Judy has the regular end-of-school regimen of check-off sheets and turning stuff in that occurs at every school throughout the world. It’s one of the “joys” associated with teaching. To add to some of the confusion, several of the forms haven’t been updated, and items on the check-off list don’t really have to be checked off. It would have helped to know that before she started chasing around the campus finding the person in charge needed for the sign-off.

I decide to go the TT club, but instead of walking, or taking a taxi, I take the train. It’s not as easy as it sounds. I know my destination, but when I come out of the station, it’s midday, and I can’t tell east from west, or north from south. I can’t read the street signs, and even then, it’s confusing. The club is on Hepingli West Street, which runs parallel to Hepingli East Street (several blocks apart). Connecting the two is Hepingli North Street, and somewhere nearby is Hepingli South Street. My iPhone map saves the day. I had to start walking down the street a few hundred feet, and then check my progress on the map to determine which way I was going.

I eventually found the club and had a great morning of TT. I played several different people, and spent lots of time with one guy who could speak a little English. He had some really random questions. We had to stop playing several times to reference a translating app.

Around noon, I catch a taxi back towards the apartment. I detour the cab towards the Subway sandwich shop for lunch. It’s jammed with a lunch crowd, so I settle on a burger at Bluche, a few doors down. After lunch, I walk to the Marriott for a swim session, and then eventually make my way back to the apartment for a nap.   Life’s rough when you’re retired.

I join Judy at BISS around 4:00. A big tradition at many international schools is the “Leavers Party”. Most of the activities are organized by the “Stayers”. There’s a meal, a video, and a presentation by the “Head of School”.   It’s a nice evening, and lots of goodbyes. We won’t see many of these faces again. They’re scattering to destinations all over the world.

Someone set-up a laptop with Photoshop and some “accessories” at the entrance to the “Leavers” party.

Deb & Graham – headed to Cambodia next year.

Shannon and husband Dom

Today is the last day with students at BISS. The morning is a series of student parties, followed by an awards assembly, and the dismissal around noon. Now comes the fun of finishing all the room prep for painting this summer, etc. There is lots of packing and stacking to be done.

Seemed like a good time to post a picture with a rainbow. This was taken from our apartment.

Earlier this week, BHSFIC sent an email asking if I could teach one more day, and today is the day. It’s an easy day with only one class. I hang around afterwards, and enjoy talking with everyone during lunch. I’m reminded that one of the Chinese teachers has a wife expecting their first (and only) child this summer. I ask if he knows if it’s a boy or girl, and he talks for a while about not having a preference. I saw later in the newspaper a report where several medical clinics had received severe fines for revealing the sex of babies before they’re born. Apparently a few years back, it was fairly common for a family to terminate a pregnancy if it wasn’t a boy (since families only are allowed one offspring). There were a few years where many more male babies than female babies were born, so the government had to make an adjustment.

Back home, I had lots of plans about swimming and TT, but the couch called and I celebrated the end of my teaching year with a long nap. Judy gets home around 7:30. She has many loose ends to tie up, and won’t be able to go back next week and finish (family is coming to visit). Normally she would plan on 3 or 4 full days of getting everything put away, and planning/organizing for the 1^st week of school next year.

Lots of year-end activities are taking place at BISS. Today is the last full day with students.

I walk over to the park to play table tennis. Afterwards, I enjoyed lunch in the local noodle shop, then walked over to the Marriott for a swim. After the swim, I taxied back to the apartment and begin work organizing my thoughts and ideas for my class at BHSFIC. Monday, I received an email asking if I could come back and teach one more day, on Thursday. Since the only thing on my schedule seems to be table tennis or swimming (or eating), I agree. Of course, I’ve packed everything away for the summer. I have to go digging around, making sure I have all my materials ready, as well as necessary cords and dongles for the computer and projector. There isn’t a chance to go back home and get something if it doesn’t get packed in my backpack.

Today is birthday #29 for Brad, and #61 for me. I start out the day with all kinds of plans for table tennis, but as I go out the door around 9:00 to go over to the park, I notice it’s raining. Since the tables are outside, we can’t play in the rain. Later in the morning I go for a swim, planning to eat and play TT later. Thwarted again! More rain! It’s hard to complain about rain since Beijing has been so dry this year, and the pollution disappears after a rainstorm. I drowned my disappointment in a large pizza at Kro’s Nest.

Now my plan is to go home, take a nap, and play later this afternoon. Nope! More rain! I actually get so bored, I start working on ideas for travel for next year. So many dream destinations, and so few holidays, available.

Judy’s year is winding down, and she’s using every spare minute to prepare her room for the end of the year. It’s “girls night” at Pete’s Tex Mex. She feels pressure (her own, not mine) to stay at school and work, or come home and celebrate my birthday. Thankfully, she chooses to join the group at Pete’s. This will be the last chance for them to get together. They’re scattering all over the world. Some will be coming back next year, but many will not be returning. Chances are pretty high she won’t get the chance to see them again. There’s a strong sense of “family” that develops in a small school, especially in an overseas setting. It’s hard to watch quality teachers and individuals leave, knowing we won’t cross paths again! It’s all a part of the “international school” experience.

Judy leaves for school, slightly dreading the day ahead. This last 9 weeks has been really tough. Her daily schedule has been packed with classes, with little time for planning, or recovery. The elementary classes require so much energy to keep them focused, especially the Pre-K class. She’s worn out every day. She’s ready for a break!

I, on the other hand, can’t figure out what to do with my time. After visiting with family back in the states via Facetime, I head over for a swim session. After swimming, I walked home, stopping at Subway. This is the first time I’ve tried a Subway sandwich in Beijing. It tastes just like a sandwich in Arlington. I guess I thought it would be a little different.

Later in the afternoon, I went to the table tennis club for an afternoon of ego “beat-down.” As I walked in and headed down to the far end of the playing area (where the “lesser” players are), someone yelled at me, offering to play. I tried to explain I wasn’t a strong player, but my lack of language prevented any clarity. We ended up playing right at the entrance of the club, and since I seem to be the only westerner, there were way too many casual observers. As with most of my visits, it takes me a while to adjust to a different style of play, and when I began to get slightly comfortable, I get handed off to another player. The 2^nd guy hit with the most spin I’ve seen since I’ve been playing in Beijing. I could barely keep the ball on the table. An onlooker gave me a couple of pointers, and I began to adjust with some success.

Player # 2 went to a nearby table and got someone else to hit with me. Player 3 just hit it back to my backhand, over and over, and over and over. I think he was told to drill me for while. Finally, some other guys took a turn at the table, and they look like Olympic players, with balls flying everywhere, crazy spinning serves, and unbelievable returns. I enjoy watching the play, but I especially enjoy watching the interaction between everyone at the club. It’s so similar to being around a golf course and watching all the “regulars” interact. There is definitely trash-talking going on.

SATURDAY, 6/7/14

The weekend starts slowly with Judy working on school stuff, and I’m following up on trip planning details. She goes over for a haircut later, and I get in a swim session. Afterwards we meet at Fatburger for lunch.

Our goal for today is to try and find a good place to take our kids to visit and eat their first night in Beijing. They’ll have just finished an 18-hour trip from DFW, and may want to crash. Or they may want to “hit the town”, or and get something to eat. We travel over to Sanlitun, looking for some good places to visit, and an interesting place to eat. We found some places we like, and finish the evening off with a nice meal at Taverna in “1949”, an enclosed courtyard area with several nice restaurants inside.

SUNDAY, 6/8/14

Today, we go on a search for the “798 Arts District”. We’ve heard it’s a really “cool” area to visit, with museums, shops, and cafes. We went looking for it a few weeks ago, but couldn’t find it. We found it today, but it took a confused search. A taxi dropped us on an unfamiliar street, and we walked around a while before noticing an intersection with a lot of taxis hanging out. We walked up the street, and voila’, the “Arts District”.

It was a beautiful evening, cool and clear. It rained earlier in the day, and the pollution level was as low as we’ve seen it in Beijing since we arrived. We found a few interesting shops to check out, and finished off the evening on the patio of small café.

Judy has an assembly today. Her Pre-K class performed and did a great job. After school there’s a social activity for faculty and staff with lots of food. The end of the year is coming, and the “leaving” teachers all are talking about their new destinations. Deb and Graham, our Australian friends are headed to Cambodia next year. They have two bicycles given them by a “leaving” teacher last year. They have decided to give us their bikes when they leave. We’re excited to join the ranks of the “Beijing bikers” next fall.

My morning is spent getting my self-esteem lowered at the TT club. I’m improving, but two of the guys I played today worked me over pretty well. A 3^rd guy I played was 89 years old. He didn’t move very fast, but he hit the ball really well. Every player has a different style with different spins and speeds. I’m beginning to recognize what’s coming, but I still don’t react fast enough and consistently enough. I’m having a blast figuring it out, though.

After a morning of getting pounded at the TT club, I went over to Sanlitun for lunch, and to buy some fake Nike tennis shoes at the Yashow Market. Later I went for a swim session, and then back to the apartment. I joined Judy at BISS after school for their get-together before meeting a group from BHSFIC. Several of the faculty members are going out to eat with some of the visiting chaperones from the visiting schools. I meet them at a Hot Pot restaurant, and we enjoy a great evening of talking about our experiences in China. After a year, there are lots of stories.

Although, it’s a short week, Judy has lots to do.  She has students performing at the 5^th grade graduation on Wednesday.  Thursday, several of the teachers are getting together after school to video a humorous tribute to the faculty and staff that are leaving BISS at the end of the year.  Friday, she has students performing at an assembly.  Busy, Busy, Busy!

The BISS graduating 5th graders.

Since I’m finished at school, my three days are spent a little differently.  I’m trying to balance my busy schedule with table tennis outings, swim sessions, and the occasional grocery outing.  Tuesday, I went to the park for some table tennis.  There’s always new people and experiences, and they’re beginning to get comfortable with my presence.  One lady has decided to teach me Chinese.  She can hardly play without stopping, pulling out her phone, and searching for a word to teach me.  I worked in a swim session, and a haircut later in the afternoon.  I also walked over to Solana Mall to get some of Judy’s watches fixed (batteries), and to tighten up the diamond in her wedding ring.  The watch repair shop is gone?  The jeweler looked at the ring, brought a manager over to look at it, and then shook me off.  I’m not sure what the issue is, but they didn’t want to have anything to do with the ring, or repairing it?  This was not a productive visit.

Wednesday, I went to the TT club.  I’ve been there in the middle of the day when it was hot, and there weren’t many players.  I’ve been there on a Saturday evening when it was crowded.  Today, I arrived at 9:00 am, and there was a big crowd.  It wasn’t as busy as Saturday night, but most of the tables were being used.  I walked down to the middle of the playing area, where there’s a grouping of benches.  I set my stuff down, turned around and someone was offering me a chance to play.  He was really good!  Everything I hit to him, he calmly returned it.  As we played, he was smiling, and even began to look bored.  The longer we played the more he began to probe the weak areas of my game, and the ball kept coming back at me right at the weak spot.  On the positive side, I’ll improve, but my ego is going to take a beating!

Thursday, I went back to the park, searching for my self-esteem.  Again, there were some characters around.  One guy rolled in on his bike, pulled out a small jambox, turned the volume way up, and started singing along with what I think were Chinese traditional songs.  Someone finally convinced him to turn down the volume.  Then one of the guys I had been playing TT with, walked by, showing me what looked like a weird bike chain.  I turned back to the table to play, and a loud pop had me jumping out of my shoes.  The “weird bike chain”, was what I would call a bull whip, and he was snapping it like a circus performer getting control of his tigers.  It consisted of a handle, then a chain similar to a bike chain (about 10 feet).  At the end of the chain, a length of rope was tied in, for about 2 feet, and the last foot of the whip was an even smaller piece of rope.  It was a strange looking thing, but boy, it could make a lot of noise.  He could really handle it!.

Later in the day, I managed to get to Metro for some groceries, and followed that up with a swim session.  Judy and I finished up the evening with some episode of season 2 of “Major Crimes.”

SUNDAY, 6/1/14

Today is Day 2 of the Dragon Boat Festival Holiday.  Judy starts off the day with schoolwork. I work on some of our summer travel arrangements. We get the chance later to visit Dragonfly Spa for a massage. We’re spoiled to having the occasional massage and spa visit.

After the massage, we grab lunch at Fatburger, before the long walk to the Lady Street Market. Judy needed to find a cheap curling iron for Courtney when she visits in a couple of weeks. It’s easier than worrying about burning up one from the US because of the electrical conversion. We found what we needed. We split up when we leave. I head over to the nearby Marriott for a swim session, and Judy heads home.

MONDAY, 6/2/14

More holiday fun as we make a trip today to Sanlitun for a little shopping and eating. Judy learns some valuable lessons about shopping for clothes at H&M, at least in Beijing. There’s a really long line for the fitting rooms. There are no policies posted (at least in English) on how many clothes she’s allowed to take into the room. She wasn’t sure what sizes would work and selected a few of the clothes to try on, leaving the others at the entrance with the clerk. When she came back out to get the other clothes to try, they were gone, returned to the shelves. She had a few moments of frustration, but eventually managed to find a few things that would work.

We enjoy lunch on the 4^th floor terrace of Blue Frog. It’s a gorgeous day. I always enjoy their huge burgers. “People watching” is never-ending around Beijing. There is certainly a diversity of ideas pertaining to fashion.

After lunch, we make the trip to the Flower Market. Judy has had her eye on some wall hangings since our first visit to the market back in November. Now we’re the proud owners of one! We also found a small table for Judy to use when she sits on the sofa.

Our new wall hanging