November; You were perhaps the quickest month so far, but what did you bring me?

Football.
I was asked to play football in Shanghai but after a 5-a side friendly game between us foreigners (me being the only female!) and Chinese men at a local police station, I could feel an old ankle injury.I decided to say no.

A part-time job.
It's a 'teaching' job although I think the real definition is babysitting and playing, with a 2 year old! Sounds too easy!?
Asking the mother what she'd like from me, "Just to play with Daniel, no study, just play" Sounds good to me! It took an hour for Daniel to warm up to me, but he before I left he opened his arms to me and I picked him up. Relationship established!

My first Ice Hockey Match.
Mixed nationalities of China and Japan. China unfortunately lost!

Days of 21°c, 10°c, 14°c, 24°c, 18°c and nights of 6°c, 12°c, 4°c, 17°c. Very sporadic!

A new Chinese tutor.
After a month of starting my Mandarin classes again, my tones are still messy, but I've been speaking more and feeling great especially as I'm actually being understood (always a plus!)
In addition to speaking Mandarin, each week I'm trying to learn a new word to write. How have I been getting on? -
Emma (literal translation is Love Horse - Ài mǎ) 艾玛
Yang Xue (My Chinese name)杨雪
Hello 你好
1-10 一，二，三，四，五，六，七，八，九，十
Merry Christmas
and Foot/Feet 足 !
Each Chinese character can have up to 4 meanings due to the 4 tones, so seeing a character on a shop can still be confusing, 'Is that horse or mother?' But still characters/Mandarin, I have a small understanding and it's an amazing feeling!

So, goodbye November and welcome December..
I'm patiently waiting for my parent's arrival in a few weeks, ready to travel to Xian, Beijing and Shanghai! Yet it seems so far away. Patience is a virtue Emma :) x x