a very merry JAPANESE Christmas!

While many of the other teachers decided to go to the Hainan Islands, (also known as the Hawaii of China) Virginia-Claire and I took another approach to Christmas vacation and went skiing in Japan! After quite a long day, 12hours to be exact, of flying, busing, train-ing, metro-ing, and even cabbing, we finally made it to our adorable hostel where we spent 5 days and 4 nights with the nicest and most gracious hosts I have ever met.

During our stay in Japan, we drank green tea, enjoyed lots of yummy sushi, skiied until we were sore, relaxed in an Onsen (Japanese Hot Spring/Spa) and even got the chance to hang out with snow monkeys! We had the time of our lives and I'm so blessed to have had the opportunity to spend this memorable holiday with a great friend!

walking on sunshine while living in a yellow submarine!

As you may or may not know, as well as being a standard 1st grade homeroom teacher, I also teach DANCE, and somehow actually survived my first semester! If you've ever seen me dance (and I'm sorry if you have) you understand how this is quite the accomplishment! Not only was I expected to come up with fun, energetic routines for class but at the end of the semester my kids had to perform in the Christmas Art Festival! I can 100% guarantee I was 10x more nervous than any and all of the kids! I had no idea what to expect from the other dance classes and was absolutely clueless about choreographing a dance for 1st graders. In the end I chose one of favorite songs, "Walking On Sunshine" which luckily turned out to be the perfect song for the kids as they (almost) always danced together and (for the most part) looked polished and organized.... Either way it was a lot of fun for both me and the kids and a great experience to broaden my horizons and be challenged in a new art form.

Christmas in China... a new level of "Tacky Light Tour" -sisterhoods, this is for you!

Although my sisterhoods may not agree, one of MY favorite Christmas traditions is heading out every year for a night of sisterly bonding, and tacky light touring! For obvious reasons, our little girl’s night is being put on hold this year. So, without the help of Iris, Roy, or any of our other wonderful limo drivers, it has been up to me to find my own Tacky Light Tour here in Shanghai! Luckily, this was not a difficult task – in fact it came quite easily! Immediately after Thanksgiving, the Chinese Christmas elves took over Shanghai and the city was transformed! But instead of seeing those “classy reindeer” (Tricia), and dancing Santas I found neon trees, angels, ribbons and bows as well as strands of SINGING Christmas tree lights (sounds cool, but trust me when I say - it gets REAL annoying after about 5seconds) and GLITTER GALORE!!!!

Now, what surprised me most about all of this was not the glitter, tensile, or even singing trees, but the fact that our school has not only talked about and decorated for Christmas but is also encouraging the children to discuss and embrace the holiday! This week we have dedicated journal topics, read aloud time, and show and tell to everything Christmas. Our class is even planning on having a proper Christmas Party on Tuesday with a gift exchange, Christmas music, and snacks! I love the excitement and anticipation the children are feeling with the upcoming holiday and a visit from Santa!

Just make sure to remember the reason for the season! Happy Birthday Jesus!

My first Shanghai Snowfall!

Not much else to say, but the kids couldn’t get enough! We had a great time playing outside throwing snow balls and attempting our hand at snowmen and snow angels! It was truly awesome to see the kid’s little faces light up each time they would tap you or grab you by the hand and say, “teeecha techaa look it snows outside” or “buuut riiiily teecha, it snows, look! look!” Oh how I love my job!

the infamous squatters - the good, the bad, the UGLY

Inevitably this entry was going to happen eventually - so here it goes!

As many of you may or may not know, toilets in China are NOT always easy to come by. Bathrooms? sure, no problem! But an actual toilet as we know it.... well that's another whole story! Typically, toilets, bathroom, and everything involved, is not something that is often talked about, but for reasons soon to be revealed, NEEDS mentioning!

So of course I heard about the so called "hole in the ground" (or "squat pot" for lack of better words) but nothing, and I do mean NOTHING, could prepare me for my first actual experience using such technology (or lack there of.) Let's be honest

- I was scared! How do I balance? What if I fall? Do I flush the TP or put in the bin next to me? What if the pot clogs because I flushed the paper and it overflows? AHHHHH!!!!!!

Well, I survived and I must say my first experience wasn't that bad!

Now, if you know me at all, you'll know that I LOVE a pro and con list so - behold!!!

The first squat..... A+ = Pro List

*You don't have to touch ANYTHING!

*To flush - just step on the foot pedal! *environmentally friendly - GO GREEN!

*You usually get a door that locks!

After experiencing my first squat (and living to tell the tale) I thought I was up for

anything.... little did I know what was lurking in my future - "the bad and the ugly" - writing a con list never felt so good!

Please Note: the "moat" like concoction that's happening here - one "bathroom"

connected to the next, and next, and next....

The Second Squat...... F = Con List

* The Smell

* Leg muscle cramps

* The LACK of doors

* Poor Aim resulting in

slippery floors...

* Splashing....

(sorry but it's true)

There you have it - you be the judge - To Squat or Not to Squat?

Now THAT'S a question worth asking!

Gobble Gobble! - Happy Thanksgiving!

For the first time EVER, I spent Thanksgiving away from home... I was not particularly looking forward to working and not being with my family during the holiday but as it turns out, I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend Thanksgiving! A bunch of the teachers got together and had a HUGE potluck complete with all the holiday favorites from turkey, and sweet potatoes, to green bean casserole, deviled eggs, and even stuffing! I was highly impressed with all the teacher's culinary skills (not only can we teach, but we can cook as well - what more could you ask for?) Once we arrived everyone took off their shoes, got comfy, and sat on blankets around coffee tables. We ate, socialized and reflected on our many blessing and gave thanks!

quick trip to Hangzhou!

I never thought the day would come that I could actually say, “I love mid-terms.” As a teacher, mid-terms mean administering tests, then grading – and that’s all! There are no lessons to plan, classes to teach, or homework to grade. Instead, it’s a week to relax and let the kids do the stressing. Also with mid-terms we were given a long weekend – which for most of us meant another great opportunity to journey outside of Shanghai.

After talking to a few friends, I decided t o embark on a trip to Hangzhou, located about an hour away by train from Shanghai. Hangzhou is known for its natural beauty, including tea fields, botanical gardens, the West Lake, and a population of 6.4 million! It was wonderful to get out of the busy city life and be surrounded by fresh air and greenery!

While in Hangzhou, we rented bikes, walked around, and spent our time exploring and taking in the beauty. We walked through botanical gardens, got lost a little, and even saw a water show on the lake. After being in Hangzhou for only a couple hours, it soon became one of my favorite places I have visited thus far, and being so close to home, is definitely a place I will visit again!