Life, Down Under. The digital diary of Vera & Alex Olah: Post #84 29 Dec 2015

Gentlefolk,

This post covers events during Xmas Week (last week).

Christmas Week

When people ask us "How did you spend your last Xmas in China?", the answer is "Working, like everyone else".

Although shopping malls (and many shops) put up Xmas decorations, this Western/Christian festival is not celebrated in China. It is a normal work day here.

Under Mao the country was strictly atheist; the State "religion" was 'Marxism - Leninism - Mao Thought'. That is still the ideology of the ruling Communist Party of China, but these days things are more relaxed and a variety of beliefs are tolerated.

The Pew Research Centre estimates that around 5% (my impression is that the real figure could be higher) of Chinese are Christians - but that still equates to over 70 million people, making China one of the largest Christian countries in the world!

Mao must be spinning in his grave!

The following photos show events Vera and I were involved in during Xmas Week, 21 - 26 December 2015.

My Thursday night Oral English class NM284. Their last class was on Xmas Eve 24 December; the exam will be next Thursday night. Very nice students; several had excellent English, especially Steve, Will, Francis, Sunny and Mandy. Sylvia Sun Yao (stripped dress) was the monitor and a great help.

My parents being from Europe, traditionally we celebrated on Xmas Eve; first exchange of gifts - always the most anticipated event for kids - followed by a big family dinner, followed by singing carols, followed by attending Midnight Mass. So here we invited some friends to join us on Xmas Eve. I had a class from 7 to 8.50pm, so the invitation was for "after 9pm". Vera made a delicious supper and then we exchanged gifts ('Secret Santa').
In the photo above, from left: Nicole (US); Steven (US); Michael (US); Vera handing out the gifts; Gautier (French); and William (Aussie). Not in the photo: Graham (Aussie) and Kay (Korean).

On Xmas Day we had lunch at the Blue Horizon Hotel. Here we are in the foyer with Zhang Qi (Carol), my helpful Liaison Teacher, and her husband Zhang Yong.

Xmas Day lunch at the Blue Horizon Hotel with Steven and Michael. Wonderful buffet. All you can eat and drink (including wine and beer) for $13.50 (normal price is $19.70 but UPC staff get a discount!).

My Friday night Oral English class NM145. We had a lot of fun this semester. Many clever students, especially girls Nan, Chen, and Cristina and boys Daniel, Bruce, Bill and Dean.

With some of my favorite students in NM145. Alex's angels!

I also taught a training group from Sinopec (Zhong Shi Hua). They will go to Kuwait next year to build a heavy-oil refinery. Nice guys, dedicated students. Their course was only for 9 weeks, but intensive (8 hours of English lectures every day, 6 days a week). Working overseas is tough, but they are all keen because they earn twice the money and can save a lot.
From left: Frank; Gary; Gordon; Brian; Sheldon (on my right); Jim; Hardy; Jesse (behind me); Wayne; Felix; Eason (on my left); Lee; Travis; Steven; Jet; Nick; Tracy; Carter; Allen.

One of the Sinopec group, Lee, making a speech during a class. They all made good progress in a short time.

On 24 December the Sinopec group held a Xmas Show followed by dinner. Everyone got into the swing of things. I could only stay for the Show (they put on a number of skits in English) as I had to teach 7 - 8.50pm.

Sinopec group Xmas party. Jesse (host) and Wayne (Father Xmas).

Lee and Jet singing "Raise me up".

A skit performed by Eason, Kevin, Gary, and Wayne.

Olivia Wang Ling, from the International Office, invited us for lunch at her apartment on 26 December. From left: Vera; Olivia's mother; Olivia; her friends Daniel & Grace & their son John. Olivia's cute daughter Elim was playing, so not in the photo. Unfortunately her husband, David, had to work and couldn't make it.

A photo of the living & dining area in Olivia's apartment. It is a very comfortable 3 bedroom apartment which they purchased last year. Very nice of Olivia and David to invite us to their home - pretty unusual. Actually, Olivia met us at the Airport when we first arrived in August 2009. She was wonderful helping us settle in to life in Dongying; we called her our "Guardian Angel'! We were real greenhorns then - now feel part of the furniture.

My Western Culture class Double Major 1401 from 4.10 - 6pm on Saturday afternoon 26 December. Dora, Theresa; Sunny; Candice; Lily; Katy; Carols; Alice; Ian; Katherine (absent: Joshua; Ella; Sum; Evelyn; Ethan; and Frank). This was their final lecture - the exam will be next Sunday night. Double Major students are very busy and sometimes missed my class when there was a clash with their main major.

Charles Yu Zhi Chao spoke to DM1401 about his experience at the University of Wollongong. Double Major students are usually top-performers and often interested in studying abroad, so they found his comments very interesting.

So ended another Xmas Week in China. This was our last, as we will finish teaching in July 2016 and then head back to Australia.

And how were the family celebrating in Australia?

Well, it's summer 'Down Under' - all about 'sun, sand & sea' - very different from the Northern Hemisphere.

The Roberts: our grandsons Nate, Kurt and Sid enroute to camping at Pebble Beach near Coffs Harbour NSW. That campground has no power or running water, so 'back to nature'. What an adventure!