study tour

[Anonymous]

Lois I got the Eyewitness book today but have not opened it yet because I have been fascinated with all the websites everyone have suggested. I am really excited for our adventure just like you said you are!! Can't wait. I was discussing the Great Wall and Empperor Qin Shi Huang Di wih my kids today and I can't believe I will actually see his tomb and the Great Wall. I need loads of film and a way to rechcarge my digital camera. Any ideas about that anyone.

Cathy

[Anonymous]

I have been reading everyone's comments and I feel frustrated because I still can not put a face to many names. I would like for everyone to reintroduce themselves on Sat so I can feel like I at least know everyone's name. We need to get together in a social atmosphere before we share this adventure Does anyone else feel this way.

Cathy

[Anonymous]

Cathy:
I 100% agree with you. I think I know less than half of the names. However, everyone knows Alex and me. That's the advantage of being the only guys!

Louis

[Anonymous]

Totally agree...we could all try to meet up for brunch on Sunday... or perhaps we could set a date for the next week and do a dinner ...next Wednesday??? I am happy to put the detials together and get the info to everyone, just post back and let me know the best days for you all!
Much love
Kristen

[Anonymous]

Jayme,
That sounds like a great book, can you bring it on Saturday for us to look at...I really want to gain a greater understanding of the cultural aspects associated with China. I think this will only help me connecting to some of my studnets and their parents who have just moved to the United States.
Have a great day everyone!
Kristen

[Anonymous]

I definitely would love the repeated introductions. I know Alex & Louis I'm afraid I probably won't be able to make it to extra social events, as my calendar with 6 classes & 2 young children doesn't really allow for much extra time. Maybe we could give a little information about ourselves online for those who can't make it to the social event?

Malynn Hogan
Miraleste Intermediate
6th grade social studies, 7th grade math
11th year in PVPUSD

Family: I have 2 young children - Shioka is almost 5 and entering kindergarten at Mira Catalina in September. Kosei (boy) is 3 and at Montessori preschool in RPV

Favorite movie: Matrix
Favorite book: To Kill a Mockingbird
Hobbies: Karate (just started), reading, dancing
Previous Travel destinations: Japan, China, Equador, Western/Southern Europe
Most Looking Forward to: Hearing insider stories about China, Seeing the Terra Cotta Warriors, Walking the Great Wall

[Anonymous]

Maylnn,
I think you have a great idea! I will continue with our intros via the web...So here it goes!

My name is Kristen Clement

I teach 9th/10th grade World History H and the 9th grade English H/World History H block at PVHS
This is my second year teaching and my 4th year working at PVHS - prior to getting my degree I worked as a Special Education Aide for 2 years. I have loved watching the school grow and feel so fortunate to work in such a great district and with such an awesome staff here at PVHS!

I also have the "glorious" job of being the Cheerleading coach at PVHS...I say it is "glorious" because I have a love/hate relationship with this job...I love the kids but, the amount of time it takes is just tremendous!

Where I live: I live in Hermosa Beach - not married and I don't have any children
My favorite movie : I just saw the movie Crash and absolutely loved it, I am also a big Walk the Line fan right now!
My favorite book: humm...this would have to be Kite Runner - I just loved the story and thought it was so beautiful
Hobbies: outside of school ( is there life outside of school??..Just kidding) I really love running and I am trying to become a better cook so that is a hobby as of right now also!
Past Travel Experience: I lived in Sweden for 6 months in college, France, England, Spain, Italy, Hungary, Austria, Denmark,
China:- Oh my goodness there are so so so many things I am excited about ...the Great Wall and Tarra Cotta Solders are on the top of the list ...but honestly just the experience of even walking down the streets makes me excited!

Can't wait to get to know you all a bit better! Have a great day!
Much love
Kristen

[Anonymous]

Background info:

I teach AP Government, regular government and I have one 11th grade US History class at PV High. This is my first year at PV High. Before that, I worked for 9 years for Torrance Unified including 7 years as a social science/computer tech teacher at North High.

Before teaching, I worked in tax law. (zzz zzz) I have a MBA from LMU and a JD from Whittier College. I still dabble in the law...I have had my lawyer's license since 1993.

I live in Torrance, (trying to move but can't afford a bigger house). I have been married for 13 1/2 years and I have two cute little daughters that will be hard to leave for 12 days. Kaylie is 2 and 1/2 years and Mia is now 9 months. You can kind of see them in the tiny pic I added to my name for this site.

I have dual US/UK citizenship, but I only travel with a US passport. My parents moved to California from London in the 1950s and I was born in Redondo Beach.

Favorite movie: I love movies. It's so hard to name one.....but I really, really enjoyed the Lord of Rings movies because I loved the books so much when I was a kid.
Favorite Book: Lord of the Rings I've read the books at least a dozen times over the last 25 years.
Hobbies: I used to have hobbies, now I have kids. Actually, I love computer video games. I play in a "clan" with some other old geeks and a few former students. I also love photography and geneanolgy. I have been able to trace back my family roots to the 1500s. I used to ski often, but I haven't had a chance to do that lately.
Previous travel: A lot. I've been all over Europe, from Spain to Russia I spent a month traveling throughout England and Scotland a few years ago. I've been to Australia, Japan, Fiji, Tahiti and the Cook Islands in the last few years. I've also been to Singapore, Malayasia, Bali, Thailand, Hong Kong and Taiwan back in the late '80s. I also have been all around Canada and Mexico. I spent one day in China in 1989....I can't wait to see more!

China: I want to see how China is becoming a superpower with my own eyes. I also can't wait to run along the Great Wall and to get a look at the Forbidden City.

Louis

[Anonymous]

|
Ok I will join the group...
I am Cathy Rieder and I am the "sage" (becasue I am so old) of my school. I have
lived in Palos Verdes since I was in 6th grade. I attended Miraleste Elementary
School, Dapplegray, PV High as a freshman. I was moved to Rolling Hills as a
sophomore and was in the second graduating class. I then graduated from UCLA in
history. I returned to PV and have been teaching here for 32 years. I taught 3rd
grade at Mira Catalina for five years and then got married in 1977 and taught at
Margate one year. Then I was moved to Ridgecrest where I taught until
cosolidation. I moved to Miraleste and now I am back at Ridgecrest where I
teach 6 & 7th grade social studies.

My son is a senior at Peninsula and in the marching band and jazz band. He plays
the tuba and tenor sax. My daughter graduated from U of Washington and she is
now living at home while attending Loyola. She is getting her credential in
English and her masters. She would love to be a drama teacher. She subs alot in PV especially for me because it seems I am always at some kind ofmeeting,
especially BTSA which I am really involved in. My husband is an attorney in
Torrance and specializes in estate planning.

If I had any free time I love to read. I am in a book club. I love to walkand
run on the cliffs.I love to spend time with my family. I love movies. I thought
Broke Back Mountain was really an important and interesting film. I haven't read
many books lately because I have been reading about China and Japan.

I have always dreamed of going to China and can't believe it is happening.
Mykids are planning presentations as I write this on Qin Shi Huang Di, first
emperor of China. I can't believe I will see his tomb and the wall he
started building. I want to share all of this with my students. They are so excited.

I can't wait until our "fine adventure" together.

Cathy Rieder
[Edit by="crieder on Mar 14, 7:59:10 PM"][/Edit]

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for your interesting posts that include more personal information. So here it goes...again!

My name is Edessa Foster and for the past 4 years have been teaching 7th grade World History at PVIS. I started out teaching special ed. (severely and learning handicapped) for about 13 years in LAUSD, RBUSD and PVPUSD. During the summer (and for the past 21yrs) I work as a lifeguard and junior lifeguard instructor on south bay beaches.
I have been married to a fellow UCLA grade for 18 years and have a 13 year old son who will attend our home school PVHS next year.
My life is rather hectic right now as I am asst. coach of swimming at PVHS, PVIS Booster Club pres, and Boy Scout merit badge coordinator.
In my free time I enjoy going for walks, runs (although I'm really bad at it), bike rides, paddling, and reading and to some degree yard work.
I don't really have a favorite movie although I enjoy watching them at home. I am reading Collapse by Jared Diamond.
I love to travel but don't seem to do alot of it lately. I lived in Belgium and traveled throughout Western Europe, and have also traveled to Micronesia, Melanesia, South Pacific, and Central America. Lately we seem to go to Hawaii yearly and to Mammoth skiing. Our summer trips are usually spent hiking, kayaking and camping in the Western US.
At first I was very tentative about traveling to China, but as we are getting closer to the date I am getting more excited and believe that our week will not be long enough. It will be amazing to see the Forbidden City, Great Wall and Terra Cotta soldiers. I hope that we can go to museums. I would like to see that huge dam that is being built there. It would have been neat to go to Japan and Korea as well. I need to learn how to work our camera because my son and husband are usually in charge of the pictures.
Looking forward to traveling and getting to know more of you much better!!!

[Anonymous]

I am glad we are doing this.

My name is Barbara Brown. I am in my 4th year at Lunada Bay where I teach Special Education - I'm a RS and I have a pacing class. I started the pacing class last year, and it has been very successful. Most of my students are 4th and 5th graders, but I also work with a few in K - 2. Before PV, I lived in Ridgecrest and Bishop which are both on the way to Mammoth. I teach Language Arts, Math, and Social Studies.

I have three children, my oldest two still live in Bishop (Karina, the oldest is having a baby this week - she promised it would happen before we leave!). Karina has two other children who are so special to me. My son lives in Bishop too. My baby, Heather, is a special ed aide at Montemalaga. She claims to really like it.

I do like to read and see movies when I have the time, but time is just something I don't seem to have any of. I think I read the most when I am off backpacking. Last summer I hiked my longest hike - it was just over 200 miles. I completed the John Muir trail in 17 days. Usually, I stick to around a 50 mile trip each summer.

I haven't left the US very often; my trip to the Philippines in the late 70's was a highlight. It was like a study tour/peace core thing. We stayed with locals, visited hospitals and clinics, and handed out treats in the barrios. It was exciting, but so long ago.

I can't pick one or two things that I really want to see while in China. I want to experience it ALL! Every time a reference is made in a book I am reading, I want to go there. I hope to try all the fruits and feel the silk.

Almost every night I turn on channel 131 (CCTV9). It is Beijing TV. I like to watch "Around China" and "Dialogue". "Around China" is like a mini documentary/travel/info show. It can be viewed on line too. "Dialogue" is more of a talk show that discusses current issues. Last night, they were discussing the increase of plastic surgery and women. Quite interesting.

Most of all, I want to say that I am very happy to be traveling with all of you. I know we are going to have a fun, educational, and fantastic time. I am glad to part of our group.

Happy Traveling,
Barb

[Anonymous]

Hello everyone... Here's some info about me.

Background:
I teach 11th grade English at PV High. I only started with PV High this September but am loving every minute (well, maybe every minute except for WASC ;-). Seriously, I've been so impressed with the friendliness and enthusiasm of the teachers here as well as the administrative staff. It's a great place to work... in fact, it makes it less like work and more like purpose-driven fun.

Before teaching at PV High, I taught for 1 1/2 years in New Jersey. It was a low-income and high-risk area. My students were great, but the administration and security left a lot to be desired. It wasn't a safe nor productive school. I'm saddened by the inequality of public education.

Before teaching in general.... I worked in advertising for 5 years and before that was a film director for 3 years. Both careers were fun, but I find teaching more satisfying. 🙂

I live in Hermosa Beach and love it!

Favorite movie: ?? I love so many it's hard to say. I Heart Huckabees is a hoot. And, What the Bleep Do We Know Anyway is awe-some!

Previous travel: Every country in Europe, Britain, Japan, Hong Kong, 1 day in China, South Africa, and Carribean.

China: It still doesn't seem real... I guess I won't believe it until I set foot in Bejing and see it for myself! But, I can't wait and am very happy and excited to be taking this trip with you fellow excited teachers. Thanks for being so impressive -- your energy inspires me.

-Cindy Damon

[Anonymous]

Hi everyone,

I just read this article and thought it would be great to share. It is called,

Practical Tips on Doing Business in China
By James Chan, Ph.D.
President

It includes all types of things, like not giving a green hat to a man (means his wife is unfaithful) and wearing too much white clothing (it means mourning).

Very interesting and worth the read.

Barb

http://www.gattiassociates.com/CM/Articles/Articles1253.asp

[Anonymous]

Jersey, huh? I went to Wildwood and then Atlantic City once. Good times.

I was born in Idaho. Near Canada. My wife and I met at the University of Idaho. I was finishing my M.S. in Econ and she was getting a 2nd Bachelor's. Her first was in Chinese Literature and her 2nd was Office Administration. My wife's name is Narumi.

After graduation, she got a job in Mississippi. We got married there and then moved to California. We figured it was halfway between Idaho and Tokyo. We just had our first baby in October. Our son's name is Nike.

My travel experience is 19 European countries, 30+ US states (including HI and AK), Mexico, Canada, and Japan.

I'm looking forward to this trip. Seeyas at the airport.
alex :~

[clay dube]

This repeats what we've said several times over the past weeks. Please note, however, that the website does offer excellent ideas on staying healthy while traveling.

The US Centers for Disease Control maintains websites with recommendations for travelers. The East Asia page is at (and you can make your own links "hot" as well by clicking on the "link" image in the editing bar and typing the link in there):

http://www.cdc.gov/travel/eastasia.htm

CDC offers the following recommended vaccinations:
Hepatitis A (immune globulin)
This is the only vaccination I routinely get.

As warranted:
Hepatitis B
Japanese encephalitis
Malaria
Rabies
Typhoid
Tetanus-diptheria and measles booster

Given our itinerary, I think that you may wish to get a typhoid shot and to check on your tetanus-diptheria/measles status. If we were to stay longer and spend a lot of time in rural areas, I might also recommend Hepatitis B and encephalitis vaccinations, but we'll be on a fairly well-beaten path.

The page gives information on many other issues. Please visit it.

[Author]

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