DOOOOOO-DOODLE-LOOOOO!!!!

Yes! 20 hours until Ben's parents get here. 2 days of classes till May break. Then 8 short weeks until the finish of school. But only 6 weeks left of classes. TADA!!! So exciting. Time flies. The air is heating up. Students are antsier than ever. And we're almost home free! Fantastic! May break comes just in time with promises of sweet hotels, yummy food and fantastic sights, including the Great Wall, Forbidden City, the Square, markets and many other places of interest. Keep you posted with more as we go. Peace!

Red Rocket

These are all over the place in Tianjin city, not so much here in TEDA since there are more large expensive cars and, contrastingly, bikes but today I saw this red rocket parked at the school as we were coming home from Easter brunch. Mao is sitting in a little golden globe on the dash next to a travel coffee mug. That's all you really need right? Mao, mocha, and a sweet three wheeler:)

Class Choas

Here is a chuckle of a video. Some of these students were coming to end of term so I taught them how to play PIT with some cards I got them to make. "Pit" is a game that mimics stock market trades, and normally it comes in a neatly, very expensive package of cards. I modified the game to help the students practice English vocabulary and remind them of different options of foods from the various food groups. It also emphasizes foods that we should have more of or less of depending on their point valuation. The video was their 3rd or 4th round when they were starting to get really into it. Nice group, a good laugh:)

serenity

we escaped to a hotel for the weekend. it has been a great escape thus far.
the pool is amazing. the sauna, steam room and jacuzzi pampering that follow a good gym workout are sheer tranquility, priceless refreshment.

on another note, if ever traveling this side of the globe, be sure to check the distance scale on google maps when attempting to find restaurants within 'walking distance' from the hotel... OR just pack some powerbars, water and emergency rations for the unexpectedly extended trek. we got there, yes, Friday night was Italian cuisine, and we made it to our destination after some vigorous power-walking, but do you think I (Ben) learned my lesson, nope, deja-vu came over us once again this morning when trying to find a local breakfast place. tonight i will not be called out on watching a third strike. street address (check), geographical landmarks (check) small not-to-scale map (check) restaurant name in English (check) and in Chinese (check)... i hope this is all i'll need to knock this one out of the park.

in other related news, exam week just finished, the final term starts on Monday and we have a week long holiday first week in may. after this holiday its back to school for 6 more weeks, which brings us to June exams and our first year at Maple Leaf will be in the books. time flies when you're... well time just flies, even though in the moment it might only feel like a plod, hindsight speeds things up.

back in the blogosphere

April has arrived and with it SPRING!! The blossoms are decorating the trees, the orange-clad public works workers are out in full force and watering the winter beaten grass, the spring/summer flowers are being plated and most importantly the blue skies have graced us with their presence. We have been enjoying some balmier temperatures, up to 20 degrees this past weekend, have said goodbye to our winter boots and thermal underwear and are counting down the days until we have a weekend getaway!

Recently we've been impressed at the amount of people packing the local park to fly kites, enjoy the greenspace and have family time. The usual sight is a set of grandparents, or two, with parents in tow, all fawning over one extremely over-dressed young toddler. The poor toddler has on enough layers to keep him safe from even the fiercest arctic winds and these layers make it cumbersome for him to even wander in the greenspace. When finally able to move, like a prisoner trying to inch along in shackles, the squirt can barely enjoy himself without being apprehended by over-zealous grandparents protecting him from any slight tumble.... what ever happened to teaching kids to wipe themselves off, brush off their hands and get up and carry-on?? This park scene is in complete contrast to the comings and goings in the local vegetable market, where five to seven ragamuffin children weave in and out of the foot-traffic like F-16's dogfighting with each other. When one of these young ones takes a tumble, the whole troupe gathers 'round to enjoy the sight of one of their own down for the count. Having realized what has happened, the floored youngster regains their footing and the chase resumes. Contrasts continue to be a daily encounter captivating our emotions and thoughts.

With the internet on the fritz, it has allowed for more time to be spent in literary works. Any suggestions or must-reads would be gladly accepted. Christina, though a lover of books, has found a new passion for needle work. As I sit and read, Christina is beside me, spotlight shining on the white grid as it awaits the squinting artist to stitch the next color of the masterpiece.