Yalies on Xiuning TV 2009

Yesterday on Christmas Eve, two reporters from the Xiuning TV station came to film the four foreign teachers at Xiuzhong and their "first Christmas in Xiuning." Michael and Brendan have been here for a year and a half, so it was a little funny that they said that. It was, nevertheless, Zoe and my first Christmas here in Xiuning.

Despite the short notice and unorthodox approach to filming us (interrupting class a little), it was certainly a wonderful feeling to share our Christmas with perhaps all of Anhui Province. We were all self-conscious of our Chinese speaking abilities, but in the end, I think our Christmas spirit was well communicated.

Holiday Spirit

We made latkes (potato + egg pancakes) last week. We found a simple recipe online for these Hanukkah treats. They ended up looking like hash browns, but they were delicious and healthy at the same time (healthy because of the eggs, delicious because of the deep-fried quality).


Our friend, Nate, was visiting from Hangzhou for the weekend. It was a festive weekend!

Christmas Decorations

Right after Thanksgiving, we began to decorate our apartments, classrooms, and little English library. I showed my students how we used to make snowflakes when we were little, and they enjoyed making some of their own. It was a meaningful way of getting more decorations (with the limited amount we already have).


From last year, we found a little Christmas tree, to which I added lights and ornaments. Now, it adds holiday cheer to my classroom!



We put up a bigger Christmas tree in the English library. We decorated it with many beautiful ornaments from America. Some of our students also made origami to add to the originality of it.


The best Christmas tree we have is in the boys' apartment. It certainly adds to the atmosphere of our conversations.


Can't wait to see presents under that tree!