The Wanderlust Notebook

Well, well it's been a while. In fact the last time I posted was just over a year before covid. I only started this blog to document my China trip. I kept it live as a way to remember it, and in the hopes I would go back out (the world had other plans!) So instead of just waiting for a big adventure, I'm back to document all the small ones I go on. Mostly UK bound but we'll see what happens. And a maybe a few other things (I've developed a passion for craft beer, tattoos, vinyl, synthwave music, and philosophy - so expect some of that). Whatever I post, the aim is positivity and enjoyment... too much darkness in the world as it is. H

Yes, the title is a quote from Lord of the Rings. Yes, I am a total geek. No, I don't care. Grade 1 It was with great sadness that I said goodbye to Jucheng Primary school and Xiaolan last week. That place has been my home for 5 months. It welcomed me, loved me, entertained me and taught me more than I could ever imagine. Grade 3 It has been hard. The working hours were long, the expectations were high and I often spent time at weekends doing extra work. But it was all worth it. I learnt so much about teaching and it was an experience like no other. I know I've said this before, but the children were truly amazing. They are hard working but always cheery. I am going to miss them so much. When I went in to say goodbye to each class, I wondered if they understood what I was saying. As I said 'I have to go home to the UK', I could see a number of faces turn from smiles to tears. I didn't expect that, I had only been there 5 months! And because they starte

With Grade 1 So it's now January 2018. That means I only have two weeks left at Jucheng Primary School and in three weeks I'll be back home in the UK, freezing and suffering from jet lag. I was an awesome bear! As predicted, it's been a busy two weeks. Since hanging out with pandas I've had Christmas, new years and the English festival closing ceremony. I also went back to Zhuhai for a day (this time minus the borderline heatstroke!) and worked some overtime at the Bond weekend classes. Chinese Christmas Christmas games with Grade 3 I fully expected Christmas here to suck. How wrong I was! Two days before I helped with the Bond christmas party, where I somehow ended up in a teddy bear costume. I couldn't see anything or anyone, so I just kept dancing. Apparently I was one of the happiest ones on stage! Wendy made a big deal out of it. She got each of us a little stocking filled with sweets, the parents of the children we teach got us presents, Gra

Flowers with Grade 1 This blog is probably going to be more pictures than anything else. The last few weeks have been quite hectic as the lead up to Christmas and the English festival continues. Watching Grade 1 rehearse Three Little Pigs was cute at first - now I've seen it 100 times it's magic is wearing off! Although I am impressed at their ability to memorise a play in a language they don't know. Apparently is means 'long life' Flower Power Every year in Xiaolan, they hold a flower festival. It's important to them as their town flower is the Chrysanthemum, but they also loves daisies and sunflowers. It's not very easy to get to or purchase tickets, so Alyson and I tagged along with Grade 1 and 2 one morning. Even though is was cloudy and a little chilly, it was a lovely show. Myself and Daisy Panda-monium Possibly the best trip I've had so far out here - I saw pandas!!! I love pandas! Alyson and I found a safari park that was

Firstly, apologies it’s been a while between blogs. Life is getting hectic now that the English festival has started! English festival spans 4 weeks and it involves a lot of performances – including some from my classes. This means teaching the planned lessons and helping prepare their plays and songs. I’ve discovered that the children are very good at remembering words, even if they don’t know what they mean! Getting funky with some fruity kids! We had the opening ceremony on Monday and it was a less extreme version of the sports day. However this time, as we’re the English teachers, we had to get up and lead a performance. Needless to say I was less than thrilled about our mediocre singing. We made up some lyrics to the tune of the Addams Family (and thus, The Foreign Family). Thankfully our audience couldn’t really understand it! We also had to run through the audience when the Head of English said our name. It was a struggle to get through for all