Redecorating

Wish I had got a man in to do it as it ended up being a long task. Us Wintles not very DIY minded I think. Anyhow, this was the kitchen cupboards. Lots of stripping then rubbing before I remembered the cabinets. (hee hee) You'll see what happened to the paintbrush. Anyhow to be honest, I don't like how they turned out but atleast they look better than before.

Bohai University

I'm studying at Bohai University which is about a 30 minute cycle ride(4km) from home. In the winter time (and on rainy days!) I take the university bus(free) but for now I'm enjoying cycling while the weather is good. In my class there are also three Koreans and three Russians, different ages, different backgrounds. We have classes Monday to Friday 0800 to 1200 everyday. On Wednesday afternoon, I also have a Taijiquan class. The University is only a few years old, very well planned with stunning (my opinion) architecture and a pleasant campus with lots of trees, lakes and no traffic.

Blossom

Last year it came out, the big wind blew and in two days it was all gone. This year it lasted for weeks.

BeiPutuoShan

Beck and I cycled here on Sunday. It took us just over an hour on the first fine day of the year. Even though I have lived here for five years, I went through parts of the city I had never been before. Beck commented that the houses and buildings reminded him of when he was young. The mountain, to the north of Jinzhou, costs 30 rmb to enter but unfortunately there are no discounts for being a student! The mountain has Taoist as well as Buddhist living temples as well as the usual Chinese tourist nick knacks. In my opinion we were there at the best time of year, with the different shades of green and the pear blossoms still out. While we were here we also went to say thank you to the Goddess we paid a tribute to last time. Local legend says that if you tie a red ribbon, with a wish on it, to one of the trees, the wish will come true. Ours had, as well as a couple I know who had been trying to have a baby for years and 9 months after doing this, had one!

how time flies

woops! I had all good intentions of adding to this as often as possible , but with the study I have had no time. This week is a golden week in China which means it is one of the two, week long public holidays where people will travel, visit family or hang around with friends. When I was working at EF, we never got the full seven days but I always tried to get away somewhere as far as possible. This year I have got 9 days but I am staying put, apart from a few day trips, details (and photos , yippee!) of which will follow soon. I have also spent the time planning the next big trip, and it's gonna be a BIG one.

Du wan juan shu, xing wan li lu

Read ten thousand books and walk ten thousand miles.

This proverb tells us that reading will enlarge one's second-hand knowledge while observing will enrich one's first-hand knowledge. Both are indispensable for one to achieve true wisdom.

This is the first post of my new blog, not that there is an old one existing elsewhere, where I will attempt to share whatever is thrown my way. Feel free to post comments as well as requests.

At the moment I'm not sure whether to backdate or start anew. This year has been another one those re-starts, which seem to have happened throughout my adult life! I blame fate but at the same time, trust fate to see me right.

This day has started with a large snowstorm reminiscent of childhood. Blizzards and drifting. When snow was real snow. None of this politically correct 'wrong type of snow' nonsense. The personification of snow then, was the Malboro Man, strong, rugged, but reliable. Nowadays, it's a children's tv presenter, generally wet, useless and not very inspiring!

I did manage an expedition out earlier and I emailed a lot of you with the same photos here (the duck is new). I was trying to get to the local shop to get some bread and water but nobody had turned up for work. This doesn't happen in China! This is exciting.

On the way, I met Manuel and Josie, from San Diego, who looked more than a little shocked, more probably because they were told to go into work. No taxis, no buses. I'm staying here.

With the white stuff now coming through the windows, I'll leave you with some pictures.