A New Year in China

Well here we go again...another roller coaster year for sure

To start it off right, I damn near missed my plane.....was sitting in Air China lobby instead of Air Canada and heard my name over the intercom... Would Darryl Walls please report of gate 53 or your ticket will be revoked....I was at gate 71 and had to hustle my butt to get there...but going through the ticket check was really easy.....but a little panic set in when I wasn't sure how far the gate was......this time the trip seemed to take longer...maybe because the summer was so short....anyway, arrived safe and sound and was able to get through customs and met a couple of people who were also going to CIS.....we booked a van and took all the luggage to the school and was able to get most of my stuff put away and then got ionto the other storage room and finally got all the packages into my apartment......after 2 weeks though it is still a mess as I try to get stuff put away...

A lot has happenend in two more weeks....have put in a full two weeks of school which is going good. Some very strong Math students who definitely will challenege me to keep them sharp....most are the regulars who need to be motivated to get better and they will...already have several who will be s[ending some quality time with me after school to improve......physed will be a challenge as they are under equipped in some areas so to follow the curriculum will be a struggle.....oh well I n=have done much of this before.....

Will try to get some pictures on this if I can figure how to browse on the Apple to get them here....haven't take many so there won't be much new.....that will happen later.

Have been running in the am so that I can be in 1/2 decent shape for the 1/2 marathon on October 21. The full marathon is completed filled so even if I wanted to run it now it is too late......interesting note.....Rosamund told me about the entry fee through the Hashers.....you pay 70 rmb for the 1/2 marathon if you register through a fitness club thaty they know about....but you would pay $50 ( about 400rmb if you registered like I did last year....who makes the money.....???? ... another teacher or two are also running in the 1/2 and a couple of students are doing the fun runassociated with it....I tweaked my ligament in the knee one day so I haven't been as faithful in my dedication this year,,,,

Have been out to a couple of new bars and eating places ...they have a couple of places where you can get a subway sandwich and burgers too.....sort of complement my stuff that I brought from home to keep me patriotic??????

Am trying to finalize the nubers for the golf sets so if you need to put in an order, let me know so that I can confirm with my "dealer" the niumber of sets and maybe get a good deal...

PLayed a hockey practice on Thursday of this week and will also play a game tonight at a bout 9. You play every week end and there is a tournament next weekend with 4 out of Beijing teams.....so that could be exhausting......we play Friday, Saturday and Sunday...it costs about 3000 rmb (apout $450 ) for the full year......I think I am in the middle of the pack...some can skate better and I am certainly not the worst....maybe one of the oldest though....

Today, Sunday, also, I played a round of golf with Fred Savoy who is an excellent golfer. We played in a tourney...there is one just about everuy sSunday at various location around Beijing......shot 108...not too good but did a 50 on the back 9 or I think it was there D set of 9...4 sets of 9 holes....but I did win a bottle of wine for being closest to the pin on one of the holes....funny thing is Fred also won a prize for being closest to the pin on another hole.....we had a good time and the weather was good.....smog but ok for Beijing...Fred said he will come to the srtore to help me select the good clubs for everyone...that's good....we had a driver pick us up at the door and bring us back...talk about spoiled...plus you have caddies who go find all your lost balls and place the ball on the green with the proper angle to the pin...all you have to do is guess the weight......and I am not much good at that...I did par my quota of 4 holes.....will probably do it again a few times...Fred is a great guy to golf with....

Interesting thing on a morning fun....caught up to a man who had four legs sticking up out of his three wheeled bike with the pick up like box on the back...sticking out of eaach corner was the leg of the pig that l;ooked like it had bee slaughtered that morning and he was pedalling it to his butcher shop in the supermarket just a few 100 metres ahead....I don't know how far he had cycled it but I don't think you are allowed to keep them in Beijing...this was at six am...also on the same run a lady ( in the middle of Beijing) was feeding her 10-12 chickens on the bottom level flat that she look likde she inhabited...am gonna try to get one of those three wheeled bikes.....Rider logo it too......

Bought a very expensive camera...one of my few indulgences....and haven't learned how to operate it fully....that's a joke ...even 1/100 ly......but can take pictures and am able to phone people....but haven't found out how to use the GPS, mp3 player,bar code reading, internet access, the ring tones even...but will use this year to become literate...in a pig's ear....but do have the technology...

Have done very little shopping so far but will start to soon...need to get my Christmas shooping done as it takes a while on the slow boat from China.....takes a few days getting used to the different school and the routines...rode my bike in from Tuan Li ..so now have my wheels for around here.... and that is good...I can bget groceries and do shopping and bar viewing....took 3 pictures of Sask over to get framed...cost about $13...will hang them in my apartment....

Have confirmed my trip to the Philippines....with the crew here for first week in October....not sure what to expect but will be able to R and R I believe....Blaine and Sandra Barnstable are coming over to Hong Kong for Christmas so will see if I can swing around there....it is supposed to be an intyeresting place to visit.....we'll see...

My apartment overlooks a park...sort of.....right now, there is a large building being constructed and there is alot of action there most days....further away is Chaoyang park and I believe it is one of the biggest in the city...it costs you 5 rmb to get in and one of these days I am going to take a stroll through it...maybe even get a month pass and uyse it as a place to jog....

Great news....I got 8 sets of tickets to the games here......Vball, softball, wrestling and soccer...and there is a chance for more....as they will be haviing another round of purchases in October...so I could get a few more....missed on the Tand F and the opening ceremonies but got most of what I wanted....

Well .....can't get any new photos on my blog so I will just keep my new grandaughter and my other two grandchildren with the old fart in the wheat field ...hope the new school year is going well and will try to keep you informed about life in the BIGS....

Over and out from the Saskatchewan connection.....go Riders....I have sliongbox and can watch them from here..... cool...thanks to Mark

Darryl

In Canada

Back in Canada

The trip back was unezciting excepty that I left 2 days early and had a 4 hour delay which meant that I was not able to see my sister at a stopover in Calgary,,,such is life ...I still arrived in Regina at the same time on Moday night...J and Doug and Kenzie (all decked out in Fider green) were there to greet me...what a cutie she is......well Kenzie too.....caught ya

I will try to put on some photos here as I got a new N95 Nokia phone...a very discrete purchase,,,it is a cell phone/camera/mp3 player/video player/movie player/gps system/bar code reader/internet access device/pretty well too much for me.....but I have been able to take pictures and hope to put them on here.....just when I thought things might get easier....yaaaah right....also took the Apple computer to try and get used to it.....strike two....

Spent several days at Jennifers...helped install a wood floor in the baby's room, hallway, and front room. by the time I leave we hope to have the other two bedrooms done upstairs....it looks good and is not that difficult to install...Doug and I went for a game of golf,,,not good,,,108....them damn new Pings aren't much good...they were supposed to improve my game...but it was fun and that's the main idea...spent some time with J as well.....we went to a Riders game....and to Craven Country Jamboree.....saw Big and Rich, Carrie Underwood, Gretchen Wilson, and Reba McIntyre....she didn't sing The Greatest man I never Knew but she was the best of the group...had to get some shots for the trip back to China as well as clear up some administrivia...I even ordered some equipment for the school over there but it turns out I may have to carry it with me,,,,I will find out tomorrow 2007/08/02.....as you can see I am writing this long after I left Beijing...still driving my Civic...with about 640,000 kilometres on it...hasn't missed a beat.....went to a barbecue with a couple of Zone 3 people.....Brenda and Scott and their spouses.....spent a day working with Jack on Nicks new house in Moose Jaw....It will be some house too

Went to Chaplin and stayed with Mom..insisted that she wear her hearing aid or I wouldn't talk to her.....she is 91 and Clarence is 85.....they are starting to show some age.....no, really...did some work around the garden for mom....took Clarence in to see a doctor...got my teeth checked in Moose Jaw one day....met up with Troy Wistand went golfing at Elbow....now get this...shot a 93...saw Norm Paproski and Marlene...he is looking good.....has to go to Edmonton about every 3 to 4 weeks to have some minor surgery......He came back the next day and played a round with us...Also Darcy Huyghegaert was playing and Mel Friesen came up to renew some acquaintances...was really good to see them all....

Stopped in Herbert on the way to Medicine Hat to have my Pin number changed and to do some business...left my wallet at the Credit Union and they had to send it by mail to Mark....oh yeah, he now lives in Redcliff..and yeah I may be suffering from Alzheimers....

Mark and Tammy have moved into a moved on house in Redcliff....there is some work to be done on the place but as Mark says any improvements will just increase the value....Jaxon and Jada have grown....duhhhh....I don't think either recognized me at first..... Jada for sure....but we did have some good conversations....flew their Chinese kites and yes they did fly....Gave Tammy her purses and she was quite happy with them...Mark and I got a chance to golf on Friday, in the afternoon...it was quite hot....I was able to spank him with some good golf...most of the time I was on the greens in regulation....no I am not getting that good but I did shoot a 90..... and if I had been putting, I would have had my best round ever,,,as it was, he still has yet to beat his old man..... .I think I will be getting some orders for some more stuff before I go...Darryl Wist wants a Dragon hat and they are easy to get....not much bargaiining for those.....Spent a couple of days there,,,,Jaxon's birthday was on the 26th but they had the party on the Saturday...he was having a good time opening the gifts....like always.....also took Merle Davies out for a dinner and dance (her birthday is on the 29th).....we went to a place called Ralph's....great food and the dance after had live entertainment....but funny thing...when they had canned music .....I think more people were dancing...and when they put on a medley of CCR, the dance floor was packed.....the next night I went to the Medicine Hat Stamped grounds just to see what was there...stayed until about midnight ...watched a hypnotist...it was quite funny...had some of those mini donuts...it is kind of a tradition to buy some...

Left Marks on Sunday and drove to Black Diamond to see Janet and Tony.....got there at about 2:15 and had a very good visit....Steve and Shelly ane Nolan and Keslin came to visit too...the kids have grown...Nolan's into basketball and Keslin will be my jewellry and purse representative here in Canada ...we had some good laughs and they were quite interested in China...they are planning a trip to Disneyland and Kes was trying to convert them to China...had a terrific meal....along with the Smirnoff Twisteds....new flavour in Canada now...Arctic Berry...I think I will be taking many back if possible....

Jan and I spent Monday just shopping around....found a couple of things I wanted....will be buying a pair of cowboy boots... and I need a new hockey bag.....yes I will retire that old Marine's bag...but it is not because it was worn out.....I just want the extra room to take back some food to China....as well as some hockey equipment....Tony made arrangements for golf the next day and we did the front 9 on Tuesday...I birdied one hole and parred 3 others but had a bad 7 on the first hole...don't recall the score but I was pleased with my game......today, August 1, I rested.....I put a lot of music on the computer with hopes that I will soon learn how to put them on my phone so that I can listen to music on it as well....I now have about 400 on the computer....many of them being Mark's as he put a lot on when I was in Redcliff...

It has been interesting so far.....Janet and I are going to Prince Albert on Friday to visit my dad's sister...she is the last of the family and we would like to see if she has any old photographs of dad perhaps whe he was young....also we will go and see some of our relatives and make some ties with them....A lady from her, a spunky 70 year old, is coming as well to visit her mother in Rosetown, I think....I am finished ....it is about 12:30 and I am in bed doing this so it is time for me to hit the hay...I will try to get some pictures on this ....I shall return

No pictures..I will add them when I find out how to put them on....and then I will devote one blog to that..

Had a very interesting time at PA...saw a lot of old friends and relatives....Jan and I arrived on Friday night and it was Fair days....there were no rooms available except the Safari Room at the Comfort Inn...so we stayed....it had a spa and some neat furnishings including a couple of wooden lions....the bed was huge so Jan and i slept in the same bed....very funny....I slept with my sister......hillbilly??? very funny...I could say I slept with a cougar...we had a good laugh over that.....then had a good time on the Saturday driving around the old neighbourhood...memories.... saw Auntie Fran.....went to Melfort to see Auntie Shirley...she had a bout with cancer but is recovering well.....then Janet and I went to the Casino when we returned to PA...she won about $250 ....not a bad return....

Next day we saw Auntie Lila and her son and daughter and son in law.....she may have some pictures of Dad so her son will be looking for them and if he finds them he said he would send them on..... spent several hours with them......then had an evening dinner at Boston's Pizza with 17 relatives.....really laughed and had a good time

Came back home on Monday....stopped in Milden to pick up Janet's friend and then stopped in Rosetown to visit Blaine Barnstable....Ryan was there and he is teaching in Hong Kong....Blaine and 'sandra are toing to Hong Kong at Christmas...so maybe that will be something I can do then....

Long drive back...but we made tood time.......decided to leave the next morning....all the way back to Regina....was able to do the rest of the rooms for Jennifer....hope to finish the rest on Saturday before I leave

Spent the couple of days there and then came back to Mom's and worked on our house....fixed the air to air exchanger...but not without some problems....also the dryer and also fixed several boards on the back deck and front porch.....Nieces Leeann and Leslie McNabb and Ayla came from Nanaimo to visit....stopped at Janet's and then came to see Mom for a couple of days...we had a great visit.....lots of laughs and caught up on the news from the west coast......exchanged some blog info, some pictures, internet addresses and laughs.....we both left on Friday the 17th....it was difficult to say good bye to Mom....she is beginning to show the siugns of old age...she likes to sleep in a lot....hey that is me too...Clearence too

Had a round of golf with Jack and Peter....lost again....that course eats me up...but had a great time just shooing the breeze and we found 171 golf balls....as Peter says, shows you where we golf....in the sage or fhe bushes

Said good bye to Renee, then went to Moose Jaw to see Jack and Nick and Paulette...they are going to have one fantastic house...I worked on it two days ...it was fun to be able to pitch in

Am at Jennifer's now (Friday )and will publish this blog ...I leave on Sunday at 9:00 and get to Vancouver at 10:20 then leave for Beijing at 12:30......arrive there at 14:50 the next day

The adventure continues.......stay tuned