18 July 2009

The End Is Nigh






Hi All,

Finally I have access to this site after a long absence. I have posted some photos from the last couple of months to catch you all up. Elephant bathing in Nepal and trekking to see Everest, dress up on the North Korea border, a day in Ying Kou with my friend Angela and the M party! I am still in China for the moment, but leaving very soon. I seem to have been really busy with packing up and finalising things. I have been trying to get around and see the last little bits of Shenyang and spend time with friends who I may or may not cross paths with again. Work has been keeping me busy with summer classes on top of my usual schedule. The weather has been unusually humid and rainy, which is a little depressing when you come from such a sunny city as Perth. And speaking of my hometown, I will be back there in the last week of August for an extended visit. The tone of this post may be bordering on melancholy, but it's only because I have been reflecting on my time in China and I think it has somehow penetrated my heart. I will miss this place, the good, the bad and the ugly. To have stayed here for two and a half years is just incomprehensible to me, I have learned so much and experienced so many amazing things. Thanks go to all the new friends I have made and all my old friends who have supported me throughout this odyssey.

22 March 2009

Post Birthday Rap


And so another year has past and I find myself again questioning where I am and where I'm going. What have I accomplished and what has been left undone? Overall I feel satisfied and can't wait to see what 2009 will hold for me. My birthday was celebrated with friends at a Western style restaurant bar in Shenyang (one of the best I have seen in China!). The picture you can see shows me sandwiched between Jake and Mike, two foreign teachers with the lovely Christie (a teaching assistant and Jake's girlfriend). I even kicked on with the group to KTV (karaoke, which is hugely popular here). I duetted on "I Got You Babe" with Jake, for once I believe it wasn't totally ear-shattering!
In the past couple of months I have been laying low, have not ventured too far a field. That should be rectified in the coming months with many trips and outings planned. I have also decided that I will return home to Australia for a short visit in September. After that am hopeful of finding another teaching gig in a new country.
I will keep you posted with all my latest as it comes to hand. In the mean time, check out the links below for more photos. Love and God bless!
Imperial Palace, Shenyang
Chinese New Year 09
Qipan Mountain, Shenyang
Antique's Market, Sheyang
Heavy Snow
Shenyang TV Tower

10 January 2009

Shanhaiguan and Snow








Shanhaiguan is an out of the way kind of town, which famous for the section of Great Wall that meets the sea! It's a gem of a place, lots of the wall explore with the ocean and mountains as it's backdrop.


For more photos go to



We had some snow here recently, was hoping for a White Christmas but it arrived 2 days late! Ah well, better late than never. I get excited every time it snows, so pretty and the air is so much cleaner! Just a couple of happy snaps posted here of the experience.

Pickles, Pinenuts and A Polar Bear











The cryptic title of this post refers to my purchases during my recent trip to Harbin (a plush toy polar bear I should add). This city is in the far north-east of China, and is close to Siberia. Every year at this time they host a snow and ice festival. It is freezing, around -25 degrees celcius but a really wonderful experience! I've posted a few photos here, but for an expanded look click on the links below for an expanded look. The architecture has lots of Russian influence and there were plenty of Russians still around town. I visited Sun Island which plays host to some very impressive snow sculptures. Zhaolin Park showcased the ice lanterns (ice sculptures illuminated with coloured lights) and the Siberian Tiger park has a very successful breeding program. I enjoyed the sights and some Russian cuisine during my three day visit. Harbin is a truly unique city!