Today is Hannah's 8 month birthday; 4 days after I passed the 8 year mark in China. Today was also the day Hannah had her first health problem, but it's just the "German Measles" which are (it seems) pretend measles. Lots of spots, but no itching, fever or anything. So, fingers crossed, it will disappear in a few days and Hannah's not even noticed so far. She has noticed a couple of teeth that are finally beginning to come through. We can feel them (they're sharp) but again it does not seem to bother her too much, apart from a bit more finger sucking. And although she's been pulling herself up a lot to stand recently, today she did it from a lying down position and using the sofa. Which equals warning signs for us!
Meanwhile election fever is gripping China. Future leaders are disappearing without good reason, the government is fostering a bit of a storm against Japan as a distraction, murder and espionage court cases are held in a single day, and yet no-one knows when the transition (since it is not really an election) will be. Will there be any surprises? The Communist Party is not really one for surprises, but then this year has not gone the way they thought it would go. The economy is apparently suffering and the people are becoming ever more vocal about their complaints. We held a conference a couple of days ago with a speaker from the Ministry of Enviro Protection and mark my word, certainly he--and he may be one of the more open and liberal, but he is not the only one--recognizes the social and political consequences of environmental unrest. The government is under no illusions of the challenges it faces and the consequences.
Can it solve them though? As with most other countries there are numerous entrenched interests, political divides, egos, groupings and ideologies to battle with just to decide on direction. Let alone actually implementing across such a vast country with so many local interests too. It's not easy and they are slowly beginning to listen and respond. But is it fast enough? Or it is too fast? We'll see!
Meanwhile I managed to watch the closing ceremony of the Paralympics. It was a nice concert, though it seemed, literally, like a concert. And I like Coldplay. A lot. So I was happy. I guess the choreography and dancing was all pretty cool, but it was also just like a concert. We had lots of fun at the Paralympics watching athletics, goalball (strange game) and wheelchair basketball. A great atmosphere as ever and as awesome as in Beijing seeing what people are able to do do despite their disadvantages. It certainly does put into perspective the appalling lack of effort and pride some other professional sports stars put into their work. Anyway the whole Summer was indeed topped off with Murray actually winning something important. Finally. He does deserve it but it is a shame it took him so long. It seemed ages ago when he burst on the scene and threatened to win something meaningful. So just as the Sporting Summer ends, the football season begins. So it will be more late nights watching online. And probably lots of frustration too. Oh well. At least there is always some playtime with Hannah to cheer things up a bit!
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