Summer plans, revised

I've been gearing up to write about my planned trip to Beijing for six weeks this summer, where I was scheduled to teach two sections of introductory psychology. I was going to muse on a variety of (the usual) topics, including thoughts about teaching psychology to Chinese students, how I anticipated surviving there when I don't particularly like Chinese food, some ideas for travel and what sorts of touristy things I was planning on doing, and, of course, thoughts about the photography opportunities.

But...I just found out that the program I was supposed to be participating in had to cancel its Beijing program due to some new policies that have put a damper on enrollments. So I'm bummed and now have to think about other plans for the summer (and other things to write about here). 

It's my parents 40th anniversary this summer, and I've be planning on that for a while; in fact I had them move their party so that I could leave for China right afterwards. So now I'm still planning on going to their celebration, but can take more time on (and getting to) the west coast. Some ideas: 

• A drive out there, including seeing friends in the Twin Cities (although I haven't asked them yet...yes Abs, I know you might be reading this) and Denver on the way.
• Hitting some of the parks out that way (Rocky Mountain, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Glancier, Waterton, etc); we visited some of those in 2007, but it would be nice to go again.
• Doing a jaunt through the Olympic Penninsula and up to Victoria Island and Vancouver. And just because my favorite psychology study was run there, the Capilano suspension bridge.
• Exploring eastern Oregon...I've never really been more than a few miles east of I-5.
• Spending more time in Portland, including seeing my brother, nephew, and niece.

 More to come as our plans develop!

Comments

[Abby]

Woohoo!!!!!! Let us know when! :-)

[Ben]

Yep, I'll keep you in the loop as plans come together....Stay tuned!