Getting Ready For China pt 3

I'm typing this on my iPod Touch, so forgive me if the spelling/grammer is bad. Yesterday found out some bad news: our flight returning from China was canceled! We can return early, or near the end of the first week of school. Personally, I'm opting for coming back later, unfortunatly I'll return Thursday night, my mom jokes that I will return just in time for the cougar run. Yeah right I'd want to run more then a mile after traveling (don't forget time change). Our visas are supposed to arrive soon enough, we still have our passports from Indoneisa Anyways I'm not going to blog anymore China preperation notes, so you don't have to check until december. I look forward to my adventure, but for now I say goodbye.

Getting Ready for China pt 2

I plan to fly out of Tijuana, on AreoMexico airlines on December 19th, 11:30 PM. It's a direct flight from Mexico to China and a total of sixteen hours in flight time. I am so exited and cannot wait for my adventure to begin. As for plans I am staying in Shanghai, about six hours away from Beijing (by train). So I am planning to visit the Great Wall of China in Beijing. Also, I have been researching great vegetarian restaurants in Shanghai. Online, I have been doing some research on fun places and things to do in Shanghai (here). If you have any suggestions, please email me.
Today I started learning Mandarin Chinese, its a very difficult language when compared to Japanese (which I was learning previously). I supose it's harder for me because I learned Japanese from watching so much anime, like the otaku I am. So far I can carry on a basic conversation and ask if they can speak english, which is really helpful to know! I can't wait to try it out!

Getting Ready for China

As I plan my great adventure, a feeling of excitement consumes me. What will this experience be like? Before I start my journey, I need to start planning. I plan to leave my home in San Diego, to go to Shanghai, China. On December 19th, 2008 I will begin my journey and will return on January 4th 2009! Imagine, beginning a new year in a foreign country!

(Our home in Ming He Yuan)

However, Chinese New year 2009 falls on 26th of January, which is celebrated as the symbol of springs celebration. In fact in China, the Chinese New Year is still called the Spring festival. It is celebrated after the fall harvest and before the spring planting season. The date of the Chinese New Year is always changing and is dependant on the Chinese calendar. I can't wait to learn about and experience all these customs of China

I am going to miss all of my friends in San Diego, but I hope to inspire them and provide them with informing and entertaining details of my voyage. I will also provide pictures and links to video I take of my adventures in China. So to you dear reader, read on and enjoy.