CHINA BOUND!

Okay, so this is my first time leaving the United States, but have no fear! We are off to the unknown!! Okay so maybe it's not completely unknown, considering we know quite a bit about it already, but my ocular experience of China is pretty much below zero with the exception of what I have found via Google. Our caravan Camilla folk will be making our exit this coming Friday, the 18th at a very early time of 4:30 in the AM (which I'm just jumping for joy about). Oh! Don't let me forget to mention the 12 hour plane ride we get the joy of being a part of not too long afterwards. Yet, I have officially turned my frown (if there ever was one) upside down! This will be a whole new experience for everyone going on this adventure. Here is what I know: China women don't appreciate jeans, tennis shoes, and bright colors (which limits my attire to pajamas), but they do like SPARKLES! Still smiling! I have also heard that it is supposed to be very cold and luckily I just LOVE cold weather (sarcasm) but hey I'm still smiling. On the upside though, we get to meet students from across the world which I am VERY excited about! I love meeting new people and learning about their cultures and dichotomy in life as to ours. I am also eager to see the sights in China, such as the Great Wall, which is a world wonder! Not many people can say they've ever been to China and not too long from now I will get to cross my name off of that list! All in all, it will be a very exciting learning experience for all of us.

Pre-China Blogpost

I am very excited about to going to China. I think that when we get to China, after the sixteen hour flight, that we will learn many different things about Chinese culture. We will get to see what they wear, what they eat, and many other things that they do in their day to day life. I am also ready to go on the many tours that we are going to take in China. I am very interested in going to see Tiananmen Square, the acrobatic show, and the Temple of Heaven (right). I am looking forward to visiting the Chinese markets and seeing what they have to offer. I think that collaborating with people from all around the world at the conference is going to be a great learning experience for everyone that is going. I hope that everyone that comes to the conference will have a great time. I hope to learn many things while I am over there and maybe pick up on some of the Chinese language.

preproject blogpost

I am excited about going to china. I think this could be a valuable learning experience and it is a chance to get a view of life outside the United States. I am glad I have the opportunity to view a few wonders of the world, such as the Great Wall of China(right) and the Forbidden City. I also look forward to buying Chinese goods in the markets. I think it might be difficult for me though, because I do not speak Chinese though. I hope to pick up some terms and a basic understanding of the language during my time in china. This trip will be good for me, as I have the chance to experience another culture and learn about new technologies.

China Reflective Blog

I am looking forward to going to Beijing, China on Friday. I'm very excited about collaborating with children from other countries, and making new friends. I am also ready to go on the tours. I have never been out of the United States before, so this is going to be an adventure! The tour I am most excited about is the Great Wall of China. Also, I am looking forward to going to eat at some of the nice oriental restaurants in China. Those are just some of them. I am looking forward to all of the trip. I can not wait to go, and make friends from other places. This is going to be an amazing trip, and a wonderful experience.

My Life B.B. (Before Beijing)

The Great Wall of China

Tianamen Square
(Entrance to the Forbidden City)

Lama Temple

Needless to say, I am very excited about my and my classmate's trip to Beijing, China on this upcoming Friday. I am so excited to see the Great Wall and visit the Forbidden City. The Forbidden City housed Emperors and government officials from the Ming Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty and now is the home of the Palace Museum. I am also very excited to see the Lama Temple and Tianamen Square, where many people laid down there lives for what they believed in.  More than visiting the sites, I am interested in being able to experience another culture. From the food, a kung fu show, shopping in Chinese markets, and attending a Chinese opera show, this ten day trip is almost guaranteed to show me aspects of a culture completely different from my own. B.B. has been a lot of trouble for all involved (joining wiki's, coordinating skypes, finding air plane tickets, tour prices) and, let us not forget the sacrifices my parents made to let  me attend this conference, but I am sure that it will all be worth it when I return on the 27th. I am looking forward to it!

Pre China Reflection

Last year, going to India was an amazing opportunity for me. It was a chance to see new things, try foods, and of course learn. Learning from this trip made me anxious to go this year as well. Traveling to a different country is very much an eye opener. It puts you out of your comfort zone and forces you to learn day-to-day life skills. I view this trip not as a chance to get out of school, but a chance to learn. Yes, we do a lot of sight-seeing, but once the conference starts, it's a lot of hard work. There is little free time and the trip itself is very exhausting. I have already learned some things about China that I wasn't aware of before. We were told not to wear blue jeans because the Chinese look down on people who do. We were also advised to wear dark colors to be careful not to draw too much attention to ourselves. The Chinese women also like sequins and sparkles, which we can wear to the opera. The things I have learned about China so far have been interesting, even though it's only been related to dress. Although we may not understand some of these customs, we are advised to abide by them in respect to their country. I'm very exciting about leaving this Friday and can't wait to view the sites and experience the country. I hope we can accumulate much information to relay back to the people at home in order to make this project a school wide event. I'm very eager to learn as much as I can and to share my knowledge with those who won't get a chance at the first-hand experience.


This is the pearl market in Beijing, where we will have a chance to shop.



The Great Wall of China is another tourist site that we will visit.