Sunny picnic on Yangtze River Bank

Banks of the Yangtze, Yichang

A couple of days off while the kids take their mid term exams and some beautiful warm, sunny weather made up my mind to make some ham, cheese, lettuce and mayo sandwiches and a flask of coffee and take a short stroll down to the river behind my apartment. 

Very relaxing and interesting to watch all the boats heading down stream loaded with coal, sand and all kinds of different cargo.

The countryside around this area of Yichang really is quite pretty, I'm guessing these cute kids have a dinner appointment tonight though. Spit roasted goat is very popular in these parts.

On the way back we happened upon a group of children doing a favourite Chinese activity for this time of the year, "Kite Flying". My friends here are oftened amazed to hear that I have actually flown kites before and people in western countries also enjoy this pastime...anytime of the year! I was telling them about the stunt kites and things that are around now...they are always amazed and suprised.

Enjoyable afternoon :-)

Now back to lesson planning...oh well!

Smart Board, Smart classroom

This year I was lucky enough to be given my own classroom to teach from (instead of going around to 22 different classes) and this semester I have been really really lucky and had a smart board installed in the classroom. The picture above just looks like a normal black board right?
But look

Fire up the console and slide open the board and TADAA! an interactive touch screen smart board.

Classroom looks a little dark because I pulled the curtains whilst we watched a DVD today.
The next picture is the control desk and looking up to the back of the class where there is still an old blackboard.

Even a microphone pack to  save your voice if you have a noisy class.

Ahhhhh really so cool.

Mass disruption destruction

So Dad, you'll be pleased to know that they are rebuilding Jiangnan road. I know how you love so much taking the number 27 bus, with it's rock hard suspension over the crater ridden road...but next time you may have to settle for a smoother ride. I don't think they will upgrade our wonderful 27's but they are upgrading the road. Check it out, You wouldn't believe the disruption and noise that we have to suffer before we see the benefits. They decided to start right outside our school.
From this next photo you can see the trees have also gone, I have heard to make way  for running the power underground.

You  can imagine what Friday afternoons are like when the kids go home from school.

Still exciting though....a new road....YAY! 

xiao Mo, not so xiao now :-)

So xiao Moli is not so xiao anymore. She is over 10 months old weighs about 3.5 kilos and is an absolute delight. I guess she still is a small dog but compared to the tiny runt of the litter I bought home...she is considerably much larger. She is a  content dog who loves her toys and LOVES to eat. On the days when I must work long hours I always return to see her toys stockpiled on her mat or beanbag, she obviously plays a lot when I'm out. This past week I have had a stomach bug, much better now, but the days I spent in bed, I could hear her throwing her toys around and playing on the beanbag...obviously does this when I am out also.  I wish I had even half of her energy levels.

We have to play this above throw the toys game many times a day...Even her daily walks, running in the school playground or playing crazily with other doggy friends don't wear her out.