Hi everyone,

Hope everything is good in the UK, and hope everyone is feeling the festive spirit!!! It is so odd to think that it is Christmas already, I can't believe I have been here for over 4 months!! To my surprise I do feel quite festive, as there is lots of holiday cheer at school in the international section. We have exchanged secret santa gifts, and we had a celebratory performance on Friday. My students danced to Jingle bell rock, and they were very cute!!! The school always has a performance from the teachers, so this year me and fellow teacher Eduardo chereographed a salsa / hip hop routine to the song Danza Kurudo. It was a huge hit with the students!!! I am currently still teaching at school, even though it is Christmas :(. Luckily Xmas day is a Sunday , but I have to work Monday.. I tried to fight my case, and apparently Christmas Day is the birthday of Chairman Mao (but still not a national holiday :( oh well... i have a month off in 2 weeks time.. so mustn't grumble!!

Holiday: Speaking of holiday, 2 weeks ago I was fuming.. as the government decided (19 days before the holiday) that it would change the national holiday dates for New Year. I was savage, I had already booked tickets, but the school were now going to be open and teachers expected to teach, when I would be on holiday!!! I was so angry with the situation, and was told that this happens alot - but no-one says anything, even though it messes up everyone's plans!! I thought, how different it would be in the UK. lol. However, I sent a stubborn e-mail to my employers and they said it was ok.. they would get cover for me. I would have been so angry if they hadnot. lol.

TOURIST STUFF: My dear darling Katie has left me, :( - I will miss her soo much this year! To send her off properly, we visited a few tourist sights before her flight. We went to Beihai Park, which was very beautiful and serene. The chinese archetecture is similar at all of these sights, but it is still stunning as it is so colourful!!! We also went to see a chinese acrobatic show - which was incredible, and super impressive! These performers are so talented, and if you are ever in China - you should check out the acrobats!! I have never seen anything like it!!

LOVE LIFE: Things are going great with Sheriic, he is literally living in my apartment most days - which has been a good way of distracting me from being lonely, especially with Katie leaving. It is funny when we get stares from people on the street, I get stared at most days , and so does he - but for them, a black man and white woman - blows their heads!!! hahaha!!!

He has met all my friends in Beijing and they all really like him, so I'm just waiting on the head to come over and give me their blessing. lol - might be waiting a while!! lol

FOOD: I swear I talk about food in every blog. hahaha!! I have been cooking alot more with Sheriic, and managed to find imports such as Pesto, and Red Leicester cheese! I can't even express the excitement I had when I found Heinz beans!! lol. It is absurd that these things should make me so so so happy! lol. I hope I still feel a rush when I see them in England. lol. unlikely.

I have been told many horror stories about cheap Chinese food in dodgy restuarants, such as emulsion paint and plastic noodles. There is however a nice dish I really like, fresh fruit with mayonnaise on it.. its really good and in alot of restuarants. I was skeptical, but it is actually good!! Apart from that, I have been living on alot of dumplings, which are like pasties - but with the texture of noodles.. and come with meat or veg fillings. They are nice, especially with a bit of sauce. lol.

STUDENTS: The parents have a super load of money, one parent dressed up as Mrs Santa for christmas, and she gave most of the children a present!! Another parent, after hearing that her son had pulled my hair (rather hard, hair almost came out) now keeps lavishing me with gifts. bless her. I had several lovely Xmas pressies from her, and she gave me an expensive photo frame 2 weeks ago as well.

TRAFFIC: I swear the traffic is getting busier and busier. An observation that I noticed the other day, is that no-one pulls over for police cars with blaring sirens, they have to wait with all the other traffic. lol. I have seen ambulances, and fire trucks - and no-one even batting an eyelash. I have even seen people dangerously cutting them up!! So bad!! lol.

Anywho.. I dont have a shocking lot to report back.. It is Christmas tomorrow - and I can't wait!!!!

Love you' all.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx