Firstly, here is a teeny tiny park right around the corner from my apt building. This is sort of the back view...that is my building you see in the background.
Here is the angle I get when I enter the park. It's going to be lovely in the spring when I can go there and read. Notice the monolithic apartment buildings. They are everywhere. No one lives in houses (in the city anyways)...there is simply not enough space. 
And here we have some nice little benches. I know you must be wondering at my ability to offer insightful commentary here. I can feel it.
A labyrinth in the sand for the kids. Interesting idea I thought. Oh, it snowed a touch here last night. Most of it is melted, but in shady areas, it remains.
A street near me.
I thought I should say that not all churches look like the one I posted earlier. I've seen really cool brick ones, and I thought this one with the double steeple was kind of neat.
And here is a typical school. The schools here are huge, much like the apartment buildings surrounding them. They usually have a large courtyard in the front where there are soccer nets and playground equipment. There is no public transportation for schoolchildren here...they simply walk to the school that is near their building. There are often, however, little buses that pick children up for the after-school academies. Children here seem to be schooled out the ying-yang, but the ones I've talked to seem to like it. When asked their favourite subject, they usually reply with, "Math," or "Science," not "Recess," like the kids at home. They attend public school during the day, like Canadian kids, but then they attend private schools, or academies, in the afternoon/evening. At these academies they study more math, science, music, and often, English. When they arrive home, they eat dinner, maybe watch a TV show, and then do homework. Oh, and they also go to school for a half day on Saturday. Sometimes they have other lessons on Saturdays, and often have tons of homework. On Sundays, many of them play soccer. I asked one little boy if he was tired, since he seemed so busy. He shrugged and said no, that he was used to it.
Well people, I hope your day is as glorious as mine is shaping up to be! Until next time...try to avoid getting frost bite. teehee.
