Nothing ever works right

Hi all, I was all set to give a cheer for the beginning of this blog because I am finally online at home. But guess what, as soon as I signed in to blog, eything for me to read is tiny little square boxes like computer language. I have been able to get this far because I remember where to click. But I hope I can remember or at least hit the right button to publish. That's how this gets to you. Doing pictures may be difficult if this stays like this because I don't know how to fix it. I have stayed home all day today (Sat.) waiting for the man to come to hook me up. That strange word up there is "everything" I went back to insert a comma and then the letters started disappearing. I can't fix that either. I'm going out shopping now. Maybe later or tomorrow I'll have better luck. Then I'll tell you all about seeing Il Divo last week.

Chinese New Year

Hi All, I'm learning a little about the Chinese New Year. It is based on the moon phases. This one is apparently the first new moon of the year and so from it comes the spring festival. My boss says this is the latest new years she has had since she came here over 6 years ago. We are planning Chinese New Year activities to do with the children. It will involve making dumplings and eating them. The children are learning the chopstick dance and will sing some chinese songs. I'm sure I will learn more over the next few weeks.

How do you like the picture of me with purple hair. I went to a Quentin Taratino party last week. We were supposed to dress up like a character from one of his movies and I had no idea who any of these characters were let alone how to dress like one so I just thought I would dress funky. I had a manicure and had my nails done purple so then I decided my hair should by purple. Diana painted my hair on Fri. after work with Crayola washable paint. Pretty cool don't you think. Only the hostess of the party was dressed up (I have no idea who she was supposed to be) and one other woman had a face mask to look like a chinese woman. The party was great though.

The Streets of Shanghai

I find it very annoying that the pictures go above the typing I have already done. And then when I publish this the pictures will be in single file while, while I am actually doing it there are 2 rows. It makes it very difficult to put the comments beside or near the picture I am actually talking about.
The top 2 show people selling all kinds of jewllery and objects such as wooden pigs now outside of the fabric market.
The other pictures show the streets near the market as people go about there day. Notice the laundry practically right on the street. The vegetables that the one lady has on display assumedly for sale look fresh and crisp and clean but she is rinsing them in water from the tap and the water collecting in the sink from that is very dirty. It is very different from the streets where I live and work. There are streets like this all around the city however including I'm sure somewhat close to where I live. By Saturday I hope to be connected to the web at home and then I won't have to rush to type a few words to you. Cross your fingers for me because it has been a difficult process to connect even though it shouldn't be.

My brother tells me I haven't blogged since Jan. 7. I have been very busy at work. It is report time AGAIN. A while back I told you I would send some pictures of the streets of Shanghai. I finally took those pictures when I went to the fabric market on Sunday so here they are.

Happy New Year, Friends

Diana and I at the staff Christmas Party. Don't you love my wool cashmere suit. I'd tell you how little it cost me but you would just be jealous.

Hi All, it was great to see so many of you over the holidays. I'm back at work and looking forward to the months ahead with visitors from home. Mike will be here Feb. 17 and my brother Dave and his partner, Karen will be here Mar. 1. I hope to do some sightseeing as well in May and August after my next visit home. See, I already have one year here finished in my plans. A number of you told me about not being able to comment on my blog which is very disappointing to me. I have switched to the new blogger so I would appreciate if you could try again and if that doesn't work click on this link to my e-mail address and let me know and give me your comments. cathybarrie@yahoo.ca

One of my suitcases did not make it over here with me. United said they would have it to me yesterday and yesterday they said they would have it to me today. I'm hoping when I get home at 4 today I will call them and they will be sending it over to me. Everybody keeps asking me if it was hard to come back again. It wasn't but now I wish I was there. The whole last 3 weeks has been an emotional roller coaster to the point that I don't know what I feel. I'm very excited about having visitors so I can show my family my home and life here.

Friends here had a baby boy on Dec. 27th. I can hardly wait to see him. I have no idea why this is typing in bold and I can't turn it off.

Today has been an easy day at work because the children don't start until tomorrow. We have had one short workshop after almost an hour of catching up with everyone. We have had 2 meetings, a long lunch and time to set up our room for tomorrow. Although that suitcase contains a bunch of dressup clothes I bought for here. I was so looking forward to seeing the kids reactions when they saw everything I bought.

Okay, that's all I have to say, talk to you later.