So, here I am in Beijing, China. Paul is here, too, and we are both working construction. Beijing is really a cool city. I wish I had practiced alot more Mandarin before coming here, because I really find myself wishing I could communicate better in some places. In others, we are spoken to in English, so it hardly feels like being a foreigner. I have seen the Great Wall, which was way cooler than I even expected, many steps of different sizes and the hills that it snakes over are so steep. I have also seen Tian'anmen Square and parts of the Forbidden City. Very cool! Cabs are everywhere so it is easy to get out and see stuff, but with only one day off per week, it is also easy to spend that day off lounging around. It is starting to warm up, so provided there is not a sandstorm (common through March and April), we will probably try and get out more. I bought a pair of shoes, probably the only size 10 in the place, got them home after paying probably too much, this guy was a tough haggler, and they have a nail sticking up into the insole of the right foot. So, everywhere I walk, it is like having a little rock under my heel. Other than that, everything is cool. I am really itching to get to the beach so I am fantasizing about taking R&R in Thailand or somewhere tropical!

It's been awhile, I know! For those of you who keep track of me, I am back in Colorado. And while I am having a nice enough time, I am ready for the next adventure! Today! Currently in the future are contracts in Beijing as well as Moscow. Beijing first. Paul and I are both currently in the clearance process for China, and are already cleared for Russia. So, that could keep us busy for some years! WOO HOO! Then who knows? I will update you all again when I know when I am getting out of dodge!

YAY! I'm here at last! Got to practice some Spanish in Chile and of course, the boat ride was awesome. Even though I never laid eyes on Cape Horn, it was out there, maybe 60 miles away. The weather was good, so we didn't get any rocknig to speak of. 6 ft. seas or so. I've heard that some trips get anywhere from 30 to 40 ft. seas. I would like to know what that is like, maybe for about 20 minutes. But I did see penguins, dolphins, whales, seals and lots of birds. The penguins were all swimming, but I have seen them on land since coming here! My fear of being plunger queen is no more. I am working with a pipefitter and we are doind all kinds of rework on fuel lines. So, I got to try some steel welding the other day. Fun, once I got the hang of it! The station is quite small, but I have taken the boating classes so that I can get out of here when I can. The weather is mostly overcast, and it is very wet here, which really makes me appreciate how dry things were at Pole. I have worked outside every day since getting here, so am trying to get used to the constantly changing wet weather. The cool part about being outside that much is that I get to see seals in the water and watch the glacier when it calves. Our station is right on the water and the glacier is just across the harbor. It is very beautiful!

The last thing I would like to add is that even as cool as being here is, I am missing that one key ingredient which would make the experience the best it could be, and that is Paul!

I'll be heading for Palmer station in about 3 weeks. I'm going to be a plumber's helper. Hopefully getting to learn about welding and soldering and not being the plunger queen... DOH! The trip there takes me throuh Chile and includes a boat ride around the legendary Cape Horn-- I'm totally psyched about all of it, as well as the opportunity to practice Spanish! My contract is for 3 months, which will fly by. I'll try to update this page at some point with some good photos of the adventure! Later....