On the way to Beijing/ Peking

Hello everyone,

Once again, I am sitting at the airport with not much to do. But today, I have pleasant company. Matthias has come from Germany to spend Christmas with me. We will be in Beijing on Christmas Eve and celebrate the festival of love on the Great Wall. :) That's why we are staying at the airport.

The past month has been quite calm for me. I was pretty sick at the end of November and beginning of December. I had caught a tricky Chinese bacterial flu, which kept me down for three weeks. It not only sounds bad, it was bad. During that time, my days consisted of eating, sleeping, and working. I didn't want to take sick leave because I would have to make up the hours later. But everything is fine now since two weeks ago. Last weekend, I tested my health by going camping. It was cold but beautiful. And I am still healthy. So, the flu is over now.

As I mentioned before, the past few weeks have been quiet. In early December, some dear people left. It's quite sad, but at the moment I already have visitors and more family will come over for New Year's Eve. Papa and Ellen are venturing into the Middle Kingdom, where there are so many contradictions that it's hard to find the middle. Nevertheless, it will surely be a beautiful time, and in January, I will go to the USA to visit Sebastian.

What else can I report from the past few weeks? Earlier this week, I had the pleasure of experiencing a Chinese massage. It was absolutely amazing and very cheap. If I may say so boldly, a big shout-out to the huge population that makes labor so extremely cheap. The massage started with a foot bath and a massage on the neck and shoulders. Then, the legs and feet were next. Finally, the lower back was worked on. During the massage, we were served tea, snacks, and a warm meal. In total, it took one hour and cost less than 20 euros.

The day became even more perfect because I was already so full from the massage that I couldn't eat anymore. Why all this luxury? In November, my two Chinese students reached the round of 16 in the debate competition. As I mentioned before, that was our goal. Sara and Jessica were so good, and I was really proud of them. In the round of 16, we lost to the winners of the entire competition, and it was so close. We were really good, let me say it again. :D The university also thought so. The round of 16 was the best result in the entire history of ZUST. That's why they sponsored us a wellness day with food and massage. It was a truly nice and thoughtful gesture, and it was a beautiful day.

That's all the exciting news from the past few weeks. There are a few pictures in the album of camping, the massage, as well as Matthias and me at the airport.

Finally, I wish you all a merry, peaceful, and relaxing Christmas. I hope you don't let the bad results take away love and positive thinking. Instead, spread even more positive thoughts to people of all religions and regardless of their residency status in Germany. I think that's the modern concept of Christmas and religion.

Take care and see you soon,

Lena