From West to East: Lounging warmly

As has been the case this winter, the wind is again howling outside my window and causing a pretty serious draught to creep across my floor. I swear I can almost see frost building up on the hardwood. In the few places where a hot-water pipe runs underneath, you can see the wood buckle. Daheishi was not built for temperatures below -5.

I only have 4 more real teaching days remaining before I'm free for vacation. Tomorrow's day has been shortened by one block because of our parent-teacher conferences int he afternoon, students leave for a long weekend on Thursday and classes are cancelled that day, and Thursday night I'm hopping on the night train to Harbin to enjoy New Years Eve on the train and a weekend at the Harbin Ice Festival. Should be lots of fun. Darren and the rest of the hockey boys are going to be busy with games all weekend, but I've found some other recruits to hang with for the weekend and face the freezing cold with. The forecasted average temperature for the weekend is supposed to be -30, and much of the time will be spent outdoors. We'll be busy checking out sculptures and buildings and scenes made out of ice and snow, and will bravely face the chill with cameras in hand.

I'll admit to you all that I'm currently testing out my first pair of velour-lined long johns that are ready and willing to take on the chill of Harbin. Whodathunk I'd ever say that I'm excited about velour, well, anything?!? Not this guy! I also got a new toque this past weekend, and I'm packing as many socks as I can fit in my bag. Ice Festival, here I come!

After returning early Monday morning (5am on the train), there are only 3 remaining teaching days for our ESL classes before semester finals are written Thursday, and on Saturday I'm officially on nearly 7 weeks of paid vacation. I called the company through which I booked my flight to Shenzhen (near Hong Kong for Leg #1), and there are no refunds/changes allowed on my flight (because of the cheap cost). This means that I wait until the 15th to leave Dalian, or bite the bullet and just cancel the flight and book a new one for the 10th.
Advantage #1: More holiday time in a warmer part of the world.
Advantage #2: Be able to meet up with a friend, Justin, in Bangkok and spent some time on the Thai coast (which is currently not in the plan)
Advantage #3: Did I mention I'll get an extra week of holidays???
Drawback #1: Cost ($100 cancellation, slightly more expensive new ticket, more vacation time which means more money spending)

Drawback #2: ????? Ummm.... is there any?

The funds are in alright form, but this extra cost is a bit daunting. Then again, this is the first time I've ever been in Asia, and I never know what the future will bring, so I might just do it. I'm gonna wrap this up so I can go check on flights!

Below I'll attach a few of my favourite pictures from Christma weekend. Enjoy. Ciao for now...

Joining the Dalian Ice Dragons for some Boxing Day Shinny