[clay dube]

I must have snapped this between naps.

(It's 800x600, 85% jpg quality.)

[clay dube]

Julia noted KCRW at 89.9 and we should add KPCC at 89.3.

[clay dube]

Here's our group shot at the summer palace.

[clay dube]

Greetings from Beijing -- we just arrived with the Palos Verdes group a couple of hours ago. At this point, the number one tip is pack light. Save space for new found treasures.

The image is nothing special, but it surprises me that the LAX folks haven't learned that they could see ad space on the luggage movers.... Click below to see what awaits you at the Beijing airport.

[clay dube]

Most of the services that offer a web interface (e.g., AOL), should work. It's not a bad idea to have a back up email account should there be some problem accessing your primary account from China.

[clay dube]

It is increasingly the norm to wrap gifts, but in this instance where we're giving local treasures, it is not essential.

[clay dube]

We are compressing months of preparation into weeks. I need to get everyone to complete a liability waiver form PRIOR to letting you board the plane. Please download the attached form. Read it (2 pages of worst case scenarios) and, assuming you do agree to do so, sign and initial where indicated.

-- If you can, fax the form to us on Tuesday: LINDA TRUONG 310-206-3555.

-- If you can't fax the form to us, bring it on Wednesday morning. I'll return your passport when you give me the completed form.

Sorry for the last minute rush on this.

[clay dube]

My name is Clay and I'm also addicted to NPR. I share Nicole's affection for NPR. The recent China series was quite provocative and host Kai Ryssdal's own experience working in China strengthened his reporting immensely.

As it happens, this show is partly funded by the same folks who are funding our trip to China and Japan: the Freeman Foundation. Feel free to include this in the thank you note you should be preparing for them.

[clay dube]

Who knew? I didn't -- a Chinese professional basketball team has been competing in the American Basketball Association this year. Their games have been broadcast back to China to large audiences. They are encountered great cultural differences and have enjoyed some success. Read about the adventure in the 3/22/06 issue of the LA Times:

link

LA Times stories are available for a week without charge (free registration is required).

[clay dube]

Hi Steve and Ana,

I think it's great that you are already discussing China (don't forget about Japan, too!) news. There certainly is a lot of it. Today's LA Times business section has an article on Mexican efforts to attract Chinese tourists.

link

It may be a better idea, though, to take this discussion to the Asia on My Mind or the Asia in the Curriculum forums. No need to limit the discussion to just the study tour folks. Let a broader range of teachers discuss these articles.

[clay dube]

If anyone would like to share a photo, you can "attach" it to your message. Simply click on the "browse" button that appears in the "writing message" screen and select the photo you wish to share. You can upload photos in .jpg or .gif format.

Some have already discovered that you can also have an image appear next to your name with each of your posts. These are called avatars and must be limited to a particular size. You can add an avatar of your own by clicking on the "profile" link near the top of the page. Remember to click on the "update profile" when you are done.

[clay dube]

I recommend staying in touch with folks here in the US by email. You may also call and be called. We'll eventually provide you with hotel phone numbers and addresses, but for now, please note these two resources from timeanddate.com.

What time is it?
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/

How do I call?
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/dialing.html?p2=33

[clay dube]

Hi Folks,
You may wish to provide loved ones and even those unloved ones who might need to reach you with this website:

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/

time and date.com provides current times around the globe and also dialing instructions from here to there:

http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/dialing.html?p2=33

[clay dube]

Hi Folks,
I've attached the rooming list that our travel agent is working with. I know that some will be ecstatic and others will wonder why they couldn't get even one of the people they listed. It's partly just a function of the numbers (if four people list the same two people as their desired roommates, dissatisfaction is inevitable). We're mixing things up halfway through the trip, in part so you can get to know someone else a bit better and in part to stimulate greater discussion in the group at large. If serious problems exist, let me know and we'll see what, if anything can be done.

Having sent the hotels the rooming list should make check-in faster and increase the likelihood that if you will directly receive calls or faxes from California.

By the way, I was hugely disappointed not to have been included on anyone's list.

Friendless in Westwood,
clay

[clay dube]

Hi Folks,
To make things a bit easier on readers, please put all movie-related posts in the "film festival" thread. Thanks!

To see the most recent posts, click on the link to the last page. Up at the right, you can also choose to display posts "most recent to oldest" instead of the "oldest to most recent" format that is the default.

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