And we're out of here!

It's 6:30, and though I don't have to get up for another 2 hours (zcc time), I can't sleep. These last few days have gone incredibly quickly. Marking was finally finished on Sunday morning, and all the marks handed in on Monday. We had two banquets, on Monday with the English department, and on Tuesday with the president of the college, who seems like a nice chap. Students have been visiting throughout the day and into the evening, some coming back to say goodbye repeatedly. We have been given some ghastly going away presents, that we have then had to try and hide, and give away to other people who don't know the people who gave them to us. This has been made more awkward by the two groups suddenly being in the same room together, as they've come to say good-bye again!

Our only regret on leaving China is leaving the people. We will not miss the food, the pollution, the view, the kitchen (have I ever mentioned how much I hate the kitchen?), or the animals (except maybe the donkey carts - I must get a photo of the donkey carts!). But the people are really special, and it's even hard to say good-bye to the lady at the campus supermarket, or the lady downstairs. I only regret not learning Chinese because it meant I could not talk to her. I managed to tell her that, yesterday, thanks to students who were over.

The students, and the teachers. Dean Ba, Helen, Cathy, Mr Guo, Dee, and various other teachers whose names I can't remember, but whom I've talked with. All great people. Ban TianTian, who was one of the first students to visit us, and who helped make our life here much easier. Jack and Ma Yan, Jack was an old friend from our first term, and his girlfriend (who we never saw enough of, but who suits him down to the ground!). Evil Lily, and Good Lily, and Emily and Mandy (and her boyfriend, who I know as Tybalt), Amanda, Helen, and hundreds of others...

And the cast of Romeo and Juliet, who are all incredibly special. I have lots of photos to remember them by, from both the play, and the day after, when it snowed for the second time, and we took lots of photos.

The sad thing is that many of the people's names and faces will fade. We'll look at the photos and say, "oh him, I remember him, he was that guy from..." but we won't remember the name. Must try and attach notes to the digital photos, to aid failing memories. Of course there are some who we won't forget. Ban TianTian, Jack, Oliver, Romeo, Juliet, Tybalt, Mercutio, Nurse, Lady C, Benvolio, Good Lily...

However, the point of all this is that it is now time for a rousing rendition of zcat_abroad's theme tune, this time with slightly altered lyrics. Don't think I've ever been so happy to leave a place, not even India the last time.

*singing loudly, and slightly flat, as I do*

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go
I'm standing here outside my door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
But the dawn is breaking, it's early morn
The taxi's waiting, he's blowing his horn
I'm ready, I'm so happy I could die.

I'm leaving on the next plane
I know I won't be back again,
And IIII'm so glaaad to go!
(all together now!) So kiss me and smile for me
Don't bother to wait here for me,
Hold me, and then let me go awaaaaay!
'Cos I'm leeeeaving on the next plane
dah dah dadah da da da da da...

(note: probably the John Denver version that's playing in my head - I didn't know Jewel had done a cover, and it's been sung by Frank Sinatra. It's been my theme tune since I was about 12)