You may remember some of my earlier posts about the new lobby that was coming, and the excitement we all share in having a nice entrance to our faculty accommodations. Well … it’s done. The lobby’s finally finished, and we enjoy short ways to the cafeteria, and a nice nice lounging area where we can sit and talk and relax and sip our coffees (or teas) and eat delicious cakes or sandwiches, and … You get the point! We’re really happy with our new lobby!
You may remember some of my earlier posts about the new lobby that was coming, and the excitement we all share in having a nice entrance to our faculty accommodations. Well … it’s done. The lobby’s finally finished, and we enjoy short ways to the cafeteria, and a nice nice lounging area where we can sit and talk and relax and sip our coffees (or teas) and eat delicious cakes or sandwiches, and … You get the point! We’re really happy with our new lobby!
We had cake the other day. Some good ol’ brownie our chefs had added to our menu just recently. One of my colleagues, however, decided that just having brownie wouldn’t be enough to whet his appetite. He wanted to have carrot cake instead. And carrot cake he did end up with. Carrot cake of sorts at least!
They’re rare, and they’re special to anyone who, like me, particularly enjoys this season of the year: autumn moments. I had one the other day after the storm. For once the leaf-cleaners/tree shakers/gardeners of our campus had not gotten to the leaves yet, and so I went out to enjoy the crisp air and the fresh breeze that had done a good job of scattering some of the leaves across the lawns. Of course, some trees haven’t even started to color their leaves (for that I’ll have to wait another week or two), but I’m patient. I’ll wait, and I’ll be prepared for more of those rare autumn moments – once they come …
I’ve been out and about again. This time we went to share a fun afternoon with kids, playing with them, and doing arts and crafts. They had so much fun drawing their hands and tracing leaves – something they had never done before – that it was a great pleasure to watch them and be with them.
You can waste your life drawing the lines, or you can live your life crossing them. ~ From Grey’s Anatomy ~
Culture week concluded today, and like every year, it happened with a grand finale. The best performances throughout the week get to participate in the show, and it’s a rainbow of different dances, songs, acts, and performances. It’s definitely a highlight each year, and probably one of the shows around here you don’t want to miss, if you can help it. I did help myself to an entertaining morning, and lots of internationality. And that’s the end of it!
I found myself at the main square again. To watch my friends play street hockey together. And trying to keep myself from being hit by any out-of-control ball that would come my way. Because remember: not everyone is as adept at playing hockey as my Canadian friends. And I assure you, not all who played today were Canadians. I survived, however, as did everyone else involved, and so I’d say that’s good news in itself. Isn’t it?
Fright night is over, and I’m really glad we made it through a couple of days with skeletons hanging in our (new) lobby, and skulls welcoming visitors as they enter our building. Not being from a country where Halloween is a big event, I can never understand why people would want to scare each other with ghostly activities, when it’s so much better to share life and joy with one another. Anyhow, fright night is over, and Europe Day commenced today. Of course, being from Europe, every year, Europe Day upsets me, because my dear American colleagues never think of Europe as anything but ancient and medieval (a perspective, which is neither shared by the Chinese, nor can it be appreciated by a true European!). Luckily, I was so busy with other things today, that I didn’t even have the time to go and take pictures of the events in the square (must have missed that one Viking which has survived through the centuries and annually makes his appearance at Culture Week). I didn’t even get …
Things around culture week seem to be little more low-key compared to previous years. Anyhow, nothing can compete with China day, when it comes to drawing the crowds to the main square each day. This year I missed the little African hut, which was replaced by one only half as authentic. But it’s just as much a photogenic spot as the old one. In fact, I had to wait in line quite a bit to get at least one decent shot without any people around. I was sneaky, though. I waited for that split second when one student had just gone inside that little hut for her picture, and couldn’t be seen from the angle where I was standing. There’s always a way to get your shot – if you know how to …
