I'll say one thing about the Chinese; they sure know how to celebrate!

Firstly, having depressed you all with my last blog, I should say that the worst is over and I am back to enjoying my time here. I have a co-worker at last and an actual plan of what I will be (attempting) to acheive here.

It is coming towards the end of the year here in China and the build up to new year is evident everywhere. A sea of red is emerging (the lucky colour here) and people are preparing for the Spring Festival (Chinese New Year). The stores are packed with goodies and you see people all over the place practising for dragon parades and dancing. I am looking forward to the experience.

The end of the year also brings a string of volunteer celebrations and awards ceremonies. I have been to a couple from volunteer centres here - words like bewildering, bizarre, bright and bling come to mind. They take there ceremonies very seriously here and the events are a combination of volunteer oscars and gang show. Quite fun really.

Then came our own ceremony - which of course was the best - and they gave me a volunteer award!

The people here genuinely admire and recognise achievement and are very extrovert about the way they celebrate. It is sometimes worryingly infectious. I have even been known to sing karaoke whilst sober! - steady Chris!.

See award ceremony pics in the album.

Writing this from Beijing where I am taking part in VSO Monitoring & Evaluation Training. Still cold and pollution is awful. Never thought I would get bored of Beijing!