Ruth
SuperDuperMegaBarfly 
God's provisions are strategically placed along the path of your obedience.
Posts: 3,915
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Post by Ruth on May 8, 2005 15:18:42 GMT 7
I don't know if Buckleys is a strictly Canadian invention or not. I didn't find it anywhere I lived in the States and I lived in four different ones. It is, however, the most vile tasting stuff that anyone would willingly put into his or her mouth - but one does, because it is the best out there, by far.
I thought of something else, Millana. You mentioned hitting the Dollar Stores. Great idea. I got 16 different kinds of key rings last summer - all with some sort of Canadian logo on them. We had 20 teachers to bring back gifts for and they almost all got different ones. Pencils, erasers, rulers, etc with the Canadian flag on them are available at the Dollar Store.
Buy posterboard - 2 for $1. I can't find it anywhere in this country. It's great for making your own Bingo cards or flash cards, etc.
Hit the tourist info places and pick up as many colored brochures as you can. Great for teaching and showing people about your home country.
I got lots of free picture menus from restaurants just by saying, "I teach English in China and it would be really wonderful if I could have a copy to take back with me to show the students western food..."
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Post by George61 on May 8, 2005 15:26:09 GMT 7
Ha! Lessons are the least of your worries. You will be trying to lug all the above stuff around. You won't have time for lessons. I came over here with a bunch of clothes, a packet of Bandaids, and a diary to write in every day.
My clothes have been replaced with Chinese replicas, I have used half a dozen Bandaids, and the diary was never touched.
Travel light!!
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Post by Jollyjunklass on May 8, 2005 16:03:55 GMT 7
i am almost thinking of bringing no clothes at all. you know, like starting a new trend, nudist colony.
Seriously though, I will bring only a few things to wear. I've been keeping my eyes open Ruth, with Canada day coming up, the dollar stores are packed with Canadian junk. I just wasn't sure what type of things to grab. The other day I saw some Asian guy with, literally, a cart packed to the top with Canadian souveniers. I asked him what he was going to do with it all, but, he couldn't speak english.
He had a lot of pens and pecils because, I guess, there were 3 in each pack. They have superballs that are kinda cool, not too heavy. also hacky sac balls, 2 in each pack But key chains, pendants and stickers looked to be the lightest of everything. And they also had some key chains that were pretty nice, not too tacky. Are people sick of key chains though? There is one keychain with the Canadian flag on that looked quite expensive. Oh yeah, they also had patches of the flag and journals, what do you think?
Because I am such a craft freak, I have bristol board and card paper coming out of my ass. lol. I know you like that word. I have a paper cutter which can cut it into fours. Although, I was going to try to concentrate more on bringing computer papers, photopaper, sticker paper, and card paper. I have a lot of it and am worried about the expense of it over there. I pretty good with adobe illustrator and can create my own Canaadian stuff for the kids, if I get kids. Believe it or not, the dollar store just started getting in computerr photopaper and I can't tell the difference between it and kodak, which costs $15.00 a pkg. Also certain med type things, like rolaids.
I am going to bring a yrs. supply of deodarant, hair dye, spices, a few light games, software, digital camera, ipod, coins and as many small craft knick knacks as possible to create handmade gifts or unique greeting cards. For clothing, all I'm concerned about is my facorite housecoat, pajamas, and wooly sweater, comfort articles. I've started putting some stuff aside. What do you think, would you add anything, take anything away. I think George is right, light as possible. BTW, what is the maximum weight allowance?
Once again, thx for the advice, m
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Post by Jollyjunklass on May 8, 2005 16:08:34 GMT 7
Oh yeah, the dollar store also just got a huge influx of flashcards, i bought quite a few packs. I also bought some real cute sets of flash card looking playing cards with pictures and words to match, fish, old maid, crazy eights, again for kids. Maybe to learn some vocabulary. If I don't get kids, I can just pass them on.
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Post by George61 on May 8, 2005 16:11:17 GMT 7
Millana, we are not a backwoods country here, ya know. We do have computer paper, printer inks, etc I wouldn't bother buying that there, it is much cheaper here.....and it is heavy. Crafty knick-knacks are here too. Don't get too carried away!
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Post by Jollyjunklass on May 8, 2005 16:16:18 GMT 7
Lol, kk George,
It's hard because I have no clue what to expect.
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Post by Lotus Eater on May 8, 2005 16:35:30 GMT 7
George is right - computer and the other papers mentioned are available everywhere, and if you go to the fabric markets you will be stunned at the array of crafty stuff available. I take my crafty friends there and they go nuts over the selections, the buttons, the everything! Where do you think it all gets manufactured? Right here in l'il ol' China. If you are arriving in winter some clothes might be handy - especially if by mistake you find yourself in Heilongjiang instead of Guangzhou. Easy mistake to make until you know the language.  But a week's supply of clothes should work out fine, then you can hit the tailor and have the most extensive, individualised wardrobe in the world for stuff all money.  |
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Post by Jollyjunklass on May 8, 2005 17:18:24 GMT 7
Lol, ok Lotus, now your really scaring me!!
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Ruth
SuperDuperMegaBarfly
God's provisions are strategically placed along the path of your obedience.
Posts: 3,915
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Post by Ruth on Mar 30, 2006 9:39:10 GMT 7
Bringing this thread back to the top of the page so those folks still "over there" can peruse it for ideas.
I just re-read all four pages. Lots of good advice here.
Eagle - BRING BUCKLEYS. Hope you don't need it, but bet you will until your throat gets used to the pollution and new germs you will encounter.
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Post by DollyODear on Mar 30, 2006 12:03:38 GMT 7
what a great list here. I love it: all the way across the world and only bring a week's worth of clothes -- life is good. I am also bringing bee pollen -- used to get sick everytime I changed locations (was sick for a month when I moved to LA -- sick another month when I moved back to the midwest) but bee pollen is what I swear by now -- good immune system builder, or a hell of a placebo, take yer pick. since books are the only real weight I am bringing, I will be taking a limited number of special requests from those who will be in Suzhou over the holidays -- if you have a hankering or need something really badly let me know and I will tuck it in for you. Requests that are lewd, dangerous or too expensive will be politely shoved up the sender's mailbox, and I mean that in all the best ways.  If you just gotta have something PM me and I will do my very best.  |
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Post by acjade on Mar 30, 2006 12:19:26 GMT 7
The supermarkets are full of Royal Jelly... bee pollen.
Go with George. Bandaids and a diary. AND BOOKS!!!!!!
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Post by con's fly is open on Mar 30, 2006 18:46:39 GMT 7
What Ruth said: cough syrup for the rough first month. Oh, did anyone mention books?
Oh, seriously, all the likeable music you can jam into your bags, pockets and body cavities.
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Post by Dragonsaver on Mar 30, 2006 19:26:43 GMT 7
Oh, did anyone mention books? Oh, seriously, all the likeable music you can jam into your bags, pockets and body cavities. Except Irish Drinking Songs - Raoul HATES IRISH DRINKING SONGS   |
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Ruth
SuperDuperMegaBarfly
God's provisions are strategically placed along the path of your obedience.
Posts: 3,915
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Post by Ruth on Mar 31, 2006 6:42:01 GMT 7
Hit the used book stores (or relatives attics) and stock up on pocket novels in your favorite genre. They weigh less than hard covers and make great trading at the book swaps we have whenever we meet in real life. I've read quite a variety of books since I've been here - never was much for murder mysteries before, but one reads what's available.
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Post by con's fly is open on Mar 31, 2006 20:01:58 GMT 7
I have actually taken, read and been glad I had Danielle Steele. TIFC.
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Post by George61 on Mar 31, 2006 20:09:23 GMT 7
Been there, done that! What a dreadful thing to confess!!
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Non-Dave
Barfly
Try Not! Do - or Do Not... There Is No Try!
Posts: 701
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Post by Non-Dave on Apr 1, 2006 5:28:06 GMT 7
I'm happy to say I haven't sunk to those depths of despair - yet!
The last 2 posts are possibly the saddest thing I have read since being here in China. Barkeep, a quick round of something cheap and strong for George and Con.
New peeps coming to China. Learn from the mistakes and misfortunes of others - bring books - this could have been you!
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Post by acjade on Apr 1, 2006 5:48:24 GMT 7
I read The Last of the Mohicians. I got so lost... there are entire passages that just wander off to someplace with people completely unrelated to the story. A few of the characters undergo name changes and some characters just disappear. It was a hard slog.
And Harry Potter. Thanks very Much.
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Post by Stil on Apr 1, 2006 7:21:22 GMT 7
Been there, done that! What a dreadful thing to confess!! There is a 12 step program for this. It's a very common problem in East-Asia. The program works on helping you regain your self esteem. Good luck Con and George. With the proper help I'm sure you can pull out of this nightmare. |
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Newbs
SuperDuperBarfly!
If you don't have your parents permission to be on this site, naughty, naughty. But Krusty forgives
Posts: 2,085
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Post by Newbs on Apr 1, 2006 10:19:39 GMT 7
What Stil said. Just look for the nearest branch of "Danielle Steele Anonymous" They're probably in the yellow pages.
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Post by Mr Nobody on Apr 2, 2006 19:45:44 GMT 7
I am very sorry to admit I read the Thorn Birds. Since then, the rellies have been extra good sending decent science fiction and science mags and my skeptics mags, so hopefully I will not sink to the depths that some of you lot seem to have sunk to.
That, and all the stuff I have on the computer, I can manage.
PS. Pratchett's next book comes out soon!
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Post by acjade on Apr 2, 2006 19:49:01 GMT 7
PS. Pratchett's next book comes out soon! BASTARD!!!  |
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Post by Mr Nobody on Apr 2, 2006 19:54:51 GMT 7
Jade, you have 90% of what I have on the computer. I gave it to you on a disk. Amongst the hundreds, over 1000 books, on that disk is a complete run of Pratchett from "The Colour of Magic" to the latest, bar one, over 30 of his books. It only lacks "Thud".
Naturally, I want to spread the good cheer.
OH, yeah, I guess I will bring a couple of copies of this disk to Mayday thingy. Maybe we can buy a box of disks and someone from Suzhou and burn those who want them or something.
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Post by con's fly is open on Apr 2, 2006 21:58:35 GMT 7
Jade, don't feel bad. James Fenimore Cooper is generally accepted to be the worst novellist in American history. Mark Twain devoted an article to tearing him a new one.
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Post by joe on Apr 2, 2006 22:26:55 GMT 7
I haven't read Danielle, but I have fought my way through Cooper. Liked it. Sue me, I worked in a private college.
Nobby, Fred Saberhagen?
I just spent an hour remembering his name. Those Berserker stories made a big impact way back when I had a library to attend.
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