To start the end, a long sigh…the entire 2008 China Trip is about to be over in a few hours. I just want to take this time to sum up the wonderful days we had in Ka.li, a fading, yet sweet memory.
The first day we arrived in China, I honestly couldn’t believe the fact that I’m actually going to teach English. Having only four years of English study, my confidence was a little limited. Yet when I saw the kids, when I gazed into their iridescent eyes, all my worries dispersed.
Three has always been my favorite number, so when it came to choosing classes, I did not hesitate. It turned out be a great choice, for everyone in Team Badminton were way beyond my expectation, they were polite, respectful, but most dominantly, extremely smart. In fact, all of the students in this English Camp can become the elites and foundations of our world if given the opportunity, so I would like to pr.y to G. to give them the Fruit of the Sp.rit during their walk on this Earth.
Our first day of class is now a misty veil, but I do remember how impressed I was by my students. Although there are parts that they do not understand (especially the map exercise on day one), they are all so diligent and focused, not one pair of eyes looked away from us, not one noise can be heard when we spoke.
On the other hand, the party on the second last day and the Finale is still alive and jumping, for I was so touched by my students-- they sang out their hearts, their love for us. And their tears, are pearls I will always treasure in my heart. It has become one of my everlasting, indescribable memories that changed me in innumerable ways. First of all, this memory showed my how blessed I am to have such a high quality life, with my own room, my own computer; How blessed I am to have a great school, great friends, a great family, and best of all, the greatest Love of all. Secondly, this experience renewed my strength. After seeing how diligent the students are in the “Class of Hope” despite their harsh conditions, I am truly ashamed of how lazy I’ve been. I now see myself as a slacker who’s been procrastinating and wasting time as if it matters not. I pr.y that G. will take me into his hands, for although I failed him more than one thousand times, I pr.y that he will take control of my heart and my soul, let justice and praise become my embrace, let the cry of my heart be pleasing him, for his light is everlasting, it’s never ending, it will shine when ALL else fades!
I also thank the L.rd for giving the students hope and joy. They are all facing some problems and obstacle, yet by his grace they are able to carry on; they are able to put on the sweet smile on their face. Their tears took away the veil, and their hearts became crystal clear; hurt, but not scarred, for they the wounds were healed by the Ultimate Love.
I will forever remember the students in Ka.li, and will always keep them in my pr.yers.
Now I would like to thank each member of our 2008 China team individually, starting with:
Nhat: You’ve been such a great leader! All the planning and preparing must have been stressful, not to mention all the responsibilities you carry on your shoulders, simple words can not express my appreciation. Without you, we couldn’t have so successfully complete the trip; without you we couldn’t have had the chance to jot down the life-changing experience we had; without you the students couldn’t have been so happy. I would like to apologize for the times when I’ve been rude and impatient, maybe it’s the lack of sleep, or perhaps sin, but whatever the reason, I ask for your’s and G.‘s forgiveness.
Andy: It’s been a great pleasure to be your co-teacher! I don’t know what I could have done without your help. Your energy and enthusiasm can not be replaced. Your perfect English is what I lack as a teacher; Your pronunciation is flawless and your enunciation crystal clear. But I thank you most for giving the entire team so much laughter and joy. Even during the depressing times, you’ve always managed to lighten up the ones around you/ You are truly the Salt& Light for the people around you.
King Alfred & Queen Alsie: thank you guys so much for taking care of us! Without you we couldn’t have had so wonderful meals and accommodations. You were always so caring, so kind, always giving us wise advices (although sometimes we foolishly ignore).
A Big THANK YOU to the King and Queen!
George: I will thank you on the phone buddy, since I think you will prefer that.
Albert: It’s such a privilege to have the best GPS in the world with us ( one that does not lead us into rivers..), we would have been like a headless fly without your help! You have no idea how glad I was when you accepted Chr.st, and how glad I was when your faith in G. grew through your answered pr.yers. Continue to walk in the Light, and you will become a great person (you already are one, but you have the protential to go a lot further into the richness of life. Just try to wake up next time I set the alarm ok?
Nathaniel: Thank you for being such a great friend! Your humbleness and humility is truly amazing, something I lack. You always have a smile on your lips no matter what others say, you have a heart of Wisdom that’s beyond everyone else on the team, a great friend indeed. My deepest appreciation to you! ( Thank you for teaching me rip sticking )
Jonathan: The youngest member of our team, yet you are so poised, so smart, and full of Wisdom. These days with you have been the most joyful time! You are also so good at chess and double spit, a great master at “Bang” too! You are among the few of us who can “Bang” in every possible way possible. Thank you for teaching me rip sticking too . You are, like Nat, a great friend that I will always treasure!
Shirley: It’s a pity that we didn’t get to work together that often. But thank you for giving us wake up calls, and the medicine that worked like a charm. Like Nhat said, thank you for helping with the preparation and translations. I sometimes get stuck, but you are always there to help. A sincere thank you.
Stephen: Such a great teacher you are! Although you didn’t use much translation, you managed to teach your class through actions and creative thinking, truly admirable. Thank you for teaching “This Is the Day” and “ I ‘ve Got the Joy, Joy, Joy”, and presenting such meaningful multi-medias. I’m 120% sure that your presentations have changed not only the students’ hearts, but also those of us in the team as well. Thank you for having such a kind heart to teach these students in China even though you are from a different country. My deepest appreciation.
Merilyn: Like Stephen, I would like to thank you for giving up your time to teach and care for these students in china even though you are from a completely different country. You’ve always been so nice to everyone. And your contributions to our planning have been invaluable. Hope to meet you and Stephen again, G. Bless.
Now I would like to thank all who sponsored us, without you this trip would not have been possible at all. Special thanks to Grant and Tracy Ho, Calvin and Elizabeth Quan, Tracy Kwan, Matthew Au, Keith Ly, Lam Family, Kong Family and my pastor, Jeff McMillan. Thank you so much for giving us the spiritual and financial support, we truly appreciate it. ( Please forgive me if I miss spell you name.)
Last but not the least, I would like to give all my thanks to G., who provided, protected, encouraged, and loved us. All my praise to you L.rd, from the deepest chamber of my heart.
This sentence will be the conclusion to my official journaling on this trip, thanks for reading.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
20080809 Nhat Thanks
The five of us in Shanghai are now back in Toronto.
As the title suggested, it is my thank you letter to each of the individuals on this trip with me. Like the last chapter in Romans 16, Paul sends his greetings and thanks to those who were supporting him.
G. Praise G. from whom all blessings flow
Praise him all creatures here below
Praise him above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost Amen
Family: The very core of my relationships as they are always there for me in regards to helping me when I need them. They are concern for my physically well being and continues make sure I get enough rest and nourishment. A quick email from them always warms my heart for my heart treasures them dearly. Though I don’t show my appreciation to them enough, I know we can always count on each other. Love you guys.
Pr..r supporters (yes you are part of the team): Thank you for your diligent thoughts of us on the days you p..yed. The value can only be seen in heavenly blessings as gave us your heart felt backup at the home front while we are on the front lines. Without your p..rs, we would not have such a smooth and successful vacation with G. No major injury or sickness that hindered us, only the runs to the washroom were our primary concerns.
Financial supporters: Thank you for your generosity as your provision covered all our shortage in our own financial needs (plane tickets, land fees, and ministry cost). Your support helped us understand that G. always provides for his children. You can contact the CGC Mission Committee to for our expenditure details.
In alphabetical order:
Albert: I started calling him the China GPS because he knows or can find where everything is (laundry, strings, hats, haircut..). He is very independent and therefore he can easily go about in China without worrying from the team members. As the newest believer (July 2008), he displays the servant attitude of J for he is always ready to help. There were no tasks that were too small or big for him. He was easy to work with and continue to mature in his faith in G. I am thankful for his serving spirit in Ch. for it really helped the team in making the camp go smoothly.
Alfred & Alsie: I was over joy to see them in Guiyang for I have worked with them for the past three years. They are really like an uncle and aunty to me for they put me in my place and provides for me (specially baby me when I request certain food items). They are my guiding star in treading the waters of China for they know the sensitivity of the local and thereby equipping us to better minister. Without them, we would not have this wonderful opportunity to teach the students.
Andy: The most energetic and humorous member of the team. He provided us with games and his zeal to do his best spurred me on. He is still searching for his calling in his life but in any endeavors like this trip, he put his whole heart into it. Learning as he goes and growing in humility. Pr.y he will find his lot in life as he joyful serves. He really created a lot of laughter and joy to the team and to the students. Thank you Andy for all the laughts you gave me for I need to learn to be more cheerful in the Lo.d.
George: Initially, he was like a one of the student to me because his English was at a similar level as the best students in the class. As the days went by, his presence was felt and his contribution was not in the translation but in his initiative to help out. He was the camp’s photographer for he carried a professional camera. In the end, his confidence in English improved as he gave the students Chinese pingying for some of the hard words. He was our food guide and he introduced us to many local delicates. Lastly, my appreciation of him is in his forgiving character in the event where his camera lens was accidentally broken by the students during the party. He checked his camera, set it aside and joined the party without putting blame on anyone or shown any signs of hurt. A real gentlemen who choose to forgive, not dependent on whether or not the other person is sorry and therefore not letting bitterness lead him down the road to destruction.
Jack: He has many names to me because I believe I associate him with those names. Like Albert, he always got things done when it comes to Mandarin. I was sadden to lose him as a co-teacher to Andy for I wanted to team up with him because of his cool, mellow temperament – thereby my pseudo co-teacher. Throughout the whole trip, I keep interchanging his name with his two Mandarin buddies but he always gives me the knowing smiles. It is wonderful to see him smile and laugh for it somehow warms me up. Jack linked Albert and George into our team for he wanted to help others to grow personally and contribute to G’s kingdom. He wants to be a doctor in the future so he can better serve others and that is what love is – wanting the best for someone else unselfishly. I got the pleasure to watch in-sync plane shows with him during our flight to China and it has been a pleasure to work with him. He is mature for his age and most of the time more mature than me.
Jonathan: He named himself “Sleeping Beauty” and his innocent is really portrayed by that simple choices. He is simple in motives and in voicing his intention. His innocent can only be match by the students’ for he does not have other agenda on his mind as he shares his thoughts openly. As my co-teacher, he was easy to work with for he was not shy to try new ideas or take on any challenges. His focus on G. during the daily devotions always show his thankfulness for the grace given and I am at awe for his continue humility in G.’s presence. Jonathan knows, believes, lives and tells the truth about himself – true humility in C.
Merilyn: A voice of reason for me as she kindly offer suggestion to improve or modify the event to make it better for both the teachers and students. Though she lacks Chinese but she was able to help lead a student in receive J. as her personal friend. That is an awesome encouragement to me for if we stay focus on G’s agenda, we will reap what he prepared for us in advance. Merilyn’s love (patience, kindness…) paved the path for us to encourage more English members to do likewise.
Nathaniel: A very forgiving heart overall for you were the one we picked on most in the team yet you never complain once. Not many people can take the abuse from all of us and still come back with a smile. Like Nathaniel, I need to learn to live for others and not for my own personal agenda. In the class, Shirley praised him for taking the initiative in cleaning the black board and in taking on more teaching responsibility as the days rolled by. Keep smiling and laughing in G’s kingdom. Mini-me, thank you for your carrying your laptop on the trip for it really help us stay connected to home.
Nhat: Thank G for me for he loves me more than I can ever imagine. Therefore I need to have self love because I need to appreciate the beauty that my creator has created in me.
Shirley: My personal auditor who makes sure I am on track financially for the team and on the ball in training. While in Canada, she was the eye of the storm who keep us calm and focus on the trip. I sometimes lose myself in being a kid with the rest of the teens because I can be the biggest kid of the group. Thank you Shirley for bring the leader out of me so I can make sure that all logistic are in place. Even during the time in China, you kept my head clear and reminded me of what needs to be done. I thank you for your rebuke for it has strengthened my care for the team and the students as it is for G’s glory.
Stephen: Thank you so much in submitting to my leading even though I believe you are the better leader for the team. With a sound mind and wonderful heart for G’s work, you would have easily led the team effectively. Yet, you choose to build me up and support me in all my antics. I loved your tips of the day for the English lesson in the morning for it was a wonderful reminder for me and gives me other ideas to teach the class. Your big heart is going help refine the English manual and the multimedia for you want to make sure the students and teachers are getting best out of the camp. I need to learn to be as diligent as you and learn honor like you: to hold someone in high value (great weight of worth).
As the title suggested, it is my thank you letter to each of the individuals on this trip with me. Like the last chapter in Romans 16, Paul sends his greetings and thanks to those who were supporting him.
G. Praise G. from whom all blessings flow
Praise him all creatures here below
Praise him above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost Amen
Family: The very core of my relationships as they are always there for me in regards to helping me when I need them. They are concern for my physically well being and continues make sure I get enough rest and nourishment. A quick email from them always warms my heart for my heart treasures them dearly. Though I don’t show my appreciation to them enough, I know we can always count on each other. Love you guys.
Pr..r supporters (yes you are part of the team): Thank you for your diligent thoughts of us on the days you p..yed. The value can only be seen in heavenly blessings as gave us your heart felt backup at the home front while we are on the front lines. Without your p..rs, we would not have such a smooth and successful vacation with G. No major injury or sickness that hindered us, only the runs to the washroom were our primary concerns.
Financial supporters: Thank you for your generosity as your provision covered all our shortage in our own financial needs (plane tickets, land fees, and ministry cost). Your support helped us understand that G. always provides for his children. You can contact the CGC Mission Committee to for our expenditure details.
In alphabetical order:
Albert: I started calling him the China GPS because he knows or can find where everything is (laundry, strings, hats, haircut..). He is very independent and therefore he can easily go about in China without worrying from the team members. As the newest believer (July 2008), he displays the servant attitude of J for he is always ready to help. There were no tasks that were too small or big for him. He was easy to work with and continue to mature in his faith in G. I am thankful for his serving spirit in Ch. for it really helped the team in making the camp go smoothly.
Alfred & Alsie: I was over joy to see them in Guiyang for I have worked with them for the past three years. They are really like an uncle and aunty to me for they put me in my place and provides for me (specially baby me when I request certain food items). They are my guiding star in treading the waters of China for they know the sensitivity of the local and thereby equipping us to better minister. Without them, we would not have this wonderful opportunity to teach the students.
Andy: The most energetic and humorous member of the team. He provided us with games and his zeal to do his best spurred me on. He is still searching for his calling in his life but in any endeavors like this trip, he put his whole heart into it. Learning as he goes and growing in humility. Pr.y he will find his lot in life as he joyful serves. He really created a lot of laughter and joy to the team and to the students. Thank you Andy for all the laughts you gave me for I need to learn to be more cheerful in the Lo.d.
George: Initially, he was like a one of the student to me because his English was at a similar level as the best students in the class. As the days went by, his presence was felt and his contribution was not in the translation but in his initiative to help out. He was the camp’s photographer for he carried a professional camera. In the end, his confidence in English improved as he gave the students Chinese pingying for some of the hard words. He was our food guide and he introduced us to many local delicates. Lastly, my appreciation of him is in his forgiving character in the event where his camera lens was accidentally broken by the students during the party. He checked his camera, set it aside and joined the party without putting blame on anyone or shown any signs of hurt. A real gentlemen who choose to forgive, not dependent on whether or not the other person is sorry and therefore not letting bitterness lead him down the road to destruction.
Jack: He has many names to me because I believe I associate him with those names. Like Albert, he always got things done when it comes to Mandarin. I was sadden to lose him as a co-teacher to Andy for I wanted to team up with him because of his cool, mellow temperament – thereby my pseudo co-teacher. Throughout the whole trip, I keep interchanging his name with his two Mandarin buddies but he always gives me the knowing smiles. It is wonderful to see him smile and laugh for it somehow warms me up. Jack linked Albert and George into our team for he wanted to help others to grow personally and contribute to G’s kingdom. He wants to be a doctor in the future so he can better serve others and that is what love is – wanting the best for someone else unselfishly. I got the pleasure to watch in-sync plane shows with him during our flight to China and it has been a pleasure to work with him. He is mature for his age and most of the time more mature than me.
Jonathan: He named himself “Sleeping Beauty” and his innocent is really portrayed by that simple choices. He is simple in motives and in voicing his intention. His innocent can only be match by the students’ for he does not have other agenda on his mind as he shares his thoughts openly. As my co-teacher, he was easy to work with for he was not shy to try new ideas or take on any challenges. His focus on G. during the daily devotions always show his thankfulness for the grace given and I am at awe for his continue humility in G.’s presence. Jonathan knows, believes, lives and tells the truth about himself – true humility in C.
Merilyn: A voice of reason for me as she kindly offer suggestion to improve or modify the event to make it better for both the teachers and students. Though she lacks Chinese but she was able to help lead a student in receive J. as her personal friend. That is an awesome encouragement to me for if we stay focus on G’s agenda, we will reap what he prepared for us in advance. Merilyn’s love (patience, kindness…) paved the path for us to encourage more English members to do likewise.
Nathaniel: A very forgiving heart overall for you were the one we picked on most in the team yet you never complain once. Not many people can take the abuse from all of us and still come back with a smile. Like Nathaniel, I need to learn to live for others and not for my own personal agenda. In the class, Shirley praised him for taking the initiative in cleaning the black board and in taking on more teaching responsibility as the days rolled by. Keep smiling and laughing in G’s kingdom. Mini-me, thank you for your carrying your laptop on the trip for it really help us stay connected to home.
Nhat: Thank G for me for he loves me more than I can ever imagine. Therefore I need to have self love because I need to appreciate the beauty that my creator has created in me.
Shirley: My personal auditor who makes sure I am on track financially for the team and on the ball in training. While in Canada, she was the eye of the storm who keep us calm and focus on the trip. I sometimes lose myself in being a kid with the rest of the teens because I can be the biggest kid of the group. Thank you Shirley for bring the leader out of me so I can make sure that all logistic are in place. Even during the time in China, you kept my head clear and reminded me of what needs to be done. I thank you for your rebuke for it has strengthened my care for the team and the students as it is for G’s glory.
Stephen: Thank you so much in submitting to my leading even though I believe you are the better leader for the team. With a sound mind and wonderful heart for G’s work, you would have easily led the team effectively. Yet, you choose to build me up and support me in all my antics. I loved your tips of the day for the English lesson in the morning for it was a wonderful reminder for me and gives me other ideas to teach the class. Your big heart is going help refine the English manual and the multimedia for you want to make sure the students and teachers are getting best out of the camp. I need to learn to be as diligent as you and learn honor like you: to hold someone in high value (great weight of worth).
Friday, August 8, 2008
20080809- Coming back!! (Andy)
The title says it all, we're coming back later on tonight. The past few days at Shanghai has been enjoyable, since I have never been in a chinese commercialized city that has a population greater than Toronto. We got so bored we started playing a game called spot the foreigners where every white person spotted counted as 1 point, an indian person= 3 points, and a black person or other= 5 points. I am winning with a leading score of 75 =). On the serious note, we did devos on Rom 15 today, which reminded me of how necessary p..yer is, and without p..yer, this trip wouldn't have been possible and its great to know that there are alot of people back home who remember us, thanks everyone who have been remembering us.Looking forward to coming back and I miss everyone, thanks for remembering us and ask for a safe trip, take care!
Andy
Andy
20080808 Nhat Feedback
Here is a summary of the feedback of the trip during the debriefing.
1. Longer camp with a break in between
2. A welcome party on the second night to help break some ice with the students
3. Redefine the book to be more user friendly (pictures of mouth-tongue position or other vocabulary) and make sure all the manuals have consistent page numbering
4. Oral reading with role play helped the student understand the big picture of the story
5. Multimedia needs to be updated to have less points and maybe some music or video
6. Not have an event on every night since the students seem to have other classes beside our English camp and therefore a lot of them are tired during regular class
7. Movies at night should only be in English with English subtitle (expect for the J. file) to help them match the English words to the sound instead of reading the Chinese and forget to focus on the learning. Have a quiz next day on the movie would encourage focus participation.
8. Less translation and try more to use English (draw, act, and similar words) to explain so the students are force to listen instead of looking to the translator.
9. School staffs were very supportive and helpful. This included the school shop and canteen (kitchen).
10. Presentation format worked out well that have teachers’ presentations between students’ presentation to provide some break and also a (light) good news message.
11. We need an updated music sheet that was provided by Shirley and Jack (Australian song and make sure we have the music – mp3 – to play it for the students/teachers)
12. We need an updated game list provide by Andy with the newly invented games that worked towards their culture and English level
13. Need to tell students to copy song into their note books and make sure they copy the correct wordings
14. Wanted to live in lower standard so we are closer to students’ accommodation than in an air-condition hotel. Though PI wants to make sure we are healthy during our service as we work hard and our body is adjusting to the new environment.
15. Have small mirror in class to show students if they are positioning their mouth-tongue properly
16. Afternoon games were well received. We need to collect all the balls or balloons after so that it does not distract them outside of the game time.
17. Clear night event so that all teachers will be on the same page in regard to being together to support each other in the event and not entertain the students in different activities (chess, connect four, side games, banner, ..) Keep them all together and on teaching English.
18. Update movie collections since most have seen Nemo.
19. Clarification of “Class of Hope” as not all students who are needy and from small villages. There is only one “Class of Hope” but since there is two classes in the same grade, the principal asked PI to sponsor the other class. In the future, these are students we sponsor and therefore we have a means to come and bond with them for planting seeds.
20. Beads were well received as we have many people who made crosses and the balloons (round and long) totally drove the classes into a frenzy.
21. Morning tips on today’s lessons were a good reminder
22. Principal noticed that the students are more confident in speaking English and were grateful for our contribution.
23. Blogging was good to keep home-front updated and keep us in their thoughts
24. Presentation and signing on the night before would be better for time management
25. Team were supportive of each other and since it was small team, it was easy to gather for meeting or update during breakfast or lunch
If I miss any, the other members can blog it.
Team lead - Nhat
1. Longer camp with a break in between
2. A welcome party on the second night to help break some ice with the students
3. Redefine the book to be more user friendly (pictures of mouth-tongue position or other vocabulary) and make sure all the manuals have consistent page numbering
4. Oral reading with role play helped the student understand the big picture of the story
5. Multimedia needs to be updated to have less points and maybe some music or video
6. Not have an event on every night since the students seem to have other classes beside our English camp and therefore a lot of them are tired during regular class
7. Movies at night should only be in English with English subtitle (expect for the J. file) to help them match the English words to the sound instead of reading the Chinese and forget to focus on the learning. Have a quiz next day on the movie would encourage focus participation.
8. Less translation and try more to use English (draw, act, and similar words) to explain so the students are force to listen instead of looking to the translator.
9. School staffs were very supportive and helpful. This included the school shop and canteen (kitchen).
10. Presentation format worked out well that have teachers’ presentations between students’ presentation to provide some break and also a (light) good news message.
11. We need an updated music sheet that was provided by Shirley and Jack (Australian song and make sure we have the music – mp3 – to play it for the students/teachers)
12. We need an updated game list provide by Andy with the newly invented games that worked towards their culture and English level
13. Need to tell students to copy song into their note books and make sure they copy the correct wordings
14. Wanted to live in lower standard so we are closer to students’ accommodation than in an air-condition hotel. Though PI wants to make sure we are healthy during our service as we work hard and our body is adjusting to the new environment.
15. Have small mirror in class to show students if they are positioning their mouth-tongue properly
16. Afternoon games were well received. We need to collect all the balls or balloons after so that it does not distract them outside of the game time.
17. Clear night event so that all teachers will be on the same page in regard to being together to support each other in the event and not entertain the students in different activities (chess, connect four, side games, banner, ..) Keep them all together and on teaching English.
18. Update movie collections since most have seen Nemo.
19. Clarification of “Class of Hope” as not all students who are needy and from small villages. There is only one “Class of Hope” but since there is two classes in the same grade, the principal asked PI to sponsor the other class. In the future, these are students we sponsor and therefore we have a means to come and bond with them for planting seeds.
20. Beads were well received as we have many people who made crosses and the balloons (round and long) totally drove the classes into a frenzy.
21. Morning tips on today’s lessons were a good reminder
22. Principal noticed that the students are more confident in speaking English and were grateful for our contribution.
23. Blogging was good to keep home-front updated and keep us in their thoughts
24. Presentation and signing on the night before would be better for time management
25. Team were supportive of each other and since it was small team, it was easy to gather for meeting or update during breakfast or lunch
If I miss any, the other members can blog it.
Team lead - Nhat
20080808 Nhat - Shanghai 3
Shanghai is a city of brand new western culture mixed into traditional Chinese heritage and what you get is hotpot of diverse social status pockets within steps of each other. There are little historical communities nested within metropolitan high rise. Seeing such extreme lifestyles beside each other is quite fascinating.
Today, we did a city tour which included (9 -6):
Oriental Pearl TV Tower – similar to CN Tower in height but they have a historical wax museum instead of a glass floor
Jade Buddha Temple – we saw three jade Buddha but we skimmed through it fast expect for the jumping over the doorway
Lunch was included and it feed us well
Yu Garden – impressive home for aging parents and we loved the mirror with the happy fishes
Bund – quick photo shots session since we walked on it last night and did a lot of bargaining for small souvenirs
Xintiandi – New World which is a place geared to serve westerners so we skim it quickly with some pictures taking to show we were there
We then got drop off at the motel (who knows the difference between a motel and hotel?) and most of us are relaxing in our own way. Blogging is my method.
Nhat on to paper journal
Thursday, August 7, 2008
20080807 Nhat - Shanghai 2
Shanghai is a City of lights that has 19 million people residing in it. We saw the various light shows on the building that were near the river bed as we were on the river cruise. Most of the light are turned off by 10:30 because the tourists filter home.
Not much today but walking around to explore the city. There are many pockets of old Shanghai behind the tall-metalic buildings.
Thank, Nhat
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
20080806 Nhat - Shanghai 1
Shanghai, the city of metal landscape. There are many unique and wondrous buildings here to behold. It looks like a place where grandeur and spectacular are encouraged in designing the building because some buildings are not economically effectively uses in its space. It feels abit like downtown Toronto with all the commercial high-rises.
Coming to China, we did all carry-on so we don’t have to wait for our luggages and quickly go through all points. Now that we are finished and don’t need to rush, we checked in everything expect our knapsacks. The ripsticks of Nat & Jon might have been confiscated if they were carry-on which would really make them cry.
Our trip was smooth from Guiyang to Shanghai and then to the hotel Xiang Yang Motel (www.motel268.com there is an English language option). Initially, I was going to stay with my friend Brandon and save some money like a good Chinese person but I can not seem to pull myself away from the team as they seem to be my extended family members. Rooming situation are 310 (Nhat), 311 (Jon & Nat), 314 (Andy & Jack). We have the new glass washroom again but this time, there is a curtains option.
Today’s Romans 13 confirms in my heart to have integrity and we must do all possible things release our mind of any guilty conscience. Like being a third unregister person in the room. I am thankful we are still doing our devotions together as a team and we will finish the book of Romans once we part in Toronto.
I would like to thank Eagin (Eason’s sister) who meet us at the motel and help us settle in to our rooms and show us the surrounding neighborhood. She is a great host and even treated us lunch (fried xiao long bao and wanton). She also arranged our river for tomorrow night and the city tour for the day after. She is like aunty Alsie who takes care of us while we are away from home.
I like to thank my friend Brandon who had dinner with us and show us the eating and shopping district. I am sure he is shock with our antics and table manners. I was going to stay at his place as he was graciously willing to offer.
Some of us miss “white” food but since the majority wants the tastes of China, we continue to have Chinese food. Thank you everyone who continues to think of us and keep us in your thoughts since we don’t want to get sick or sicker.
Safe and resting in Shanghai
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