The lead up into Christmas was unspectacular. I have work on the 23rd, so that is what I did. I gave my little students their stockings which was a lot of fun. They looked really excited to get a gift for Christmas. China is a Secular nation so there are no religious holidays off. This means that everyone is used to working on Christmas. Thus I have class on Thursday night, so I will be working on Christmas. Christmas eve was actually quite nice. Wednesdays are my day off from work, so Jesse and I made a quick Trust Mart run for kitchen essentials in the morning. The rest of the day was spent on the couch not having to do anything. It was magical not having to do anything. It actually felt like a normal Christmas Eve. We watched TV for far too long, but it was far more relaxing than anything I had done in a long time. We were supposed to have Mexican food for dinner but Cassidy and Brennan came back way late so that was postponed. I also managed to get my entire Science class planned out and sent off. Lots of projects for all ages!!
Christmas morning began with cooking breakfast. Jesse and I had bought the fixings for eggs and toast. After some deliberation over what we were going to put into the eggs for flavor we had Sichuan style (spicy as we can make it). Toast was made in our toaster oven, though we didn’t have the usually fixings, thus it was settled on for peanut butter and honey. Breakfast was amazing, tasted a little bit like home. The afternoon was spent lounging but eventually I got myself up and off to work. I had to leave extra early as to not catch rush hour. When I arrived I received a gift from the staff: a lovely white scarf. I tried it on, it’s definitely warm. It looks maybe a little sill yon me, but it’s the thought that counts in my opinion. Work itself was a bit difficult to start, the children have a problematic dynamic that was allowed to fester under the last teacher. Now I am charged with breaking really poor habits, we’ll see how it goes. The Christmas half of the class was a lot more fun. I had them make stockings, which was surprisingly a lot of effort on their part. But we managed and I was able to leave. I had dinner alone which was kinda a bummer. I was back late and the others had left to go out drinking with a friend who was leaving the next morning. Oh well I just listen to music an enjoyed the tacos. Overall certainly not the best Christmas I have ever had, but such is life. I think it will help me appreciate the ones I have with my family more.
Dec. 26, 2014
My morning began with a phone call from Jesse asking to be let in. The gates closed fairly early in the evening so all of my roommates were forced to spend one last night in the dorms. I felt mild smugness at being in my very comfortable bed. To was the first day I only ate food only cooked at home (finally a functioning kitchen). Breakfast was eggs and bread again, we are experimenting with flavoring the eggs. Breakfast was good none the less. I actually didn’t have work today which was mildly magical. I made it up to my dorm to start the cleaning process. I have until the 30th to get myself together and clean it. I’ve started hopefully I will be able to finish before the weekend is over. Qiyi came by and gave me a mug for Christmas, it was super sweet of her. After lunch Jesse and I popped out to Trust Mart again. It was a misty day today, just wet and cold. We got food for dinner, I decide I would making dinner with Jesse acting as kitchen wench. I made breaded chicken, with vegetables all over noodles. It was pretty tasty, I need to get the proportions right but it is a work in progress. The breaded chicken I think was the best part. The Weekend is beginning and I am not really sure where the week went, soon New Years will be here. I think it’s going to be a good year.
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| Sorry I couldn't get it to rotate! |
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