Catching Up

  Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
Monday, July 14, 2008

For those of you that are avid readers of this blog (hi mom and dad), there were a few days in which an unfinished blog was posted. I had started that blog on our last day of Hong Kong and thought I would have a chance to finish that night, and I didn't. So that explains the several days of a random two sentence, unfinished blog. Sorry about that. I know you were hanging on the edge of your seats to find out about that conference.
We made it to Xi'an yesterday and I guess the first detail that I should tell you all in relevance to my blogging activities is that I have severely limited internet access in mainland China. So these blogs are now being uploaded with the help of my very nice Dad in the states - if you enjoy the continuance of this blog, please thank him. Fortunately, I still have gmail, but that is about it.
Let me first back up to our last days in Hong Kong. Thursday was the first day of the International Counseling Conference, and the opening ceremony was a traditional Chinese Lion dance. It was fantastic!

Lion Dance

I went to a couple of sessions that day that ended up being fascinating, including one on interactive drawing therapy from a counselor in New Zealand. For the social workers/art therapists out there, it seems the website might be worth a look (although I have not yet checked it out myself): www.interactivedrawingtherapy.com.
On Thursday night, our group went to the top of Victoria's Peak and it was different at night than the day when Rachel and I had visited a week ago. I have to say that it wasn't the highlight of the trip due to fog blocking the view of the light show. For dinner, we tried to find a restaurant with Cantonese food, but on Victoria Peak meals all started at $120 HK. That was a night that I admit we had to resort to Burger King.
The second day of the conference was the most interesting for me. The morning started with a Professor from Singapore lecturing on the use of Buddhism in counseling. Apparently there is a whole field of study that I have not heard of in the west, Buddhist Psychology. It incorporates the principles of Buddhist meditative techniques into helping clients out of depression and anxiety. I can't wait to research more.
During our last night in Hong Kong, we decided to get rid of the last of our HK dollars at the Ladies Market downtown. I tried out some serious bargaining skills when I bought a shawl. I will try to see if I can keep putting pictures up, but I'm not sure that it will be able to until I get back to the states.
 
So far in Xi'an  we have been enjoying the wonders of this ancient city in between classes. It is amazing and deserves more time than I can give it here. I will write more as soon as I can. Till then, take care.

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