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Published: December 20th 2009
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Phew. We are all officially exhausted! It has to be said, we are quite relieved to be staying put this Christmas and not trekking half way around the world today! We are really very sad not be spending it with our nearest and dearest in England, but at the same time, we have had such a busy period over the past few weeks, we all need to rest.
We finished school on Friday lunchtime after an eventful week. On Thursday, we had our school Winter Festival which was organised by yours truly. As I have a tendency not to be able to say no, when I was approached by our SMT and asked to organise it, I clearly said yes. Unfortunately, I didn't have quite as much support as I would have liked, but I had a great little team or supporting helpers, and my good friends Linda and Sam also, to help me along. Of course, my beautiful family deserve a mention at this point as they had to put up with my constant emailing and going to school early, coming home late, and stressful moods, especially this past week. I know this sounds like an Oscar speech, but
it feels like I have been working that hard!
First, we had the assembly from 11am-12.30pm, which (in the end!) was lovely. We don't usually have a whole school assembly as our numbers have grown and then there is no space for parents, but I insisted so as to create more atmosphere and it was well worth it. We had a lovely arrange of 14 acts displaying xmas-type things and what they have been learning in after school clubs. Then there was a speech by our principal where I got some flowers to say thank you for my hard work! While all this was going on, my able assistants were welcoming my 48 vendors arrived and guided them to their stalls. 'It is all in the organisation'...I was told by Kevin, and he was right.....there was nothing more we could do on the actual day...everything was planned and then we were at the mercy of the vendors! To be honest, we didn't have too many issues, only one grumpy vendor at the end of the day, and mostly very happy ones. I got some lovely words from parents and teachers alike, praising the day and amazed at the scale
of it....completely different to anything that had happened before! I even managed to catch a few words with the big man himself....our owner! Even he was impressed, so it must have been good! We had a great raffle also and in total, it seems we raised just over 20,000RMB (£2.000)!! A rest well needed now!
Last Sunday, I joined some of my female friends to celebrate a colleague's hen party at the Barbie Store! Yes, Shanghai has the flagship store and it is just ...well.....pink! It is 5 floors of Barbie-ness! We all had nails done and then headed up to the cafe for cocktails and milkshakes! In fact, it was so good that Linda and I took Sophie and Sarah there for the afternoon today. They both had their nails painted and were in Barbie heaven! They are both very girly and grown up and it was so cute to see them ordering the 'BFF Sundae' to share!!
Last night we had the teachers who have not flown home for the holidays over to our place for homemade mince pies and mulled wine. I decided that I needed to find some tradition within me and do some
home baking. Now, this is no mean feat in China, it has to be said. In an oven 9in square which cooks in super warp speed, it is very difficult to do your xmas baking! It took me all afternoon to make shortbread biscuits (with 2 little helpers of course) and a dozen mince pies. Mind you, they were delicious! We then supped mulled wine with our friends, pulled crackers and chatted away while we relaxed!
So, the Christmas week is upon us. Finally, Linda and I have planned our xmas dinner and I am starting to bring her into the workings of a 'Delia xmas'!! We are going shopping for groceries on Wednesday afternoon as of course over here, there is no mad rush to clear the shelves of every single food item....Christmas is not a festival here and everything is open as normal. Some families have a tree and a few gifts, but most just enjoy a few weeks' holiday if their children attend an international school, while a few decorations are around town in the areas where expats shop.
For us, we are enjoying spending time at home as a family, with our friends and
doing the best we can with traditions in a very frustrating culture! More to follow...wish me luck.........!!
PS For those of you who I haven't already blurted it to...a few weeks ago, we were asked to do a photo shoot for a magazine which distributes to expats across Shanghai and Sophie is the official cover girl! Our family picture took a 2 page spread also, so we have shared this with you all as our official holiday portrait! Very American but very lovely also!!
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Anne Thurston
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HAPPY CHRISTMAS!
Wow! Well, we haven't had a blog for a little while, but this one made up for it. Well done on your Winter Festival, your Dad would have been proud of you for all that organisation! William looks very serious and concentrating hard on his Billy Goat Gruff role, bless him. I can just imagine Sophie and Sarah in Barbie heaven, it looks every little girl's dream. What a wonderful time and what experiences you are having. Will be thinking of you all this week. Loads of love to you all. Mum xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx