China and Malaysia

This month I had the chance to travel to both China and Malaysia, so I figure I ought to write about both experiences.

First, Ben and I decided to go to China for a few days over my term break because he's wanted to go back since he left and I've always wanted to see China, especially since knowing Ben and hearing him talk about it so passionately. We decided to go to Beijing because I really wanted to see the Great Wall and I figured I saw Stonehenge this year, why not add another Wonder to my list?

We were only able to go for four days, but I think it was good because it made sure that we didn't just spend the whole time sleeping, which honestly is how I would have enjoyed spending my time because the work load here in Singapore for teachers varies from inhumanly psychotic to even more inhuman.

Being in Beijing was a very interesting experience for me and it sort of showed me just how not badass I've been in living in Singapore. Singapore has some of the culture, for sure, but it's simply not as incredibly different as it is in China. The challenge for me in being there was both that I don't speak the language and had to rely on Ben, that the culture is so different that I found it sometimes frustrating and that I had quit smoking two weeks before hand so I was already prone to fits of frustration. All that being said, Ben handled it like a champ and we got the chance to eat some fantastic meals and see some beautiful sights.

We went to the Forbidden City, which was the Emperor's Palace back in the Dynasty days and it is huge and beautiful. March is a bit of a crappy time to go I think because the beauty of the gardens is somewhat lessened by crappy weather. That being said, it's good climbing the Great Wall weather because it's not too hot, I don't want to imagine what that would be like in the sweltering sun.

It was a short trip but I did enjoy it and I'm glad to be able to say that I've been to China. I can't say I completely get what all the fuss is about that Ben is so in love with, partially because the culture and language are so different, but the nice thing is that I do notice my comprehension of Mandarin increases every week with me learning a few new words that I can at least identify while people are talking.

Then it was back to Singapore for about a day and off on a two day, one night learning journey with my students to Malaysia. I found the trip really interesting, we went to plantations to see where crops like rubber, pineapple, rice, palm oil and coffee are grown as well as touring Melaka and learning about this incredibly historic city that has been ruled by the Portuguese, Dutch and English leading to some really interesting combinations of food, culture and architecture.

Now it is back to school and more insane work. My contract ends in June which is starting to be really soon and I am working with a few agencies in the UK on finding a drama teaching job to start either in January or September. Depending on what happens with that I am going to see what I can negotiate with the MOE here in terms of extending my contract to finish out the school year in Singapore, or have to leave when it ends.

Either way, I am fairly certain my next step will be living in England, even if only for a short while. I'm not sure still where Ben will be going but it will probably be Canada or China and I'll have to sort out what I do next with that in mind. However, since I was a young girl I've always wanted to live in England and I think it would be a true disservice to myself if I didn't take up that opportunity now while it's so ripe before I come back home or go for a new adventure somewhere else.

If you want to see my pictures from China and Malaysia, there are in my photobucket account, which you can access here:

http://s1105.photobucket.com/albums/h343/Bea_Jolley/Facebook/Beijing%202012/

http://s1105.photobucket.com/albums/h343/Bea_Jolley/Facebook/Learning%20Journey%20Malaysia%202012/