Gearing up for the future

Hey all!

Wei and I just got our "official" picture for the gov't marriage certificate.

 Everyone that gets married has to have this for their certificate book. It looks kinda like a passport book. We will probably go to the bureau of civil affairs some time in the next few weeks to get the certificate. That will make the marriage legal in China. We might do ceremony or a dinner here for her family and friends. Still in discussions though. Also, she is, as I am typing this, booking a flight for us to Xi'an. We are going back up north to visit her parents during the winter holiday/new year. Next year is the year of the bunny. All I can think of is the killer rabbit from Monty Python and the Holy Grail. Run Away!!!!

Well, off to finish the lesson plans for tomorrow.

Later,

Ron

Asian Games and running on the water

Hey guys,

Well, the Asian Games opened last night.

Asian Games opening part 1 on youtube

There were fireworks(China, fireworks, go figure) Huge TVs, a man running on water. Lots of cool stuff.
I could see most of the fireworks from my building. The tower Wei and I went to in the last update was the one with the cool explosions going up it. In one part of the tower video, you can see the people practicing for the opening event.

Also on Thursdayafternoon, when talking to my little brother on SKYPE, I went to get something from the other room. My foot slipped and ran into something. YEAH!!!! Broke my index toe, right foot. Nice purple color.

Well, let me know what's on your mind, or what's going on.

Ron

Little update

Hey guys,

Haven't updated in a while I know. I've been busy with school and getting things done for Wei's b-day that just passed. and school, yes I know I said school. Anyway, Wei had a good birthday, she got a new DVD player, she really needed one, socks, a fish tank with blue glowy fish, and a diamond ring. A couple days ago we went to the new TV tower in Guangzhou, it's the tallest tower in the world at 610M. We went to the top floor and looked around. Sooooooooo many people were in there, but they had to shut down early because of a "VIP". I will link the website that has info about the tower at the bottom of the update. lots of neat info.

I know the song in the video isn't the best match but hey...

Link to the tower information

Update and Music Video

Hey all,

Just thought I'd update a bit. Had my birthday and such, now on a short vacation. I have to teach again next week 2 days and then we're on another week long holiday. Kinda goin through the paces right now. Had some bad news on my birthday. My Aunt Dodie was walking her dogs with my nephews and a niece, when one of the dogs saw a skateboarder. The dog bolted and she couldn't let got fast enough. She fell hard and broke her arm, her jaw, bottom teeth went through her bottom lip, cut her forehead, nice and busted up. If I would have come home instead of staying in China, this wouldn't have happened, I would have been the one walking the dogs. Well, it just started gettin me homesick and wantin to be back in the states. I have friends that just left here from teaching that got to go back to their home in the south. Nice place overlooking the Gulf. UGH! oh well.
I put together a little music video. Please let me know what you think, I'd really like to hear from some people back home. Hope you enjoy. I'm not usually into Country but this song is pretty good. Starts off with  Wei's dad playing violin.

Bad Taxi drivers and good Chinese

Took a taxi home from Wei's house tonight. It usually costs about 35 RMB and 20 min to get home.
TonightI got in a taxi and he saw that I was lao wai, foreign person, and decided to take me for a long ride to my house. After finally arriving, I told him off in Chinese and drew a diagram for him showing that I knew he cheated me. The fare he had on the meter was 55 RMB, I told him it was bull s#%@ and that I was only going to pay what it should be. Being shocked that I knew that much Chinese he agreed to take what was the fair fare.
I hate taxi drivers.

Short and sweet

Taught my first class of this semister. Easy peasy chicken greasy.

A Goatee short

Short film made for the goatee.

That's no treasure... hehe

 

CLIP FROM FAMILY GUY

Vegas Fountains in Xi'an

At the base of the Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi'an they have a huge fountain display. There are signs EVERYWHERE saying not to enter the water. I'll let you see for yourself what the people do.

Kim, Jared, Peggy, John, Justin, and Sydney were with Wei and I this night.

More Vids

This first one is in the Bell Tower in Xi'an.

As you can see, the sign says no photo. This is a video. Nobody in China reads these signs anyway.

Hehe, undercover video. This next one teaches a lesson. If you want to buy something from a street merchant, send a Chinese friend to buy it for you. I went to 3 shops to price out what Wei is buying and all 3 told me 80RMB. I send Wei in and stay far away, so the shopkeep doesn't see me, and she gets a price of 10RMB. If you do not have a Chinese friend/guide, haggle, haggle, haggle, they expect it. Go for 50% of whatever price they first tell you, sometimes 75, and work from there. They look at a foreign person and only see $$$$$$$.

Me shopping for the cloth for my shirt.

This is Wei's uncle cutting the cloth for said shirt.

This is Wei and her mom, aunt and Gramma. I love the end, typical Wei.

For anyone wondering about distance or where I live...

And NO, Wei does not live in the dirt. The Satellite image is from 2007, before her apartment was built.

Leave comments, Follow, Subscribe, whatever.

2 short vids

My folks sent me a Rubik's Cube in a "care" package a few months ago, and I got hooked.
Wei even bought me a 4X4 cube when she was in Xi'an. It takes about 7 min to solve.
I finally got to solving the 3X3 in under 2 minutes.

I also had a "Chinese" shirt made by one of Wei's uncles while we were in Xi'an.

Wicked Goatee Trailer

My little brother has a film "company" and he puts together 10min films. I sent him some stuff and this is what he has created.

Yes, we will be putting together a film sometime soon.

Let me know what you think.

You can also follow the link below to the Wicked Goatee youtube page.

http://www.youtube.com/user/jfitzgerald0805#p/a

Hope you enjoy.

Wei on vacation too...

Wei did a lot too while we were both on vacation.
We went to the bell tower in Xi'an.

another shot from the Terra Cotta site

 

Spending time with friends visiting from Cinci. 

 

Top row John, Wei's dad, Kim

2nd row Peggy, Wei, Sydney, Jared

3rd row Me, Wei's mom, Justin

Wei, her Gramma, Mom, and Aunt

Wei driving her folk's CRV

We both had lots of fun.

Beijing Adventure

Well I'm back. Did a lot of things while on vacation.

Went to Xi'an, Wei's home town. While there I

visited the Terra Cotta Warrior site. When I visited, they were digging up some new statues.

Walked the City wall.

Spent lots of time with Wei's family.

I did a LOT.





In Beijing
I went to Tian'an men Square.

<----------Forbidden Palace







<----------Tian'an men Square









Went to the Great Wall

Shot some video with a film crew from CCTV 7.

Had dinner with some friends. jk

 
I did a LOT, and I have WAY too much Video and Pics to put in one blog. I will add more when it's not 4 in the morning and I just got back from Beijing.
 
Hope this first official Blog is ok. Let me know what you think.
 
Peace out y'all

First post of the Fishman

Well I am finally back from the Summer break and will start posting pisc and vids soon.