Happy New Lockdown Year.

Happy New Year.

And for those of us in the UK, we're back in lockdown. The virus seems to be running rampant, and we're confined to the house for the foreseeable future. Not that it changes much for me. I've been working from home since March, have been quite reluctant to got out unless I need to, and generally avoid people where I can. In fact, we even stayed at home for Christmas this year - just the two of us. It was lovely and quiet.

But I'm not going to dwell on the negatives in this world. There are so many at the moment, and I'm surrounded by them all the time.

A new year - the year of the Ox in China. I have no idea what it means for us, but I suppose I will have a look shortly. I could ask my Chinese friend, but the last time I asked him what a particular year meant for us, he advised me to invest in the stock market. I suspect it's similar advice he would offer now. 

The year is fresh, although I recognise it as an arbitrary marker. Simply clicking over a new number in a calendar doesn't actually change anything. Or does it?  I suppose it offers us a chance to reset, forgive and/or forget, and face the future with a new determinism. This year, that could be quite difficult.

But despite that, I do have plans for this year. By December I'll be able to report back on my strike rate.

Have a great year. Don't let the world get you down.

On Being A Scottish Australian.

A busy cultural weekend coming up.

Friday 25th January is Burns night. A Scottish evening in which we partake of haggis, neeps and tatties. And whiskey. Oh yes, there will be whiskey.  And yes, I have booked in for a Burns supper.

Saturday 26th is Australia Day. The local Rotary club is hosting a Big Australian Breakfast. From what I gather it will be bacon, sausage, eggs, and beans (which is considered a Full English Breakfast, and still far more Australian than Walkabout, a chain of allegedly Australian bars).  I don't hold out too much hope for any real Aussie delicacies, but I am going to support the event, as they are hosting this to raise money for the bushfire appeals.

And while these two dates are somewhat part of my character, the weekend is also the Chinese New Year. I spent a few weeks in China (twice) on Study Tours, in which my two colleagues and I were tasked with setting up a sister school relationship. And I'm pleased the exchanges continue all these years later. While I don't plan to celebrate with dragons or fireworks, I am planning on some Chinese food.

Happy cultural day to you!

Words Are Flowing Out Like Endless Rain Into A Paper Cup.

The piece I mentioned I've been struggling with has now been put on hold. That story will still happen, but it's been difficult to get going and even though I got some words down, I'm not really happy with them. Instead I've moved onto another story.

Last week, while walking the dogs, I was throwing around a story title that I'd discovered while I was in China earlier this year. And I was suddenly hit by a narrative idea that matched it. As soon as I got home I sat down and typed up 1,000 words without any effort. Clean words, that will require little editing or rewriting. And the process since then has remained as easy as that. This is going to be a good story. I can feel it.

I don't think I could have written this story a year or so ago. I wouldn't have known to include the elements vital to make it work. It feels like I learn new truths about writing almost daily. Even this morning, I had one of those 'hit yourself on the back of the head' moments. D'oh!  While reading a short story, I recognised an obvious aspect of writing that's been missing from my own work. And of course it is something that had been mentioned to me previously, but that I hadn't really 'got'.

Ah yes, I'm quite optimistic about my writing future at the moment. How's your writing going?

Have A Safe Trip.

My Chinese guest left this morning at a ridiculously insane hour, which means I'll have a slight headache from a lack of sleep for the rest of the day.

The exchange program is now off the ground, and there'll be lots of work to do before we take our students over to China. The last week or so has flown by, but the educational benefits for both Chinese and Australian students and teachers has been obvious and immediate.

We had a great week here at Chateau Cameron, and Hunter will be missed. Have a safe trip home.

Red Alert Days.

I was fortunate enough to recently spend two weeks in China as part of a study tour through the Asia Education Foundation and the Department of Education. An Assistant Principal, a colleague (and friend) and I represented our school as we journeyed with 15 others, our guides and leaders and a film crew. We went to China last year in order to set up a partnership with a Chinese school, and this return visit was meant to consolidate and develop that relationship. 

I want to write about the pollution and smog in Beijing though.

It was stunning on the day we arrived. The sky was perfect and blue. Our  tour guides told us it was unusually clear.

The next morning was a different matter.  It turns out it had rained for a couple of days prior to our arrival and that had pushed all the pollutants down. But now it was back. I'd heard about the terrible pollution in China. I used to live in Tokyo, and I remember the hazy days there.  But I had no idea how much worse it was in Beijing.

It was smoggy. Thick, yellowish smoke/fog filled the air. The sun was orange/brown. I’ve talked about it with my colleagues and friends, trying to describe exactly what it was like and find it very difficult to put into words. Even the photos can’t capture the reality.

That day was a yellow alert day. Beyond that a red alert day kicks in at an air pollution index of 250. On that particular morning the index was over 450. Apparently three weeks before we arrived it hit 900.

The visibility was down to around 600 metres in the city that morning, making everything seem ghostly and eerie. Buildings were shadows in the yellow smog and cars disappeared in front of us.

The Chinese congress recently elected a new leader and environment is very high on the party’s agenda. Certainly the new Premier is actively targeting waste. Everyday I was there the newspapers wrote about what is being done to improve the environment. It's awful, and I fear not enough is being done.  Or too little, too late.

We need to become more active. Not just in China, but wherever we are. We can take Beijing as a warning. What affects the Chinese affects the world, and we all need to make an effort to recycle and conserve.

And Boy, Are My Arms Tired...

I just flew in from Shanghai. The last two weeks have been spent on an insanely busy study tour of China. Well worth the experience, but with very little free time.

My brain feels like it's about to melt, and I desperately need some sleep. After the shower, of course. And maybe some food. I will post more when I'm refreshed. Perhaps tomorrow.

As for the silence over the past two weeks? The Great Firewall of China meant I was unable to even access this blog.

A wonderful trip, but I'm glad to be home.

I sleep now.