After a really busy Friday, we start slow today.   We finally get going around 11:00 am.  Judy heads over to the nearby mall for some work on her nails, some Xmas shopping, and a few groceries.  I stay home to catch up on some financial stuff and holiday planning.  Tonight is the BISS Christmas party, so our day’s schedule is pointed toward that activity.

We meet the UHN group (about 10 people) at the main gate of the apartment at 5:30pm.  The bus arrives to pick us up at 5:45.  The bus is full of faculty/staff from three of the apartments housing BISS personnel.  Another bus is picking up from several other large apartment complexes.  The mood is festive, but most of the talk is about how warm it’s been this year compared to last year, and the current high pollution level (over 300).  It looks foggy, but there is a slight smoky odor.  It rolled in yesterday afternoon, and apparently went over 400 during the night.  We know it’s bad when we can’t see buildings normally in clear view, less than a mile away.

We arrive at THE ORCHARD, our restaurant for the party.  We’ve been told it sits in the middle of an orchard, and the food they serve is self-grown, and organic.  We can’t see much as we arrive due to the evening darkness, and the fog/smog.  The room and tables are beautiful.  The food is tremendous!  It’s a buffet with turkey, ham, many vegetables, fruits, desserts, etc.   The flavorings are great and taste like “home.”

Judy received her “trophy” for winning the Clue game (check the picture).  There is a gift exchange, 50rmb max ($9).  We brought a couple of hats (pictures).  They were highly sought after in the stealing that took place during the exchange.  There was dancing for those that wanted to participate.  I reverted to doing a few card tricks, so I was busy for the rest of the night, working from table to table.

Check out Judy’s “Trophy”.

A little card magic (manipulation, whatever).

Our hats for the gift exchange, on a couple of the many heads they visited during the party.

The BISS Head of School, Gwynn Underwood, and his wife Amy. He’s from New Zealand. She grew up in Boston.

A few of the BISS faculty, letting their hair down!

The buses pick us up at 10:45 and we head home.  We can see some beautifully decorated malls on the drive home.  Everything seems in such a holiday mood.  It’s cold and still.   The heavy fog adds to the aura, except it’s smog and the reading is over 400 now.  Just a reminder we’re in Beijing.