The Wanderlust Notebook

This is not the first time I've missed my mum's birthday, but the last time I was only in Brighton and able to come home for Christmas. So this year I enlisted some help to sing to her (especially as I'm still ill with a bad cold!) Give it up for Grade 2 and their rendition of 'Happy Birthday!' And a big happy birthday to my mum, I know you had a good one 😄 Hannah

Sports Day in China is nothing like I have seen before. From my own sports days as a child, to those I help with now, I can honestly say that here, it is the most incredible experience. What Happens. In the school there are 37 classes, each with roughly 45 children. For this reason, it is spread over two days. They have an opening ceremony which local VIPs are invited to watch. Parents take part as well and it is a massive celebration to honour the school and China. Scott from Grade 1 Everyone of those 37 classes put on a performance, some of which include the parents! It will be no surprise to hear that I could not understand any of the chants or songs performed, but I was told at the end of every performance they recite a chant that basically means 'I love my school, I love China'. I've never seen such patriotism. 'Bundled' by Grade 2 Each class queued up waiting their turn to perform and they were all so excited. I found my Grade 2s to wish them lu...

Nothing better than free food! So after reading the title of this post there are no prizes for guessing which muppet woke up with a eye infection at the beginning of the week! Finger puppets with grade1 The Chinese healthcare system is quite different to the UK. They don't have doctor's surgeries, only hospitals. Obviously I couldn't go on my own; I didn't know where it was or how to communicate with them. I went into work as normal and showed Daisy (who is now basically our Chinese mother despite only being 2 years older than us). She messaged our official support lady, Tammy (I didn't message her straight away because a) she works the other side of town and ironically near the hospital and b) very heavily pregnant). Anyway Daisy organised for me to meet Tammy at the hospital who would help me. This meant braving the motorcycle taxis 😱. It actually wasn't too bad; he had a spare helmet and didn't go fast. It was almost nice (if it wasn't for m...