Foggy and Sunny Days

The past few weeks the days have been foggy in the mornings but clear and sunny later in the day. That weather pattern also symbolizes the nature of life here during those days. Plans were foggy or disappearing daily. First there was the assistants' school Christmas Eve party/program that we had to attend. But then it never happened. The girls said the school leaders cancelled it and they started talking about the Chinese test they had on Sunday. One of their teachers now tells me among other things the hall they needed was being redecorated. Then there was the request from our school that we not take the 25th and 26th off. We were asked to take the 28th and 29th as our Christmas holidays. Why? Because the school was too busy. Fine. So imagine our surprise when on the 25th we were told we had the 25th and 26th off! And so it went.

Inspite of the fog, Christmas was much more than I ever expected. For starters about mid- December decorations appeared in some restaurants and stores. Many more Santa cutouts were added to the few that remained in windows from last year. No, the level of adornment never reached what happens in the States....what could? But I did see Santas and Santa hats working in many establishments. Garlands and trees decorated stores and restaurants. One supermarket even played Christmas music...all varieties!


Christmas Eve, Ulla, Nick and I had planned on going to dinner together. During the afternoon, Ulla and I had a great gabfest and much to my surprise, Mrs. Li and then the headmaster stopped by with gifts. Then the Lis called to ask us to join them for dinner and of course we went. Here we are at the restaurant: Jerry, a friend of Mr. Li, Ulla, Nick, Zhang Ming, Lele, myself and Ruben. We had a lovely dinner. The food here continues to amaze me with it's variety and gourmet quality. Many of our dinners are in private dining rooms. There is a large lazy Susan in the middle of the table where the dishes are placed. We take bite-sized portions from the dishes we choose to sample. There is always ample food!

Christmas morning Nick and I went over to the school at 8 to hear more about a party.... only to learn the party was just for Grade 1 class 1 and we were not teaching that day or the next. So we donned our Santa hats and delivered our chocolate coins to our English students. All 850 of them. We spent at least an hour saying Merry Christmas to each student and receiving their Merry Christmas wishes, thanks and delight..... and then we took the next 2 days off while the school continued to have classes.

Christmas Day held more events though......

Grade 1-Class 1 is one of my classes. Miss Jiang is the head teacher. She is full of surprises and sunshine. Christmas was no exception. Her students, lined up for the Monday morning opening exercises, really stood out Christmas morning. There they were, sixty little Santas!

After the lunch break the class gathered in the area between buildings 1 and 2 for a Talent Show. During the first period the students carried their own heavy chairs down the stairs from their classroom while the teacher prepared the sound system, stage, etc. During the second period we were entertained with recitations, gongfu/kung fu, dance and music. Each number was introduced by the two emcees. There were many glitches, but no one minded and everyone had a great time.

To end the day the administrative team took us to dinner. And then a foot massage! After those festivities I returned to the office in my apartment, the room that is easiest to heat, to a desk covered with flowers, cards, and other gifts from students, daughter and friends. I was feeling quite sunny, nevermind the earlier fog. And still not sure how Christmas found me in China.