China Dreaming - KatrinaB

Merry Christmas

KatrinaB — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Merry Christmas everyone :)

Well I'm flying out tomorrow to spend Christmas in Oz with the family and Charles who is joining me on Christmas Day...maybe I can re-enact a scene from Love Actually :)

Charles and I will be home for about 3 weeks so he can meet my family and friends while also seeing a little bit of Australia.

Hopefully we can catch up with everyone and I'll send emails when I get home to try and arrange times.

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year.

Katrina

Hi!

KatrinaB — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Hi all,

I've just put some photos up on my Flickr account:

www.flickr.com/photos/katrinab

Cheers
Katrina

Xmas Countdown :)

KatrinaB — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Hey everyone,

Well, not much has happened since my last blog except for the passage of time!

We (me + Charles) should be home in 6 weeks to celebrate Xmas in Oz. We're staying for about 3 weeks at this stage. I really missed the Xmas season here last year and can't wait to get home and be bombarded with Xmas consumerism!

Charles and I are celebrating 1 year together (sometimes it feels longer LOL) by going out for Japanese tonight...yum :) I'm going out at the end of the month for Thanksgiving dinner too, thought I should start since I'm dating an American.

I've got a Facebook account which I spend a huge amount of my time on, so look me up (Katrina Barton, China) if you like. It's easier to stay in contact that way.

That's it, boring I know but things should get exciting and busy next Jan/Feb when we leave China and start a brand new adventure together.

Love
Katrina

Back again

KatrinaB — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Hi everyone,

I can't believe it's been over 2 months since I posted! I've been back for a while but haven't had access to the internet.

I had a fantastic time back in Oz and managed to catch up with nearly everyone. I was sick at the end of my stay so I decided it was best if I recovered in Kerang. I had a sinus infection, conjunctivitis and lots of cold sores! Not fun.

We've found a nice apartment right opposite my old apartment block so I'm in the same complex with is great. I don't have to learn the mandarin for a new apartment complex which is great! I had to think for a few minutes to remember how to say beef and pork in mandarin not to mention a bit of pracitising on how to get to Walmart, Metro and Dongcheng walking street.

Charles is as busy as always so I'm trying to occupy my time. I've done a bit of work for Tamzin at Winnerway but at this stage i'm spending my time cleaning, sleeping and watching DVD's. I know...poor me...but it can get a bit frustrating when there are things to do but due to my terrible chinese I have to wait for Charles to do them.

Charles and I are fixing up the kitchen and i'll post some photos when it's all finished!

That's about it really, not much happening....sorry!!!!

Love
Katrina

Home Again :)

KatrinaB — Sun, 29 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Hi everyone,

Just a quick note to let everyone know I'm back in town!

After a very very long flight with no sleep I am finally feeling human again and ready to send emails and arrange times for catch-ups.

It's great to be home even if it's only for a little while though I do miss Charles :(

See you all soon.

Love
Katrina

Last day!

KatrinaB — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Morning!

It's 4.30am on my last day of teaching at Winnerway and I'm having a bout of insomnia so I thought I'd write an update.

I can't believe I'm finally here, the last day of teaching. The kids have been a touch crazy this week even though they have their big end-of-school year exams on Friday. They're all looking forward to the long Summer holidays.

I have finally got my act together and I'm flying into Melbourne on the 26th of July. I'll probably be there for 3-4 weeks before heading back to Charles and China. I still have to figure out when I'll be where (ie. Kerang vs Geelong) so when I talk properly to Mum and Bron (who is kindly making all sorts of appointments for me...most important to see Lisa my hairdresser!) I'll send emails to try and arrange times.

It's all a bit sad too as Aine, Ville, Daniel and Klara are heading back to the 'real world' permanently :( Sounds scary lol

Well, I'm feeling a little bit sleepy now so I'll try the bed thing again. I don't have to get up til 9.30 so I can still get another 4 hours sleep or so...crazy I know! I vaguely remember having to get out of bed at 6am in Geelong to work in Melbourne...don't miss that at all :)

See you all soon.

Love
Katrina

The final countdown......

KatrinaB — Sat, 23 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Howdy!

Quick Update: I'm booking my flight on Monday so I'll soon know when I'm coming back to Oz and arrange times to catch up with everyone. I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone :)

I can't quite believe that there's only two weeks of school left and then everything changes again. We're in the middle of our Oral English tests which I was over after the first day! I'm not sure what the last week will hold but it will no doubt involve chaos :)

Congrats to Trac, Andy, Hannah and Charlotte on the arrival of Eva Lily, granddaughter number 6 for Uncle David and Aunty Judy :)
See you all soon!

Love
Katrina

Thunder storms galore!

KatrinaB — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Hello all,

With only 4-5 weeks of teaching left, we're all getting excited about the prospect of going home.

The wet season as arrived and we're getting thunderstorms just about everyday which gives us a brief respite from the revolting heat. The thunder is so loud that my teeth rattle and I can hear the crackle of the lightning! I love it...as long as I don't caught in the downpour :) They're over quickly and heat come back five times as bad because of the extra moisture in the air...just can't win. My air-con at home is getting a work out.

There's a lot of pressure on the students and Chinese teachers now that the year-end exams are coming up so I'm trying to make my review classes fun. It's a bit hard because of the heat, it's makes the students lethargic and all they want to do is watch cartoons and listen to music. The students are huge fans of Bugs Bunny and Tom and Jerry.

I've put some photos of the school up on Flickr (www.Flickr.com/photos/katrinab) for anyone who is interested in joining the Winnerway team for next semester. I've really enjoyed my time at Winnerway and while I won't miss lesson planning (like anyone else who's sane) I will miss the students (well, most of them) and definitely all the friends I have made here. You learn a lot about yourself and it has been the one of the best decisions I've ever made (coming to China and choosing Winnerway) and the only regret is that I couldn't instantly zap myself back to Oz for my Grandma's funeral. Well, I think that's enough free advertising for school :)

Back to me....still not sure when I'll be home but at this stage it looks like late July and I should be there for about 3 weeks. I'll probably make the booking this weekend.

Ruby is doing well and Will is adjusting to his little sister.

For all those people who were effected by the Kerang rail tragedy that happened this afternoon, I'm thinking of you all the way over here. To my knowledge no one I know has been hurt and I have my fingers crossed. God bless those who didn't survive and their families.

Love
Katrina

Summer again

KatrinaB — Sat, 26 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Hi everyone,

I'm sitting on my couch typing away on my new notebook (b'day pressie from Charles) with the air conditioner on high.

Summer is here with a vengeance and we're all feeling exhausted and lethargic. The temperature if 30 degrees but real feel is 36. You walk outside and 2 seconds later you break out into a sweat....yuk. One day last week it was 31 with a real feel of 41! Not much fun when the class rooms only have fans, we all hide in Tamzin's office because it's air conditioned :)

We finish school on the 10th of July and I'm planning to come home for about 3-4 weeks depending on flight availability. I'll send emails when I know for sure and arrange catch-ups!

Not much else happening, just counting down to the end of school and everyone is getting excited about going home.

Ruby is doing well and Will is coping with his new little sister LOL

Better go and so some lesson planning...looking forward to NEVER having to do that again!

Love
Katrina

New Arrival

KatrinaB — Fri, 11 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Hello all,

I would like to announce the arrival of my beautiful niece, Ruby Leila, who was born at 7am on May 11 weighing 8lb 7oz.

Ruby has lots of black hair and looks like her father! Bron and Ruby are doing fine and Mum has been teaching Will how to say Ruby :)

This morning I'm off to buy lots of little pink girly clothes for Ruby...FUN FUN FUN!

Love
Katrina

The final countdown

KatrinaB — Fri, 04 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Hi everyone,

An update to let you know what's going on.

I'm on May Day holidays for a week and then the final countdown to the end of school beings :) The weather is starting to get nasty (high humidity) so I'm not looking forward to the classrooms which only have fans. YIKES!

Charles and I went to Shenzhen where we suppose to stay for 2 nights but unfortunately some work issues came up so we had to come back early. We're heading back to the Sheraton next weekend to make up it. Can't wait.

My Grandma died a few weeks ago from cancer so I'm glad I said goodbye before I left. My new niece or nephew is due TODAY which is giving us all something to look forward to and my cousin Trac has her third baby due in a month..so new babies everywhere :)

I'm planning to visit Oz at the end of July for 3-4 weeks but I'll post the dates when I know for sure. I'm looking forward seeing you all!

Happy birthday to Kel of Thomas St, Geelong who's b'day is on Tuesday and my sister Bron who's b'day is on the 12th.

I've put more photos on Flickr (www.flickr.com/photos/katrinab).

That's about it really :)

Bye
Love
Katrina

Birthday greeting

KatrinaB — Mon, 16 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Hi,

A quick message to say happy birthday to my Mum.

We were thinking of you today.

Love
Katrina & Charles

Weird weather

KatrinaB — Mon, 02 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Hi everyone,

Happy Easter! You can forget here when Easter is because there's just about nothing to remind you. Charles and I saw some Easter Eggs at Metro (wholesale shopping warehouse) last week and that's been about it. I hope you all have a lovely long weekend at home and think of me at work on Friday and Monday :)

There are now 4 weeks to go to May week (1 week holiday), which we all can't wait for! I've been a bit under the weather with a cold that the students kindly passed on :( Last week was a bit of a struggle and I did NOTHING on the weekend to try to recover quickly. By the end of today I was ready to collapse onto Tamzin's couch (in her office) and not get up again. I was so tired my eyes hurt LOL An early night for me!

Here is a photo of the present (mentioned in my last post) that I sent my very cute nephew Will for his second birthday.

I wasn't quite sure what the purpose is of the weird shape of Chip, but it seems Will is putting him to good use as a foot rest LOL

The weirdest weather 'thing' happened this morning. We (the teachers) were all at school for the Monday morning flag raising ceremony at 8.30am. It started to rain as soon as we gathered outside and we had to rush back indoors so we didn't get drenched. Most of us stayed as it's not worth going back home before our first class starts. So Geno, Freddie and myself were chatting away in Tamzin's office and it started getting dark outside. At first I thought it was just heavy rain clouds but in about 5 minutes you couldn't see anything outside the window and it was pitch black. We went outside and were greated by an amazing view of an eerie orange glow, rain, gusting winds and darkness. It was 10am and it looked like mid-night. Geno and Freddie think it must have been an eclipse of the sun but I haven't been able to find anything on the internet about it. There was a site the said there was an eclipse on the 19th of March, maybe they miscalculated. I'll see if the news has any info on the weird weather. It was actually quite an experience and I wish I had my camera so I could show you. It only lasted about 30-40 minutes but the rain didn't go away LOL

The rainy season has begun and I can look forward to pouring rain, splashing through puddles and drooping with the humidity :)

I hope Autumn is treating you all kindly and I wish you a safe and happy Easter.

Love
Katrina

First day back

KatrinaB — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Hi everyone,

Well it's the first day back at school after a 7 week holiday and I'm knackered! My feet are killing me and I feel like I could sleep for a hundred years.

We're teaching for 9 days straight and even though my birthday is on Saturday I have to work :( It's the most 'unbirthday' birthday I've ever had. I'm not excited at all, just looking forward to the 9 days being over and a break at the end. 8 days to go :) Charles is taking me out for dinner but it won't be a big night because we both have to work on Sunday. We're going out for Korean Barbeque which is one of my fav types of food here. It's Tamzin's birthday on the 8th so after payday (15th) we're going to have a pissup to belatedly celebrate our birthdays.

I'd like to say "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" to everyone back home who celebrates their birthday in March especially Maddy who turns 1!

Well I have to go and wash to dishes then do some lesson planning, bluk.

Miss you.
Love
Katrina

PS. Note to family, I have NOT forgotten that Will turns 2 this month, I am currently wracking my brains on what kind of present to send to him! any ideas?

Happy Chinese New Year

KatrinaB — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Hi everyone,

Just a quick entry because I've been on this computer for the last 3 hours doing my first lesson plan from the semester and uploading new photos onto Flickr. I'm now ready to through this computer out the window!

I've had a great holiday with a visit from Mum and a trip to Guilin.

I'll write with all the details later.

All you are all well and safe.

Love
Katrina

Bye to Kathryn & Olivia

KatrinaB — Mon, 29 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Hello :)

Yesterday two of our teachers left to graze on greener pastures. Kathryn and Olivia have left China and I'm really going to miss their quirkiness and their engaging enthusiasm for living :(

Kathryn left first at about 9am to head home to study at Uni in Hobart and Olivia has gone home to QLD for a 3 week holiday before flying to Beijing to study the Chinese language for a year or so.

I helped them carry their luggage, watched the taxi drivers struggle putting Kathryn's suitcase into the car and took photos of their last moments out the front of Jinfeng Gardens. I've put the photos on my Flickr account (www.flickr.com/photos/Katrinab).

Mum is coming next week, YAY! So Charles and I are busy preparing the apartment and thinking of things we can do in Dongguan and places to show her.

I hope you all had a lovely and hot long weekend.

Love
Katrina

Happy Australia Day

KatrinaB — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Hello,

A quick blog to wish everyone a fantastic Australia Day tomorrow and a great long weekend :)

I'll be thinking of you all tomorrow in the glorious Australia heat while I'm shivering in Dongguan. I'm not sure what I'll be doing to mark the day, maybe lunch somewhere or a beer at dinner. LOL

I'm having a great holiday, watching lots of DVDs and visiting Starbucks every second day for frappaccino and cake.

Below are some Singapore Orchids that Charles bought for me (though I did pick them out, didn't want Carnations!). These are the first flowers I have ever received from a boyfriend and I thought I should mark the occasion :)

Happy birthday to Beans who's birthday it was yesterday and Jen who's birthday is on Sunday.

Lots of love
Katrina

Hi

KatrinaB — Thu, 18 Jan 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Hi everyone,

Happy New Year!

I haven't been able to post because of unrealiable internet connection due to the earthquake on Boxing Day off the coast of Taiwan. We actually felt the quake here, nothing big just a bit of vibration and swaying xmas decorations :)

I'm now on holidays and loving it! Mum is arriving in Hong Kong on Feb 5 so I'm preparing for her arrival and spending time with Charles. Tamzin, Aine and Ville have already left Dongguan to explore more of China. Kathryn and Olivia leave permanently at the end of this month and it just won't be the same without them :(

I'll put the latest of my photos up on Flickr and I'll post again soon. I don't want to tempt the Internet Gods by writing a big blog!

Love
Katrina

Merry Christmas

KatrinaB — Mon, 18 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Hi everyone!

Well, nearly to Christmas and I’m coping surprisingly well because it’s doesn’t feel like Christmas at all!

Usually the last 3 weeks would be organizing and attending Christmas functions, seeing all the girls and having work lunches left right and centre :) We are having a ‘Secret Santa’ with the teachers and we’re all heading out to dinner on Christmas Eve to Calzone’s which is an Italian restaurant and then probably a bar/pub crawl ‘til the wee hours of the morning. I’ll spend Christmas morning with a hangover and on Skype with the family opening presents and watching Will have a Field day! The afternoon will be with Charles, opening more pressies and getting ready to work the next day…weird!

New Years Eve will be spent at an expensive hotel (well, not if you convert to Aussie $’s) with Charles and ordering in Room Service, watching decent TV (I hope) and having a bath! I can’t wait…..bliss.

The last two weeks have been madness. The foreign teachers have to put on a ‘performance’ on Friday at the Christmas Festival, which should be a hoot! I’m about to head to Geno’s to practice and tape the vocals. Hopefully someone will be able to take photos and I’ll put them up on Flickr! We also had a film crew at the school last Monday and Tuesday for a promotional video for the school. I was taped one 4 different occasions; teaching a class, participating in an English Corner, a ‘forum’ with the Chinese English teachers and walking across the oval for an hour! Funo! We should be getting a video or DVD and I’ll be sending that home for everyone to laugh at enjoy.

I’d like to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year and may 2007 bring you love, joy and happiness.

Thank you for all your support and I promise to put more photos on Flickr!

Love
Katrina xo

Xmas is coming :)

KatrinaB — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Hi everyone!

YAY! Xmas is coming! I spent last night with my boyfriend decorating the lounge room and it looks fantastic...photos are on Flickr!

I snuck that one in didn't I....LOL. His name is Charles; he’s American and also a teacher over here but at a different school. We've been seeing each other for about a month and I'm having lots of fun :)

Sorry about the lack of blogging, I haven’t had a lot of free time nor the energy to think about what I’m going to write about: I think I had food poisoning (along with 4 other teachers) and Charles also takes up some of my free time.

I’ve also put photos of Charles cooking in my kitchen for the first time. After 3 months of living in China I’ve finally started cooking due the absence of cockroaches YUK. Charles did all the cleaning (aren’t I a lucky girl!) because it was during my bout of ‘funny tummy’ and I wasn’t much use to anyone. The kids got to do what they wanted for a week because I didn’t have the energy to teach a lesson plan; just sit at the front of the class glaring occasionally if they got too loud.

There is also a photo from this morning when I finally had my first cup of coffee since coming to China. I purchased a coffee maker as an early Xmas present to myself and managed to restrain myself to having a coffee ‘til this morning. I also had vegemite toast (cooked on the frying pan), Sunday magazines from home (saved for two weeks) and it was heaven! Thanks to Jen for the vegemite and cup and to Mum for the magazines. I could have been home :) I have been to Starbucks but I have Mocha fraps (yes Kelly, they are delicious) because I’m a Melbourne coffee snob and I tried a cappuccino at home (Melb) once and it wasn’t good :(

Not much else to say except that living here feels normal now and we’re all looking forward to having Xmas day off not to mention New Years Day as well.

Also, happy birthday to my Grandma Gray for tomorrow!

Better go and do my lesson plans for tomorrow…..sigh…LOL

Love
Katrina
xxoo