Hi all,

A wee news round up of this weeks activities is due I believe...

After my exhausting weekend I would have been quite happy to have been in bed by 6.30pm Monday night but alas it was not to be.. instead I was invited to attend my very 1st Chinese wedding (on a Monday?!). Firstly, I feel like I was stitched up on the whole 'what to wear' senario. I asked what would be appropriate since I didnt know how formal the occasion was likely to be, I explained what was / was not appropriate back in the Uk and was told that it was ok, no need to get dressed up. So a bit unsure of the situation I went fairly smart casual (accessorised with my giant eye bags!) but did turn up and feel massively underdressed. Live and learn i suppose! The evening itself was similar to an english wedding reception... except the food (highlight of the menu, Shark Fin soup!). There were lots of photos, speeches and wedding games !! Also instead of buying a present, each attendee is expected to provide a 'red pocket' which is a little red packet with money inside.. loving that idea! Each guest got given a piece of wedding cake when the left in a nicely decorated box... well I say cake it was a bit strange, more like a giant soft gingerbread biscuit with hard pink stuff in the middle that I can only describe as having the same taste and texture of hard play-doh!!

What else has happened this week I wonder...?? Well work is quite extremely busy as per usual, we are putting together a Spring/Summer 2009 presentation so that we may inform everyone about the predicted trends on colour/silhouette/trims etc.
Ive been working quite hard to make sure it is visually appealing and exciting for everyone.
In addition to that I have been working on a project with management to restructure and utilise the Product Development dept.. its quite a huge undertaking and a big challenge for me, will not bore you all to death with the details here.. I can do that instead in person next week...

Speaking of which, the UK visit approaches! Will be home a week today, hold on to your pants now before they fly off with excitement!
General plan is: will arrive at Heathrow 9th (early) for a family reunion, since Dad, Laura & Jamie will be waiting for me at arrivals for giant group hugsy time! Spending a few days in Bournemouth not planning much will just take it as it comes... going for dinner one evening with all the family (mum, have you organised this yet?!!) and am popping into James school on the Monday to help out with a textile class (which should be good fun!) as well as teach the kids some info about China since they are studying that in the lead up to Chinese New Year (by the way Year of the Rat this upcoming new year), and looking forward to seeing your new pad Vixs! Then heading to London around the 7th to see the Uni girls... Linds/Clare the cat.. IM SO EXCITED woohoo! Suz/Rachem, have you booked your tickets down to london town to come see me yet??!! Also planning to impose myself on you Paula for a few days so we can do what we do best, even though I am out of practise! I am planning to attend a couple of trade shows, TBC & Pure exhibition so if anyone else is planning to go let me know and we can head over together.

Hoping to see as many of you as poss and catch up on the Eng Goss as well as the food... bring on those bangers n mash, fish n chips, cream teas, decent cookies/chocolate/coffee etc etc!
I will be on my UK moby as well as the Hk numb so give me a call when Im back... gotta catch that Tanya time while you can folks since my next visit is not likely to be for a loooooong time!

Couple of last minute notes... ate noodles so spicy tonight that I have taken the top layer off of half of my bottom lip and now it is all swollen and I look like a freak - good!

Have suddenly aquired a random Tv channel in English... this is truely the most exciting thing ever! Its Pearl Tv and generally quite rubbish, but its in ENGLISH!! And I even get the occasional old episode of Desperate Housewives to see me through the evening!

Looked into getting a cleaner once a week to give my flat the once over (since I never get time to be bothered, honestly living in a city in China is an instant invite to the DUST MONSTER! attacks of dust if frequent and perplexing!) Anyhow, cost is only 10RMB an hour (thats around 65p!). On the subject of exchange rates... the English pound is actually going to make me cry when I have to hand over all those hard earned dollars to only get pennies back for my visit, shortchanged is only the start of it booo!!

Cant wait to see you all!!
mail / text me if you want to make specific plans
Txxx