Paul had to rush back to SA as we received terrible news that his Aunty Virgina had passed away.
Well tickets were booked and off he went for one week to SA.
And because he was in SA, there was no way he was coming back without some South African goodies.
And yes, it is that time of the year again where you are on holiday but there is no sleeping in. I don't know if it was just us, but the fire works seemed to be so much louder this year.
Before the holidays started we had a Chinese Performance at school to celebrate the New Year. The children all worked so hard and it was a success. The hall was decorated with lanterns and in the colours of red and yellow (gold).
I also got into the Chinese spirit of giving of gifts and bought my learners all a sheep toy and the teachers all got a gift from South Africa with some candy. (sweets)
A lot of the local Chinese people go back to there hometowns where festivities are held. Usually a different one for the 15 different days. As the Chinese New Year lasts for 15 days. Here is some festivities being celebrated at my Co-Teachers, Ning Ning, home town. A lot of dressing up and dancing.
Don't forget the famous dumplings that are made on New Years Eve. And some of the dumplings have coins put in them before they are cooked and whoever gets that dumpling will have good luck for the rest of the year, and hopefully no broken teeth. My favourite food in China.
Vivian took Sarah out for the evening. Well you must know how I felt. Sarah out without us, but we gave her enough money to take a taxi and our taxi book to show the driver if he didn't understand her. But she had fun, and Vivian picked her up and brought her back home safely. Thank you Vivian.
When the holidays hit it, it hits hard. Our city, well our part, was so quiet. I think everyone left to go back to their home towns as this festival is where all family get together. Apart from the fireworks there were no cars on the road and there was a silence in the air.
We just relaxed during the holidays as the Christmas holidays were so busy. So it was lazy days for two weeks.
Paul also tried his hand at making our own biltong as we had finished the goodies Paul brought back from South Africa. And were we in for a treat. It turned out and tasted just like home.
Vivian was going back to her hometown for the Chinese New Year and she asked us if we could watch her little doggy for the two weeks she will be away. Of course we said 'yes'. I mean how hard can it be to doggy sit. Well it is very difficult if the dog only understands Chinese. It was fine while Vivian was still there. I could even hold it. Well when she left, it growled at us and barked at every noise it heard. Well we had to phone Vivian and tell her it was not going to work. So Tracey came to pick up the dog and kept it for the holidays.
When we got back to school, we were introduced to a new principal. Well, what can I say. So many personalities. Ha Ha.
It is a beautiful time of the year here in China, because it is not too cold, but not too hot either. And the greens of summer has not yet emerged. The trees are still bare and the browns, yellows and oranges are still around. The days start earlier and end later and we can now take some awesome pics of sunsets and sunrises.
The pollution levels have been very high and that restricts us to what we can do. But as winter passes the pollution levels should drop significantly. Here are some pictures of a day we had where the pollution level was only 29. I was a stunning day.
Then it was my birthday. On the day, the Tuesday, I brought some cakes, that Paul baked, to school for the staff. And I was so spoilt.
Then on Saturday I had a Birthday Tea for the ladies from work. Only 5 managed to make it, but it still turned out to be a lot of fun. A big thank you to my husband Paul who went out of his way to make so many delicious treats for this day. He really worked hard.
A while ago we watch two men welding a metal bar that had either a material or paper sign on it. Well the sign caught alight and started a fire. So the men started to hit off the flames from the sign, but what they did not realize was that there was a material awning that covered the front door to the restaurant below it. And as the pieces of fiery advert fell, the awning caught fire and started going up in flames. And no one did anything until they realized it was not going to put itself out and then poured some water on it. It was funny at the time to see, but could have been so dangerous,
Now, in another two weeks time, I will be on holiday again for another week. I am not complaining. And then it is a downward spiral to our travels back home. (I am already starting to count the weeks.)
I will try and not take so long to write again. Keep reading and I will keep writing.
We will miss you dearly Aunty Vig.
Well tickets were booked and off he went for one week to SA.
And because he was in SA, there was no way he was coming back without some South African goodies.
Oh my word, the biltong and dry wors was divine.
Before the holidays started we had a Chinese Performance at school to celebrate the New Year. The children all worked so hard and it was a success. The hall was decorated with lanterns and in the colours of red and yellow (gold).
I also got into the Chinese spirit of giving of gifts and bought my learners all a sheep toy and the teachers all got a gift from South Africa with some candy. (sweets)
A lot of the local Chinese people go back to there hometowns where festivities are held. Usually a different one for the 15 different days. As the Chinese New Year lasts for 15 days. Here is some festivities being celebrated at my Co-Teachers, Ning Ning, home town. A lot of dressing up and dancing.
Don't forget the famous dumplings that are made on New Years Eve. And some of the dumplings have coins put in them before they are cooked and whoever gets that dumpling will have good luck for the rest of the year, and hopefully no broken teeth. My favourite food in China.
Vivian took Sarah out for the evening. Well you must know how I felt. Sarah out without us, but we gave her enough money to take a taxi and our taxi book to show the driver if he didn't understand her. But she had fun, and Vivian picked her up and brought her back home safely. Thank you Vivian.
When the holidays hit it, it hits hard. Our city, well our part, was so quiet. I think everyone left to go back to their home towns as this festival is where all family get together. Apart from the fireworks there were no cars on the road and there was a silence in the air.
We just relaxed during the holidays as the Christmas holidays were so busy. So it was lazy days for two weeks.
Paul also tried his hand at making our own biltong as we had finished the goodies Paul brought back from South Africa. And were we in for a treat. It turned out and tasted just like home.
Vivian was going back to her hometown for the Chinese New Year and she asked us if we could watch her little doggy for the two weeks she will be away. Of course we said 'yes'. I mean how hard can it be to doggy sit. Well it is very difficult if the dog only understands Chinese. It was fine while Vivian was still there. I could even hold it. Well when she left, it growled at us and barked at every noise it heard. Well we had to phone Vivian and tell her it was not going to work. So Tracey came to pick up the dog and kept it for the holidays.
When we got back to school, we were introduced to a new principal. Well, what can I say. So many personalities. Ha Ha.
It is a beautiful time of the year here in China, because it is not too cold, but not too hot either. And the greens of summer has not yet emerged. The trees are still bare and the browns, yellows and oranges are still around. The days start earlier and end later and we can now take some awesome pics of sunsets and sunrises.
These are pictures on two different days of sunrises on our way to school.
The pollution levels have been very high and that restricts us to what we can do. But as winter passes the pollution levels should drop significantly. Here are some pictures of a day we had where the pollution level was only 29. I was a stunning day.
Then it was my birthday. On the day, the Tuesday, I brought some cakes, that Paul baked, to school for the staff. And I was so spoilt.
Then on Saturday I had a Birthday Tea for the ladies from work. Only 5 managed to make it, but it still turned out to be a lot of fun. A big thank you to my husband Paul who went out of his way to make so many delicious treats for this day. He really worked hard.
A while ago we watch two men welding a metal bar that had either a material or paper sign on it. Well the sign caught alight and started a fire. So the men started to hit off the flames from the sign, but what they did not realize was that there was a material awning that covered the front door to the restaurant below it. And as the pieces of fiery advert fell, the awning caught fire and started going up in flames. And no one did anything until they realized it was not going to put itself out and then poured some water on it. It was funny at the time to see, but could have been so dangerous,
The Advert on fire
Then both the advert and the awning below it caught fire.
Working as a teacher anywhere in the world is absolutely rewarding. And it makes it all worth while when you receive little notes like this one in the children's homework book.
I will try and not take so long to write again. Keep reading and I will keep writing.
