We woke this morning to a three to four inch overnight snowfall. It was the first heavy snowfall of the year. Later in the day Kathy was told by a Chinese teacher it was the heaviest snow she has seen in her eight years in Beijing.
At about 7:40 a.m. I heard noise coming from outside. Looking out my tenth floor window I saw several hundred teenage school kids engaged in joyous pandemonium. Snow fever had struck! This was no ordinary snow but the perfect snowman snow – ideal for making snowballs. Snow which magically transformed into perfect projectiles.
From our window the kids in their blue and white track suits looked about one inch tall. I thought to myself an army of blue Smurfs – Smurf Wars! (I knew they weren’t really Smurfs for Smurfs are three apples tall.) There were dozens of small battle groups fully engaged. The groups would change in an instant – in the blink of an eye your ally became a target, new alliances instantly formed as old ones fell apart. Laughter, screams of joy and exhilaration were to be the school’s anthem this morning.
Seeing this one can not help thinking back to those rare times in one’s life when things could not be more enjoyable. This day will undoubtedly be such a time for these children.
Then from some deep and dark place come those words that every child knows will suck the fun out of anything. The words that over many generations and in various cultures are known as the fun killer -
“Stop that before you knock someone’s eye out!”
Hi
I am amazed you remember that Smurfs are 3 apples tall , I know I didn’t !!!!
I am glad that you have the snow and not us .
The Toronto Santa parade is on Sunday and the weather is to be sunny and 12 !!!
Sorry I haven’t posted on this site lately..my computer was down. i just got back on line.
Keep posting I love reading of your adventures.
Roz
Hi Roz,
We’re always happy to hear from you,and love your comments.
This week the weather will be in the single digits, but hopefully no more snow. We can’t believe it will soon be Christmas.
Glad to have you back on line!
Hi Kathy and Paul,
The snowstorm in Beijing made the 11 o’clock last night and they said it was the worst storm in 50 years. Right now we have 13 degrees and sunshine. This weekend I will be doing my reports and hopefully finishing them this weekend. Kathy, what are your reports like?
Take care,
Judy
P.S. I tried to send this once, hope you don’t get 2 copies.
Hi Judy,
We were lucky in this area – no damage or deaths,which there were in other parts of China. The snow is almost gone again but still cold with temperatures near zero.
As far as reports the only thing I know is I have to do oral testing in about three weeks. I usually find out things on a need to know basis. The term doesn’t end for the children until January 21.
We only received your comment once.
Take care.