New Job

I just finished my 4th week in a new position.  I'm working as the "English Language Specialist" at an EtonKids campus.  Basically, I'm the native English speaking assistant to the head teacher.  Right now it's essentially daycare, but in September the school year will start and be a bit more demanding.  It's a bilingual Montessori kindergarten.  So far it seems like a pretty good place to work.  My only major complaint is that's it's far from home.  Here's their website if you're interested:

http://www.etonkids.com/english/

Bird's Nest

Wednesday night, Cindy and I went to the Olympic stadium to watch a charity soccer game between Birmingham City (English Premier League) and Beijing Guo'an (Chinese league).  We arrived late and left early.  We bought scalped tickets for the lower bowl at upper bowl price.  Olympic stadiums are typically bad soccer venues, and this was no exception....it just isn't designed for soccer.  I would say about two-thirds of the 80,000 seats were full.  Beijing's team plays half their home games here and half in another stadium.  I might try to catch a game in the other stadium sometime.  Here are the photos.

Great Wall Hike Photos

Sunday, Cindy and I hiked a chunk of the great wall.

Here are the photos.

Chinese Cupping

I was having some significant back pain last weekend because I broke the "don't life with your back" rule.  I had a massage Saturday night.  A couple days afterward, I was still having a lot of pain.  So, I thought I'd give Chinese cupping a try.  It's a traditional Chinese medicine practice.  Basically, it felt like a reverse massage.  In a regular massage, your muscles are being pushed down upon.  With Chinese cupping, your muscles are being pulled away from your body.  Overall it was pretty relaxing, but didn't do much for the pain.  I've since found a Chiropractor and have been a couple times.  I got cupped in the afternoon, and this photo was taken in the evening. 

menu misspell

I tried to post this a few weeks ago and the image didn't come through. I got it this time. This was in a German restaurant. The menu was in German, English, and Chinese. Can YOU find the misspelled word?

Holey Crap!

Someone (accidentally) drove in to the Italian restaurant below Cindy's salon. There is a large hole in the parking lot. Apparently, one of the tires of the van got stuck in the hole and the driver gunned it to get out. She got out of the hole alright.

Getting Settled in China

Hi,  I hope all is well state side.  We've been in China for three weeks now, which I just can't believe. Time is flying by.  I think the first two weeks were spent mostly just getting adjusted to the time change, which actually wasn't too terrible, but I'm not looking forward to the change back, which I imagine being much worse.  We have gotten settled in very nicely thanks to our who have graciously opened their home to us.  They have shown us around Beijing a bit and been very helpful with translating and getting around.  We haven't done a ton of touristy type things yet, but plan to go out to the Great Wall soon when it gets a bit warmer. 

I landed a job at a good salon here. It's owned by a French woman and is very international although i will be the only American working there. Everyone speaks english there as well, so I can take my time learning Chinese. Thank goodness, I am quite intimidated by the Chinese language, but there is a language school in the same building as the salon so hopefully I will have time to utilize that. The salon is also right across the street from a huge international school, so the potential for business is great.  I am waiting for my work visa to go through but I should start working in the next week or so. I'm super excited about this opportunity!  I've been in to the salon a few times and everyone seems pretty cool, and the atmosphere is nice. Sort of sophisticated with a bit of an edge.  I feel like I will fit in ok. 

We have spent the last week and a half trying to gather supplies to start brewing beer here in the apartment.  While that's not the ideal set up it's what we have to work with right now, and there really is plenty of room for it to work.  He has had to get started a bit earlier than expected so we can be a part of a beer festival this summer.  It's in the local art district and is an excellent opportunity for exposure.  He is a bit nervous about having to have good beer ready so soon after getting here, but we are all really excited about being a part of this festival.  The man in charge of it is very easy to work with (which is unusual for Chinese businessmen) and if things go well with the festival we will be provided a space for brewing. So, the pressures on but it's very exciting!

We are having a great time here, I miss you all a lot would love to hear how spring is starting out for you. 

Oh, and Happy St. Patty's Day.    I thought about making something Irishly delicious, but decided to be lazy instead :)

I love you all!
-CJB