THURSDAY, 11\/28\/13<\/b><\/p>\n
Today is a workday for both of us.\u00a0 Judy gets away on time.\u00a0 I actually get away a little early.\u00a0 It\u2019s cold (-3 C), but the wind isn\u2019t blowing too much, so it\u2019s a comfortable walk.\u00a0 I\u2019m even sweating a little as I get to the train station.\u00a0 Classes go pretty well.\u00a0 Orchestra class after school is little frustrating.\u00a0 It\u2019s hard to move forward with only one day a week, and numerous absences each week.\u00a0 Several of the students have make-up work to do in one of the classes, and two others have an SAT prep for chemistry.\u00a0 Seven students attend today.\u00a0 We are able to get work done on our full ensemble piece, helping a couple of the weaker students solve some problems.\u00a0 I\u2019m glad I don\u2019t have a contest to prepare for.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s Thanksgiving Day back in the US, but a workday here in China.\u00a0 Since I don\u2019t get home until late, Judy and I decided earlier in the week that we\u2019ll save our Thanksgiving meal (and energy) until tomorrow.\u00a0 There is some awareness in China of Thanksgiving.\u00a0 We\u2019ve seen ads for Thanksgiving buffets, etc.\u00a0 The malls have \u201cturkey\u201d decorations.\u00a0 I didn\u2019t see any turkey in our local grocery, though.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n FRIDAY, 11\/29\/13<\/b><\/p>\n School goes well for both of us today.\u00a0 I get home around 2:30 after visiting with some of the faculty after lunch at my school.\u00a0 There were 4 of the male Chinese teachers shopping clothing online, taking advantage of \u201cBlack Friday\u201d sales.\u00a0 I thought there might be discussion of the US intrusion into the new Chinese Air ID Zone in the South China Sea, but the subject never comes up.\u00a0 Only shopping talk today.<\/p>\n When Judy gets home after musical rehearsal, we load into a taxi and ride to the Renaissance Beijing, Capital Hotel.\u00a0 It takes about an hour in heavy traffic.\u00a0 Her choir is singing for a Christmas tree lighting next Friday, and she needs to check out the location of the hotel, where the choir will be standing when they perform, and the sound system.\u00a0 She doesn\u2019t want any surprises.\u00a0 We meet the hotel staff contact, and verify all the details.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Now it\u2019s time for Thanksgiving Dinner.\u00a0 Renaissance Hotels are Marriott properties, so the buffets are pretty elaborate.\u00a0 Although there is no turkey, there\u2019s plenty of steak and mashed potatoes.\u00a0 We waddle out when we finish off our meal, ready for a \u201clong winter\u2019s nap\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" THURSDAY, 11\/28\/13 Today is a workday for both of us.\u00a0 Judy gets away on time.\u00a0 I actually get away a little early.\u00a0 It\u2019s cold (-3 C), but the wind isn\u2019t blowing too much, so it\u2019s a comfortable walk.\u00a0 I\u2019m even … Continue reading