Well my extra long weekend is almost over and its back to reality at 0740 in the morning when I have my first class of 22 for the week.

I managed to fit in a massage ($5) and a french manicure ($2.50) in between shopping, eating out, doing some English work, socialising at the Firefly Coffeehouse and doing a bit of lesson planning. Well I HAD to eat out as the school cafeteria was closed all weekend as we move into the new one tomorrow - the students were happy as they got the whole weekend off, a luxury for them, and many went home to see their families. Mind you there is so much construction work going on.....

Had a nasty shock on Saturday morning. Was expecting to get a sleep-in with no classes - therefore no bells or loud music to wake me up......but no it was not to be.....I'm rudely awoken at 0700 with the construction crew outside my bedroom window hurling concrete tiles into a truck!!! Oh didn't they think it was hilarious to see the "lao shi's" reaction!!!

Also did my bit for international relations in education. Was invited by students from the Baise Senior High School to visit and meet with their "English Club" students. This is the only other senior high school in the city (5000 students) and they don't have a foreign teacher at the moment so once again I was treated like a star and am the hot topic amongst their students!! Got to have a look around their school and blow me down......I see words in ENGLISH....even took a photo as it is now such a rarity for me to see!! The students also took me to see the Qingfenglou building, site of the political department of the 7th Red Army where Deng Xiaoping is said to have done much of his planning in relation to the Baise Uprising - which is now preserved within the grounds of a local primary school. The students very proudly told me the history of the building and the significance for them - all spoken in English which I could see they had practised to ensure they got it right.

Managed to get to the Firefly Coffeehouse on Saturday night with one of our senior students who got a late pass to stay out with me!! The coffeehouse is nothing spectacular to look at but the concept is brilliant. The owners are an American couple who have made Baise their home and opened the coffeehouse as a means of bringing English and Chinese art, music and culture together. Its only open 4 nights a week but each night has a different theme. For example last night was "learning how to Swing Dance" which one of my students enjoyed immensely!!

Had best sign off now....need a good night sleep before my early start tomorrow...Talk soon. xx