Thursday, September 11, 2008

Our first blog!

Well, here it is!! Our first of hopefully many blog entries to keep you all updated about our adventure!

As some of you know, we have been in Dalian, China, for about six whole days. We are slowly getting used to being in a totally different country. There is definitely a culture shock...whenever we need to do anything outside of our apartment it is a struggle to communicate. Luckily we have our handy phrase book and our wonderful helper Harry who has gone almost everywhere with us.

Things are a lot more comfortable now that we have our own apartment to retreat to. For the first few days we were living in a "teacher hotel" on campus, which was fine for a little while, however we did have trouble with power shortages, strange smells, and the wonderful sound of freshman students doing military drills outside of our room at 5:30 in the morning!

The food here has been great! Every restaurant that we have been taken to has been delicious in its own way. So far we have gone to Korean, Japanese, and a few Chinese restaurants. We have also made it to a McDonald's, which is actually better than what we have in America...or maybe we were just dying for western food. :)

We are supposed to start teaching next Tuesday, however we have yet to find out the level of our students and so we have been unable to prepare. Hopefully we will find out our schedule and all the information we need at tomorrow's meeting!

In general we are having a great time! I'm not sure if it has hit us how long exactly we are going to be here...but we are just trying to take each day one and a time!

We miss everyone soooo much! We will try to keep this blog as updated as possible...please take a look at the pictures and videos we are going to post also!

We love you!!!!

8 comments:

Pattersons :o) said...

Wow...sounds like a lot of fun :) I loved that you posted a video...and Ash, I am so proud of you for using the hole in the ground haha. I'll keep talking to papa for you. Love you guys! Love, Jackie

Nancy said...

Wow! thanks for sharing! you will really appreciate those smelly blue rooms when you get back to the U.S. at least they have toilet paper in em! and those squatting muscles are really gonna get a good workout!;0 Glad you are all well! we LOVE seeing ya on SKYPE! lots of love..mom ;)

Justin said...

Wow! China! so great. am very excited for your adventure this year.

www.justinhurst.blogspot.com

Marie Kerr said...

Josh and Ashley,
Thanks for sharing your China adventure.

God Bless you and keep you and bring you back safe.

Love you,
Aunt Marie

Natalie Stricklin said...

Hi guys! I'm so glad you guys are bloggin! Now I can experience China through you guys, from SM!!! Be safe! :)

joannsmith said...

It was so much fun watching the video and reading your blog. You will probably experience reverse culture shock when you get back home!
We look forward to hearing about more of your adventures in China.
We send our love and hugs,
Stan and Aunt JoAnn

Aunt Jackie said...

Keep the blogs coming! We love them! Great job on the narratives and camera work Josh. You are a natural. We are so proud of you both for your adventurous spirits.
Love you, Auntie Jackie, Uncle Rey and Nicko

TStrickin said...

It's fun to be able to find out what you guys are experiencing over in China. We missed you at Thanksgiving. Keep us posted and have a great time! Love. Aunt Terri