

But we're on our way. Yesterday we hauled all our bags to the club to weigh them. Funny. Let's hope the airport scale is in sync. Especially for the one that weighed in at 49.5 pounds!


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Message From MPS HandHeld

What to do? What to do?

and there's so much to see and do.

The Great Wall is a short drive from the school where we will be. We are looking forward to it. We would like to see if we can go there on the 14th... How cool would it be to celebrate Olivia's golden birthday at- or ON - the Great Wall? Will they be able to see her from the Space Station? I have heard that the Great Wall is the only man-made thing visible from space.

The Forbiddeen City, Tianamen Square, The Imperial Palace, the Summer Palace, The Temple of Heaven, Beihei Garden, antiques browsing, silk and jade shopping, Peking Duck, hutong shopping/exploring are all on the must-see list. I have also heard that it's possible to get custom made clothes for cheap. I might see about having a fantastic swing dance dress done!

Here's a link with photos to some of the highlights...
http://www.china.org.cn/travel/where_to_go/2008-08/08/content_16165360.htm

Of course, the greatest expectation I have for this trip is the immersion in the culture. I am looking forward to seeing and learning about the people and their perspective(s) and history.

Oh.... and don't forget about the work. Yeah... I will be working! (Yes, still excited about this opportunity as well!)

Journey begins bright and early (well, I shouldn't say bright, because we're outta here at 5 a.m.) TOMORROW!

next post... from the road.

Jackie

Getting Prepped

After a VERY pricey trip to Target yesterday with the girls, I think we're ready to go!

We're bringing lots of luggage so that we have room for goodies on the return trip. Silk, chop sticks, what else do I look for?

We still haven't spent too much time thinking about where our sightseeing excursions will be, as the work has occupied my mind. I have been led to believe that our hosts are most gracious and that they will take us 'round to see all we would wish and more.

As we have a 12 hour layover in Seattle, I've booked a tour. I've been to Seattle, but this will be a first for the girls.

Today is a good day and I am beginning to anticipate!

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Message From MPS HandHeld

Skype

If you use skype, I am jackie.Mosconi on my Skype account.

Wow! Technology...
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Welcome to our Journey!

T-6 days... This will likely be the trip of a lifetime! Julia, Olivia, and I are gearing up for our trip to China.

If you'd like to keep up with our travels, feel free to become a "follower" and we will do our best to share as we go along and are able to be connected.

We'd love to hear from you, too, so feel free to post on what we share with you! And let us know what's happening "state-side."

We leave Monday morning... the 28th... airport at 5 a.m. Anyone wanna drive us? lol! We will be gone for a full month!

I will be working with Beijing Royal School, helping them create a high school counseling program, etc. The girls will likely be participating in the summer program at BRS, helping students with their conversational English, and hopefully picking up some Mandarin as well as deep cultural exposure!

We are excited about this. OH... and our Sistah/Auntie Jeanne will be joining us the last week we are there! How fun!....

First... to figure out how to post to this via email...A number of sites, including all things Google, are blocked in China, so ... Wish me luck!

till next post...
Jackie