I don't do this often enough

blazey

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Writing in blogs is a little bit narcissistic in a way, because you either write them purely for your own selfish enjoyment or you write them because you think other people ought to enjoy what you have been doing as well. There is no real generosity in sharing a blog, or anything like that. It's all just self-indulgence, be it direct or indirect.

I have my own personal blog, deep in the depths of the internet, hidden behind a fake name. Purely for my own indulgence, as I obviously don't care who else reads it otherwise I'd share the link with people. Occasionally I've shared it with friends. Once, a friend of mine at university thought I'd be an interesting focus of a project she was doing on identity. She felt like she had hit the jackpot when she found out I had a blog and her work was really interesting that she did on it. That was perhaps the only time it was used for a real purpose, one that wasn't really narcissistic. She had taken everything out of context and manipulated it, so it wasn't really me any more, just a distorted version of me. A mutated cloning of my thoughts and imagination. Fascinating all the same, but it was a part of her now more than it was me.

Anyway, enough of this babble. I've been accepted on a three week course to Hangzhou, China in Easter. I'm really looking forward to it. I'm particularly looking forward to the fact that we will be visiting Wu-town, known for being much like Venice. I'm very excited about that. Such a beautiful place. Whilst I'm there I will be learning some mandarin, learning about the Chinese economy, sight seeing etc etc. I had to pay for my own flights, and my passport needed renewing so I'm still waiting for that to be returned to me. I hope there won't be any problems with that. And then I need to get my visa. I'm pretty skint thanks to all this but my mum is giving me money for my 21st birthday, which I am going to save so I can use it as spending money whilst I am there. It should be a fantastic opportunity.

There were only 100 places per location available (Hangzhou and Beijing) and I didn't specify which I would prefer to go to, but I'm very glad that I have been chosen for Hangzhou because it is close to the Coca-Cola bottling plant, and we all know how I love my Coca-Cola. It's also a beautifully scenic place and I just can't wait to do something relaxing but educational for three weeks. THREE WEEKS. I've only ever been abroad once and I went to Benidorm! Now I'm going across the world to China. It seems surreal. I only told a few of my close friends that I had applied. I felt that I would be accepted, but I didn't want people to get me all excited about a possibility that might have never happened. Now that I'm definitely getting to go it just seems crazy. Telling people that I am going to China is something that I never thought I would get to do and now I'm doing it. I feel so privileged.

I need a good suitcase. This is all I can really think about at the moment, Suitcase, passport and visa. Oh and a travel adapter. And bug spray.

Wow.
 
Don't forget the Camera we want to see plenty of photos when you get back.
and enjoy yourself
 
Have a good time blazey .. my cousin and his wife have just moved to china through his job .. michelin shutting burnley have a lot to answer for ... still waiting to hear from them yet ...
 
We all have our own motoves for writing a blog......and although I think there is an element of narcissism, there are those of us who do it to re-live and remember the times past.

I am sure that you will find your time in China interesting, not least because of the vast difference in cultural ideals.

It will pass quickly, and when you come back, you may just want to blog(and pinch yourself) to reassure yourself that you didn't dream it all.
 
grab every moment you can to travel Michelle, in no time at all you will be in your 40's looking back on the fond memories you had whilst you where young, everyday is about making new memories, you go for it girl
 
I find it quite amusing that the first comment I read on this is one about my camera and taking pictures.

I lost my camera whilst ridiculously drunk celebrating my 21st last night. And it's not even my birthday until tomorrow. *sigh*

And I'm very much looking forward to expanding my horizons so to speak, I will most definitely replace the camera and take lots of pictures. It's all very exciting!

I write a proper blog, just for my own personal use. I don't often read back through it, but one day I am sure I will. I've been writing it for a year and I update it nearly daily! So there is a lot of content!
 
Have a wonderful time. You are extremely lucky. Can you fit me in your suitcase? I promise to be quiet :)
 
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