Settling In

Shawn and I
hoofing it up the
Great Wall!

Shawn and I have arrived in Beijing! We have been settling into our new life here both at Dragon Bay Villas (our home for now) and the International School of Beijing (the school where I teach). Shawn has been doing some sightseeing and figuring out the lay of the land; he is my subway system sensei.  

So far, my weekdays have been filled with meetings and preparing for school.  ISB (International School of Beijing) is an enormous place with pre-kinder though 12th grade all under one roof.  ISB is smaller than the Ashland School District in student numbers but has at least twice as many employees.  You would not believe the number of people that come through my room daily to clean.  I have 4 teaching partners, all amazingly fun and accomplished women.  I have felt very well supported by these ladies and think this has been the easiest start to any school year yet!  OH YEAH...school started on Friday!!  I only have 14 students....14, compared to my 25 last year.  I'm in teacher heaven...don't even get me started on the iced lattes in the cafeteria, 20 color printers, and full time teaching assistant.  Seriously.   

Drum Tower

On the weekends, Shawn and I have been exploring the city.  Last weekend we went to the Great Wall on Saturday and IKEA on Sunday (I would not recommend IKEA in Beijing on Sunday...not now not ever).  This weekend we went downtown with a couple of other "newbies" (teachers also new at ISB this year) and explored some historic sites: the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, and Hutongs (traditional Chinese neighborhoods).  Today we're being lazy on the couch and prepping for more laziness by the pool later on.  

Shawn and I in the Drum Tower

Both the Bell and Drum
Towers were used to
let residents
know what time it was.

I am really excited to have a venue for being in touch with everyone.  I'm new to this blogging thing, but I think you are able to subscribe to my blog and be alerted when I've updated it.  You can also leave me messages here.  Email is still a great way to be in touch too!

Miss and love you all!

-Laura                           .

   

Shawn and I in a rickshaw taking a Hutong Tour.  Hutongs are traditional Chinese villages in the city.  Most Hutongs have been torn down and replaced by large apartment complexes; however, in an effort to maintain some of the old world culture, the Chinese government is making an effort to upgrade and preserve a few Hutongs, one of which we're in here!