Geo: 32.0404, 118.785This morning I woke up early so that I could study and complete my TESOL Course, so I can teach English in China.It was 7am.I could hear men talking down stairs in front of the house... Just workers I thought... I looked out and they where unloading boxes from the car. OK I thought they are moving in...They started opening up the boxes..... outside.... That's just a little strange.They pulled out what looked like 4 lit re casks from the boxes.... They where red and gold!!!MMMMM...mmm.... What's happening at 7 in the morning????OH no.... They are fireworks!!!!!!!!!!!!They started to arrange them on the street. the larger boxes that have a small explosion and that throws up another firecracker and them that explodes in the sky.There where about 26 boxes of these. In each box ... read more

Geo: 32.0404, 118.785It's that time again....HAIRCUT...In I walk into a shop called "i Show"All of the hairdressers are young males... What happens to them once they get old??? Another of China's mysteries....First the hair is washed. The chair is amazing. It's reclined and really comfortable. First the shampoo, conditioner and the head massage.OK take a seat.Now he asks "How much do you want to pay?"I just want a haircut? How much is that? I said.....A menu comes out to explain everything.... but it's all in Chinese? Doesn't really help.I figured out that the more you pay the better or more experienced the hairdresser. So in fact you are paying for experience.OK 80RMB I chose. (That's around $12.00) That was one of the most expensive.OK... Now I wait.... My Dilemma... Do I go short for Australia... It ... read more

Geo: 32.0404, 118.785You are probably thinking... Well that's normal...But what about our foot massage????There must be some way to fit one in before the last day of school on Friday.Where there is a will..l there is a way...This morning we had our final meeting for "Hopeful Hearts" for the year.This Charity is amazing. They/We raise money so that children who have serious heart conditions can have operations. These children are very poor and either in orphanages or live out in the country side.This year "Hopeful Hearts" have helped out 40 children with operations. Wow... I think that's amazing.Sarah the lady who runs the charity is also amazing.... I don't know how she does it....Well after the meeting with coffee, tea, Christmas sweets, chocolate etc.... We also brainstormed ideas for next year's activities to raise more money. ... read more

Geo: 32.0404, 118.785One of the mum's said to me, "I'm going to look at Chinese furniture. Do you want to come."What sort of a question is that.... YER!!!!She wanted to order a pair of cabinets. That seems easy enough?Nothing is easy in CHINA!The driver drove us... so finding it wasn't hard.It was on the third floor. There where escalators for the first 2 floors and then we had to walk up the stairs.Let me explain STAIRS in China. Each step is different. It's either wider or higher and usually covered with a slippery tile. They look great.... but I think an Occupational Health and Safety Officer would have a field Day.The top floor is just Chinese Furniture. It's all new but it looks old. If the furniture is antique you can't take it out of the ... read more

Geo: 32.0404, 118.785FOOD is great.... if you like Chinese food.We have this great little eating place called "Dumplings." They just don't do dumplings but the seem to sell plate loads. They have 10 different types of dumplings to choose from. So when you order 1 serve of dumplings you actually get 6. (My husband didn't know that when he ordered) The funny thing is that if you order three different types of dumplings they are all delivered on the same big plate. They all look the same.Serena was horrified. Matthew had ordered some prawn ones and she doesn't like prawns. So how can you tell them apart..... Bite into one.They are very hot and very yummy.Please don't look to close to the tables, chairs or the floor..... it's not the cleanest....But the food is great.They do ... read more