I have 25 more days left to China, and if I needed to leave right now, I could.
Today, I finally got my travel vaccinations, which I thought would be more painful, but didn't hurt that much. Although the nurse did say, I might have sleepy symptoms, and a possible fever. Let's knock on wood that I don't. And she also gave me my shot in the middle of the waiting room for everyone to see. I was not too pleased about that.
I also got my travelers visa, and a hideous photo to go with it. Trust me, you don't want to ever see that photo. It doesn't live to exist! Really, it's that bad!
So, basically, if someone came calling to me to go to China, right at this moment, I could. Except that I have a job that must comply with and probably won't give me time off, right at this moment. Oh well...
But I'm still pumped for this trip. Everyday, I'm still counting down. I think the waiting part is the most exciting. But once you get to your travel destination, everything goes by so fast that the excitement completely vanishes.
But, hey I have 25 more exciting days!
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
1 MORE MONTH! 1 MORE MONTH!
Yes, finally, I've been waiting for this countdown for a very long time. One month from now, I'll be departing on my trip to China! I still have some excitement in me. :)
So, I thought I'd ought to let everyone know! Well, whoever it is who reads this blog.
Have a great long weekend everyone. I'm especially looking forward to it!
So, I thought I'd ought to let everyone know! Well, whoever it is who reads this blog.
Have a great long weekend everyone. I'm especially looking forward to it!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
39 Days Left: To do or what not to do? That is the question.
It's May 12, 2010 today, and I have some bad news.....the Canucks are out of the playoffs. I'm so sad, they were supposed to bring back the cup to Vancouver before I left to China. Well there's always next year.
So, on Saturday, I went to a family dinner, with members of the China traveling group, where everyone was very excited about our upcoming trip. We talked about the different cities that we'll be going too, airplanes, food and vaccinations.
It turns out that I am the only one out of our China traveling members that is going to get shots for the trip. My mom has written out a whole list of shots that I have to take, which I am not very pleased about. Me and needles don't like each other. Although I did go through a bunch of acupuncture sessions, but it's not the same. So, I guess the question for everyone is, should I get shots or not? What do you guys think? Should I follow peer pressure, and do what all of my fellow China traveling members are doing? Or take shots, and hopefully I don't get any symptoms from the vaccinations. It's a hard decision, but I have to make it very soon.
As for my traveler's visa, I got one! But guess for how much? 5 freaking dollars! I couldn't believe it! I recently talked to a friend, and she said she paid $60 for her's. But I guess we're getting a discount, since our group is enormous.
And as for excitement..I'm actually still excited! I can't believe myself! I mean at first, I was a little nervous about traveling outside of the continent, since it's my first time and all, but I'm actually excited to venture out. I already prepared myself for the plane ride, even though I have like...39 days left. But I mean 13 hours is a long time. So, I'm bringing a bunch of books and 2 iPods, I know I'm weird. But I mean, what happens when one runs out of batteries? I'm also going to be blogging throughout my plane ride. Even though there's no internet way up in the sky, but I'll post my entries once I get internet, wherever that may be. I'm not sure if the hotels have internet. Actually, to tell you the truth, I don't even know what hotels I'm staying at. We'll just see when I get there, hopefully the hotels are nice...
Anyways, the sun is coming out here in Vancouver and the weather is nice. Too bad it's not going to be like this in China. Comfortable weather is all I need to survive. But scorching heat, I don't know. I'm actually scared about the weather. I think I'm going to buy a case of water. And a nice summer dress :)
Enjoy the weather everybody! I have 39 more days left, can't the days go by any faster??
So, on Saturday, I went to a family dinner, with members of the China traveling group, where everyone was very excited about our upcoming trip. We talked about the different cities that we'll be going too, airplanes, food and vaccinations.
It turns out that I am the only one out of our China traveling members that is going to get shots for the trip. My mom has written out a whole list of shots that I have to take, which I am not very pleased about. Me and needles don't like each other. Although I did go through a bunch of acupuncture sessions, but it's not the same. So, I guess the question for everyone is, should I get shots or not? What do you guys think? Should I follow peer pressure, and do what all of my fellow China traveling members are doing? Or take shots, and hopefully I don't get any symptoms from the vaccinations. It's a hard decision, but I have to make it very soon.
As for my traveler's visa, I got one! But guess for how much? 5 freaking dollars! I couldn't believe it! I recently talked to a friend, and she said she paid $60 for her's. But I guess we're getting a discount, since our group is enormous.
And as for excitement..I'm actually still excited! I can't believe myself! I mean at first, I was a little nervous about traveling outside of the continent, since it's my first time and all, but I'm actually excited to venture out. I already prepared myself for the plane ride, even though I have like...39 days left. But I mean 13 hours is a long time. So, I'm bringing a bunch of books and 2 iPods, I know I'm weird. But I mean, what happens when one runs out of batteries? I'm also going to be blogging throughout my plane ride. Even though there's no internet way up in the sky, but I'll post my entries once I get internet, wherever that may be. I'm not sure if the hotels have internet. Actually, to tell you the truth, I don't even know what hotels I'm staying at. We'll just see when I get there, hopefully the hotels are nice...
Anyways, the sun is coming out here in Vancouver and the weather is nice. Too bad it's not going to be like this in China. Comfortable weather is all I need to survive. But scorching heat, I don't know. I'm actually scared about the weather. I think I'm going to buy a case of water. And a nice summer dress :)
Enjoy the weather everybody! I have 39 more days left, can't the days go by any faster??
Saturday, May 8, 2010
43 Days Left!
Today is May 8, 2010 and I'm actually feeling quite anxious to get to China. I have no idea what has gotten into me, but I'm actually excited. Can you believe it? I would have never thought..
Well, as of today, I still haven't gotten my shots or my visa. Which may be a bad thing. However, tonight I am having dinner with the members of my trip, so maybe I'll get some advice from them as to where I should get my visa and which shots I should take. But then again, they may be as clueless as I am.
Anyways, you may be wondering why I'm so excited to get to China. Well the first thing that comes to my mind, is that I really want to go on vacation. I want to get away from everyday life here in Vancouver. A couple of days ago, if you asked me the same question, I would probably have told you that I'm not all that excited. I have no idea what has changed my mind, maybe it's just the mood that I'm in today...
Tomorrow I'm going to be heading down to the States to do some China "clothing" shopping. I want to find some nice runners for the trip to make my feet comfortable as I hike up the Great Wall of China. I know I'm going to be doing lots of walking, so why don't I invest in some comfortable shoes? Also, of course, I want to buy some summer items I can wear to fight the hot and gross China weather.
I can't believe I have 43 more days left. It seems like ages from now, but I know it'll go by fast. I am excited to go to China today. But tomorrow, will it be the same? I don't know.
Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there. I hope you have a relaxing day spent with a wine glass in your hand and a foot or back massage given by your significant other or children. I'll be definitely needing one of those when I get back from my trip!
Also, be on the look out for guest bloggers writing on this blog. I'm going to ask if any of my other China traveling members would be interested in bloging and giving their point of view.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
And GO CANUCKS GO. I mean it this time boys! Pick up your game!
Well, as of today, I still haven't gotten my shots or my visa. Which may be a bad thing. However, tonight I am having dinner with the members of my trip, so maybe I'll get some advice from them as to where I should get my visa and which shots I should take. But then again, they may be as clueless as I am.
Anyways, you may be wondering why I'm so excited to get to China. Well the first thing that comes to my mind, is that I really want to go on vacation. I want to get away from everyday life here in Vancouver. A couple of days ago, if you asked me the same question, I would probably have told you that I'm not all that excited. I have no idea what has changed my mind, maybe it's just the mood that I'm in today...
Tomorrow I'm going to be heading down to the States to do some China "clothing" shopping. I want to find some nice runners for the trip to make my feet comfortable as I hike up the Great Wall of China. I know I'm going to be doing lots of walking, so why don't I invest in some comfortable shoes? Also, of course, I want to buy some summer items I can wear to fight the hot and gross China weather.
I can't believe I have 43 more days left. It seems like ages from now, but I know it'll go by fast. I am excited to go to China today. But tomorrow, will it be the same? I don't know.
Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there. I hope you have a relaxing day spent with a wine glass in your hand and a foot or back massage given by your significant other or children. I'll be definitely needing one of those when I get back from my trip!
Also, be on the look out for guest bloggers writing on this blog. I'm going to ask if any of my other China traveling members would be interested in bloging and giving their point of view.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
And GO CANUCKS GO. I mean it this time boys! Pick up your game!
Monday, May 3, 2010
Countdown to China: 48 more days left!
When my family first organized my trip to China, the first thoughts that came to my head were, no facebook, no twitter, no youtube for 2 weeks! I know, it's sad. China has most recently banned these socialization sites, for the reasons I do not know. But when I told my mom about my dilemma, she considered an idea about writing a blog. I thought it was a cool idea, and with the positive opinions from friends and family, I decided that I should document my trip to China. Before, during and after.
Today is May 3, 2010 - Happy Birthday Matthew (One of my fellow China traveler members). I am still kind of nervous about going to China. Being born and raised in Canada and living in Vancouver, I'm so used to the clean air, the mountains and the beauty of the bright blue sky on a sunny day. I'm used to eating the multicultural food the city has to offer and using clean washrooms. Maybe you can say that I'm being spoiled by living in such a great city. And perhaps, maybe it's a good thing that I am adventuring out to another country (outside of North America), especially a country that my father was born in and where my ancestors originated from. But I really do not want to pee in a hole or eat dog. I already know that I am going to complain about the heat and possibly the smog and smell of the city. But maybe I should take a chance at accepting what China has to offer, minus eating dog, I would never do that, ever! Oh, and I am also not to excited about the plane ride. I have never been on a plane longer than 6 hours. A plane to China takes at least 13 hours. I know that isn't long considering any travelers traveling from Vancouver to Australia. I heard it takes like a whole day to get down under! (Get it? Down Under. Yeah, I know my jokes are lame). But when we booked the flight, we wanted to find the cheapest flight possible. So, we're flying China Eastern. According to one of my home-stay students who is from China, China Eastern is possibly one of the crappiest Airlines China has ever invented. Okay, maybe I'm over exaggerating. But my dad insists that their pilots are very well trained...we'll just wait and see. Hmm, maybe I should stop complaining. I'm going to have lots of fun, right?
So, it is time now that I prepare myself. I have 48 more days until I leave. I still have to learn how to speak words of mandarin and how to say "Where is the washroom" or "Can I have that for 2 dollars?" fluently. I still have to get my shots and my visa (I know, I'm slow at getting things done). I recently bought some treats for any little kids I see at my grandfather's village. My mom bought treats for little kids at the village when she went, like 25 years ago. So, I thought I would do the same. When she went to China, she wrote in a journal about her daily activities. I thought it would be a cool idea to continue in that same journal, except that she threw it away when she was renovating her room. So, I guess blogging would be a better idea. I'm going to try my hardest at updating and uploading pictures. I'm not technically with it, when it comes to computers. People who know me very well will know that!
So, let the countdown begin!
Oh, and by the way, GO CANUCKS GO!! You boys better win the cup before I leave to China! :)
Today is May 3, 2010 - Happy Birthday Matthew (One of my fellow China traveler members). I am still kind of nervous about going to China. Being born and raised in Canada and living in Vancouver, I'm so used to the clean air, the mountains and the beauty of the bright blue sky on a sunny day. I'm used to eating the multicultural food the city has to offer and using clean washrooms. Maybe you can say that I'm being spoiled by living in such a great city. And perhaps, maybe it's a good thing that I am adventuring out to another country (outside of North America), especially a country that my father was born in and where my ancestors originated from. But I really do not want to pee in a hole or eat dog. I already know that I am going to complain about the heat and possibly the smog and smell of the city. But maybe I should take a chance at accepting what China has to offer, minus eating dog, I would never do that, ever! Oh, and I am also not to excited about the plane ride. I have never been on a plane longer than 6 hours. A plane to China takes at least 13 hours. I know that isn't long considering any travelers traveling from Vancouver to Australia. I heard it takes like a whole day to get down under! (Get it? Down Under. Yeah, I know my jokes are lame). But when we booked the flight, we wanted to find the cheapest flight possible. So, we're flying China Eastern. According to one of my home-stay students who is from China, China Eastern is possibly one of the crappiest Airlines China has ever invented. Okay, maybe I'm over exaggerating. But my dad insists that their pilots are very well trained...we'll just wait and see. Hmm, maybe I should stop complaining. I'm going to have lots of fun, right?
So, it is time now that I prepare myself. I have 48 more days until I leave. I still have to learn how to speak words of mandarin and how to say "Where is the washroom" or "Can I have that for 2 dollars?" fluently. I still have to get my shots and my visa (I know, I'm slow at getting things done). I recently bought some treats for any little kids I see at my grandfather's village. My mom bought treats for little kids at the village when she went, like 25 years ago. So, I thought I would do the same. When she went to China, she wrote in a journal about her daily activities. I thought it would be a cool idea to continue in that same journal, except that she threw it away when she was renovating her room. So, I guess blogging would be a better idea. I'm going to try my hardest at updating and uploading pictures. I'm not technically with it, when it comes to computers. People who know me very well will know that!
So, let the countdown begin!
Oh, and by the way, GO CANUCKS GO!! You boys better win the cup before I leave to China! :)
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