You've Got a Friend In Me

Though the world may seem big and lonely at times, as long as you have that one special friend, that's all that really matters in life.

"You've Got a Friend In Me" taken on July 30, 2008 in a Hutong near the Forbidden City (Beijing, China)

Illumination

I feel like this picture represents my Chinese language experience so far - dark, uncertain, but with bouts of intrigue, illumination, and self reflection.

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel - but I'm not quite there yet.

"Illumination" taken on Saturday, July 26, 2008 at Bei Hai Gong Yuan (Beijing, China).

The Egg Keeper

Yes! Itzhak Perlman, perhaps one of the most distinguished violinists of our time, will be coming to Beijing, China in early September. He'll be playing at the National Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets have not yet been released but I am absolutely DYING to go - regardless of the price.

Today's picture: "The Egg Keeper". (Taken on July 12, 2008; Beijing, China)
China's National Center for the Performing Arts (aka: 'The Egg') at dusk. This glass and titanium ellipsoid dome was designed by French architect Paul Andreu and seats 6,500 people in three halls.

Labyrinth

Today's picture, which I have titled "Labyrinth", is symbolic of what I am feeling right now. As Plato has so eloquently summed up in Euthydemus:

At last we came to the kingly art, and inquired whether that gave and caused happiness, and then we got into a labyrinth, and when we thought we were at the end, we came out again at the beginning, having still to seek as much as ever.


[Photo taken on July 19, 2008; XuanWu District, Beijing, China]

Weathered Soles

Dear Friends and Family,

Welcome to my first blog ever! Yay!

I've finally given in to "blogging" after being opposed to it for many years. Let's just say that I've come to realize the many benefits of keeping an online newsletter/journal.

This blog attempts to chronicle my experiences abroad through photography. I'll try to update as much as possible, but my current work load makes this quite challenging.

My first picture, "weathered soles", was taken yesterday (July 19, 2008) whilst walking around some hutongs in Beijing's Xuan Wu District.

Please feel free to leave comments/critiques/questions/concerns.

-Genevieve