I've been caught up in a whirlwind of activity ever since returning from Beijing.
 | | Jade celebrates her birthday |
My friends Elsa and Helen threw a birthday party for my girlfriend Jade and they gave her a cake from her family back home. We had a slap up meal and then went onto a bar, where naturally everyone had far too much to drink. A typical night of excess! Unfortunately the next morning I had to host a school event and I deeply regretted the previous night's over-indulgence. Nursing a throbbing head, I managed somehow to battle my way through an English spelling competition. I was proud of myself for holding it together for an intense two hours, but afterwards I realised that I'd been wearing my tracksuit top inside out the whole time. I guess I wasn't with it all that much!
 | | Tai Chi |
Since I've been in China, I've had the urge to try new things that I would never normally get the opportunity to do in the UK. One such example is Tai Chi - the ancient martial art which is like a mixture of Yoga and meditation. When my friend Adam mentioned that he does it every morning in the local park, I jumped at the chance to try it out for myself. Once again this meant a excruciatingly early start, but I've come to expect nothing less from China these days! My immediate impression was that it's much more difficult than it looks. All the movements should be very slow and controlled and for this you need excellent balance (something that I lack at 6am on an empty stomach!).
 | | Tom sleepwalking or doing Tai Chi?! |
Tai Chi has become a very popular form of exercise in China (and the rest of the world) but it takes many years to achieve any real mental or physical benefits. Having said that, I felt quite calm and relaxed afterwards, so I might keep it up while I'm here. Yibbady yabbady folks! The other day I was invited on a fishing trip which was another first for me. I've never been fishing, nor had the inclination to do so, although I'm a huge fan of a TV programme called Rex Hunt's Fishing Adventures. (Don't ask why, I don't know myself!) So I went along with Helen's husband Long, just for a laugh. The purpose built murky pond was hardly the picturesque settings that I'd imagined, but at least the nearby bar made up for that. I passed an enjoyable few hours idly watching Long hook fish after fish, while I relaxed in the shade sipping ice cold beer after beer. And no - I didn't catch a damn thing!
 | | Long - the fisher king |
That evening I invited Helen and Elsa to my apartment for a western style dinner party, to thank them for all they've done for me. I think that they found it a real novelty to have the meal split up into separate courses, as it's not the done thing in China. If they enjoyed themselves, it was probably down to Jade's spectacular spaghetti bolognese more than anything else! In China there is always something going on and the following night I got asked to perform in the opening concert of a new local music school. Not wanting to refuse, I turned up with my guitar expecting a very laid back and civilised affair. But to my astonishment (and despair) I discovered hoards of young children running riot throughout the place.
 | | Tom proudly displays his certificate |
It was at that precise moment when the horrifying reality dawned on me - this was a children's concert. I hastily got my songs out of the way and was planning my escape, when I was redirected back to the stage for an awards ceremony. Joking apart, the kids are all really talented and although I was embarrassed, the photo of me receiving my certificate with them all is hilarious! My name is Tom and I'm a raw fish addict Jade and I have stumbled upon an excellent little Japanese restaurant in town and now we're both serious sushi addicts. The different dishes are presented very imaginatively and the Asahi Super Dry washes it all down very successfully. Based on the cuisine (and particularly the dumplings) I might have to make Japan my next destination!
 | | Jade and Tom eat suishi |
I can't believe that my time in China is passing by so quickly. It seems like only yesterday when I arrived at Fengxian High School and met my 800 or so students for the first time. Now I know a lot of their English names and I'd like to share the following with you... Top Ten students' names (chosen by themselves): 1. Super Monkey
2. Mr Lover
3. Kraps
4. Shampoo
5. Potato
6. Grandfather
7. Egg
8. Coffee
9. Beckham
10. Showtime I've only got a few more weeks left here and yet there's plenty more to look forward to. Afterall, I've just booked a week away in Hong Kong, which should prove to be a sensational climax to an amazing roller-coaster ride in China... | 
