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 [View Full Entry]

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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 [View Full Entry]

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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 [View Full Entry]

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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 [View Full Entry]

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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 [View Full Entry]

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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 [View Full Entry]

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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 [View Full Entry]

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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 [View Full Entry]

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From Work to Weekend Work I thought I'd give you a bit of an insight into the differences between Chinese school and British schools because believe me there's a big difference! These are just some of the things I've noticed in the past 2 weeks of being here. Firstly the children are boarders here - from 6 years old, to 18 year olds. They have school from Monday to Friday lunchtime from 7.45am to 4.30pm, and then evening classes from 5.45 til 6.45pm to do their homework. The older ones probably have longer - thats just the little ones! They don't [View Full Entry]

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Shanghai Tourism Festival & Stephen's birthday celebrations This weekend just gone was fun-packed!!! It started off not so great as Kirsty left (but at least she got a Haibou - the little blue mascot for the 2010 Shanghai Expo - to take with her). But Saturday night was partaaay night! Marion, Aaron, Alex, Martin (teachers I work with) and I went into the centre of Shanghai for the tourism festival where they have a parade of floats and dancers from different countries and areas of China. We met up with Aaron's friend Ali and the girls watched the parade from a [View Full Entry]

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