The temperature has dropped here. It’s not quite freezing, but it’s the coldest it’s been this year. Because of the entire Farenheit/Celcius thing I’m completely unable to estimate temperatures. One website says it’s currently 39 degrees Farenheit (4 degrees Celcius) in Kunming. And it’s rainy today. Suspiciously this change in temperature perfectly coincides with Jeremy’s purchase of an enormous winter coat. He claims to have a sixth sense about these things, but it may be cause-and-effect. Eh? Oh, I really don’t want to leave the house! Our home is equipted with a heat fan (I searched for a pic of this on google images but couldn’t find anything that looks nearly as dangerous.) and an electric heating pad that warms our sofa (woo-lala!). In fact, most buildings here don’t have heating of any kind. Yesterday I sat in the school’s cafe studying for a few hours without taking off my scarf or gloves!
My normal 10 a.m. class was cancelled for a University-wide sports event. In fact, 云南师范大学 (Yunnan Normal University) cancelled all classes for Monday and Tuesday. They have no intention of rescheduling or reimbursing for lost class time. While this infuriates most of us not on scholarship, no one seems to think this out of the ordinary. Just another reason to switch schools next semester.
Language learning has recently become fun again. I cannot pinpoint the reason, but we’ve almost reached the end of one of our books which makes me feel like we’re making progress! I read through all the vocabulary words in the index and was pleasantly surprised to see that I have retained most of what we studied. Amazing really. I’m making a renewed effort to study writing now, since reading is such an essential skill.
Good news from back home… or actually from my sister also abroad: Sarah got a great job at the Tate Britain. The job really seems to suit her and she’s very pleased with the details. This will be her first fulltime art gig since graduating. Yay!
Oh, a note on all the continued construction near my home and 师大 (my school) on 建设路 (Jian She Lu): All of the sites that were first marked with “拆” (chai) and subsequently torn down are now “green spaces” with trees, bushes, and flowers. I have to admit it makes the street look nicer, but the loss of some good restaurants and shops is a little silly. Yesterday they just started tearing down our nice milk/yogurt shop around the corner. The greenification process continues!
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6 comments ↓
Winter has arrived – exactly what I was thinking this morning. I still don’t have any heat for the house and IT IS CHILLY! I saw a nice heater (looks like a radiator, not a fan) on wheels for ¥365 at Metro but it’s a long way for me – I live near the airport. And my bicycle doesn’t have a rack on it yet… I’ll have to figure out something soon!
How far along in language are you? I’m at the very beginning… Just finished Lesson 1 of Book one with my language tutor. It’s a long road ahead!
Wish I could help you stay warm!
By the way, Sarah did have a full time position in Chicago at the Art Institute but then got her visa for the UK. But she did work full time for a month or two.
Will look at the China visa stuff after Christmas – and tickets again. Hope it’s warmer in March!
Hi Eliz….we have had a few sunny cool days but colder today…I just wanted to wish you and Jeremy a Happy Holiday
since I don’t think we got you on our list until after the cards were out…grampa was able to do the bulk of preparing and
sending our cards…my only contribution was the inside verse..I am so thankful for the things that he can still do but I
see his memory sliding..not as much as it would if he didn’t take pills…I am staying busy getting ready for the Holidays..I just took a Cherry Chocolate Angel Food Cake out of the oven
and it smells good…just have to put some chocolate on top
when it cools…stay warm and happy…you are loved, Grandma
ahem.
I worked for at least SIX months at the Art Institute of Chicago.. and I haven’t actually had my first day yet at the Tate.. still waiting for them to check references. but i am very excited..
its cold here too today – frost everywhere and the big pond in the park was mostly frozen over this morning – poor ducks!
Matthew and I got the last of the crazy christmas shopping done today (what little we did).. and we got home very tired hungry and cranky.. heh.
glad to hear you’re enjoying the language stuff at the
moment..
i love you!
Hey Elizabeth! I can’t blieve you guys got to the end of the book – I’m still stuck on the chapter about peking opera. Am loving following about yr travails in my old hometown from here in Sydney, keep up the excellent posts.
And if you see Kaho around, give him a smile and a dead arm from me.
Hope your christmas is excellent and please say hi to the tong xue men.
love
your old classmate sunny
Hi Elizabeth,
There is a long time not to read your blog from which I know something interesting about Kunming. one or two weeks later I will be back Kunming after my courses will be over. I am look forward to talking with you. Maybe we can find something that we are attracted and interested in,such as hiking ,chating and so on. May i have a blind date with you?
Yours sincerely
Adam Chen
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