Fuzhou - Xmas And New Year

4th January 2010

I've been extremely busy with setting and correcting final assignments for the 2 modules that I teach, as well as having to create end-of-semester test papers. On top of that I am involved with a growing network of friends both within and outside of the university: they are also taking a toll on my time. Hence, the regular reports have been few and far between. I would like to quote my dear friend Roger who gave me an opportunity to enter the teaching profession at WUST:

"It is said that “Good friends are like stars. You don’t always see them, but they are always there.” I am like that star hereby shining again after being obscure for a while and beaming the best wishes..."

to my family and friends, wishing you a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous 2010. For those who may be interested, below is what I've been up to in the previous month.

I've experienced my first e-bike accident, albeit a minor one with no one hurt. A lady darted out on her e-bike from behind parked cars to cross a very busy street: there was no way possible that I could have avoided hitting her side on. I shouted at her and she looked rather sheepish. As I was still mobile I decided best to just keep going before a crowd started to congregate.

In the last month I have been taken to the only two five-star hotels in Fuzhou for dinner: one by a school in which foreign teachers were asked to visit for Christmas; the other by an American businessman who runs a factory, making sandals for export. I have now promised to take some friends there in the next couple of weeks. The surroundings and the food are top class in both hotels.

Xmas and New Year have been interesting in that the students have taken the opportunity to celebrate it with their respective foreign teachers. I played Xmas carols and DVDs to them and they wore santa hats, gave me presents and wanted plenty of photos, especially as it's now nearing the end of the semester - it's easy to understand how teaching can be a satisfying and enjoyable experience.

A couple of students have asked me to go to Xiamen and/or Macau with them following their exams, but I'll be too busy marking test papers before I return to Australia on Jan 26 (Australia Day). It will be a short visit as I will need to return to Fuzhou 4 weeks later to teach a Marketing module.

Attached are some school photos...

Regards... Renzo