期末考试

So after returning from my New Year’s adventure in Shanghai, I have spent the remainder of this week in café’s around Hangzhou, doing paperwork and grading final exams. Great beginning of the year, right?

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Really though, we are required to do an insane amount of paperwork in order to submit final grades here at HNU. And it is definitely a pain. But reading my students’ writing finals has been a blast, so I guess it all balances out. I have to finish by Sunday (January 6), so I’ve got two more days of this madness and then I’m free!

In other news, it’s been snowing all day here in Hangzhou, which is really pretty, but really cold. I think I have decided that I prefer warmer climates – even if it means blistering hot summers, at least I don’t have to freeze in the winter. I got enough snow to last me a lifetime when I studied for a semester in Finland. Never again, my friends.

Looking out from my balcony

So, while all of you are finishing up your winter breaks, I am gearing up for mine… and I couldn’t be more excited because I’ll finally be heading home! But before that, I’ll be taking one more little trip to a city called Nanjing, which I’ll hopefully tell you more about next week.

Until then, Zaijian!

新年的目标

So, one of my dad’s favorite quotes comes from the movie, “Office Space.” The quote takes place when the main character is describing how he feels to some sort of psychiatric specialist. The main character explains that “each day is worse than the one before, which means that each day is the worst day of my life.” Every time this quote comes up, my dad cannot control his laughter. And while I agree that this quote is funny, I also agree with the logic. Except, I like to put a more positive spin on it. Rather than each day being worse than the one before, I like to try and make each year a little better than the one before. If I follow this line of logic, that would mean that every single year is the best year of my life… Can you beat that? Really?

The logic is unbeatable...
just like my new Panda hat

So, in order to make each year a little better, I like to make New Year’s Goals every January 1^st. And, yes, I mean goals, not resolutions. When I think “resolution,” I think of making drastic lifestyle changes, and that can be intimidating. A goal, on the other hand, doesn't necessarily imply change, just something to work towards. Overall, I think a “goal” just seems more feasible. I don’t know about you, but trying to reach a goal just seems a lot more attainable than sticking to a resolution… but now I’m ranting.

Back to my New Year’s Goals. I have been writing these puppies down for eight years now – a personal tradition I’m proud of (and also slightly surprised by). The first year I made them, I was a sophomore in high school. I wrote each of my twelve goals on a post-it note and showed them to my parents. And, yes, I was proud. Did I achieve all of my goals? Ha. I doubt it – but I can’t be sure, because I don’t have them with me now. Either way, I’m just excited to be here eight years later with a new set of goals to look forward to. And because I’m nice, I've decided this year to share (some of) them with you too:

1.   Find a New Job by October
• Yes, I’m mostly certain this is my last year teaching here in China, and so in July I’ll be packing up and moving home. And, while I would love to just mooch off my parents for the rest of my life, I know I shouldn't, so I’ll hopefully be employed again by October!
2.   Rescue Roxy
• Most of you know I have a cat – Roxy – who currently resides with my kind, loving and wonderful parents. However, those same parents have given Roxy an eviction notice for the end of the summer. And, so, I must return home so that I can provide her with my own care once again.
3. 3 Go to Jiuzhaigou
• This is a national park in Sichuan province, China. I've seen pictures and it looks a-ma-zing! Google it and you’ll see why it’s on my list.
4.    Stay Healthy
•      Up until these last two weeks of holiday chaos, I have actually done a pretty good job this year of eating well(ish) and exercising on a regular basis. I like the results, and so I hope to keep it up!
5.    Keep up with Blog
•     Ha. I don’t actually have high hopes for this one, but what's a goal list without some challenges? Really though, I would like to become a more regular blogger – both for all of you, lovely readers, as well as for me. Fingers crossed for this one!
6.     Stay in touch with Rachel
•   For those of you who don’t know, Rachel has become my most bestest friend here in China, but she’ll be returning to the motherland (America) for good this winter. But, I can’t bear to lose her friendship, so we’ll just have to stay in touch over the internets for now!
7.    See the Great Wall
•    I know, I know. I've lived in China for a year and a half and I still haven’t seen the Great Wall. What have I been doing?!? Well, a lot actually, I just haven’t made it up there yet. But I won’t let myself leave this country without a Great Wall trip in my pocket, so no worries there.
8.     See my Best Friends
•        I haven’t seen either of my best friends in over a year now – and it’s terrible! So I don’t care where, when, or how, but I will see you Ashley and Meghan! I miss you two too much!
9.    Finish my Finland Scrapbook
•      I studied abroad in Finland in 2009. Yes, that was 4 years ago. No, I’m not finished with the scrapbook yet… It’s detailed and meticulous work, okay?
10.    Eat Dog
•     I’m sorry if this offends anyone, but I've just got to do it. I think it’s another one of those “China” things that I just can’t leave this country without doing. And also, I've heard dog is delicious…
11.    Love your Family (and show it!)
•    I think this one is self-explanatory. And I can start with it right now: I love you, family! <3
12.    Leave China with No Regrets
• This will be my last semester here, so I've got to make it an unforgettable one! Whatever I accomplish and whatever I don’t have time for, I want to be able to leave Hangzhou feeling satisfied and proud.
13.     Be the Best You!
• This one is a little cheesy, I suppose. And also vague. But I think it’s important because it will challenge me to be awesome. And isn't that what's most important in life?

So, those are my 13 goals for 2013! (I actually did not do that on purpose, it just worked out that way. It’s a nice coincidence, though, isn't it?)

Here's to a rockin' 2013, errybody!

So, whether you made New Year’s resolutions, goals, or nothing at all, I hope that 2013 is everything you want it to be…

Xin Nian Kuai Le, everyone!

在上海的新年

Here in China, the “New Year’s Eve” celebration that happens on December 31^st is nothing to look forward to. Sure, you get a day or two off from work, but really, this New Year’s Eve is completely dwarfed by Spring Festival, aka: the Chinese New Year (which isn't until February 10th this year). Therefore, New Year’s celebrations aren’t taken quite as seriously as they are back home… which is good, because I personally had a very lazy and laid back New Year’s Eve this year. Let me tell you all about it…

The Oriental Pearl TV Tower in Shanghai... it lights up at night!

On December 30^th, Rachel, Amanda and I headed to Shanghai to do some sightseeing and last-minute shopping before Amanda headed back to America on December 31^st. I’ve been to Shanghai quite a few times, so going there isn’t quite as exciting as it used to be. However, I still can’t seem to get enough of that Shanghai skyline… it’s just so cool! And no Shanghai trip is complete without a brief photo shoot in front of the iconic “bund.” Check it out!

Me and Rachel!

The Classic "Jumping" Shot

Happy New Year!

Aside from this brief sightseeing and last bit of shopping, we spent most of our time in Shanghai chillin’ out in our hostel room, eating Western junk food and watching Korean dramas. (Speaking of which, Amanda has introduced Rachel and I to Korean Dramas, most notably one called “Secret Garden” which is absolutely adorable and you can totally find it on Hulu… I plan on watching the rest of it as soon as I’m done grading final exams).

Seriously... this show is so cute!

On Monday (the 31^st), the three of us ventured out to Shanghai’s PuDong airport to drop Amanda off for her afternoon flight. Then, Rachel and I proceeded to go shopping in a giant knock-off market where we purchased products like handbags, iPhone cases, glasses, speakers and even makeup – all for crazy cheap prices. What better way to end 2012 than shopping in a mecca of knock-off goodies?

Look at all that Chinese stuff...

Last meal of 2012!
(Sorry it's blurry - it's an iPod photo)

Finally, we made our way to a delicious Thai restaurant for our last meal of the year. And then, being the lazy bums we are, headed back early to our hostel where we rang in the new year watching a fireworks show on TV, screaming at scary movies, eating frosting straight from the can and drinking Diet Coke. I couldn't have started the year any better!

圣诞节快乐!

**This post was originally written on December 26, 2012. Due to internet troubles in China, it has been published late.**

Merry Christmas, everybody! Or, should I say, “Sheng Dan Kuai Le!” (That’s Chinese for “Merry Christmas”… obviously).

Our Christmas Display!

This Christmas has been an unusual one, for sure. But it’s not my first non-traditional Christmas. Last year, of course, was my first Christmas away from the family (I miss you guys!), but luckily it was on a Sunday so I got to spend some quality time with my China “family” here. The year before that (2010’s Christmas) was spent on an airplane to Florida in preparation for a holiday cruise (which was awesome, by the way!). We had our regular “Christmas” celebration on Christmas Eve. So, clearly, I’m not one to celebrate “traditional” Christmases.

Amanda and I as we got surprised by a flurry of fake snow!

However, this year was less traditional in a slightly more negative way because this year Christmas fell on a Tuesday. And Tuesday, my friends, is a work day. That’s right: I had to work on Christmas. And I didn’t even get paid extra! But it’s alright, because for Christmas, I gave my students a wonderful gift: a final exam! Mwahahaha!! (evil, much?) It was definitely weird to work on Christmas though – it lost a little of its magic. And, I mean, isn’t the best part of Christmas being able to stay in your pajamas all day? Because that’s definitely one of my favorite parts. Alas, I could not wear my pajamas to school, and so… I had to get dressed on Christmas. It was, as some say, a tragedy. But, I had a plan to make it all better…

So, after work on Tuesday (Christmas), I went to my friend Rachel’s apartment (she lives two floors below me). It was Christmas, and so, of course, I came bearing gifts. I had two packages which I presented to Rachel and Amanda (Rachel’s friend from college who was visiting for a few weeks). They opened their presents and were surprised to find ridiculous, Chinese pajamas and slippers. Because the best part of Christmas is pajamas! (Like I said before…). I then told them that I also had a matching set of pajamas and slippers for myself, and that we were to wear our outfits for the rest of the night… including to dinner and KTV. I mean, really, does anything sound more fun than singing your favorite songs with your friends all in the comfort of your jammies? I think not. And so, my friends and I shamelessly ate Korean BBQ in our fluffy-fleece pajamas and teddy-bear slippers and then spent the next four hours screaming singing all kinds of songs at the local KTV. And in the end, we all deemed Christmas-Pajama-KTV-Night to be a massively awesome hit. And it was wonderful.

All of us in our new PJ's with a Chinese Santa Claus and his friend!

Cooking up some Korean BBQ... in style.

Rachel and Amanda in their new Pajamas

And rockin' out at KTV.

We also attempted a slightly more traditional “Christmas” celebration on Wednesday morning, where we cooked a big breakfast and exchanged the rest of our gifts (all in our new PJ’s, of course!). Such gifts like red underwear, silk robes, pink and blue hair extensions and even a leg of ham were all part of our exchange on Wednesday morning. And the breakfast (prepared by Rachel and myself – both of us are self-declared non-cookers) turned out to be really delicious! So, although my Christmas was a little unusual and definitely unlike Christmases of the past, I think in the end it was a great success that will provide some lovely memories.

Wednesday morning's spoils

Modeling their new silk panties... Captain Underpants style

Yes. That really is a full-sized leg of ham. Thank you, China. 

And now Christmas is over… which means the Christmas music will finally stop (Thank goodness!!) and it’s time to look forward to other things. Unfortunately, most of what I’m looking forward to now is a crazy-big load of grading and paperwork to be done. But, once that’s all over, it’ll be time for me to board a plane and head back to America for winter vacation! And O-M-G I cannot wait!

Modeling my new Christmas outfit! 

So, whether your Christmas was “normal” or, like mine, a little weird, I hope you had a really wonderful time and I hope you’re looking forward to the New Year!

Until next time,

Olivia

平安快乐!

**This was written on December 23, 2012. Due to internet issues here in China, it couldn't be published until now.**

So now that it's been almost six months since my last entry, I reckon it's time to update... finally! 

First of all, Happy Holidays to everyone! The season is in full swing here in China - every storefront is displaying cheesy Christmas decorations and fake snow, and most places are (ruthlessly) playing Christmas m

usic. I thought when I moved across the world, I'd finally escape it... oh, how I was wrong. 

Our gift table!

China does have some cute Christmas traditions, however. Most notably, the Christmas Eve Apple. In China, it's common to give and receive apples (usually red ones) on Christmas Eve. Last year, I got at least six apples; this year, I'm expecting even more since I'll be at school on Christmas Eve. Why apples? Well, it turns out the Chinese word for Christmas Eve is something like "Ping An" and the Chinese word for apple is "Ping Guo"... similar, right? And that's literally the whole story... They sound alike, so it only makes sense to give Ping Guo's on Ping An. Okay, there may be a little more history to it than that, but I haven't bothered to look it up. I'm only going by what I've been told. 

My students decorated the classroom before our party - so cute!

This year, I also decided to share some of my Christmas traditions with my students. And I'm not talking about the basic Santa Claus, stockings and presents ordeal - I wanted to give them something new and fresh. So, I decided to host White Elephant gift exchanges in each of my classes this last week. And it was a huge hit! What I did was I first explained to my students that we were going to have a Christmas Party, and in order to attend, each one had to bring a wrapped gift - the more ridiculous, the better. Then, the following week, I had everyone set their gifts in the middle of the classroom and then draw numbers from a stocking. When they realized what the numbers were for, they all started groaning, "That's not fair - number one gets to choose first... blah blah blah." That is, until I explained to them the part about stealing. And then they all squealed with devilish delight at the possibilities this opened up... thank goodness I set steal limits, otherwise these parties would never have ended. 

Ahh... the anticipation!

So what kind of gifts did they bring? Let me mention some of the ones that stood out to me:

- Empty boxes

- Underwear

- Feminine Products

- Beer (just one can!) 

- A single orange

- Something similar to Vagisil

- Cleaning supplies

- A single button (wrapped in about ten layers of wrapping paper)

- One glove

- A mug shaped like poop (and, yes, I stole this one!)

This is the gift I brought to each class - yes, that is a Santa beard. And yes, I made anyone who opened it wear it. Mwahahaha!

It turned out to be a lot of fun - my students really got into it! Plus, I figured it would be a nice way to relax and enjoy class right before final exams (which start tomorrow!) 

One of the gift tables.

As far as my own Christmas plans go, I've spent all weekend buying Christmas gifts for my friends here and decorating our apartments. I also attempted to make a gingerbread house (thanks for the kit, mom!). Unfortunately, most of the pieces didn't make it across the world very successfully - the roof was beyond repair. But it's alright! I cut out two pieces of cardboard and stuck them on instead... I couldn't give the gingerbread men a house with no roof. That would be wrong. (I suppose it doesn't matter though, since the gingerbread men were broken too and we decided the best way to deal with that was to eat them... oops.) Anyway, I definitely couldn't leave that roof un-decorated, so I chose the worst tasting candy I had and used superglue to attach it to the roof, killing two birds with one stone (bird one being the un-decorated roof, bird two being avoiding eating the nasty candy). I'm not quite done with my ghetto gingerbread house yet, but I'll certainly try to post pictures of it when I am.

This class actually came to the gift exchange prepared - everybody was outfitted with a Santa hat and a ton of yummy snacks. 

I hope everyone else's holiday plans are going well - and I hope the weather has been nice for you all! Hopefully, I'll be back here soon to write to you again...

Until then, Zai Jian!