Getting into the Christmas Spirit good and proper

I'm really enjoying Canada. Most people here are warning me about the winter. Most tell me how long and cold it's going to be, but I knew that before I came, it might even have been the only thing I knew about Canada before coming here. Being a South African though, it gives me an appreciation for the seasons. Growing up in South Africa I didn't really notice the different seasons, it got colder for a week or two in July, but that was about it, I never even noticed a difference in the time the sun set, when I went to the UK it suddenly dawned on me that dawn actually did happen at different times during summer and winter! I looked it up, 5:30 pm in winter and 7pm in summer.

That all meant that the winter festivities didn't go over well in South Africa. Christmas is the middle of summer so we usually went away then, sure wet got presents, but that was just because we could get away with demanding them then. You couldn't drink hot chocolate nor wish for a white Christmas! 

We went to Allan Gardens this weekend (2nd December) and they were handing out apple cider and cookies, there were horse cart rides, Christmas carols and plenty activities for the kids. We met a few folk and even joined in the singing. My Christmas carolling is so bad I only know the first verse of jingle bells! We had a great time colouring things in, taking a ride on the cart with the amazing horses, our daughter really enjoyed the time and was quite upset to have to head home.

For anyone interested in the free activities they will be doing the same thing at Centennial Park Conservatory on Sunday the 11th of December 2016.  If you want to enjoy some Candlelit celebrations then you can go to Allan Gardens on the 11th and Centennial Gardens on the 17th of December 2016.

Here is a link to Centennial Gardens on google maps and here is to Allan Gardens on google maps.

Happy Christmas to you all and tell me about any other fun free activities you may be enjoying!

Looking for a new way to Learn Chinese for free

I'm looking again at improving my Chinese again. Having spent two years in China (the best way to improve your Chinese) I am now back in SA and have found that my Chinese has slipped drastically.
Chatting to the Chinese Take Away Cashiers just doesn't cut it.
I have considered going to a physical class here in JHB's China Town, but having spent a lot of time learning from a Beijinger I am loathe to spend a lot of time studying with a Tiawanese teacher, as most of them are here.
Therefore I revert back to a wonderful discovery I made about 3 years ago Chinese Podcasts... Back then it was Chinesepod.com that was so awesome. Unfortunately that ship has sailed and you now need to pay subscription fees to be able to access the content. (If you are willing and able then I HIGHLY recommend them, lots of awesome tools for you to learn the way you want to)
There are so many rubbish podcasts, audio snippets etc. out there to listen to, none of them carry the fun and interest that Chinesepod always made sure you could get.
I tried CRI English, IMandarinPod, Melnyck etc and all of them are not right for me.

However there now seems to be light at the end of the tunnel! Pop Up Chinese! Seems like lots of fun.
Maybe I will get the chance to let you know how it goes in future