3 September 2015

Gentlefolk

My apologies, this post is out-of-sequence.  I've just found some photos of the Graduation ceremonies which took place in early July and wanted to include them.

Although we have been at UPC for some years, this was the first time Vera and I attended graduation ceremonies.  We knew some of the graduating students, so decided to go along to see how it all went.

The main ceremony for all graduating students (about 5,000 both undergraduate and post-graduate) took place in the university's impressive gymnasium.  Graduating students wore different coloured T-shirts, depending on their College (eg Petroleum Engineering, or Geology, or Business, etc).

The key-note speech was given by the University's President, Professor Shan Hong Hong.  We heard on the grapevine that the leaders will all be replaced in the next semester, so this would be her 'last hurrah'.

Over following days, students in each College received their actual degrees from the President.  She must have been absolutely exhausted by the end of that week!

Vera and I were glad we attended the graduation ceremonies.  Everything went like clock-work. This was a big event in the lives of these students - the culmination of 4 years of hard study. It was interesting, and a privilege, so see them grow in maturity and knowledge over that time.

They were now going on to the next stage of their lives, finding jobs and settling into working life, but they will always remember (cherish?) the time they spent at UPC.

The university's gymnasium, an iconic structure, where the main graduation  ceremony took place.

Over 5,000 graduating students almost filled the gymnasium. They wore different coloured T-shirts depending on their College.

Another view of the graduating students.  There was an area for 'visitors' where Vera and I sat.  There were perhaps 200 people in that section, presumably parents of graduating students.  Actually, we were surprised more parents or relatives weren't present - but students come from far afield and this was not a public holiday so parents may have found it difficult to get away.  

Faces of the future leaders of China.

The International Trade majors wore yellow T-shirts, part of the College of Business and Administration.  

These were the International Trade students who were in my classes.  

Suddenly a group of students burst into song, led by this 'conductor' (perhaps a teacher?).  It added to the festive atmosphere.

Shan Hong Hong's image appeared on big screens around the gymnasium during her speech.

Following the main ceremony, there were special individual ceremonies for each College, at which the students were presented with their degree, by the President, and photos taken.

The following photos are of some of the International Trade students I taught.

Jelena getting her degree certificate.  She was a lively and friendly girl.

This girl made a speech on behalf of her College.  She must have been one of the top students to be chosen for such an honour.  It's a pity I couldn't understand what she was saying, but she certainly looked smart, pretty, and 'with it'!

Lots of photos after the degree ceremony.

Some of the International Trade students who had been in my classes.

Two of students we got to know well:  Yu Ya Qi (Romulus) graduated last year but came down for his girlfriend's graduation, Li Zhi Wei (Lena).   Lena did a double degree, Law and English.

We hosted lunch for some of the top students from my Western Culture classes DM1301 and DM1302. Bright kids. 

Same group as above. From left: Liu Si Yi (Charles' girlfriend from Chongqing, she attends university in Shanghai); Yu Zhi Chao Charles (Safety Engineering, from Qingdao City); Vera; Alex; Shen Qi Qing Rita (Oil storage & transportation, from Zhejiang); Chen Zhi Peng Oliver (Chemical Engineering, from Zhejiang Province);  Pan Yu Summer (Applied chemistry); Jiang Lin John (Environmental engineering, from Anhui); Ou Yang Qian Ocean (Environmental engineering, from Guangdong).

...

That's it for this post.

I have now caught up - so much easier to do that here in Hong Kong than in China.  Still, we are looking forward to returning to the campus this afternoon.  Teaching starts on Monday, so it will be "all systems go", another semester, new classes, new students.  All good.

Best wishes, keep well and keep smiling.

Alex & Vera Olah
English teachers at the China University of Petroleum, Qingdao
www.upc.edu.cn
Thursday 3 September 2015

3 September 2015

Gentlefolk,

We are in Hong Kong, on our way back to Qingdao for the start of the new semester (teachings starts on Monday 7 September).

Herewith some photos of our time in Australia (except Brisbane - see previous blog post) and Hong Kong.

One of the Indonesian girls, Vonny, celebrated her birthday with a fancy-dress party.

Dinner with old friends Tomoko & John Scott and Sharon & Ian Loiterton

Caught up with Maria-Helena and Paul Nicoll who were back from Brazil.

Lunch with Kaye and Patrick O'Hara at the National Library.  Patrick told us about his plan to ride (bicycle) from Canberra to Melbourne. 

I celebrated my 69th birthday while in Canberra.  The photo shows Britt and Pierre's kids Lani and Tui, and of course Vera.

Angie invited me to attend the Model United Nations (MUNA) for High School students organised by Rotary. It was held in the House of Reps chamber in Old Parliament House (which I used to frequent many years ago).  A very high standard of debate by these impressive youngsters. 

Getting a few pointers from Joseph Saputra.  He only took up table tennis a couple of years ago, and has become very proficient in a short time. 

In Sydney we stayed with friends Niniek and Paul Milton.  It was 17 August - Indonesia's National Day - so Niniek organised a big lunch to celebrate

Great opportunity to eat delicious Indonesian food!

A selected few males were invited to the lunch: Michael Kramer; Eddie Hidayat (Vera worked with him in Jakarta 40 years ago); Paul Milton; and myself.

We popped in to see Irene and Dennis Smith in Tweed Heads. 

Hong Kong

With Eddie in one of the wonderful old trams in Hong Kong.

Vera feeding Eddie in Andrew & Caroline's apartment in Hong Kong.  They live in a great locations, on the border of Happy Valley and Causeway Bay.

Andrew & Caroline discussing her new furniture website www.reddie.co 

We took a taxi out to Lantau Island.  Impressive bridges.

The beach at Pui O, Lantau Island

Lunch at Maverick's Bar, Pui O Beach.  Very laid-back.  Later took a ferry back to  Central from Mui Wu.  

Well, that brings us up-to-date.

My next post will, internet-gods willing, be from the university in Qingdao.


Best wishes, keep well and keep smiling

Alex & Vera Olah
English teachers at the China University of Petroleum, Qingdao
www.upc.edu.cn
Thursday, 3 September 2015 (still in HK, just before our departure for Qingdao)

2 September 2015

Gentlefolk,

It is 2 September 2015 and we are back in Hong Kong; tomorrow we fly to Qingdao, for the next semester - my first class is 8 - 9.50am on Monday morning.

We had a lovely time in Australia, albeit too short.  First stop was Brisbane where we stayed with Jennifer & Tom and the Three Terrors (Kurt, Nate & Sid).

We love the drive from Brisbane to Canberra. The land of far horizons, big blue skies, and few people (always comes as a bit of a shock after China's dense population).     It's long - about 1,300 km - but we take it easy and stop to see friends in Tweed Heads (Irene & Denis Smith); Ocean Shores (Shana and Greg Mills); Nambucca Heads (Siri and Bob Morrison), and Sydney (Niniek & Paul Milton, and Angie & Howard Eakins).

Then 10 hectic days in Canberra - always fun to see family and friends - and then we re-traced our steps.

This post contains photos of our time in Brisbane.  It was the end of the footy season, which probably explains why most of the photos are about the boys and football (they play for GPS - pronounced Jeeps - an old Brisbane club based in Ashgrove).  We just missed Kurt's last game, but caught Nate's and Sid's.  It was a joy to see our grandsons growing and developing into fine young men.

I'll do a separate post featuring photos of the other places.

Sid Roberts, 6 years old

Sid plays in the Under 7s.  Still tag - next year he will play tackle. That's him on the left, supporting the ball carrier. 

Sid's game was at Wynnum, located on the shores of Moreton Bay.  The local rugby team is called "The Bugs" (after the famous Moreton Bay Bugs).

Half time, and the boys are getting into the oranges while the coach makes motivating remarks.  Some things don't change!

End-of-season photo of Sid's team, with the Manager (Jennifer) and the two coaches.

Presentation time; each boy received a team photo and a 'golden boot' trophy from the coach.

Nat Roberts, 8 years old (but playing in the Under 9s). 

Nate's last game of the season was against Norths (Nate is wearing red-&-black head gear). Here is the umpire welcoming the teams onto the field.

The Norths side had some pretty big kids (including a girl, who played well), but Nate's team dominated the game.  Fascinating to see these young players developing football-sense and playing for each other.  

Team photo after the final game.  Nate is second from the left, kneeling.  This team really did well, and were unbeaten all season.

The formal presentations of team photos and trophies by the two coaches.

Vera met up with Iwan, a long-lost cousin. He runs the Lazy Dog cafe in Cunningham Street, Newstead on the fringe of Brisbane City.

The Enoggera Reservoir, not far from the Robert's place in The Gap, has become popular for hiking and water sports. 

Kurt, Nate and Sid go to the Hilder Road Primary School. Vera and I attended 'Assembly' which is held every Friday morning in the school hall.    It really is an impressive school, with wonderful teachers and facilities.

The school orchestra opened the Assembly with a couple of lively numbers.

Pupils who excelled at various activities were recognised during the Assembly.

The South Bank recreational area featured a special Night Food market, so we checked it out. The food was over-priced, but it was nice to wander around and enjoy the atmosphere and crowds.  Buskers provided entertainment.

The busker's name was Juzzie Smith and the boys chatted to him after his performance. He was basically a one-man show, and played a number of instruments.  Kurt got a guitar for his birthday (in July) and has started lessons.

Another busker at South Bank.  The boys recognised him from "The Voice" and were keen to speak to him.  Apparently an accident put him into a wheelchair, but he has amazing talent (and resilience).

View across the swimming pool at South Bank, towards Brisbane City.  It was August, winter, but a nice afternoon and quite a few people were on the 'beach' and some in the water.  

Our time in Brisbane passed all-too-quickly.  It was great to catch up with Jen & Tom and their three boys.

That's it for this post.

Best wishes, keep well and keep smiling.

Alex & Vera Olah
English teachers at the China University of Petroleum, Qingdao
www.upc.edu.cn
Wednesday, 2 September 2015 (in Brisbane)