Blogs from Tianjin, China, Asia - page 8

I attended Matthew's first school assembly today! It was a lovely afternoon, Matthew didn't have to do much as he has only been at the school almost 3 weeks but he joined in with all the singing. Each month the school puts on an assembly to show what the children have made and learnt over the past month. It's nice for the parents to see as most children say they did "nothing today" or "it was boring" But they have made some lovely things, masks, lantern pictures, dragons and the older children played music that they have been practising. Matthew has settled into school really nicely. He has made a couple of friends. He is still not keen on having to do 15 words for spelling practise but he has done fantastic in maths. He got ... read more

We found a few interesting things in Tesco at the weekend!! In the fish and meat section we found very large frogs and turtles! Not something we are used to seeing every day and I have to say they did not look very tasty!!! But on the plus side, I found a great in port shop with lots of yummy treats. The price they cost, they will be a special treat!! We went out for a lovely dinner on Friday night, nice not having to cook. It was a western food restaurant and they had some yummy food on offer! We met up with a couple of Andy's work friends and their partners. the boys enjoyed this place because the owner has built a huge train set in the middle of the downstairs floor. I think ... read more

I said on Monday it was going to be one of those weeks and it sure is!!! When starting at a new school, be sure to get a card with name and address on.......... My taxi did not turn up this morning for the school run. So I got reception to get me a taxi - so far so good. Once in the taxi, I told driver where we wanted to go - a blank look from driver! So Matthew showed the driver his school uniform - still a blank look so I ran back into reception and told the lady where I wanted to go she then explained to the doorman who then explained to the driver!!! It was like Chinese whispers!!! 45mins late but we made it to school!!!! It is a good job ... read more

It has been a really busy first week in China! We went for our medical on Monday.........NEVER AGAIN! It was not an experience I would like to do again. We had a nice Chinese lady that came with us to help fill out all of the many forms. Our fantastic driver also came with us to help. It was a busy waiting room, we felt and looked like a fish out of water!! Then we followed the lady out to a very long and busy corridor, she pointed to me to enter a room. I went in and was faced with my worst fear! Blood test room was first. The lady did not look gentle and proved me right! She couldn't find my veins and ended up just sticking needle in after a few hard slaps ... read more

Hello from china!!! We made the very long trip to Teda, China............after an hour drive to LHR airport then we sat on the runway for an hour so took off late, in the air for 9 & half hours followed by an extra half an hour at Beijing to hunt for Williams pushchair then a 2 hour drive to hotel........I feel tired just writing this!!! I have to say, Matthew was fantastic on the plane. he sat nicely and played his DS game and had a few hours sleep. this made a BIG difference to him compared to last time. William......you have to just love him!! 2 days before we fly, he comes out in a nice cough and cold, all snotty and grotty. Just after we take off he has a major coughing fit and ... read more