三天看了十四集[蜗居]，看连续剧简直是堕落，一看就停不下来，什么事都不想做。今天下决心不看了，不然一天做不了一件事。

年底照例是最忙的，周末圣诞派对的例行游戏——交换礼物，我还没准备，而这个周末就要期末考试了。周围小朋友的圣诞礼物也还没包，家里的这群更不必说了。John开口闭口：“John-John要大Buzz Light year！”还要给老师准备礼物，今天看到论坛上在讨论得给邮差年终小费，——我们家几乎天天有箱子送，常常是邮差扛到门口，抬头看到开门的我，气喘吁吁的说“These are really heavy.”小费当然少不了。

咪咪安安的老师Holly来上过几次课了，白人，脸上堆满了笑，面孔像猫，五官动辄团结在一起，其实她应该算是咪咪的老师，测试的时候，向来神志糊志的咪咪好几项没过，被批准老师上门授课，直到三岁。安安不符合资格，因为都考出来了。结果老师来上课，他俩自然手拉手一起听，Holly喜欢他们，也有耐心，说双胞胎怎么能分开呢，索性两个一起教得了。第一次上课，就夸咪咪聪明，说别的小朋友不会的，他都会，哪有问题。也一样认真的地教安安。每堂课一个钟头，用各种游戏教字母、形状、颜色、动物。双宝好开心，笑个不停。在他们看来，这种课程等于玩乐。

对于小朋友的中文，我真没什么雄心壮志，John一个礼拜才去学校五个钟头，回来三句话里二句英文，剩下一句中文，还夹着英文单词，有时候我对双宝训话，滔滔不绝上海话，我讲一句，John跟一句，却是地道美国腔，我听了哭笑不得。我自己很尊重中国文字，连标点符号的运用都很谨慎，我们小时候，老师对语文的要求很严格，学得还是蛮扎实的，而我最大的娱乐，始终都是阅读，——捧一本古文，比吃一盒巧克力还开心。就这样，尚觉得字到用时不够潇洒，要怎么让这几个在美国成长的小子未来能活用中文，着实无奈的功课。

天天都对自己说，我要去剪头发，我要去剪头发，头发都拖到腰了，怕营养给了头发，克扣了奶水，可又没时间研究去哪儿剪，看来又得搁到明年了。

写到这里，Finna按门铃，要上查经课了。明天再写吧。附上找来的美国小费一篇。

Chirstmas Holiday Tipping Etiquette

Christmas is a great time of year to remember those people who serve you regularly. Since it only occurs once a year, holiday tipping can be a source of holiday stress, but it need not be so. I recommend a gift or a tasteful Christmas card with a tip inside. Delivery should occur in the month of December prior to Christmas day. Tip those who serve you all year long and with whom you have a personal relationship.

• Maid - one week's pay. This is for maids in your employ whom you pay directly. If you use a service and never know who is coming out, don't tip at all.
• Gardener - $20-50.
• USPS Mail carrier - Non-cash gifts with value up to $20. This is for mail carriers that you know and see regularly. Read more below.
• UPS - Regular driver - $15.
• FedEx - Not allowed to accept cash gifts, but a gift up to $25 in value is permissible.
• Apartment building superintendent - $50-200. Tip less if you tip throughout the year.
• Apartment Doorman/concierge - $10-80 or more each, depending upon building. The fewer doormen the building has, the more you tip each one. Those who serve you more should get a bigger tip.
• Apartment building handyman - $15-40 each.
• Apartment building elevator operators - $15-40 each.
• Shampoo - $10
• Manicurist/pedicurist - $15 or more
• Hairdresser/stylist - $15 or more
• Massage therapist - $15 or more.
• Newspaper carrier - Daily - $25 - 50, weekend - $10
• Regular overnight delivery person - $10-30
• Teacher - $25-100. Give a gift certificate to a bookstore or office supply store. If you know the teacher's hobbies or interests, then a gift certificate would be nice from the local movie theater, hobby shop, mall, fine restaurant or day spa. Some teachers might feel uncomfortable receiving gifts around grade time. If you are unsure, ask your principal first.
• Coaches, tutors, ballet instructors, music teachers - A small gift from your child.
• Garbage collector(s) - $15-30 each. Nowadays, most garbage collectors are really truck drivers. The truck has an arm that does all the work. If this is your situation, there is no need to tip.
• Baby sitter - One night's pay, plus a small gift from your child.
• Full-time nanny - One week's to one month's pay based on tenure, plus a small gift from your child.
• Au pair - One week's pay, plus a small gift from your child.
• Day care service - $25-70, plus a small gift from your child.
• Parking attendants - $10-20 each
• Personal trainer - $60-100 upon reaching goal.
• Country Club - I believe in tipping at Christmas regardless of the club's tipping policy. I recommend a minimum of $50 for your waiters, locker-room personnel, front-desk employees, and golf professionals. For head waiters or special service, make it $100.
• Dog groomer - 1/4 - 1/2 cost of a session.
• Dog walker or sitter - 1-2 week's pay.