Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Hello to one and all - or me when I read this back in years to come - and welcome to the 3rd instalment of what is my 'Beijing Blog' - the first of 2010. My monthly update fell by the wayside last month as I succomed to the infamous highlight of 2009 that was 'Swine Flu'. I was a sceptic before it found its' germy path into my orifices and mutilated my white blooded cell friends; but now having suffered grotesquely - I am, as a Monkee would say, 'A Believer'.
A brief account of New Years Eve to begin with and then well move on. The turn of the decade was celebrated in Beijing at a rather mediocre club night with a couple of friends, acquaintances and a 4.5L bottle of Whisky - by 2am Fatman Scoop had caused me to have an impromptu ear infection and Jess and I promptly escaped.
NYE represents a time of reflection and opportunism for me with regards to what I have achieved in the past year and what ambitions I can look forward to fulfilling in the year ahead. I am grateful to say that 2009 was both a delightful and memorable year on so many levels that it leaves me bewildered when I stop - take a prolonged moment out of the present - and reminisce about what it entailed. Of course there were down moments but they can be left behind with the positives being taken forward and with any luck emulated in 2010.
Ok, well that's enough of writing to the tune of my own thoughts and self motivating for the coming year; believe it or not I do plan to recap the months of November/December in the next few paragraphs and just a quick mention for October 31st - Halloween.
So October came to an end with the celebration of Halloween - a true Chinese tradition. Of course that isn't the case but my school likes to ensure it maintains its' international flavour and so we celebrated Halloween with a series of games, activities and 'Trick or Treating'. The children seemed stunned at the fact that they dress up and in return get given lots of candy - so now they're unable to fathom why they're not allowed to dress up on a weekly basis. How we torment their fragile egg shelled minds.
Halloween evening saw my first Chinese Tea House experience. The Chinese take their tea very seriously - and so they should - and at the most sought after of 'Tea Houses' you can either rent a table or a room by the hour. The rental side of it may make it all sound a little lurid but no; they are not sexy 'men only' tea houses (note to self, possible business venture) but all very traditional and in a word - cosy.
Our journey home from the Tea House saw my first Beijing snowfall experience, uncharacteristic for this time of year. The heavens opened up and our taxi driver seemed to find it all rather exciting as he thrust his head out of the window and lapped like a dog at the white crystals that had engulfed his face. It was at that point that I realised there was someone who liked snow more than me.
My first school trip saw me take the kids to the 'Beijing Science Museum'. I thought I was the luckiest English teacher in all of China on hearing the news. The garish exterior of the building suggested it had the potential to be as much fun as I originally envisaged but unfortunately many of the gadgetry wonder was in a state of deterioration and not of much use - the children did their best to cease my disappointment but I was inconsolable. Jess and I returned there the following week to see the 3D films they were showing - hence the oversized glasses in the photos.
Anyone reading this from Beijing; just in case you are tired of chicken feet soup or sheep liver dumplings, I propose the Kro's Nest - the best pizza I've experienced here thus far.
December was upon us and although it is not overly celebrated here in China there were signs of Christmas (Xmas) spirit at the shopping malls/centers' - commercialism and capitalism at its finest. One of the bigger malls close to us brandished, in neon lights, the message 'Happy Cockie Xmas' all over the building. I assumed this was a mistranslation and 10 days later I stood correct as it was altered to 'Happy Cookie Xmas'. Still slightly odd; but whenever I looked at it, I could only see 'Cook Pass Babtridge' - one for the Alan Partridge fans among us.
Week 2 of December was wiped out but my Swine Flu experience and on returning to work, the Xmas countdown had begun. There is much cynicism over Xmas these days but I happen to be a Xmas romantic; by this I mean I actually enjoy it. Strange this year however; as for the first time, I did not share the occasion with family or close friends, it was a poignant reminder that being able to do so is a privilege and should not be undervalued.
Fundamentally, Xmas is for the children of this world and as a teacher it was nice to be amongst so much anticipation and excitement for the big day. Classroom activities held a Xmas theme and along with teaching the children Xmas classics such as 'Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer & Jingle Bells' the festive spirit was very much alive within my school. The children weren't the only ones expected to learn a Xmas classic, as I was informed that I was to join my fellow teachers in performing Mariah Carey's jingle 'All I want for Xmas is you' with an accompanying dance routine. I am one of only two adult males at the school and I am not sure the dance choreographer had us in mind when producing the routine - it was very fluffy white bunny stuff that the children found highly amusing; how they can take me seriously after that I am not sure.
Boxing Day (26th Dec) saw a flight to Shanghai; however I will leave this trip for the topic of my next blog later this month.
So that's all for now I plan for a new blogging style to emerge in 2010 (at some point). Up until now I have strayed down the path of what could be considered diary entries; however in coming blogs I may blend this with a particular topic of discussion that has come to mind and will hopefully be of some interest to you….
- comments