Sports Store - Suzhou Style - 4 Dec |
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Christmas BazaarWhile Ruth gallivanted around Shanghai, we checked out all the best Suzhou could offer. The kids walked around bored until their friends showed up while I spent my time chatting with teachers and students from school. In fact, there were so many school people there, It felt just like a school day except there were'.t any meetings.
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Every year, the school puts on an Amazing Race around Suzhou for teachers, parents and other hangers on. Last year I missed the chance to go in it as I went with Charlie to a Scout camp. Luckily this year, he gave Scouts the flick so I got the chance to go. Ruth would have gone too but for a dicky knee.
My team, named the Be Low Expectations, unfortunately did not live down to those expectations. We accidentally sped up in the last part of the race and came 7th (out of 16). |
A year after returning from a less than inspiring Grade 8 camp, I was a little concerned how this camp would go. Luckily it was organised well, it didn't rain and the providers knew what they were doing.
The kids were a little more mature and we were able to participate in some different activities including abseiling and caving. |
International Family Day - 30th May |
We had a great time at the International Family Day. It started with a line up for the raffle in which the first 400 people win a prize. I wasn't going to miss out on that opportunity. We scored a 100RMB voucher for the new shopping centre that opened yesterday, a 100RMB voucher for a beauty salon and a voucher to use at for a restaurant. Then it was the march past (by country). I marched for NZ, Ruth for the Aussies and the kids marched for both countries. There was food and drink and games. Charlie and Roma demonstrated their Jujitsu skills and it finished with a Haka. I'm the buff, tanned, sexy one in the middle.
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The world championships made it to Suzhou. A whole week of fun and frivolity. We managed to make it to the 2nd day. We had prime time seats and managed to watch a few good games. Roma became a groupie and managed to score a few autographs. Not sure who they were and I dare say neither did she. Some excellent ping pong. I reckon I might have been able to return a couple shots. But just a couple.
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Visiting Time Again - 24th April to 5th MayNei Nei and Lisa came to visit us over the Spring break. Ruth went home to see her Mum so it was Charlie, Roma and my job to find some cool things to see. We checked out Shanghai, Suzhou and visited Nanjing for the first time (Click on Nanjing for pictures of the old capital).
We stayed in a magnificent hotel on the Bund, checked out the sights of Suzhou, including the World Table Tennis Championships, and fudged our way around Nanjing. A good week. |
Boys Weekend Away - 11th AprilTo say goodbye to Deano and Bevan, Bevan organised a weekend to Shanghai. The train down to Shanghai, a 100RMB/night room, some Go-Karting and Bar Street to finish off the evening.
Apparently, I'm "Driving Miss Daisy", but I think there was a little bit of Senna in my laps. Meanwhile, Charlie and Roma climbed a really high wall.
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A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Show - 11th AprilUnfortunately, the guard at the orphanage wouldn't call for a taxi so we had to walk to where there there taxis. Unfortunately, that wasn't anywhere near where we were, So Debbie and I walked down the highway for 2 or 3 kms before a guy in a three wheeler picked us up.
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Roma decided to follow in Charlie's footsteps for her birthday and head for the private movie theatre. She then had her friends come back to our house for some cake and play and a sleep over. I won the lucky door prize. Having the kids divided into 2 taxis for the trip home, I was lucky enough to take 3 kids with inside-voice decibel levels equivalent to low flying jets.
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