(written by Cait)
Wow, so, we’ve been living in China for nine months-that’s a whole school year! The weather has cooled down and I’ve been warned winter is coming. Winter-schminter; temperatures in the 50s? Bring it on Guangzhou!
Work has been going well, busy for me. I’ve picked up a part time job teaching Business English to a few employees at an international company. And Brad’s still as popular as ever at work; always being the students’ choice for favorite teacher.
We had been mentally preparing ourselves for a strange Christmas, maybe a little lonley, a little homesick; no snow, no Christmas decorations, no Christmas music in the shopping malls. Oh, once again, China has proved me wrong. Just this past week, in our neighborhood Subway (the sandwich shop) put up a Christmas tree, Starbucks has snowflakes and stars decorating the windows, and Costa Coffee strung up garland along side a GIANT nut cracker statue! My local co-workers broke out into Wham’s Last Christmas in the office the other night-explaining Christmas music is played everywhere. Huh, in China? Who knew? Well, apparently, the Chinese really embrace Christmas (not the religion aspect though).
I just found out yesterday that I’m going to be teaching a Christmas carol class, three times, and our company just announced that everyone gets Christmas day off! So, looks like I won’t be having a blue Christmas after all!
Here are some random pictures:
These pink flowers are blooming all over the city! Here’s a little park near Cait’s work. Citic Plaza, in the background, is the tallest skyscraper in the city.
This picture below deserves an explanation. I was almost finished at Western Union, so Brad decided to go ahead, grab us some beers for the walk we had planned after I finished sending money back to the States. While sitting in the bank, I get a text from Brad, I’m the white trash in front of Gails. And the picture below is the scene I came to. It seemed some store didn’t want their chairs anymore, so they just put them outside.
“So, ready for that walk?” Brad asks, and hands me a beer. I sit down, and asses the situation. ”Nah, it’s actually pretty nice here-cool breeze, comfortable chairs…let’s hang out for a bit.” I’m expecting at any moment to be kicked out of these chairs-maybe they’re not trash after all. But soon, two business-looking men, sit down in the other two chairs for what seems like a serious conversation. After they leave, the chairs have continuous occupants while we decide to sit there for two beers. This is China.
I clinched a sale for a sales rep, and as a thank you, she left this on my desk. Flavor: upside down pineapple cake-awesome!
This last picture is just a fun night out.
