Hao wan! (Good fun! )

Chris, Elaine and I went shopping and accidentally bought something we shouldn't have... but with some many big rooms (i.e. upstairs, a big empty room!) and a big school field etc we couldn't resist! As for what it is... i will let these pictures explain, and some videos if I can decide where to put them, nathaninchina youtube stream?

The bonus was that in China if you go shopping in a supermarket for every amount you spend you get the chance to roll 2 dice, and the number you roll is the number prize you get! Although the prize would be a bit out of place in the UK, its, well, its eggs, you win as many eggs as you roll! Crazy hey? But I guess nobody can say no to free eggs! us included! (and photographed!)

Old Chinese Weddings

Recently one of the teachers in my office was talking about her grandmother, and told a rather crazy story.

Apparently her grandmother was a little young when she was married, 16? younger, 14? younger, 10? 8? Worse! 6!!

When she was 6 her parents arranged for her to be married with a local boy, who was 10. The custom is for a well off local boy to choose (or have chosen) an underprivileged local girl to 'marry' at a very young age. The practise is then, since they are married, the girl will move into her husbands house, and be raised by her new parents in law. This results in better schooling and a better life for the wife, and I'm sure that the husband is happy with a wife who is raised to be a good wife for him. Strange but it seemed to have worked, they were married for their whole lives!

New haircut!

An email request for pictures of the new haircut resulted in these unfortunate pictures, funny though!

New years fireworks!

360 degree fireworks on new years eve! 

Chris in winter gear...

Chris around the house!

New school term starts tomorrow!

This is the start of the new school term and the break really doesn't feel long enough! Managed to make it to Hainan and spend some time with friends but still, I need more holiday!  A common complaint I guess... just still feel tired and drained from last term! batteries were flat after last term and the last few weeks were tough going, and now they are back to 50%, but is that enough for the next term! I'm sure it will be ok...

Got a celebratory hair cut today so will find a picture to post soon, Chris's is perhaps the more interesting of the two!!