November

Just spent a couple of days sort of recovering....we had parent teacher interviews on the Thursday night and Friday....they went well....some concerns with students...normal...got myself some extra work as I will try to get some students tuned back into math.....


Went out to a real Chinese market with Charles Wu and we bought a three wheeler...paid 230 rmb...about $30 and now will use it to for anything....also went out food shopping for ab=n hour or so with Charles....he was a good guide and we had some fun...he came back with me in the back of my 3 wheeler....lots of strange looks... will give it to some students to paint I think....Rider green and may put on a speaker or two so that I can listen to music as I pedal my butt around...it is the long box version.....the short box I could not find....spent Sunday afternoon sending some clubs back to Canada..to various people...will probably give it away when I leave...to some farmer...hope to put a picture or two on this blog...tried to send it out to some people and didn't have any success..will try again...

Went to a bar called Franks on Friday night ...many of the crew were there.....resting from the interviews...yep that's right resting.....?????
Some came home almost resting in the cab....and rested on their couches.....


Also went out with Brent and Reg for a bike ride on Saturday...saw a motorcycle with side car.....what a hoot...all black and with the Beijing opera mask painted on the side car.....cost about $4500 to get it back to Canada....another idea????...went all over the place....both markets....Silk...Yashow....and even a farmer type market....meat vegetable...pots and pans....bread....lots of stuff...

Talked with the gang from BCCSC on Sunday morning...their Saturday night...they were having a reunion in Halifax at Don and Eve's...was great to see them all again...missed the camaraderie that we experienced at Tuan Li...lots of laughs and caught up on the recent events in their lives....marriages....hockey games..football...teaching assignments......have been told to visit them some time...will try to make that a reality... funny how people come and go into and out of your life and how they affect you....what a great group of colleagues.....wished I could have been there...they even said they played the woo hoo song.....probably only for a nano second....??????

As I said before , I finally have all the clubs here..now need to get them sent and then that is it.....for now....unless I decide to open a store????...not

No hockey this week....our bye week...have decided that I will not play after middle of February and concentrate on getting in shape for the run...

Weather here is decidedly cooler...may have to don longjohns...

Will let you know how the Riders made me feel in a few hours....will watch some of the game on Sling box...crossing fingers....hope the best team shows up...will get the kids to make up a yell if we make it to the Grey Cup...maybe they will get some exposure over here...gave up trying to contact the administration of the CFL.....not interested in an expat here I guess...what a chance to get in on the ground floor

The week went by....started off well...Riders had a scare but won in the end....the western final will be a different story...need to play 60 minutes...I hope it is our turn to win...doesn't necessarily work that way..

Still working hard especially in the phys ed dept....trying to motivate some kids to excel instead of just doing....good news is that there are about 12 girls interested in playing volleyball...more than the boys....boys are into basketball too though....had a a tough Wednesday.....need some energy to get through the days....Thursday was good and Fridays are always good aren't they?.....have been keeping up with my emails as best I can.....ordered some books from Canada which I will bring back when I return after Christmas....would also like to bring back some PE supplies because they are minimal......had another golf club run on Saturday with Fred and Reg as outriders...funny....have only 5 sets of clubs to send and then I am finished for now.....only one screw up I know of and I hope that is all.....

Went to a friendly hockey game between China Sharks and a Russian team....Henry and a girlfriend, Fred and Reg went as well...got home in time to go to the Century 21 hotel for a nightcap...Henry and I talked about starting a business whereby I am his dealer for golf clubs in Canada...we make our millions and then move on...funny guy this Henry....then off to bed

Going to golf saw a very gruesome sight....on the way there...there had been an accident...windshield shattered.....a man was lying on the pavement...big gash out of his head...obviously dead...nothing covering him up...traffic just driving by...police were there directing it but seemed pretty uncaring that people would just drive by...no one threw a blanket over him...very impersonal.....very sad....

Morning was golf at 10...we got there at 11 and teed off at 12....no,,no better results...still well over 100 but I didn't lose as many balls....Fred says the clubs are good..and his game is ok...mine....not so much...got awfully cold the last 4 or 5 holes.....tonight another chance to score...in hockey that is....we play at 8:30...that means a 12:00 return and I am not ready for school yet so it will mean an early morning....but the Riders play so that means some stuff may be put on the back burner....

Payday this week I think....I purchased a small set of speakers...hope to mount them on my three wheeler....that way I can have music as I travel down the road...may be a distraction though.....still haven't been able to shake this cold.....nose plugged..a smoker's cough...thanks to the air I think....eating Christmas oranges already....

Well off to the rink.....won our game 3-2...nope...not even...ok I had one good chance but couldn't bury it...some squabbling ove the reffing....whaddya think...

WOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO..Riders are in ...now what they heck am I doing here...not really...if it take me to be here for them to be in the Cup I will sacrifice from time to time...going to create a video with the kids about Rider pride and the kids will yell and scream and we will have some shots of around here..will send it to CBC and let them deal with it...Monday at 6:00 in the morning is kick off....I don't need to be in class until 11:00 so I will be here I think...sent an email out to all the teachers..letting them know that we were in....

Met Nancy Greene...she was at the school today and spoke to the kids about goals and life and how she competed...asked her about Mt Blackstrap....the mountain in Saskatoon ...she skied it for the winter games....she know Byron McCorkell...a friend from the Sask Parks and Rec and will give him my card and maybe we can connect again....going to some boxing on Wednesday at the Olympic venue....Workers Gymnasium...apparently not a lot of people there.....about $5 to get in.....insane

Was sicker than a dog the other night...maybe something I ate...and am now getting over the cold.....I think...this maid thing..I could get used to...leave a dirty house and come back..bed is made...dishes washed....clothes ironed...floors washed...everything is sparkling...even the cutlery is arranged in order.....all for 50rmb