hi folks.

i'm now back in beijing, and all set up with a new flat, bike, and routine (same job though).

i picked my flat for the following reason:



it's very well decorated. it's also cheap, and the landlord speaks english. but, it's a bit of a distance from my office, so i've discovered a new found joy: the beijing bus...



hitherto, i had always opted for taxis - not as extravagant as it may seem here in the north capital, at least not compared to london standards. but now that i live much further away, my weekly bill will be considerably higher. bussing it is, then.

despite the sardine-like experience, garlic breath and the mad rush for a (rare) seat when piling on (which my embedded British manners refuse to sink to - and i've yet to experience sitting) each morning, i actually look forward to my journey.

why?

two fantastic inventions: ipod + podcasts.

every morning i listen to either:

1) HTB Sunday Talk
2) Godpod
3) worshipcentral podcast

and if i have a bit of time left over, i listen to a bit of tim hughes. most journeys take about 30 - 40 mins, door-to-door.

now, this isn't a shameless plug for HTB, or aboutlife, or worshipcentral, or St Paul's... but a genuine acknowledgement, and thanks even, for the work put in to make these services available. they have turned what could be a miserbale and frustrating experience, into one of the highlights of my day, and i would encourage anyone to do the same.

so excited i am about it all, it has even inspired my dad (below) to follow suit, and for his 50th birthday (!), was given an ipod to download all of HTB's podcasts, and listen to them on his travels.



my beloved rachel (below - i also have this photo on my ipod), has sent him 'When silence falls' by Tim to also put on his ipod.  


 
all for now. hope this finds you well and enjoying a super start to the new year.

peace, love and all that,

thomas