Tag Archives: China

Farewell

Posted on June 16, 2013 by A

The last few weeks in Shenzhen were…. actually rather enjoyable. Refusing to allow the only activities on offer in this Godforsaken city roll us out chubbier, defeated and a little bit dead inside, we decided to look beyond the 8 … Continue reading →

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So a Black Girl walks into a Chinese Hairdresser’s and….

Posted on May 25, 2013 by A

In China, you can pay someone to do almost any task you don’t particularly want to do yourself. Due to the increasingly insufferable 99% humidity, the thought of washing my hair and blasting my head with hot air for an … Continue reading →

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Now that’s a lovely surprise!

Posted on April 24, 2013 by A

The shack has been privy to a deluge of unexpected visitors which has made me immeasurably happy. First was my brother Mark who (almost) made it to Shenzhen, refusing to cross the border we had a grand old time in … Continue reading →

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Dancing with Death and Other Short Stories

Posted on April 13, 2013 by A

4th-6th April was a national holiday in China: Qing Ming or Tomb Sweeping Festival. It is a festival that is centred on paying one’s respects to one’s ancestors. Many Chinese return to their hometowns to visit the tombs of those who … Continue reading →

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Li Na jiā yóu!

Posted on January 9, 2013 by A

Last weekend witnessed a series of firsts: Shenzhen’s first major tennis event, my first time to a sporting final, and my first (sort of) hitch-hike. Late last year, I bought a pair of tickets to the Shenzhen 2012 Tennis Open … Continue reading →

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New Year’s Hong Kong Style

Posted on January 5, 2013 by A

新年快乐! Happy New Year! I have just returned from what was quite possibly one of the best New Year’s celebrations I have ever had. If the saying, ‘start as you mean to go on’ has any truth to it, this year … Continue reading →

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Happiness is…

Posted on December 24, 2012 by A

The stark realisation that my Christmas dinner is going to look something like this: Christmas dinner 2012 ….and then finding these:   To my family, although we are celebrating it across 4 different continents this year, I can still feel … Continue reading →

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China Giveth and (almost immediately) China Taketh Away.

Posted on December 6, 2012 by A

So here is a snapshot of a typical day in China. This morning I had three classes to teach back to back. The first two are Grade 4 and they are reasonably intelligent so those classes are always enjoyable. The … Continue reading →

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The Great Escape

Posted on October 22, 2012 by A

Soon after I arrived and after we had signed the contract my school decided to inform me of a certain ‘rule’ they have. No teachers are allowed to leave school premises between 7.50 am and 5 pm. This is in … Continue reading →

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