JozzyP
Jozanda Parkinson Joined: August 28th 2009
Logged in: February 3rd 2011
Logged in: February 3rd 2011
Travel Blog Posts
The Oriental Pearl Tower, Shanghai's famous landmark
My Last Week in China The last week in China was very busy - lots of lessons to teach and packing and socialising to do too. I started off the weekend before I left going to have the final fitting for my Whitechapel Players' Ruby Ball dress at the fabric market, and took a few photos. I also took some photos of the school as my mum said I didn't have any. When we went for our weekly trip to Noodle Man, I also took some photos of him - although he wasn't making the noodles that weekend as he'd been in a car crash on his motorbike so he couldn't walk properly. "Noodle Dad" was making them instead. On the Thursday of our final week Jenny Pu, our contact person for the school, took us ... read more
An unusual christmas card...
Christmas in China Another apology for this blog being so delayed, I am now so busy because I've taken on an extra 12 hours of classes a week at the Australian School, that I barely have time to plan my lessons let alone do anything else! The only reason I've found time today is because I'm off school sick - oh well, every cloud... So this is what happened on my first Christmas away from home... Christmas Eve - AKA the day I broke my camera We all had to work Christmas Eve, but we were allowed Christmas Day off. So the 24th meant "performance" time in the Primary Department. Polly and I were singing "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday" and the children were doing various dances and a repeat showing of "Rainbow Fish" ... read more
make-up time
Being An Octopus and All Things Christmas Firstly let me apologise for being so delayed in posting another blog, I kept forgetting then only remembering 5 minutes before I was about to go to bed or some other ridiculous time. So this blog is a combination of two of the most interesting things I've done over the past month. Being An Octopus My class of Grade 1s had to give a presentation a couple of weeks ago to their parents, and the parents and children from the other classes of Grade 1s to Grade 4s. Each grade were to do a performance of some sort - some of them sung a traditional chinese song, some read poetry etc etc. However, because our class is the "special" english class, we had to do a performance in English ... read more
We went shopping during the day...
Maureen's Halloween Party & Alex's Karaoke Birthday The weekend of the 31st October was halloween, and seeing as Maureen is Canadian, she LOVES halloween and organised a party. So we accepted her invitation and attended her halloween party - with LOTS of alcohol in attendance. Alina and I made our costumes as Maureen had said she was dressing up and we didn't want her to feel left out, plus you know what I'm like - any excuse for fancy dress!!!! So Alina made herself some horns out of paper, and a poker, to go as a devil. And I made myself a witch's hat out of cereal boxes and carrier bags, along with a cape made from a big bin liner. I think our costumes were rather creative! Alina's friends were visiting us and so we ... read more
On the train to Hangzhou
Our Weekend Away This weekend we travelled 1.5 hours out of Shanghai by train to the city of Hangzhou (pronounced Hang-Jo, much to my parents’ amusement). Hangzhou is the capital of the Zhejiang province and is renowned for its historic relics and natural beauty. It is often known as one of the most beautiful cities in China. It has been ranked as one of the ten most scenic cities in China. One of Hangzhou's most popular sights is West Lake. The lake itself covers an area of 6 km2 and includes some of Hangzhou's most famous historic and scenic places. Tea is an important part of Hangzhou's economy and culture. Hangzhou is best known for originating Longjing, a famous variety of green tea. Whilst we were there it was the Hangzhou International Fireworks Show. Hangzhou is ... read more
The kids line up at school
A school trip with a difference Another week, another experience. This time in the form of that old-school classic - the SCHOOL TRIP! The school trip I would be accompanying them on was to the Shanghai Sculpture Park, a one and a half hour coach journey from the school. All the Grade 1s (of which my class is one of 5), as well as the Grade 2 and 3s were going, and they all lined up in front of the school with their tour guide - yes we had a tour guide, complete with yellow flag. We then got on the fleet of coaches. Some things I noticed about Chinese School Trips: Number 1 - they have no regard for children's safety on the coach. Before we even set off as I got on the coach ... read more
Alina's Birthday cake and KFC
Alina's Birthday Last weekend we went out for Alina's birthday in Shanghai. Most people have gone away from Shanghai for the holidays, so it was just me, Alex, Alina and her German friend who she met when she went to Chinese High School a few years ago. The day started with me going and getting Alina her birthday cake and birthday KFC (see photo) lol. We then spent the day chilling out and getting ready before heading into Shanghai to meet the boys. We went to a club called Zeal which was 80RMB (£8) entry and 10 drinks vouchers free. The club was cool, hip-hop music and random pole dancers! Alex particularly liked the pole dancers! We had a good boogie, met some random people (like the two girls who accosted me in the toilets coz ... read more
My new blue dress I bought speedily before going out!
Pink, pink, pink!!!! The Wednesday just gone was the start of the 9 day national holiday in China, and this year it also marks the 60th Anniversary of the People's Republic of China. However we marked it by going out in Shanghai to a People's Republic of PINK Party! Oh yes!!! A few of my friends from my quarantine period in Beijing were down here for the holidays so we all went out, to a party I'd found online. I hadn't realised, however, that it was in a Barbie Bar. The boys weren't impressed I don't think! hehe The building was called Barbie and had Barbies in the window. Then there were chinese women holding pink balloons dressed up as sweety Barbies in blonde wigs at the door welcoming us in to the party. Next we ... read more
In the Coffee sHop
Visiting the Jews... On Sunday we took in the quaint old-fashionedness of the former Jewish neighbourhood of Shanghai. We started out in a lovely coffee shop, that had French breads and cakes - not very Jewish, but very delicious! We then walked a route around the Jewish quarter as guided by Martin - our tour guide for the day, with his stolen leaflet! So, taken from the aforementioned stolen leaflet, I shall attempt to explain what the Jewish quarter is all about, and there is additional information on the photos. Near the northern Bund stands "Little Vienna," the heart of the once-vibrant Jewish community in Hongkou District. In the decade prior to World War II, Shanghai was one of the only cities in the world accepting immigrants without immigration documents. Between 1933 and 1941 more than ... read more
A room full of teachers
Teacher's Meal and Saturday Shopping I have just typed this entire blog entry once and then the internet crashed and I lost it all - I’m rather loathe to type it all again, as it took me ages! :-( Friday On Friday we went to a teachers’ meal organised by the school for the 10th Birthday of the School as well as the 60th Celebrations of the People’s Republic of China which are coming up soon. It was a very strange affair! All the teachers that work in the school were invited so there was tons of us in a huge room as you can see from the photos. As we were eating the starters various important people from the school kept coming round and saying cheers or “gan bei” to us so we kept having ... read more
