All posts filed under: Blog

An Overdose of Fruit

Published by Sula H.

You see, the thing with visiting people around here is that you’re always expected to bring presents. Usually, I’ve trained my students well, and despite their cultural background, they don’t bring something for me each time they visit me. These days, however, they found out that I’ve been sick. And when they came to visit me, every one of them brought a full bag of fruit – apples, pears, pomelo (2x), bananas (x2). And now I’m left to wonder: how am I ever going to eat all of it? It seems impossible, even when I’m healthy!

Feeling Sick

Published by Sula H.

After a weekend full of people, that is, full of hanging out with people, things have changed a little this week. I’ve been feeling rather sick. Not because of the people I hung out with, really. But because some of these people were sick. Now they’re well, and a whole bunch of us others started feeling sick this week. I for one. And so my new year’s week has been basically all about my bed and some movie watching. Not quite the exciting way of starting the new year, is it?

New Meal Schedule

Published by Sula H.

When it comes to meals and holidays, there’s a slight dilemma. You see, we get our meals served three times a day, buffet style. Now, that’s not the dilemma. That’s what I call service – never having to clean up dishes, I don’t mind that (though I really wouldn’t mind doing some cooking of my own every once in a while). But generally speaking, it’s a good thing that we get meals served three times a day. For the winter break, however, things change. With “things” I mean the meal service. The problem is: breakfast would have to be finished before 8:30 in order for the staff to be able to prepare lunch in time. But, while on holiday, who wants to get up in the whee hours of the morning only to get breakfast? Most of my colleagues wouldn’t. So, the meal schedule changes to two meals a day. Two meals at very odd hours … a 9:30 breakfast, and a 5 o’clock dinner. With lots of nothing in between. I don’t mind, though. …

The Gingerbread House Aftermath

Published by Sula H.

Do you see this … > ??? It’s all that’s left of our poor gingerbread house. Or, well, in fact, it’s actually less than that. But what are gingerbread houses for, eh? Right? Anyhow. This being my first ever really-made-from-scratch gingerbread house, I was actually pleasantly surprised to find it didn’t taste all too poor. All that sugar-coating had quite taken over any spicy after-taste that might have been left from the gingerbread when I first tasted it. And our friends never minded anyways. They had a blast, ripping apart what we had put together in so many hours, and eating away the candy and the sugar. Talking of “candy and sugar” … by the way, did you know that in Chinese they are one and the same? No wonder, my students keep talking about how they eat sugar, when – in fact – they mean candy. And it is left to me to figure out how much of a sweet tooth they really are! On that note … I’m going to be out for …

Work is Work …

Published by Sula H.

… and since that part of the world where I currently live doesn’t do Christmas, really, it means we do have to go to work between the holidays. Work … as in teaching. Or well, maybe not really teaching today, because there were more urgent matters at hand. But I’m quite convinced that my students were just as little excited about coming to class today, as I was – after all – it was exam day! Now, I have to get the grades ready for tomorrow, and that means off to some more work …

Gingerbread Delights

Published by Sula H.

 I hope you are having pleasant holidays. In that part of the world where I grew up, today’s still a full holiday, and so I was intent on continuing my celebrations. For me, that means, more special treats from home – like this gingerbread cookie mix that comes with some of my favorite Christmas treats. Anyhow, to those of you who are still celebrating, I wish a happy 2. Christmas Day!

Christmas Time Is Here …

Published by Sula H.

… and that means our days are filled with phone calls, celebrations, and a whole lot of merriness. I for one am very happy, because (among many other good reasons) today, for the first time in years, I got a real Christmas present. All wrapped up and such. And it wasn’t just one present, but a couple of things that will help make my Christmas season next year real sweet again. Wrapped in pretty papers, I found things like … – spices (cloves and nutmeg), which are hard to come by here – a gingerbread house cutter kit (now you have to say that out loud to make it sound real good!) – a card game “Bohnanza,” which will be a perfect pastime for my students (though I’m afraid I might have forgotten the rules) I hope, you are having a pleasant holiday as well. Cheers, and happy celebrating!