Imagine if you will a machine that has one dial and 14 knobs or buttons. None of them are labeled. There are 18 markings around the knob. The machine looks like our dyers, with a very thick glass door on the front side for you to throw clothes in. The difference is that the entire machine is only 12 inches thick and 28 inches tall. The inside barrel is only 8 inches deep and 11 inches in diameter. Picture a medium deep sink and you have the size of the barrel. The barrel is full after throwing in the two shirts, one pair of pants and some socks. Now comes the guessing game; which buttons to push? Which ones wash the clothes, which ones only rinse, where is the cold water indicated vs. hot? Oh, never mind, I don't get hot water here, so all is cold. Too many choices without knowing what any of them are so I push buttons at random. The end result was that the first load came out dirtier than when it went in and I started all over again.
The drying rack was useless in my living room as three hours passed and the clothes were just as wet as when I put them there. So, I put the drying rack on the small porch (I'm on the ground level). My porch though isn't closed in, like some porches here, and dirt is quickly accumulating on the cement floor. The wind tossed one of my shirts on the floor, causing the shirt to be put back with the other dirty clothes. My washing machine is outside and covered with plastic which has to be replaced after use as the dirt is thick outside. Wonder if my new IE has a trick to keeping these areas somewhat clean. And yes, I must remember to pull in the clothes the minute I start to suspect rain. Guess we are in a similar routine with laundry now, only Hawaii is a much better outdoor experience than here. The mugginess is worse than I have experienced it elsewhere. But, the good thing with weather is that it changes.
Am getting reports on the Olympic games here in Shanghai as many teachers have tickets. They are enjoying the high skill levels of the tennis and soccer players here. We get reports each morning from attendees. People take buses to the games as taxi's are in high demand immediately afterwards. There appears to be lots of pressure on the Chinese people to do well. It's all about Face! Speaking of Face, our group is going to a bar named FACE next week in a different part of town so that new staff can mingle with older staff.
To help you all know what time zone I'm in, consider the time zone of the East Coast and flip days and nights. Then you have my time zone. So, if the East coast is 8 am, it is 8 pm my time. So convert your time to East Coast time and then flip. This is how it is now, but once you guys go off daylight savings time, it'll mess up this system by one hour. Then you'll need to add one hour to East Coast time prior to flipping days and nights.
I am going exploring later today. Noticed that businesses here are usually open throughout two working shifts. What I mean by that is that the Chinese work around the clock with three crews on most jobs. Businesses, like salons and massage places, are open two shifts. Just interesting.
Friday, August 15, 2008
another day in China
Today makes it one week I've been in China. Wow, seems much longer. Guess that is what happens when I try to cram too much into each day. Found out first thing this morning that there are two words for foreigner in China, one literally translates to 'honorable guest' and the other to 'alien'. No wonder I felt like I was on an alien space ship going through the medical exams yesterday.
To answer some of your questions: I am teaching in an International School in the city of Shanghai. Shanghai is divided into two parts by the river. The part where the international airport is located is called Pudong, while the part where the domestic airport is located (and me) is called Puxi. The school population consists roughly of 25% American, 15% European, and 60% of Asian decent. The school costs $30,000 a year to attend, so it is considered competitive and expensive as far as schooling goes. They are picky in their admission criteria and all children are college bound, such that all students take Algebra II or pre-calculus in 10th grade, and the IB math program starting in 11th grade, which is quite intensive. I am teaching that IB program this next year and also have all of the 6th graders. We are on a block schedule, which means I see each class for 108 minutes three times a week. That translates to me teaching three groups a day and having 108 minutes of prep each day.
The school is 6 stories high, 5 above ground and 1 below. There are no elevators. I'm on the third floor. Supplies are in the basement as is everything else I'd be interested in other than duty time. I have a 15-minute duty between the 2nd and 3rd hour, which is break time for the kids, and it is 2 floors below. Putting it mildly, I climb stairs all day. Today this was especially true, as we got to pick up all of our teaching supplies, which were in the basement and run them up the stairs to our rooms. It took me 5 trips going up and down three flights of stairs. Twice, part way, male teachers took my heavy basket and hauled it a few stories for me. Lets here it for male manners, so extra nice. There are a nice variety of ages represented in this school. Think our youngest is around 26 years old and the oldest one that I am aware of is 62. There are just as many couples as single people, and many couples have children. There are many people in their 50’s, which is grand as I fit right in. Floors are designated by subject matter with all math and some science classes on the third floor. The students I feel for are the ones who have PE on the 5th floor of my building and then have Spanish class, which is on the 5th floor of the building next to mine. There are 4 minute passing periods and those students have to hustle down the 5 flights of stairs here after working out for 1.5 hours, run to the building next to ours and climb 5 flights of stairs. Let me add that our ceilings are incredibly tall, nice when you are in a room, but not so nice when climbing stairs as it is almost as if there are two flights of stairs between each floor.
My campus consists of 4 large, tall buildings. One is for the elementary school, one for the middle school and one for the high school, and one is the cafeteria and awesome theater. Then there is the garden area and the field, which is large. The campus is gorgeous and can be seen at www.scischina.org for those of you who are truly interested.
Last night was our first social and we went to the 'French district'. The private room/bar for our group was on the fifth floor. Why was I not surprised? Again, there was no elevator. There are elevators in the apartment buildings as they are mega stories tall. The area was quaint and I would have liked to explore it more, but shortly after we arrived a thunder/lightening storm started and lasted nearly three hours. By then, I was ready to return home. The popular drink of the evening was ginger beer. Water here is called sparkling or flat. : ) Flat is our typical bottled water. Water as it comes out of the tap has a very faint funny smell, and no one drinks it. All use bottled water.
So far the weather has been hot and humid with periodic and lightening storms. I have been caught in three storms now and ended up drenched each time. Yesterday, while walking home, it started to sprinkle. I was 1/2 way home. Experience has taught me to immediately get out my umbrella once the first sprinkles are felt, as it won't be but a block more of walking before the flooding starts. By the second block I'm in puddles up to my ankles. Storms here, so far, last around 2-3 hours and then stop as suddenly as they start.
Oh, other good news, one of the ladies here, who has been here for years, wants to share her IE. Who knows the real spelling of that word, but it is pronounced I, E. That is a maid, person who runs errands, etc. So, I am hiring an IE for 4 hours a week. Remember, my place is only 450 sq feet and so doesn't require much. She'll come in once a week, clean and do laundry and then post any mail that I have. This service will cost me 15 rmb an hour, for a total of 60 rmb, which is $10! And, most IE's get paid 10 rmb an hour so ours is spoiled and wants to do extra well as she is paid so very well. Think I can handle this. She's worked for the other lady for a few years now and comes with good recommendations. She'll come to see me after school on Monday, with a translator, so the first time in my apartment she'll understand what I want. This is cool. Am excited and glad to be able to employ someone and help her while she is helping me. Yahoo.
Oh, attempted to do laundry for the first time. Didn't do very well as my shirts came out dirtier than when they went in. Had to put them back in and try something else. Imagine not having any directions on your washing machine, just a bunch of buttons in unfamiliar locations and one dial. You've got to figure out which is hot water, which is cold, what type of wash you want, gentle or regular cycle, wash or rinse, thunder etc. Then you have an idea of what I saw as there is no way I understand their symbols. Now also please picture a washer with a door in the front like most of our dryers and a cylinder inside the same size as a medium depth kitchen sink. Small. It fits two tops, one pair of slacks and a few socks and is full. Hiring an IE just to do laundry is worth it.
Not much else is new except that I rearranged my few furniture pieces again today. Wanted to create room for the drying rack. Will write again once I experience some more cultural stuff... probably not for a few days to a week now. I so appreciate hearing from you, even when it is just a few sentences. It helps me feel in touch as there are moments I feel very far away and totally out of touch. Blessings my friends.
The best news came today, and that is that I am suppose to get my Internet service tomorrow at home.
Went to a function in the French area of town tonight. The shops, restaurants and bars looked really interesting however, I passed on seeing them tonight as within an hour of our staff being in the bar, the downpours, thunder and lightening started. During a small break in the weather, 2 hours later, 4 of us hailed a cab and went home. The place wasn't all that far form school and was a fairly cheap taxicab ride home (21 rmb =$3.50). It was a great evening out. Oh, some of the stoplights are really interesting here. There is another green light above the regular green light. This extra green light is numbers, which slowly count down the remaining time on the green light before it turns yellow. Cool idea.
To answer some of your questions: I am teaching in an International School in the city of Shanghai. Shanghai is divided into two parts by the river. The part where the international airport is located is called Pudong, while the part where the domestic airport is located (and me) is called Puxi. The school population consists roughly of 25% American, 15% European, and 60% of Asian decent. The school costs $30,000 a year to attend, so it is considered competitive and expensive as far as schooling goes. They are picky in their admission criteria and all children are college bound, such that all students take Algebra II or pre-calculus in 10th grade, and the IB math program starting in 11th grade, which is quite intensive. I am teaching that IB program this next year and also have all of the 6th graders. We are on a block schedule, which means I see each class for 108 minutes three times a week. That translates to me teaching three groups a day and having 108 minutes of prep each day.
The school is 6 stories high, 5 above ground and 1 below. There are no elevators. I'm on the third floor. Supplies are in the basement as is everything else I'd be interested in other than duty time. I have a 15-minute duty between the 2nd and 3rd hour, which is break time for the kids, and it is 2 floors below. Putting it mildly, I climb stairs all day. Today this was especially true, as we got to pick up all of our teaching supplies, which were in the basement and run them up the stairs to our rooms. It took me 5 trips going up and down three flights of stairs. Twice, part way, male teachers took my heavy basket and hauled it a few stories for me. Lets here it for male manners, so extra nice. There are a nice variety of ages represented in this school. Think our youngest is around 26 years old and the oldest one that I am aware of is 62. There are just as many couples as single people, and many couples have children. There are many people in their 50’s, which is grand as I fit right in. Floors are designated by subject matter with all math and some science classes on the third floor. The students I feel for are the ones who have PE on the 5th floor of my building and then have Spanish class, which is on the 5th floor of the building next to mine. There are 4 minute passing periods and those students have to hustle down the 5 flights of stairs here after working out for 1.5 hours, run to the building next to ours and climb 5 flights of stairs. Let me add that our ceilings are incredibly tall, nice when you are in a room, but not so nice when climbing stairs as it is almost as if there are two flights of stairs between each floor.
My campus consists of 4 large, tall buildings. One is for the elementary school, one for the middle school and one for the high school, and one is the cafeteria and awesome theater. Then there is the garden area and the field, which is large. The campus is gorgeous and can be seen at www.scischina.org for those of you who are truly interested.
Last night was our first social and we went to the 'French district'. The private room/bar for our group was on the fifth floor. Why was I not surprised? Again, there was no elevator. There are elevators in the apartment buildings as they are mega stories tall. The area was quaint and I would have liked to explore it more, but shortly after we arrived a thunder/lightening storm started and lasted nearly three hours. By then, I was ready to return home. The popular drink of the evening was ginger beer. Water here is called sparkling or flat. : ) Flat is our typical bottled water. Water as it comes out of the tap has a very faint funny smell, and no one drinks it. All use bottled water.
So far the weather has been hot and humid with periodic and lightening storms. I have been caught in three storms now and ended up drenched each time. Yesterday, while walking home, it started to sprinkle. I was 1/2 way home. Experience has taught me to immediately get out my umbrella once the first sprinkles are felt, as it won't be but a block more of walking before the flooding starts. By the second block I'm in puddles up to my ankles. Storms here, so far, last around 2-3 hours and then stop as suddenly as they start.
Oh, other good news, one of the ladies here, who has been here for years, wants to share her IE. Who knows the real spelling of that word, but it is pronounced I, E. That is a maid, person who runs errands, etc. So, I am hiring an IE for 4 hours a week. Remember, my place is only 450 sq feet and so doesn't require much. She'll come in once a week, clean and do laundry and then post any mail that I have. This service will cost me 15 rmb an hour, for a total of 60 rmb, which is $10! And, most IE's get paid 10 rmb an hour so ours is spoiled and wants to do extra well as she is paid so very well. Think I can handle this. She's worked for the other lady for a few years now and comes with good recommendations. She'll come to see me after school on Monday, with a translator, so the first time in my apartment she'll understand what I want. This is cool. Am excited and glad to be able to employ someone and help her while she is helping me. Yahoo.
Oh, attempted to do laundry for the first time. Didn't do very well as my shirts came out dirtier than when they went in. Had to put them back in and try something else. Imagine not having any directions on your washing machine, just a bunch of buttons in unfamiliar locations and one dial. You've got to figure out which is hot water, which is cold, what type of wash you want, gentle or regular cycle, wash or rinse, thunder etc. Then you have an idea of what I saw as there is no way I understand their symbols. Now also please picture a washer with a door in the front like most of our dryers and a cylinder inside the same size as a medium depth kitchen sink. Small. It fits two tops, one pair of slacks and a few socks and is full. Hiring an IE just to do laundry is worth it.
Not much else is new except that I rearranged my few furniture pieces again today. Wanted to create room for the drying rack. Will write again once I experience some more cultural stuff... probably not for a few days to a week now. I so appreciate hearing from you, even when it is just a few sentences. It helps me feel in touch as there are moments I feel very far away and totally out of touch. Blessings my friends.
The best news came today, and that is that I am suppose to get my Internet service tomorrow at home.
Went to a function in the French area of town tonight. The shops, restaurants and bars looked really interesting however, I passed on seeing them tonight as within an hour of our staff being in the bar, the downpours, thunder and lightening started. During a small break in the weather, 2 hours later, 4 of us hailed a cab and went home. The place wasn't all that far form school and was a fairly cheap taxicab ride home (21 rmb =$3.50). It was a great evening out. Oh, some of the stoplights are really interesting here. There is another green light above the regular green light. This extra green light is numbers, which slowly count down the remaining time on the green light before it turns yellow. Cool idea.
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Seems China has quite a policy of who may stay here and who gets sent home. Today all of the new teachers from three different campuses were run through a physical, whose process took 3 hours. Besides having our weight, height and temperature measured, we had to have blood drawn, a sight test, a sonogram done, chest x-rays and be poked in the belly similar to what it felt like when the nurses move your belly around after having delivered a baby. Ouch. Do not want to be over x-rayed, but can't live in this country without going through this process and being deemed healthy.
The lady who did the sonogram was brutal, punching and poking to the extend that I now have quite a few bruises where she was checking on my liver. The whole experience felt like I was on a spaceship run by aliens whose language I couldn't understand and I was just a guinea pig. On their part, they just wanted to be efficient and cared not how it impacted us. Glad we only have to do that once, and that it is not like each time we leave the country having 24 hours to reregister our address with the police. The good news is that after each station the person declared me "normal" and I got to move to the next station. No wonder the initial application form to work here asked about one's health status.
To treat the staff after this ordeal, especially since we weren't allowed to eat/drink since midnight until we finished, which was around 11:30 am, we were taken to a marvelous restaurant named 2121 and treated to a 21 course meal. Dishes kept being delivered on the lazy susan in the middle of each table. We were invited to sample fish (with eyes still intact along with its skeleton), kofu (really yummy, made out of tofu, tasted like sautéed beef), egg rolls and other Chinese favorites. There were ample vegetarian dishes as well as chicken, pork and beef dishes and they ranged in spiciness. This is a place to go when visitors come to visit China.
Today was also stressful in that we were informed that China mandates what banks can be used by foreigners in their country and if we didn't open an account at the specified bank, we could not get paid! We sat through an hour of being told about all of the different fees that would be accessed for being able to have them handle our money. No way would I pick that bank voluntarily. It was one of those hours where one can begin to feel indignant righteousness, having lived in a free country, only to take a deep breathe and tell yourself that this too shall pass and simply accept the undo control in your life. Did ask enough questions to find out that I can immediately have the money transferred to another bank which will then transfer the money to my bank (nope got to have that third bank in there and their fees also) so that I can use my ATM card (can't be issued one here by this bank as foreigners must have one issued by a foreign bank or a bank that can pretend its from elsewhere and then issue you one from that other place) and withdraw money. The rules say that you may not transfer out more money than what you are paid. There goes side jobs and under the counter payments just in case someone was interested in tutoring or teaching English on the side. This fascinated me: You cannot ask for money to be changed into a currency other than China's without your passport, your work contract, and sending a fax at least 24 hours in advance, plus paperwork that says you are current on all of your taxes that have to be paid each month from your salary. How do you like that? You cannot withdraw your own money without showing proof of being current on your taxes to the government! The school helps us by choosing ANZ (Australia, New Zealand) Bank and providing them monthly with the appropriate documentation of taxes paid, our salary, etc so that we can then pay the bank to transfer our money to where we want it to go for a mere $50 a month! But to get this service costs us $100 initially. Don't understand why my rebellious spirit had issues with this. Bankcards will be sent to the people wanting them from Australia or ANZ's bank in Singapore. Also, all Chinese currency must be exchanged prior to leaving the country, as they don't allow it to be exchanged outside of the country. In other words, I can't legally sell back my rmb (Chinese money) from outside of China! This gave me much more appreciation for other country's systems, especially our own, but then our banks are in trouble and China's are not...This is one of those things you swallow and just have to accept.
More news, people only have washing machines here and no dryers! Everyone hangs his or her clothes to dry. Now, this is not done outside as then the clothes would be dirty again. So today I purchased a "clothes drying rack" from IKEA (yup, just like in the States and in Europe) as I want to be ready to do laundry this weekend. The rack takes up the entire spare room in the living room and is the only place where it fits. We were also informed that during the winter there would be times when our clothes would not dry period. Can't wait.
So, all in all, today was interesting and except for the bank thing, which still irks me somewhat, I'm doing well.
Found out Shanghai is hosting the 2010's World Fair. That ought to be interesting. So for those of you planning to visit, and sleep on my gold couch, that would probably be a great time to come. Am doing well and getting to practice adjusting to new circumstances and being flexible while constantly getting to monitor my own attitude. Great opportunity to stay in gratitude as my reactions fluctuate... and so I give blessings to each of you in my life and this great opportunity for continued growth.
The lady who did the sonogram was brutal, punching and poking to the extend that I now have quite a few bruises where she was checking on my liver. The whole experience felt like I was on a spaceship run by aliens whose language I couldn't understand and I was just a guinea pig. On their part, they just wanted to be efficient and cared not how it impacted us. Glad we only have to do that once, and that it is not like each time we leave the country having 24 hours to reregister our address with the police. The good news is that after each station the person declared me "normal" and I got to move to the next station. No wonder the initial application form to work here asked about one's health status.
To treat the staff after this ordeal, especially since we weren't allowed to eat/drink since midnight until we finished, which was around 11:30 am, we were taken to a marvelous restaurant named 2121 and treated to a 21 course meal. Dishes kept being delivered on the lazy susan in the middle of each table. We were invited to sample fish (with eyes still intact along with its skeleton), kofu (really yummy, made out of tofu, tasted like sautéed beef), egg rolls and other Chinese favorites. There were ample vegetarian dishes as well as chicken, pork and beef dishes and they ranged in spiciness. This is a place to go when visitors come to visit China.
Today was also stressful in that we were informed that China mandates what banks can be used by foreigners in their country and if we didn't open an account at the specified bank, we could not get paid! We sat through an hour of being told about all of the different fees that would be accessed for being able to have them handle our money. No way would I pick that bank voluntarily. It was one of those hours where one can begin to feel indignant righteousness, having lived in a free country, only to take a deep breathe and tell yourself that this too shall pass and simply accept the undo control in your life. Did ask enough questions to find out that I can immediately have the money transferred to another bank which will then transfer the money to my bank (nope got to have that third bank in there and their fees also) so that I can use my ATM card (can't be issued one here by this bank as foreigners must have one issued by a foreign bank or a bank that can pretend its from elsewhere and then issue you one from that other place) and withdraw money. The rules say that you may not transfer out more money than what you are paid. There goes side jobs and under the counter payments just in case someone was interested in tutoring or teaching English on the side. This fascinated me: You cannot ask for money to be changed into a currency other than China's without your passport, your work contract, and sending a fax at least 24 hours in advance, plus paperwork that says you are current on all of your taxes that have to be paid each month from your salary. How do you like that? You cannot withdraw your own money without showing proof of being current on your taxes to the government! The school helps us by choosing ANZ (Australia, New Zealand) Bank and providing them monthly with the appropriate documentation of taxes paid, our salary, etc so that we can then pay the bank to transfer our money to where we want it to go for a mere $50 a month! But to get this service costs us $100 initially. Don't understand why my rebellious spirit had issues with this. Bankcards will be sent to the people wanting them from Australia or ANZ's bank in Singapore. Also, all Chinese currency must be exchanged prior to leaving the country, as they don't allow it to be exchanged outside of the country. In other words, I can't legally sell back my rmb (Chinese money) from outside of China! This gave me much more appreciation for other country's systems, especially our own, but then our banks are in trouble and China's are not...This is one of those things you swallow and just have to accept.
More news, people only have washing machines here and no dryers! Everyone hangs his or her clothes to dry. Now, this is not done outside as then the clothes would be dirty again. So today I purchased a "clothes drying rack" from IKEA (yup, just like in the States and in Europe) as I want to be ready to do laundry this weekend. The rack takes up the entire spare room in the living room and is the only place where it fits. We were also informed that during the winter there would be times when our clothes would not dry period. Can't wait.
So, all in all, today was interesting and except for the bank thing, which still irks me somewhat, I'm doing well.
Found out Shanghai is hosting the 2010's World Fair. That ought to be interesting. So for those of you planning to visit, and sleep on my gold couch, that would probably be a great time to come. Am doing well and getting to practice adjusting to new circumstances and being flexible while constantly getting to monitor my own attitude. Great opportunity to stay in gratitude as my reactions fluctuate... and so I give blessings to each of you in my life and this great opportunity for continued growth.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
First day of work today. Must correct something I wrote earlier. Some of the Olympics are being shown on the tv here, but only on cable, which I don't have which is why I couldn't find them. Feel a bit isolated from news here. CNN is banned, as is much since the controls are on what influences the thinking of people here. They don't much care what the foreigners do though which is interesting. Certain sites are intermittently banned without access, like U-tube. We were informed today that Internet is scanned, sites we visit on the web monitored, but all the same, foreigners have more leeway than natives.
I will definitely get in shape while living here, one of my own wishes for this year. It is a 20-25 minute walk to work. Then our campus consists of 3 large buildings all 5 stories high plus 1 story below ground. There are no elevators here. My classroom is on the third floor. The teacher workroom is the story below ground. So, between the walking and the stairs, think I'll do pretty well. The pool will open in two weeks. Then I'll add swimming each day for 1/2 hour to my list. There is double motivation for this. I understand that the showers in our pool area have hot water.... since there is no hot water at home, I think swimming and taking a hot shower is a nice reward and solves the problem that I am not willing to stand under cold water long enough to wash my hair. So, problem solved. As Americans, we really are spoiled.
The best news is that we got our Apple Computers today. What that means is that soon, I won't have to lug my computer back and forth to work. Better yet, when the downpour comes each evening and we get instant flooding I won't have to use my umbrella to protect my computer, which means I end up dripping wet. Plus, even better part is that they train us on parts of the Apple software that I am unfamiliar with at the moment. Yippee! That stuff I like.
Okay, now for the best part. Imagine going to a grocery store and having all of the writing in Chinese. How would you know what to buy? Wanted to buy vinegar to put in my water and Clorox to add to water while I soak my feet each night, but can't read the containers to know what is what. Laundry detergent comes is plastic bags and I only figured that one out because there was one group of sacks that all said Tide on them with the familiar Tide logo. Bought the item sitting next to Tide as I figured I don't use Tide at home, so why start now? Finally decided that Clorox had to be that from the shape of the bottle. Vinegar was the only item in the store that was labeled in English, besides margarine. So seeing margarine helped me to figure out what must be butter. Shopping was like one giant puzzle. Was so pleased with myself when I figured out what was grape seed oil, but then took forever to find the popcorn. I wasn't leaving without my popcorn and trying to explain popcorn to the store clerks was just a laugh in itself. Oh, salt only comes in Baggies and there is no sea salt! This I know for a fact as it was the very last item on my list and I finally found an English-speaking store clerk. Wow, was I excited. Guess what the one brand of salt they carry is? Morton’s!
This grocery store is huge and has an import section in it for foreigners that has all kinds of things like Philadelphia cream cheese, A & W Root beer, cereals galore, etc. with really hefty import prices to go with each item. Just to share some prices for the sake of interest as we all think everything made in China is so darn cheap; avocados were $7 each, grape seed oil $20 for the small bottle, small broom with dust pan $40, rice was almost free, cherries were $16 a handful, watermelon was cheap, Bok Choy was cheap, and oh my, I forgot to get toilet paper again. It would have been soaked in the rain anyway... must improve on this. Oh, got a cell phone today on a school outing! Don't know how to use it, but have one. We have a workshop on that on Monday.
I will definitely get in shape while living here, one of my own wishes for this year. It is a 20-25 minute walk to work. Then our campus consists of 3 large buildings all 5 stories high plus 1 story below ground. There are no elevators here. My classroom is on the third floor. The teacher workroom is the story below ground. So, between the walking and the stairs, think I'll do pretty well. The pool will open in two weeks. Then I'll add swimming each day for 1/2 hour to my list. There is double motivation for this. I understand that the showers in our pool area have hot water.... since there is no hot water at home, I think swimming and taking a hot shower is a nice reward and solves the problem that I am not willing to stand under cold water long enough to wash my hair. So, problem solved. As Americans, we really are spoiled.
The best news is that we got our Apple Computers today. What that means is that soon, I won't have to lug my computer back and forth to work. Better yet, when the downpour comes each evening and we get instant flooding I won't have to use my umbrella to protect my computer, which means I end up dripping wet. Plus, even better part is that they train us on parts of the Apple software that I am unfamiliar with at the moment. Yippee! That stuff I like.
Okay, now for the best part. Imagine going to a grocery store and having all of the writing in Chinese. How would you know what to buy? Wanted to buy vinegar to put in my water and Clorox to add to water while I soak my feet each night, but can't read the containers to know what is what. Laundry detergent comes is plastic bags and I only figured that one out because there was one group of sacks that all said Tide on them with the familiar Tide logo. Bought the item sitting next to Tide as I figured I don't use Tide at home, so why start now? Finally decided that Clorox had to be that from the shape of the bottle. Vinegar was the only item in the store that was labeled in English, besides margarine. So seeing margarine helped me to figure out what must be butter. Shopping was like one giant puzzle. Was so pleased with myself when I figured out what was grape seed oil, but then took forever to find the popcorn. I wasn't leaving without my popcorn and trying to explain popcorn to the store clerks was just a laugh in itself. Oh, salt only comes in Baggies and there is no sea salt! This I know for a fact as it was the very last item on my list and I finally found an English-speaking store clerk. Wow, was I excited. Guess what the one brand of salt they carry is? Morton’s!
This grocery store is huge and has an import section in it for foreigners that has all kinds of things like Philadelphia cream cheese, A & W Root beer, cereals galore, etc. with really hefty import prices to go with each item. Just to share some prices for the sake of interest as we all think everything made in China is so darn cheap; avocados were $7 each, grape seed oil $20 for the small bottle, small broom with dust pan $40, rice was almost free, cherries were $16 a handful, watermelon was cheap, Bok Choy was cheap, and oh my, I forgot to get toilet paper again. It would have been soaked in the rain anyway... must improve on this. Oh, got a cell phone today on a school outing! Don't know how to use it, but have one. We have a workshop on that on Monday.
Monday, August 11, 2008
2nd day in China
Today is my first official day at work. I wish there was hot water here, I am just not good at taking cold showers nor is it fun soaking in a luke warm bathtub. Think I'll need to purchase a huge pan just to warm water up in so that I can pour boiling water in my tub. I am not able to get my floor clean yet where it doesn't cause me to have black feet when walking barefoot, even though I've washed it many times. Perhaps today at work I'll ask what the Chinese name is for a stronger cleaner and buy it to use. The school is gorgeous. Went yesterday so that I could use the Internet. It is about a 20-minute brisk walk away.
One of the techs at work yesterday said he'd help me get Internet at home. That'd be great as then I can leave my computer at home and not lug it back and forth to work. Oh, they have changed my classes, so instead of teaching 7th graders, I'll have 4 classes of 6th graders and one class of 11th graders who are in IB Math SL level. Yum, it is a great teaching schedule. They are on the block schedule where I see 3 classes a day and have a double period off. I see each class only 3 times per week as it is also a module schedule. On Mondays and Thursdays I have the last period of the day off, then two days a week I get my off period right next to lunch. Looks like a great schedule, even though all is subject to change until the first day of actual classes.
I was able to get my messages off of my cell phone yesterday using Skype so am thrilled. You can all sign up for Skype for free and get a Skype name. All people who have Skype can talk free and call each other once both are on the Internet. I highly recommend this; go to www.Skype.com to sign up. Eventually I'll be able to call out using Skype, am still figuring part of it out. Seems that my early morning hours are your late afternoon to evening hours. So that is going to be the best time to communicate by phone. However, I only have those hours available on the weekends as otherwise am working and some of those hours will be used for readings. So communication will be precious.
There is no such thing here as a fitted bottom sheet! Top sheets used as bottom sheets just don't stay tucked in! However the mattress is firm, so am not complaining. These updates will not be so many once I get into a routine and stuff becomes more normal to me here. Since am not adjusted to the time schedule, I may use this time to write each morning. Today I used it to exercise. Hope you each have a great day.
This is a local street sign.
One of the techs at work yesterday said he'd help me get Internet at home. That'd be great as then I can leave my computer at home and not lug it back and forth to work. Oh, they have changed my classes, so instead of teaching 7th graders, I'll have 4 classes of 6th graders and one class of 11th graders who are in IB Math SL level. Yum, it is a great teaching schedule. They are on the block schedule where I see 3 classes a day and have a double period off. I see each class only 3 times per week as it is also a module schedule. On Mondays and Thursdays I have the last period of the day off, then two days a week I get my off period right next to lunch. Looks like a great schedule, even though all is subject to change until the first day of actual classes.
I was able to get my messages off of my cell phone yesterday using Skype so am thrilled. You can all sign up for Skype for free and get a Skype name. All people who have Skype can talk free and call each other once both are on the Internet. I highly recommend this; go to www.Skype.com to sign up. Eventually I'll be able to call out using Skype, am still figuring part of it out. Seems that my early morning hours are your late afternoon to evening hours. So that is going to be the best time to communicate by phone. However, I only have those hours available on the weekends as otherwise am working and some of those hours will be used for readings. So communication will be precious.
There is no such thing here as a fitted bottom sheet! Top sheets used as bottom sheets just don't stay tucked in! However the mattress is firm, so am not complaining. These updates will not be so many once I get into a routine and stuff becomes more normal to me here. Since am not adjusted to the time schedule, I may use this time to write each morning. Today I used it to exercise. Hope you each have a great day.
This is a local street sign.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Arriving in China
Just to catch up the few of you who didn't know, I accepted a teaching job in Shanghai, China. I'll be teaching 7th grade math. From the time I applied to the time I arrived was roughly 3 weeks. So please accept my apologies if you didn't know prior to this e-mail. The plane ride was uneventful. Met quite a few people returning to China, mostly teachers in the waiting area in Vancouver, Canada, while we were waiting for the plane. They informed me that all fruits were eaten without the peel, including grapes, due to the heavy use of pesticides here. There was no such thing as hot water, and that we had to register our location/address with the police within 24 hours of landing or there was a $500 USD fine that would be accessed. If we were in a hotel, the hotel did that for us, but if not in a hotel be aware of the law. Plus, each time you leave and reenter the country, the police must be notified within 24 hours of your return and what address you are staying at, even if you have not moved. Also, that all people applying for a work permit must be x-rayed and have their blood tested as no one with HIV/Aids, or other diseases would be admitted, in fact they would be sent home asap. After receiving my welcome packet, I found out that our screening day is this Wed. and not to have eaten prior to being tested.
My principal and his wife met me at the airport. Seems they just arrived themselves last week. We had a driver who spoke no English. I was taken to my new "home", shown in the car how to drive to the school from my apartment, re-dropped off at my apartment and left to my own devices. First impression of my principal and his wife were positive. Wish I could say the same for my new lodgings. Before leaving they gave me a few laminated cards with my address on one side and different locations on the other so that I could show taxi drivers where I wanted to go. They also gave me $1000 in Chinese money to buy supplies as the apt. only came with 2 rolls of toilet paper, 1 plate, 1 cup, 1 knife and fork, 1 towel, 1 top sheet and 1 cover for a blanket and nothing else. Need everything else. Already miss an ironing board, iron and hangers so that I can put my clothes away. Plus, there was one rag and a washbowl, which I have been using to scrub the floor.
If you like the same amount of space as in a suite in a hotel, and it all decorated in heavy medieval baroque style than you would love this place. The fabrics are perfect for a castle in England or Germany in the middle ages. The one lamp, one candle holder and vase are all in the same heavy, depressing style and basically dark maroon with fake gold adornments. The drapes are dark maroon with gold insignias splattered on them. The couch is two shades of gold with the same insignias as in the drapes. My new furniture consists of a bed, 2 night stands, a hutch, and a wall unit for a closet (similar to in Germany where closets counted as another room and was taxed as such so there were no closets) in the bedroom, one couch and one over sized tv in the living room and a small kitchenette table with 4 chairs covered in a floral pattern of golds, maroon and some olive green. The worst part is the two over-sized gaudy chandeliers:one hangs over the coach in the living room and the other over the bed! This place is rented furnished and I am not suppose to change the decor or paint.
The first thing I did was to hide all of the decorative accent pieces that were here and the few small pictures in the broom closet. Then I rearranged the furniture and moved the hutch and one night stand out of the bedroom and put them in the living room. Next I took the television and put it in a nook space between the bathroom and kitchen to remove it from the living room. At least now my living space is presentable. The place grossed me out at first, but am now thinking that if I replace the dark maroon drapes with something green with gold accents the space will be livable. Then I can put back the original drapes again when I move out in two years. It'll take me a while to replace the drapes. Can't help but think of my high school as maroon and gold were our colors back then. Amazing how things repeat.
The place appeared fairly clean except that when I walked barefoot from the bedroom to the bathroom, the bottom of my feet turned black. I am so glad I brought my own towel as I was then able to use the white one that was provided for a floor mat. After my shower, the floor towel was picked up and the underside was black. I've washed the floors and counter tops three times now and am not sure I've gotten all of the layers of dirt up yet. It is similar to the layer of dirt that is on the sidewalks. Think it is just residue from the air. I'll see how fast it accumulates back again. Felt a lot better about this place than my very negative first impression after I moved stuff around and cleaned.
Finally got to sleep as there wasn't much sleeping on the plane. The man next to me teaches Berlitz English here and he was talkative and funny, but kept talking the entire trip, even through the movies I was trying to watch, etc. Anyway no sleep. Decided that was a good thing, as I ended up going to bed here at 5 pm and didn't get up for 12 hours. Oh, did I mention that I need to buy sheets and a blanket? Furnished apartment is just that, furniture, ugly pictures and nothing else. The floors are pretty: wood laminate in the living space and bedroom, nice tile in the kitchen and marble in the bathroom. Bathroom and kitchen are small, like in hotels, but very nice. I'd say the entire apartment is somewhere between 450- 500 square feet. Amazingly, my classroom is slightly more than twice the size of my apt!
Think it'll take me around 20 minutes to walk to work. Was given a subway card and a map to go to other locations. That part looks good and the bus passes nearby. There is a new part of the subway that is being built, and it will be only two blocks away, which I got to see when the driver passed it when returning from the school. Currently I am clueless where the subway is located in relationship to where I am. Lots of discovering to do. Took one excursion and just walked as I wanted to know how long it'd take me to get to work.
Then I went with my LONG list of basics on what I need to be able to cook, clean and be here comfortably with just the basics. The taxi system is what I tried first using one of the printed cards that I was handed which states addresses in both English and Chinese so that I would have a way of communicating with the driver. The driver from the apt. to the shopping mall took a direct route and it cost me $2. The one on the way home kept turning around and pretending he was lost, so it was $2.30. Still inexpensive, but then I have no idea how far away things are yet. It was pouring rain when I left the mall, and everything I purchased got soaked just getting into a taxi. I was lucky that the wet batteries purchased for the alarm clock still worked. Came home with 1/2 the items on my list.
Oh, the streets were flooding big time from this rain. When putting packages into the taxi's truck, I was literally up to my ankles in water. All I could think of was that I hoped that the Olympics were all inside. BTW, the Olympics are not being shown here on the tv! Thought I'd watch and tried the 3 available channels prior to removing the tv from the living room. Interesting.
My principal and his wife met me at the airport. Seems they just arrived themselves last week. We had a driver who spoke no English. I was taken to my new "home", shown in the car how to drive to the school from my apartment, re-dropped off at my apartment and left to my own devices. First impression of my principal and his wife were positive. Wish I could say the same for my new lodgings. Before leaving they gave me a few laminated cards with my address on one side and different locations on the other so that I could show taxi drivers where I wanted to go. They also gave me $1000 in Chinese money to buy supplies as the apt. only came with 2 rolls of toilet paper, 1 plate, 1 cup, 1 knife and fork, 1 towel, 1 top sheet and 1 cover for a blanket and nothing else. Need everything else. Already miss an ironing board, iron and hangers so that I can put my clothes away. Plus, there was one rag and a washbowl, which I have been using to scrub the floor.
If you like the same amount of space as in a suite in a hotel, and it all decorated in heavy medieval baroque style than you would love this place. The fabrics are perfect for a castle in England or Germany in the middle ages. The one lamp, one candle holder and vase are all in the same heavy, depressing style and basically dark maroon with fake gold adornments. The drapes are dark maroon with gold insignias splattered on them. The couch is two shades of gold with the same insignias as in the drapes. My new furniture consists of a bed, 2 night stands, a hutch, and a wall unit for a closet (similar to in Germany where closets counted as another room and was taxed as such so there were no closets) in the bedroom, one couch and one over sized tv in the living room and a small kitchenette table with 4 chairs covered in a floral pattern of golds, maroon and some olive green. The worst part is the two over-sized gaudy chandeliers:one hangs over the coach in the living room and the other over the bed! This place is rented furnished and I am not suppose to change the decor or paint.
The first thing I did was to hide all of the decorative accent pieces that were here and the few small pictures in the broom closet. Then I rearranged the furniture and moved the hutch and one night stand out of the bedroom and put them in the living room. Next I took the television and put it in a nook space between the bathroom and kitchen to remove it from the living room. At least now my living space is presentable. The place grossed me out at first, but am now thinking that if I replace the dark maroon drapes with something green with gold accents the space will be livable. Then I can put back the original drapes again when I move out in two years. It'll take me a while to replace the drapes. Can't help but think of my high school as maroon and gold were our colors back then. Amazing how things repeat.
The place appeared fairly clean except that when I walked barefoot from the bedroom to the bathroom, the bottom of my feet turned black. I am so glad I brought my own towel as I was then able to use the white one that was provided for a floor mat. After my shower, the floor towel was picked up and the underside was black. I've washed the floors and counter tops three times now and am not sure I've gotten all of the layers of dirt up yet. It is similar to the layer of dirt that is on the sidewalks. Think it is just residue from the air. I'll see how fast it accumulates back again. Felt a lot better about this place than my very negative first impression after I moved stuff around and cleaned.
Finally got to sleep as there wasn't much sleeping on the plane. The man next to me teaches Berlitz English here and he was talkative and funny, but kept talking the entire trip, even through the movies I was trying to watch, etc. Anyway no sleep. Decided that was a good thing, as I ended up going to bed here at 5 pm and didn't get up for 12 hours. Oh, did I mention that I need to buy sheets and a blanket? Furnished apartment is just that, furniture, ugly pictures and nothing else. The floors are pretty: wood laminate in the living space and bedroom, nice tile in the kitchen and marble in the bathroom. Bathroom and kitchen are small, like in hotels, but very nice. I'd say the entire apartment is somewhere between 450- 500 square feet. Amazingly, my classroom is slightly more than twice the size of my apt!
Think it'll take me around 20 minutes to walk to work. Was given a subway card and a map to go to other locations. That part looks good and the bus passes nearby. There is a new part of the subway that is being built, and it will be only two blocks away, which I got to see when the driver passed it when returning from the school. Currently I am clueless where the subway is located in relationship to where I am. Lots of discovering to do. Took one excursion and just walked as I wanted to know how long it'd take me to get to work.
Then I went with my LONG list of basics on what I need to be able to cook, clean and be here comfortably with just the basics. The taxi system is what I tried first using one of the printed cards that I was handed which states addresses in both English and Chinese so that I would have a way of communicating with the driver. The driver from the apt. to the shopping mall took a direct route and it cost me $2. The one on the way home kept turning around and pretending he was lost, so it was $2.30. Still inexpensive, but then I have no idea how far away things are yet. It was pouring rain when I left the mall, and everything I purchased got soaked just getting into a taxi. I was lucky that the wet batteries purchased for the alarm clock still worked. Came home with 1/2 the items on my list.
Oh, the streets were flooding big time from this rain. When putting packages into the taxi's truck, I was literally up to my ankles in water. All I could think of was that I hoped that the Olympics were all inside. BTW, the Olympics are not being shown here on the tv! Thought I'd watch and tried the 3 available channels prior to removing the tv from the living room. Interesting.
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