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 ...

Surprise! Surprise! Sunday afternoon I was invited to go shopping with some of my students again....hmmm will I/ won' t I......what a stupid question - of course I will. A beautiful warm,sunny day even as we head into "winter" and silly me wore long sleeves so sweltered all afternoon. Even some of the locals are getting to know me now and I get a "Ni Hao" as I walk past and am greeted with smiles when I return the greeting. Some of the local children have never ...

I dont pretend to know a lot about Chinese history so it was with pleasure that I accepted an invitation by a few of my students to take me to see Deng Xiaoping's Revolutionary Base and learn a little about the man that we have all heard of....but for me, never quite sure why. A member of the Chinese Communist Party since his youth, Deng Xiaoping is regarded as having rendered outstanding service to the Chinese people, throughout the revolution, during the dev...

I was invited by my friends Andy and Lucy to visit the Kindergarten that they have set up in Bo'ai village in Yunnan Province. Having the day off I jumped at the chance to see more of the country. Left school on the back of Andy's motor scooter and headed to the bus station only to find that the bus had just left.....but never fear Andy rings Lucy who gets the bus driver to stop and wait for us!!!! Well Andy then thrashed the motor scooter, with me hanging on for...

Well since the wedding its been business as usual. No other celebrations for now just living and working in Baise.I suddenly realised that I'm starting to become a local and finding my regular places to shop etc..just what every girl needs!!! I've found a hairdresser -cut, colour and blowdry - $12 approx. Full hand treatment and Manicure - $5 1 hour chinese massage - $5 shoes - $5-20. Noticed new winter leather boots today for $20-$30 Dresses - simple day-$5 upwa...