It's apparently the trend...
To whom it may concern:
I am"adjusting [well] to the life on a Chinese [college] campus." I live next to the classroom I teach in so in a way it's easier than the 20 minute trek I had to campus while in America. I've also learned to use the bathroom before leaving the apartment to avoid the nauseating squats that hide in the dark corners of the buildings. I've also learned to hold my breath during the dust storms caused by those attempting to sweep all the dirt away. I know where all the best ice cream places are. I've located the only bubble tea vendor in town. I also know where to find good mapodoufu and cheese (not in the same place if you were questioning). The lady at the little campus store and the man I buy breakfast from are convinced I don't speak a word of Chinese but I somehow manage to get my point across every time. I think maybe the lady just memorized my favorite type of candy though.
My colleagues dress in all different types of way. The old men wear suits and the older women do the high boot tight jean thing. I'm not really sure how they get the shoes on. The younger men and women dress pretty trendily. Over all of these fashions, everyone covers themselves with 3 or 4 layers of fluff and a warm water bottle. They would probably describe m fashion as dull, not colorful enough, and western. They would also probably say I am in desperate need of a shave. ;)
No serious safety issues at this time but maybe the simple fact that you let me live alone with access to electrical things might be be safety issue enough.
As for a language tutor, I have promised one of my students an A in my class if she successfully teaches me 5 words in Chinese before the end of the term. I feel like the challenge might not be difficult enough for me so I may employ another. (Kidding!!! Annabelle is amazing. We usually have 2 lessons a week but we have both been pretty sick recently.)
I have two rather amazing experiences to tell you about. The first is my students. By some miracle, I've got them to occasionally respond to questions without singling them out. I teach a movie class and they thoroughly enjoy it. I'm not sure if it's more amusing to watch the movies or watch them react to the movies. During one movie, I had one girl scream out loud. During another, one person stood up at a scary moment. During the most recent film, one laughed so hard, she fell out of her chair. The most recent skit performed by my students was about Harry Potter. They told the class what was to become of the characters ten years down the road. Harry will be engaged to Hermione. Ron will be jealous and put a spell on her to make her pregnant with his baby. Harry breaks up with her, she tries to kill herself, Ron feels bad and takes the baby away. She and Harry get back together. Happy ending. As I've said I've been sick recently so I wasn't ,sure until I confirmed with other students, if this was that drugs talking or if this really happened. There is so much creativity in their minds. Who would have thought? The second is about meeting the crazy man that paints characters all over the apartment buildings and bangs his gong at 2 o'clock in the morning. When my Chinese gets better, I hope to invite him to lunch.
My Waiban is pretty amazing. He calls me when I have packages and occasionally we go to lunch. Oh annnd he helps me stay legal in China, via visa.
Sadly the task of observing a teacher/being observed has been forgotten until just a moment ago. Perhaps I will make a call or two tomorrow.
I'm not going to lie, five flights of stairs are a challenge. Everything in this town is on the fifth floor, minus the Treehouse, which is on the fourth. Not enough exercise, not a problem. Motivation to clean my apartment, has also been a challenge. This town is way too dusty, this apartment is way too big, and I am way too busy to keep it as clean as I want it to be. Perhaps Peace Corps would consider budgeting me a maid? Yeah I thought not.
There's more...less funny...or just as funny as the former part (which is not funny at all)
Take care!
