The “joys” of having a birthday so close to a major holiday.

So Wednesday was Maya’s birthday. She and I both know how hard it is to have a birthday so close to probably the biggest holiday of the year. It sucks. So I knew that it was important that we celebrate it right. After school we got together in Maya’s room, had a few shots and then headed over to Café Brussels. I haven’t been there since I’ve been back and my mouth was salivating for the mussels. They’re really good there. Well I was surprised to see that not too many people were there but that was good. We didn’t have to worry about a table. I placed my order for the mussels and they tell me that they don’t have any. Needless to say, I was very disappointed. We still had a good time and Maya was very happy with her gifts. After dinner we decided to go to Soho. Once again, this was another place I haven’t been to since I’ve been back and I was very surprised to find the place packed with people. The music was ok. It was mostly Chinese but at one point they played my song. So that made me happy. I met some more wonderful people and generally had a great time. I didn’t stay out too late nor did I drink too much and things worked out nicely. Matt, Alex and Lisa left before we went to Soho and it was Klaver, myself, the birthday girl, Mustafa and Colin that partied it up. Then soon after arriving at Soho, the birthday girl had to go due to a headache and Klaver went with. Then Mustafa insisted that I drink more but I declined. Then I left them at around midnight. I figured that even though I’m sleeping in the next day, I should still get a decent night’s sleep.
Anyway, this week is doing all kinds of funny things. Apparently because we got Christmas day off and we’re gonna be getting new year’s day off and an additional 2 days off after that, we have to work this weekend. So on Friday, we worked on the Tuesday schedule and today we’ll be working on the Wednesday schedule and then on Sunday, there isn’t really going to be any lessons. But the good thing is that we’d be off for the 3 days that follow that. Then on Thursday we’ll be working a regular schedule and on Friday, there is some kind of pageant or concert or something that the kids will be doing, so there won’t be any classes. Not a bad way to get through the holidays, huh?

TTFN

Good times

So, we did our gift exchange yesterday. It was really great. Good gifts all around the table. I got Lisa as my secret santa and I got her some insence and a lovely wooden box with engraving on it and a beautiful trim. I was so thankful that she actually liked it. Alex got me and he gave me a beautiful french press coffee maker and a really nice travel mug. The coffee maker can also double to make tea. It's really beautiful. We had a really nice time opening presents and taking pictures. It was a little bit of christmas with the family.
Later in the day, I just stayed in and watched some more christmas movies, we ordered pizza and that was my "christmas dinner". It felt almost trailer trash but it also felt pretty good. This morning I woke up and looked at my clock and was a bit sad to see that it was now the 26th and we had to get back to reality. Christmas is officially over and now we have the new year to look forward to. My birthday is less than a week away and sometimes I can't believe that I'm going to be 29. Soon I'll be off the calender.

TTFN

Merry Christmas

Well I had a bit of the holiday blues when I woke up yesterday morning but things worked out ok. Lisa and I planned on having a good breakfast with Colin and Klaver in the morning. We went to Metro on Saturday and bought all the fixings. Yesterday, I made pancakes, scrambled eggs and bacon. We had coffee and a great time. Everyone felt good. Maya even joined us. I was still a bit down but it really felt like christmas breakfast and we almost felt like a bit of a family. Later Maya and I went out to pick up some stuff for christmas dinner and then I got back home feeling exhausted. I didn't do much of anything and then it was time to get ready for dinner. Dinner was awesome. We had turkey and stuffing and mashed potatoes. We drank wine and had a fabulous time. Later, Maya, Lisa and myself decided to go out. We headed to BS but not much was going on and it was pretty quiet. We were there for all of 10 minutes and decided to go to Vox. Vox was bumping. We had a great time and spent all of our time on the dance floor. After we had our fill we headed out feeling great. I woke up this morning with thankfully no hangover. Right now, we're getting things prepared to do our secret santa gift exchange and later we're gonna go to Pizza Hut for dinner. I feel pretty good. I think this is a nice christmas and I'm happy that I'm spending it with such great people.
So to everyone at home, Merry Christmas and I miss you all.

Love
Litisha

Naughty and nice

Yesterday morning I woke up and it occurred to me that it was only a few days until Christmas. I was full of Christmas cheer all day long. I did a bit of shopping and picked up a Christmas present for myself. Also I went to my favourite store and bought some more sweaters. Then at the end of the day, the school took us out for a Christmas dinner at The Buffet. The place was packed. For a country that doesn’t celebrate Christmas, there sure were a lot of people in there doing some celebrating. Anyway, dinner was pretty good. After dinner we went home and started to get ready to celebrate Mustafa’s birthday. Him, us and some of his Chinese friends, all got together, caught a few cabs and then headed out to this bar that Mustafa chose. We had an ok time but I’m not into Chinese music and that’s all they played. After a while, Maya suggested that we go to Vox. I was so down with that idea. So another cab ride later, we were there. We had a great time at Vox and then I just remember coming home and passing out. This morning I woke up feeling like ass, but I couldn’t sleep in because we had some things to do today. Lisa, Colin, Alex and myself had to go to Metro because we had to pick up some stuff for Christmas dinner as well as I needed a few things for the breakfast that we have planned on Christmas eve morning. We made it through the day and now I have to go back out again because I need to buy a cake and I still have to pick up something at our local grocery store.
In other news, with Roy and Angela leaving unexpectedly because they are expecting, the school practically twisted my arm to stay for the second semester. I’ve agreed. Now that things have changed I have to re-evaluate everything. This affects a few things but I don’t think it’s anything I can’t handle. Everyone here is so happy that I’m staying. It makes me wonder how they would have treated the new person had I left. Lisa already told me that she planned on being mean to them and that they would have had to work really hard for her to give in and eventually like them. It’s so weird to hear that sometimes. I feel like they have me on this pedestal. Actually it feels kinda good to know that people enjoy your company so much that they feel you are irreplaceable.
So the blog will go on just a bit more.
I’m looking forward to Christmas and then soon after that, my 29th birthday. Also, I’m looking forward to watching my kids grow just that much more over the next 6 months. I guess I’m looking forward to the future. That’s a good thing….right?

TTFN

Just the higlights

Well I went to Lily’s wedding and that was interesting. Chinese weddings are very quick and very strange. First the MC announces himself and comes out with everyone applauding. Then he has a bit of a monologue. Then the bride and groom come out and they do this bit of a show. It was very bizarre. At one point I felt like I was in a bad Chinese sitcom or some kind of talk show. There was the constant rise and fall of laughter and clapping. I just clapped along but had no clue of what was going on. Plus I was so hungry I had no intention of wanting to know what was going on. Then after they do that, they do this bit with a red dunce cap. Then the food comes out. Everyone has their fill and then they all get their coats and start to leave. The entire thing from start to finish took 2 hours. Blinked and you would have missed it. However, I got some lovely parting gifts. I don’t like Chinese wine but there were 2 bottles on each table so I took one. It was a very good brand and does make the difference. Plus I got 2 packs of cigarettes, which were also on the table. I was the only smoker so I lucked out. Angela and myself also got a plate of candies each. When the food finally arrived, it was both interesting and very good. When we were leaving we all saw the strangest thing. People were putting the left over food from their table, and in some cases from other tables, in plastic bags. And I’m not talking like individual zip-lock bags or anything like that. I’m talking about your regular everyday run of the mill grocery bag. And they are just putting any and everything that was left on the table in that bag. So when you look at the bag, it’s just a mess of gravy and meat and dumplings and all kinds of stuff that would now be classified as gross. It was disturbing.
Anyway, the week that followed flew by and I was busy doing all kinds of things but then on Friday after I got my morning dumplings at my favourite place, I didn’t feel right in the stomach. As it turns out, I got food poisoning….. yet again. I think this is my third time now. The first time was the worst. Anyway, by Friday night I wasn’t doing so good. I was up most of the night and spent the entire day in bed on Saturday. Seeing as this has happened before, I knew exactly what to do to feel better soon. After a good night sleep on Saturday, plenty of fluids and eventually a good meal, by Sunday morning I felt better. Now this week has been going by quickly and then next week is Christmas. I still have to buy my present for my secret Santa person and I have to buy something for our potluck on Christmas day. Luckily we have Christmas day off and the school will be taking us out for dinner tomorrow, so that should be good. Matty stix may or may not be going on a trip this weekend but if he does, I’ll be working his Sunday classes for him this weekend. Then exactly a week after Christmas is my birthday and I don’t know what the plan is or what I want to do but I have to start thinking. I know on my birthday we’ll be going to the Brazilian restaurant for dinner but for New Year’s Eve I don’t know the plan. I want to do something. It’s my last new years in China. I guess I’ll have to see how the flow goes.
In other news, Angela and Roy are expecting (congratulations to them) but because of this, they have decided to cut their contract short and go back home at the end of this semester to have their child. This leaves the school in a very difficult position because now they have to unexpectedly find 2 teachers to fill those spots and the 2 teachers would most likely have to be a couple because there would be no room otherwise. Somebody has to tell me what happens.
TTFN

Brrrr!

Well, I don't know what's been going on with the past couple weeks, but they have been dragging by. I woke up this morning thinking it was Friday and was very disappointed to find that it was only Thursday. I know it's only a day but..damn! Anyway, today was probably the coldest day so far. I wish I was wearing my long johns but I managed to get through the day. I'm really starting to have some great fun with my kids in grade two and I'm beginning to get bored to death with my kids in grade one. There are so many times when I'm thinking "learn faster, this is so boring" but I can only move as fast as the curriculum and it's not their fault. With my grade twos it's just one fun day after another. We have better conversations now and I almost died when I asked one of my kids how many stickers he had on his book and he counted in english all the way to 27. I know it doesn't sound like a big deal but trust me, to have that kind of exchange onsidering he's only 7, is pretty amazing.
Anyway, Matty stix suggested that we have a little mixer at my place tomorrow. It's been a while since I hung out with him, Eileen and Lillis so I'm up for that. Don't really have much of a choice since I'm apparently hosting this event.
I saw Lily yesterday and she gave me the details of her wedding. There's a bus that'll pick us up from the school so that makes my life easy. I won't have to wory about catching a cab and trying my best to tell the cab driver where I want to go. My only problem now is, I have nothing to wear and I definitely don't have any shoes. All my shoes are either my boots, my kicks or the sandals I'd wear in the summer. Talk about mis-managed packing. Now I'll have to ty to find something to wear on my feet which will be a mission in itself since very few places even carry my size or even anything close to it. I don'tknow what I'm going to do but some how or another I'll have to make it work. I've been hearing about this wedding for a year. Lily was my co teacher and still one of my best chinese friends. Heck, her and her wedding is one of the many reasons why I decided to come back. I have to be there. I'll let you know how it goes.

TTFN

Happy news

Wel I don't know who he took the cue from but Matty stix started his own blog. It's called The Nanhoo Star and is basically like any other blog. It consists of his thoughts and keeps people up to date on him and what's been going on with him. The difference with his blog though, is that it'll be funny. I've read it and he's only got a few posts on there so far but as only Matty stix can, he had me laughing. So if you want to check it out you can do so at http://nanhoostar.blogspot.com or you could just go to the link I've created here on my own blog. So this post is for Matty stix. Good luck and I look forward to reading what you'll be up to, now while I'm here and after I'm gone.

Cheers

Finally!!

So I had a really good day yesterday. I finally made it out to DVD mecca. Shirley, the girl that I see everytime I go, was wondering where I had been. First thing out of her mouth was "where have you been?" What else could I tell her? The school's been like a slave driver and I don't have time. Anyway, I picked up something new to watch in addition to a few other movies. I hardly have room for the movies I have now, I have no clue why I'm even buying more. Anyway I was able to do some shopping for a few other things that I've been needing. So luckily I spent most of my day outside. It's been a while since I've done that. Either I'm working or I'm just too tired. So that was good. I came home and was happy to relax.
Things have been pretty good at the appartments. Everyone is getting excited for christmas. There are a few places around town that have already started decorating. I'm thinking about going to Dali and Kunming for christmas. I don't know if it will happen financially speaking since my Thailand trip will be taking a huge chunk out of my paycheque and the fact that I have to pretty much put that money together within the next few days even though I plan on leaving at the end of January, well it's alot of pressure. I really want to go to Thailand but I would also like to see more of China. Maybe I can convince my parents to go with me when they come. And that's also another story. My mom is trying her best to get things organized for her and my dad. By the looks of it, my dad may have a few problems but I'm hoping we can get them sorted out. I know he'll try his best to make it and if he can't, it's because he exhausted every possible resource. I know, regardless, my mom will come. I'd prefer for both of them to come but I'd be happy either way. Anyway, the weather has been on and off. Saturday, warm and sunny. Yesterday, warmish and cloudy. Today, cold and cloudy. Not much we could do there I guess.
My old co-teacher Lily is getting married on Sunday. According to Sandra, she invited all of the foreign teachers but in Sandra's sometimes stupidity, she neglected to give us the details of the wedding. I figure I'll ask Lily personally when I see her at Wednesday's meeting, if not then I'll call her and get the details myself. I'm really looking forward to it. It would be my first chinese wedding and it would be for someone I actually care about. Heck, I've been hearing about this wedding for a year now.

TTFN

Just me

So I had a pretty good day at work and Matty stix asked me if I wanted to join him, Eileen and Lillis for dinner at Pizza Hut. I was going to say no but I decided to go for it. After school Lillis Eileen and I went to the restaurant for a few beers and waited for Matty stix to finish up a lesson he had to do. We had a blast just laughing it up. Then Matty stix finally came and we made him uncomfortable with our conversation topics. Then we made our way to Pizza Hut and had a great dinner. After that, everyone decided that they wanted to go home, I decided that I wanted to go out. Lillis took my bag home and I headed out to CC. It was good being there. Mind you it wasn't nearly the same without the whole gang but it was good nonetheless. Dave played my song I had a few beers and I really enjoyed myself. Just me.
After that I went to BS and got there just in time for happy hour. I ordered by beer, flirted with my favourite bartender and had a great time. Just me. Many of my dancing buddies inquired about my lack of appearance over the past weeks. All I could do was explain that I was constantly busy. The owner even said the same thing and what else could I say. It's good when you have friends that miss you and I guess this is one of the good things about being a regular somewhere. I didn't have to necessarily go out with the guys or the girls, I had fun on my own with my other friends. Anyway, after a few hours I really started to get tired and decided to head home. I woke up this morning with a bit of a hangover and noticed that my one fish looked like he had a hangover too. I knew he was going to keel over at some point today. Anyway, I just hung around the house for the majority of the day despite my plans to go out to Hankou. It was such a nice day out. The sun was shining and it didn't look that cold but by early afternoon I felt a bit tired. I woke up 10 mins ago to find that my last fish finally died and it was no longer sunny outside. I may or may not go out anywhere tonight but tomorrow for sure I have to run some errands. I have to buy some more coffee and sugar and I have to make my way to DVD mecca if it kills me. Although, I don't have to rush the trip to Carrefour for the coffee and sugar since I'll be sleeping in on Monday but I have to make that trip out to DVD mecca. I heard that they just received a new shipment and I need something new to watch.
In other news, I've put a box of some of my stuff together and will be mailing that home on Monday or Tuesday. This is a big step. This is one of the first steps that confirm my leaving in February. Over this past week I've had a few doubts and have sort of been on the fence of whether or not I should really go but the more I think about it, the more I feel that I should go. I should stick with my original plan of leaving. As they say in show business, always leave them wanting more.

TTFN