China 2006 09 12

Well folks a couple of pictures..this one is a real abnormality...Darryl actually pretending he is thinking. This was about 1/2 way up.

Had a couple of interesting things lately.

They have Teacher Day here. Students gave gifts to their teachers. I got a couple of cards. a hat, some candles and a little ornament to hang on the wall. Some got a gift of toilet paper and that is popular as it is a practical gift. Jennifer got some sort of musical instrument as she had mentioned that a brother liked playing music. A weird looking thing it is too. don't know what it is. Also they honour teachers with a dinner, and flowers are given to teachers who have five years at the College here.

More students are coming out in the morning for exercise. I notice them...many times paired up and studying....at 6:30..for them this is one of the outs to another college. Apparently about 200,000 write entrance exams for 40,000 seats at the universities. So what do the other 160, 000 or so do. Some try to get into universties around the world. Can you imagine...how hard you have to work and how good you have to be to be able to get in...amazing. That is why many of them study amost non-stop. Angela was showing me an article written by a girl who says that they turn out the lights to the dorms so some of them go into the stinky bathroom to coninue until late at night....amazing

Most of the teachers are leaving for the National holiday break the first week in October. 4 are going on a trip to Inner Mongolia...I would go there if it wasn't for my marathon...where do I train there....run in the Gobi Desert..but it is cheap.....about $250 for a 5 day all expense trip and that includes return on overnight trains.....still may go as it may only be a couple of nights off the running....have to decide by tomorrow. Bob is going to a tropical place as are another couple ...fun in the sun..I think I could go for that in the winter. Chinese New Year which we haven't found out when it is yet????

May stay around Beijing and just relax and mellow out....see the opera...go get hosed again at the Silk Market.....try to find out some sports venues.....Shanghai is having an F1 formula car race on the 30th of September but I think we are stuck here for a school function.

Found out that they don't turn on the heat in China until a certain day and that day is determined by someone unbeknownst to anyone it appears. No matter how cold it gets, this date is supposed to be the one when the heaters come on.....so you may be freezing but until this guy throws the switch, too bad.

Had roast leg of mutton last night...no it did not taste like chicken...even though I joked that it did. Ha popcorn tonight in the microwave...and guess what only one little spot of Chinese..not even any French on it. Speaking of which, two boys in my Grade 11, Class 10 want to learn a little every day so after class they come up and I am actually stunningly impressive with my knowledge of French.....Last night walked by the badminton building....cement floors just like Chaplin and was watching a guy play...he is a student....so this morning I asked him if he would like to play as I said I think we could have a good game. "So you think you are confident"....his reply. Seems like a challenge to me....I gues it is game on but maybe not until after the marathon. Some outdoor cement table tennis as well.

Getting a few more people on my Skype network so will be talking with all of Canada soon.

Had some extra classes added so my clear Wednesday afternooons are now not....

Have been keeping up with the news via CBC on the net, also Riderville, U of S Huskies...so not completely severing the ties.

Terry Fox run on the 23rd of September..students are raising $ so I have , along with a couple others volunteered to have our head shaved, one guy's goatee, one girl.... a few inches of her hair. Any Money raised will be matched by the owner of the college. I figure it will be cool running for the marathon..maybe will have to put some suntan lotion to stop the reflection....heck I am halfway bald anyway...guess I'll see what the next few years will look like as I continue my galloping receding hairline...may not send back many pictures of me for a while...

Tried to put a picture of Jaxon here and can't do it. Tried a couple of times no luck. I will start a new blog and just put some miscellaneous pictures on them.

Sow Zhung How