My last day in Beijing I went with my sister to meet one of my friend's older brothers, Frasier, who lives there studying Chinese. His girlfriend, who was Chinese, was also there. We got to sit in on one of his classes where the professor spoke ONLY Chinese! It was a language school. I didn't understand most of it, but it is definitely a goal of mine to one day be able to attend a class like that. After that we went to lunch and then to the Olympic stadium and checked that out. It was pretty cool, but too expensive to go tour. We decided that it probably looked just like any other over-sized sports arena. Since it was so cold, we found a frozen pond that people were walking on. After establishing that it was safe, we went on it too! Frasier said it was his first time on ice! I thought that was a little weird, but then there are first times for everything! After our Olympic/ice-capades we left to go get dinner at one of his favorite restaurants. On the way out we were overwhelmed by the number of people trying to get us to buy Olympic suveniers! We were bombarded by stuff and there must have been at least 20 people in our face! Frasier told them there stuff was trash, and they told us that white people were trash so it evened out... i guess. :-/ During dinner, we talked for a long time about China and reminisced about life in Snohomish...it was a good time :) And the best part was that Crystal and I managed to get back to our hotel room using the subway system all by ourselves and didn't get lost! Yay! There may be hope for us yet!
The last night we went out on the town and checked out some very colorful lively parts of the city. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera, but it was very beautiful because it was right next to a lake. We had fun dancing with our friends Troy, Dylan, Emily and Lexi (like no one was watching)! :p
The next day our plan departed around 5pm so we enjoyed a nice morning of sleeping in before the long 15-hour flight back to Vancouver, Canada before flying back to Seattle. There was a HUGE snowstorm that was came in and we were lucky to not be delayed too long. Customs was easy. I was able to get all my Baijiu (if you don't know, that's probably better that you don't) back to the U.S. without any problems. We also had a nice long lunch as our last meal before flying out (see pictures below): YES we all tried scorpions! Not my cup of tea...just tasted like an overcooked, crispy shrimp or something, but I learned that the stingers are okay to eat...
Crystal and I on the subway all by ourselves for the first time:
Our ice-capades (and Frasier's first time!):
At the Olympic Arena at the Bird's Nest:
Reflections:
All in all, I can say is that China was AMAZING! Words can't describe! The people there are so different from here in America. Just their culture, lifestyle, everything! They care so much about your well-being and are very willing to help you if you are lost or just want to practice Chinese. I can't wait to go back one day! My goal is to become fluent so that I can work with the Chinese people. I'm not sure in what capacity: teaching English, a government job like at an embassy, or maybe business. There are so many opportunities in China and the people there want to give them to you! I am hoping to get some sort of summer internship there. Also, I am considering two years in the Peace Corps in China after I graduate, if they will let me. With its growing economy and as it slowly opens up to more of the world's influences, it will be one of the most important nations is the upcoming years. It will be instrumental in the economy. With the U.S. in a near-depression, I know where I will be if the going gets tough! ;-) It's true that China has had some hard times with Mao Zedong and his Cultural Revolution and Great Leap Forward, as well as continuing unrest in areas like Tibet, and also its Communist government. It's important that more people learn about China, it language, and its culture. I think many people have overlooked it, but times are changing! China is the place to be! I am greatful for all the opportunities I have been given while in China and I anxiously await the exciting, and unexpected ways China will be a part of my future! Love and Peace. God bless!
~*~Sarah Swetz~*~
韦莎莎
Bible Verse of the Day
Proverbs 19:21 "Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails."
Chinese Word of the Day
完全 Wan Quan "To complete"
