Argh, packing!

For those of you yet to begin packing, I'd suggest starting now. I'm leaving on Friday morning and only now starting to look through my possessions for important items one would need for a year in China. As it currently stands, I'll be taking the kitchen sink et al with me... I need to re-evaluate what is essential and what is pointless garbage. On the plus side, I have a snazzy new jumbo rucksack in which to carry all my crap. Hurrah!

Wedding of the century!

Just got home from my sister's wedding. No longer do I have 2 sister Humms! How weird! But I do have a new Brother in law, which is nice. I give you, the new Mr and Mrs Menzies: Iain is the one in the middle grimacing! My sister is enjoying being a lady of luxury!
The wedding was fantastic, great weather, lovely ceremony, fantastic food and drinks etc. Was so nice seeing all my family too, especially as I'm leaving for China on Friday! Oh my God :o

Need to pack... really need to get myself sorted! Am staying for 2 nights in Beijing, then heading to Dalian on the 21st to get acquainted with the city. Just trying to book a hostel now, such an assortment, can't choose! Thinking of the Hutong Hostel, or maybe the Templeside Hostel, or even the 9 Dragon's... will decide this afternoon.

Still can't believe I'm leaving on Friday, it's come so quickly. Am a little nervous, but mostly excited. It's gunna be a fantastic year, I know it!

Simpsons!

Random, but I love this guy! Simpsonz rulez! Looks a little like me I hope, that was the intention after all! (www.simpsonizeme.com)

I went to London, to buy a heat magazine (and while there got me a shiny new Visa!)

Just got back from a wee journey to London town to get my Chinese visa. I was hoping to get a nice year - long multi one, but she told me to tick "3month single" instead. When I got the visa, it says Duration of stay 000, and there's a little note telling me to get registered with the PSB to stop being an alien, or something like that. Hmmm... should be alright though. Had a nice few days, strolling around Oxford Street, Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Chinatown and so on. Had a nice meal in Wagamama last night too, which rounded off a perfect Asian-day! Here is a photo of me posing with my visa, which got us told off by the security guard! Guess they don't like people taking pictures of the embassy... whoops!

Teacher Guo

I just received an email from my university in China, giving details of with whom I shall be living. I have been told it is 国老师, but that is all I know. I have emailed her asking a little bit about her family, hopefully they have a kid my age! The email also said that Teacher Guo doesn't speak much English, so expect Chinese to be spoken at all times. Fun! In the email was a list of rules and regulations, and guess what, they're in Chinese too. From what I can translate, it basically says I must be home by 10:30pm each day, or alert my family otherwise. Same goes for dinner every night at 5:30 which I will be expected to attend. I am not allowed to have guests stay past 7pm, nor am I allowed to return home drunk. What a party this is going to be! But it's all good really, my Chinese should come along leaps and bounds this year then, fingers crossed I'm not locked in an underground cupboard! Ooh, wouldn't it be nice if I had an ensuite room with a balcony and sattelite tv... One can wish.

Getting visa on August 1st now. Apparently we get given a multi-entry visa without even asking. Cher ching! Japan here I come :)

My new home

Prelude

I shall be documenting my year in China through this fabulous blog. Photos will hopefully be added (if this website allows) at a regular basis, along with information of what I'm up to and anything fun I get up to.

Currently, all I know is that I'm flying to Beijing on August 17th. I have no idea what happens next. Visa hasn't been arranged yet, but hope it'll be straight-forward when I get to the embassy in London. Need to buy a big-ass rucksack too. Woo :)

Current music: Coheed and Cambria
Current mood: Emo