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Who Am I And What Time Is It?

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Education & Training with Candidate for an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership

Who am I and what time is it?   Air Canada fed us 3 times, had dinner 1st, Cup of Noodles 2nd with chopsticks and with breakfast as the last meal, even though we landed at 3:55 p.m.  Thursday, Beijing time or 4:55 a.m. in Saint John’s Atlantic time zone.   Two FULL planes later, It’s been 17 hours and I’m finally in Beijing, China!  I think this was a longer trip than Hawaii, even though we took the North Pole route from Toronto to Beijing.

I was greeted by the owner’s chauffer with my 3 huge suitcases, my Macbook  Pro case (that has all of my tech devices; camera, video camera, ipod, and all chargers) & my messenger’s bag (my girl bag) after Chinese customs at the Dragon Wall with a sign saying CISB and my name below.  He drove me to my new residence & school and was greeted by the VP & ESL teacher of the Canadian International School of Beijing.  Asked me how I was doing and then took me for a walk to a Western Mall around the corner behind the school.   After all the meals I had eaten, they took me to a Saudi Arabian restaurant, with a great environment and colorful Middle Eastern décor.  I had a delicious dish of lamb with mushroom and curried rice and my 1st Arabian dark roasted coffee, which had Sage so strong in it that the other people in my table could smell it.  New experience for sure!

After dinner, I was taken to the Western style grocery store, where I picked up some groceries to survive the next few days.  Since I brought enough dark roasted coffee (from Canada) for 6 months and a grinder, the only appliance I bought at the grocery store, was a small coffee pot (the display, since there weren’t any others left) to be able to get up the next day.   The VP expected me to attend the next day, so I could be programmed into their system and also meet the children.

BTW:  After leaving the grocery store, they showed me a Starbucks and I knew it would be okay to live in Beijing, China for 9 months!

 

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Comments(15)

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Carol West
Carol West Real Estate, LLC - Hillsboro, OR
Real Estate Agent, Hillsboro, Beaverton, Portland

Ann-Marie, 

I wish you a wonderful trip and stay in China. It's great to get outside our comfort zones and interact differently and have new adventures. 

Sep 25, 2010 10:35 AM
Earl Miller
Coldwell Banker Solano Pacific - Benicia, CA
Solano County, Contra Costa,Benicia Real Estate, 707-280-6366

Lucky you...I would love to stay in China for 9 months....Enjoy

Sep 25, 2010 10:37 AM
Ann-Marie Clements
Candidate for an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership - Saint John, NB
Ed.D. candidate, Innovative Proactive Principa

Hi Carol,  New adventures always gives us a new perspective on life, our country and the future!  Thanks!!!  ;>))

 

Hi Earl,  You would love it here, it has every store imaginable from every country possible!  China has really grown in a massive way!!!  ;>))

Sep 25, 2010 10:54 AM
Mike Carlier
Lakeville, MN
More opinions than you want to hear about.

Well, if you continued further, you would probably be getting closer to your origination point.  Sounds like an experience of a lifetime.  

 

Sep 25, 2010 10:56 AM
Ann-Marie Clements
Candidate for an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership - Saint John, NB
Ed.D. candidate, Innovative Proactive Principa

Hi Mike,  It's exactly 13 hrs difference, I left on the Weds, Sept 22nd at 12:00 p.m. and arrived on Thurs, Sept 23rd at 4:00 p.m.  It's definitely opening my eyes to some of the bias that I had and realizing China is one of the major economic power houses of the next century, if not now!!!  ;>))

Sep 25, 2010 11:04 AM
Troy Jowers
Pogo Realty, LLC - New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Realtor

What a wonderful experience! Please post lots of pics to AR!

Sep 25, 2010 11:05 AM
Ann-Marie Clements
Candidate for an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership - Saint John, NB
Ed.D. candidate, Innovative Proactive Principa

Hi Troy,  I plan to today, since I'm still a little jet lagged and trying to figure out what I need for the next week for myself and my students!!!  My camera will be shooting a lot these next 9 months to follow...  ;>))

Sep 25, 2010 11:15 AM
Kristen Wheatley
Better Homes & Gardens | The Masiello Group - Brunswick, ME
Supporting Success - Best Job in the World!

I'm glad you arrived safe and sound and it looks like you are off to an exciting start.  What an incredible experience!

Sep 25, 2010 11:55 AM
Ann-Marie Clements
Candidate for an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership - Saint John, NB
Ed.D. candidate, Innovative Proactive Principa

Hi Kristen,  I still can't believe I'm here in China!!!  I didn't ever think this New York born American with Canadian Permanent Residency would have ever come here...  It's an eye opener for sure...  Other countries have a big impact here in China and you can see it everywhere!   I plan on learning more about their real estate progress and future!  ;>))

Sep 25, 2010 12:14 PM
Celeste "SALLY" Cheeseman
Liberty Homes - Mililani, HI
(RA) AHWD CRS ePRO OAHU HAWAII REAL ESTATE

Wonderful!  Looking forward to reading more of your adventures in China!

Sep 25, 2010 02:23 PM
FN LN
Toronto, ON

Hi Ann-Marie - Have a fantastic time in China over the next nine months.  I look forward to reading about your time overseas.  Don't forget to visit Hong Kong.

Sep 25, 2010 02:28 PM
Ann-Marie Clements
Candidate for an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership - Saint John, NB
Ed.D. candidate, Innovative Proactive Principa

Hi Sally,  I'm closer to you now than before!!!  It is really fun so far over here...  ;>))

Hi Marc,  I will try to really enjoy myself and yes, I plan to go to Hong Kong, when I find out the formalities apon entering Hong Kong!!!  ;>))

Sep 25, 2010 04:08 PM
Kathy Clulow
Uxbridge, ON
Trusted For Experience - Respected For Results

Ann-Marie - what a great juxtaposition of buildings ..... I expect we will see many great photos while you are in Beijing

Sep 26, 2010 12:55 AM
Ann-Marie Clements
Candidate for an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership - Saint John, NB
Ed.D. candidate, Innovative Proactive Principa

Hi Kathy, I plan on adding many more photos!!!  My next blog will be on my "free" apartment, which is on the same gated community.  ;>))

Sep 27, 2010 11:50 AM
Ann-Marie Clements
Candidate for an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership - Saint John, NB
Ed.D. candidate, Innovative Proactive Principa

Hi Mary Ann,  I am currently having a blast!  We have no school today and all of next week, due to the national holidays, so I'll be going on tours to see the countryside.  I will probably be going to the Great Wall next Wedsnesday.  It's very safe and the food is the best, with some getting used to.  THANKS!!!  ;>))

Sep 30, 2010 12:22 PM