China Semester 2009

The China Adventure MOVIE!!

2009-07-10T10:50:00.003-05:00

Here is a movie I made with some footage from my trip to China. =) Enjoy!

Oh No!

2009-07-06T12:37:00.002-05:00

It's been such a long time since I have wrote anything on my blog! I got soooo distracted by life in China I hardly got on the internet at all! I promise when I have more free time that I will be uploading pictures and sharing more stories of my China experience.

I have been reflecting on the experience since I returned on June 21st. I miss all my great friends that I gained by traveling and I definitely miss the tremendous food! I think I learned a lot about myself and others by this experience and I'm so thankful to have been a part of it.

More to come in the future. Sorry for the delay in posts. =)

Walking Around in Spring

2009-05-01T07:02:00.002-05:00

Walking up to the LNU-MSU campus.

Pretty trees. =)

More of the pretty trees.

Chinese campus.

Spiral trees in the park on the way to school. Cats like to hang out there. =P

Logo Contest for College

2009-05-01T06:56:00.002-05:00

There is a logo contest going on at the college right now so I contributed my ideas. =)

I drew his hands backwards. =P

I thought a dragon would be a good symbol for China for some reason? =P

The Eagle for MSU and the dragon for LNU.

Another dragon one.

...More to come...

My Art in China

2009-03-12T05:51:00.003-05:00

Kungfu Girl with Oil Pastels.

Random.

Panda bear for my boyfriend. ^_^

I got a panda bear tattoo!! =D

This is a picture I drew for the Nali coffee shop owner! His name is Jaeho and he makes AMAZING coffee!! This picture is now hanging up in Nali. ^_^

HOPSCOTCH!!

2009-03-12T05:35:00.004-05:00

New York Chinese girl (haha), me, and Aaron (from Boston). Hopscotch is full of Foreigners.

Shani, Megan, and I at Hopscotch!!

Claire (from Dublin) and I.

Hopscotch live music. =)

A less crazy picture of Shani, Megan and I. =P

Good Times

2009-03-12T05:25:00.002-05:00

Dalian.

Megan picking on John in a super market. =P

Me, Rick, and Megan in front of some fish.

John and Joseph in front of those same fish.

Korean food and friends!! Good times!

Friends! ^_^

2009-03-01T08:48:00.002-06:00

The group of Koreans, Chinese, and Americans out to dinner. ^_^

The girls. From left to right: Me, Skyler, Megan, Julia, and Alysse.

Rick, John, and Joseph.

Skyler and I on the bus. The flash was bright on her eyes. =P

Megan, James, and I.

Movie Night!

2009-02-28T00:52:00.003-06:00

Megan and I.

Rick laughing at John because he couldn't work the DVD player.

Megan, me, and Julia! ^_^

Me and John.

From left to right: Me, Megan, Julia, John, Rick, and Joseph. The first movie night crew! =)

More Random Pictures

2009-02-26T10:19:00.002-06:00

Police mobile at Tiananmen Square.

On the way to school.

Also on the way to school.

Cooking rice. ^_^

After I got my haircut. =) On the left is the guy who cut my hair, on the right is the guy who washed my hair. They didn't speak ANY English, but I think my hair turned out alright. ;-) They were pretty cool people.

Random Pictures

2009-02-24T10:48:00.004-06:00

A resteraunt we went to in Beijing. That's Megan. :-P

A rock with hair. This was in a Stone Museum on the way up to the Great Wall. I'm not kidding...this rock really has hair!

Me sweeping the Great Wall. Don't they have cool brooms?

Side fish! Unfortunately they were on display to be eaten...but they were cool anyway.

Robert (our tour guide and good friend), Rick, Megan, and I on the Great Wall.

Tiananmen Square

2009-02-24T10:39:00.002-06:00

Megan and I enjoying Tiananmen Square. :-)

Temple of Heavens

2009-02-24T10:31:00.003-06:00

It had just snowed the day we went to the Temple of Heavens so it was different to see everything covered in snow. Oh yeah...and it was VERY slippery!

My Apartment

2009-02-24T10:24:00.003-06:00

This is my apartment in Dalian. I live just down the road from all the market places and about five minutes away from the school. I got an apartment all to myself too, which is good because it's about the right size for just one person. :-)

Summer Palace

2009-02-20T06:32:00.002-06:00

The Great Wall

2009-02-20T06:05:00.003-06:00

It was a beautifully sunny day to take a hike on the Great Wall.

Hotel Room

2009-02-19T07:54:00.004-06:00

I am currently staying at a 5 star hotel room in Beijing. It's incredible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let me tell you that the pictures do not do it justice.

Chicago Airport

2009-02-18T07:48:00.003-06:00

The Chicago airport had a little bit cooler things to look at than Springfield. I didn't take near as many pictures though because I was carrying way too many heavy things and was worried about eating. :-P We flew to Chicago on a TINY plane and we flew to Beijing on a HUGE plane. :-)

The Springfield Airport

2009-02-18T07:18:00.003-06:00

I was occompanied by my mom, dad, and Trent. There were also "interesting" things to see in Springfield...like random racoons and Andy Williams.

May I See Your Passport and Visa?

2009-02-12T14:36:00.004-06:00

I received my passport and visa in the mail today. That was a big relief seeing as how I have 5 days left until I leave. I'm starting to get so excited! It's actually seeming REAL now. :-P I can almost have an exciting blog where there are PICTURES instead of me rambling on about how excited I am. ;-) I'm almost all set...now I just need to do some laundry and pack my clothes. :-P

Ahhh!

2009-02-09T13:45:00.003-06:00

So...I've been doing the math...it turns out I have 8 days left in the United States and a week left in West Plains. What does one do with herself one week before leaving for 6 months? Any ideas? :-P I'm starting to get pretty excited/nervous/anxious (especially since I have not gotten my Passport and Visa back in the mail yet). :-O

Anyway...8 days everybody! My last day of work at the college is Friday the 13th. :-P

Already February

2009-02-02T14:17:00.002-06:00

Who can believe a month has already passed in the New Year? I know I can't. Mostly I can't believe there are approximately two weeks before I pack my bags and fly across the world for six months. :-P I have a feeling this year is going to fly by just as fast as January did and I can't wait to experience everything that's in store for me! Fifteen days left!

Missouri State University - West Plains

2009-01-26T13:47:00.003-06:00

For those who may find this information appealing, I just wanted to inform you that my blog has been posted on the Missouri State University - West Plains website. You can also look at China Study Abroad information. The link to the school webpage is www.wp.missouristate.edu.

The Date is Set

2009-01-23T15:07:00.002-06:00

I received my itinerary for my plane tickets yesterday. I officially leave the United States on Tuesday February 17 at 6:00 AM. I know, ouch. I will fly out from Springfield, MO to Chicago, IL and then straight to Beijing. Although I am leaving the country on Tuesday, I won't get to China until Wednesday...HORRAY FOR JET LAG! ;-) So there you have it, the date is set in stone.

Dean's List

2009-01-20T14:12:00.003-06:00

I feel pretty good about the way college turned out my first semester and how it's looking for next semester. I made the Dean's List it turns out...so that's pretty cool. Next stop...China!

My Art

2009-01-15T15:07:00.004-06:00

For those who know me they know I love to make art. For anyone interested I wanted to post the page where I upload most of my art so that you may view it on your own time. :-) Here is the link: QuarterLife. I also post my art on my Myspace and Facebook. Thanks!

I Love Google Translator

2009-01-15T14:35:00.004-06:00

我已经从中国的朋友在互联网上。我相信我会赢得朋友，因为每个人似乎都热情好客。我不能等待。

Skype Me!

2009-01-14T15:51:00.005-06:00

If anyone has Skype and would like to chat with me (either video or text chat) while I am in China you can add me. My screen name is tasha.valois. If that doesn't work for some reason my Email is tasha.valois@gmail.com. I hope to hear from you!

My Gargoyle :-P

2009-01-12T22:36:00.007-06:00

This gargoyle was gifted to me by Trent to be with me while I'm in China. I don't really know if I'll have enough room to pack it...but at least I will have it on my blog if not. :-)

Eww...Docters :-(

2009-01-08T15:57:00.004-06:00

As of yesterday I am up to date on all my shots and immunizations needed to leave America. :-) That was a big relief to get out of the way. At this point the fact that I am leaving seems a little more real.

In a little over a month...

2009-01-06T16:31:00.003-06:00

Hello, I'm Tasha and I have some exciting news. In a little over a month I will be leaving for Dalian, China to spend six months studying and working through an internship with MSU. I can't believe the date is coming so quickly! I'm really anxious and kind of nervous. I will miss many people here in Missouri, but at least I'm only going to be gone for a semester. If anyone has any advice for me while I'm over there or for travel recommendations, feel free to let me know! Thanks!