Huludao, Sooke and snow.

Received the official word that my papers are in order and should be wending their way from Huludao to Sooke for me to get my Z Visa.  Too bad I paid for a two entry L visa before. 

Hoping the weather there will be milder than it is here right now.  Whoever ordered snow needs a severe talking to.  We are not pleased - that is everyone, not the royal we.  Seems it is just as cold in Huludao as here right now; no idea if there is any snow.  I expect a snowy scene in the forest is much nicer than a snowy city scape so will try to appreciate the clean, crisp, fresh snowfall and the clean environment.

Already January 9! (2012)

I cannot believe I have been back for two weeks - by the first week of February it will equal the 39 days I was in China.  This is significant by the lack of excitement I encounter each day.  Today was an important day, my mother's 76th birthday.  We visited Royal Oak Woodlands where my father is buried; decided it is a positive move forward to be able to laugh and smile when there - we have before, the difference this time is that it was not contrived.  Then we went to Romeo's for individual pizzas.  Another plus, my mother was able to eat most of hers without feeling unwell.  It is little advances towards complete normalcy that count.  Life will never be the same as when my father was here, but with time things might become easier to manage.

We also looked through Dig This, not much there.  It does give the inspiration to consider seeds though. 

At home we put the flowers Rachel and I gave M in a glass pitcher, placed them on the glass table and shooed Zeke off several times before he gave up trying to eat the flowers.  I prepared dinner, M set the table then....CRASH!  tinkle, tinkle....turn off the burners, ask if the table had broken, grab the broom and dustpan.  Zeke had not been near the place - he was eating his supper after so patiently waiting for his share of shrimp.  No, this was M carefullty moving the flowers down for our dinner plates and pushing one of the glass candle sticks off the table.  Fortunately she was not hurt.  Made a terrific amount of slivers of glass on the glass table, a chair and the floor.  I think she feels terrible about breaking it - I gave the set the first Christmas after D died.  When I found it at my favourite consignment store I knew they were meant for her.  Funny though, none of are really into material possessions.  Perhaps that should be modified to be unless attached to an important, personal event.  I know she really liked them.  However, there are still two left and I will just try to find something as wonderful for another Christmas. 

So, most likely in Canada until the end of February.  Waiting for an invitation letter to work at a public primary school in Huludao.  Just love the name!

Home for the Holidays

Such a cliche; however, I was indeed home for the holiday.  Managed to surprise Elizabeth and Ben; then my mother; the Zoe - it was great!  Now enjoying a quiet 2nd day of 2012 after rushing about getting a storage locker, loading up the car - I believe today is the fourth load;  numerous discussions with Zoe about taking responsibility for her life; visiting Mozzy; having lunch with a friend; Christmas and New Year passing and various other activities.  I need to go home to China!

Unfortunately, I will not be returning to the school in Taiyuan.  I cannot compete with, nor do I feel any need to, a principal who is being unreasonable regarding class hours and whether or not I am allowed to leave the school during my free time.  I was not aware there are still school administrations in China that actually think it is acceptable to expect teachers to remain at their posts for 9 - 10 hours, with a 30 minute lunch break.  We had been discussing a 1 1/2 hour break while the children napped, then I was told the principal still expected me to remain in the school - to work with the other teachers on the curriculum or other areas.  I did not flat out refuse; but I already work very hard and put in several unpaid hours outside class as it is - lesson plans based on the largely inappropriate curriculum takes a lot of work!  Especially if I am to incorporate the expected lessons into a more age appropriate format.

So, looking for a new job, might have had a bite.  Would even be willing to go to another city wth GKS if they pay my airfare from Vancouver back to Shanghai and then to whichever city.  However, best to just cut all ties - once fraying occurs the ties that bind are never as strong as when new.