Okay so everyone has one, that one outfit that you miraculously find one day that just makes you feel good. Like really really confident good. Maybe its just some old favorites that you throw together for the first time, or perhaps a so-so outfit that you buy the final piece to and it all just comes alive. However you find it, you look at your self in the mirror and you just feel like you can conquer the world. Okay a tad dramatic but that’s how I felt yesterday morning, like I could conquer the world.

Its the cardigan-denim jacket combination I think, oh and the long necklace, yes the jewelry definitely plays a huge part.

Those who know me know I would never list attractive as a personal quality and I tend to be rather harsh on myself in regards to appearances. So for me to have  a day where I am confident in what I look like is practically a miracle in and of itself.  

So I opted to take a picture of just the clothes and imagine a much slimmer me in this great outfit.

This is mine, go find your own and feel good for a day!

If I didn’t know with certainty that the Chinese are incapable of subtle hints my first Christmas present would have offended me. Two students dropped by for photos Friday afternoon. I’m really quite touched my students want to take pictures, they don’t seem to want to pay attention or participate in class. But hey the Chinese will never miss a photo sho0t, which is what “Can I come to your apartment for a quick picture” really means.

By now I know the drill. The standing half hug with the victory sign, then the stoic face, then the sitting leaning, then we get all crazy and take pictures all over my living room (the backgrounds varying, the nativity and scrolls seem to be the biggest hits). They always come bearing gifts, usually oranges, crackers or the occasional  bracelet. Today’s was a shocker. It was a Christmas gift Lucy said as she knew Christmas was coming soon. I was touched, my first Christmas gift of the season!

I really hope my face didn’t give away my taken back feelings.

I’ve stopped wearing make-up as of late because well I’m just lazy and really who am I trying to impress around here? My first thought was she was trying to make a statement but that was very very wrong of me. Lucy would never, could never make such a statement, wish I could say the same for some of her classmates. I was debating to pick up a new blush so now I’m good.

So Merry Christmas to all!

I know this post might be coming out from left field for some but to catch you up to speed here is a post just recently finished but posted on a much much earlier date. http://blog.addingstamps.com/2009/10/i-think-the-world-is-coming-to-an-end/

As I continue my Children’s Oral English class I have begun falling in love with the students. I love them all but of course I have my favorites, Rose is just this bundle of joy who has a smile that could melt any Ice Queen, yes I’m the Ice Queen here, and then of course there is Gary. He is the youngest at 6 and the smallest 6 year-old I’ve ever seen. For a kid who’s missing his two front teeth he has great pronunciation and his reading skills are amazing.

Next is Ke Xin, she meets me at my apartment each evening and walks me to class. Half our walk is her correcting my Chinese and the other half is her giggling her way through prompted English questions from her mom. Margaret is 10 and is my co-teacher, at times translating where needed and encouraging the other students.

Oranges from YRC & a card from Ke Xin

I never thought I’d go by Miss Kayte but hey it beats Miss Reagan (not that I don’t love my last name, which I do greatly and don’t plan on giving it up in the next decade or anything) it is just so old sounding. My students have begun bringing little gifts to class which always make my day.

The gifts are always straight from the children’s hearts, a chocolate here and a little wrapped candy there. YRC’s little package was quite inventive. From the size of the package I thought he had confused the vocabulary. Upon opening the bag I was delightfully surprised. I’d heard about the tiny oranges but had not had the pleasure of trying them yet. They are quite delicious!

Juicy and sweet!

Tailor made clothes are definitely one of them. As you know I have been battling the weather now for about a month. Unsurprisingly, weather is winning. As I’ve begun outfitting for winter I thought I’d take advantage of Dantzelle’s tailor here in Weifang.

It is easy enough when you have a piece you want copied and of course a great translator like Adam. So I guess that means I only have about 3 weeks to get the rest of my wardrobe ordered.  I decided to go for a pair of wool pants, fully lined of course. I brought in a pair of trousers that I liked, I knew the material was different but as the pants were now loose a less stretchy material would still work.

I think it did. Although my heart sank when the tailor held up the completed pants. I feel like Argentina all over again, the land of anoxia and I’m the giant blimp. Seeing the pants held up does not for the ego but when they’re on it is a different story.

Nothing beats tailor made!

The lining makes them slide on and feel nice against the skin and the shell well its wool so cold stays out. Having pants made, ahh they just fit so nicely and I was able to get the nice wide waist that I love. Great tummy hider. Oh and did I mention the price, Y180. That would be a whole $25 USD for a pair of 100% wool fully lined pants that fit me beautifully. Not meaning to brag but I’m bragging. I think I will get a second pair this week not to mention a few long skirts. I’m learning you can never be too prepared for cold weather.

I was on my way home from class the other day and I saw a noticed posted on the entry into my apartment building.

hummm...what do you think it says?

I’ve put off writing this post in hopes that my rage would simmer down some, so now’s as good time as any. As today, 0:06am, is the official National Day of China and the reason I should be enjoying a relaxing week in Beijing, wait I’m sitting at my computer in Weifang, Shandong. So here’s the scope.

Today is October 1st and the 60th Anniversary of the People’s Republic of China. Talk about a great Happy Birthday, not only do they get amazing fireworks they also get one whole week off for celebrations. Unfortunately, I will not be participating in these festivities. I’m not going to sugar coat it, I was so looking forward to this week. I had plans and dreams of all I wanted to do and see.

This all came to a screeching halt last week with two little words, SWINE FLU! There have been a few, which means no one really knows how many, reported cases in Weifang, so just to be on the safe side our school has joined the ranks of, let’s just shut all the students in and prevent them from going out! I must admit having to work this week really isn’t that bad it is more of the fact that my vacation has been taken away. We all agree that Americans really have a hard time with the statement, ‘You can’t do that’. It is like most things, when told you can’t have it, that is all you want.

We will have today off! But like everything here it comes with a price tag, we have to make up classes on Saturday. Can I just volunteer to work today? I mean really come on we were suppose to have the WEEK off and now we have to make-up the Thursday class. Is anyone else seeing the flaw here?

Actually I have to admit to knowing the reason but to be honest it is so sad I really should just leave it out. I was told that Saturday is the Mid-Autumn Festival, it is a big family festival. To prevent students from going home, to possibly infected areas, school is mandatory on Saturday, with heavy punishments for those caught ditching. Sorry kids we know you want to be with your family and all for this very traditional huge holiday but wouldn’t you rather sit in a poorly ventilated classroom inhaling chalk dust that will most certainly screw up your lungs?

Long story short, I’m still here in Weifang, dreaming of Beijing and Shanghai. Oh and now that the swine flu has hit, most definitely carried over by some horrible westerner I am again viewed as a walking vile of virus! I don’t know if I will ever get use to people covering their mouths and noses when walking past me. I know I’m spiteful, I’ve never denied that, but sometimes I just want to cough at them and really give them something to cover their mouths about.

For the Mid Autumn Festival each teacher received a large box of pears. Now you have to understand these are Asian pears which means they are HUGE!

A huge box just for me...great!

 I had bought one last week to try, little did I know I would be getting a huge box a week later! I left the pear out for four days waiting for it to soften so I could eat it. It wasn’t until after I got this box did I discover they are suppose to be eaten like Apples, crunchy.

Now that I know when to eat them…I still can’t eat all these!

3 LAYERS!!!! Thank heaven I have students!

So of course I have my earphones in with my music cranked up but at 12:30 I got a Skype call from Kelly. When I turned off the music I realized something was going on outside my window. It was the construction crews! I thought my ears were just ringing from my music, I know I play it too loud. But when I looked out the window sure enough they were really there.

This is out my bedroom window at 2:00am no joke! I knew I was going to have to take a picture or people would think I was exaggerating. I'm NOT.

It is now 2:00am and there is no sign of them stopping any time soon. Last night I woke up about 3am and thought I heard men arguing outside the window, I usually keep my window open at night for the breeze, (this is a perk of living on the fourth floor). When I got up this morning I thought it had to have been a dream but now I bet you they where doing construction last night too!

I know they are horrible pictures but I didn't want to make it too obvious I was taking pictures. I definitely didn't want to use flash.

Only in China could they do this. The strange thing is that they are doing this between student dorms, poor students and the building in which the President of the College lives! Yes I found out he lives on the third floor, so don’t worry Mom I won’t be cranking my music up unless I have earphones in.

So one more post then it’s off to bed. Thank heaven I have started sleeping with ear plugs and an eye shade. The sun comes up about 4:30am, another truth. All of China is in one time zone, you figure that one out! So the sun comes up way early and sets by 6pm.