Happy New Year One and All!

Hey everyone,

Well, we've been back to work now for over two weeks, so our Xmas break ending on January 3rd has been a bit of a shock to the system -- not to mention having Chris' visit rapidly winding down. But we've been managing to stave off the January blues...sightseeing, barhopping and restaurant sampling along with just chilling at night with a movie or odd game of scrabble -- which has all kept the holiday spirit alive!!

And what a holiday! As you can see from the last entry, we celebrated a wonderful Xmas and New Years followed with a decidedly festive night at Shanghai's oldest temple, Longhua. Before that, we enjoyed a whirlwind trip to Hangzhou, of the famous West Lake, and Suzhou, of the famous canals, gardens and 'crossing the bridge' noodles...where Chris ordered a round of 'noodles with happiness' which turned out to be an aptly named, yummy concoction of noodles with fish balls and quails' eggs -- in any case, we were all very happy scoffing them down! Finding the famous gardens of Suzhou turned out to be a bit of a challenge, as the New Year's Eve crowds made finding taxis even more difficult then doing so in Shanghai (which is saying something!), but we eventually succeeded and enjoyed a sunny day in a small, tucked away gargen called "Garden of the Master of the Nets". Luckily for us, if we had to see only one garden, this one is considered the best. Its labyrinth of gardens, rooms, bridges and ponds is considered a model for use of space, and a room has even been replicated in New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Following New Years, Chris took off for five days in Hong Kong, where he met Sylvia and had a great time exploring our favorite city. Then they came back together on the overnight train, which made me afraid for them, remembering our horrendous experience taking the overnight run with Carly and Craig in 2002 from Guangzhou to Yangshou (hard sleeper turned out to be VERY hard indeed: three-tiered bunks with kids running amok, locked toilets, and army major stewards announcing the arrival of dawn...just to name a few of our 'adventures')! Chris, on the other hand, reported a wonderful trip, complete with dining car and private cabin! Turns out the overnighter from Hong Kong is somewhat reminiscent of the Orient Express!!

Anyway, by the time they returned, we were both back to work, so Sylvia and Chris took up their own sightseeing and shopping. It was great seeing Sylvia again, and a lot of fun having her visit. While she was here we took in all the haunts...Xian Tian De, Art Street, New Heights on the Bund, and then she and Chris took off on their own side trip to Suzhou. Upon their return, Sylvia introduced us to a couple of great new Shanghai spots, particularly one called "Xuan Jude", which is famous for its Peking Duck. I also loved its wonderful ambience of maitre d's dressed in ancient costumes, and huge rooms filled with red Chinese lanterns and decorations! Sylvia treated us to a fantastic meal of Peking Duck and delicacies on her last night....and then she, too, had to leave to go back to work! We hope we see her again soon...after all, Shanghai and Taipei are a lot closer than Toronto/Taipei :-)

So Chris was on his own for his last week, but he managed to keep himself busy with such outings as a trip to the Shanghai Museum...and even a mid-week visit to our campuses. His impression was very favourable, affirming that we work with a great bunch of people -- with huge, modern Minhang being light and airy, while Roel's Xuhui school is smaller but cosier, with a more ivy-league feel. Chris made a big hit with everyone, too, so much so that a party was arranged by Shane, the resident Canadian teacher (already 6 years at SSIS!) to take Chris on the town on his second-last night here. And for Chris' last night we're planning to keep it low-key for packing, etc., but we will try to squeeze in a boat trip on the Huangpu River -- if it's not too cold!

Yes, it seems that winter has finally arrived in Shanghai -- so much for our balmy weather! Chris managed to enjoy a great window of warmer temperatures, which allowed for our seemingly endless outdoor patio seatings and bicycle jaunts. With Syliva we even managed a nightcap after a meal at New Heights, outside on the patio where we could watch the entire Skyline and harbour by night -- really a sight to behold -- albeit warmed by patio heaters! But that was then...yesterday all the kids at Minhang campus ran right out of their classrooms for a sprinkling of...yes...SNOW! Most of them had never seen the white stuff before, and you would have thought it was Xmas all over again! The Singaporean teachers were right there with them...they seemed just as excited!!! Oh well, as Chris says, his last week should acclimatize him for his trip home...while we can hunker around the heat pump :-)

Speaking of which, it's cranking out temps around 18 degrees Celcius...hope Carrie agrees that's warm enough when she arrives in one week! She'll have just enough time to get over her jetlag, before the four of us depart for Vietnam, where she should be able to warm up for sure...oh, did I mention that Craig Sr. is coming along, too? Should be a blast!

So, as we get ready to say a sad good-bye to Chris, look for my next installment way off after Chinese New Year's. It's very, very busy at work right now...report cards and parent teacher interviews are still ahead...but then we take off for sunnier climes.

I'll report back later on operation Hanoi and North Vietnam!

'Til then,
Zai Jian.
A & R

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