It is Snowing UPSIDE-DOWN!!!

Sick as a dog, sniffling, armed with a box of tissues under my arm, hot and bothered as the building at work is still overheated, I am ambling along in these
strange spring like days.

Sitting at the head of the table, as I am wont to do during class, I was astonished to see what appeared to be snow floating upwards instead of down!!
Exclaiming out loud this odd sight to my students, I was greeted by giggles as they patiently explained, that this was a normal occurrence at this time of year in
Beijing. The beautiful cherry blossom trees, enveloped briefly in a splash of color, are now shedding their beauty and causing hay fever to even the hardiest of us, who have never suffered from this ailment in the past!!!

A humidifier is a must, it helps clean the air around you and even though you are unable to walk around with one permanently on you at all times, it does help
when you are attempting to sleep through the night, instead of tossing and turning.

Another factor of this spring 'fever' is the brightly colored costumes that are being worn by women everywhere. As in most countries of the world today, a spring/autumn suit does not get a chance to actually see the 'light of day', these
ensembles are made up of skirt and jacket in an array of bright spring colors.
Truthfully they match some of the 'bubble gum' colored cars that are driven
around the local streets, but they are a pleasant sight to behold.

Next to one of the bus depots, a band of 'retirees' were practicing their gymnastic skills, minus the jumps, as they pumped their arms up and down, twirling their batons that had brightly colored ribbons attached to them, in the morning sun. What a pleasant glimse that gave to an otherwise muggy day, all that passed could not help but steal a glance.

On the beaureaucratic side though, visa difficulties are still continuing. Visas
are to be issued for two monthly passes only and any foreigner wishing to attend
after the 31 July 08, will be required to present their Olympic tickets!

At first, I too was very frustrated by these new by-laws, but if you go on to read
my next entry, you can only but spare a little sympathy for these government officials, as they struggle against feeling slighted and producing the 'perfect'
Olympics'.

Young Chinese who wish to pass their driving test are now having a hard time
of it too. With new laws beginning in May, that on alternate days even number
plates will be allowed to drive and on the other days, odd ones, there is a general
clamp down on 'passing your test'. Of course in my opinion, no one actually has
to pass a test, because ' a take your life in your hands ' requirement is all that is
needed!! But, nevertheless, these 'wanna be' drivers have to read the Highway Code, or the Chinese equivalent of, answer 900 questions correctly on their
multiple choice test and then they can begin to learn to drive.

The first number of lessons are done in a driving compound, something like a
large car park, until they get the feel of the car. Shift stick/gears is the legal
requirement for passing. After progressing from these two stages, the next is to
actually prove capability by driving on the road, knowing where to turn left or right, avoid all bicyclists or leave them more importantly with their lives in tact
and lastly park the vehicle!!! No wonder I am nevervous every time I cross the street!

I am not sure who I wish more luck to, them or me!!