Shopping in Outlets

July 6, 2015

What a mess! It was 10:30 p.m. when we were still in Clinton, far away from Yale. But how exciting we were as well after a FOUR-hour crazy shopping in Premium Outlets.

Jason and Jeniffer had searched the route and planned the trip for us for this whole week. We, almost everyone in the group, had been looking forward to such a shopping trip.

There were so many exciting things on the trip.

At first we got on a shuttle, hoping it would take us to the Street State Station, but found it was driven so slowly that we might miss our train. So we got off the shuttle and walked to the station on foot. We got there just ten minutes before the train came. We felt very lucky for changing our plan without any delay.

Sitting in the train, we enjoyed the beautiful shore line. But it's a pity the windows of the train were not clean so the pictures are not good enough to show the fascinating landscape.

When we getting off the train at Clinton, a group of local people helped us with the route. It was about 15-minute walking to Outlets. Not so long distance for Chinese! We were happy to hit the road, talking about our shopping plans, introducing or learning those famous international brands. Some cars passed by and people waved to us. Perhaps walking on the side of a highway is quite unusual to Americans, since we found no other people on the road.

Finally we found ourselves standing in front of the Outlets buildings, our shopping trip now really began. We spent more than four hours in different shops and were busy finding presents for our families, relatives and friends. That's typically Chinese, buying things for people we love wherever we go. At last, some colleagues found they bought so many things for others but forgot themselves.

Unfortunately, we missed the six o'clock train in the afternoon and have to wait till 10: 40 for the last train. But fortunately, no one complained about this delay. Everyone was so eagerly sharing their  bargains and experiences, imagining how much their families would appreciate these presents. Only the cool wind reminded us we had not eaten anything yet.  Some of us went to find something to bite, but rushed back before getting anything because someone played a trick on us and sent us the wrong information. Anyway, we waited till the last bus came and took us back.

It was such a risky adventure that everyone was totally involved into an unusual excitement.



 

Yale Outdoor Activities

2015-07-03

American's National Holiday comes! Yale Outdoor English Center holds an outdoor barbecu activity for ELI summer session students.

When hearing Carrie said that we can swimming there, I was a little worried because I don't know how to swim. After taking an one-hour schoolbus driving to Yale Outdoor Center, we finally reached the beautiful lake. It looks so fabulous under the clean blue sky. We took a brief lunch (not so delicious but OK) and scattered to shoot those beautiful scenaries, some busy with their own selfies, others waiting around one camera for Marina to shoot us. Marina is so skilled at taking pictures, about how to catch a good view and how to talk to us into naturally smiling.

We also went to canoeing. I even asked the safeguard whether we need some skills to canoe. When getting a "no any skilled technics" answer and encouraged by Marina, I pulled out all my bravery and sat in a two-seat canoe with Marina.

Canoeing in such a peaceful lake, bathing in the warm sun and exposed to the cooling breezes, I was so enjoying the oars cutting into and out of the water. "Gulongdong", then the water splashing around, the canoe flying on the surface of the lake. Marina knew I don't know how to canoe, so she sat behind keeping the boat to the right direction.

 

On the shore there is a quiet corner, where you can sit and enjoy the peace weekend. Some of my friends even say they would like to live here for ever. To be frank, I want to live by the shore as well , but only when my family is with me.

 

 

Just several days away from home, I found myself missing them so much. Only if they were with me, enjoying the breathless beauty and canoeing with me!

 

the first impression on the U.S.A.

 

My First Impression on the U.S.A.

The second I went out of Keddeney airport, the fresh air hit me so suddenly. Oh, my, so fresh air that I missed for so long. China has been suffering hazes for many months and her people including me are the victims. I once breathed the fresh air the same as here in a mountain villiage.  I love the freshness.

 

Then I saw the blue sky, the clear street, the black customs officers. Oh, they are soooo… different from us. Luckily I saw two handsome officers. :-)

While waiting in the queue passing the customs, I saw the break news announcing the U.S has agreed same sex marriage legal. What a big day! The first day I came to America was the legal declaration for same sex marriage!

Waiting by the roadside for our bus, I found something different. We heard, back in China, that New Yorkers would wait at the cross when the green light is on, even if there is no car passing by. But I found many people take their time crossing the street whenever they want to only if there is no car driving close. This is the same as we do in some cities in China. Isnot this interesting that we do have something in common? Haha...

On the road to Yale, we saw the famous places which we have seen many times on pictures, movies, television programs. I found New York Times, which my colleagues didnot notice. I and my students read a lot pieces of news and stories from New York Times, you know. Finally I saw it myself. Isn’t it fantastic?!

 

We were dropped down at a grassland, which I knew later is the famous Yale Green. Some of the Americans we walked by smiled hello at us warmly and a lady even said ‘welcome to Yale’. Americans are so kind!

The other morning when I walked around our apartment, another warm greeting came from a black man, who even told us he was so interested in China and was saving money for a trip to China. That’s quite impressive, you see, when you know someone loves your country. But a second thought, did he want some money from me at that time? Or am I too sensitive?

 

The whole picture about America till now is the beautiful environment(the blue sky, the fresh air, the quiet places, the Gothic architectures, etc.etc.), the kind people(warm greetings from strangers, which is rarely seen in China, because we have a saying ‘donot talk to strangers’) and the energetic and enthusiastic teachers Carrie and Siggie (whom I will mention in the next blog) and many other things.

 

That’s a very satisfying start and I am looking forward to experiencing more.

On the way to Yale, I didnot take any pictures. Actually, I am not a photo-fan. I seldom take photos, let alone the selfies. (Maybe I am too out of time.)  So the followings are just some photos I took after I came to Yale. They are not related to my topic, I know. But, whatever, I have to upload at least 3 pictures.